Mohawk District E-newsletter for Churches and Pastors
January 13, 2021
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For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not
return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth
and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater
Isaiah 55:11 (NRSV)
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Training for Local Churches:
Superintendent Asks All Treasurers and Finance Leaders to Attend
Each year, many local churches have questions on matters of finance in ministry. The D.S. urges all treasurers and finance leaders to attend this online training session and get expert advice and have your questions answered Jan. 19th. There are two different times to participate. See the full article below.
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District Prayer Focus
Week of January 10
Pastor Joelle Faulks
and
Herkimer UMC &
Morning Star UMC
Week of January 17
Brian Woodard
and
Lee UMC
Rev. Fred Bailey
and
Lowell UMC
Pray for the family of Jean Van Ornum, 96, who died Dec. 19, 2020. Send condolences to: Glenda Jackson, 1744 N. George St., Rome, NY 13440. A memorial service will be planned at the family’s convenience. Click here to read the obituary.
the 2020-21 Prayer Calendar
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Each year churches have many questions about a variety of financial matters. The Superintendent would like all treasurers and finance team members to take part and get the proper training and information. Please make sure all your church finance leaders are getting this training.
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Free Financial Training for Local Churches
Jan. 19, 2021, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. or Jan.19, 2021, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Please join Rev. Susan Ranous, Director of Stewardship for the Upper New York Conference, at either an afternoon or evening session for a workshop covering topics to help treasurers and other financial leaders in our churches. Rev. Ranous is an Ordained Deacon and a Certified Public Accountant.
Topics will include:
· Financial standards
· Payroll for non-clergy employees
· Payroll for clergy employees
· EZRA preparation
· 1099s vs W-2 forms
· Required paperwork
· Budgets
· Financial statements
Here is the link for Jan. 19, 2021, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Susan Ranous is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Treasurer Training - Northeast Region
Time: Jan 19, 2021 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 975 4840 4530
Passcode: 359879
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,97548404530#,,,,*359879# US (New York)
+13017158592,,97548404530#,,,,*359879# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 975 4840 4530
Passcode: 359879
Here is the link for Jan. 19, 2021, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Susan Ranous is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Treasurer Training - Northeast Region - Evening
Time: Jan 19, 2021 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 946 3710 9706
Passcode: 205696
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,94637109706#,,,,*205696# US (New York)
+13017158592,,94637109706#,,,,*205696# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 946 3710 9706
Passcode: 205696
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Prepare for Human Relations Day
Human Relations Day is January 17. On this Special Sunday, our gifts will extend a helping hand to those in crisis so they can overcome formidable obstacles. Inspire giving with worship resources, devotional podcasts, videos, social media images and more. Download the resources: Click here.
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District Christmas Mission - Thank You
Thank you to all churches and individuals who generously gave to support those in our area who are dealing with unemployment from Remington Arms. May God bless you for your generosity toward others. We are thankful for you!
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Local Churches Must Complete End-of-Year Reporting
Each year there are reports due to finalize data needed by the UMC and help churches take stock for ministry planning.
The following reports are due by February 15, 2021, to the Mohawk District Office: 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413, or mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org
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The statistical reports are due February 15, 2021, but are completed on the Ezra website. You do not need to send a copy to the District. Feel free to print out a paper copy for your own churches' records. You will need your user name and password to complete this task. Please see additional information located below in this e-newsletter. |
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Additionally, the annual audit is due March 15, 2021, to the Mohawk District Office: 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413, mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org. |
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Each year local United Methodist Churches are required by The Book of Discipline to provide statistical reporting for the previous calendar year. The Upper New York Conference uses a website, EZRA, to gather this data for the entire UMC. The site is now officially open. Churches need your user name and password to access EZRA. If you need help with these, contact the Mohawk District Office, 315-797-1777, or mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org.
Please note: there are TWO new lines this year. The first is in Table 2 – Line 46b. This line is for churches who had received a PPPLoan. The line is specifically for the amount that was used/allocated for payroll expenses. The second line is on Table 3 – Line 54d. This line for churches who had applied and received a PPPLoan. This line IS NOT USED towards the calculation on Ministry Shares for 2022.
The deadline to complete Statistical Reports is Feb. 15, 2021. For questions about the reporting, contact Erica Wentworth, ericawentworth@unyumc.org, or 315-898-2004.
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All Pastors Need *Boundaries Training |
Board of Ordained Ministry has put out the call for Boundaries Training which is required every five years.
(*Note: Boundaries Training is different than required New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training)
Click to download the informational letter.
The deadline to complete this is Feb. 15, 2021.
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A message from Dave Alexander, regarding the Red Bird Mission |
This year’s trip to the Red Bird Mission was very successful. We took 2,025 shoe boxes filled with personal hygiene items, 25 boxes of diapers, over 75 new sheet sets, over 100 backpacks filled with school supplies, handmade scarves, and other items. We drove one 26-foot truck to Kentucky and intend to take another 26-foot truck with clothing and food in March of 2021. |
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This year we kept a record of the hours and miles put into this mission. Our drivers drove approximately 4,662 miles picking up donations throughout Upper New York Conference and driving to Kentucky. Over 400 hours were spent on this mission.
As we look forward to next year’s mission, we would like churches to consider donating shoe boxes, backpacks, new blankets and sheet sets and diapers. The need for clothing is not as critical this time of year as the warehouse at the mission is usually full of gently used clothes. New clothes will still be taken to the Community Outreach Center for distribution.
I would like to personally thank all of you for your support of this vital mission. It is such a good feeling to know how God works to provide for those in need.
Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
Blessings,
Dave
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Grant Money to Assist Churches with Children's Ministries (including Church Camp!) |
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Hi there Camp and Retreat Agent,
Good news! You live in an area with Stewart’s Shops (in Northern Flow, Mohawk, Crossroads, Oneonta, Albany, and Adirondack Districts)!
Better News! Stewart’s Shops supports local youth in your communities by giving out grant money to “Local 501c3 organizations benefitting CHILDREN under 18, preferably groups which help kids all year long” and that includes YOU (churches).
Gouverneur UMC has requested and received $500-1000 dollars each year (for the last 5+ years) to help scholarship kids to go to camp (this helps them send non-church kids, too!)
I thought I’d send this along in case YOU could also use those funds for camperships or other programming for youth and children. Think of the new kiddos from your community who you might be able to engage and the families you might reach!
CRM hopes and prays that you are safe and well during this difficult time. We encourage you to stay connected with the Lord, with Camp and Retreat Ministries (Aldersgate, Skye Farm, Sky Lake, Casowasco, and Asbury), and with each other. Do your best to share God’s love, joy and hope with others each day.
Please keep CRM in prayer as we struggle through the options for programming at our sites this year. We will keep you updated as soon as there is information to share.
As always, if you have any questions, or I can provide any help or support, please don’t hesitate to let me know! Stay connected via our Facebook pages or our websites – not sure how? Let me know!
In Christ’s love,
Betsy
Betsy Schuessler
Support Associate
for Camp & Retreat Ministries
Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church
Phone: (315) 898-2026 / Fax: (315) 898-2198
“Transforming Lives”
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Rome: First Seeks Family Ministry and Education Coordinator
First United Methodist Church in Rome is seeking a Family Minstry and Education Coordinator to lead the Children’s Education Program, determine the direction and oversee implementation of the family ministry and work with a team to develop strategy and implement recommendations from the Vital Congregations Young Families Team. Other duties include managing volunteer recruitment, retention, training, and recognition for Family Ministry and developing the curriculum and prepare lesson plans and provide resources as appropriate to a variety of learning styles within the student population. To send a resume, or ask questions, Pastor Brian Lothridge, (315) 447-1654, blot0910@gmail.com
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Most of Oneida County in COVID-19 Micro-cluster
(NYS Yellow Color Zone)
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Read about this change and what it means for churches and businesses. Click here.
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Am I in a Micro-Cluster Area? |
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Lay Servant Courses - Open to All
The following courses are available to keep certification current or become certified as Lay Servant or Lay Speaker. To register or for more info., contact Arlene at adschmidt@nycap.rr.com. To view the brochure, click here.
Basic Course: Basic Lay Servant (daytime course)
Each date is 9 a.m.- Noon. Tues., Jan. 19, Thurs., Jan. 21, Mon., Jan. 25,
and Wed., Jan. 27.
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
Advanced Course: Preaching: From Your Hearts to Theirs
Course 1: Mondays, 6-9 pm: February 22, March 1st & 8; & Saturday March 13: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
OR
Course 2: Thursdays, 6-9 pm, February 25, March 4 & 11; & Saturday, March 20: 9-1 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee $15
Deadline for registration form and fee is February 8
Advanced Course: Leading Prayer
Wednesdays April 14, 21, May 5: 6-9pm
Saturday May 1: 9-1 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
For more information about Lay Servant Ministries, click here
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New Ministry: Loaves and Fishes Warming Center |
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Loaves and Fishes Warming Center is a ministry located within Herkimer First United Methodist Church, 127 N. Prospect St., Herkimer, NY. The ministry is looking for additional volunteers to staff the Center. Click here to read a letter about volunteering. Free Training will be provided. To get more details or to donate financially, see an informative flyer, click here.
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UMC Clergy Education Offering Courses for Credit in Jan./Feb. 2021
Jan. 14 - It Takes More Than a Sermon: Tips to Become a More Effective Preacher
Quincy Brown. Click here to register or for information.
Jan. 20 - Inspiring your congregation to take leaps of faith during these uncertain times
Rebekah Simon-Peter, Click here to register or for information.
Jan. 26 - Powerful Preaching During Lent and Easter
Bishop Sharma Lewis. Click here to register or for information.
Feb. 4 - The Difference the Cross Makes: Ideas and Tips for Preaching During Lent
Wil Cantrell. Click here to register or for information.
Feb. 9 - Developing Effective Communication to Grow Your Church
Kevin Slimp. Click here to register or for information.
Feb. 16 - Leadership Development in the Local Church
Ken Willard and Kelly Brown. Click here to register or for information.
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In-Person Service at Mohawk District Office On Pause
The Mohawk District Office is happy to assist you via phone/email.
The Mohawk District Office staff will be available
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,
generally, via phone and email. Call the District 315-797-1777, or
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Mohawk District Office
105 Genesee Street
New Hartford, NY 13413
315-797-1777
Regular Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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