AROUND THE CORNER
Next Issue July 21, 2022
Thoughts from District Superintendent Suzanne
Much has happened over the last month. Specifically, the news stories related to gun violence. My heart is heavy, and I weep for the victims who lost their lives; for their families and friends; for the communities affected; for the families of the ones who committed the violent acts and for the ones who committed the violence. Lord, hear my prayers.

Then the news changed. We began to hear stories about neighbors (and strangers) caring for one another. An outpouring of love and compassion in the midst of disbelief and grief.

As followers of Jesus what am I, what are we, supposed to do? So, I turned to the scriptures about peace. I sat and reflected on each one listed below. I / we are to seek peace and pursue it. I / we are not to be afraid or anxious; and the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:14, tells us, Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

John 14:27, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:6-8, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Then what? How can I / we put our faith into action? Where is God calling us to be when tragedy happens?

Most often there is an opportunity to give financially. But I know there is more. How can I / we step out in faith and build relationships that will lead to peace? Building relationships where Jesus is the One who brings hope and peace. Building relationships where healing, hope and peace can begin to change people and communities.

What ideas do you have that will put your faith into action when tragedy strikes? Feel free to email me your ideas.

Now reflect on the two songs listed below.

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace 
Prayer of St. Francis; adapt. By Sebastian Temple
Faith We Sing #2171

Make me a channel of your peace, Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord, And where there is doubt true faith in You
Make me a channel of your peace, Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light, And where there's sadness ever joy

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek, So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving of ourselves that we receive, And in dying that we are born to eternal life

The Servant Song
By Richard Gillard
Faith We Sing #2222

Brother, sister, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey; we’re together on this road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night-time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, sister, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

Let us serve one another and actively live our faith with love, compassion, and peace.
Suzanne 
Important Information to Share
RETIREMENTS
Let us Celebrate

Rev. Susan Hadley
and
Rev. Mark Parson

Congratulations and Blessings on your RETIREMENT.
The District Office will be closed
June 24 thru July 11.
Patti will be on vacation. If you need assistance please call 607-962-8047 and the message will give the contact numbers or emails to use or you can
call 315-898-2089 leave a message or email DS Suzanne directly at suzanneblock@unyumc.org

There will not be a newsletter on July 7th. The next Around the Corner will be sent on July 21st
6/9/22
Pastors & Their Churches to Pray for Month of JUNE
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--


June 26 For all the Pastor's and their families that are moving and starting a new chapter in their lives.


July 10  For all the Pastor's that have retired as of July 1st and their families as they start a new chapter in their lives

July 17   The Cornerstone District Superintendent Rev. Suzanne Block

July 24   The Cornerstone District Assistant Patti Gridley, her husband Mort and their family.
6/23/22
Do You Have An Events For The Newsletter?
If your church is hosting events, dinners, VBS and you would like it put in the Around The Corner Newsletter. Please send me the particulars of the event. Please include the Date, Time, Name of your Church or Place it is being held, Address where event is happening, Contact info if needed, a Small Blurb on the event. Please do make sure I receive the information by the Tuesday of the week that the Newsletter will be sent. The Newsletter is sent every other week (the next newsletter date is always found at the top the newsletter)
Send your information to:
UMC Hymnals Available
If you are in need of UMC Hymnals (these are the red hymnals) please contact the Cornerstone District office. You can call the office at 716-665-2423 or email me at cornerstonedistrict@unyumc.org. Please note that these are located in Jamestown.
All New Information
Bishop Webb's June 21 Webinar
with the Laity Recording
Last night, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, met virtually with UNY laity.
 
Bishop Webb addressed recent denominational developments and discussed the importance of keeping focused on the mission of the Church during the one-hour gathering. Bishop Webb also answered questions submitted through chat, many of which were related to the disaffiliation process.
 
Click here to watch the webinar recording. Click here to read the answers to some frequently asked questions from the webinar. To submit a question that hasn't been answered, email news@unyumc.org.
NEW: BSA and UMC Agreement Information
The General Commission on United Methodist Men has been an active voice in the last two-plus years of activity with the Boy Scouts of America. The voice of ministry and advocacy for youth has been filled through a GCUMM staff member. We still support Scouting.
 
•            GCUMM is actively engaged in supporting Scouting still
•            There is a resource page for questions
•            More resources are coming
 
The GCUMM.org website has resources on the Scouting page. It also links to a key site that allows for the housing of information as it becomes available. The Annual Affiliation Agreement has not yet been posted. As soon as it is received, it will be. The new Facilities Use Agreement will also be posted there. (www.GCUMM.org/scouting) Just click the resources link in the text to see the latest available information and videos.
 
At this time the agreements have not been released. Giving answers to questions and helping with plans will be a challenge until the finalized agreements are released. We are here to help you the best we can. There are alternatives and ways to still be involved effectively.
 
If you only have 4 minutes go here directly:
Watch “options for service”
This website is where all the future resources will be updated. All videos are located here.
6/23/22
Disaffiliation process forms must be submitted by July 1
Many questions have arisen throughout the Upper New York (UNY)Conference about the disaffiliation process.
 
Click here for guidelines that must be followed to disaffiliate from the UNY Conference. Through this link, there is a disaffiliation application form that must be submitted to the Conference Board of Trustees by July 1 for consideration at this year’s Upper New York Annual Conference, which will be held virtually Oct. 6-8.
Lakewood United Methodist Church
Super Sale
WHEN: Sat., July 16th, 2022
WHERE: Lakewood UMC
164 Shadyside Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750
TIME: 10am-3pm
COST: Donations
VENUE: Our sale is “a little unique” in that all items in our sale are donation. No prices. 
This idea began a few years ago at the prompting of a very persistent Holy Spirit. A way to be in mission for all in our community, while at the same time, using the donations received for church ministries and other mission projects such as The Lord’s Pantry Blessing Box.

We know God will truly bless all who come and we pray they will come away with nice things, and a BIG SMILE, too!!
6/23/22
Caneadea UMC
Chicken BBQ & Yard Sale/Bake Sale
WHEN: Sat., July 23rd, 2022
WHERE: Caneadea UMC
8029 State Route 19, Caneadea, NY
TIME: 12 noon
COST: $12 Donation would be appreciated
MENU: BBQ Chicken, Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans, and a Brownie

Please come and join us for a really fun day!!!!
6/23/22
WHEN: Sat., July 23rd, 2022
WHERE: Caneadea UMC
8029 State Route 19, Caneadea, NY
TIME: 9am-2pm
AND...... A chance for you to trade a few of your plants for some new ones!!!
6/23/22
A Call From the Mission Central HUB in Need of Help
I hope this note helps you with a little push to help people in need. Since thecovid outbreak The HUB has been struggling to receive donation and volunteers are few. I hope this note brings a ripple of volunteers to the HUB again. The need is high.
 
Most of what we do here at Mission Central HUB is based on faith. Listening to the Holy Spirit and acting on it. Not always easy, definitely can be scary. I have been seeing this phrase a lot lately.
 
“Trusting in GOD’s truth and not on the thoughts in your head”
So much going on with distractions pulling us in many different directions, it can sometimes be hard to focus on HIS voice in your head. Another saying I hold onto when in times of struggle“ Be still and know I AM who I AM.” Again sometimes hard to do.
 
Taking time to just breath and take notice of ourselves focus on where we need to get calm, notice the little things are actually the big things. Some things we cant change, but we may be able to help relieve some stress for folks in need when life disrupts living.. We don’t need to be in the limelight to be a Blessing to someone. Sometimes we have forgotten that helping others helps ourselves. We can get overwhelmed thinking we have to do everything and their isn’t enough time or energy to help everyone. I have seen so many cry since covid that feel that haven’t done enough to help people. I am one of them.
 
One of the things I love about my job here at The HUB (that I do know GOD lead me to) is the way folks help others with no questions, no need of getting gratification, no expectations. Folks need help, every little or big thing that gets filtered through Mission Central HUB sends ripples to others in need. To us some of those ripples are small but could be a huge blessing to that person in need. GOD and the Holy Spirit placed it on our hearts to help people, all we need do is react to it. To me that is Faith in knowing GOD has his hand in it and listening to that HOLY SPIRIT saying, “ someone needs help, make that call.” Like I just felt tugged to write this letter. Severe weather season is upon us, this will never change. we are not fully prepared, can you help?
 
To schedule a volunteer group visit to the HUB please contact
MaryBeth Ingalls
Upper New York Conference
Mission Volunteer Coordinator
7481 Henry Clay blvd Liverpool, N.Y. 13088
1-315-898-2064
1-315-372-0285
 
 
6/23/22
UMPH Extending Permission
to Use Resources For Online Worship
Nashville, TN The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) is extending full permission to all churches for use of UMPH copyrighted worship materials. Due to the extraordinary challenges faced by churches and others, UMPH (Cokesbury and Abingdon Press) is assuring easy access to essential worship aids and use of the Common English Bible for online worship and studies. Read the full article:

The copyright page in the 1992 United Methodist Book of Worship grants permission as follows: 
“United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship or educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.”  

Each worship service is a one-time use. Therefore, churches are free to reproduce the liturgical text as needed (with the exception of the copyrighted service music on pages 173-223).

Further, during the COVID-19 crisis, UMPH is waiving the need to ask permission to livestream and/or record worship services which read, perform, or display liturgical text from the UM Book of Worship. UMPH encourages churches to utilize streaming licenses from OneLicense or CCLI to stream copyrighted service music from The United Methodist Hymnal. Many items appear in the UM Hymnal by permission of the copyright holders and UMPH cannot grant blanket permission to use their intellectual property.
Local Happenings
A Mission to Help Your Neighbors
Does your church have a heart for Missions? Are they wanting to help a neighbor in need? If you say YES....then you will want to take part in this opportunity.
 
As you know Trinity UMC in Olean saw a wonderful opportunity to help our brothers, sisters and neighbors in need in the Buffalo area. They will be sending another truck delivery of food donations to East Buffalo next Thursday. They would appreciate if the food could be brought to Trinity UMC in Olean by Wednesday morning so they can load the truck.

If your church, or you know individuals that would like to help in this effort, please contact Pastor Dawn Quesenberry at 716-866-4865.
UPDATES MADE IN RED

"We Believe" 12 Step Christ-Centered Support Group

WHEN: Every Thursday

WHERE: Prendergast Library
509 Cherry St.
Jamestown, NY 14701

TIME: 5:30pm

CONTACTS: Scott Robert-716-490-8844 OR
Pastor Tom LeBeau-716-488-1680

What Is "We Believe"?
"We Believe" is a Christ-centered support group for individuals struggling with addiction or brokenness. It is built upon the conviction that the Gospel of Jesus Christ holds both the promise and power for freedom and new life. It is one group of the Addiction Response Ministry (ARM) of Chautauqua County. ARM exists to help individuals and their families in their recovery journey.
Past Information
Mask Mandate Guidelines
At this stage of the pandemic, the impact of COVID across the Conference varies by county. To determine how your church can continue to keep participants safe, please consult the CDC website for recommendations.
Face Mask 1
Pastors Facing Stress and Slow Burn Burnout
The life of a pastor is stressful under any circumstances, but the past few years have brought unprecedented challenges. Across the United States, a pandemic that emptied churches, hurricanes and tornadoes, denominational uncertainty, and racial issues have all made a mark.
 
Click here to read more about how stress is impacting Methodist pastors across the country.

Acknowledging the stress that is affecting pastors, the Upper New York Conference has created a wellness initiative to learn more about UNY pastors’ spiritual needs and to create resources to help them prioritize self-care. Continue following all UNY Conference news platforms for information about this initiative that will be released in the coming weeks.
Let Us Continue to Keep the Ukrainian People In Our Thoughts & Prayers
Reminder: Sexual Harassment Training Is Mandatory
This is a reminder that New York State employers must adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy and provide training on sexual harassment prevention to their employees on an annual basis. This includes all those employed by the local church.
 
There is a free on-line training that is available to all. A certificate of completion is provided when the training is complete.
 
For more information, click here. 

PLEASE NOTE:
Safe Sanctuaries training does not exempt churches from the NYS sexual harassment prevention training requirement.

If you have questions on this topic, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at tracyrickett@unyumc.org or (315) 898-2017. 
Disaffiliating from the UNY Conference
and the UMC
During the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference held virtually in June of 2021, the body passed Resolution UNYAC2021.7 which created a Study Commission to examine the readiness in the UNYUMC for the Implementation of the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.
 
Last fall, the UNY Study Commission issued surveys to clergy and congregations in the UNY Conference about the Protocol. Despite there only being a 30 percent response rate, some congregations and clergy did report that if the Protocol passes, they will leave the United Methodist Church. Click here to read the survey report.
 
Earlier this month, the Global Methodist Church announced that it will launch on May 1, 2022. Click here to read the announcement.
 
Given these changes, the Conference Board of Trustees anticipated there would be congregations who might now desire to explore disaffiliation.
 
Click here to read an article that outlines the disaffiliation process. 
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.  
Tending the Soul
2022-2024 A Two-year Training Program for Lay and Clergy

Click here for more information.
Exp.11.14.22
The “Connect with Us” Academy for Continuing Education 2022 Course Schedule including
 A Course Series: Refreshing My Preaching Ministry

Click here for more detailed information

Click here for registration
exp.6.30.22
Helpful Links for You
Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments

View the full list of changes here.
Helpful Resources


Media Resource Center

Inquiries should be sent to resourcecenter@unyumc.org
and all orders should be placed via our website online catalog

Click here for tips on ordering through our website.
Media Resource Center
315-898-2027
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
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!
Cornerstone District Office
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
716-665-2423

UNY District Map: Click here