The Reason for The Season |
|
The Season of Advent
DS Rev. Suzanne Block
|
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.
|
|
Patti Will Be Out Of The District Office
Until Jan. 3rd
|
Patti will be out of the office until Jan. 3rd. If you have an emergency during this time please contact District Superintendent Rev. Suzanne Block at suzanneblock@unyumc.org or call 315-898-2089 and leave a message for her.
The District & Conference Offices will be closed Dec. 23rd & Dec. 26th.
|
|
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
|
|
Christmas Message From Bishop Webb |
|
|
Welcome Message From Bishop Hector |
|
Regional Meetings with Bishop Hector |
Starting January 1, 2023, Bishop Hector Burgos, who prefers to be addressed as Bishop Hector, will be the new bishop of the Upper New York Conference (UNY) Conference. Bishop Hector is eager to meet laity and clergy throughout the Conference and has scheduled dates for regional meetings.
The meetings will be as follows:
Feb. 9, 2023-Lakes Region-Leroy UMC
Feb. 16, 2023-Northeast Region-New Hartford
Mar. 1, 2023-Lakes Region-Auburn UMC
Mar. 15, 2023-Southern Tier Region-Olean: Christ
Mar. 16, 2023-Southern Tier Region-Central Endicott
The clergy meetings will be from 1-3 pm.
The laity meetings (and clergy unable to attend the earlier time) will be from 7-8:30 pm
|
|
BSA Affiliation Agreement |
Troops and local congregations seeking to continue or start a relationship will need to complete a new “BSA Affiliation Agreement” and “Facilities Use & Indemnity Agreement.” Click here to download the BSA Affiliation Agreement. Click here to download the Facilities Use & Indemnity Agreement.
All UNY local congregations seeking to be in relationship with a local troop should use these and only these forms.
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 Jeffrey Hunt jeff.hunt@scouting.org of BSA, who oversees the BSA Councils across the United States.
|
|
The deadline for payments of 2022 Ministry Shares to be received and credited toward 2022 ministry shares is for them to be in the Conference office by 3pm on Jan. 9th, 2023. Ministry Shared received after that date and time will be credited to 2023 Ministry Shares. |
|
2023 Safe Sanctuary Training Schedule |
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: Feb. 4, May 6, Aug. 5 and Nov. 4. The Training of Trainers will be 9 AM to Noon, Saturdays, Mar. 4 and 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.
|
|
Report Your Church Statistics on AC Stats: Replaces the Ezra System |
Annual Church Statistics (ACStats) is the one-stop location for United Methodist data that tracks membership, expenses, and income. It's designed to help churches submit year-end statistics to the Upper New York (UNY) Conference digitally in a way that's cost-effective.
This user-friendly platform replaces Ezra as the method of reporting your church statistics.
March 17, 2023, is the deadline to complete the 2022 statistical report for your church; however, you cannot enter any data to the 2022 statistics tables until Jan. 3, 2023.
In the meantime, you may familiarize yourselves with the new ACStats platform by reviewing the user's guide for local churches. Translated reports are available in Spanish and Korean.
|
|
|
|
No new elections needed for General Conference 2024 |
The United Methodist Church’s highest court ruled that new delegate elections “are not required” for the long-delayed and potentially pivotal General Conference, now set for 2024.
The location and dates for the 2024 General Conference have also been announced—the event will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina from April 23 to May 3, 2024.
|
|
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
From The Cornerstone District Office
|
|
|
|
****************************************************** |
|
CORNERSTONE DISTRICT OFFICE
PO Box 687, Bath, NY 14810
607-962-8047
Monday-Thursday-Visits to Office by Appointments Only
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
