Notes From District Superintendent Sherri
Dear Friends,
As I drive around the district these days, I’m watching the farmers out in the fields. The earth has dried out enough for them to disk and harrow the wintered-over soil, turning the dead stalks of last year’s crop under and revealing freshly plowed earth in neat rows. Some of the farmers are Mennonite, with their small iron-wheeled tractors. Others are monstrous machines, often working late in the night, plowing by the light of the moon and their headlights. All these farmers are hoping to have a bumper crop, the result of their labor. They know that with the right care and weather, the yield they can expect from each field.
The Bible is full of references to tilling, planting, and harvesting. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says,
“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” 12:24 NRSVA
We often hear this passage at funerals, a reminder of our death and resurrection. But there are other ways we can think about this passage. Today, I’m wondering about your church and all the activities and programs your church engages in. Make a list. The list probably includes worship, Bible study, Sunday School, Women of Faith, Men’s group, dinners, and vacation Bible school to name a few. Once you have your list, ask, what is the purpose of each of these things? What do we hope to accomplish by investing our time and resources? What will this work yield?
For so many years, we continue to do the things we’ve always done, without pausing to ask:
1. Why do we do this? What is the purpose?
2. What fruit do we hope will come from this?
3. How will we set goals for fruitfulness and measure if we are achieving our goals?
If we engage in an honest assessment, we may realize some of the things we pour our time and energy into no longer produce fruit. Perhaps then it’s time to let that activity go, or in terms of the Gospel, die, so that new fruit can be produced. It can be challenging to let a favorite activity or program go. We like to do it, we know how to do it, and we’ve always done it! But if it isn’t producing fruit, it’s using up our resources, resources that could be used in new and exciting ways. As I’ve talked with churches around the district, many of you have told me you have smaller groups of people with fewer resources, trying to maintain what you’ve always done. Perhaps it’s time to assess what you’re doing and let go of the things that are no longer fruitful.
Our task as a church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We do that by engaging in relationship-building with people in the community, encouraging one another to follow Jesus, journeying together as we deepen our faith and going out into the world to share God’s love and grace. Do the programs and activities of your church fit into one of these categories? Are they yielding fruit? If your church would like help doing this assessment, please let me know. We have people and tools ready to help your church be vital and fruitful.
I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.
Grace and peace,
Sherri
| |
Note From District Lay Leader
A Murmuration
Have you ever seen a murmuration? (Don’t you just love that word?) A swirling mass of starlings, synchronized in motion, flowing together as one, is mesmerizing. It’s an excellent example of community working together in unity. You rarely see their patterns broken by birds colliding, as they are always mindful of their nearest neighbors around them. We too, as Christ followers, are designed to function together as one. We are fueled by God’s love and share in a common mission. Life in the body of Christ was designed to be in community. This community has transformative power. We live into our mission when we live in unity, with a concern for and a connection to those around us. Let’s become a swirling mass that transforms the world and makes disciples for Christ.
Blessings for your journey,
Ann Welch Wood
| |
Keep In Prayer
Please keep the Rev. Paul Mills in your prayers. Rev. Mills, 90, died on May 10. He served several Upper New York churches, including Newfield UMC, Big Flats UMC, Camden UMC, and others. Calling hours are from 2-3 p.m. on May 18 followed by a 3 p.m. funeral service at Shenendehowa United Methodist Church, located at 971 NY-146 in Clifton Park. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Mills' wife, Maxene Mills at The Meadows at Glenwick,150 Dutch Meadows Ln, Apt. 313, Glenville, NY 12302. Click here to read Rev. Mills’ full obituary.
| |
Visiting the District Office
The office is generally open Monday-Thursday.
We would appreciate if you would PLEASE CALL FIRST before coming to the office. We occasionally work remotely and would not want you to make an unnecessary trip to the office to find that we are not in.
Please call 607-962-8047 or email the office at
mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org
| |
2023 Appointment Announcements
Click here to read the letter of how the processes for appointment discernment, retirement announcements, expressing interest in open churches, and transitioning churches.
Click here for the announcement of appointments
| |
|
NEW / UPDATED
Registration for Annual Conference
2023 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, to be held June 1-3, at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse, closed on April 30. There is a lot of work that happens behind-the scenes among the UNY staff to make the registration process smooth and easy-to-understand. For those who registered (over 900 of you), we thank you!
Because the Book of Discipline ensures all voting members have the opportunity to vote, onsite registration will be provided. As in the past, a $50 late fee will be added to the $250 registration fee and the entire $300 fee must be paid in full at the time of registration onsite. Also, because the SRC Arena needed numbers in advance for meals, we can only guarantee meals for the first 50 people who register onsite.
Questions can be addressed by sending an email to info@unyumc.org.
| |
Pre-Annual Conference Briefing Tonight-May 18th
If you have registered for the 2023 Upper New York Annual Conference, you should have received an email (at the email you used to register for Annual Conference) with links to this week's Pre-Annual Conference Briefing to be held on Zoom. Last breifing to attend is this evening, Thursday (May 18). Session begin at 6:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Workbook Now Available.
You might want to download/print a copy for you to have for the briefing tonight. You most likely would like to have one when attending Annual Conference.
| |
|
Watch the UNY 2023 Annual Conference live
The 2023 Upper New York Annual Conference will be livestreamed for those not planning to attend in-person. Watch what happens during this important and inspiring event beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday June 1. (The Livestream will be posted on the Conference website June 1st.. Click the bottom below to get to website.)
| |
Pulled Pork Dinner-Take Outs
WHEN: Thursday, June 8, 2023
WHERE: Grace United Methodist Church
191 Bridge Street, Corning, NY
TIME: Pick up between 4:30-6:30 PM
COST: $10.00
TO ORDER: (607) 936-6145
Taking Orders till Monday, June 5
MENU: Pulled Pork Dinner, Coleslaw, Baked Beans & Dessert
Use Basement Entrance
| |
|
AVOCA UMC
Annual Memorial Day Chicken BBQ
(Drive thru – take-outs only)
WHEN: Monday, May 29, 2023
WHERE: Avoca UMC, 8593 Jacob’s Ladder Road, Avoca, NY
TIME: 11:00 AM - ‘till gone
MENU: ½ Chicken, Salt Potatoes, Baked Beans, Roll and Cookie
COST: $12.00 per person for complete dinner
Presale tickets available: Call 607-566-4045
A few tickets may be available at the door.
| |
Mandatory Workplace Posters to be Available Electronically
New York employers are required to make all mandatory workplace posters – both federal and state – available to employees electronically, either on a website or by email. Employers are required to provide notice to employees that the documents required for physical posting are also available electronically. Each NYS employer is required to provide both the physical poster in the workplace and digital versions. They can be located at the 2 websites listed below – one for federal posters and one for state posters.
| |
TRAININGS & EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES | |
Opening to Grace 2023 Retreats
Co-director of the Mountain View District Lay Servant Ministry and Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister, Deaconess Susan Sihan, RN.
These retreats will be Hybrid In Person and Online.
- May 19-21
- Sept. 14-16
- Oct. 26-28
Click here for flyer and more information
| |
Adirondack District Offering Lay Servant Courses
Please remember that you MUST Attend ALL class times & dates to receive credit.
All registrations and course fees must be in by the DUE DATE
For a registration form or more information, contact Arlene Schmidt at arlenedschmidt@gmail.com
| |
|
Advanced Course: Heritage: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
Registration opens May 2
Mondays: June 12, 19, 26, July 10 & 17: 6-9 p.m.
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard
Basic Lay Servant Course
Registration opens May 2
Thursdays: June 15, 22, 29, July 6 & 13: 6-9 p.m.
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: 6-9 p.m.
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 p.m.
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard
Advanced Course: Leading Prayer
Registration opens July 13
Thursdays: August 24, 31, Sept 14, 21 & 28: 6-9 p.m.
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM
Advanced Course: Polity
Registration opens July 25
Tuesdays: September 5, 12, 19, & 26: 6-9 p.m.
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: 6-9 p.m.
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM
Advanced Course: Called to Preach
Registration opens September 26
Tuesdays: November 7, 14, 28, Dec. 5 & 12: 6-9 p.m.
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM
| |
2023 Safe Sanctuary Trainings
The UNY Safe Sanctuaries Team has scheduled four, 3.5 hour Zoom basic trainings in 2023. There will also be Training of Trainers sessions.
The Basic trainings take place 9 AM to 12:30 PM, Saturdays: Aug. 5 and Nov. 4.
The Training of Trainers will be 9 AM to Noon, Saturday, Oct. 7.
The Basic training is for all clergy and anyone working with children or vulnerable adults. The Training of Trainers is for anyone who would like to become a church or District Safe Sanctuaries trainer in the UNY Conference. You need to have taken the Basic Training first.
If you need training between these dates, or would like to host an in-person training, please contact the District Office or send an email to the Safe Sanctuaries team, safesanctuaries@unyumc.org.
Registration for the February training will open Jan. 4. Look for the link in upcoming announcements.
For more information regarding Safe Sanctuaries, visit the Conference website: Click here. To view the poster, click here.
| |
Pre-Conference Workbook
The 2023 Upper New York Pre-Conference Workbook, formerly known as the Journal, Vol. I, is now available. This comprehensive workbook provides all the details for the 2023 Upper New York Annual Conference, being held June 1-3 at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.
Click here to either view an online version or download a copy from Issuu or to purchase a copy for $4.99 (plus shipping and applicable sales tax) from Lulu.com.
| |
Attention Churches
If you are considering…
Buying or selling a church building, a parsonage or other church property,
including land, or Undertaking major renovations to existing properties, or
Building a new church, parsonage, education building
or an addition to an existing building,
There are certain procedures that must be followed.
The Book of Discipline - Chapter Six - Church Property
(page 733 in the 2016 version)
describes in detail the requirements that must be met in
order to do these things.
Please contact the District Office
607-962-8047
mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org
| |
District Administrative Assistants, Offices Reconfigured
This information originally appeared in the March 29th issue of the UNY Conference Weekly Digest. Click here to read the full article.
The Upper New York Extended Cabinet shared today, March 29, its plan to reconfigure how administrative support is provided to its districts. Beginning July 1, 2023, the current structure of eight part-time and two full-time administrative assistants serving districts will be replaced by six full-time Superintendency Administrative Assistants, each serving two districts as well as working collaboratively on the superintendency support team.
The new configuration of district administrative staff aligns with the reconfiguration of the Cabinet announced in January by Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez. Click here to read about the reconfiguration of the Cabinet.
By Jan. 1, 2024, it is anticipated all Superintendency Administrative Assistants and District Superintendents will work from home and all district offices will be closed. In this new arrangement, each district will still have a dedicated administrative assistant assigned to them.
| |
Boy Scout Bankruptcy update
Last week, the General Council of Finance and Administration (GCFA) issued an updated frequently asked questions webpage on the Boy Scout Bankruptcy following a recent ruling in the case. This webpage provides an overview and provides insight on what might happen next. Contact either Bryan Mills (bmills@gcfa.org) or Brandy Bivens (bbivens@GCFA.ORG) if you have any questions.
| |
|
|
Two new job openings for a part-time Cook and part-time Kitchen Assistant for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center have been posted to the website. If you have any referrals for any open positions, please ask folks to apply through the link on the website. Please contact me with any questions. Thank you.
https://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs
| |
Does Your Church Have Members Attending SUNY Geneseo
My name is Gwyneth Jones-Wenninger, I am serving as the Wesley Fellowship Interim Director at SUNY Geneseo.
The Geneseo United Methodist Church, under the appointment of Pastor Beth Malone, is beginning to revive the SUNY Wesley Fellowship which meets at the InterFaith Center near campus. We are reaching out to all of the churches in our conference who could have students attending SUNY Geneseo or nearby community colleges for contact information. I would appreciate it if you could provide me with any student information. They could also contact me directly at shadetreeauthor@gmail.com or via telephone (585) 969-0127.
I appreciate any assistance you can give me in reaching out to students that could be in our area. As you know, Wesley Fellowship is such an important support system and tool for growing leaders in our church!
| |
Are You Connected to UNY?
Do you receive the latest news and updates from UNY Conference? All pastors should be connected and as many people from your congregation that would like to be. This is open to everyone – pass the word!
If you are not connected please follow the instructions below.
To sign up either click the following link: https://bit.ly/UNYnotes.
Or follow the steps below:
- Go to the conference website
- Click on News in the toolbar
- Select Connect with UNY
Sign up for all six categories or just select the UNY Notes.
| | | | |
