Dear Friends and members of the Mountainview Churches:

Grace and peace be yours today! 

The church is in trouble. “Fighting without and fears within” are rampant in the United Methodist church. Our innovative theologies don’t often match our words and actions when we go to fighting for the right we are entitled to. Arguments meant to lead to spiritual truth should not lead us to name-calling and accusations: these are not the way of the church of Jesus Christ. Social media often highlights those who neglect love and embrace hatred in the name of being “prophetic.” Please!

I have always loved the gospel of John. In John chapter 17, Jesus prays for the church of all time. His prayer for unity, as He and God the Father are in unity, promises this result: a powerful witness to “the world.” Without unity the world will not see evidence that Jesus Christ is Lord. What will our unity look like before, during and after our next session of General Conference, scheduled for August of 2022? I think of the teachings of Paul on the fruits of the spirit relate here: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, and self-control. I think of the grade-school emphases on respect and responsibility. I think of the basics of our Christian ethic: love for all people, justice better than sacrifice, and humility worth more than selfish pride. A holy boldness is needed when standing for our convictions, but I pray our convictions relate more to God and less to our primitive egos which are always clamoring to be “right.” I pray for you and for our church, that we would become more God’s church and less our church. I pray the Word of God, active and powerful, regains its rightful place in being sufficient in all that we need for salvation. 

We do not know what will happen in our General church, but we can certainly influence the outcomes. May we all work to not break relationships with each other in the body of Christ. May the fruit of the Spirit be present in our thoughts, words and actions. May we trust in God to lead and guide us as a church struggling to find unity through Christ. May this be the result of our work: Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Jeff McDowell

Yesterday I received a compliment from a person as we were serving at a community dinner at one of my churches of how welcoming I always am. And boy that puffed me right up, at least until I thought of it. Don’t get me wrong I was truly proud, and we should appreciate compliments, but aren’t we always supposed to be welcoming in His house and to others? And not just as pastors but all of us should be welcoming. Romans 15:7 from Common English Bible says this: 7 So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ also welcomed you, for God’s glory. That seems pretty clear. But far too often those that are different aren’t welcomed. Over the course of my years in ministry and even before I have heard so many comments, truly rude comments and mutterings about that person or this person that walked through the doors, some about what they were wearing, some about them looking dirty, or how about this, “What hole did they dig out of?” And then there are some that stay and do receive a welcome and we grow, but only so much.

You see we often, even in churches, we group ourselves into cliques, and far too often don’t like to let others in. We often view it as a sacred ground, and never want to give up an inch. I have heard, “So and so always handles the Sunday school, and I don’t think she needs any help.” As we work as a team to nominate people to lead our churches, often we shortchange others and don’t give them the opportunity to work on certain committees. I have heard over the course of years, “You better check with him to make sure he’s good with adding another person to HIS committee!” So, positions don’t change until someone gets sick or unfortunately passes away, and then you have to start over. In the meantime, those that you thought would be good in leading have moved on to another church, where they can answer God’s call. 

Friends as God’s church we must discover, develop and deploy new leaders all the time. We must allow others to realize and answer their call to ministry and help them along the way, supporting them any way we can and not just our pastors, but also as brothers and sisters in Christ, for in God’s eyes, not one of us is more important that the other and He has a specific purpose for each us. Let us all be reminded of the Scripture from Jeremiah 29:11New Revised Standard Version 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. If I as the District Associate can help you and your church, develop yourself and these leaders for the future please reach out.

With God’s Peace and Grace, Mike

Click here for a UM Student Day video as well as a story about Ricky, whose parents were addicts. Ricky didn’t have much hope to be able to go to college, but the UM Students Day fund made it possible.

A new job opening has been posted on the website for an District Administrative Assistant for Niagara Frontier District. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask candidates to apply online through our https://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs

Job opening has been posted on the website for an Information Technology Support Specialist. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask candidates to apply online through our website. Please contact me with any questions.  https://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs

Job opening is posted on the website for a Director of Missional Engagement. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask candidates to apply online through our website.

Please contact me with any questions.

Skye Farm Camp and Retreat Center located in Warrensburg, NY near beautiful Lake George, NY. Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center sits just off the NYS Northway (I-87) on over 400 acres within the Southeastern edge of the Adirondack Park and on Sherman Lake. This position offers excellent benefits, including onsite housing. Relocation benefits are provided. 

Click here to apply.

The Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church has a great opportunity for a Finance Services Specialist. The Finance Services Specialist will manage all activities related to Conference real estate properties including working with Conference Trustees, approve invoices, manage receivables, maintain accurate spreadsheet data, and manage relationship with Conference attorneys. Additional responsibilities include manage the overall reporting of church statistics to the General Church and provide general support to Finance Team staff as needed. This position reports to the Finance Manager and/or Treasurer and receives work assignments from multiple persons in a team atmosphere. Click here to apply.

PO Box 706 (Mailing Address)

District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Jeff McDowell

District Associate: Pastor Mike Kelly

District Lay Leader: Ann Welch Wood

District Administrative Assistant: Patti Gridley