Mohawk District E-newsletter for Churches and Pastors January 7, 2021

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7 (NIV)

Thank You to All Who Contributed To District Mission Thank you to all churches and individuals who contributed cards and financial donations to assist the former Remington Arms employees who lost their jobs recently. To date, there has been $6,540 received.  To subscribe to the news- letter, send us your email address. To submit news for this publication, send it a minimum of eight days in advance to: mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org District E-newsletters To catch up on the latest, past e-newsletters are conveniently archived on the Conference website at: http://www.unyumc.org/district/mohawk District Prayer Focus Week of January 3 Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell and Mohawk District Committee on Ordained Ministry Week of January 10 Pastor Joelle Faulks and Herkimer UMC & Morning Star UMC Click here for a copy of the 2020-21 Prayer Calendar

Prayers for the Family of Jean Van Ornum Pray for the family of Jean Van Ornum, 96, who died Dec. 19, 2020. She was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Carlton Van Ornum, in 2019. Rev. Van Ornum served several Upper New York churches, including Rome: First UMC, Ilion UMC, and others, in addition to serving as the Mohawk Superintendent District Superintendent. Condolences can be sent to Jean’s daughter, Glenda Jackson, at 1744 North George, Rome, NY 13440. A memorial service will be planned at the family’s convenience. Click here to read the obituary.

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.

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!

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.

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

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. 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.

You can still watch the recording of the event, Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship for Online & In-Person Audiences with Jason Moore

View the webinar at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/8t2Veb43eXwgLRHIVrhGXl0WvdQ0d4HrGV0bWLdmtFORUWVUYi6um2U3xt1n4deP.zO-1n6lUscxlv6lP   After you watch, please click this link for the evaluation:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZMZHV8H   Here's the corresponding handbook:   https://bit.ly/BOTH_AND_HANDBOOK_DL View this Webinar and: ·      Better prepare for the rest of Advent and Christmas.  ·     View to prepare into the new year. Recorded webinar available for 90 days for all in UNYAC! ·     View webinar in the first 30 days to participate in a “town hall” style follow up 30 days after the webinar for people to gather, ask questions and share ideas. Participants in that session can attend whether they attended the live webinar or if they watched the recording.  ·     A 20 Page Handbook, extended Q & A.   Through this webinar churches large and small, technically savvy and challenged, are finding hope, inspiration, and great best practices for the next season of worship in their faith communities.

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

Click here for Family Ministry and Education Coordinator

Most of Oneida County in COVID-19 Micro-cluster (NYS Yellow Color Zone) Read about this change and what it means for churches and businesses. Click here.

Am I in a Micro-Cluster Area?

Find COVID-19 Micro-Clusters by Address

Lay Servant Courses - Open to All The following courses are the 2020-2021 cycle for certification as Lay Servant or Lay Speaker. To register or for more information please contact the 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

Loaves and Fishes Warming Center is a ministry located within Herkimer First United Methodist Church, 127 N. Prospect St., Herkimer, NY.

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.

Superintendent Abel Roy urges all Oneida County United Methodist Churches to follow recommendations proposed by Oneida County Executive, Anthony Picente. “Keep elementary students in at least a hybrid schedule with social distancing and mask-wearing and keep the classes spread out. Moving forward, the county will release the names of businesses, organizations and residents cited for violating public health guidelines. All governments, non-profits and organizations should cease in-person public meetings and meet virtually. Oneida County will continue to ensure that the county’s hospital systems have proper PPE. County government workforce will return to stricter procedures than in the spring, including working remotely. The county executive will create a vaccine workgroup that will focus on education and distribution of a vaccine. Picente also urged employers to enforce mask orders, have employees tested routinely and allow for remote work if possible. The county executive also called for residents to stay home when possible, wear a mask whenever they leave the house and not congregate with people outside their immediate household.” Read the newspaper article click here: Watch the news conference on the County Executive’s website. Click here:

Visiting Mohawk District Office Suspended for Time Being 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 and limited in-person hours. Call the District 315-797-1777, or send email to: mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org.

Mohawk District Office 105 Genesee Street New Hartford, NY 13413 mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org 315-797-1777 Office Hours: Regular Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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