Next Issue: April 21st, 2022 |
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Words From the
District Superintendent & District Associate
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District Superintendent News |
Lasts newsletter I encouraged dialogue in our churches regarding the denominational changes which are coming. We know that God’s word describes how we are to speak with and treat one another, because the fruits of the Holy Spirit grow in us spiritually: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). James chapter 4 warns of the power of the tongue to do good or to harm others. I measure the worth of a conversation based on these traits. When a person goes to a microphone at Annual Conference session or in a local church, and demeans other people they disagree with, controls the time so others cannot speak, or disrespects the facilitator, the above traits are missing. Name-calling, characterizations, temper tantrums and the devaluing of others are not allowed in our public schools and certainly should not be in our church! No matter how passionate a person is about the truth as they see it, blaming and bitterness have no place in the body of Christ.
Here is my hope for us all:
- Be kind to each other.
- Consider the perspective of the other person and honor it.
- Think that others are more important than yourself.
- Be patient while listening and pause before responding on emotional topics.
- Always keep in mind that you may be wrong in your thinking or conclusions.
- Let God speak to you through the words of others, even when it rocks your belief system.
- Pray together with those who disagree with you, for the good of all.
I am with you in the spirit of Christ,
Jeff McDowell
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From the desk of Reverend Michael Kelly: MV District Associate |
Friends,
Are you like me, and this applies to clergy and laity, do you ever feel overwhelmed, like you just can’t do one more thing? But you push on because you have always done it, or you started that program ??? years ago and you hate to see it end because no one is picking up the torch and running with it, so you must.
Friends I am guilty of such things. And I admit that I often am on pretty shaky ground when it comes to self-care. Sure, I watch what I eat, I try to fit some exercise in, I go to my doctor’s appointments, when necessary, in fact, physically I may be in the best shape I have been in for more than 25 years, but I selflessly serve GOD and others, to a fault! So, what’s the problem.
Well, here it is I seldom let my batteries recharge. I am guilty of people coming to me and asking for help and I agree without giving it much thought at all. I automatically fit it in to schedule that is already booked. Sometimes my daily to do list will have 20 or more items to complete, and I will work until they are done. And then I will rise at 4 the next morning and do it again. And my to do list does not include things that come up by way of urgency or emergency that have to be fit in. I am not seeking martyrdom!
So, as I head into another appointment year, I have begun to think on how I can personally be more effective. And this makes my head spin. I start thinking about successes of this past year in His churches and within this district and I think for a second, “Well it seems like a pretty good year!” But this question still lingers in my mind, “How could it have been better?” You see I have managed people both corporately and within churches for more than 40 years and I think sometimes I have to look not only spiritually but corporately at myself and our churches. If you are in the business world and you have a program that isn’t working does that program continue? The simple answer is no! It takes away man hours that could be better used elsewhere. So why shouldn’t we evaluate our programs in our churches regularly, tweak them where needed, and even dispose of them when necessary for His Kingdom no matter how long they have been around?
This in fact could free up hours that are much needed to restore our bodies and minds and even at times some finances. The other piece of this, our conference continues to encourage us to engage others in ministry, don’t be afraid to give others a chance and loosen our grips. We may be surprised with who we find out there that are both willing and able to do God’s good works.
If I can help you head towards this evaluation for a better ministry, please reach out.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Mike Kelly
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ALL Forms are NOW PAST DUE!!!! |
Please complete and get sent to the District Office.
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
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 appointments and retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
Wondering how clergy appointments are made? Click here to read about the process.
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AVOCA UMC
Pancake Breakfast
WHEN: Sunday, April 10, 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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Transitional Intentional Interim Specialist Training at Casowasco
Transitional Intentional Interim Specialist Training (TIIMS) is designed to help pastors and congregations deal with the stresses of our culture in this time of uncertainty. While this training is specifically designed for those entering an interim situation (death of pastor, long pastorate, pastor leaving ministry, etc.), the training will help you deal with the everyday struggles you will find in any ministry setting.
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All Annual Conference Information in One Place |
For the past few years a newsletter has been created that focuses on nothing but Annual Conference information. This is sent out each week with any new or updated information.
I hope that you find this newsletter to be a useful resource.
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The Conference has a new job opening for a part-time District Administrative Assistant for Finger Lakes District. If you are interested or have any referrals for this position, please apply online through our website.
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Registration for the 13th Session of Annual Conference is now open.
For registration, hotels and other information visit the Conference Website. Click the button below.
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Reminder: Sexual Harassment Training Is Mandatory |
This is a reminder that New York State employers must adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy and provide training on sexual harassment prevention to their employees on an annual basis. This includes all those employed by the local church.
There is a free on-line training that is available to all. A certificate of completion is provided when the training is complete.
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Grants Available for Projects
It is the desire of the UNY Conference United Women in Faith (formerly UMW) to offer grants to non-profit community and faith-based organizations that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and address the needs of women, children and youth within the boundaries of our conference.
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Giving Opportunity in Response to the War in Ukraineservices
Individuals can give directly to the Ukrainian people through local church offerings by writing a check to the Upper New York Conference with Advance #14053A in the memo line of the checks. These checks can either be placed in an offering plate or sent directly to the Conference office at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY 13088.
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Do you want to reach New People?
Or plant a new ministry or even a new Church?
Launchpad is the training for Churches and Church Planters looking to create
New places for New people.
Over 6 Sessions your Team will learn
- How to engage new people outside of your church
- How to clarify vision and contextualize your discipleship
- How to establish a 6 month plan with 1 year of monthly support from NFC
- How to gather support for your new ministry
Launchpad Spring 2022 Schedule via Zoom
Week 1 Tuesday evening, April 26 Discerning
Week 2 Tuesday evening, May 3 Visioning
Week 3 Tuesday evening, May 10 - week off for team meetings
Week 4 Tuesday evening, May 17 Gathering
Week 5 Tuesday evening, May 24 Discipling
Week 6 Tuesday evening, May 31 - week off for team meetings
Week 7 Tuesday evening, June 7 Worshiping
Week 8 Tuesday evening, June 14 - Closing Session
August 1 Anticipated Opening of Greenhouse Group
Each Launchpad is limited to 20 individuals, each Team should include 2 to 8 Core Team Members. The Cost for your Team is $50. There is 1-2 hours of required reading to do before Week 1 of Launchpad.
To register for Launchpad by Wednesday, April 20 please e-mail Launchpad's Spring 2022 convener Rev. Abigail Browka at PastorAbigail1@gmail.com
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Attention Conference Attendees! |
Carolyn Stow and Jenni Piatt are looking for volunteers to help make our conference experience a success. We need help in the following categories. Please note that everything is different than in the past - Thank You COVID!
Click here for information on the volunteers and duties that they are looking for.
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Previous Information and Events |
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NYS HERO Act Update
On March 18, 2022, the NYS Department of Labor updated its NY HERO Act website
Any questions about the NYS HERO Act obligations can be addressed to Upper New York Conference Director of Human Resources/Benefits, Susan Latessa at susanlatessa@unyumc.org or 315-898-2002.
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Still Looking for Lay Equalization Members |
We are still recruiting for our District Lay Equalization members to the Annual Conference 2022. Youth (ages 12-17), Young Adults (ages 18-30) and Adults are welcome to apply.
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Other Learning Opportunities |
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Mountain View District
Pop Up Basic Lay Servant Class- In Person ONLY
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When: April 6th-May 4th
Where: New Beginnings UMC
300 E. Miller St.
Elmira, NY 14904
Time: 7-9pm
Biblical Storytelling Lay Servant Class-Hybrid, Live/Zoom
When: Saturdays-April 9th-May 21st (taking off April 16th)
Where: Horseheads UMC
1034 W. Broad St.
Horseheads, NY 14845
Time: 10-12:30am
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Check out the courses being offered by ALL the Districts in the UNYAC. Click here to see what courses are being offered.
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"DID YOU KNOW...
We are EMBARKING ON our Aldersgate Men’s Retreat
20th Anniversary
APRIL 29-30"
Register today ASAP & bring someone in need of Jesus in their lives!!
Click here for the flyer and registration information
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Two Trainings Being Offered for all churches in the Southern Tier Region: Mountain View, Cornerstone, Binghamton, and Oneonta
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SPRC Training for all SPRC members Tuesday April 26th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to be presented by Superintendents Nancy Adams, Jeff McDowell, and Suzanne Block. raining to be held Via ZOOM.
2.Trustee Training for all trustees Thursday April 28th from 6:30-
8:00 p.m. to be presented by Superintendents Nancy Adams, Jeff
McDowell, and Suzanne Block. Training to be held Via ZOOM.
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Tending the Soul 2022-2024 A Two-year Training Program for Lay and Clergy
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Stewardship Academy with Rev. Susan Ranous
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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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The “Connect with Us” Academy for Continuing Education 2022 Course Schedule including
A Course Series: Refreshing My Preaching Ministry
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Presentation About Methodist Circuit Riders by Rev. Dr. Greg VanDussen From His Book Circuit Riders on the Road to Glory
For more information
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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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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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Subscribe to the GCFA "Collaborator" for Finance & Administration resources for your Ministry. A Support newsletter from GCFA - Click here
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https://www.unyumc.org/resources/mission-insite |
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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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