Mohawk District E-newsletter for Churches and Pastors
February 12, 2020
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I have been driven many times upon my knees because of the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own
wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.
Abraham Lincoln
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What Churches Can Do
to Prepare for GC 2020
Are you wondering what
your church should be
doing to get ready for
General Conference 2020
released monthly by the UNY
Conference for great tips and
helpful suggestions. Also your
Conference Leadership Team
is urging us all to pray, pray,
own church to use. Let's all
do that, join in prayer and
find out how to get ready
for General Conference.
To catch up on the latest,
past e-newsletters
are conveniently archived
on the Conference website at:
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Prayer Focus
Week of February 16
Middleville UMC
and
Newport UMC
Wayne Getman
Family of
Rev. Harold
Beaudry
, 96, who passed
away Feb. 1, 2020.
See more information
within the e-news.
the 2019-20 Prayer Calendar
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Rev. Harold A. Beaudry
Prayers for the family of Rev. Harold A. Beaudry, who died February 1, 2020. Rev. Beaudry served Maynard UMC in Mohawk District, the Marcy (NY) Community Church (ABC), as well as many churches in the Northern New
York Annual Conference, prior to his retirement in 1989. He was a faithful
member of the Mohawk District Board of Church Location and Building for many years, even into his retirement. Rev. Beaudry was predeceased by his wife, Rev. Barbara Beaudry, in 2018 and missed her very much since that
time. Services for Rev. Beaudry will take place at a later date. To read
The family would appreciate acts of service to others in memory
of Harold's long and faithful life and active witness for God.
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Get Your District Leadership Team
to Do Exactly What YOU Want--
Here's How!
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Take a 2-minute survey (yup, it's that short) and give us a piece of your mind. What did you love or really, not so much, about the Leadership Summit? What compelled you to stay home this time? Tell us where YOU think we should do better or what we absolutely must keep. After all,
Proverbs 19:20
, right?
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Preparing for General Conference 2020
The General Conference meets once every four years. This year the conference will be May 5 through 15 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The elected delegates meet to worship, pray, and conduct legislative work. Get answers to some of your questions regarding General Conference 2020 by
CLICKING HERE.
General Conference in Minneapolis is about three months away. How are you preparing your congregation for this important event? Discipleship Ministries has some suggestions on prayers and where to get trusted information as we get closer to General Conference.
Click here
for this info from Discipleship Ministries (UMC)
to learn more.
Prayers related to General Conference
from the Conference Leadership Team will be available each week. Feel free to pray personally, share with others or use them in your weekly worship services.
Click here to find the prayers.
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EZRA UPDATE: Statistical Reports from 2019
Each year churches are required to submit statistical information to The United Methodist Church electronically on the General Conference on Finance and Administration website: EZRA. The deadline for submitting 2019's information is Feb. 15, 2020. Please contact the District Office,
mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org
, if you need your password reset for EZRA. This includes forgotten passwords. If you have a specific question, Erica Wentworth at UNY Conference is ready and willing to help you:
ericawentworth@unyumc.org
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You are 100% complete and submitted for Statistical Reports for 2019!
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Boonville
Canastota United
CenterPoint Christian Fellowship
Cleveland
Clinton
Cold Brook
Constantia
Dolgeville
East Schuyler
Florence
Glenfield
Greig
Hamilton: Park
Herkimer
Jordanville Federated
Lee
Lee Center
Madison
Maynard
Morning Star
Ohio
Oneida: First
Oneida: St. Paul's
Oppenheim
Paines Hollow
Perryville
Prospect: Park
Remsen
Richfield Springs Church of Christ Uniting
Saint Johnsville
Salisbury Center
Sherrill: Christ Church
South Otselic (First in the District!)
Stockbridge
Stratford
Taberg
Trenton
Turin
Van Hornesville
Waterville
West Monroe
West Schuyler
West Winfield Federated
Whitesboro Trinity
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Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries® Basic Training
This is for all individuals with responsibility for reducing the risk of abuse of children, youth, and
vulnerable adults in the churches’ ministries such as pastors, youth group leaders, Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School coordinators, music leaders, after-school program workers, home visitors, respite care workers, trustees, and staff.
The goal of this course is reducing the risk of abuse. This basic course satisfies Upper New York’s Minimum Standard that all adults who have regular and direct contact with children, youth and vulnerable adults are Safe Sanctuaries trained.
Basic Safe Sanctuaries Class Dates and Times
March 7:
9 a.m.- Noon. Check in 8:45 - 8:55 a.m. Webster UMC, 169 East Main Street, Webster, NY and
PREREGISTER
by March 1 by contacting Pastor Christine Mitchell at
pastorchrismitchell.umc@gmail.com
with your name, church, email address and a phone number.
March 14:
9 a.m. - Noon. Check in 8:45 - 8:55 a.m. Horseheads UMC, 1034 W. Broad Street, Horseheads, NY, and
PREREGISTER
by contacting Patti Gridley, District Administrative Assistant, at
MountainViewDistrict@unyumc.org
or 607-962-8047, with your name, church, email address and a phone number.
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Important Dates to Remember
Only 4 days until the deadline! Don't delay, finish those reports today!
due by Sat., February 15, 2020.
This required information is entered and saved online.
The
2019 annual audit
of your church financial records are due to the District Superintendents on
Sun., March 15, 2020
.
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Disaffiliation document and application
Due by Feb. 15
The Special Session of General Conference in 2019 adopted legislation which provides a way for churches to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church "for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals." This limited right is codified as ¶2553 in the updated 2016 Book of Discipline.
The Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees has prepared a document that outlines the policies that local churches must follow in order to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church under the provisions of this new paragraph. Applications must be submitted to the Board of Trustees by Feb. 15, 2020.
Click here
to learn about the disaffiliation process or to access the document/application.
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Listening Day With General Conference Delegates
The following information recently appeared in UNY Notes.
To subscribe to UNY Notes sent directly to your email,
click here
.
The Upper New York (UNY) delegates, to General Conference May 5-15, 2020, welcome small groups or individuals to speak with them March 14, at the UNY Conference Office.
This is a day of listening for the UNY General Conference delegates. It’s not a Question and Answer session, but rather an opportunity for sharing insights and concerns. Individuals and small groups will be assigned to a 15-20 minute time slot.
If you would like to do so, email Carmen Vianese, head of the delegation, at
cfsv.umc@gmail.com
by March 7 for a time slot.
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Mission u is an opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on
current mission study topics with
particular attention to the responsibilities of women in fulfilling the mission work of the church. Participants grow in understanding the mission of the church in the current world context; conference events are open to members and non-members of United Methodist Women, including men and children.
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Our local Mission u Team is excited about the upcoming Mission u event this summer July 16 - 18, 2020, at Covenant United Methodist Church in Rochester. There will be opportunities for children and youth, so bring your kids and grandkids along. Housing will be at various nearby hotels or other locations. Scholarships are available. Please save these dates. Please note: Mission u is for everyone - male and female, pastor or laity - not just UMW members.
Ellen Klock, Dean
Connie Chantry, Assistant Dean
Also:
Mission u - Silver Bay, September 11 - 13, 2020
Another inspiring and fun-filled Mission u event at Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks Conference and Family Retreat Center on beautiful Lake George in Silver Bay, NY. The Mission u Dean, Ilah Sisson Walser, and Assistant Dean, Brooke Conklin, are working with the Upper New York United Methodist Women Executive Team to plan the event and will send more details soon. Please save the dates and plan to come to this year’s event Sept. 11 13, 2020.
Spiritual Growth Study: Finding Peace in an Anxious World - Leader: Rev. Martie Fischer
Youth Study: Managing Anxiety - Leader: Pastor Michael Terrell
Children’s Study: Managing Your Emotion - Leader: Tammy Verity
Issue Study - Leaders: Leeda Marsh & Valerie Clark
Pushout: The Criminalization of Girls in Schools
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Equalization Members to Annual Conf.
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Each year additional voting members to Annual Conference are needed to balance the votes between non-clergy and clergy, in other words, make the number of non-clergy votes equal to the number of clergy votes. To achieve this, each District in the UNY Conference is allowed to select a predetermined number of extra non-clergy to vote on behalf of the District. If you would like to serve in this capacity, please fill out the application and return it to Mohawk District. The District Superintendent and District Lay Leader will review the applications and invite some to serve. All applicants will be notified following this process. For those invited to serve as equalization members, they may register upon receiving notification they are invited to serve. Youth: Note additional info.
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In commemoration of
Black History Month
, the Peterboro United Methodist Church is having a
Special Service
at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2020,
at 5240 Pleasant Valley Road, Peterboro. Rev. Christiane Depestre invites
all to attend this significant event. The guest speaker is Mr. Alden “Max” Smith and his address is entitled, "Why is there a Black History Month".
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Lenten Bible Study for All
The United Church of Canastota
is offering a Lenten Group Bible
Study, "Living the Story of
Christ's Last Days", by Rob Fuquay,
which follows the biblical story
of the Passion right up to Christ's
death on the cross. Meet 6 - 7 p.m., Sundays , March 1 - April 5 at United Church of Canastota, 144 Center Street. The study is free with advance registration by February 16th.
Participant books provided. Leave
a message with name and phone
number on the church office phone,
315-697-9222, or call Pastor Ken
at 315-254-6673.
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Spaghetti and Meatballs Dinner
4 to 7 p.m., Sat.,
NEW Mar. 7,
Ava Hilltop UMC,
State Route 26, Ava.
Menu: Spaghetti, meatballs, salad,
garlic bread, dessert.
Price: $10 adult meal,
$5 child meal ages 5 to 12,
free meal for child younger than 5.
Take-outs available. Questions?
Call Betty-Ann 315-942-3210.
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NYS Paid Family Leave Changed
Jan. 1, 2020, there are changes to the
NYS Paid Family Leave benefit.
The number of weeks eligible employees can take remains at 10 weeks of job-protected, paid time off for a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition or to assist when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service. In 2020, the benefit increases from 55% to 60% of the employee’s average weekly wage, up to
a cap of 60% of the current Statewide Average Weekly Wage of $1,401.17. The max. weekly benefit is $840.70
.
You must your PFL policies reflecting
the 2020 changes. Find model language
Employer Resources section
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Food Donations Due
for Veterans
Churches who collected food
for Feed Our Vets in Feb.
can bring it to
587 Main St., New York Mills, NY,
8-9 a.m., Sat., Feb. 29
th
.
For information, contact Mark Jones,
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Mohawk District Office
105 Genesee Street
New Hartford, NY 13413
315-797-1777
Please use back entrance (full glass door) for Mohawk District
Office Hours:
Tues., Wed., Thurs., 9:30 to 6 p.m,
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