Mohawk District E-newsletter for Churches and Pastors
January 20, 2021
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Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full
restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
2Cor. 13:11 (NIV)
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Training for Local Churches:
Crossroads District invites all churches to Christian Transformational Leadership Training
Our partners on Crossroads District invite you and your church to join them for a leadership training session 6:30 - 8 p.m., Jan. 25th, via zoom.
Gain a scriptural foundation for Christian Transformational Leadership Style as well as a model for Christian Transformational Leadership in four essential practices.
Click here for the outline and discussion questions.
Click here to send an email to R.S.V.P and receive the Zoom link for the training.
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District Prayer Focus
Week of January 24
Pastor Debra Wollaber
and
Lee Center UMC
and
Point Rock UMC
and
Taberg UMC
Prayers are needed for Rev. Marilyn Baissa, who is hospitalized with non-COVID related health issues.
the 2020-21 Prayer Calendar
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Getting ready for Lent?
Mohawk District-based New Faith Community, Everyday Sanctuary, has a free and complete Digital Toolkit available to all churches for Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter. The Lent toolkit includes over 30 items including 7 sermon starters, powerpoint slide, digital media and a no-prep small group guide. This is a great way to connect to your people and beyond while it remains difficult to meet in person. The series also helps you introduce Everyday Sanctuary to your church and connect them to simple and accessible daily faith practice. To see these digital toolkits go to: https://everydaysanctuary.com/for-churches
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New York State Paid Sick Leave Law |
All private sector workers in New York State are covered under New York State’s paid sick leave law. If a person is issued a W-2 year-end tax form, they are eligible for the New York State paid sick leave. Non-profit and religious organizations are not exempt from this law. Click here for information on the New York State paid sick leave law.
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Local Churches Must Complete End-of-Year Reporting
Each year there are reports due to finalize data needed by the UMC and help churches take stock for ministry planning.
The following reports are due by February 15, 2021, to the Mohawk District Office: 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413, or mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org
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End-of-Year Financial Report (your choice of format) |
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2021 Church Budget (your choice of format) |
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The statistical reports are due February 15, 2021, but are completed on the Ezra website. You do not need to send a copy to the District. Feel free to print out a paper copy for your own churches' records. You will need your user name and password to complete this task. Please see additional information located below in this e-newsletter.
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Additionally, the annual audit is due March 15, 2021, to the Mohawk District Office: 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413, mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org.
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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, to gather this data for the entire UMC. 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.
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All Pastors Need *Boundaries Training
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Board of Ordained Ministry has put out the call for Boundaries Training which is required every five years.
(*Note: Boundaries Training is different than required New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training)
Click to download the informational letter.
The deadline to complete this is Feb. 15, 2021.
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United Methodist Communications Offers Free Course: Leading Online Worship
Pastors and lay leaders around the globe have found the need to provide opportunities to worship remotely to their congregations. In the past, virtual worship was impossible. Digital tools now exist to help people connect across vast distances.
- Embracing Remote Worship. Discover options for your remote services.
- Ideas for Leading a Remote Service. Create meaningful worship experiences from a distance.
- Ideas for Engaging Worshipers. Help worshipers connect with others and engage during the service.
- Maintain Connection Offline. Learn idea to help members connect offline.
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Grant Money to Assist Churches with Children's Ministries (including Church Camp!) |
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Hi there Camp and Retreat Agent,
Good news! You live in an area with Stewart’s Shops (in Northern Flow, Mohawk, Crossroads, Oneonta, Albany, and Adirondack Districts)!
Better News! Stewart’s Shops supports local youth in your communities by giving out grant money to “Local 501c3 organizations benefitting CHILDREN under 18, preferably groups which help kids all year long” and that includes YOU (churches).
Gouverneur UMC has requested and received $500-1000 dollars each year (for the last 5+ years) to help scholarship kids to go to camp (this helps them send non-church kids, too!)
I thought I’d send this along in case YOU could also use those funds for camperships or other programming for youth and children. Think of the new kiddos from your community who you might be able to engage and the families you might reach!
CRM hopes and prays that you are safe and well during this difficult time. We encourage you to stay connected with the Lord, with Camp and Retreat Ministries (Aldersgate, Skye Farm, Sky Lake, Casowasco, and Asbury), and with each other. Do your best to share God’s love, joy and hope with others each day.
Please keep CRM in prayer as we struggle through the options for programming at our sites this year. We will keep you updated as soon as there is information to share.
As always, if you have any questions, or I can provide any help or support, please don’t hesitate to let me know! Stay connected via our Facebook pages or our websites – not sure how? Let me know!
In Christ’s love,
Betsy
Betsy Schuessler
Support Associate
for Camp & Retreat Ministries
Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church
Phone: (315) 898-2026 / Fax: (315) 898-2198
“Transforming Lives”
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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
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Most of Oneida County in COVID-19 Micro-cluster
(NYS Yellow Color Zone)
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Read about this change and what it means for churches and businesses. Click here.
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Am I in a Micro-Cluster Area? |
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Lay Servant Courses - Open to All
The following courses are available to keep certification current or become certified as Lay Servant or Lay Speaker. To register or for more info., contact Arlene at adschmidt@nycap.rr.com. To view the brochure, click here.
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
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UMC Clergy Education Offering Courses for Credit in Jan./Feb. 2021
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.
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In-Person Service at Mohawk District Office On Pause
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. Call the District 315-797-1777, or
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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.
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