MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT NEWS
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Words From Jeff
Dear Friends in Christ,
How are you doing fulfilling the spirit of Paul’s prayer? 16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God ] 17  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

It seems repetitious to state how difficult these times are in our world and society. But you are doing the work of God still. Recently while on my renewal leave, I had the distinct feeling God was surrounding me and calling me again to serve in His strength and power. The fact is, we are only vessels to be used by God through the power of the Holy Spirit: Christ is in us, strengthening and shaping us into His image. We are forgiven, revived and sent forth to tell the message of God’s love to all around us. You are doing this through the ministry of your churches in many ways visible and in quiet.

I am feeling, along with you, the loss of our fellowship: not often meeting together face to face, not greeting each other with a holy embrace and not holding hands to pray! Even our family and close friends cannot safely travel to be together in this time. But let us use the experience to strengthen our resolve to know Christ and his suffering, and to recover our calling as a church to share the Good News. This summer and fall will bring many changes, but we know that God never changes. We may come out of this much different as a church, but God will use us if we open ourselves to divine direction. We need the Holy Spirit now more than ever. You are in my prayers and thoughts to this end.

In Christ with you,
Jeff McDowell
Words From the District Associate
Mike Kelly
Parking Lot Meet & Greet with Pastors in the Mountain View District from Chemung & Schuyler Counties
It’s been an exciting month as the District Associate. We’ve had a zoom meeting each week at the request of the Mountain View Pastors and we also had our first meet and greet at Oakwood Elmira Heights, where nine of us from churches in Schuyler and Chemung counties met. While we got to know each other, a recurring theme that came up was that we did not know the other pastors from the district, we also talked about our churches strengths, weaknesses, issues and exciting ministries that we had. It was enthusiastically agreed that we would meet again on August 22 at Oakwood at 9 AM. I have broken the district into three geographical parts, Chemung/Schuyler, Eastern Steuben and Western Steuben/ Alleghany. I would like to proceed with the next group of meet and greets on August 8 th at 9 AM at Campbell UMC, this will include pastors from Avoca, Mitchellsville, Rathbone, Wheeler, Corning 1 st and Grace, Painted Post, Kanona, Hammondsport, Campbell, Risingville, Caton, Presho, Addison, South Corning and Bath. This again will be a parking lot meeting, bring your own chair, beverage and snack of your choice. Social distancing and mask regulations will be adhered to. I am still looking for the questionnaires that I sent from nine pastors, please return them as soon as possible. Please let me know of what assistance I can be.
Thank You, Mike
7/30/2020
Rev. Bill Vallet Thoughts From the Parking Lot Meet & Greet
Hello, friends and colleagues of the Mountainview District. Around ten of us pastors enjoyed gathering on the Oakwood UMC lawn in Elmira Heights this past Saturday for a socially distant get-acquainted time with our new District Associate, Mike Kelly. While a few clergy were brand new to the district, others had been around for many years. Mike invited us to go around the circle introducing ourselves and sharing anything we would like about our personal lives as well as our respective pastoral appointments.
As my turn came, I mentioned a couple insights I have gleaned from my experience at Penna Ave UMC, Mike encouraged me to put those thoughts in written form to be included in this newsletter. Here goes . . .

1.      Failure is not final.
For churches to succeed, their leaders must be willing to “fail.”
As Thomas Watson, founder of IBM, said, “If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate.” Failure is not fatal! It is necessary to experience success.
Thomas Edison failed with 1,000 attempts to create his prototype of the light bulb before he succeeded. When asked how it felt to fail 1,000 times, Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention of 1,000 steps.” (Incidentally, this famous inventor dropped out of school after only three months of formal education because his teachers said he was “too stupid to learn anything.”)
Failure is like fertilizer. It stinks but it makes things grow faster.

2.      Churches should be “permission-giving” rather than “permission withholding.” Those infamous, seven deadly words, “We’ve never done it that way before,” should be banished from a healthy church’s vocabulary! People visiting your worship services are “first-time gifts” from God who should be welcomed and invited into your loving church family as genuinely and completely and as soon as possible.
If someone suggests a new idea, make every effort not to shut them down by withholding permission, but instead honestly look for ways to practice our UMC motto, “open hearts, open minds, open doors!” Being open to at least try something new is a positive indicator of health.

Leaders with a “healthy church DNA” are challenged to “give away the ministry” instead of protecting our turf and choking off new people with new ideas!

Thank you, Mike and Jeff, for allowing me to communicate these thoughts.

Although I am planning to retire from fulltime ministry this September (after 41 years), my heart for ministry will be sure to continue. If there is any way I can be of support to you as my sisters and brothers in service to Jesus Christ, please do not hesitate to contact me!

With you in Christ’s service,
Bill
7/30/2020
CHARGE CONFERENCE NEWS 2020!
From DS Jeff McDowell
Dear Church leaders: due to our care for all people, including those in highest risk categories, all charge conferences in our conference will occur via zoom meetings this fall. Details and a schedule will appear in our next newsletter August 13.
7/30/2020
The Mountain View District Office Will Continue to Work Remotely Through Labor Day
The Mountain View District Office Administrative Assistant is available via phone and email.
7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Monday-Thursdays generally.
Call the District 607-962-8047, or
In-person assistance may be available by appointment.
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.
NEXT NEWSLETTER
August 13, 2020
Links to Sources for Reopening Your Church
LOCAL CHURCH EVENTS

Click the button to see the list of events happening in
Mountain View District
NEW NEWS
UNY Annual Conference to be Held Virtually  
As you are aware, earlier this spring, the Upper New York Conference postponed our Annual Conference with the hope of gathering together on Saturday, October 3. The ongoing realities of COVID-19 and our commitment to the safety of those who will be a part of that gathering, has caused us to change these plans.

After consultation with and approval by the Cabinet, the Committee of Sessions, the Board of Trustees, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, wants to share with you that the postponed 2020 session of Annual Conference will be held virtually.
Bishop Webb said, "Each of us from our own location will gather on Saturday, October 3 for our Annual Conference session. This will be an abbreviated session that will only deal with the essential business required.

In addition, the 2020 clergy session will meet virtually as well. Originally, we scheduled the clergy session for Friday, October 2, but we are now changing the date of clergy session to Saturday, September 19 from 10:00 am until Noon."

The service of ordination will be held the evening of Friday, October 2 with attendance being by invitation only. Livestreaming of the ordination service will be made available for all to experience. This is being done to so that we can social distance and keep those who will participate safe.

Click here to watch Bishop Webb's video announcement about this decision to change the 2020 Annual Conference to an online-event.
Over the next few weeks, you will be receiving detailed information about these gatherings, including how to register and be prepared to participate through a virtual connection.

As you await this information, please do not hesitate to contact your District Superintendent or Conference office staff with any questions that you have.
7/30/2020
Free Resources from Cokesbury
Cokesbury has free resources to use to stay connected, and they are adding more resources every day. 
 
Amplify, Cokesbury's new media platform, is helping churches all over study and support one another from the comfort of their own homes, or wherever they are in life! It gives them direct access to a vast video library of bible studies led by your favorite authors for teaching, inspiration, and faith connections! Amplify provides believers of all ages access to fresh, trustworthy content - all from a Wesleyan perspective. 
 
Amplify has made several resources FREE and accessible for churches to participate in a church-wide study and children's content to keep them engaged in the Bible. Help your communities stay connected beyond the church walls. No sign up is required to access: click here   
 
Free children's resources on the new CokesburyKids website: click here  
 
New adult studies: click here  
 
During the Covid19 quarantine period, we have made a nice variety of resources for all ages available for FREE on the platform. You can have a look at what's available on this link:
 
We have continued to develop free materials that will help churches in this unique time. Over the past 8 weeks, we have released a series of 9 FREE webinars called Now & Next that target issues the church is facing during quarantine as well as beginning to gather together again. They are now available "on demand" at the above link as well as below:
 
Finally, we have added a selection of resources that deal with racism and reconciliation. There are several short studies, but also some stand-alone videos that would be helpful. These are also available at the first link as well as below:
7/30/2020
Dismantling Racism Resource

 
The UMC will lead a sustained and coordinated effort beginning now and continuing through General Conference, August 29 to September 7, 2021, to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The UNY Conference Communications team will regularly share worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
7/30/2020
Online Worship and Music Resources
For Live-Streaming
From Discipleship Resources: Click here
7/30/2020
Volunteer opportunities at camp and retreat centers

Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM) welcomes volunteers to support the conference camp and retreat centers through the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and grounds. The Conference volunteer management team is looking for individuals and teams local to Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Skye Farm, or Sky Lake. Each camp is ready with a list of projects suitable for volunteers. Local volunteers are encouraged as the camps curtailed overnight accommodations for the summer. State and Conference safety protocols are in place to help keep volunteers and staff safe.
 
The goal for volunteers: partner with camp staff to assist with tasks suited to your skills. Food and beverage for all the workers is provided by the camp. If you are ready to volunteer at Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Skye Farm, or Sky Lake.  Click here to register.
 
Thoughts, questions or concerns please contact Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement, at mikeblock@unyumc.org   or
(315) 491-0497.
7/30/2020
Upper New York Red Bird Mission Shoebox Campaign seeking drop-off locations
Dave Alexander and the mission team at Endwell United Methodist Church are again coordinating the collection and delivery of shoeboxes for the Red Bird Mission. Red Bird Mission is  a poverty-relief organization that serves a remote, impoverished population in Bell, Clay, and Leslie counties in southeastern Kentucky.
 
Currently, the Endwell UMC Mission Team is looking for drop-off locations for the shoeboxes. As of now, Endwell UMC, and the UNY Mission Central HUB in Liverpool are two drop-off locations and several other churches have expressed interest. Please consider being a drop-off center. Items can be dropped off from Nov. 2- Nov. 24.
 
If your church would like to be a drop-off location, please email Dave Alexander at Dalexander4@stny.rr.com by Sept. 1 and a list of the drop-off locations will be distributed to the Conference via the Weekly Digest the following week and will also be published on the Conference website www.unyumc.org
 
Click here to read more about Red Bird and the contents needed for the shoeboxes.
7/30/2020
Media Resource Center to partially reopen on Aug. 1
The Media Resource Center will begin lending and accepting back overdue resources on Aug. 1. Please send back any items that you currently have as soon as possible. If you need to readjust return dates, please contact Karen Campolieto , Media Resource Coordinator and Archives Assistant. The Media Center will not be available for personal pick-up, but you can mail materials until further notice as our offices are still officially closed to the public at this time.
7/30/2020
PREVIOUSLY RUN NEWS ITEMS
Background Check Reminder
Remember Upper New York Safe Sanctuaries minimum standards require background checks every two years for those working with children, youth and vulnerable adults.

Our insurance company, Brotherhood Insurance, partners with three companies to provide background screenings for their policyholders. They are:

·    Safe Hiring Solutions
·    C 4 Operations
·    Protect My Ministry

Please visit the Brotherhood web site link below to review the detailed information.

Each offers many choices for the type of information for which you are looking.
 
You are still able to use Trusted Employees that was a partner with our former insurance company, Church Mutual, but you will not be receiving the Church Mutual discount so your rates will be higher .
Register now for fall HealthFlex Exchange ZOOM workshops
The Upper New York Conference Benefits Office will be hosting multiple HealthFlex Exchange ZOOM workshops this fall. Participants will receive information about the plans and tools to help with plan choices. Starting for January 1, 2021, all eligible,  under 65  participants must choose their health, vision, and dental plans through the HealthFlex Exchange.

In the HeathFlex Exchange, participants are given a monthly allowance, called a Premium Credit, with which to “shop” for their medical, dental, and vision plans. Premium Credits vary based on coverage tier (participant only, participant +1, and family).

Also, depending on the plan you elect, you will have the opportunity to contribute to either a Health Savings Account (HSA), Dependent Care Account (DCA), or Medical Reimbursement Account (MRA). Two of the plans come with Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) which include employer contributions.

HealthFlex Exchange offers a broad range of plan designs, including:
  •  Six medical/pharmacy plans(Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois), most of which include a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement account (HRA) to help offset out-of-pocket expenses
  •  Three dental plans (Cigna)
  • Three vision plans (Vision Service Plan)

All Six Medical Plans will still include:
  • Preventative and wellness services are covered at 100%, with no deductible required.
  • The same network providers and the same prescription drug formularies.
  • All plans include vision exam core
  • All plans include a deductible which must be met before the insurance pays.
  • Wellness programs, such as VirginPulse, Health Coaching, Employee Assistance Program, MDLIve tele-medicine, Weight Watchers and others

Choosing your health plan is a big decision , and Wespath provides training and decision-support tools, like ALEX Benefits Counselor, to help you compare your options.

The HealthFlex Exchange is for ALL participants and/or dependents that are eligible for Conference health benefits AND are under 65.

You must register in advance for the workshop . The deadline for registration is one week prior to the workshop you are signing up to attend.

Click here  to register for one of the seven dates. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Julie Valeski at 315-898-2001 or  julievaleski@unyumc.org
7/16/2020
What delay means for General Conference
Until COVID-19, The United Methodist Church and its predecessors have never delayed the church's top lawmaking assembly by more than a year.
 
With General Conference now postponed from May this year until Aug. 29-Sept. 7 in 2021, organizers are navigating uncharted territory. The Commission on the General Conference answered questions related to this delay. Click here to learn how this delay will impact the session of General Conference.
7/16/2020
Discover, Develop, Deploy Christ-Following
Leaders Initiative
How can we assure that Upper New York is making more disciples? What does it take for more people to say "Yes!" to following Jesus? Over the last seven years, the Conference Leadership Team, the Bishop's Operational Team, and the UNY Cabinet have developed measurable goals for this work to be reached by June 30, 2025.
 
Click here to read more.
7/16/2020
New Job Opening
for District Administrative Assistant
A new job opening has been posted on the website for a District Administrative Assistant for the Niagara Frontier District. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask candidates to apply online or click on the button below.
UNY Conference Regional and
District Associates appointed
July 1 is always significant in the life of the United Methodist Church in Upper New York—it’s the start date for new appointments. This year, July 1 also marked the start date for Regional and District Associates across Upper New York. 

Nineteen people have been appointed Associate roles throughout the Conference. Click here to learn more.  
7/16/2020
General Conference 2021 dates announced
and will explore use of technology
The quadrennial legislative event will take place on Aug. 29 - Sept. 7, 2021 , at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn.   Click here for more information

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UMC Bishops announce dates
for postponed 2020 Jurisdictional Conferences

The Jurisdictional Conferences in the United States will be held Nov. 10-12, 2021.
Click here for more information
5/28/2020
Helping to combat loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic
While a virus may limit where you can go and what you can do, it cannot limit your affection for others or their affections for you. Social distancing may physically isolate people, but technology and creativity can bridge the gap. The best cure for loneliness is genuine companionship.

Resource UMC has provided dozens of creative ways you can help your congregants combat loneliness. Click here to read this resourceful compilation of ideas. 
6/25/2020
UNY clergy are eligible for 1 CEU from BOM
The Upper New York Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) has approved the following motion: It is moved that all clergy, including local pastors, and all Certified Lay Ministers serving as leaders of congregations, shall be eligible to receive one (1) CEU from the Board of Ordained Ministry, for leading congregations through the COVID-19 pandemic in the Upper New York Conference.

Eligible clergy would apply for the certification by Dec. 1, 2020 and would need to briefly share in a paragraph for two, the nature of the work during the New York State PAUSE , how it worked, and what the response was. Eligible Clergy and CLMs would then receive a CEU certificate.

BOM’s policy on this would be as follows: Pastors would apply for the CEU by filling out a short form, with a paragraph, describing what they did to keep churches connected and how it worked. Certificates would then be issued by BOM.  Click here to fill out the form. The deadline to submit the form to BOM is Dec. 1, 2020. The form should be emailed to Pastor Bob Kolvik-Campbell at pastorbob@hotmail.com or sent by regular mail to Bob Kolvik-Campbell, Christ Church UMC, 417 Park Street, Sherrill, NY 13461.
NOW ARE PAST DUE
Deadlines for Annual Reports
was July 15th
Deadline for the following Reports:
  • Report of Trustees
  • Report of the Finance Committee
  • 2019 Local Church Financial Audit
PLEASE SEND THEM IN EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE LATE
COS Satellite School Registration
for 2020-2021 Sessions
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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Click here for the registration form
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
UNY Conference Center remaining closed
to the public
Please note that the Upper New York Conference Center in Liverpool, including the Episcopal office and Crossroads District office will remain closed to the public until Tuesday Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day at the earliest.
RESOURCE CENTRAL
Helpful links to put resources at your finger tips!