Northern Flow Weekly Newsletter

June 1, 2023

The Importance of Summer Camp

Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,

Summer camp can offer a life-transforming experience for young people. The Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministr y 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

SAVE THE DATE

The year, Syracuse United Methodist Ministries (SUMM) will be sponsoring our 43^rd annual United Methodist Family and Friends Night at the Ballpark scheduled for Thursday, August 17 at 6:35pm Syracuse Mets vs. Columbus Clippers, Ohio. There will be no tailgate party this year. Like last year, we will have 200-level assigned seats (not 300-level benches), and we will gather on the field at 6.15 pm to sing the National Anthem from Home Plate. Game Ticket: $15

For more information or ticket reservation,

please call or email Rev. Andy M Anderson – at 917-723-0901

Email: andmcand@hotmail.com

Darlene Dennis – 315-345-6338

Email: rdennis31@verizon.net

Bellevue Heights UMC – 315-475-0011

Email: bellevueheightsums@gmail.com.

Make Check Payable to: Bellevue Heights UMC with Game written in the memo line and mail to: Bellevue Heights UMC, 2112 S. Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY 13207

Please, do not miss this fun event. Order your tickets by July 27.

More information to follow soon.

Family Life Weekend at Camp Aldersgate

Each year Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center, Greig, NY hosts Family Life Weekend. Moms, Dads, kids, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends are all welcome!

Together we enjoy swimming, boating, relaxing, square dancing, singing, fellowship, campfires and more. “Life-Giving Community” is the topic Pastor Matt Rowe (North Rose UMC) will help participants consider this summer, July 14 – 16, 2023.

Visit https://aldersgateny.org/upcoming-events/ for more information or email office@aldersgateny.org.

The weekend is a wonderful way to introduce your family to a Christian camping experience; Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.

When Nature Calls Podcast

On the Mission, Season 2: When Nature Calls focuses on the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries. This six-week series features highlights from camp around the theme, "The Water of Life." Each week, site directors will introduce a different passage of scripture and how it relates to a different experience of water. You'll hear from site directors at Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Sky Lake, and Skye Farm.

Click here to listen to the series on Simplecast and click here to watch the video version of the podcast.

Peace with Justice Sunday

June 4, 2023

Peace with Justice Sunday is June 4, 2023.

Together, we spread the gospel of peace and encourage cooperation locally, in the United States and globally.

To learn more about Peace with Justice Sunday and for resources,

click here.

Stewardship with Rev. Susan Ranous

EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT

It has been some time since I have done a blog entry, for which I apologize. Unfortunately, life (and health) got in the way. The good news is that with surgery and upcoming radiation, my cancer will be taken care of.

I wanted to make a blog entry, however, about Employee Retention Credits. That is because I am sure you are receiving phone calls from people/companies that are promising that they can help you apply for these credits and you can receive “$28,000 per employee). While that could be true, the amount is most likely inflated because that is the maximum credit and assumes that every employee was making at least $10,000 per year during 2020 and $40,000 per year during 2021. In churches, that is usually not the case. This companies also charge a substantial amount of money to prepare the necessary paperwork for the claim.

I have done a few of them for churches, and, while it takes some work and computations and spreadsheets, it isn’t horribly difficult. Essentially, quarterly payroll per employee has to be computed for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020 and the first and second quarters of 2021. Then the maximum “qualified wages” have to be computed per employee per quarter, and then the maximum credit applied per employee per quarter. Once those computations are done, then amended quarterly payroll forms have to be prepared, applying for the credit.

There are two “reasons” for this credit to be allowed. The employer church:

(a (a) were affected by government orders imposing capacity restrictions on services and other gatherings; or

(b (b) suffered significant declines in gross receipts.

While many employers have some familiarity with the ERC, confusion exists around the qualifications and application processes.

Because our churches were closed or had to have reduced attendance, they can qualify for this credit even though many of our churches did not experience significant declines in gross receipts, thanks to the generosity of our people!

The maximum credit is essentially $5,000 per employee for 2020.

The maximum credit is $7,000 per employee per quarter for the first and second quarters of 2021.

There are credits available for the third and fourth quarters of 2021, but there are additional requirements to qualify. Reported on Form 941-X for Quarter 2

Tax exempt organizations that experience fully or partially suspended operations due to orders from an appropriate governmental authority to limit commerce, travel, or group meetings due to COVID-19 can qualify as Eligible Employers for purposes of the ERC. The period that the employer pays qualified wages lasts as long as the government mandates are in effect.

If you wish more information on this credit and the steps needed to apply for it, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com.

I’d be happy to answer questions, or help you with the application.

New District Superintendent Structure

for Upper New York

As Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez previously announced, the UNY Conference will switch from nine District Superintendents 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.

“This new configuration for the Cabinet is an excellent example of the collaborative leadership model that Upper New York is leaning into on all levels. All pastors and congregations will continue to be cared for and have the resources needed to effectively serve in the community and excel at continuing the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”, Bishop Héctor said.

The district coverage assignments for UNY’s 12 districts, effective July 1st, are as follows:

The Rev. Carlos Rosa-Laguer will serve the Niagara Frontier District and the Cornerstone District.
The Rev. Suzanne Block will serve the Genesee Valley District and the Mountain View District.
The Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood will serve the Finger Lakes District and the Crossroads District.
The Rev. Mike Weeden will be the Mohawk and Northern Flow District's District Superintendent.
The Rev. Debbie Earthrowl will be the District Superintendent of the Adirondack and Albany Districts.
The Rev. Bob Kolvik Campbell will serve the Binghamton and Oneonta Districts.

To ensure an equitable distribution of churches among district superintendents, The Mohawk District will be covered by Rev. Weeden, Rev. Earthrowl, and Rev. Campbell. Click here for a list indicating which DS will support specific churches in the Mohawk District.

Watertown First UMC

Announces Summer Programs

Please join our Church Family for the following events this Summer:

Supper Church: A fun, faith filled, activity for the whole family – join us for a catered meal with your family and new friends while listening to contemporary Christian praise music, followed by interactive/intergenerational games, a Bible Story and adult discussion time while kids enjoy a bible craft and recreation time. 4:30-6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!

Summer Bible Study on the Gospels and Book of Acts: Please join us for a ten-week study on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm as we explore the Good News of the Gospels and beginning of the early Church.

June 13, 2023: Matthew 1-12.

June 20, 2023 – Matthew 13:1- 25: 46

June 27: Matthew 26:1- Mark 10:45

July 4, 2023, No Meeting – Happy July 4^th

^{July 11, Mark 10:46-Luke 4:13}

^{July 18, Luke 4:14-14:35}

^{July 25, Luke 15:1-24:53}

^{August 1, John 1:1-10:42}

^{August 8: John 11:1 Acts 5:16}

^{August 15, Acts 5:17-23:35}

^{August 22, Acts 24:1- Romans 13:14.}

^{A Little Child Will Lead Us Summer Childcare: Little Mermaid Water Fun Adventure}

^{Dates: June 7, 14, 21, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, 16,}^{from 3:30 - to 6:00 pm.}

^{Wednesday August 23, 2023}^{, Field Trip to the Thompson Park Pool and Playground /Church Family Picnic from 2-6 pm.}

^{Hot dogs/hamburgers/ chips/ beverage will be provided, please bring a side dish and dessert to pass. All Welcome!}

Lake Ontario Parish Job Opening

Lake Ontario Parish is looking to hire a part time administrative assistant for the Parish. Interested persons can contact Dwight Greene chair of the Parish S/PPRC at 315-232-2607 or by email at lassie13605@yahoo.com.

Adirondack District Offering Lay Servant Courses

Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has added some courses to the 2023 schedule.

Please remember that you MUST attend all class times and dates to receive credit.

All registrations and course fees MUST be in by the date due.

For a registration form or for more information, contact Arlene Schmidt, arlenedschmidt@gmail.com For more information about the courses (books, etc.) click here for the updated brochure.

Advanced Course: Heritage: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs

Mondays: June 12, 19, 26, July 10 & 17: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard

Basic Lay Servant Course

Thursdays: June 15, 22, 29, July 6 & 13: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee: $15

Facilitators: Paula McMahon, CLM & Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Registration opens June 1

Tuesdays: July 11, 18, 25, August 1 & 8: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitators: Jacqueline Kim, CLM & Paula McMahon, CLM

Advanced Course: Leading Worship

Registration opens June 19

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

ZOOM: Fee: $15

Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard

Advanced Course: Leading Prayer

Registration opens July 13

Thursdays: August 24, 31, Sept 14, 21 & 28: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Polity

Registration opens July 25

Tuesdays: September 5, 12, 19, & 26: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard

Advanced Course: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Registration opens August 24

Thursdays: October 5, 12, 19, 26, & Nov 2: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Called to Preach

Registration opens September 26

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

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

"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.

SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING SCHEDULE

Schedule

Wesley Heritage Tour 2024

Join Pastor Brett Johnson on the trip of a lifetime to visit John and Charles Wesley’s homeland of England. We will be visiting sites of great importance to United Methodists, including the Wesleys’ hometown of Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, and worship in the Wesley Chapel in London.

We will also be stopping at Stonehenge and Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Tour dates are July 13-22, 2024. Please use the following link to register: https://portal.myfaithjourneys.com/ and use group code 24002.

Contact Rev. Brett Johnson, pastor.brett.johnson@gmail.com, with any questions.