Words From DS Sherri Rood |
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Dear Friends,
Today begins the first day of Annual Conference. Annual Conference is an opportunity for clergy and laity to gather for worship, conversation, and care for the business of the annual conference. Each church or charge is represented by their pastor and a lay member to annual conference. Each year I look forward to seeing old friends and worshipping together. Sadly, COVID levels have required us to meet virtually this year. However, there is a blessing: virtual AC allows many more people to “attend” by watching the live stream on the Upper New York Conference website, UNYUMC.org. I hope you will take time to tune in, especially for the Memorial Service on Friday, October 7th at 7:30 pm and the Ordination Service on Saturday, October 8th at 3 pm.
Too often we think of the Conference as “those people in Syracuse.” The truth is, WE are the Upper New York Conference – each member of each church is a part of the conference!
As 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 states, “There is one body, but it has many parts. But all the many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part, it has many parts.”
As the Upper New York Conference, all the many parts make up one body. We have many parts, but no one part is alone – we help, we support, we care, we pray with and for one another as the Body of Christ.
I pray that as we listen for God’s leading, we will step forward in faith as the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Please pray for all of us – I’m praying for you!
Grace and peace,
Sherri
10/6/22
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From the Desk of Reverend Michael J Kelly,
Mountain View District Associate
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Blessings Friends,
I just completed a whirlwind training for Law Enforcement Chaplaincy. While I was considering taking it, a few of my closest people came to me advising me that I just simply didn’t have time for such a venture. But friends I am convinced that God called me to this ministry years ago and that He planned this training for me and others like me. If you believe that you are called to a particular ministry, and you are truly called, Scripture tells us that He will equip you for such a ministry. Hebrews 13:21NIV says this, “21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen,” and in fact right from the very beginning we are made for His works as made clear in Ephesians 2:10 NRSV 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them. So I had no fear, or reservation, that in fact that is what God wanted from me, and then everything just fell in place.
So friends, “What is your call?” Here’s what Ephesians 4:11-16 NRSV tells us, “11 He himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.”
This Scripture challenges us to answer our call and it tells us that we are all created with the same purpose, “to build up the body of Christ in LOVE.” However, with that being said, we have different and unique opportunities that God has called us to. The 16th of this month is Laity Sunday, where we have a chance to celebrate our laity and their ministries, the month of October is also Pastor Appreciation month, remember every pastor started out as a lay member, who was called to a unique ministry. Maybe that is something you thought about, I never did, but look at me now, call me, let’s talk. For that matter, I pray that all of you be in a time discernment, that you seek the Lord in prayer, for Him to touch you and call you to a ministry that He has chosen just for you. And remember, don’t be afraid, don’t say I don’t know how to get started, I don’t believe that I could ever do such a thing, because when you are doing that, aren’t you saying that you don’t trust God. He doesn’t make mistakes! Remember the earlier Scripture, and know that God will equip you with resources and people to help you along the way. All you have to do is follow the words from the old hymn, “Here I Am Lord.”
Be Blessed
Mike
10/6222
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INFORMATION ON HOW TO CONTACT US |
District Office contact Patti at:
607-962-8047
District Superintendent contact Rev. Sherri Rood
315-898-2077
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UPDATED: IMPORTANT INFORMATION |
The Conference Website is now up and running again!!! The Charge Conference forms are all available NOW. click here for access to them.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you have downloaded a 2022-2023 Comp Sheet prior to receiving this note....DO NOT USE THAT FORM!!!! The correct compensation forms are NOW available.
9.22.2022
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Do You Have An Events For The Newsletter?
If your church is hosting events, dinners, VBS and you would like it put in the 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) Send your information to:
9.22.2022
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Pastor Appreciation Month |
Don't forget your Pastor! October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Do something special for them. Covid has been tough everyone. But.... it has been a little tougher on Pastors as they have had to learn how to do church differently. Be Kind, Be Graceful, Show them that you appreciate them.
10.6.22
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NEW Pancake Breakfast - Avoca UMC |
WHEN: Sun., Oct. 9, 2022
WHERE: Avoca UMC
8593 Jacob's Ladder Rd.
Avoca, NY 14809
TIME: 8-10 am
COST: Free Will Offering
MENU: Buffet Serving: Buttermilk Pancakes, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, Applesauce, Juice, Coffee, Tea
10/3/22
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NEW Drive-Thru Pulled Pork Dinner - Avoca UMC |
WHEN: Sat., Oct. 15, 2022
WHERE: Avoca UMC
8593 Jacob's Ladder Rd.
Avoca, NY 14809
TIME: 3-5 pm
COST: $10.00
MENU: Pulled Pork, Roll, Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce (on the side), Coleslaw, Beans, & Dessert
Pre-sale tickets available: 607-566-4045. Tickets will also be available the day of the dinner until gone.
All proceeds will go to the Heifer International “Water for Life” Project
10/3/22
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Soul Escape-Weekend Retreat |
WHEN: Fri.- Sun., Oct. 14 & 16, 2022
WHERE: Sky Lake Center
Windsor, NY
COST: $185
Come away from all your obligations and embrace nature’s pace. We’ll offer a few optional activities with spaces for solitude and connection. Reserve your spot by Oct 6!
For Ages 21+
9/15/22
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Jeff Steinberg Team Concert/Ministry |
WHEN: Fri.., Oct. 21, 2022
WHERE: Horseheads UMC
1034 W. Broad Street.
Horseheads, NY 14845
TIME: 7pm
10.6.22
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A Chance to "Catch Your Breath"
A Two Night Zoom Retreat
ALL Lay & Clergy Women Welcome!
WHEN: Fri. & Sat., Oct. 21 & 22, 2022
WHERE: Zoom
TIME: 6:30pm-9pm Both Nights
COST: $12
VENUE: Keynote Speaker: Bishop Susan Hassinger
-Heather Williams-Carmen Vianese-Nancy Dibelius
HOSTED BY: UNY COSROW-Commission On the Status & Role of Women
9.22.22
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Rev. John R Tyson, Ph.D. Offering a Teaching Event |
Rev. John R Tyson will be hosting "Teaching Event" on Methodist history and theology over at Webster UMC, Oct. 21-23, 2022. The focus will be upon a socio-economic analysis of the beginnings of Methodism as a lens for making sense of the relevance of it today. These lectures will reflect (to some degree) the course of interpretation he has taken in his recent book Born in Crisis (the relevant history of Methodism). Tickets can be purchased at www.umcwebster.org, click on the Resources tab. Click here for brochure
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Mountain View District Lay Servant Fall-Winter Classes |
Courses Being Offered Are:
- Ministry With the Forgotten
- Teaching Biblical Faith
- Basic Lay Servant
WHEN: Friday, November 4th 4 -8 pm
Saturday, Nov. 5th, 9 am - 4 pm
WHERE: Horseheads UMC
1034 W. Broad Street, Horseheads, NY 14845
9.8.22
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Genesee Valley District Fall Training Retreat |
Courses being offered are:
- The Basic Lay Servant Course
ADVANCED COURSES:
- United Methodist Heritage
- Biblical Storytelling
- Imagine No Racism
WHEN: November 4-6, 2022
(ten hours are required for course credit. That will include attendance & participation in Sunday Worship.)
WHERE: Asbury Camp & Retreat Center
16 Lakeside Avenue
Silver Lake, NY 14549
Office # 585-237-5262
Click here for more lay servant ministry information
10.6.22
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Pre-Retirement Workshop Scheduled |
There will be an in-person pre-retirement workshop to highlight and explain the benefits available through The United Methodist Church to retiring clergy.
Please be aware that this workshop may be moved to an online format if COVID positivity rates warrant such a change.
The workshop is scheduled for Friday, November 11th from
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is intended to assist persons in their later years of ministry understand the current pension plan, health insurance options, Social Security, and moving assistance available. You can schedule a private consultation with a benefits educator on the registration page.
Online registration is required in order to attend by October 28, 2022.
9/22/22
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Save the Date for Bishop Webb’s Farewell Gathering |
You Are Invited to Attend
WHEN: Sat., Nov. 19th, 2022
WHERE: UNY Conference Center
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY
TIME: 1-4pm
Join others throughout the Conference to celebrate Bishop Webb’s 10 years of ministry as Bishop of the UNY Conference. More details will be released once they become available.
9.8.22
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Livestream Annual Conference Today Through Saturday |
The livestream is available October 6-8.
Click here to connect to the UNY Annual Conference.
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The Commission of Archives & History's Responsibility
is to Keep the History of the Conference
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As churches close, their records come to the Conference Archives for safe keeping and reference. With churches closing each year and disaffiliation's looming, we are running out of space.
Our existing rooms at the Conference Center are almost full already. Just since January we have received records from about 20 churches. They are filling the aisles as we go through them to discard the items we will not keep. For example, one church sent us 30 boxes of materials. After sorting through we kept 3 regular archival boxes and one small box. Most of the rest was recycled, trashed, or kindly taken to the local historical society by a CAH member who lived nearby.
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How You Can Help Those Affected by Hurricane Ian |
United Methodists plan to lead the way to recovery after Hurricane Ian unleashed substantial damage in Florida and South Carolina. At this time, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has asked for prayers, monetary donations to UMCOR, and for congregations to continue assembling supply kits.
There are so many ways to help!
Click here for monetary donations to go directly to UMCOR.
Click here to access kit supply lists and instructions.
You can also bring the kits and/or appropriate supplies directly to the Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB in Liverpool—contact the UNY Director of Missional Engagement, Kristina Clark (kristinaclark@unyumc.org), to coordinate a drop-off date and time.
Congregations can also buy supplies for the kits off the UNY Mission Central HUB Amazon wish lists and have them shipped directly to the HUB. If purchasing from another website, congregations or groups can ship the supplies directly to the HUB by setting the mailing address to Mission Central HUB 7481 Henry Clay Blvd, Liverpool NY 13088.
Click here for the UNY HUB hygiene kit Amazon wish list.
Click here for the UNY HUB menstrual hygiene Amazon wish list.
Click here for the UNY HUB cleaning bucket Amazon wish list.
Monetary donations to the UNY Mission Central HUB can be given by clicking here.
Please continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Ian.
10.6.22
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Previous Information Shared |
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Equitable Compensation Applications Available Now |
The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period January to June 2023. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full time appointment.
To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the directions provided. Completed applications should be submitted to your District Superintendent by the October 14, 2022 deadline.
Please read through the application thoroughly and provide all required documentation. Lack of required information could result in the denial of your application.
Click here for more information.
9/22/22
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Opportunities to disaffiliate
from the Upper New York Conference
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During the upcoming session of the Upper New York Annual Conference (October 6-8), the Conference will receive its first requests from local churches to disaffiliate from the Conference under ¶2553 of the Book of Discipline. To be eligible to disaffiliate, a church must deposit with the Conference treasurer, all fees stipulated in the disaffiliation agreement at least one week prior to the start of Annual Conference. A complete listing of churches who have met this requirement will be posted on the Conference website on Oct 3.
During Annual Conference, members will be asked to ratify each disaffiliation request by a simple majority of members present and voting. This will be a simple up or down vote with no provision for amendment (see Judicial Council Decision 1379 and ¶ 2529.1_b_ (3)).
In addition to this year’s Annual Conference, there will be three other opportunities for local churches to request disaffiliation. These include next year’s regularly scheduled Annual Conference session in June as well as two special sessions – March 25, 2023, and Oct. 14, 2023.
Click here to learn more and to find needed forms for disaffiliation.
9.22.22
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Upcoming communication schedule |
Please note that the Upper New York (UNY) Conference communication schedule for the month of October will have the following changes due to Annual Conference:
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There will be no Weekly Digest the week of Oct. 2-8 and the week of Oct. 9-15.
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There will only be one publication of the Bridge and that will be published the week prior to the third Sunday of October.
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There will be up-to-date news coverage of the Oct. 6-8 virtual UNY Annual Conference on the Conference website
9.22.22
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Laity Sunday is observed each year on the third Sunday in October — Oct. 16 this year. The United Methodist Church celebrates the ministry and witness of laypersons everywhere through a special service. The Greater New Jersey Conference's Breakthrough Worship ministry is offering a Laity Sunday sermon series, complete with worship and preaching suggestions as well as graphics for social media. The theme is Rise up and Testify to God’s Grace.
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Equitable Compensation Application for Jan.-June 2023 Available |
The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period Jan. to June 2023. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full-time appointment.
To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the directions provided. Completed applications should be submitted to your District Superintendent by the Oct. 14, 2022 deadline.
Click here for more information and the application.
9.8.22
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Step by Step Process for Developing
an Intentional Discipleship Plan
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The Northern Flow District has created training resources for congregations and persons to walk through a “step-by-step” process for developing an Intentional Discipleship Plan.
Click here for steps 1 and 2 of the training; follow the guidance of the video trainers, use the provided PowerPoints and the resources (links) to enable your church and team to develop and implement your congregation’s Intentional Discipleship Plan.
Additional training steps will be provided over time. Imagine what God will do as more and more churches develop their process for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World!
10/6/22
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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month at your church |
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
During National Hispanic Heritage Month—and throughout the year—The United Methodist Church is called to incorporate and listen to Hispanic voices and speak out in support of them to be heard. The church must structure itself in such a way that it is able to include Hispanics/Latinos at the table, dialogue with them and include them in the mainstream of church life. United Methodists also must be in solidarity with them as they struggle to have a voice in the public forum.
Click here for resources to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month in your church.
9.8.22
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We are in the planning stages for this years collection of shoeboxes and other items for the Red Bird Mission. We are looking for drop off sites in the various districts where various Churches could drop off their shoeboxes and or other items that are going to the Red Bird Mission. We are looking for sites from October 16 thru November 16. The trip is planned for November 28 with the packing of the trucks on Saturday, November 26.
The need for shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene supplies, backpacks, new blankets and sheet sets and diapers are in great need this year. The need for used clothing is not a critical need at this time as their warehouse is full. We will still take new cloths as they can be used at the Community Outreach Center for distribution. If there are Churches that can be drop off sites, please send an email to Dalexander4@stny.rr.com , so a list can be made available in our future emails.
Your help in this project is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, I can be reached by email or you can call 607-743-8955. Thank you for helping us start the process of getting things ready to take to the Red Bird Mission.
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2022 UNY Journal Vol. I available for download or purchase |
The 2022 Upper New York Conference Journal, Vol. I is now available for download as a free PDF and for purchase through online publisher Lulu.com. This comprehensive book provides all the details of Annual Conference for the year of 2022.
Click here for options to either view an online version or download a copy from Issuu or to purchase it for $5.06 (plus shipping and applicable sales tax) from Lulu.com.
9/22/22
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Disaffiliation Information-From Wespath
Understanding Pension Liabilities-For Local Churches Considering Disaffiliation
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Watch this video for easy-to-understand answers to complex questions related to pension plan funding and the withdrawal liability payment required for local churches that disaffiliate from the UMC.
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Download the #BeUMC Discussion Guide |
Did you know that the United Methodist Church has a free, downloadable 45-page discussion guide tied to the #BeUMC campaign? This is a great resource for your Sunday School class, Bible study, or small group to reflect on what it means to #BeUMC.
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MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT OFFICE |
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35 Wilkes Ave. (Physical location)
PO Box 706 (Mailing Address)
Bath, NY 14810
607-962-8047
Mon.-Thurs.
In Person by APPOINTMENT ONLY
District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood
District Associate: Pastor Mike Kelly
District Lay Leader: Ann Welch Wood
District Administrative Assistant: Patti Gridley
If the office is closed and you have an emergency please call 315-898-2077 and leave a message or email Sherri at sherrirood@unyumc.org
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