AROUND THE CORNER
September 23, 2021
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Around the Corner will be published/distributed
every other week. Next Issue Oct. 7th
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Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (NIV)
Luke 9:23 “Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (NIV)
John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV)
1 John 4:19, “We love because God first loved us.” (NIV)
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2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms Are Now Available |
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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 of Sept. |
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
September 5- Charlotte Center UMC. Daniel and Olivia Pavlock and family.
September 12- Chautauqua:Hurlbut Memorial Community UMC. Rev. J. Paul Womack, his wife Natalie Hanson and family and Pastor John Arter Jackson, his wife Juanita and family.
September 19- Falconer & Lakewood UMCs. Pastor Mike Childs, his wife LeAnn and family.
September 26- Fentonville & Frewsburg:Wheeler Hill UMCs. Pastor Deborah Westcott, her husband Robert and family.
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Lay Servant Courses Offered
Throughout the Conference
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LSM Classes Open to All
Adirondack District Lay Servant Classes
They are all by ZOOM
Advanced Course 2: Preaching
(Called to Preach: From Pew to Pulpit)
Wednesdays: October 6, 13, 20: 6:00 -9:00 pm
Saturday: October 23, 9:00 am -1:00 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
Instructors: Arlene Schmidt and Jacqueline Kim
Advanced Course: Leading Worship
Thursdays October 14, 21, 28 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Saturday: November 6: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
Instructors: Arlene Schmidt and Jacqueline Kim
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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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NY Hero Act Now in Effect |
On Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, Governor Hochul announced that the New York Department of Health designated COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease.” This designation means that the NY HERO Act plan
(a law signed by Governor Cuomo in May 5), which all employers were required to adopt and distribute to employees by September 4, 2021, is now effective through the end of September 2021. 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.
9/23/21
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Pastor Appreciation Sunday October 10th |
The beginning of the Clergy Appreciation Day started with the establishment of Pastor Appreciation Month. While there is no set date when this day was actually established, there is quite a bit of history to the day itself.
The very first time the mention of appreciating pastors for their contribution was mentioned in Timothy 1 (5:17) where it is stated that church elders deserve double the honor by Paul. This is further reiterated by him in Thessalonians 1 in which he mentions that those who are hardworking among us have to be treated with a lot of honor. This evolved into a month-long celebration known to be the Clergy Appreciation month, started in the year 1992. Religious workers and pastors established this month-long appreciation for clergymen and the Pastor Appreciation Day was established later in the same month, October. Now we celebrate the Pastor Appreciation Day or the Clergy Appreciation Day every year on the second Sunday of October.
On Clergy Appreciation Day you can also show your appreciation in many ways. Some of the means to show your appreciation for pastors is mentioned hereunder:
· Compliment your pastors on the work they are doing and do so in front of others. As they hear their work being recognized, they will be encouraged to work harder and give more.
· The churches provide a lot of opportunities for all to volunteer and contribute to society. You can join to be a volunteer which will help the pastor and be appreciated as well.
· As your pastor prays for you, you can also offer your prayers to keep your pastor well.
· If there is a specific appreciation or compliment you want to share then you can do the same by writing a thank you note to the reverend or the pastor in person.
· You can ask your clergy for any assistance they may need. Some pastors do not always delegate their responsibilities and are much happier when someone volunteers for them.
· Be an active member of your congregation and share what your clergy does for the congregation with the outside world.
· Last but not the least, you have to make sure that you attend their services and sermons regularly, as it would give them immense happiness.
Everyone needs an appreciation for the work they do as it serves as the motivation to try harder. And it includes the elders of the Church, the pastors, and the priests, as well. Encourage them for their contribution and appreciate them for what they do whenever you can.
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Dismantling racism: Recognize Oct. 11, as Indigenous People’s Day, not Columbus Day |
At the 2015 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, eligible voting members approved Resolution UNYAC2015.10: Fruits of Repentance: An End to the Celebration of Columbus Day. Among other items, the resolution called for Conference members to no longer recognize Columbus Day, by which the Conference offices and local churches “will either not observe this holiday or will initiate organizational conversations designed to rename and re-purpose this holiday in accordance with our United Methodist Social Principles (The Book of Discipline ¶162 and ¶162a).”
UNY Conference Lay Leader, at the time, Dr. Scott Johnson, penned a letter about the resolution and the end to the celebration of Columbus Day. Now referred to as Indigenous People’s Day, In the letter, he references resources developed by the UNY Conference Leadership Team and UNY Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM). These resources include a liturgy for a Sunday near Indigenous People’s Day, an Indigenous People’s Day bulletin insert, a press release, and the full resolution presented at AC’15.
Click here to view the letter as well as to view and/or download the Indigenous People’s Day resources.
Also, keep in mind, that CONAM is calling all churches to recognize the Day of Truth and Repentance for Native American Children on Sunday Oct. 10, the Day before Indigenous People’s Day. Click here for an informative article about this day and for service ideas.
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Laity Sunday October 17th |
Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all Christians to love God and all people. On Laity Sunday, we lift up the vocation of all (lay and clergy) to follow Jesus Christ and lead others to him. As we welcome and offer the good news of Jesus’ love for all, we know that the most engaging opportunities to grow deep and wide in our faith come from relationships with those beyond the comfort and security of our church walls. The stories and situations of those struggling with fear, loss, trauma, and injustice – as well as freedom, joy, and delight – become altar calls for the wholeness and holiness work of justice, mercy, and reconciliation. This is the ministry of the “all called,” the laity. This is relational discipleship and participation in the mission of God. Therefore, we will go (with hope) through engagement! |
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Research on how the pandemic has impacted churches across the Connection |
We are at the year-and-a-half mark since COVID has changed the way churches connect with their parishioners and community. Throughout the pandemic, ResourceUMC conducted research on how the pandemic impacted churches across the connection. Click here to read about what the data portrayed.
A recent study was conducted specifically on how the pandemic affected Black United Methodist congregations. Click here to read about these interesting study results.
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Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries® Training of Trainers
WHO: Individuals interested in facilitating Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries Training as part of their District training team and/or for their local church.
WHEN: Saturday, October 9th
from 9am-12pm.
PREREQUISITE: Upper NY’s 3-hour Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. This needs to be completed sometime since June 2016 and must be the standard learning station format facilitated by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable.
Members of the District training team should be affirmed by their District Superintendent.
PRE-REGISTRATION is a must for the TOT by October 6th at Eventbrite
There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
QUESTIONS: Questions should be directed to Co-Chairs Christine Mitchell, Pastor and Arlene Schmidt at email safesanctuaries@unyumc.org
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Register Now For Conference UMW Annual Meeting Oct. 16
All are invited to join the UNY Conference UMW for an all-virtual 2021 Annual Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9:00a – 12:00p. We will worship together, conduct formal business, hear from National Office CEO Harriett J. Olson, and grow in our understand of our sisters through our program on “Push Out” with UMW Director Valerie Clark.
Once registered, an agenda and Zoom link will be sent to you. If you wish to make a nomination to the Leadership Team “from the floor,” the form is available on the website and must be returned by Oct. 1.
We look forward to being with you on Oct. 16 as we make plans for 2022 and the mission and justice work we will continue to do for God.
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Tuesdays at the Table- Should I Stay or Should I Go? |
The world has changed and is changing. The global coronavirus pandemic and disagreements within our denomination are just two of many events that continue to affect United Methodists around the world.
As the church confronts these new realities, it is important for the people called United Methodists to explore and understand who we are, what we believe, and how we live as people of God today and into the future.
To help us think through these issues, the Connectional Table, in cooperation with our general agencies, is hosting a series of discussions with United Methodist theologians and leaders that will help us better understand our faith, our church, ourselves.
Live on Facebook
Beginning October 5, join us every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (3:00 p.m. GMT) on our Facebook page, for a conversation about who we are as the people of The United Methodist Church.
9/9/21
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The Academy of Artful Leadership
Small Group Learning with Rich Weihing - Open to All
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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.
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.
9/9/21
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Bishop’s Retreat has been postponed until Sept. 27-29, 2022 |
The Bishop’s Retreat has been postponed until Sept. 27-29, 2022. It will have the same theme, “Sharing our Faith Boldly,” and will still be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning. Registration for the 2022 Bishop’s Retreat will open after the completion of the 2022 Annual Conference.
Click here for more information as it becomes available.
9/9/21
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Equitable Compensation Application for Jan. - June 2022 available |
The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period Jan. to June 2022. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full-time appointment.
To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the directions provided. Completed applications should be submitted to your District Superintendent by the Oct. 15, 2021 deadline.
Click here for more information and the application.
9/9/21
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Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage month
Oct. 3: World Communion Sunday - DETAILS
Oct. 10: Pastor Appreciation Day
Oct. 11: Indigenous People's Day
Oct. 15: Equitable Compensation Application Deadline - DETAILS
Oct. 17: Laity Sunday
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Fun Opportunity at Mission Central HUB |
Not sure many know we are a 24/7 operations at the Mission Central HUB located at the Upper NY conference. There are so many behind the scenes operations in a constant movement to make this ministry achieve its goals. “To help folks in need when a Natural Disaster strikes” We also enable volunteers of all ages to come into the HUB and be part of the ripple of things to keep this ministry going. Not only are we in need of donations towards UMCOR kits, disaster response and general operations we are in need of small groups to help verify kits and small jobs at the HUB.
Did you know we are taking small groups of all ages to help with UMCOR kit donations here at Mission Central HUB?
Its a fun very helpful way to help people in need when a natural disaster strikes.
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FAITH in ACTION Men's Retreat
WHEN: Fri. Oct.1st, 4pm-Sat. Oct. 2nd, 2:30pm
WHERE:Camp Casowasco
PLEASE Bring- Camping gear, Sleeping bag, Pillow, Flashlight, Bible and a MASK (masks may be required per UNYAC and CDC)
8/26/21
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2021 UNY Directory
Now Available
The 2021 UNY Conference directory is now available to view or download or view online and a hard copy is available to purchase. Click here to view/download. Click here to purchase a hard copy for $6.28.
8/26/21
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The following information was updated and shared with the Upper New York Conference on August 10, 2021. |
The CDC has recently issued revised guidelines for in person gatherings due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. These revised guidelines include the recommendation that vaccinated and unvaccinated persons in areas with high infection rates wear masks when gathering indoors. Because this recommendation would apply to worship and other church gatherings, churches are advised to consult their county listing on the CDC webpage. This can be found here:
Click here to read the UNY Church COVID guidelines and to determine your county’s level of transmission.
8/12/21
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Transforming Church Conflict and Creating Space
for Authentic Community Retreat
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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).
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Items from Celoron UMC Available |
The congregation of Celoron United Methodist Church will be celebrating their final worship this Sunday, June 27. They are looking for a "good home" for the church's contents: pulpit furniture, worship supplies, office furniture, kitchen items, etc.
Click here for a compete inventory of available items. If you/your church/any other church is interested, please contact Chris Fandt, Celoron Trustee Chair, 716-488-1722.
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Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM Training
The Upper New York Annual Conference Team will host a standard Basic Safe Sanctuaries training.
WHEN: Sat. Sept. 25th
WHERE: ZOOM
TIME: 9am-12:30pm
If there are any questions please contact one of the co-chairs of the committee at
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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2021 Campaign for Red Bird
It's not too early to begin planning for your congregation's response to the annual Upper New York Conference collection drive for Red Bird Mission. Please share the
attached letter from David Alexander, Coordinator and member of Endwell UMC.
Ripley UMC has graciously agreed to serve as a collection point for our District again this year. If your church is willing to serve as an additional collection point please email David, Dalexander4@stny.rr.com
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Cornerstone District Office, PO Box 687, Bath, NY 14810
716-665-2423
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