MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT NEWS
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Dear Friends,
I need to share something disturbing that has been weighing on my heart. I continue to see Facebook posts coming from Christians – pastors and laity alike, that are hurtful, attacking political leaders on both ends of the spectrum, and attacking people who disagree. We are better than this! We MUST be better than this!
As Christians, our lives are under scrutiny by the world, and pastors – even more so. I have told persons on both ends of the political spectrum to “dial it back.” We are absolutely entitled to our opinion, but it is not wise leadership or an effective Christian witness to push our political point of view as the only valid one, or our disagreement with Covid-19 precautions and vilify those who disagree with us. May we seek forgiveness from God and each other (myself included) when we have acted in ways that are not attracting people to Jesus.
Social media can be a wonderful tool and has been a vehicle God has used in amazing ways to convey the Gospel, especially during this pandemic.
The New Testament book of James reminds us how the tongue is a small but powerful organ that can be used to build up or tear down. There is an acronym (T.H.I.N.K.) you may be familiar with that can be a helpful reminder in our communication with each other. Before communicating, consider what you are about to say or write:
T – Is it true?
H – Is it helpful?
I - Is it inspiring?
N – Is it necessary?
K – Is it kind?
Please know that I took no joy in writing this article, but unhealthy communication has become a pervasive issue. If you’d like to talk more about this, let me know.
As we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Pentecost this coming Sunday, may we endeavor to always seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit! Come, Holy Spirit! Come, Holy Spirit!
With You in the Journey,
Nancy
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Bishop Webb Announces Clergy Appointments
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Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce appointments and retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes
here
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NEW
Imagine no Racism approved as an
advanced course in UNY
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Great news for Lay Servant Ministries! Imagine No Racism (INR) has been approved as an advanced course for Upper New York. The curriculum, which has a deeply spiritual foundation, has been formatted as a 10-hour course including videos, conversations, and experiential learning. An INR facilitator will lead each course. Each District has at least three trained facilitators who will guide the conversation as the participants experience vital concepts dealing with racism in today’s world. The goal of this experience is to develop each lay servant’s ability to be an ally who walks with people of color to build relationships and take action for justice.
Stay connected to the Conference communications platforms for more details to come.
5/28/2020
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NEW
General Conference 2021 dates announced
and will explore use of technology
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The quadrennial legislative event will take place on
Aug. 29 - Sept. 7, 2021
, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
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NEW
UMC Bishops announce dates
for postponed 2020 Jurisdictional Conferences
The Jurisdictional Conferences in the United States will be held
Nov. 10-12, 2021.
The days prior to and after can be used at the discretion of each Jurisdictional Conference.
5/28/2020
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NEW
Plan of supervision for the NEJ until Postponed 2021 Jurisdictional Conference
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The following announcement comes from Bishop Peggy Johnson, President of the Northeastern Jurisdiction (NEJ) College of Bishops:
The College of Bishops announces the plan for episcopal supervision for the NEJ until the 2021 postponed session of Jurisdictional Conference. This plan was developed in consultation and dialogue with the NEJ Committee on Episcopacy and the Council of Bishops have approved the plans.
The assignments for the jurisdictions are:
- Greater New Jersey - Bishop John Schol
- Harrisburg - Bishop Jeremiah Park (postponing retirement)
- New England - Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar (postponing retirement)
- New York - Bishop Thomas Bickerton
- Philadelphia Area - Bishop Peggy Johnson (continuing beyond 12 years)
- Pittsburgh - Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
- Upper New York - Bishop Mark Webb
- Washington Area - Bishop LaTrelle Easterling
- West Virginia - Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
5/28/2020
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Please consider subscribing to the following links. These will keep you updated on all the news coming from the conference office during this time. It will help keep repeated emails from being received.
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CARES Act Update—SBA Publishes PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form; Regulations Expected Soon
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On
Friday, May 15
(after business hours), the Treasury Department (Treasury) and Small Business Administration (SBA) published a
loan forgiveness application
under the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The forgiveness application includes step-by-step instructions that clarify some questions borrowers have had about forgivable costs. Treasury has also issued a
press release
, in which they promise additional regulatory guidance soon to help borrowers complete this application. Treasury's press release states:
"SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities."
Borrowers may want to await these forthcoming regulations before completing applications for PPP loan forgiveness
.
PPP loan forgiveness is based on the borrower maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease. The loan forgiveness form and instructions include several provisions to ease the process for borrowers, including:
- Allowing borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an "alternative payroll covered period" that aligns with borrowers' regular payroll cycles (page 1 of the application). However, this flexibility appears only to be available to borrowers with payroll periods at least as frequent as bi-weekly (every other week/14–day intervals); so it appears to not be available for borrowers with semi-monthly (twice per month/13–16-day intervals) payroll periods.
- Providing borrowers some limited flexibility to determine payroll costs using an accrual method, but only if the incurred costs are paid by the end of the next pay period after the forgiveness period ends (application page 2).
- Offering borrower-friendly exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on (1) rehiring by June 30, or (2) for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire that was declined by the workers (application page 8).
In addition, borrowers will need to supply the lender and SBA a list of employees (page 9) and an array of other substantiating documentation (page 10). It appears that documents to be submitted must include
"[p]ayment receipts, cancelled checks, or account statements documenting the amount of any employer contributions to employee health insurance and retirement plans that the borrower included in the forgiveness amount."
Th
e mention of account statements might suggest that the SBA is focused mainly on individual retirement accounts (defined contribution plans) and not necessarily thinking about how this might apply to defined benefit plan expenses.
The forthcoming forgiveness regulations may offer some additional guidance on some of the open questions and observations noted above.
Questions from Churches
We are receiving questions from churches, who are PPP borrowers, about payment of retirement plan and health plan costs during their forgiveness periods, and requests for related documentation. We (as Plan Sponsor) are working closely with Wespath on the guidance being provided. As we all await forthcoming forgiveness regulations, Wespath is determining how they can provide plan sponsors with flexibility, support and necessary documentation for PPP loan forgiveness applications.
PPP Resources for UMC Employers
We continue to partner with Wespath and the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) as they analyze CARES Act guidance and provide relevant information for local churches, annual conferences and other UMC employers. These resources are available:
We expect additional Treasury and SBA guidance from Wespath about PPP loan forgiveness, and will update documents as needed.
Disclaimer: The information above, should not be considered legal or tax advice from UNYUMC or its vendors. Annual conferences, local churches, or other UMC employers should consult with their own counsel in considering the application of the Act to their circumstances.
5/21/2020
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Adirondack District Lay Servant Ministry Team
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Adirondack lay servant team would like to share that they are offering several ZOOM courses, and
they are open to
anyone
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Peace with Justice Sunday is June 7
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UMC Giving has assembled a collection of resources that you can download to promote this Special Sunday to your congregation on Sunday, June 7, 2020. This kit has everything you need to empower your congregation to give generously. You can post some of these resources on all your social media outlets. There are also downloadable materials and videos you can use on your church website.
Remember you can celebrate this Sunday and any Special Sunday on a day of your choosing.
Click here
to see all the promotional resources available for you to use.
5/21/2020
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Relief Efforts for Local Churches
Relief efforts from Wespath and the CBOPHB during
the COVID‐19 Crisis
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Upper Room Daily Devotional
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During this time of anxiety and isolation The Upper Room wants to make it as easy as possible for people to find resources to support spiritual health. We are providing the May/June 2020 issue of The Upper Room magazine, both in
English and
Spanish, for download at no cost.
In addition, four short prayer resources that address specific needs are also available below. Please download and share as you wish. Peace be with you.
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COS Satellite School Registration
for 2020-2021 Sessions
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All of us at Wesley and the UNY conference pray that you are well and your congregations are healthy. We are hoping to hold courses in person in the fall, but those decisions have not yet been made. Everyone, faculty and students, should be prepared to hold courses on-line should the stay at home orders and social distancing requirements remain in effect.
If you have any questions about this, please contact Sara Sheppard at
ssheppard@wesleyseminary.edu
Please check Blackboard close to the start of your class for instruction information.
Thank you!
Sara
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Please remember your DS needs to sign;
then the UNY COS registrar (
candidacy@unyumc.org) needs to sign BEFORE it gets forwarded on to the school.
The registration form can also be found on the conference website - under Ministries in the toolbar - under Board of Ordained Ministry -
right hand side of screen - COS satellite school
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Administrative Assistant Position
Available June 1
st
, 2020
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Administrative Assistant Position Available June 1
st, 2020
United Church of Painted Post
A Methodist – Presbyterian Federation
We need an Administrative Assistant starting June 1st, 2020.
Part-time 16 hours per week: 4 days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Position includes paid holidays and vacation. Must be computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel. There will be a paid 1-month overlap with current Admin, Asst. to provide training.
Applicants may leave a message on the church office phone 607-936-6313 and/or send a letter or resume to the United Church of Painted Post, 201 North Hamilton Street, Painted Post NY 14870
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Helpful links to put resources at your finger tips!
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