Mohawk District E-newsletter for Churches and Pastors February 5, 2020

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. 1 John 4:7

Thank You to Mohawk District for Summit! Thank you to all who took time to grow & learn together at the recent Leadership Summit. Especially to the District Leadership Team for all their planning and guidance, the presenters who gave of their time and energy and those who cooked, served and handled registration. Thank you to the District Communications HUB, First UMC of New Hartford, for all the technical & logistical support. An offering for the Mission HUB realized $610.19. Thank you, Mohawk District! Please give us your feed- back below on the event.   To catch up on the latest, past e-newsletters are conveniently archived on the Conference website at: http://www.unyumc.org/district/mohawk Prayer Focus  Week of February 9 Whitesboro: Trinity UMC and Morning Star UMC Pastor Cory Jones and Rev. Robert Wollaber Also, healing prayers are needed for Pastor Susan Holland, Maynard/West Schuyler UMCs, who is having surgery Feb 5th now. Click here for a copy of the 2019-20 Prayer Calendar

Correction - Mrs. Virginia Magee - 1926 to 2019 Prayers for the family of Virginia Magee , who died Dec. 15, 2019. Virginia was the surviving spouse of Rev. Morton Magee. Prior to Rev. Magee's death in 2003 , he served at the former South Ilion, North Columbia and Columbia Center UMCs, Remsen UMC, Prospect: Park UMC, Vernon UMC, the former Willowvale UMC, Sauquoit UMC and Vienna UMC. Condolences may be sent to Virginia's daughter, Doris Magee, 65 Oakdale Dr., New Hartford, NY 13413.

Get Your District Leadership Team to Do Exactly What YOU Want-- Here's How! Take a 2-minute survey (yup, it's that short) and give us a piece of your mind. What did you love or really, not so much, about the Leadership Summit? What compelled you to stay home this time? Tell us where YOU think we should do better or what we absolutely must keep. After all, Proverbs 19:20 , right?

Click This District Summit Feedback Link

Preparing for General Conference 2020 The General Conference meets once every four years. This year the conference will be May 5 through 15 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.   The elected delegates meet to worship, pray, and conduct legislative work. Get answers to some of your questions regarding General Conference 2020 by CLICKING HERE.  General Conference in Minneapolis is about three months away. How are you preparing your congregation for this important event? Discipleship Ministries has some suggestions on prayers and where to get trusted information as we get closer to General Conference. Click here for this info from Discipleship Ministries (UMC) to learn more.   Prayers related to General Conference from the Conference Leadership Team will be available each week. Feel free to pray personally, share with others or use them in your weekly worship services. Click here to find the prayers.

Listening Day With General Conference Delegates The following information recently appeared in UNY Notes. To subscribe to UNY Notes sent directly to your email, click here . The Upper New York (UNY) delegates, who are headed to General Conference from May 5-15, 2020, are welcoming small groups and individuals to come and speak with them on Saturday March 14, 2020, at the UNY Conference Office in Liverpool, NY. This is intended to be a day of listening for the UNY General Conference delegates. It’s not a Question and Answer session, but rather an opportunity for sharing insights and concerns. Individuals and small groups will be assigned to a 15-20 minute time slot. If you would like to visit with the UNY 2020 General Conference Delegation, email Carmen Vianese, the head of the delegation, at cfsv.umc@gmail.com  by March 7 and she will respond with your time slot.

Disaffiliation document and application now available The Special Session of General Conference in 2019 adopted legislation which provides a way for churches to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church "for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals." This limited right is codified as ¶2553 in the updated 2016 Book of Discipline. The Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees has prepared a document that outlines the policies that local churches must follow in order to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church under the provisions of this new paragraph. Applications from churches interested in disaffiliating from the denomination must be submitted to the Board of Trustees by Feb. 15, 2020. Click here to learn more about what the disaffiliation process entails and to access the Trustees' document as well as the application.

EZRA UPDATE: Statistical Reports from 2019 Each year churches are required to submit statistical information to The United Methodist Church electronically on the General Conference on Finance and Administration website: EZRA. The deadline for submitting 2019's information is Feb. 15, 2020. Please contact the District Office, mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org , if you need your password reset for EZRA. This includes forgotten passwords. If you have a specific question, Erica Wentworth at UNY Conference is ready and willing to help you: ericawentworth@unyumc.org

You are 100% complete and submitted for Statistical Reports for 2019!

Constantia Glenfield Jordanville Federated Madison Ohio Oneida: First Paines Hollow Perryville Sherrill: Christ Church South Otselic (First in the District!) Stratford Turin West Monroe West Schuyler West Winfield Federated

Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries® Basic Training WHO :    Individuals with responsibility for reducing the risk of abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in the churches’ ministries such as pastors, youth group leaders, Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School coordinators, music leaders, after-school program workers, home visitors, respite care workers. WHAT :  The goal of this course is reducing the risk of abuse. This basic course satisfies Upper New York’s Minimum Standard that all adults who have regular and direct contact with children, youth and vulnerable adults are Safe Sanctuaries trained. This course will not directly assist in Safe Sanctuaries policy and procedure development nor does it address topics related to “sanctuary churches,” sexual harassment, or active shooters.  This course is a prerequisite for Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers. There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses. QUESTIONS should be directed to Carol Barnes at carolb@htva.net or 607-687-4793.  Basic Safe Sanctuaries Class Dates and Times WHEN   March 7, 9 a.m.- Noon. Check in 8:45 - 8:55 a.m. Webster UMC, 169 East Main Street, Webster, NY  PREREGISTER  by March 1. Contact Pastor Christine Mitchell at pastorchrismitchell.umc@gamil.com  with your name, church, email address and a phone number in case class is cancelled due to weather. OR WHEN   March 14, 9 a.m. - Noon. Check in 8:45 - 8:55 a.m. Horseheads UMC, 1034 W. Broad Street, Horseheads, New York PREREGISTER by contacting Patti Gridley, District Administrative Assistant, at MountainViewDistrict@unyumc.org  or 607-962-8047, with your name, church, email address and a phone number in case class is cancelled due to weather.  Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries® Training of Trainers WHO:  Individuals interested in facilitating Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries Training as part of their District training team and/or for their local church. WHEN:  Saturday, March 7  1:00-4:00 p.m. with lunch provided to those participating in both morning and afternoon sessions.  Please make dietary needs known when you register. PRE-REQUESITE:  Upper NY’s 3-hour Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. This needs to be completed sometime since June 2016 and must be the standard learning station format facilitated by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable.  ALSO Members of the District training team should be affirmed by their District Superintendent. Advanced Lay Servant course credit and Continuing Education credits for clergy is available. There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses. QUESTIONS should be directed to Carol Barnes at carolb@htva.net or 607-687-4793.   SAFE SANCTUARIES® Training-of-Trainers Class Dates/Times 1 - 4 p.m., Mar. 7, Webster UMC, 169 East Main Street, Webster, NY with lunch provided to those participating in both morning and afternoon sessions. Please make dietary needs known when you register. PREREQUISITE:  Upper NY’s 3-hour Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. This needs to be completed sometime since June 2016 and must be the standard learning station format facilitated by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable.  ALSO Safe Sanctuaries Trainers on the District training team must be affirmed by their District Superintendent. PREREGISTER for one or both courses by March 1. Contact Christine Mitchell at pastorchrismitchell.umc@gamil.com with name, church and email address; also a phone number in case class is cancelled due to weather conditions. OR 1 - 4 p.m., Mar. 14, Horseheads UMC, 1034 W. Broad Street, Horseheads, New York, with lunch provided to those participating in both morning and afternoon sessions.  Please make dietary needs known when you register. PREREQUISITE:  Upper NY’s 3-hour Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. This needs to be completed after June 2016 and must be the standard learning station format facilitated by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable.  ALSO Safe Sanctuaries Trainers on the District training team must be affirmed by their District Superintendent. PREREGISTER for one or both courses by contacting Patti Gridley, District Administrative Assistant, at MountainViewDistrict@unyumc.org  or 607-962-8047 with your name, church, email address, and a phone number in case of cancellation due to weather.

Important Dates to Remember Statistics for 2019 - Only 1 1/2 weeks until the deadline! Don't delay, start today! The Ezra site is open to enter the church statistical data. The 2019 Statistical data is  due by Sat., February 15, 2020. This required information is entered and saved online. Report of the Trustees - due by Sat., February 15, 2020. Send to Mohawk District. Report of the Finance Committee - due by Sat., Feb. 15, 2020. Send to Mohawk District. Local Church Audit The 2019 annual audit of your church financial records are due to the District Superintendents on  Sun., March 15, 2020 .

OUTWARD! Youth Conference registration is open - Get registered!

Upper New York Imagine No Racism through preaching contest deadline extended The Upper New York Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) is welcoming submissions of sermons designed to call out and dismantle racism. A panel of judges will recognize the sermon that most effectively engages and motivates listeners to imagine and build a world free of racism. The Pastor, Lay Preacher, or Deacon preaching this sermon will be honored at Annual Conference. Excerpts of the sermon will be shared in a variety of ways. The individual with the winning sermon will also be given collaborative access to our Conference staff to develop a promotional video for their church. The deadline for sermon submission has been extended to Feb. 29, 2020 . Click here to learn what judges will be looking for in the videos and to find out how to submit the videos.

Serve hungry and homeless veterans alongside the Upper New York United Methodist Men Churches are invited to join in this mission opportunity by collecting food at church. Please display a box from Feb. 2-29 dedicated to Feed Our Vets . Donations may be brought to 587 Main St., New York Mills, NY, 8-9 a.m., Sat., Feb. 29 th . To make other arrangements or for information, contact Mark Jones, 315-749-3700, or msjwelshman@yahoo.com . The UMM are looking to collect the following items for Feed Our Vets: Chef Boyardee canned pasta, complete meals in a box, canned meats and fish, instant cup of soup, mac and cheese, canned fruit, peanut butter & jelly.

Click here for a prayer for veterans

Click here for a Flyer

Mission u Mission u is an opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on  current mission study topics with particular attention to the responsibilities of women in fulfilling the mission work of the church. Participants grow in understanding the mission of the church in the current world context; conference events are open to members and non-members of United Methodist Women, including men and children.

Our local Mission u Team is excited about the upcoming Mission u event this summer July 16 - 18, 2020, at Covenant United Methodist Church in Rochester. There will be opportunities for children and youth, so bring your kids and grandkids along. Housing will be at various nearby hotels or other locations. We will have recommendations for those who cannot commute. Scholarships are available for first time attendees, so encourage your friends to try us out. Please mark your calendars and save these dates. We hope you will take advantage of this incredible opportunity for connection, fellowship, and growth in your faith. Watch for further details. Please note: Mission u is for everyone - male and female, pastor or laity - not just UMW members.  Ellen Klock, Dean  Connie Chantry, Assistant Dean    Also: Mission u - Silver Bay, September 11 - 13, 2020 Another inspiring and fun-filled Mission u event at Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks Conference and Family Retreat Center on beautiful Lake George in Silver Bay, NY. The Mission u Dean, Ilah Sisson Walser, and Assistant Dean, Brooke Conklin, are working with the Upper New York United Methodist Women Executive Team to plan the event and will send more details soon. Please save the dates and plan to come to this year’s event Sept. 11 13, 2020.   Spiritual Growth Study: Finding Peace in an Anxious World - Leader: Rev. Martie Fischer Youth Study: Managing Anxiety - Leader: Pastor Michael Terrell Children’s Study: Managing Your Emotion - Leader: Tammy Verity Issue Study - Leaders: Leeda Marsh & Valerie Clark Pushout: The Criminalization of Girls in Schools

Equalization Members to Annual Conf. Each year additional voting members to Annual Conference are needed to balance the votes between non-clergy and clergy, in other words, make the number of non-clergy votes equal to the number of clergy votes. To achieve this, each District in the UNY Conference is allowed to select a predetermined number of extra non-clergy to vote on behalf of the District. If you would like to serve in this capacity, please fill out the application and return it to Mohawk District. The District Superintendent and District Lay Leader will review the applications and invite some to serve. All applicants will be notified following this process. For those invited to serve as equalization members, they may register upon receiving notification they are invited to serve. Youth: Note additional info.

Get an Application! Additional Info for Youth Equalization Members to AC

CHANGE - Lay Servants as Transformational Leaders with Bob Mueller, at Marcellus UMC, Tuesdays, March 3 through March 31. This class is not a required class but is offered to those who have completed the Basic class and beyond. Click here for the registration form. Contact Bob for more information Mueller915@yahoo.com  Lay Speakers Tell Stories: Dancing with Words, 6 to 9 p.m. on the following dates: Monday, April 6; Tuesdays, April 14, 21, 28 and May 5, at Malta Ridge UMC, 729 Malta Ave. Ext., Ballston Spa 12020. To register, contact Arlene Schmidt at adschmidt@nycap.rr.com .    Advanced Course: From Your Heart to Theirs, 6 to 9 p.m. on the following dates: May 14; May 20; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 23, at Saratoga UMC, 175 Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs (12866). To register, contact Arlene Schmidt at adschmidt@nycap.rr.com .

Lenten Group Bible Study The United Church of Canastota is offering a six- session Lenten Group Bible Study leading up to Easter Sunday. The Presentation, "Living the Story of Christ's Last Days", by Rob Fuquay, will follow the biblical story of the Passion right up to Christ's death on the cross. Sessions begin with prayer and a DVD presentation, followed with a Scripture Lesson and group discussion.    The Group Study begins 6 - 7 p.m., Sunday evening, March 1, at United Church of Canastota, 144 Center Street, and continues Sundays through April 5. The study is free and open to all with advance registration by February 16th. Participant books will be provided. Register by leaving a message with your name and phone number on the church office phone, 315-697-9222, or call Pastor Ken at 315-254-6673.

In commemoration of Black History Month , the Peterboro United Methodist Church is having a Special Service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at 5240 Pleasant Valley Road, Peterboro. Rev. Christiane Depestre invites all to attend this significant event. The guest speaker is Mr. Alden “Max” Smith and his address is entitled, "Why is there a Black History Month".

 <>< <>< <>< <>< Spaghetti Dinner     A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the ecumenical Nicaragua Medical mission takes place 4-6:30 p.m., Sat., Feb. 8, at Oneida First Presbyterian Church, 304 Broad St., Oneida, NY.  Returnable bottles/cans and loose change are also being collected. All proceeds benefit the medicine fund.  Take out meals are available.   Click here for a flyer.   <>< <>< <>< <><     Spaghetti and Meatballs Dinner 4 to 7 p.m., Sat., Feb. 29, Ava Hilltop UMC, State Route 26, Ava. Menu: Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, garlic bread, cookies Price: $10 adult meal,  $5 child meal ages 5 to 12, free meal for child younger than 5. Take-outs available. Bring the whole family for a winter treat. Questions? Call Betty-Ann 315-942-3210.   <>< <>< <>< <><

<>< <>< <>< <>< Spaghetti Dinner From 4:30 – 6 p.m., Feb. 8, the South Otselic UMC youth group is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the church followed by a bluegrass Gospel music concert. A freewill donation is accepted. The dinner includes: spaghetti/meatballs, tossed salad, garlic bread, drink, dessert. The Concert is 6-8 p.m. and features “The Gospel Way,” a bluegrass Gospel music group. Click here for a flyer.    <>< <>< <>< <><   Food Donations Due for Veterans Churches who collected food for Feed Our Vets in Feb. can bring it to 587 Main St., New York Mills, NY, 8-9 a.m., Sat., Feb. 29 th . For information, contact Mark Jones, 315-749-3700, or msjwelshman@yahoo.com .  <>< <>< <>< <><

Mohawk District Office 105 Genesee Street New Hartford, NY 13413 mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org 315-797-1777 Please use back entrance (full glass door) for Mohawk District Office Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., 9:30 to 6 p.m,

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