MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT NEWS
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Dear Friends,
In my next to the last sermon in my first appointment, I had to preach a sad sermon – because of racism. Comments from parishioners were getting back to me. Of course, no one said them to my face. The pastor following me was from Zimbabwe, and his skin is black.
In my next to the last sermon to the people I had laughed, cried, and grown with over the previous five years, I had to say that I had been sickened, saddened, and angered by what I had heard. I thought to myself, “Have I taught these people nothing in the 5 years we’ve been together?” One comment referred to people refusing to come to worship when the new pastor comes. Another comment was “Why wasn’t he appointed to be with `his own kind?’ That was an obvious reference to his skin color. In my sermon I said, “Isn’t Isaac being appointed to be with “his own kind?” A Christian being appointed to be the pastor of other Christians? Do you see skin color, or do you see Christ? What do you choose to see? I raised the question of why wasn’t
I
appointed to my “own kind?” What does that mean? Only to females? Only to people with short hair? Only to people with blue eyes? Only to people who are right-handed? I tried to get the congregation, and particularly the folks who made the racist comments to see with new eyes. It was only a few, but
any is
too many.
Two members from the church that was 6 miles away from the parsonage came and plowed a garden for Isaac and Ruth in the yard of the parsonage. They had mentioned that they would like a garden, and some parishioners made sure it was already done when they arrived. One drove his tractor 6 miles on the side of the road, and the other one followed in his truck to protect him on the road. When I told Isaac, that he and Ruth already had a garden, he just about jumped through the phone.
My text was Galatians 3: 23-29. I contextualized vs. 28 to read, “There is no longer Jew nor Greek, there is no longer slave nor free, there is no longer male and female; there is no longer Zimbabwean and American, there is no longer black and white, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” In his letter to the Galatians, Paul was not suggesting that by being one in Christ that we lose our individuality. Like facets of a diamond, we as Christians are to reflect the beauty of Christ. There is great beauty in diversity.
Friends, the senseless killing of George Floyd (and the article in the paper this morning about a Painted Post police officer who resigned over his Facebook post), remind us that our country and our world is broken. It’s up to us as Christians to speak up when we see injustice, and to do something about it.
Let us celebrate and proclaim that each human being on the face of the earth is of sacred worth, and one for whom Christ died. May it be so.
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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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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NEW
UNYAC Reopening Guidelines
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Click here
to watch the June 2 webinar hosted by the Upper New York Conference Reopening Taskforce and
click here
to see the PowerPoint that accompanied the webinar.
6/4/2020
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FAQs about churches reopening
Last week, the UNY Conference published a
news item
overviewing reopening guideline with a link to view an up-to-date comprehensive guide to help local churches understand when they can open and resume services. Since then, we have been getting some questions.
Click here
for a compilation of the Frequently-Asked-Questions with answers. If you have a question related to reopening, feel free to contact our COVID-19 hotline at (315) 898-2012 or
COVID-19response@unyumc.org
and someone will contact you and add the question and answer to our compilation.
5/28/2020
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NEW
UNY Cabinet Urges Local Churches to Use Caution When Reopening
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As we continue to move into the reopening phase throughout the state of New York, we know that many are anxious to return to in-person gatherings, while maintaining a commitment to care for the safety and health of our church and community members.
Recognizing that Governor Cuomo has stated that the state is now allowing religious gatherings up to ten people, we continue to strongly urge all congregations to not hold in person worship through the end of May. At the beginning of June, we encourage all churches to follow the guidelines of their county or local municipality regarding the number of people who can gather and strictly follow those guidelines. If you do gather according to the numbers allowed, we remind you that the use of masks is required, along with practicing strict social distancing. The Governor’s plan indicates that full congregation religious services would reopen as part of phase four of the governor’s four-phase plan.
We also remind churches of the necessity and requirement to follow guidelines provided by the annual conference regarding preparing your building for reopening and important safety practices to follow. If you have specific questions or concerns related to the guidelines, please contact your district superintendent.
Even as we move through the various phases of reopening, we recognize that some situations require continuing online worship only and we offer our full support for those who make that decision.
We continue to give thanks to God for your ministry and leadership in these days! Be assured of our continued prayers.
6/4/2020
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Helpful links to put resources at your finger tips!
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