AROUND THE CORNER
November 4, 2021
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Around the Corner will be published/distributed
every other week. Next Issue Nov. 18th
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Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
November 2021…. How did we arrive here so quickly? I have seen posts that tell us how many days until Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. It is a challenge to live each day as it arrives. It is dark when I get up in the morning and the sun is setting earlier and earlier. The beautifully colored leaves are falling to the ground quicker and quicker. There was snow on the ground this week!
This month has been filled with the changes of the season, completing One-on-One pastoral conversations, and working through church/charge conferences. It has been a blessing and joy to be able to meet in person (at this time) for the church/charge conferences. In our conversations together we have been able to share concerns as well as celebrations. Concerns of learning to grieve differently, adapting to new technology and continuing to care for each other well. Celebrations of baptisms, weddings, Shared Ministries paid in full (and churches increasing their Shared Ministry giving), new ministry opportunities and wider reaches into communities where relationships are forming.
The mission of the church of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world continues! The outreach opportunities throughout the Cornerstone District are wide and varied, as lives are touched with the hope and love of Jesus. Yes, there is a tiredness felt in both the laity and the pastors. The past 18 months of learning to live with the pandemic has been a challenge and is physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining.
Yet…. There is a new sense of purpose and mission of being the church. Laity and clergy are discerning their God given gifts for the purpose of discipleship. Laity and clergy are having discussions about what ministries to let go of, what ministries to keep, and prayerfully seeking out to be a part of what God is already blessing.
As you read and reflect on the passage from Romans 3 noted above, over the next month, ask yourself and the church you are a part of the challenging questions related to having “The Markers of a Vital Congregation.” (From the Upper New York Annual Conference):
· Inviting and inspiring worship
· New and growing disciples
· Small group ministries
· Engaged disciples in mission and outreach
· Generous giving
What can you do together, to become more vital, right where God has placed you?
What changes need to be made?
Where are places of blessing that God is already at work that you can become a part of?
How will you use the gifts God has given you?
How will you love your neighbor as yourself?
How will you develop relationships with new people?
Have those courageous and respectful conversations that can lead you and your church to becoming a more vital congregation!
With Gratefulness,
Suzanne
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2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms Can Be Found Here |
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FYI: If you are having a problem accessing the Charge Conference Forms
Some of you may find that if you use Google Chrome as your browser, you may have a problem getting the forms. Please try to use Firefox as your browser and you will not (should not) have any problems getting to the forms.
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Pastors & Their Churches to in Prayer for Month ofNov. |
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord send your spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us pow'r, send us grace.
-- Ken Medema--
November 7 Bemus Point, Sinclairville:Park UMCs. Pastor Joe Pascoe, his wife Leslie and their daughters Ashley, Taylor & Riley.
November 14 Brocton:Tri-Church Parish. Pastor Clara Wilder, her husband Gary and their family.
November 21 Centerville UMC. Bob Schooley, his wife Karen and their family.
November 28 Cherry Creek, Conewango Valley & Ellington UMCs. Pastor John Dedloff,
December 5 Clymer & North Clymer UMCs. Pastor Kevin Costner, his wife Heather and their sons Caleb & Joshua.
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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments |
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce 17 ad interim appointments and four retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
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Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Nov. 17: Vaccine Handbook Training - DETAILS
Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Day - Conference & District Offices Closed
Nov. 26: Conference & District Office Closed
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District & Conference Offices
Will Be Closed
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Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 25th &
Friday, November 26th
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NEW
Annual Election for 2022 HealthFlex Exchange plans begins Nov. 3
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The Annual Election for 2022 HealthFlex Exchange plans begins next Wednesday Nov. 3 and runs through Nov. 18, 2021. You are electing your medical/Rx, dental, and vision plans for next year (2022) during annual election. Click here for all documents, information, and forms can be found on our Conference Health and Wellness page.
ALEX Benefits Counselor is live and updated for 2022. You can now use ALEX to estimate costs and receive a personalized recommendation for your 2022 HealthFlex Elections. Remember, ALEX does not make or save elections. Participants will still need to go to Benefits Access and make their elections. Click here to access ALEX. ALEX is also available through your Benefits Access portal as well.
If you have any questions about your HealthFlex Elections, contact UNY Benefits Administrator, Julie Valeski at 315-898-2001 or julievaleski@unyumc.org
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United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 28th |
There are some UMC students who might not have the resources to attend a college of their choice, or, for some, any school at all—help send them into the world God loves by giving on United Methodist (UM) Student Day. This year, UM Student Day is Nov. 28.
Click here for a UM Student Day video as well as a story about Ricky, whose parents were addicts. Ricky didn’t have much hope to be able to go to college, but the UM Students Day fund made it possible.
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Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries |
The Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has begun work on courses we will be offering in 2022. We plan to continue offering the 7 courses required for Lay Speaker Certification, and are excited to be offering some new advanced courses to support you in your continuing faith journey. A complete listing of all our course offerings for next year will be coming out soon!
If you feel called to ministry but are not sure where to start, the Basic Lay Servant course can help in your discernment process. This course is the foundation for all Lay Servant courses. In this course, you will be encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended. Participants are invited to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a leader in mission and ministry in the community and in daily life. If you are interested in this course, the next Basic Course dates are:
Monday January 10th 6-9
Thursday January 13th 6-9
Wednesdays January 19 and 26: 6-9
Via Zoom
Course fee $15
Facilitators: Lay Servant Ministries Team
The text is “Lay Servant Ministries: Basic Course Participant’s Book.”
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Educational Opportunities |
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NEW
Course of Study Participants
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU
If you are registering for a COS class at GBHEM – you will need to list the name and email of your COS registrar. That information is as follows:
Betsy O’Flynn
We have had several lately list BOMregistrar@unyumc.org – this delays or causes you the student to miss the class entirely.
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NEW
Teaching, Meeting, Preaching & Me: Time Management for the Church Leader
WHEN: Nov. 11, 2021
LEADER: Ken Willard
Participants receive a certificate for 1-hour CEU following the online class.
Developing Effective Communication to Grow Your Congregation
WHEN: Dec. 2, 2021
LEADER: Kevin Slimp
Participants receive a certificate for 1-hour CEU following the online class.
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NEW
Tuesdays at The Table:
Discussions about our faith, our church and ourselves
The global coronavirus pandemic and disagreements within our denomination are just two of many events that continue to affect United Methodists around the world. Tuesdays at the Table, a new discussion series, will help us think through these issues and enter into a time of exploration and broadened understanding.
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NEW
The local church is often the first place people go for help in addressing mental health challenges. Matthew Stanford sees this as a divine opportunity and suggests ways churches can address the subject of mental illness more openly and honestly.
8 Keys to Improving Livestream Worship
Bob Whitesel has watched many online Sunday services to identify recurring weaknesses and help churches improve their livestreaming. He offers eight practical suggestions for engaging online worshipers more effectively.
3 Strategies for Creating More Adaptable Ministries
Meghan Hatcher explains that churches capable of adapting in response to the needs and assets of a community make it possible for more people to experience the transformative love and grace of Christ. She outlines three strategies to help a church be more innovative and adaptable.
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NEW
Advent & Christmas Resources for 2021
Here are several resources to help you
in your advent planning
Click below to explore the "Come Home for Christmas" worship series, read the advent candle lighting liturgy, and dive deep into a podcast discussion around Advent planning for this season and into 2022.
Click here for Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy 2021
NEW
New Webinar Series Coming November 16th
Inviting Generosity Beyond the Sunday Offering
Is your church ready to receive gifts that won’t necessarily come through the offering plate? If you were approached by someone offering a larger gift, would you know how to respond?
Join Rev. Ken Sloane, Director, Stewardship & Generosity, as he suggests ways you can improve your church's financial vision to see "beyond the Sunday offering."
Crash Courses in Youth Ministry
New Youth Ministry eBooks designed with the Youth Worker in mind.
Each eBook is loaded with practical tips and basic wisdom that you can read today and put into practice tomorrow! If you are a part-time or no-time youth worker, these crash courses are especially for you.
The Church's Ministry with Dementia
Check out our new hybrid-model teaching series designed to help churches see and engage with those living with dementia and other vulnerable adults.
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Course of Study- REMINDER FOR WESLEY SEMINARY |
Licensed local Pastors....are you are planning to take COS for the Winter or Spring Weekends? If you are, please consider filling out your registration form and get it to the District office to have the DS sign it and then I will get it to the registrar. The deadline for registrations are Winter- Dec. 1st, 2021 and Spring-Feb.1st of 2022. (Reminder that the District office is CLOSED on Fridays)
Please, DO NOT WAIT to the last minute to register. When a class is filled, Wesley closes the registration for that class and there is no wiggle room.
I am putting this out now as one of the busiest times of the year is coming soon. There is no need for you to miss out on getting your course requirements met. There is NO MONEY due at the time of registration. You can register NOW for both Winter and Spring and if something comes up....you can cancel.
IF you need a specific class...sign up now ...you need to remember that these courses are not just UNY Conference....these are open to other Conferences as well. SO, sign up now
The steps to get registered:
- Get registration form-click here
- Fill out the form, print it, YOU sign it.
- Scan & email to your District Office
- District AA will get the DS to sign it and will send it to COS Registrar
- Registrar will fill out her part and get it to Sara Shephard.
- Sara Shephard will send the Registrar a confirmation of your registration.
- Registrar will send confirmation to the District AA
There is no reason to wait to the last minute because there is no money that needs to be sent with your registration. So, please sign up now!!
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A new job opening has been posted on the website for an District Administrative Assistant for Niagara Frontier District. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask candidates to apply online through our https://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs
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2021 UNY Journal vol. II now ready |
The 2021 Upper New York Conference Journal, Vol. II is now available for download as a free PDF and for purchase through the online publisher, Lulu.com. Click here to view an online version, download a copy, or order a printed copy from Lulu.com ($17.64 plus tax and shipping).
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Overview of US Copyright Laws |
Has your ministry received a copyright claim on your worship streams? While you may have no malicious intent, copyright laws aren’t governed by intent. To help you avoid these issues, our Legal Services
team has developed a comprehensive five-part article series to help your ministry understand copyright laws and licensing
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NYS Minimum wage increase |
Effective Dec. 31, 2021, New York State (NYS) minimum wage will increase to $13.20/hour.
Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employees minimum wage. Future increases will be determined by the NYS Director of Budget in consultation with the NYS Commissioner of Labor and will be announced on or before Oct. 1 each year.
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NY Hero Act extended to Oct. 31 and additional details about COVID-19 in NY State |
On Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, Governor Hochul announced that the New York State Commissioner of Health designated COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease.
The NY HERO Act plan (a law signed by Governor Cuomo in May 5), mandates extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the NY HERO Act is to protect employees against exposure and disease during a future airborne infectious disease outbreak.
Initially, the NYS Hero Act was effective through the end of September 2021. The Hero Act has now been extended to Oct. 31, 2021 because COVID-19 continues to be a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health in New York State.
Employers now must follow the requirements of their plans, as well as conduct mandatory training for employees on the plan and the law. Upper New York churches are responsible for the mandatory training for their staff.
Click here to learn why asking for vaccination status is not a violation of HIPAA.
Click here to learn paid-leave requirements related to COVID-19 in New York State.
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Cornerstone District Office, PO Box 687, Bath, NY 14810
716-665-2423
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