Next Issue-June 22, 2023

District Superintendent Rev. Suzanne Block

DISTRICT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

CORNERSTONE DISTRICT OFFICE

PO Box 687

Bath, NY 14810

District Administrative Assistant Patti Gridley

cornerstonedistrict@unyumc.org

Office phone-607-962-8047

District Superintendent Rev. Suzanne Block suzanneblock@unyumc.org

office phone- 315-898-2089 and leave a message for her.

Prayers Calendar for Pastors & Churches

June 4-The District Administrative Assistants

June 11-The District Superintendents that have completed their time as DS and for those that are moving to a NEW District and for all 6 of them as they will now each cover 2 Districts.

June 18-The Upper New York Conference as we begin a new appointment year July 1st.

June 25-For all the Pastors and their families that are moving and starting a new chapter in their lives

Bishop Burgos Núñez Announces

Clergy Appointments

After the prayerful discernment of the Upper New York (UNY) Cabinet, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor Burgos Núñez announces the following appointments. All appointments, otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2023.

See Here

NEW Information

Come Join Us In Celebrating Suzanne & Susan's Ministry In The District

The Next TOGETHER in WORSHIP FACEBOOK LIVE Event

All are invited to join.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 20th, 2023

WHERE: On Facebook

TIME: 9:00 am

Click here to join

Annual Conference Recap

2023 Annual Conference

Here you will find some highlights from the Annual Conference.

Click here

The conference Communications staff are working diligently to get as many individual videos on the website as possible. (It’s a SLOW process.) You will find them at this link: https://www.unyumc.org/events/2023-annual-conference.

It features articles written during AC and more are still in the works, the entire livestream and then individual components (so far opening worship and episcopal address), daily notes that recap everything per day.

There is also a new logo along with links to download that can be found at: https://www.unyumc.org/resources/graphics. The unveiling video is below.

Pastors we hope that you will try to make the videos available to your congregations.

Information From Last Newsletter

Importance of Summer Camp-From Bishop Héctor

Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,

Summer camp can offer a life-transforming experience for young people. The Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministry has five sites that offer amazing activities year round. In this season, the focus is the opportunities of summer camps. Click here to read about the impact summer camp had on me while growing up in Puerto Rico. It's not too late to sign-up a young person in your life who wants to explore what it means to live like a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Together in mission,

Héctor

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

Resident Bishop

Serving the Upper New York Area

New District Superintendent Structure

As Upper New York (UNY) Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

previously announced, the UNY Conference will switch from nine to six District Superintendents effective July 1, 2023. On June 30, 2023, the current Crossroads and Finger Lakes District Superintendent, the Rev. Nola Anderson; Mohawk District Superintendent, the Rev. Abel Roy; and the Rev. Ted Anderson, who has been serving as Interim District Superintendent for the Genesee Valley District, will complete their terms. The six remaining District Superintendents will generally be serving two districts.

DS Structure

Training for Laity Offered

Four online courses to help laity understand God’s call in their lives and learn new leadership skills will be offered this year on April 29, July 29, Sept. 30, and Dec. 9. The courses are “Discover Your Spiritual Gifts,” “Soul Reset,” “Charter for Racial Justice” and “101 Leadership.” The 2023 Laity Leadership Institution is sponsored by Black Methodists for Church Renewal and the Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary. The courses are free, but students are encouraged to make a donation if they are able. Click the button below to learn more.

Laity Training

Free #SeeAllthePeople course: Discipleship begins with relationship

This three-session video teaching series, featuring Rev. Junius B. Dotson and Rev. Jacob Armstrong, aims to communicate the basic principles behind See All The People, a movement to help us understand what discipleship and evangelism mean in the 21st century.

See All the People Registration

Superintendency Administrative Assistants Reconfiguration

The Upper New York Extended Cabinet shared its plan to reconfigure how administrative support is provided to its districts. Beginning July 1, 2023, the current structure of eight part-time and two full-time administrative assistants serving districts will be replaced by six full-time Superintendency Administrative Assistants, each serving two districts as well as working collaboratively on the superintendency support team.

Learn More

Two New Job Openings-Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center

Two new job openings for a part-time Cook and part-time Kitchen Assistant for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center have been posted to the website. If you have any referrals for any open positions, please ask folks to apply through the link on the website. https://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs

Please contact Tracy Ricketts with any questions. Email: tracyrickett@unyumc.org

Job Opening

A new job opening for a part time Custodian/Building Maintenance Technician has been posted to the conference website. If you are interested or have any referrals, please apply through the link on the website or click on the button below. Please contact Tracy Rickett with any questions at tracyrickett@unyumc.org

Job Opening

Things To Do

Trainings & Educational Opportunityes

Adirondack District Lay Servant Ministries Offering 2023 Lay Servant Courses All By Zoom

2023 Lay Servant Course

Please remember that you MUST Attend ALL class times & dates to receive credit.

All registrations and course fees must be in by the DUE DATE

For a registration form or more information, contact Arlene Schmidt at arlenedschmidt@gmail.com

Advanced Course: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Registration open. Last day to register: June 22

Tuesdays: July 11, 18, 25, August 1 & 8: 6-9 p.m.

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitators: Jacqueline Kim, CLM & Paula McMahon, CLM

Advanced Course: Leading Worship

Registration opens June 19. Last day to register: July 12

Mondays: July 31, Aug. 7, 14, 21, & 28: 6-9 p.m.

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard

Advanced Course: Leading Prayer

Registration opens July 13. Last day to register: Aug. 5

Thursdays: August 24, 31, Sept 14, 21 & 28: 6-9 p.m.

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Polity

Registration opens July 25. Last day to register: Aug. 17

Tuesdays: September 5, 12, 19, & 26: 6-9 p.m.

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard

Advanced Course: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Registration opens August 24. Last day to register: Sept. 16

Thursdays: October 5, 12, 19, 26, & Nov 2: 6-9 p.m.

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Called to Preach

Registration opens September 26. Last day to register: Oct. 19

Tuesdays: November 7, 14, 28, Dec. 5 & 12: 6-9 p.m.

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Updated Brochure-Adirondack District

2023 Safe Sanctuary Training Schedule

The UNY Safe Sanctuaries Team has scheduled four, 3.5 hour Zoom basic trainings in 2023. There will also be Training of Trainers sessions.

The Basic trainings take place 9 AM to 12:30 PM, Saturdays: May 6, Aug. 5 and Nov. 4. The Training of Trainers will be 9 AM to Noon, Saturdays, Mar. 4 and Oct. 7.

The Basic training is for all clergy and anyone working with children or vulnerable adults. The Training of Trainers is for anyone who would like to become a church or District Safe Sanctuaries trainer in the UNY Conference. You need to have taken the Basic Training first.

If you need training between these dates, or would like to host an in-person training, please contact the District Office or send an email to the Safe Sanctuaries team, safesanctuaries@unyumc.org.

Registration for the February training will open Jan. 4. Look for the link in upcoming announcements.

For more information regarding Safe Sanctuaries, visit the Conference website: Click here. To view the poster, click here.

Miscellaneous Information

Disaffiliation Policy Updated

The Upper New York Conference disaffiliation policy has been updated, clarifying some procedures needed for local churches interested in disaffiliation. It also clarifies the Cabinet’s oversight of the discernment process and the role of the pastor in this process.

The Terms of Disaffiliation established by the Conference Board of Trustees are unchanged from the previous version.

Updated Disaffiliation Form

2022 UNY Journal Vol. II Now Available

The 2022 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.

DOWNLOAD

Is Your Church Looking For Choir Robes ?

Falconer UMC has several choir robes (approximately 30) that they no longer use. They would gladly donate them. They are all red with white reversable collars.

Please contact Shirley Vandenburg at 716-665-5182

Resources

Are You Connected To UNY?

Do you receive the latest news and updates from UNY Conference? All pastors should be connected and as many people from your congregation that would like to be. This is open toeveryone – pass the word!

If you are not connected please follow the instructions below.

To sign up either click the following link: https://bit.ly/UNYnotes.

Or follow the steps below:

Go to the conference website
Click on News in the toolbar
Select Connect with UNY

‘Engage New People Grant’ Available

The Upper New York New Faith Communities' Team is excited to announce the “Engage New People Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working to Engage New People not already in their church/ministry. New Faith Communities Conference-wide purpose is to reach people outside the Church in new and contextual ways.

Grants will be available up to $2,500 to help local churches and ministries. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis in 2023. Churches and ministries may apply for up to $2,500 during one calendar year. Please expect 60 days to review your application.

Click here to apply for the “Engage New People Grant.”

Upon completing the application, the New Faith Communities' team will reach out to the pastor/lead planter of the church and/or contact person listed to confirm your submission.

Employer Legal Updates For 2023

With the end of 2022 has come (and will come) significant legal changes. It’s hard to keep up-to-date on all the new workplace laws that are in effect. Tracy Rickett, the Upper New York Human Resources Generalist, has you covered!

Click here for laws related to posting requirements. Click here for three laws related to leave. Click here to learn the pay requirements for exempt employees and a new law requiring pay transparency. Click here to learn about the Human Rights Law update. Click here to learn about amendments to the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act.

With these many new requirements, now is a good time to dust off your handbooks and update them if you have not done so recently. Tracy Rickett is happy to draft or review any handbooks or other policies for legal compliance. You can contact her at tracyrickett@unyumc.org or (315) 898-2017.

CORNERSTONE DISTRICT OFFICE

PO Box 687, Bath, NY 14810

607-962-8047

Monday-Thursday-Visits to Office by Appointments Only

physical location: 35 Wilkes Ave., Bath, NY 14810