MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT NEWS

Nancy's Notes Dear Friends,    I hope that you are well, and that you are taking good care of yourselves and each other! I have been blessed with people checking up on me and my mom. In case you don’t know, my mom has been with me at the District Parsonage since March 20 th . As horrible as the Covid-19 crisis is, it has been a blessing to be able to spend this time with her.      Understandably, I have been getting many questions about when we can gather together in our buildings again. The current directive of not meeting for worship in our buildings stands through the entire month of May, and may be extended beyond that. I realize that no one wants to hear that… Drive-in worship is now permitted, but the cars must be a safe distance apart with the windows down only a little in order to hear and PEOPLE MUST STAY IN THEIR CARS.      Questions have also been coming regarding Vacation Bible School. Friends, we cannot ensure the safety of the children and the workers, so we cannot have VBS in the traditional way this summer. It’s just not safe. I have no doubt that you can come up with creative ways of doing VBS, whether it’s online this summer, or perhaps during Christmas vacation. At the very least, send notes to all those who attended last year, including a Bible story and if possible, a craft for them to complete. Share your ideas with me and with each other about how you are planning to do VBS. You may have also heard that our Upper New York camping experiences for children, youth, and adults with special needs will not be running this summer. I know all these developments are heart-breaking…       As we look ahead, as I wrote about in this space last week, please watch the webinar with Paul Nixon, Kay Kotan and others, if you haven’t already. Here is the link again:   https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/re-launch-a-conversation-on-embracing-the-ministry-possibilities-of-2020 .       Also, if you didn’t use it last week, please give your pastors and tech people a break by using the worship video the Cabinet, Nairobi Smith, and our Conference Communications team put together, whether you use it this coming Sunday or in one of the weeks to come. I have no doubt that it will be a blessing to you. You will be reminded of our faithful God – in times that make sense and in times like this and all the times in between. Thanks be to God!     Here’s the link:  https://vimeo.com/415600345 Please know th at you remain in my prayers. With You in the Journey and Rejoicing in the Risen Christ,                    Nancy

Bishop Webb Announces Clergy Appointments Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce appointments and retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here .

CARES Act Update Click here for more information

NEW UNY Conference Office closure and recommendations for local churches In accordance with the continued response to COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper New York (UNY) Conference Office, the Episcopal Office, and the Crossroads District Office at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool, NY will remain closed through the end of May. All employees will continue telecommuting.   In addition, UNY Conference local churches are strongly encouraged to continue to refrain from having in-person worship services through the end of May. Recognizing that the New York Governor has placed drive-in theatres as a part of businesses that can open within Phase 1 of the states re-opening guidelines, we support any churches that desire to offer drive-in worship experiences within regions that are in Phase 1 of New York’s reopening guidelines until in-person worship within our buildings can resume. It is vital that guidelines be followed closely if a church decides to offer drive-in worship and that the building not be opened or available for access in any way. You can find guidelines, as well as resources, for drive-in worship experiences here .   As the state begins to reopen, decisions about in-person worship services within church buildings will be made regionally and locally in compliance with local authorities. By next week, detailed guidelines for church reopening procedures will be shared by UNY leadership, along with FAQs, and best practices. Continue watching Conference Communications channels for more information. 5/14/2020

Right Start Workshops Right Start Workshop registration is now open. Attendance at the workshop is mandatory for all full-time clergy who are moving to a new appointment, retirement or extension ministry. Less than full time clergy are welcome and encouraged to attend. Plans are in the works to hold the workshops on the dates originally scheduled - Tuesday, May 19, and Wednesday, May 20. At this time, the meetings will be held online or as a webinar, not in person at the UNY Conference Center in Liverpool. Clergy Moving to a NEW Appointment ONLY :  May 19, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.    Those Retiring :  May 20, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Please click here to register online for one of the workshops. Registration closes Friday, May 15. Once you register details will be sent directly to you.

Please consider subscribing to the following links. These will keep you updated on all the news coming from the conference office during this time. It will help keep repeated emails from being received. UNY-Notes are targeted email blasts: From the Desk of Bishop Webb Alerts Announcements Prayer Requests Death Notices Camp & Retreat Click here to Subscribe to UNY-Notes Weekly Digest-  will be sent every Wednesday. It will contain a round-up of that week’s UNY Notes, along with feature articles, direct links to several “hot spots” on the Conference website, photos, and more. Click here to Subscribe to the Weekly Digest The Latest BRIDGE is available now- Click here The Latest Advocate is now available- Click here UMC Support-GCFA Collaborator- Click here to subscribe

NEW “No matter what, no matter when…God is”  The Upper New York (UNY) Communications team has prepared a timely worship service video featuring the UNY Cabinet and other UNY leaders. This video, titled “No matter what, no matter when…God is” offers messages of hope and assurance during the COVID-19 pandemic in just under one hour. The video also includes uplifting worship songs with Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center staff member and singer Nairobi O. Smith. The video can be used in place of your church’s ordinary Sunday service in May. This video was put together in order to offer pastors and worship teams some well-deserved time off. Click here to access the video.   5/14/2020

NEW National Law Enforcement Officers Week Starting today as Chaplain for Schuyler Sheriff I will offer a few words for National Law Enforcement Officers Week.  Scripture, Words and Prayer for Monday, May 11, 2020 with Pastor Mike John 15:13 - Greater love has no man than this, that he who lays down his life for his friends. Sadly, this scripture is way too true. In 2020 there have been 72 Law Enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, 18 of those have died because of gunfire. Covid 19 has attributed to 24 line of duty deaths, but a figure that so often goes without mention is another 60 law enforcement officers died because of suicide. That is 132 law enforcement officers that have died because of the JOB, yet we continue to see a country that finds it too easy to disrespect and find hate for the badge. These men and women put their lives on the line every day, never knowing what will happen when they stop a car, or when they respond to what seems like a pretty normal complaint. One of the things that we have had to learn is that there is no longer a normal complaint or situation. Every situation may mean that these officers may never return home to their families. It is a difficult job, much harder than it was when I worked the streets, so I am asking you all to pray every day for the men and women who have chose to serve and protect all of you. Thank you! Loving God, We pray for law enforcement, and ask that they would know your presence is with them as they face the challenges and demands of their job. When their work feels overwhelming, we ask that you would bring peace and clarity of mind. There is no purer source of peace and joy than you Lord. You alone are worthy to receive our honor and worship for eternity. We exalt your powerful name above all other powers on the earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 5/14/2020

NEW UNY Summer Camp 2020 has been suspended The current context of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a very challenging decision for the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries (UNY CRM) lead team. After consultation with the Upper New York Committee on Camp & Retreat Ministries and after several meetings with experts in the medical and camping fields, the UNY CRM lead team has decided to suspend all UNY-hosted summer programs at each of the CRM sites: Aldersgate , Asbury , Casowasco , Sky Lake , and Skye Farm While this is disappointing news for campers, parents, volunteers, and staff (including the lead team), safety is our top priority. 5/14/2020

Adirondack District Lay Servant Ministry Team Adirondack lay servant team would like to share that they are offering several ZOOM courses, and they are open to anyone . Click here for their brochure.

UPDATED Peace with Justice Sunday is June 7 UMC Giving has assembled a collection of resources that you can download to promote this Special Sunday to your congregation on Sunday, June 7, 2020. This kit has everything you need to empower your congregation to give generously. You can post some of these resources on all your social media outlets. There are also downloadable materials and videos you can use on your church website. In 2019, you gave $433,437 towards the ministries funded by the Peace with Justice Sunday offering. This offering supports Peace with Justice ministries in your annual conference through annual grants and is administered by your Conference  Peace with Justice coordinator  via the  General Board of Church and Society . These gifts support Peace with Justice work in the United States and around the world.  Remember you can celebrate this Sunday and any Special Sunday on a day of your choosing. Click here to see all the promotional resources available for you to use. 5/14/2020

Relief Efforts for Local Churches Relief efforts from Wespath and the CBOPHB during the COVID‐19 Crisis Click here for the update

Online Gestalt Pastoral Care Presentation May 15th, 2-5 pm   Dear Friends of UNYAC and DHM, I am pleased to announce we have a date for the GPC presentation and hope you will consider joining us on May 15th from 2-5 pm via zoom. I will be joined by Rev. Tilda Norberg, who is the founder of Gestalt Pastoral Care and David Janvier who is a GPC minister and Licensed Counselor to introduce you to the healing practice of Gestalt Pastoral Care. You may contact me via email or phone to register and will receive the zoom link the day before the event. Please include your area of ministry and your geographical location. May God Bless you with good health, wisdom and peace, Deaconess Susan Silhan RN, GPC Minister, CYT susan.silhan@gestaltpastoralcare.org  Selah Yoga Healing and Wholeness 607-703-0010 View Selah's Calendar Here Visit Selah's Website Here

COS Satellite School Registration for 2020-2021 Sessions All of us at Wesley and the UNY conference pray that you are well and your congregations are healthy. We are hoping to hold courses in person in the fall, but those decisions have not yet been made. Everyone, faculty and students, should be prepared to hold courses on-line should the stay at home orders and social distancing requirements remain in effect.     If you have any questions about this, please contact Sara Sheppard at ssheppard@wesleyseminary.edu   Please check Blackboard close to the start of your class for instruction information.     Thank you!   Sara ******************************************* Click here for the registration form Please remember your DS needs to sign; then the UNY COS registrar ( candidacy@unyumc.org) needs to sign BEFORE it gets forwarded on to the school. The registration form can also be found on the conference website - under Ministries in the toolbar - under Board of Ordained Ministry - right hand side of screen - COS satellite school

New version of I-9 for all new hires at church A new version of the I-9 employment eligibility verification form is available and is mandatory for use effective May 1, 2020. The new form is available  here .  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes a paper I-9 Form and an electronic, fillable I-9 Form. The new version of the paper form has no changes from the prior version. The form is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All U.S. employers must properly complete the Form I-9 for each person they hire for employment in the U.S., including both citizens and noncitizens. New hires and employers, or their authorized representatives, must complete the form. Employers must retain the completed forms for a designated period and make them available for inspection when called to do so. Click here to learn about I-9 changes on the electronic form and documents new hires must present to establish identity and employment authorization.

Administrative Assistant Position Available June 1 st , 2020 Administrative Assistant Position Available June 1 st, 2020 United Church of Painted Post A Methodist – Presbyterian Federation We need an Administrative Assistant starting June 1st, 2020. Part-time 16 hours per week: 4 days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Position includes paid holidays and vacation. Must be computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel. There will be a paid 1-month overlap with current Admin, Asst. to provide training. Applicants may leave a message on the church office phone 607-936-6313 and/or send a letter or resume to the United Church of Painted Post, 201 North Hamilton Street, Painted Post NY 14870

Upper Room Daily Devotional During this time of anxiety and isolation The Upper Room wants to make it as easy as possible for people to find resources to support spiritual health. We are providing the May/June 2020 issue of The Upper Room magazine, both in English and Spanish, for download at no cost. In addition, four short prayer resources that address specific needs are also available below. Please download and share as you wish. Peace be with you. Prayers for Comfort Prayers for Courage Prayers for Hope Pocket Prayers for Times of Illness

Mission U Events The face-to-face Mission U events for 2020 have been cancelled. Mission U planners are sad that the current COVID-19 situation has affected so many. Since months of planning go into the Mission U events, the National Office of United Methodist Women has canceled the preparation, training, and future gatherings for 2020. For Upper New York Conference, this cancels the two Mission U events - one in July in Genesee Valley and one in September at Silver Bay . United Methodist Women are hopeful that there may be a video component or online study made available in the future. The UNY Communications team will keep you updated.

AC Information You Can Use! The 2020 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference has been postponed until October 3. Refunds for those of you who registered the the May 28-30 Annual Conference are in process. The Upper New York Conference Finance Team has set a goal to try and have all refunds processed by the end of April. This is a work in progress, so your patience is appreciated! A separate registration form for the October 3 Annual Conference will be available at a later date. On October 3, 2020, there will be a one-day session to allow the necessary business of the Annual Conference, as outlined in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, to be cared for. In addition, the 2020 Clergy session will be held in the afternoon of Friday, October 2, 2020, followed by the Service of Commissioning and Ordination that evening

Chuck Knows Church: Things We Can Do Chuck Knows Church is back! He's teaming up with #SeeAllThePeople to share a few simple ideas that your church can do to help your community during this time of crisis.   During these uncertain times, we may feel isolated from one another and experiencing a sense of aloneness, but we can still provide community in Christ and fellowship in the spirit. Click here to see Chuck Knows Church

Connect with the "unplugged" During the COVID-19 crisis, social distancing is crucial to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. While internet adoption and the growth of smartphone usage over the past five years have made digital access almost ubiquitous, offline communication still helps amplify your church communication efforts. Click here to read more and to see several way to help you to connect with the unplugged.