Please keep these pastors, their families and the Church families in your prayers throughout the coming weeks.
April 4 - Easter
Westfield 1st UMC
Rev. Nick Perry, his wife Rev. Carmen Perry and their children Nathan & Nadia.
April 11
Knapp Creek UMC
Rev. Jerry Piper, his wife Kathy and their family.
April 18
Fredonia First UMC
Pastor Nettie Puleff and her family.
Parts of our country are experiencing tornados, storms and flooding this spring. Those affected as well as disaster responders appreciate our prayers.
Prayers for victims, first responders and communities affected by recent mass shootings in the Atlanta, GA area and Boulder, CO.
Continue to pray for all those who are affected by COVID-19, either directly or through a family member, neighbor or friend. May we continue to show respect for others by practicing good hygiene, wearing masks & social distancing.
To download the 2020-2021 District Prayer Calendar, click here.
Bishop Webb Announces Clergy Appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce four ad interim appointments and eight appointments. View the full list of changes here.
Don't Miss It!
Ministry Shares Credit Opportunity
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration has created an opportunity for local churches to receive a Ministry Shares credit of 50% on your May 2021 statement.
In order to qualify for this credit, churches must pay 100% of their current month April charges (both Ministry Shares and Direct Bills).
A church will qualify for this credit even if it has not paid toward ministry shares in prior months. A church also will receive the credit if they have already paid their Ministry Shares in full prior to the April statement. The credit will be equal to 50% of May Ministry Shares charges. Credit will be reflected on the May statement as an increase to the YTD paid column)
Payment for April charges must be received in the Conference office (not postmarked) no later than April 30, 2021 to be eligible for the credit.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this information, please contact Bob Flask, UNY Conference Treasurer, at 315-898-2008 or bobflask@unyumc.org.
Dismantling Racism Devotional
The Dismantling Racism devotional series offers the opportunity to confess and fast from the sins of racism, discrimination, oppression and exclusion. Upcoming devotional leaders include:
April 1 (Maundy Thursday): Bishop Thomas Bickerton, of the New York Conference
April 2 (Good Friday): Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, of the Louisiana Conference
In 2020, the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) had approved delayed enforcement of the direct bill arrearage policy through December 31, 2020. Understanding the continued struggle faced by many congregations, the Board has approved to extend that delay through December 31, 2021.
If your church is still able to pay their direct bills, they should. If a church is experiencing financial hardship as a result of reduced giving during this time, the church is asked to notify their District Superintendent as well as the Benefits office (Susan Latessa) to discuss their situation. The Upper New York Conference will work with churches on a case-by-case basis.
UNY Conference United Methodist Men wish to invite men from the Cornerstone District to their annual Spring Retreat, 4 pm Friday, April 30 to 3 pm Saturday, May 1 at the Aldersgate UMC camp (https://aldersgateny.org).
Click here for the retreat flyer/registration form. Questions may be directed to UNY UMM President Mark Jones, 315-749-3700.
Phishing Emails Disguised
as Bishop Webb,
Conference Staff Continue
There continues to be a huge influx of phishing spam emails sent to members across the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. To protect us (Conference office staff, churches, clergy, and laity), we need to be proactive. We have sent out several communications regarding what to look for and what to do when you receive these.
If you have any questions about these phishing emails, contact Doug Thomas, UNY Conference IT manager, at dougthomas@unyumc.org.
Worship Resource
Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, and members of the UNY Cabinet have put together and released a worship service that may be used on a Sunday of your choice. It is hoped that by using this service, your pastor can have some much-needed rest and renewal.
The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The UNY Conference Communications team will regularly share worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
This week we share with you a devotion video delivered by Bishop Mande Muyombo, the Resident Bishop of the North Kantanga Area, which includes North Kantanga, Tanganyika, and Tanzania Conferences in the Congo Central Conference of the United Methodist Church. He explains how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have been forced to carry the cross of Jesus through force throughout history. Communities of color have, nevertheless, turned the burden into a blessing with the cross of Jesus being a pathway of liberation.
Click here to watch the video. Click here for discussion questions for this devotion.
Bishop Webb to Serve UNY Conference
Through December 2022
Bishop appointments are made at the jurisdictional level. Because the 2020 General Conference has been postponed to August 29 through September 6, 2022 in Minneapolis, followed by U.S. Jurisdictional Conferences to be held in October of 2022, the election and assignment of Bishops must wait until this time.
However, because two Bishops will retire this year, effective Sept. 1, 2021, The Book of Discipline authorizes the College of Bishops to provide coverage of open episcopal areas until new Bishops are elected and assigned by the Jurisdictional Conference. This coverage will be for 16 months from September 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022.
The Northeastern Jurisdiction Council of Bishops sent a letter explaining this process on March 29, 2021. Click here to read the letter.
CLASSES
OPEN TO ALL
Leading Prayer
April 14, 21, May 5, 6-9 pm; May 1, 9 am - 1 pm
Course fee, $15 each. To register or for more information, contact Arlene atadschmidt@nycap.rr.com. To view the brochure,click here.
Imagine No Racism
April 22, 29, May 6, 13 & 20, 2-5 pm
Zoom: Course fee $15
Click herefor the registration brochure.Registration extended to April 1.
Lay Pastoral Care
April 28, May 5, 12 & 19, 7-9 pm
Zoom: Course fee $15
Click herefor the registration brochure. Registration extended to April 1.
Basic Lay Servant
May 13 & 27, 6-9 pm; May 29, 9 am - 1 pm; and June 7, 6-9 pm
In response to the recent Atlanta shootings and other acts of violence throughout our country recently, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb sent a letter to the UNY Conference, expressing the many prayers that are needed as well as the fact that we must continue to stand against all forms of violence in whatever form they take. Click here to read the letter.
Celebrating Easter at Home
With the COVID pandemic still affecting people across the Upper New York (UNY) Conference, many families are choosing to celebrate Easter at home. Technology makes this possible. You can find online Easter services throughout the UNY Conference by clicking here.
The United Methodist Church has also prepared several materials to celebrate Easter at home. Click here to watch a virtual choir anthem, "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” find devotional material for Easter, activities for families and children, and theological reflections.
Digital Worship Experience
The Mohawk District Leadership Team invites you/your congregation to share in the digital worship service they have developed for Good Friday.
Popular hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette wrote a new Easter hymn in 2020 for the coronavirus era. It can be sung to the tune of "The Church's One Foundation." Find all the verses here: https://www.carolynshymns.com/this_easter_celebration.pdf.
News About
Annual Conference
Registration for the online June 17-19 Upper New York Annual Conference opens today, April 1. Lay people who are not the Lay Delegate for their churches are invited to consider serving as Equalization Members to Annual Conference. Youth (ages 12-17), Young Adults (ages 18-30) and Adults are welcome to apply (click here for application). Contact your pastor or the District office for more information. Deadline for applications is April 12.
Clergy and lay delegates who are unable to participate in the June 17-19 Annual Conference must submit a request to be excused. Click here to complete the form.
The April Issue I of the Bridge is now available for download. It is available in both color and black & white formats. Click here to select the version you prefer and make copies as necessary. The stories that are featured in the Bridgecan also be accessed from the news section of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference website for easy copying and pasting for those who wish to electronically distribute news featured in the Bridge. Click here to access the UNY Conference news items.
This issue explains the importance of the Easter season. Additionally, this issue highlights Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb’s prayers for the victims of the recent occurrences of violence that have taken place across the United States. This issue also includes the Upper New York Conference Commission on Religion & Race’s statement about the recent acts of violence.
Virtual Launchpad 2021
Launchpad is boot camp for anyone who is in the first year of planting a new faith community, or is feeling called to plant a new faith community in the next couple of years. It provides the best practical, hands-on training for planters available now in The United Methodist Church.
In these virtual sessions, you will learn an amazing array of best practices that will enable you to build a solid foundation on which to build your faith community.
Please click here for more information and the Launchpad schedule.
To register by April 18 or for more information, please send an email to Rev. Abigail Browka, pastorabigail1@gmail.com.
United Methodist Women in the Upper New York Conference are planning this summer’s Mission u 2021 event, to be held virtually in July. Mission u is a transformative education program that offers study on several different curricula, including plenary and worship sessions open to everyone - not just women.
Please help us in preparing this event by completing a two-minute survey by April 26. If you have attended Mission u events in the past or would just like to consider attending in the future, you are encouraged to complete this survey. Thank you in advance for helping guide the development of this important program.
The Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB is preparing for the coming spring to support survivors affected by the different disasters (floods and high winds) that may impact our area. In partnering with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), UNY’s status of kits on hand is low at best. The most requested items are cleaning and hygiene kits. Those who can support our communities by assembling kits in your homes or churches, please share projects so we can support your efforts and possibly share your methods with others. Any number of kits will help.
The HUB at the UNY Conference Center will remain closed until further notice. However, there is a tent outside the Conference Center where kits can be dropped off. You can also make arrangements to drop off kits at the HUB by calling MaryBeth Ingalls at 315-372-0285 or emailing her at marybethingalls@unyumc.org or calling Mike Block at 315-491-0497 or emailing him at mikeblock@unyumc.org.
As New York State’s vaccine supply from the federal government increases, Gov. Cuomo has expanded eligibility to more New Yorkers to keep the vaccination progress moving. Starting March 17, three new groups of New Yorkers are eligible for the vaccine: public-facing government and public workers, not-for-profit workers who provide public-facing services to New Yorkers in need (this includes clergy), and essential in-person building service workers.
Please contact your local vaccination center to verify your eligibility.
Effective immediately, New York State employers must provide employees with up to four hours of paid time off per COVID-19 vaccination. The new law sunsets on December 31, 2022. Click here for details.
LOOKING AHEAD
PAST DUE
Please send a completed & signed copy of each to the District office. (Click on the boldface titles to download the forms.):
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists who bring people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, the Upper New York Conference works with the Foundation for Evangelism to recognize and honor one lay and clergy member for their commitment to consistently introducing others to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Nominations are now being accepted through April 15, 2021 for clergy, laity, and youth in Upper New York. Click here for a nomination form. Send all completed nomination forms to dcmoffice@unyumc.org.
May 8 Special Session Cancelled
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church met on Monday, March 22, 2021 in an additional meeting to consider pressing matters related to the Council’s work. After much conversation, the bishops reached a decision that in the best interest of the church at this time, they would cancel the Special Session of the General Conference which was set for May 8, 2021.
Since the start of the COVID pandemic, one year ago, the UNY Communications team has been connecting folks across the Conference to digital discipleship resources. As part of that, we have created a directory ofonline worship services.
We are expanding this effort and would like to create a directory of online Bible studies that are taking place across the Conference. If your church has Bible studies that are taking place online and you would like it added to our new directory, please contact Shelby Winchell atshelbywinchell@unyumc.org and include your church name, Bible study meeting time and day, and a link where it can be found online.
Notice Related to BSA Cases
Many churches filed a “proof of claim” to assert the right to be indemnified by BSA if child abuse claims are filed against a church-sponsored troop. These churches are now receiving “Notice of Hearing” documents from the bankruptcy court informing churches that BSA is about to propose a plan to emerge from bankruptcy. The notice is for information only and requires no action on part of the church.
Click here to read a note developed by Peter Abdella, UNY Conference Chancellor, and Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Executive Assistant to the Bishop.
