Next Issue: February 24, 2022 |
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From the desk of Reverend Michael Kelly: MV District Associate |
Blessings in His name,
Finally, the mask mandate has been lifted in New York state, with a few exceptions. You still must wear a mask in Health Care settings, schools, day care, correction facilities and mass transit. But what this doesn't mean is that we should throw caution to the wind and declare that the pandemic is over. I encourage all to meet with your teams and continue to review and revise your policies and procedures around COVID 19-20-21-22. We are still responsible for making policies that ensure as safe of an environment as possible.
With God’s Blessings, Mike
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Mountain View COVID Update 2/10/22
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Chemung County: Active cases – 230, new cases – 49, hospitalization – 49, positivity rate – 9.8%
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Steuben County:Active cases – 362, new cases – 203, hospitalizations – 15, positivity rate – 10.78%
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Schuyler County: Active cases – 46, new cases – 6, positivity rate – 8.1%
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Allegheny County: County: Active cases – 180, new cases- 57, hospitalizations – 9, positivity rate – 16.26%
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Tioga County: Active cases – 201, positivity rate 13.92%
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NYS Hero Act extended through Feb. 15 |
On Jan. 15, 2022, the Acting NYS Commissioner of Health announced the fourth extension of the NYS HERO Act through Feb. 15, 2022, classifying COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health." Click here to read more about the latest extension of the NYS HERO Act.
As a reminder, the NYS Hero Act required employers to adopt a model prevention plan and conduct a “verbal review” of the policy related to infectious airborne diseases.
Also, employers were required to provide a copy of the adopted plan to all employees in their primary language.
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2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms That Are Due |
February 15th, 2022
Mail COMPLETED & SIGNED copy to District Office
Report of Trustees
Report of Finance Committee
2021 Year End Financial Report - your church format
2022 Church Budget - your church format
February 28th, 2022
If you need assistance with any of the forms or have forgotten your login information for EZRA, please contact the District Office. 607-962-8047 or email mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org
March 15th, 2022
Mail COMPLETED & SIGNED copy to District Office
2021 Local Annual Audit
Mail COMPLETED & SIGNED copy to District Office at:
Mountain View District Office
PO Box 706
Bath, NY 14810
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Mountain View District Office Open By Appointment Only |
Office visits are still by appointment ONLY. We ask that you wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. We also ask that you social distance while in the office. Please do not come to the office if you are not feeling well. We ask that you come another time.
Office is open: Mon.-Thurs.
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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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Avoca UMC Pancake Breakfast |
When: Sunday, February 13, 2022
Where: 8593 Jacob's Ladder Rd., Avoca, NY 14809
(Corner of Jacob's Ladder Rd. & State Rte. 415, one mile north of village of Avoca)
Time: 8:00-10:00 am
Menu: Buffet Serving: Buttermilk Pancakes, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, Applesauce, Juice, Coffee, Tea
Cost: Free Will Offering
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Presentation on General Conference |
Rev. Bill Mudge, Senior Pastor of the Baldwinsville United Methodist Church, former Adirondack District Superintendent, and clergy General Conference delegation leader, has offered to be present on the Adirondack and Albany districts to answer questions and offer information and thoughts about the upcoming General Conference. There are things we know, things we don’t know, speculation, information, and misinformation. This will be an opportunity to sort some of this out so that we may stay focused on our mission, and keep looking for what God is doing among and through us. You are invited to participate in person or online at any of the following dates and times:
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Sunday, February 27, 6 PM, at the Newtonville United Methodist Church (sanctuary), 568 Loudon Rd., Latham (12110)
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Monday, February 28, 2 PM, at the Plattsburgh United Methodist Church (sanctuary), 127 Beekman St., Plattsburgh (12901)
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Monday, February 28, 6:30 PM, at the Saratoga United Methodist Church (sanctuary), 175 Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs (12866)
Click here for the three Zoom invitations. You can join as many as you desire.
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What the end of the NY state mask mandate
means for local churches
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Governor Hochul lifted the mask mandate for all vaccinated and unvaccinated persons effective Feb. 10. This means businesses are no longer required to mandate that all persons in their facilities wear face masks. Pastors and other local church leaders are now asking what this means for their churches, particularly as it relates to worship and other gatherings. Here are some guidelines which may be helpful in making this decision:
1. Congregations are free to add safety requirements for entering buildings and participating in programs which exceed federal, state, and local requirements.
2. Under the NYS Hero Act, all employers, including local churches, were required to put in place an airborne infectious disease plan to protect employees. Back in September of last year, Governor Hochul activated the plan and has extended the duration until at least Feb. 15. The Hero Act plans follow state guidance and mandates with respect to face coverings for employees. Consistent with the most recent guidance from the New York State Department of Health for HERO Act plans, face coverings are recommended, but not required, for church staff members. It is also recommended that face coverings continue to be worn by unvaccinated staff members, including those with exemptions, in accordance with federal CDC guidance. Churches should consider updating their HERO Act plans consistent with this updated guidance.
3. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) masking guidelines recommend all unvaccinated persons and those who are immuno-compromised wear face masks. The CDC further recommends vaccinated persons “wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.”
4. When deciding about whether or not to require masking in the congregation, consideration should be given to the infection rate in the county as well as rates of vaccination among the different segments of the congregation. For example, the current vaccination rate among children ages 5-11 is only 30%.
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Tending the Soul 2022-2024
A Two-year Training Program for Lay and Clergy
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Where and When? All six training retreats will be held at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center in Moravia, NY (campsandretreats.org). Attendance is required at all six retreats. Retreats will be held on: • November 14-17, 2022 • February 24-27, 2023 • April 17-20, 2023 • November 10-13, 2023 • February 19-22, 2024 • April 8-11, 2024
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ANNOUNCING: The “Connect with Us” Academy for Continuing Education 2022 Course Schedule including
A Course Series: Refreshing My Preaching Ministry
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The “Connect with Us” Academy is funded by a Magee Christian Education Foundation grant, Academy partners, and through clergy participation. The Academy develops, offers, and sustains high-quality continuing education courses and fellowship opportunities.
The Academy was designed by the ALPS-MTH Alumni Advisory Committee, Union College, Annual Conferences, local pastors, who completed Course of Study and ordained clergy. All clergy, need access to high-quality, practical, and affordable continuing education.
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Upper NY LPLS (local pastors licensing school)
click the link below to read more and to register:
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Other Learning Opportunities |
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Mountain View District Winter Lay Servant Classes |
Upcoming Class Session
To be held at:
Via Zoom
Exploring Healing Prayer - Lent Study Thursdays 6:30 - 8:30 pm
beginning March 10th - April 6th 2022
Tuition: $15.00 per person plus purchase price of the books
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LAY SERVANT COURSE OPPORTUNITIES
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Check out the courses being offered by ALL the Districts in the UNYAC. Click here to see what courses are taking place.
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Opening to Grace Winter Retreats- Deaconess Sue Silhan |
Session Dates
Feb. 26th 12noon -9pm- Body Awareness & Balancing the Nervous System
Mar. 19th 12noon-9pm- Dreamwork
Both sessions are offered via Zoom and a time of shared discussion during our dinner if desired.
Fee of $100 per person with financial assistance available if needed.
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Stewardship Academy with Rev. Susan Ranous |
April 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom
May 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom
June 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom
July 16th 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (May be via Zoom or possibly in person)
Who Should Attend?
Clergy (approved for CEU)
Laity (approved by lay servant credit)
All those passionate about stewardship
This is an opportunity to read and learn about stewardship and all that it entails. There will be a final project due after the conclusion of the academy.
The topic would be one we have covered that you may want to get more detail on. It will be an opportunity to focus on an aspect of stewardship that you could use and help others utilize.
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For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks,
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Media Resource Center
Media Resource Center
315-898-2027
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
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Lay Servant Courses Offered Around the Conference
Click here to find out when, where and how you can sign up for a lay servant course that you need or are interested in taking. This link connects you to all the Districts in UNY Conference that are offering courses. Just click and start exploring your options!
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https://www.unyumc.org/resources/mission-insite
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Subscribe to the GCFA "Collaborator" for Finance & Administration resources for your Ministry. A Support newsletter from GCFA - Click here
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MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT OFFICE
35 Wilkes Ave. (Physical location)
PO Box 706 (Mailing Address)
Bath, NY 14810
607-962-8047
Office Is Open
Mon.-Thurs.
In Person by APPOINTMENT ONLY
District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Jeff McDowell
District Associate: Pastor Mike Kelly
District Lay Leader: Ann Welch Wood
District Administrative Assistant: Patti Gridley
If the office is closed and you have an emergency please call 315-898-2077 and leave a message or email the DS at jeffmcdowell@unyumc.org
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