The Next Newsletter & Last One For 2022
Will Be Dec. 15th
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The Season of Advent
What is Advent? “The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the church year for Christians.
During Advent, we prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for and need of forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.
Although we are accustomed to celebrating Christmas on a single day, in both Christian tradition and on the church calendar, the Christmas season lasts from sundown on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) through Epiphany of the Lord (Jan. 6). This is sometimes referred to as "the 12 days of Christmas."
Advent begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. In 2022, Christmas falls on a Sunday, and Christmas Eve on Saturday night. Thus, in 2022 Advent begins Sunday, November 27, and ends at sundown on Saturday, Dec. 24 three weeks plus a portion of an additional day. If Christmas comes on a Sunday, Advent will begin on Nov. 27 and last four full weeks.
The color for Advent has traditionally been purple, although some churches have adopted blue. In practice, however, as churches increasingly incorporate the symbols and decorations of Christmas during Advent, more and more red, green and gold are appearing. The United Methodist Book of Worship upholds the traditional color of purple for Advent, signifying penitence and royalty, but also allows blue, the color of hope."
Adapted from "What is Advent?" and "Understanding Advent" by Dean McIntyre, retired director of music resources, Discipleship Ministries. Originally published in Interpreter Magazine, November–December, 2017.
In appreciation of the church liturgical calendar, I will list the Scriptures for each Sunday in Advent (as noted for Year A) as well as an Advent hymn and/or praise song. Let us journey together this Advent Season as we prepare to commit or recommit to following Jesus.
Advent, a time of preparation and a time of expectation. The four Sundays of Advent are hope, peace, joy, and love.
Journeying together through Avent with hope, peace, joy, and love,
Suzanne
11.23.22
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Prayers for Pastor Clara Wilder & Family |
Please keep family and friends of Gary Wilder in your prayers. Gary, 85, died on Nov. 21. He was married to Pastor Clara Wilder, currently serving at Tri-Church Parish in Brocton. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Tri-Church Parish, located at 41 East Main Street in Brocton. Condolences can be sent to Pastor Clara at 35 East Main St., Brocton, NY 14716.
12.8.22
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Patti Will Be Out of The Office Dec.7-Jan.2 |
Patti will be using up her vacation time. If you have an emergency during this time, please contact District Superintendent Suzanne Block at suzanneblock@unyumc.org or call 315-898-2089 and leave a message for her.
Thank you.
Patti Gridley
12/8/22
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Prayers Calendar for Pastors & Churches |
December 11-Fentonville & Wheeler Hill UMCs. Pastor Deborah Westcott, her husband Robert and their family.
December 18-Findley Lake UMC. Rev. David Cooke, his wife Heather and their children Ben, Grace & Nathan.
December 25-Fredonia UMC. Pastor Nettie Puleff and her family.
January 1-Frewsburg Trinity UMC. Pastor P.J. Pasieka, his wife Lindsey and their children Peter & Leah.
January 8-Gerry & Bemus Point UMCs. Pastor Tom Holland, his wife Jessica and their children Amelia, Eli & Josiah.
12/8/22
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Do You Have 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)
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How To Contact The Cornerstone District Office |
If you need to contact the District Office please call this number 607-962-8047 (this is the Mountain View District number) This is the number that sends the voicemail to my email so that if I am working remotely I am still able to receive your phone calls (if you leave a message that is).
Mailing Address:
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
Thank you,
Patti Gridley
12.8.22
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Merry Christmas From Bishop Webb |
This December, as we celebrate Advent, we also say goodbye to Bishop Mark J. Webb as the Area Resident bishop of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. Bishop Webb retires from the UNY Conference on Dec. 31.
In his final annual Christmas video, Bishop Webb thanks laity and clergy across the Conference for what he calls the “privilege” of being able to partner in mission with them.
And as he has done each year, Bishop Webb offers an inspiring message, asking you to allow God to give you new eyes to see the amazing grace offered through the person of Jesus Christ.
12/8/22
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Pastors/Churches-Is Your Church Information Correct On The Conference Website? |
- Is the service time correct?
- Is the address and phone number correct?
- Is the contact information correct?
- Has the chair of your committees changed since CC?
Please let the district office know of any updates you would like made to this listing by calling 607-962-8047 or email the office at cornerstonedistrict@unyumc.org
Click on the link below to see the information the conference has on your church. Click here for the link |
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December 15th will be the last Newsletter for 2022 |
Place send your newsletter events to me by Dec. 14th if you would like it in the last newsletter of this year. Send your information to cornerstonedistrict@unyumc.org
12.8.22
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Buffalo 10 Scholarship Fund |
It’s been over six months since the mass shooting that took the lives of 10 people in Buffalo. Pray for the systemic racism that has plagued the eastern side of Buffalo for decades and continues today.
You can help bring a voice to those who reside in the 14208 zip code (the neighborhood where the mass shooting took place) by donating to the Buffalo 10 scholarship fund.
Consider Buffalo 10 today, #Giving Tuesday!
12.8.22
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UNY Conference Job Openings |
Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
Site Director Opening
Conference Office
Custodian/Building Maintenance Technician Opening
12.8.22
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Bishop Webb’s top five tips for prevailing as a Conference |
At his Nov. 19, 2022, farewell gathering at the UNY Conference Center, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, offered five tips to keep the mission of the United Methodist Church alive.
These are his tips:
- Keep chasing after Jesus individually and corporately. Keep knowing the depth of God’s love for you and seek a deeper love for Jesus.
- Be kind and compassionate to one another. Don’t make each other enemies. See the best in each other. “God’s call isn’t dependent on what the symbol on your shirt is; we’re all partners in ministry no matter what the future holds—we’re all going to be together in the place called Glory!”
- Don’t allow anything to be a substitute for the Truth of the Word of God.
- Stay focused on the reason we’re here. The purpose of the Church is to help one more person say “yes” to following Jesus.
- Be a bold and courageous follower of Jesus Christ.
12/8/22
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Adirondack District Offering Lay Servant Courses By Zoom |
Courses Being Offered:
- Basic Course Registration due by Dec. 28th
Advanced Courses:
- For the Common Good (Spiritual Gifts)-Registration due by Jan. 12th, 2023
- Leading Prayer-Registration due by Feb. 15th, 2023
12.8.22
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New York State Disability Information |
NYS recently updated the short-term disability claim form. It’s now 2 separate forms. The website (click on the link below)has been updated with this information.
If anyone has any questions regarding short-term disability please contact Tracy Ricketts at the Conference office.
12/8/22
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BSA/UMC Agreement Deadline Dec. 31, 2022 |
This is a reminder that the BSA/UMC agreements will not be extended past Dec. 31, 2022, with the exception of those agreements that are in process that may not be completed until after this date.
The BSA is having a very good recruitment year and are ahead of their business plan. They are not extending all previous charters beyond the Dec. 31, 2022, for two reasons:
1. In most areas, the affiliation agreements and facility use agreements are being implemented and the implementation is going well. There are BSA Councils that are not cooperating in a few conferences and as the BSA learns of these, they reach out to those Councils to address issues. If you are encountering such issues, please contact
2. BSA wants to assure the court that it is emerging from bankruptcy and its business plan is working as evidenced by new scouts and organizational agreements.
If your church leaders have questions about the affiliation agreements or facility use agreements, please contact
Thank you to the BSA Councils and our local churches for continuing to work together through this process.
12/8/22
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Jan. 14 Gestalt Pastoral Care webinar and in-person event |
Co-director of the Mountain View District Lay Servant Ministry and Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister, Deaconess Susan Sihan, RN, is offering a Zoom webinar on an Introduction to Gestalt Pastoral Care on Jan. 14 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. She is offering the same workshop in-person at Odessa UMC from 2- 4 p.m. on Jan. 14.
Gestalt Pastoral Care is a model of healing ministry that integrates our spiritual practices of prayer and meditation with awareness of our body to explore the root experiences causing physical and emotional dis-ease.
Click here to learn more about Gestalt Pastoral Care.
Call Susan at 607-703-0010 for registration and more information.
12/8/22
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Mohawk District Offering INR By Zoom |
The Mohawk District Lay Servant Ministries Team is privileged to announce the course offering of the Conference-approved advanced Lay Servant class, “Imagine No Racism (INR)”, via Zoom beginning Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, and continuing for 6 weeks, ending on Feb. 23, 2023. Class times are 6 to 8 pm each Thursday. There is no textbook required. Information, literature and handouts will be emailed to participants. For information or to obtain the zoom link for the class, contact Mary Beth Greene, CLS, mbg@ntcnet.com, or 315-796-1290.
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Wesley Heritage Tour in 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.
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BE AWARE of PHISHING EMAILS
FROM CONFERENCE EMPLOYEES
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Please be aware that there are phishing emails that are being sent from employees of the UNY Conference. THESE ARE SCAMS!!!!! All UNY Conference employees emails would come from unyumc.org. If they are from any other email account....they are not from the person at UNY Conference. The Bishop and quite a few of the District Superintendents have had emails sent in their name but from an AT&T icloud email. DO NOT OPEN EMAILS THAT ARE NOT FROM unyumc.org
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Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference details |
If you would like to know all the details of what took place at the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, click here to read all the daily Christian Advocates. A summary of the Christian Advocate will be available next week.
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CORNERSTONE DISTRICT OFFICE
PO Box 687, Bath, NY 14810
607-962-8047
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