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Welcome to the Finger Lakes District
e
-Newsletter! Please share this with church members and staff, teams and organizations. We hope that you will find this a useful resource as we work to promote the missions, ministries and events of the Finger Lakes District.
Rev. Jeffrey McDowell
,
District Superintendent
Pam Deckard,
Administrative Assistant
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Please contact the office email: [email protected] or phone (315-781-0188) and your messages will be responded to.
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Dear Friends in Christ our Lord,
I seek to be with you during this time of societal change and anxiety. When a crisis comes, whether created by humans like war, theft, abuse or found in nature like tornadoes and floods, etc., we in the church find solace in each other's presence and embrace. How cruel it seems for us to be separated now in such a manner as this! But the tenets of our faith are a deep well we can draw from, especially in times of crisis. We know that we are not ever fully at home in the body, Paul wrote, because that slight degree of separation from God is felt in the pain and suffering of this world. And even more, we are each a member of the body of Christ, unified and serving God together. The best of the church is emerging! I see our best in mutual resourcing within congregations using different communication methods in this time of social distancing. I read about it in emails from leaders, sharing creative ways of providing food, comfort, prayers and a helping hand. I hear about it in phone conversations where needs are being shared and God is being honored as the One who holds all the answers and reconciles the world to right relationship with its creator. Now, more than ever, we have a chance to shine as the church of Jesus Christ, with a very practical religion that puts legs to its prayers. We Methodists are a people who, as my friend used to say, "Pray for potatoes with a shovel in your hands." Personal holiness and social holiness go hand in hand according to James chapter 2. And we are people who believe the prediction of Jesus, "greater works than these you will do...." (John 14:12). Now is the time, church in the finger lakes, to rise and shine and give God the glory. What can you do today to share the love of God? Pray for inspiration in new ways to love, and learn from one another. Please access the conference resources below, for help and information online during the Corona Virus outbreak: your shared giving helps you in very practical ways. And please keep up your church giving as unto the Lord.
I am available to you by email, phone and frequent group chats. Soon I will create opportunities to talk with me and nearby church leaders, in clusters of churches! Look for that schedule in a separate email.
God is faithful and God's people, together are strong. In Christ with you,
Jeff
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If you have a question about COVID-19 and how it affects your church or need assistance, please contact UNY Communications at (315) 898-2012 or
[email protected] and someone will contact you.
Some vital resources listed in our conference website are as follows:
- Coronavirus Frequently asked questions
- Resources for Pastors & Congregations
- Traditional & Modern Service Options (if Communion is discontinued)
- Online Giving
- How to Create a Website & Facebook Page
- Live Streaming & Licensing
- Webinars
- Video Conferencing through "Zoom" (Conference will pay $75, half toward a church's subscription) (see below)
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Hello Friends,
During "physical distancing" because of pandemic concerns, many organizations and churches would appreciate staying in contact with those they serve. Live streaming broadcasts is one way of reaching your audience.
I am offering tutoring and/or consulting at no cost to organizations or churches that would like to start offering programs or alternate online events using this technology. Having set such a system for St. Paul's UMC in Ithaca, I welcome a chance to give guidance to others in these trying times.
You can reach me at:
[email protected]. After completing a questionnaire concerning you and your organization, we will be in touch via email and/or Skype.
We are all in this together and creative solutions are available.
Mark Hartsuyker
Recording Raccoon Studio
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Recording or streaming your service during COVID-19
Many churches are brainstorming ways to record or stream their services during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Click here to check out our Resource page where we describe different services you can use for video recording or live streaming your services.
One popular live streaming platform that churches are using is Facebook Live.
Click here for a very useful video by Baptist pastor Bobby Gillstrap, showing you how to use Facebook Live.
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Using Zoom for Bible studies and meetings
Zoom is a video conferencing as well as webinar resource that Conference staff as well as Conference and District leaders often use to communicate with one another. We are suggesting all committees and teams that usually meet at the United Methodist Center to meet using Zoom while the office is closed, which is currently now through April 13.
Zoom is also a great platform for you to use with members of your congregation and to host Bible studies or small groups.
Click here
to learn how to get started with Zoom, to watch Zoom tutorials, to access Zoom technical support and to see Zoom-related FAQs.
Click here
for a webinar about how to use Zoom created by our friends in the Arkansas Conference.
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To help churches to continue to be in ministry with their members and their communities, the Upper New York Conference is offering $5,000 in matching grants for churches wishing to purchase the Pro version of Zoom for a year. Zoom is an online meeting software ideal for Bible study, small group discussion, or meetings. Zoom is also an option for live streaming worship services if used as a webinar.
To participate in the matching grant, simply
click here
to purchase a one year Zoom Pro Plan. Then, send a copy of the receipt to Alma Malikow in the Conference Treasurer's office digitally at
[email protected]
or by U.S. mail at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY 13088. The Conference will reimburse participating churches $75, which covers half the cost of the annual subscription. If you have any questions, contact the Conference Director of Communications, Steve Hustedt, at
[email protected]
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The next edition of this eNewsletter comes out on April 7, 2020. To submit an item for the newsletter, please have it to the district office 5-7 days before the post date. Thank you.
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DS SPECIAL NEWS: I will be taking a 3-month Renewal Leave beginning June 1. Every Superintendent is expected to do this during their term, for the good of the church. I will be assigned to the Mountainview District and southern tier regional team after that, so if you have a need to meet with me before the change, it will have to be in March, April or May.
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Retirement Notice regarding District Administrative Assistant, Pam Deckard
It is with mixed feelings that I announce my intention to retire from the district office position effective June 30, 2020. It has been my absolute pleasure to work with the pastors, churches, and all the saints in this district and beyond. Jeff wanted me to give you all a "heads up" with this announcement, so consider it checked off my "to do" list. I will miss you all. Sincerely, Pam
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Local Church Audit -
The 2019 annual audit of your church financial records are due to the District Superintendents on Sunday, March 15, 2020, no later.
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The General Conference meets once every four years. This year the conference will be held May 5 through May 15 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The elected delegates meet to worship, pray, and conduct legislative work.
GENERAL CONFERENCE TO MOVE TO 2021. CLICK HERE for story
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IMPORTANT!
All churches are receiving a payroll audit from CHURCH MUTUAL for 2019. Please fill it out and return it.
It is required.
Even though the insurance is changed for 2020, the payroll audit is for 2019. Kindly take care of this vital, required information. Do Not Discard/Ignore It.
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Please Note:
When there are changes in the names, addresses, phone numbers, and
e-mail addresses for you, and/or any of your committee chairs, please email the
district office with the changes. Thank you
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Equitable Compensation Application for July-December 2020 available
The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period July 1 to December 31, 2020. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full time appointment.
To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the directions provided.
Completed applications should be submitted to your District Superintendent by the April 7, 2020 deadline
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Please note the changes made to the applications for 2020. More information is required to be submitted with your application to be considered complete. Please read through the application thoroughly and provide all required documentation. Lack of required information could result in the denial of your application.
NOTE: The application is set up as a template. To add text, tab through the document to each box and start typing. Once completed, save the document to your computer as "[your church name] July 2020." The Commission anticipates notifying churches of its determination by mid-June.
Click the link for the appropriate application for:
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2020
Changes for registration for youth and coordinators:
CLICK HERE
for more information
Looking for all things related to Annual Conference? CLICK HERE
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Equalization Members to Annual Conference
Only 2 more slots left open for Finger Lakes District.
CLICK HERE for the Equalization Application for Finger Lakes District in WORD format - CLICK HERE for application in PDF format. |
To Be Excused from the 11th Session of Annual Conference
Those who are looking to be excused from the Annual Conference in May must request to be excused from the Bishop.
To request to excused please CLICK HERE
and fill out the digital form.
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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference have the following appointment and retirement announcements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes
here.
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Right Start
The Right Start workshop registration is now open and able to accept registrations.
Attendance at the workshop is mandatory
for all full-time clergy who are moving to a new appointment, retirement or extension ministry. Less than full time clergy are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Workshops will be held in one central location this year:
May 19, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the UNY United Methodist Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY
May 20, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the UNY United Methodist Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY
Please CLICK HERE to register for one of these two dates online.
Registration closes May 15
th
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Transforming Church Conflict & Creating Space for Authentic Community
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Insurance Carrier Changed to Brotherhood Mutual
Last week, the UNY Board of Trustees sent a letter to all churches in the UNY Conference to inform them of the plan to change the Conference's insurance carrier from Church Mutual to Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.
Click here
to read the letter. This change becomes effective January 1, 2020.
CLICK HERE for new information on Background Checks.
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The Upper NY Local Pastors Licensing School for 2020 is as follows:
Date: April 19-25, 2020
Location: Camp Casowasco, Moravia, NY
Arrival time: Welcoming will begin at 4:15 on the 19th, dinner will be served at 5:30
On-line registration availability will be set up at the appropriate time.
If interpreter is required please inform me as soon as possible.
Caroline Simmons
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COS Update
The next COS session is scheduled for March 27-28 at the Conference Center. At this time, Wesley Seminary has moved to all online classes. Sara Sheppard will be finalizing the plans for the Spring session and she will be reaching out to all students that have registered for courses. Please be patient and allow Wesley time to put all plans in place.
If you have not heard from Wesley by the middle of the week please feel free to contact them at
[email protected]
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UNY Camp & Retreat Ministries update
After prayerful consideration, the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM) will close their sites to retreat guests effective immediately until Monday, April 13th. As the CRM Leadership continues to monitor the current situation closely, this date could be extended.
Click here to read a statement released by UNY CRM leadership in Wednesday March 18.
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Changes to Paid Family Leave in 2020
Effective Jan. 1, 2020, there are changes to the New York State Paid Family Leave benefit.
CLICK HERE for full report.
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Download the latest issue of the Bridge
The latest issue 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.
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New Direct Bill Arrearage Policy - Effective 1/1/2020
(Impacts full-time benefits eligible pastors)
The Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits has approved a new arrearage policy that could have an impact on your benefits if you/your church carry an arrearage on your direct bill.
Currently, if you/your church has an arrearage on your direct bill, you likely receive notification from the Conference Office, your DS or both asking you to contact the Conference office to make payment arrangements. Some contact us; many do not.
How is this new policy different and why did the Board establish it?
Since the one-time arrearage forgiveness from the Board a few years ago, the total accumulated amount of direct bill's, UNPAID is $787,673.04. This is money that is supposed to be used to pay premiums to Wespath for your benefits. As a result of these arrearages, the CBOPHB has to pay Wespath at the end of the year out of the investment accounts. Unpaid direct bills accompanied by increasing benefit costs has not only resulted in increasing cost to the church and personal premiums from your paychecks, the Board has to continue to look at the sustainability of benefits and ways we can work together with you, so future benefits are not jeopardized for active clergy (or for current/future retiree's).
The new policy outlines the process, which now involves Wespath, as well as consequences (while active and potentially into retirement) for ongoing non-payment.
As always, we are here to care for those who serve God and God's Kingdom. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your ministry. CLICK HERE for full letter. Susan Latessa, Director of Human Resources and Benefits.
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New Federal W-4 Tax Form for 2020
Effective January, 1, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
redesigned the
Federal W-4 Tax Form which instructs employers how much tax to withhold. The redesign is a result of the changes to the federal tax code from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which took effect in 2018.
The new federal W-4 tax form is meant to be a more accurate paycheck withholding for employees. The new form uses dollar amounts to represent credits allowed for qualified dependents instead of allowances/exemptions.
CLICK HERE for the new federal W-4 tax form.
CLICK HERE for more information.
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Clergy Tax Exemptions information
Clergy who own their homes may be eligible for a tax exemption. For more information, and the Exemption Application Forms, please
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Lyons UMC and the Hertzog Scholarship Fund
The Lyons UMC has money available through the
Hertzog Scholarship Fund to help individuals who are pursuing studies to become full or part time ministers. For guidelines please go to our Website:
lyonsumc.com for instruction on how to apply. All questions should be submitted to The Hertzog Scholarship Committee Email:
[email protected].
Deadline is April 15th.
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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) information. (also new number for 2020)
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UNYUMC Media Resource Center
If you've never used the Media Resource Center before, I invite you to give us a try. Funded by your Shared Ministry dollars, we can supply you with small group discussion materials, Bible studies, children and youth curriculum, adult curriculum, and a myriad of subjects such as stewardship, evangelism, social issues and VBS materials, just to name a few. Our quick and easy online ordering is just a click away. You can add things to a "shopping cart", then once submitted, you'll receive an email with your invoice attached. We send your order through the USPS and we'll supply the mail back envelopes and label with instructions on mailing. Your only cost is the postage to return it. Please feel free to search our
online catalog. If I can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to give me a call at 315-898-2027 or email me at
[email protected].
CLICK HERE for our latest newsletter.
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SAVE THE DATE
United Methodist Men at the Ballpark
We have contracted with the Syracuse Mets for 6:35PM,
Tuesday, June 16th to be our annual UMC fellowship night, where the home town team will face the Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins' affiliate). Last year we had nearly four hundred United Methodists attend, representing about thirty area churches. The greater Watertown, Utica, Binghamton and Cayuga County areas were well represented! The tailgate party in the parking lot will start at 4:30, and complimentary hot dogs and coneys provided by the Crossroads District United Methodist Men sponsor will be grilled.
As in past years, the Syracuse Mets will allow us to have the ceremonial First Pitch (chosen person still to be determined), and have our group then sing the National Anthem back to the crowd, while at Home Plate.
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NEW
- The 2021 UNY Budget information published
A hardcopy of the Upper New York (UNY) Narrative Budget Booklet has taken on a new format that will allow for multi-year use.
Click here
for the proposed Ministry Shares budget numbers for 2021.
Click here
to review the Narrative Budget Booklet electronically and to read some reports that some ministry areas submitted to support their 2021 UNY Conference Budget.
For hardcopies of the Narrative Budget Booklet, contact your District Office or email
[email protected]
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Newfield United Methodist Church is seeking a part time Organist/ Pianist/ Music Director - contact Pastor Michael Kelly at 607-220-7873
Corning Grace United Methodist Church is seeking a Part time Administrative Assistant/ Treasurer - 20 hours a week, M-Th, 8-1, or M-F 8-12, contact Pastor Michael Kelly 607-220-7873
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Trumansburg UMC has an Administrative Coordinator position currently available.
Click here for more information.
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If you would like to subscribe to this e-newsletter, please send your email address to:
[email protected]
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Finger Lakes District
of the Upper New York Conference
Rev. Jeffrey McDowell
,
District Superintendent
Pam Deckard,
Administrative Assistant
12 North Park St., Suite 11
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Office: 315-781-0188 efax: +1-315-282-2367
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