Next Issue: April 7th, 2022 |
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Words From the
District Superintendent & District Associate
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District Superintendent News |
Grace to you and Peace, through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Last newsletter, I wrote about news of the denomination and two start – up denominations. I was mistaken in writing that the Liberation Methodist Connexion is up and running: it is not yet incorporated. The Global Methodist Church says it will be incorporated on May 1 and has made plans for United Methodist Churches and pastors to join it, leaving the United Methodist denomination.
On March 16th I offered a zoom conversation about the above General Church decision to postpone their session until 2024 and its implications. A total of 30 people out of our 57 churches signed on. For those not able to attend, let me tell you I had no clear answers about our future together, but I did say that people need to inform themselves of all the issues from reputable sources. Frankly, I am surprised to find out that many pastors and lay leaders still have not engaged their congregations in conversation about United Methodist beliefs on human sexuality, the definition of marriage and our requirements for ordination of pastors. UMC.org is the go-to website for information and the UM Book of Discipline (most current one is 2016). Also our Book of Worship details the actual marriage definition in its order of worship, as well as a service of ordination. Every pastor owns a current Book of Discipline and I strongly encourage every church to own a copy as well. It is online for free, though very large to print. The issue of human sexuality has been a subject of contentious debate in our denomination since 1972. It behooves us in the church to inform ourselves in what we believe on these issues and why. And yes, we should challenge them if we believe they are in error with God’s truth.
A campaign to celebrate our work and dream of our future as United Methodists is called “BeUMC” and offers videos, documents and mostly, hope based in a mobilized church caring for the world in Jesus’ name. A host of information can also be found on the websites of Reconciling Ministries Network (https://rmnnetwork.org ), Global Methodist Church (https://globalmethodist.org ) and others. I always encourage people to sign up for regular UMNEWS.org emails. There really is no excuse to be delay talking about these issues in our churches. Perhaps it is how we talk about them that is important!
I will write more about that in April. Until then please inform yourself on the issues that connect and divide us and work toward unity in the body of Christ with me!
In God’s Service, Jeff McDowell
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From the desk of Reverend Michael Kelly: MV District Associate |
Friends,
As we continue to see COVID restrictions relieved we are beginning to receive questions regarding direction on community dinners. To be clear, there are currently no restrictions against having community dinners. However, I do urge you all to use due diligence. COVID is NOT gone! Yesterday on the news it was reported that there are two new variants cropping up, and just this morning Cornell University shifted their COVID alert back to yellow as they have seen a significant uptick in cases. Please remember it is still our responsibility to keep our congregations and communities safe and therefore make decisions that ensure that.
With that being said, unless you have a facility, such as a gymnasium with adequate ventilation or another large space to provide plenty of spacing for a dinner I would encourage you to offer your dinners as a drive thru or take out service only. Or simply postpone them until a later date when they venue can be moved outside. My church in Montour Falls has been doing community dinners as a take out event only since September, and each month the number that we are serving continues to increase, so people will come.
Many of you know that I have extensive food service experience from my previous profession and for many years was a nationally certified food safety instructor. So, I will add a few more tips and regulations here. In case you didn’t know; the State of New York requires a Food Service Permit for churches. They are issued for two years by your local authority, whether that be your local County Health Department, or the District State Health Department located in Hornell. It is a simple application and there is no cost providing that you have no more than one meal per week. This permit only applies to meals prepared and served on premises. If you are preparing and serving elsewhere you must have a Temporary Food Service Permit for that location. This permit may also be free with the addition of a request for a waiver of fees. These permits require that you apply at least two weeks in advance and that you provide Worker’s Comp and Disability information. That information is available by contacting Tracy Rickett at the Conference Office. If you have any questions or need assistance acquiring one of these permits please contact me, I will help you through the process.
As far as the best practices and procedures here are a few. We all know that Aunt Sally always made the best mashed potatoes and Sam’s meatloaf is so good, always has been, and Martha’s rolls are the best, and we certainly appreciate those wonderful souls that have helped share the load during these dinners for so many years, but the fact is, for community dinners, the Department of Health actually requires that all food either be made on premises or be acquired from an approved source. To be an approved source you must be approved either by the Department of Health or Ag and Markets. This is especially important during these times of pandemic where tracing is so important. Should you choose to have an event be certain to have plenty of single use gloves available, sanitizer and masks available. To help reduce the risk of spread of many types of infection including COVID, your food and beverages should be served using gloved hands or utensils. I could offer many other requirements but leave much to common sense, but please if you have questions feel free to call and we can work together to make your event successful and safe or contact your local health department for guidance.
Be blessed and be a blessing in your work,
Mike Kelly
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ALL Forms are NOW PAST DUE!!!! |
Please complete and get sent to the District Office.
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
2021 Local Annual Audit
Mail COMPLETED & SIGNED copy to District Office at:
Mountain View District Office
PO Box 706
Bath, NY 14810
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Mountain View District Office Open By Appointment Only |
Office visits are still by appointment ONLY. We ask that you wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. We also ask that you social distance while in the office. Please do not come to the office if you are not feeling well. We ask that you come another time.
Office is open: Mon.-Thurs.
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Bishop Webb Announces Clergy Appointments |
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce appointments and retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
Wondering how clergy appointments are made? Click here to read about the process.
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March 27 is UMCOR Sunday, a day in which churches throughout the denomination are encouraged to collect donations to support the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. For more than 80 years, UMCOR has ensured that 100% of its gifts to specific projects help those who need it most. Core resources are available in multiple languages.
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Horseheads First UMC
2022 Easter Egg Event
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NYS HERO Act Update
On March 18, 2022, the NYS Department of Labor updated its NY HERO Act website
Any questions about the NYS HERO Act obligations can be addressed to Upper New York Conference Director of Human Resources/Benefits, Susan Latessa at susanlatessa@unyumc.org or 315-898-2002.
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Lay Equalization Members Application |
It's that time of the year to begin recruiting for our District Lay Equalization members to the Annual Conference 2022. Youth (ages 12-17), Young Adults (ages 18-30) and Adults are welcome to apply.
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Other Learning Opportunities |
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Mountain View District
Pop Up Basic Lay Servant Class- In Person ONLY
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When: April 6th-May 4th
Where: New Beginnings UMC
300 E. Miller St.
Elmira, NY 14904
Time: 7-9pm
Biblical Storytelling Lay Servant Class-Hybrid, Live/Zoom
When: Saturdays-April 9th-May 21st (taking off April 16th)
Where: Horseheads UMC
1034 W. Broad St.
Horseheads, NY 14845
Time: 10-12:30am
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Check out the courses being offered by ALL the Districts in the UNYAC. Click here to see what courses are being offered.
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"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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Two Trainings Being Offered for all churches in the Southern Tier Region: Mountain View, Cornerstone, Binghamton, and Oneonta
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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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Tending the Soul 2022-2024 A Two-year Training Program for Lay and Clergy
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Stewardship Academy with Rev. Susan Ranous
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Upper NY LPLS (local pastors licensing school)
click the link below to read more and to register:
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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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Presentation About Methodist Circuit Riders by Rev. Dr. Greg VanDussen From His Book Circuit Riders on the Road to Glory
For more information
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Lay Servant Courses Offered Around the Conference
Click here to 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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For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks
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Media Resource Center
Media Resource Center
315-898-2027
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
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Subscribe to the GCFA "Collaborator" for Finance & Administration resources for your Ministry. A Support newsletter from GCFA - Click here
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https://www.unyumc.org/resources/mission-insite |
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MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT OFFICE
35 Wilkes Ave. (Physical location)
PO Box 706 (Mailing Address)
Bath, NY 14810
607-962-8047
Office Is Open
Mon.-Thurs.
In Person by APPOINTMENT ONLY
District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Jeff McDowell
District Associate: Pastor Mike Kelly
District Lay Leader: Ann Welch Wood
District Administrative Assistant: Patti Gridley
If the office is closed and you have an emergency please call 315-898-2077 and leave a message or email the DS at jeffmcdowell@unyumc.org
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