Mohawk District E-newsletter for Churches and Pastors
September 8, 2021
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Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:2
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Be Sure Your Church is Represented at District Day September 25th
All laity (non-clergy) and clergy are invited to join together for Mohawk District Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, September 25th at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship (United Methodist) in Barneveld. Join Bishop Webb for worship, followed by activities, workshops, lunch and Holy Communion. Please RSVP with your church name, attendee(s) name(s) to: mohawkdistrict@unyumc.orgor 315-797-1777,
by September 21st.
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District Prayer Focus
Week of September 12
Bleecker UMC
&
Fort Plain UMC
Audie Miller
Prayers are needed for Adam Barnes, son of Pastor Jim and Marge Barnes. Adam is dealing with health concerns.
Rev. Becky Guthrie requests prayers for her entire family after the tragic death of her 32-year-old nephew, Brandon Blades, following a motorcycle accident on July 20.
the 2021-22 Prayer Calendar
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District E-newsletters
To subscribe to the E-newsletter, send us your email address. To submit news
for this publication, send it a minimum of eight days in advance to:
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World Communion Sunday is October 3
Thank You...!
for your generosity in 2020. You gave $400,254 towards the ministries funded by the World Communion Sunday offering. This offering supports diverse mix of national and international ethnic young adults to make a global impact for Christ. Half of the offering benefits World Communion Scholarships for graduate students from the U.S. and other countries; the remainder assists Ethnic Scholarships for U.S. and international undergraduates studying in the U.S. and Ethnic In-Service Training. These funds are administered by the General Boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries.
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UMCOR Works in Afghanistan and Haiti
Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief have been long-standing partners in Afghanistan, dating back to the mid'1960's. Joining together with Afghan communities and other humanitarian agencies as in the past, UMCOR is determining what assistance is most helpful at this time the country is at a point of transition and great uncertainty. One specific program is providing cash assistance to displaced families in the Kabul area, allowing them to prioritize their needs for food, medicine and shelter.
If you would like to contribute to UMCOR's efforts in Afghanistan, click here. Or contribute by mail to: Global Ministries/UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068, with Advance #982450 noted on the memo line.
UMCOR is also partnering with Church World Service to assist with refugee resettlement. To provide financial support, click here. Or contribute by mail to:
Global Ministries/UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068, with Advance #3022144 noted on the memo line.
For information to assist locally with Afghan refugee resettlement, click here.
On Aug. 14th, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake created destruction in the western region of Haiti. UMCOR is in communication with partners in Haiti and working closely with them to support emergency relief and early response efforts. UMCOR has awarded a grant to the Église Méthodiste d’Haiti (Methodist Church in Haiti). In coordination with local doctors and nurses, the funds will supply two medical clinics in Gebeau and Les Cayes with emergency supplies including PPE, bandages, gauze, IV fluids, and antibiotics.
UMCOR has awarded a grant to Service Chrétien d’Haiti (SCH). The funds will supply the Les Cayes General Hospital with emergency supplies including PPE, bandages, gauze, IV fluids and antibiotics.
UMCOR has awarded a grant to Prosperity Catalyst to support humanitarian response in Petit-Trou-de-Nippes. They will provide food, hygiene and immediate shelter support (tarps and plastic sheeting) for vulnerable households. Make a gift to help support the work of UMCOR in Haiti and other disaster areas. Click here.
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Hello Everyone,
The District Leadership Team has been working hard to plan our District Day on September 25th at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Barneveld. We are very excited have everyone in the District to join us for a Family Fun Day!
The last 18 months have been difficult for everyone. We wanted to take this opportunity to gather everyone together and just have some fun. Bishop Mark Webb will be joining us! He will speak at the morning worship before having some time with the youth in the Mohawk District.
We have also invited some of the churches in our District to share about some of the missions that are done through their church. Maybe this will spark some ideas for other churches!
The day will have lots of activities available including archery, field games, horse shoes, corn hole, volleyball, prayer labyrinth, prayer tent, campfire with smores, walking trails.
This entire event is free! Lunch will be included. Please pass this information on to your congregations. We would love to see everyone of all ages!
We have attached a flyer to share with your congregation. Here is the schedule for the day:
9:30am Registration begins
10am: Worship with Bishop Mark Webb
11am: Youth time with Bishop Webb
Mission Moments
Noon: Lunch
11am-2pm: Activities will be available for your own leisure
2pm: Worship with Communion
3pm: Travel home
Your District Leadership Team
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Community Outreach in Bouckville,
Oriskany Falls and Waterville
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The Waterville and Oriskany Falls UMC joined together to offer VBS “Lift Off! Soaring to New Heights with God” in August. As many as 20 children, ages 4 to 14, took part. Once you saw the smiles on the children’s faces, it couldn’t have been more successful.
Rev. Becky Guthrie joined the gathering and led Bible skits each day. Volunteers and children joined in to be part of the evening skits where they got to met Abraham, Jesus, Mary and Martha, Zacchaeus and Peter. Each day they learned about a new flight plan using the words, “I will follow, trust, listen, repent and serve”. The children learned daily prayers that focused on faith building, crafts, activities and new songs all dealing with the daily themes introduced by “Scoop” the reporter and “Skylar” the flying squirrel.
“We all felt blessed that both churches had the opportunity to come together and share the joy of working and playing with these children..." said Rev. Carol Jubenville. Rev. Bryant Clark said, “We can’t wait to ‘lift off’ again with all of our friends when we reconnect on September 12th to experience a real hot air balloon demonstration.” Click here to read the full article.
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Over the years, Bouckville UMC has become famous for their delicious homemade pies. People come from all over the country during the Bouckville Antique Days to purchase these homemade delicacies!
This year, Bouckville UMC decided to purchase baked goods from Annie’s Sweets & Treats in Morrisville and Holland Farms Bakery in New York Mills and offer treats free of charge.
Along with baked goods and beverages, the church handed out brochures about the meaning of the church's eight stained glass windows to visitors at Antique Days.
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United Methodist Men Fall Meeting |
The United Methodist Men will focus on mission at their fall meeting, Oct. 1 and 2, at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center in Moravia. The men will assemble UMCOR Cleaning Kits and Mike Block, UNY Director of Missional Engagement, will speak.
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If you wish to support htis effort, the men are asking generous infdividual or churches to ontribute to thie $800 project. They will assemble 20 cleaning kits at a cost of $40 per bucket.
Send supporting gifts to:
Mr. David Greer, Treasurer, UNY United Methodist Men
2432 BIGELOW LANE
BALDWINSVILLE NY 13027
(Please mark your payment “Flood Buckets”)
Men of all ages are invited to register for the two-day event around the theme, "Faith in Action". Rev. Steve McNight of Wesley United Methodist Church will be the Keynote Speaker. The Subject of the Gathering is “Faith In Action”, and there are several levels of attendance to meet your schedule. They are:
A- (1) NIGHT PLUS (3) MEALS $125.00
B- FRIDAY -SATURDAY COMMUTER PLUS (3) MEALS $90.00
C- FRIDAY PROGRAM PLUS DINNER $65.00
D- SATURDAY PLUS (2) MEALS $65.00
Send your payments to David Greer at the above address. Register online at:
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The UNY Conference urgently needs individuals and teams who can help in times of disasters in Mohawk District. Please sign up to be the hands of Jesus with Marybeth Ingalls, UNY Mission Volunteer Coordinator, 315-898-2064, 315-372-0285, marybethingalls@unyumc.org.
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2022 Clergy Compensation Report Form |
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Each year churches are asked to complete the UNY Clergy Compensation Report for their Pastor/lay pastor. This report is:
- Completed by the local church's Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee and then sent to;
- The Finance Team for approval;
- Then the Church Council approves Pastor's Compensation;
- Finally the Annual Church Conference will give the approval for Pastor's Compensation, which begins on 1-1-2022.
Even if there is no change in the amount from 2021, a 2022 Report must be completed. The Superintendent is asking SPRCs to schedule a meeting no later than the end of August for this work to begin. The Finance Team and Church Council should plan to act on this Compensation no later than September or beginning of October. The Annual Church Conference is not the place for continued discussion and questions on the Pastor's Compensation. Please contact the Superintendent well in advance of the Church Conference if SPRC, finance team or church council have difficulty completing this work.
The information below was emailed to S/PPRC chairpersons and church treasurers for whom churches have provided email contacts. There are no paper packets mailed for some time now. Pastors, please ensure this work is taking place. If the SPRC chair didn't get the email, they should contact the District Office to verify their email address on file and restore communication.
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Annual Church Conference Reports
You may need to click the "Advance" button and "proceed" to access this page.
Read additional help information from UNY Conference about accessing this website. Click here.
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**Trustees are elected AT the church conference NOT in advance of the conference. |
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Mohawk District 2021 Fall Lay Servant Courses
Basic Lay Servant, in person, 6 - 8:30 p.m., 9-14-21, and continuing for five Tuesdays. Cost is $15. Students must purchase the book, Lay Servant Ministries (Participant's book). Click here for a registration form. Send payment made out to UNYAC and registration form to: Robert Mueller, 4432 Lathrop Dr., Marcellus, NY 13108.
Camden UMC, Advanced Class Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, in classroom starting 9-15-21 for five weeks, 6 – 8 pm Registration cut-off date 9-7-21. Instructor Jeff Johnson, CLS. Interested participants should contact Ken Guilfoyle,315 254 6673, or kguilf2855@aol.com for information, course registration requirements and how to obtain your textbook prior to the class
ZOOM ‘Basic’ Class, begins 9-21-21 for five weeks, 6 -8 pm Registration cut-off date 9-21-21. Instructor Jacqueline Kim, CLS, Interested participants should contact Ken Guilfoyle,315 254 6673, or kguilf2855@aol.com for information, course registration requirements and how to obtain your textbook prior to the class.
ZOOM, Leading Worship, begins 7 - 9 p.m., 9-21-21, and continues Tuesdays for five weeks.Cost is $15. Students must purchase the book, "Worshipping With United Methodists", by Hoyt Hickman. Click here for a registration form. Send payment made out to UNYAC and registration form to: Robert Mueller, 4432 Lathrop Dr., Marcellus, NY 13108.
Lairdsville UMC, Advanced Class, Called To Preach, in classroom starting 9-22-21 for five weeks, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Registration cut-off date 9-15-21. Instructor Mark Adsit, CLM. Interested participants should contact Ken Guilfoyle,315 254 6673, or kguilf2855@aol.com for information, course registration requirements and how to obtain your textbook prior to the class.
Marcellus UMC, Basic Lay Servant, in person, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., 9-27-21, and continuing for five Mondays. Cost is $15. Students must purchase the book, Lay Servant Ministries (Participant's book).
Click here for a registration form. Send payment made out to UNYAC and registration form to: Robert Mueller, 4432 Lathrop Dr., Marcellus, NY 13108.
ZOOM, Advanced Class, Afire with God, 6 - 8 p.m., 9-29-21, and continues Wednesdays, Oct. 6, 20, 27 and Nov. 3. Registration cut off is Sept. 7. Cost is $15. Students must purchase the book, "Afire with God", by Betsy Schwarzentraub. Click here for a registration form. Send payment made out to UNYAC and registration form to: Robert Mueller, 4432 Lathrop Dr., Marcellus, NY 13108.
Click here to see lay servant course listings for October 2021.
Lay Servants/**Certified Lay Ministers and
Lay Speakers Report
Each year, lay servants, Certified Lay Ministers and lay speakers are asked to report to the annual church conference. Please use the reports below. Make sure your Pastor has a copy of this to submit with Church Conference reports.
Certified Lay Servant Report - for those who have taken the Basic Lay Servant Course and an additional Advanced Lay Servant Course every three years. Click here.
Certified Lay Minister Report - for those who have become Certified Lay Servants, taken the four module Certified Lay Minister curriculum and continue with Advanced Courses every two years. Click here. (Note: this is more frequent than Certified Lay Servant.)
Lay Speaker Report - for those who have taken the Basic Lay Servant Course and all six of the core Advanced Courses, including:
- Leading Prayer
- Leading Worship
- Preaching
- United Methodist Heritage
- Discovering Spiritual Gifts
- United Methodist Polity
as well as an Advanced Lay Servant Courses every three years. Click here.
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Transforming Church Conflict & Creating Space
for Authentic Community
A 2-Retreat Series on Transforming Conflict for United Methodist Clergy and Servant Leaders of the Upper New York Conference to be held at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center.
Session One – October 6 & 7, 2021 (W/Th)
Session Two – October 27 & 28, 2021 (W/Th)
Both sessions begin w/ lunch at 12:15 (W) & end at 5pm (Th).
This retreat series explores the theory and practice of effective conflict engagement, including the skills and strategies that work to create space for conflict's transformation in three different contexts:
1. Self-Managed Conflict - When we are the ones in conflict.
2. The Mediator - When we serve as a neutral third party.
3. The Facilitator - When we convene a heated church meeting.
Tuition: $375. Casowasco Meals & Lodging: $224. Total Cost: $599. Maximum # of participants is 20. Registration deadline is September 24. To Register CLICK HERE. For more information visit: www.mcneillmediation.com.
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Memorial service for Bishop Yeakel in October has been Postponed
Bishop Joseph Yeakel died July 4, 2021, at 93. He served as Resident Bishop of the New York West Area, which included Western New York and North Central New York Conferences, from 1972-1984.
Bishop Yeakel's memorial service, originally scheduled for Oct. 2, has been postponed. His family has released the following statement, "Our world paused this summer with the loss of our father. The world paused previously for Covid and now is pausing again. Out of concern for all who planned to travel and gather in October (as well as those they contact along the way), we have decided to postpone the memorial service for Dad. It is our hope and desire to reschedule this celebration of Joe Yeakel’s life when all can gather safely again. Future plans will be posted here. Thank you for your love and understanding. Stay well."
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Weekly series examines issues facing church
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August 16, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Do you like family picnics? I sure do!
This is an invitation to a family picnic, a Methodist Family Picnic!
The date that I have set aside for us to gather is September 19th, at
The Grove at Pleasant Firehouse located on Easterly Street in Gloversville around 1:00pm. So let’s all get together for a good old family picnic.
In keeping with safe food handling I’m forgoing the traditional Potluck Picnic. I’m asking everyone to pack their own picnic lunch. The sharing of our fellowship is what’s important. There are plenty of picnic tables under a covered pavilion. There also is a kitchen area with a freezer and large refrigerator. The kitchen also has a stove and a grill if you wish to do hot dogs and hamburgers.
The Grove offers a fire pit area, horseshoes, volley ball and plenty of room to play Corn Hole and Bocce Ball. If you have a favorite folding chair please bring it as the picnic benches are not always comfortable.
Stewart’s ice cream will be served with all the toppings!!!
I sure hope to meet many of you at the picnic.
In unity we will be stronger and will make the Mohawk District greater than ever.
Please RSVP me with a “ballpark” number of attendees by September 15th so I can plan on our ice cream sundaes.
This is a rain or shine picnic.
In loving service,
Sandy Harrington
518-725-8913 home, 518-775-6705
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The Academy of Artful Leadership
Small Group Learning with Regional Associate Rich Weihing - Open to All UNY Conference
We have all been working for several years to become more vital congregations and to have intentional disciple-making plans. This fall, we will work to identify and grow the number of Christ-following transformational leaders in our churches. To help you in this work, Regional Associate Rev. Rich Weihing, partnering with The Academy of Artful Leadership, is offering small-group learning/coaching opportunities for pastors and laity of Adirondack and Albany Districts beginning in late September.
Rich will lead two groups of up to 12 members each in monthly Zoom gatherings from late September 2021 through April 2022: Tuesdays, 1 to 2:30 a.m. and Wednesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Each session will be a 90-minute Zoom call. Each participant will also have six 50-minute coaching sessions with Rich over the eight months.
Updates from Rich: The Tuesday afternoon group is filling up, but there are still several openings; the Wednesday evening group has plenty of openings. Laity are strongly encouraged to attend – it may be especially helpful for a pastor and church member to attend together. Limited financial aid may be available to laity. Registration is open to all districts. For more information, click here.
Through individual study and preparation, facilitated group discussion, and one-on-one coaching sessions, participants learn and grow in leadership for intentional disciple-making, church vitality, and as transformational leaders. We will use a “coach-approach” process, working from the understanding that each participant is naturally creative, resourceful, and whole.
Please register through the Academy website.
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Attention Mohawk District Churches and Pastors--Rev. Abel Roy has purchased a subscription for Digital Discipleship resources for you!
Hello and Welcome!
Your district superintendent has purchased a one-year membership for your continuing education on Digital Discipleship! This subscription is available to your church teams and volunteers who want to learn how to make the most of your online ministry.
When you decided to go into ministry, you probably didn't realize you would need to make the shift to online or what it would take to reach new people in your community. Pastors are among the group that has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The stress of not knowing what to do is too much for most—this stress is common. Every church leader is facing similar frustrations.
This comprehensive program has SOLUTIONS for you! The lockdowns will change, but the future will never be the same as the pre-pandemic past. Digital connections are even more critical for delivering the Gospel.
Member Benefits
· Video Courses on Digital Discipleship
· Ongoing Support
· Discounted Individual Consultation (First Session only $25)
· Free E-Book
· Free Resources
· Peer Support
· Clergy Networking
· Monthly Live Q&A
Each month, you will have the opportunity to engage in a Live video with Q&A that will cover everything you need to reach and keep more guests, both in-person and online.
You'll discover principles and systems that will work for any church, not just for the megachurch, but any size church!
PLUS... each presentation will be available to you after the classes are over. This on-demand access is included with your exclusive group membership!
TO ACTIVATE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
GO TO THE FACEBOOK Digital Discipleship Education You will need to request to join the group. Don't forget to invite your team members by sharing this link with them!
Attached to this email, you will find everything you need to get started in digital ministry! A Free Ebook on Making Digital Disciples, Digitial Discipleship brochure, and a QuickStart to Digital Discipleship Facebook Group.
TRAINING TOPICS
• Simple Online Worship
• Growing Your Online Ministry
• Build an Easy Website
• Livestreaming
• Photography
• Assimilation
• Holiday Campaigns
• Online Engagement
and more
LAUNCH INTO THE DEEP
With a greater need for technology and billions of people searching online for answers to life's problems, the times are challenging us to have the faith to launch out into new uncharted and deep waters.
Learn to use social media the way it was intended, and discover that when we step out in faith, like the apostle Peter, our nets will nearly break
once we cast into the deep.
Sincerely,
Lori Jagow,
(716) 909-8329
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Guidelines for Visiting Mohawk District Office In Person
The office is generally open Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays. Ensure we will be ready and waiting to assist you by making an appointment 315-797-1777, mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org, before just dropping in.
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If you aren't feeling well we ask that you visit the office another day.
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Please wear a mask that completely covers your nose and mouth
during your visit while Oneida County is in an area of substantial or high
COVID-19 transmission, as defined by the CDC.
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Mohawk District Office
105 Genesee Street
New Hartford, NY 13413
315-797-1777
**Regular Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Please review Guidelines above before in person visit)
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