News In & Around the District

July 28th

NEXT ISSUE AUGUST 11th

Words From DS Sherri Rood

Dear Mountain View Friends,

My colleague Ted Anderson wrote the following and I believe it speaks to our current situation on the Mountain View District. He has given me permission to share it with you. Please take a moment to read and ponder.

“One of the highlights of our heritage as United Methodists is how our UMC, in the early days, was a lay led movement. The people who were the church in each town, hamlet or cross-roads, led worship, visited the sick, studied the Bible together, and basically accomplished the mission of the church as best they could. Every once in a while, (monthly, quarterly, or as possible) an ordained clergy would arrive and then worship included the sacraments of baptism and communion.

One of the realities of our UMC, at this moment, is that there is a rapidly declining number of licensed, commissioned or ordained people available to serve as pastors in local churches. We might ask…Where do pastors come from?...and of course the answer is…from local churches. How long has it been since our local church lifted up, encouraged, and assisted a woman or a man to enter into pastoral ministry?

It certainly looks like we are heading toward a time when the licensed, commissioned or ordained pastors will not be in every church every week.

It certainly looks like we should be adopting our heritage and becoming once again a lay led movement.

This would take some adapting on our part. The clergy would not be available, as we expect them to be now, for such things as visiting, regular Bible study, or weekly worship.

On the one hand…it would be outstanding to become a lay led movement again!

On the other hand…it will be difficult to become a lay led movement again!

Let’s talk about this in every church. Let’s see where God is leading us in this moment. Let’s share our ideas with each other. “

Is God calling you to leadership in the church? Is there someone in your church who has gifts for pastoral ministry or lay leadership? Now is the time to explore God’s call! As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. (Matthew 9:37-38)” I encourage you to explore your call or to encourage the gifted people around you to explore their call. How do you start? Talk with your pastor or contact me.

Please join me in praying God will lift up persons to serve our churches. Please also prayerfully consider how we may be creative in our mission for such a time as this. No, it may not be easy or ideal, but with God’s help we will persevere and God will bless us on the journey.

Please pray for me, I am praying for you!

Grace and peace,

Sherri

From the Desk of Reverend Michael J Kelly, MV District Associate

Greeting all, a few messages meant to be a service to all that may need it. Local Pastors here we are in the midst of Course of Study again. Please know that I am available to help you navigate through the process. I personally know how taxing it can be, serving a church or two, perhaps working a secular job, going back to school, for some the first time in many years, it can be tough. I can help you in many aspects of that journey, don’t struggle through it alone, give me a call.

Next, I have been fortunate not only during my current appointment but also in previous appointments in finding grants and monies for ministries. Several organizations and even financial institutions offer community grants. Often times we are scared away by thinking that we have to go through the grant writing process, but in fact, most of the time it is not too difficult, again, reach out if you have a ministry in mind and wonder how you can fund it, maybe I can help you with that. In the last year I have applied for three grants and received all three.

Lastly, we are nearing the time of Charge Conferences. I know that we have few months. But believe it or not it will be here before you know it and then you will be scrambling to get all the reports done. The updated forms are not available yet at the conference website, but you still can start gathering information and using the previous forms as a guide. Remember the forms must be turned in to the District Office before your charge conference. Start thinking about planning, again if you need help, especially those churches without a pastor, or new pastors, please call and I will come out and meet with you and help get you started.

I offer blessings to all of you in the district, there is much for us to do in a difficult and trying world, but our hope still lies in our God.

Mike

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON HOW TO CONTACT US

Please beware that we are having some issues with our voicemails going to our emails. SO...if you have an emergency when the office is closed PLEASE send an us an email.

For the District Office contact Patti at: mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org

For the District Superintendent contact Rev. Sherri Rood at sherrirood@unyumc.org

We appreciate your patience as the issue is being worked on.

New Information

UPDATED INFORMATION

FOR COURSE OF STUDY STUDENTS

FROM WESLEY

Students are registering more steadily for fully on-line courses than a course in which travel is required. Even one weekend of fellowship and learning together seems to be a barrier. Therefore we are moving the UNY fall weekend course to a fully on-line format. If we did not do this, we would end up cancelling classes as the enrollment is very low. We are hoping by doing this we will be able to attract enough students for these courses to encourage robust discussion and learning for the students.

We will also extend the registration deadline to September 15, 2022 to allow folks to catch up with this new format.

Dr. Tzan and I will be in a meeting of the COS Directors later on in September. We will find out at that meeting what the allowable portion of on-line teaching will be going forward.

Sara Sheppard

Director of Continuing Education

Managing Director, Course of Study

Assistant Director, Doctor of Ministry

Vida's Quilts Show & Sale

WHEN: Friday, August 26, 2022 10am-6pm

Saturday, August 27, 2022 10am-5pm

WHERE: Grace UMC

191 Bridge St.

Corning, NY 14830

COST: Admission Donation: $5.00

Payments by cash or check

GENERAL INFO:

Contemporary and Antique Quilts, Wall Hangings too.

Proceeds benefit church budget.

(items purchased may be picked up between 4-5pm on Saturday.)

8.11.22

Fluorescent Tubes and Ballasts Available

The Avoca United Methodist Church has numerous four-foot fluorescent tubes and two-tube ballasts available to whoever can use them.

If you are interested, please email AvocaUMChurch@gmail.com or phone (607) 566-4045 and leave a message. We will get back to you ASAP.

8.11.22

Registration for the Thirteenth Session of Annual Conference Opens Aug. 15-Sept. 16, 2022

The Thirteenth Session is scheduled to be held remotely Oct. 6-8.

Who: All clergy and laity representatives to the Annual Conference Session

What: Thirteenth Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

When: Oct. 6-8

Where: Virtually

Theme: The theme will be It is Well – Keeping Hope Alive. We acknowledge all that we have faced in the last two years, and through it all, we are well, and God’s hope is alive.

Click here to read why the event was postponed and will now be held remotely Oct. 6-8, 2022. To be excused from Annual Conference, click here and submit this form.

Details for the Virtual Annual Conference. Click here

8.11.22

Job Opening

A new job opening has been posted to the website for an Administrative/Accounting Services Specialist. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask candidates to apply online through our website.

https://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs

8.11.22

Safe Sanctuary Training Being Held In Person at Wellsville UMC

WHEN: Aug. 27th, 2022

WHERE: Wellsville First UMC

79 Madison St.

Wellsville, NY 14895

TIME: 10am-1pm

COST: Free

MORE INFO: www.nkxumc.com

CONTACT: Pastor Craig Buelow at

pcbuelow@gmail.com

Events To Check Out

United Methodist Women in Faith

2022 Mission U

Upper New York United Women in Faith

2022 Mission u - Luke 13

A Transformative Biblical Curriculum for Adults, Youth and Children

Thursday, August 18 – Saturday, August 20, 2022

Fayetteville United Methodist Church

601 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066

Click here for flyer & registration information

Previous Information Shared

Red Bird Mission Project

We are in the planning stages for this years collection of shoeboxes and other items for the Red Bird Mission. We are looking for drop off sites in the various districts where various Churches could drop off their shoeboxes and or other items that are going to the Red Bird Mission. We are looking for sites from October 16 thru November 16. The trip is planned for November 28 with the packing of the trucks on Saturday, November 26.

The need for shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene supplies, backpacks, new blankets and sheet sets and diapers are in great need this year. The need for used clothing is not a critical need at this time as their warehouse is full. We will still take new cloths as they can be used at the Community Outreach Center for distribution. If there are Churches that can be drop off sites, please send an email to Dalexander4@stny.rr.com , so a list can be made available in our future emails.

Your help in this project is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, I can be reached by email or you can call 607-743-8955. Thank you for helping us start the process of getting things ready to take to the Red Bird Mission.

Disaffiliation Information-From Wespath

Understanding Pension Liabilities-For Local Churches Considering Disaffiliation

Watch this video for easy-to-understand answers to complex questions related to pension plan funding and the withdrawal liability payment required for local churches that disaffiliate from the UMC.

Click here for video

Course of Study Through Wesley Seminary:

Fall 2022-Spring 2023

Licensed local Pastors....are you are planning to take COS for the Fall, 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 registration for the Fall-Sept.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 for UNY Conference....these are open to other Conferences as well. SO, sign up now. Click here for all the information you need for COS Satellite School. You will find all the forms you need here as well.

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!!

Click here for the registration form

Positions open at the Methodist missionary vacation home

in Chautauqua, NY

Seeking host and hostess couple to open and close the home, process reservations, supervise a staff of four, and all operations of the house, including kitchen, laundry, maintenance, and care of the lawn. Host and Hostess should be on site from May 15 to Sept. 15 starting in 2023.

Salary, plus room and board, gate pass, parking.

Please send resumes to: Marie Follett, 331 West Academy Street, Albion, New York 14411 by Aug. 15, 2022. A more detailed list of duties will be available to interested parties.

Family Life & Youth Director Sought at Baker Memorial UMC

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in East Aurora, NY, is seeking a Director of Family Life and Youth to lead practical and spiritual education in Christian ministries for local families, children, and youth. This is a full time position that requires a flexible schedule. The compensation package includes competitive salary, housing, health and retirement benefits. To respond to this opportunity please contact the church office at (716) 652-0500 or admin@bakerchurch.org

For the job description, click here .

United Methodist Hymnals Available

They Are The Red Cover Ones

If you are in need of UMC Hymnals (these are the red hymnals) please contact the Cornerstone District office at cornerstonedistrict@unyumc.org or you can call 607-962-8047 Please note that these are located in Jamestown.

Resource Central

Download the #BeUMC Discussion Guide

Did you know that the United Methodist Church has a free, downloadable 45-page discussion guide tied to the #BeUMC campaign? This is a great resource for your Sunday School class, Bible study, or small group to reflect on what it means to #BeUMC.

Click here to access the guide.