AROUND THE CORNER
Next Issue Mar. 3rd , 2022
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Let Us Keep the Ukrainian People In Our Thoughts & Prayers |
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As the world watches the Russian military aggression and invasion within Ukraine, we as United Methodist followers of Christ reaffirm the truth that “we deplore war and urge the peaceful settlement of all disputes among nations."
I invite you to join with me in offering prayers of protection, peace, and resolution. Please pray for all individuals in this region of the world being impacted by these events, including our United Methodist brothers and sisters in Ukraine. With a united heart and spirit, I share with you the following letter from my colleague and friend, Bishop Christian Alsted
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Praying for Ukraine this Lenten season |
With Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten Season, today, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, sent a letter to the Upper New York Conference, calling on all United Methodist believers and congregations in Upper New York to fervently pray for peace in Ukraine.
In this letter, Bishop Webb offers some specific and helpful areas of payer focus related to the war in Ukraine.
Blessings,
Bishop Mark J. Webb
Bishop M. J Webb
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Supporting the humanitarian response in Ukraine |
The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church is deeply troubled by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ominous implications it has for escalating tensions between Russia and Western nations. They join many Christian leaders and organizations worldwide in deploring the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, and they ardently pray for a redirection of military action toward diplomatic measures to resolve grievances.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief arm of Global Ministries, is in communication with partners in the region and actively exploring the coordination of humanitarian response in Ukraine. You can support UMCOR’s international disaster response efforts by writing a check to the Upper New York Conference with either Advance #982450/Ukraine or UMCOR/Ukraine written in the memo line.
Click here to read more about this response from Roland Fernandes, the General Secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR.
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Giving opportunities in response to the war in Ukraine |
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.
The Ukraine UMC has created a crisis committee that will oversee all the global support that is coming in through UMCOR’s Advance #14053A “Eurasia In Mission Together - Ukraine and Moldova.” The money channeled through this Advance fund will go to the Ukraine UMC church account and decisions on how this will be used will be considered by the crisis committee, which includes pastors as well as lay leaders.
UMCOR also offers other opportunities for more specific giving to Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. You can designate giving by stating it is for "Ukrainian Refugee support" to the following Advance numbers.
- Hungary In Mission Together (Advance # 00175A)
- Poland In Mission Together (Advance # 00408A)
- Romania In Mission Together (Advance #00211A)
- Slovakia In Mission Together (Advance # 00236A)
Donations for Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia should be mailed directly to UMCOR Mission Together Advances at 458 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.
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It is Wednesday morning as I write this newsletter article. Although the sun is shining, the snow is melting and birds are singing, the news of the world is heavy. There are up to the minute reports covering the violence upon the Ukraine; controversy around the Olympics; domestic violence; continuing disagreements regarding the pandemic; increasing anxiety and division within the United Methodist Church; acts of racism and injustice; increasing numbers of depression, addictions, suicide, and those struggling with food insecurity. Lord, hear our prayers.
Lord, hear our prayers…
Lord, hear our prayers for peace…
Lord, hear our prayers for healing...
Lord, hear our prayers for reconciliation…
Lord, hear our prayers for justice…
Lord, hear our prayers for those who grieve…
Lord, hear our prayers for compassion…
Lord, hear our prayers for deep listening…
Lord, hear our prayers for forgiveness…
Lord, hear our payers…
May your Lenten season be one of: sharing the love of God and the hope found only in Jesus; deepening your prayer life and growing in relationship with others.
Suzanne
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What the End of the NY State Mask
Mandate Means for Local Churches
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New York State 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.
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Revised CDC Guidelines Affecting Local Churches |
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued revised guidelines for indoor gatherings due to the rising number of coronavirus cases as a result of the Delta variant. The CDC is recommending masks be worn indoors by all individuals regardless of vaccination status in areas of high concentration. Click here to read the UNY Church COVID guidelines and to determine your county’s level of transmission.
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Important Information to Share |
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Cornerstone District Website |
Please be aware that the only website that Cornerstone District is using is the one found on the Upper New York Conference Website.
Please Pass this information on to others!!!!
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There is NO Physical District Office |
Please make sure that you share this information as well. There is NO Physical District Office in Cornerstone. Please make sure that you mail anything that needs to go to the District Office to this MAILING address:
Cornerstone District Office
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
716-665-2423
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Pastors & Their Churches to Pray for Month of March |
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--
March 6 Jamestown:Camp Street & Kennedy:First UMCs. Pastor Jennifer Delahoy, her husband Brian and their family.
March 13 Jamestown:Christ First UMC. Rev. Susan Hadley, her husband Tim and their family.
March 20 Jamestown:Kidder Memorial UMC. Rev. Tom LeBeau, his wife Georgia Whitney and their family.
March 27 Knapp Creek UMC. Rev. Jerry Piper, his wife Kathy and their family.
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2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms Due Dates |
February 15th 2022 - NOW PAST DUE
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-NOW PAST DUE
March 15th 2022 mail completed & signed copy to District Office
2021 Local Annual Financial Audit
If you need help with any of the forms or login please contact the District Office for assistance 716-665-2423
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Two Trainings Being Offered for all churches in the Southern Tier Region: Mountain View, Cornerstone, Binghamton, and Oneonta |
1. 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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First Aid for Mental Health
Have you noticed that a colleague, friend or family member might be going through a difficult time? What do you do? What do you say?
Unfortunately, for many of us this is not a hypothetical scenario, but a lived experience.
To help create a more empathetic community and environment within The United Methodist Church (UMC) for those struggling with their mental and emotional health, Wespath is offering first aid training for mental health to all its participants—at no cost. Church staff and congregation members, UMC clergy and their spouses, and Church leaders also are invited to attend.
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Over the course of two sessions, First Aid for Mental Health participants will learn advanced listening skills that will enable them to build empathy, trust and rapport with someone who might be going through a difficult time. Until you establish a foundation of empathy, trust and rapport it is difficult to help others make positives changes.
h facilitator
First Aid for Mental Health is for everyone. The skills acquired can be applied to many situations, including home, social and professional environments. The training also teaches attendees how to accept their own mental health struggles without embarrassment or shame.
You also can watch the First Aid for Mental Health video to learn more: Click here to watch video
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Upper NY United Methodist Men |
"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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Looking For Lenten Resources? |
The season of Lent is essential for those who truly seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Because a part of what we learn in this time of self-examination is that we are what might be most in need of transformation. We might find that what might need to grow in faith and discipleship is the church and that the transformation of the world begins with building bridges and gathering up rather than with condemnation. Join with other churches by downloading this series.
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Upcoming Upper NY Safe Sanctuary Zoom Training Sessions.
Click here for flyer and more information on these upcoming trainings
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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Maintaining Focus In A Distracted World Video
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These days it’s so easy to be pulled in different directions or become distracted. We are consumed by all the ways in which COVID-19 is challenging us with death, illness, and disruption of our daily lives. Many of us are feeling isolated by the virus as it steals opportunities for us to gather in person. We’re also living with the uncertainty of General Conference—will General Conference meet this year and what will happen if it does or if it does not?
These are all serious concerns that cause anxiety and stress in our lives. We’re weary of living in uncertainty. It’s all very distracting.
Click here to watch a video of Bishop’s Operational Team member Lindsay Martin and Conference Leadership Team member, the Rev. Steven Taylor, providing encouragement and tips on how to maintain focus in our distracting world.
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2022 Cady Grant Applications Now Available |
Application forms are now available for the Upper New York Conference Cady Grant. Cady Grants are awarded annually to fund ministries, education, programs, or experiences that provide benefit or education to preferably, but not exclusively, African Americans and/or Native Americans. Priority will be given to proposals that have not recently been funded by the Cady Grant. Salaries and stipends will not be awarded from this grant. Awards may be up to $8,000.
Cady Grants are available to individual United Methodists, local churches, District, or Conference ministry teams within Upper New York.
Application deadline is March 15. Awardees will be notified by April 30.
Click here to learn more, review the procedures, and to apply.
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PRESENTATION ABOUT METHODIST CIRCUIT RIDERS
BY REV DR GREG VANDUSSEN
FROM HIS BOOK CIRCUIT RIDERS ON THE ROAD TO GLORY
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On Monday, April 25th at Asbury Retreat Center, Rev. Dr. Greg VanDussen will offer a presentation about the early American Circuit Riders based on his book entitled Circuit Riders on the Road to Glory. The presentation will be at 11 am. The presentation will be part of the spring meeting of Faith Fellowship, a group of retired United Methodist clergy and spouses generally from western New York. All clergy are welcome to attend Greg’s presentation and the entire morning beginning at 9:30 am with light refreshments.
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Upper NY Local Pastors Licensing School |
The 2022 Upper New York Local Pastors Licensing School (LPLS) will be held May 9-15 at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center. We are planning to hold this in-person, which means we will be following all safety protocols due to the COVID pandemic. If anything changes, we will keep you updated.
Click here to register. Credit card payment is being accepted through PayPal. If using this method of payment, please use the "guest option" for payment to avoid having to set up a PayPal account.
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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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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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Upcoming Stewardship Academy Via Zoom |
This is an opportunity to read and learn about stewardship and all that it entails. The Academy qualifies clergy for CEU.
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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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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
View the full list of changes here.
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and all orders should be placed via our website
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 t o 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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Cornerstone District Office
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
716-665-2423
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