AROUND THE CORNER
Next Issue Apr. 28, 2022
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“The Lord had said to Abram, “go to the land I will show you.” So Abram left as the Lord told him. The Lord took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited to him as righteous.” Genesis 12:1b & 15:5-6
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! We have entered the Easter season in the life of the church. A time of rejoicing and change. A time of new beginnings. Christ’s resurrection changed the world. Those who follow(ed) Jesus experienced change, challenges, frustrations, miracles, rejection and a new way of life in experiencing ministry.
As Jesus journeyed to the cross, he went to the garden alone to pray. In Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Jesus knew where he was being led. In this struggle he asked his Father to take the cup from him. Yet, Jesus was willing to be faithful and obedient to his Father’s will.
Recall the story of Abram. The Lord told Abram to “leave his country, his people and his father’s household and go to the land I will show you. Abram left as the Lord told him.” Abram was willing to be faithful and obedient to the Lord.
Time passes and Abram is concerned about having an heir. What happens? Abram is inside his tent and God takes him outside. When Abram was in his tent he could see only as far as his human made tent ceiling. God takes Abram outside and tells him to look up into the sky, the heavens, the expanse, the vastness of space that stretches in every direction beyond what we can see or even imagine.
For me, there are two points in this story. First, Abram was inside his tent. He was focused on his own inability and his circumstances. So, God gives him a different vantage point by taking Abram outside of his tent. God helps Abram to see beyond his human made tent ceiling. The human made tent ceiling obscured and blocked Abram’s vision. The farthest Abram could see was the ceiling of the tent. Had Abram’s faith had been reduced to the size of his tent?
Second, Abram did what so many of us do: we put a ceiling (a limit) on what God can do. We put a ceiling on God’s love, faithfulness, power, and wisdom. We try ministries that do not flourish under our own power. We become disheartened and frustrated. God helped Abram to refocus by making Abram look up into the night sky. God gets Abram’s eyes off of his own circumstances and helps Abram refocus on God’s faithfulness. When we are faithful and obedient to God, when we let go of our control, then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God will lead us to opportunities that God is already blessing. We can then join God in this opportunity, in this ministry.
This is where we live our lives in the tension between our human circumstances and the faithfulness of God. What we decide to focus on will make all the difference in this world. As we continue our focus on becoming stronger disciples of Jesus, let us make a commitment to God, each other, our selves, our families, the church, district and conference; That together we will: Live an Intentional Faith Life (praying daily, reading the scriptures, fasting, participating in the Sacraments of Holy Communion & Baptism, being part of a Bible Study and/or an accountability group) ; Take Holy Risks (by intentionally serving others, being part of a Bible Study and/or an accountability group, stepping out in faith as a congregation by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in building relationships within our community and beyond ); Help to Bring the Kingdom of God here on earth (living our lives demonstrating the love, compassion and the hope of Jesus to this hurting world) .
Remember, God’s promise to Abram didn’t happen overnight. In God’s time is when God’s promise was given and then fulfilled.
Each of us, as individuals, families, churches, districts and as the Upper New York Conference will experience growth as disciples differently. Yet, like Abram let us be faithful and obedient as God leads us outside of our tents and see where this new journey in faith takes us as we continue to touch hearts and lives for Jesus Christ.
Rejoicing in our Risen Lord,
Suzanne
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Let Us Continue to Keep the Ukrainian People In Our Thoughts & Prayers |
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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.
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District Office Will Be Closed For Easter |
Patti will be out of the office Thursday, April 14-Monday, April 18th.
She will be back in office on Tuesday, April 19th. If you have an emergency please contact DS Suzanne at 315-898-2089 and leave a voicemail.
Thank you.
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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.
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
Please Pass this information on to others!!!!
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Pastors & Their Churches to Pray for Month of April |
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--
April 3 Laona Emmanuel UMC- Pastor Mike Spell, his wife Jaimee and their daughter Allyson.
April 10 Little Valley UMC- Pastor Nancy Preston, her husband Richard and their family.
April 17 Machais & West Valley: St. Paul's UMC's. Pastor Cindy Hulll, her husband Vince and their family.
April 23 North Harmony UMC- Pastor Joe Osborne, his wife Kelly and their family.
April 30 Olean:Christ UMC- Rev. Chad Sayers, his wife Jessica and their sons Isaiah & Micah.
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2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms |
All These Reports are 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
2021 Local Annual Financial Audit
Cornerstone District Office
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
Questions? Call Patti at the District Office 716-665-2423 or
at 607-962-8047
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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:
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"We Believe" 12 Step Christ-Centered Support Group |
Kidder Memorial UMC will be hosting a weekly "We Believe" 12 step, Christ-centered support group beginning Thursday, April 21.
WHEN: Beginning Thursday, April 21st
WHERE: Kidder Memorial UMC
385 South Main
Jamestown, NY 14701
TIME: 6pm
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.
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The Conference has a new job opening for a part-time District Administrative Assistant for Finger Lakes District. If you are interested or have any referrals for this position, please apply online through our website.
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Registration for the 13th Session of Annual Conference is now open.
For registration, hotels and other information visit the Conference Website. Click the button below.
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All Annual Conference
Information in One Place
For the past few years a newsletter has been created that focuses on nothing but Annual Conference information. This is sent out each week with any new or updated information.
You can view this newsletter either on the
I hope that you find this newsletter to be a useful resource.
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Grants Available for Projects
It is the desire of the UNY Conference United Women in Faith (formerly UMW) to offer grants to non-profit community and faith-based organizations that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and address the needs of women, children and youth within the boundaries of our conference.
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Giving Opportunity in Response to the War in Ukraineservices
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 at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY 13088.
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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.
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Do you want to reach New People?
Or plant a new ministry or even a new Church?
Launchpad is the training for Churches and Church Planters looking to create
New places for New people.
Over 6 Sessions your Team will learn
· How to engage new people outside of your church
· How to clarify vision and contextualize your discipleship
· How to establish a 6 month plan with 1 year of monthly support from NFC
· How to gather support for your new ministry
Launchpad Spring 2022 Schedule via Zoom
Week 1 Tuesday evening, April 26 Discerning
Week 2 Tuesday evening, May 3 Visioning
Week 3 Tuesday evening, May 10 - week off for team meetings
Week 4 Tuesday evening, May 17 Gathering
Week 5 Tuesday evening, May 24 Discipling
Week 6 Tuesday evening, May 31 - week off for team meetings
Week 7 Tuesday evening, June 7 Worshiping
Week 8 Tuesday evening, June 14 - Closing Session
August 1 Anticipated Opening of Greenhouse Group
Each Launchpad is limited to 20 individuals, each Team should include 2 to 8 Core Team Members. The Cost for your Team is $50. There is 1-2 hours of required reading to do before Week 1 of Launchpad.
To register for Launchpad by Wednesday, April 20 please e-mail Launchpad's Spring 2022 convener Rev. Abigail Browka at PastorAbigail1@gmail.com
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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. Training to be held Via ZOOM.
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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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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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Register today for the
2022 TIIMSA Gathering
by Zoom
MAY 10-11
$100 with credit card (no extra handling fee required)
OR
The registration cost is $100 required before May 6, 2022, to receive the Zoom invitation and I.D. before event begins.
The registration fee includes all sessions of the Gathering and one year of TIIMSA Membership Registrants will be given access after the Gathering to all recordings of the event. A certificate of Continuing Education will also be available.
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Disaffiliating from the UNY Conference
and the UMC
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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.
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Stewardship Academy Via Zoom
To view Susan's blog,
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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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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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Tending the Soul
2022-2024 A Two-year Training Program for Lay and Clergy
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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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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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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
View the full list of changes here.
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Media Resource Center
Click here for tips on ordering through 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 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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Cornerstone District Office
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
716-665-2423
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