District Superintendent Rev. Suzanne Block |
|
We are in the season of Lent. A time of prayer and reflection. A time to remember who we are as Christ followers and United Methodists. A time where we once again follow Jesus’ journey to the cross. I am frequently drawn to John Wesley’s “Five Means of Grace” during the Lenten Season.
Ask yourself this question, “Do you know John Wesley’s Five Means of Grace?” If not, they are:
* Prayer – being in communication with God. Not only lifting up our concerns and gratefulness to God but also taking time to listen for God’s communication with us. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
* Scripture – searching the scriptures includes hearing, reading, and meditating upon God’s Word. A few of John Wesley’s suggestions for reading scripture include: set apart a little time every morning and evening for that purpose; pray before and after reading; pause throughout reading to examine your heart and life.
* The Lord’s Supper – also called the Eucharist; the Great Thanksgiving; the Table of the Lord; or Holy Communion. Jesus said to do this “whenever or often” remembering me. John Wesley celebrated Holy Communion four to five times a week.
* Fasting – in the traditional sense is to abstain from food or some types of food, especially as an act of religious observance. Acts 13:3 says, “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Fasting, Scripture and Prayer all go together. In fact many people end a time of fasting with Holy Communion. In our culture today you may choose to fast from: media, texting, fast food, trash, multitasking, sports, money, television, or time on your computers. Fasting is a way to grow deeper in faith and closer with God.
* Christian Conference – This means to be a part of a small group for fellowship (friendship) and nurture (encouragement). “Christian Conference” is a time to share our lives with one another, to learn and to grow in faith together. Become involved in a small group ministry, become a ministry leader or a helper.
During this season of Lent and beyond, I pray and encourage everyone to incorporate into your faith journeys, John Wesley’s Five Means of Grace: Pray, Read your Bibles, participate in the Lord’s Supper, Fast and Christian Conference. Then see and experience the remarkable changes God will make in your lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Serving Joyfully,
Suzanne
* from John Wesley’s Message Today,” by Lovett H. Weems.
|
|
DISTRICT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION |
CORNERSTONE DISTRICT OFFICE
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
District Administrative Assistant Patti Gridley
Office phone-607-962-8047
office phone- 315-898-2089 and leave a message for her.
|
|
Prayers Calendar for Pastors & Churches |
March 5-Northern KonXions UMC- Pastor Craig Buelow, his wife Diane and their family.
March 12-North Harmony UMC. Pastor Joe Osborne, his wife Kelly and their family.
March 19-Olean:Christ UMC. Rev. Chad Sayers, his wife Jessica and their sons Isaiah & Micah.
March 26-Panama UMC. Rev. Steve Taylor, his wife Stacy and their family.
April 2-Pleasant Valley UMC. Tony Gray, his wife Erin and their family.
|
|
DUE TOMORROW
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. Here is the new login information for you to access the new platform. Click here
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.
PLEASE take the time to read the user's guide before entering your data. Here is the link for the user guide . Please make sure you write down your login and password some where as the Administrative Assistant's no longer have access to help you with that. So, if you have issues logging in you will need to contact Autumn Wells at the conference office. You may contact Autumn at 315-898-2004 or email her at autumnwells@unyumc.org
|
|
|
|
Bishop Burgos Núñez Announces
Clergy Appointments
|
After the prayerful discernment of the Upper New York (UNY) Cabinet, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor Burgos Núñez announces the following appointments. All appointments, otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2023.
|
|
Candidates Needing a Psychological Assessment |
Candidates that are in need of scheduling a Psychological Assessment please know that Dr. Rugenstein will be in Rochester on April 20th and April 21st for assessment days. This is the closest she will be to WNY until October. Candidates will need to complete a Psychological Assessment application and send their $300 in order to schedule with Dr. Rugenstein to participate. These dates tend to fill fast.
Thank you,
Jennifer Schaus Green
UNY BOM Psychological Assessment Officer
|
|
Equitable Compensation Grants Now Available |
They are fillable PDFs so they should be pretty easy to complete. If anyone has any issues, please let me know.
The relevant deadlines/dates for the June – December 2023 Cycle:
April 7, 2023 – deadline for church applications to the District Superintendent for review
|
|
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!
|
|
General Commission on Religion and Race and ResourceUMC host a Vital Conversation on race relations to build bridges across racial divisions.
Join in to partner with Project Unity for a presentation of, Together We Dine, a Vital Conversation on race relations. This event is a virtual experience that will host community and faith members to engage in courageous and safe conversations about the state of race relations.
Listen and share your experience with fellow diners in a healthy and respectful manner.
When: Tuesday, March 28th
Where: Via Zoom
Time: 6:30 - 8 pm EDT
Project Unity trained facilitators guides participants in a structured dialogue about race. We aim for this experience to prove that what unites us is greater than what divides us.
|
|
Bishop Bickerton:
Time to move from rancor to revival
|
In a highly unusual churchwide address, the Council of Bishops president, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton urged fellow United Methodists to pivot away from the rancor around church disaffiliations to the work of church renewal. |
|
Disaffiliation Policy Updated |
The Upper New York Conference disaffiliation policy has been updated, clarifying some procedures needed for local churches interested in disaffiliation. It also clarifies the Cabinet’s oversight of the discernment process and the role of the pastor in this process.
The Terms of Disaffiliation established by the Conference Board of Trustees are unchanged from the previous version.
|
|
Cady Grant Application Extended To March 31 |
Application forms are now available for the Upper New York Conference Ercil Cady Grant. Cady Grants are awarded annually to a fund ministry, program, or experience that benefits or provides education to, preferably but not exclusively, African Americans and/or Native Americans.
Applications must be submitted to Blenda Smith at bsmith@binghamton.edu with Cady Grant in the subject line. If you previously submitted an application and did not receive a confirmation response that it was received, please resubmit it.
|
|
Mountain View District Spring Lay Servant Courses
In Person & Zoom
|
WHEN: Every Tuesday- May 2nd-30th, 2023
WHERE: Horseheads UMC
TIME: 6pm-8pm
COST: $25 (plus purchase of your own books)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Click here for flyer
|
|
THE UNYAC UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
(formerly United Methodist Women)
MISSION PROJECTS COMMITTEE
|
It is the desire of the Upper New York Conference United Women in Faith to offer grants to non-profit community and church-based organizations that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and address the needs of women, children and youth within the boundaries of our conference. Grants are not to be used for salaries or equipment. Applications must be filled out completely to be considered and will be evaluated by the committee. Grant period will be July 1 - June 30.
Deadline for submission is May 23, 2022
|
|
UPDATED March Special Session of Annual Conference Via Zoom
|
The Upper New York Conference’s March 2023 Special Session of Annual Conference to consider disaffiliation requests will take place remotely on March 25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Registration is now CLOSED
You can watch the Special Session via livestream by clicking here on March 25th. You will not be able to vote from this link.
Click here to see a list of who is eligible to vote.
|
|
2022 UNY Journal Vol. II Now Available |
The 2022 Upper New York Conference Journal, Vol. II is now available for download as a free PDF and for purchase through the online publisher, Lulu.com. |
|
UMCOR Cleaning Buckets For Buffalo |
In the aftermath of the Christmas Blizzard, many have asked “What else can we do?”.
Buy items from the Upper New York Mission Central Hub’s “Cleaning Kit" Amazon Wishlist now through March 1st and have your items shipped to Harris Hill United Methodist Church, located in the Buffalo area.
Harris Hill United Methodist Church’s “Go! Ministry” was prepared to respond to their community's cleaning needs after the blizzard with UMCOR Cleaning Buckets. They graciously provided these buckets to their neighbors and helped many make sense of the mess that was in front of them. Let's help replenish their buckets!
If you are dropping off in person, please call Harris Hill UMC to schedule a drop off at (716) 632-4688
Buying from somewhere else?
Ship to: 8495 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221
|
|
Trainings & Educational Opportunities |
|
Cornerstone District In Person
Spring Lay Servant Training School
|
WHEN: Fri., April 21, & Sat., April 22, 2023
WHERE: Olean: Christ UMC
TIME: Fri., 5-9pm, Sat., 8am-5pm
COST: $25 (plus purchase of your own books)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 7, 2023
|
|
Adirondack District Lay Servant Ministries Offering 2023 Lay Servant Courses By Zoom |
2023 Lay Servant Course
Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has added some courses to the 2023 schedule.
Please remember that you MUST attend all class times and dates to receive credit.
No refunds or credit for courses will be given. All registrations and course fees MUST be in by the date due.
For a registration form or for more information, contact Arlene Schmidt, arlenedschmidt@gmail.com For more information about the courses (books, etc.) click here for the updated brochure.
Advanced Course: Called to Preach
Tuesdays April 11, 18, 25, May 2 & 9: 6-9pm
ZOOM: Fee $15
Registration and course fees due by March 28
Advanced Course: Polity
Wednesdays, May 3, 10, 17 & 24: 6-9pm
ZOOM: Fee $15
Facilitator: Bruce Hazard & Team member
Registration and course fees due by April 19
Advanced Course: Opening Ourselves to Grace
Thursdays: May 4, 11, 18, 25, & June 1: 6-9pm
ZOOM: $15
Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim & Team member
Registration and course fees due by April 20
|
|
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: 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.
|
|
Miscellaneous Information |
|
Puppet Production Puppets |
Do you have a puppet ministry? Would you like to start one? We have several Puppet Production puppets available along with staging.
|
|
Is Your Church Looking For Choir Robes ? |
Falconer UMC has several choir robes (approximately 30) that they no longer use. They would gladly donate them. They are all red with white reversable collars.
Please contact Shirley Vandenburg at 716-665-5182
|
|
|
|
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 toeveryone – pass the word!
If you are not connected please follow the instructions below.
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.
|
|
‘Engage New People Grant’ Available |
The Upper New York New Faith Communities' Team is excited to announce the “Engage New People Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working to Engage New People not already in their church/ministry. New Faith Communities Conference-wide purpose is to reach people outside the Church in new and contextual ways.
Grants will be available up to $2,500 to help local churches and ministries. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis in 2023. Churches and ministries may apply for up to $2,500 during one calendar year. Please expect 60 days to review your application.
Click here to apply for the “Engage New People Grant.”
Upon completing the application, the New Faith Communities' team will reach out to the pastor/lead planter of the church and/or contact person listed to confirm your submission.
|
|
Employer Legal Updates For 2023 |
With the end of 2022 has come (and will come) significant legal changes. It’s hard to keep up-to-date on all the new workplace laws that are in effect. Tracy Rickett, the Upper New York Human Resources Generalist, has you covered!
Click here for laws related to posting requirements. Click here for three laws related to leave. Click here to learn the pay requirements for exempt employees and a new law requiring pay transparency. Click here to learn about the Human Rights Law update. Click here to learn about amendments to the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act.
With these many new requirements, now is a good time to dust off your handbooks and update them if you have not done so recently. Tracy Rickett is happy to draft or review any handbooks or other policies for legal compliance. You can contact her at tracyrickett@unyumc.org or (315) 898-2017.
|
|
CORNERSTONE DISTRICT OFFICE
PO Box 687, Bath, NY 14810
607-962-8047
Monday-Thursday-Visits to Office by Appointments Only
physical location: 35 Wilkes Ave., Bath, NY 14810
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
