AROUND THE CORNER
Information for and about our District
August 12, 2021
Grace and peace in the name of Jesus Christ!

Please know that Suzanne is on vacation! She will return Aug. 15th. If you need anything, please call the office 716-665-2423 and leave a message
and your message will be made into an audio file and emailed to the District Administrative Assistant Patti Gridley's computer, who will then contact you. So, please make sure you leave a message.

If you have an emergency that needs immediate attention outside of the office hours, please contact Rev. Susan Hadley 716-680-3269.
Around the Corner will be published/distributed
every other week. Next Issue Aug.26th
NEW
2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms Are Now Available

2022 Clergy Compensation Report Form

Each year churches are asked to complete the UNY Clergy Compensation Report for their Pastor/lay pastor. This report is:
 
  • Completed by the local church's Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee and then sent to;
  • The Finance Team for approval;
  • Then the Church Council approves Pastor's Compensation;
  • Finally the Annual Church Conference will give the approval for Pastor's Compensation, which begins on Jan. 1, 2022.
 
Even if there is no change in the amount from 2021, a 2022 Report must be completed. The SPRCs should be scheduling a meeting by the end of August or first week in Sept. for this work to begin. The Finance Team and Church Council should plan to act on this Compensation no later than September or beginning of October. The Annual Church Conference is not the place for continued discussion and questions on the Pastor's Compensation. Please contact the Superintendent well in advance of the Church Conference if SPRC, finance team or church council have difficulty completing this work.

The S/PPRC chairpersons and church treasurers for whom churches have provided email contacts should have received the information below. There have been no paper packets mailed for some time now. Pastors, please ensure this work is taking place. If the SPRC chair did not receive this email, they should contact the District Office to verify their email address on file and restore communication.


Click here if you need any of the above information
NEW ATTENTION ALL LOCAL PASTORS ATTENDING COURSES AT
WESLEY SEMINARY

Course of Study is getting ready to start back up!!!!!
The Fall Classes registration due date is Sept. 1st.
PLEASE do not wait to the last minute to sign up for your classes.

When you fill out your registration form please make sure you have done the following:
  • You need to include your PID from GBHEM
  • You need to include your WTS Student ID as well
  • You need to make sure you check ONE course box per term. (just a side note: you can sign up for ALL 3 terms now and be set for the year!)
  • Send NO money at this time for Wesley Seminary. (you will receive a bill)
  • You need to make sure you sign it
  • You need make sure to get it to the District Office to get the DS's signature
  • The District Admin. will send your registration on to the Conference Registrar for her to sign and get it to school that you are registering for.

Remember that you are to take 2 courses per year

Courses through the winter session of 2022 will remain fully on-line. We *may* return to some in person courses in the spring session. Please check the Blackboard site for instructions after the first of the year. All weekend courses can be registered for using a single form found below. Syllabi will be posted to the Wesley Theological Seminary website at: 

Click here for the registration form
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord send your spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us pow'r, send us grace.
-- Ken Medema
Here are the Pastors and their churches to keep in your prayers for the month of August.

Allentown & Bolivar UMCs. Pastor Elva Cornell, her husband Darrin and their family.
KonXions UMC. Rev. Stephen R. Crowell, Sr., his wife Kristan and their family.
Short Tract & Swain UMCs. Rev. Marian Luce, her husband and their family.
Northern KonXions & Wellsville:First UMCs. Pastor Craig Buelow, his wife Diane and their family.
Caneadea UMC. Harrison Putnam, his wife Brigette and their family

The 2021-2022 District Prayer Calendar begins July 25. To view or download, click here.
NEW
The following information was updated and shared with the Upper New York Conference on August 10, 2021.

The CDC has recently issued revised guidelines for in person gatherings due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. These revised guidelines include the recommendation that vaccinated and unvaccinated persons in areas with high infection rates wear masks when gathering indoors. Because this recommendation would apply to worship and other church gatherings, churches are advised to consult their county listing on the CDC webpage. This can be found here: 
NEW
Announcement:
Tell us about your mentor

The next issue of the Advocate will explore the gift of mentors in ministry. We are looking for your personal story of growth through mentorship in lay or clergy ministry. Was there a coach that helped you take your ministry to the next level? Was there someone who came before you and made your ministry path possible? Formal or informal, we are looking for a variety of different stories that show the power of mentorship regardless of form. Please send a paragraph about your mentor to Shannon Hodson at shannonhodson@unyumc.org
by Friday August 20.
 
Shannon will follow up with all submissions and provide article-length requirements and a September deadline date for feature articles.
NEW
UNY
CONAM
We need your voice
As Charge Conference time returns we wish to remind you to appoint a
local church representative to Native American Ministries. Designating an
individual to be mindful of native needs, share information with your
church, and celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS) is vital to
help us serve native peoples in our Conference and beyond. As a
representative you receive links to timely issues, action items, and
resources for celebrating NAMS.
It has been a particularly challenging time for our Native American
brothers and sisters. Heartbreaking losses due to the pandemic and the
revelation of countless graves in boarding schools has caused much
sadness. The legacy of boarding schools continues to traumatize many.
The road to Repentance and healing is a long one. You continue to walk
the road with us when you designate a local church representative at
Charge Conference. This individual becomes an important point of
contact for CONAM and our native brothers and sisters with whom we
walk.
Sharon Schmit, Chair
UNY Committee on Native American Ministries
The Upper New York Conference
Weekly Digest
To subscribe the Weekly Digest, click here.
NEW
Pre-retirement seminar scheduled for Oct. 1

There will be an in-person pre-retirement seminar held in October to highlight and explain the benefits available through The United Methodist Church to retiring clergy. This seminar 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.
 
Online registration is required, as we will provide clergy-specific retirement projections, and also schedule personal consultations.
 
The seminar will be held at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool on Friday, Oct. 1 from 9:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. Click here for more information and to register. The deadline to register is Sept. 17.
New
Transforming Church Conflict and Creating Space
for Authentic Community Retreat
 
A 2-Retreat Series on Transforming Conflict for United Methodist Clergy and Servant Leaders of the Upper New York Conference to be held at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center.

Session One-Oct. 6&7, 2021 (W/Th)
Session Two-Oct. 27 & 28, (W/Th)
Both sessions begin w/ lunch at 12:15 (W) & end at 5pm (Th).
 
This retreat series explores the theory and practice of effective conflict engagement, including the skills and strategies that work to create space for conflict's transformation in three different contexts:
1. Self-Managed Conflict - When we are the ones in conflict.
2. The Mediator - When we serve as a neutral third party.
3. The Facilitator - When we convene a heated church meeting.
 
Tuition: $375. Casowasco Meals & Lodging: $224. Total Cost: $599. Maximum # of participants is 20. Registration deadline is September 24. To Register Click here. For more information visit www.mcneillmediation.com. 
New
Revised Covid Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued revised guidelines for indoor gatherings due to the rising number of coronavirus cases as a result of the Delta variant. The CDC is recommending masks be worn indoors by all individuals regardless of vaccination status in areas of high concentration. Click here to read the UNY Church COVID guidelines and to determine your county’s level of transmission.  
New Teaching Series!
How to Have a Courageous Conversation: Racism
Understanding the Connection of Anti-Racism to Discipleship
Introducing an insightful new series building off the successful components of the original Courageous Conversations course.
A 3-session teaching series that dives deeper into themes around discipleship, the evils of racism, community engagement, and so much more!

Our hope is that these three sessions will encourage and equip church leaders to feel more confident about understanding the need for such a conversation and to glimpse potential outcomes for the local church.

Anti-Racism Resources from United Methodist General Agencies
Discipleship Ministries continues to have a commitment to anti-racism. Explore a collection of articles and videos that can support and assist local congregations in learning about issues of race, in working for justice, and in offering paths towards unity amid diversity.

Our hope is that these tools will help highlight individual growth areas and blind spots as well as shine a light on larger societal systemic issues.
Cornerstone District Office mailing address
(As of July 1,2021):

PO Box 687
Bath, NY, 14810
Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM Training
 
The Upper New York Annual Conference Team will host a standard Basic Safe Sanctuaries training via ZOOM from 9 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday, August 21 OR September 25.  
 
More information: click here
  
If there are any questions please contact one of the co-chairs of the committee at safesanctuaries@unyumc.org  
  
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.  

Aug. 21st Registration-click here
Sept. 25th Registration-click here
Dismantling Racism resource: Crossroads Mosaix cohort

The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The UNY Conference Communications team will regularly share worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
 
This week we feature a story about the Crossroad Mosaix cohort. The goal of Mosaix Global Network is to help church leaders to develop multiethnic and economically diverse churches, churches of unity patterned after the New Testament church at Antioch, a church for all people.
 
Click here to read what pastors across the Crossroads District learned and applied through what they learned in the cohort. 
Mountain View District
Lay Servant Retreat Day
An all day, in-person retreat for UNY lay servants - and anyone who may be interested in knowing more about Lay Servant Ministry - will be held Saturday, August 21, at Avoca United Methodist Church, 8593 Jacob's Ladder Rd. in Avoca.

Scheduled from 9 am to 5 pm, the retreat will include time for worship and fellowship as well as opportunities for learning. Click here for a flyer with full details.

Advance registration is $15 (including lunch) and is due by August 1. Onsite registration will be accepted for a fee of $20. Click here for the online registration form or email Larry Crandell for more information.
LSM Classes Open to All
Please note the class facilitator and/or contact person and contact him/her with any questions.

Basic Lay Servant Course
The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church.
July 11, 18, 25 & August 1 & 8, 6-9 pm
Class held via Zoom
To register, contact Dave Pritchard pdavepreacher@gmail.com

Polity
Aug. 17, 24 & 31 6-9 pm and August 28, 9-1pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $15  
Click here for the registration brochure.

To register or for more information on any of the LSM classes listed above, please contact Arlene Schmidt at adschmidt@nycap.rr.com.

Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution
August 21 & 28, 8 am-1 pm
Class in-person, Watertown: Asbury UMC parlor,
200 Parker Street/327 Franklin Street
Watertown, NY 13601
Every church deals with conflict, both healthy and unhealthy, and this course equips and empowers lay servants to help lead through those times of conflict as a time of transformation.

A meal will not be served during the class, we will however, take a break around 11:30 AM. 
 
For additional information about the class, please contact the facilitator at 315-771-9142 or leonvanwie@gmail.com.

Imagine No Racism
September 8, 15, 22 & 29 and October 6 & 13 6:30-8 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $10
Facilitator: Thaddeus Pinckney thaddeusp1@yahoo.com

Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution
September 11 & 18
9 am – 12 pm and 1-3 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $10
Facilitator: Pastor Danyal Mohammadzadeh – pastordanyal@livinghopeumc.org

Weekend Retreat: Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders
October 15, 5 pm through October 17, 12 pm
Class held in person
Retreat fee, $65 (includes Friday dinner and Saturday lunch and dinner)
Hotel accommodations, $75 + taxes/night
Contact: Nancy Goddard – bngoddard@davespc.net
2021 Campaign for
Red Bird
It's not too early to begin planning for your congregation's response to the annual Upper New York Conference collection drive for Red Bird Mission. Please share the
attached letter from David Alexander, Coordinator and member of Endwell UMC.

Ripley UMC has graciously agreed to serve as a collection point for our District again this year. If your church is willing to serve as an additional collection point please email David, Dalexander4@stny.rr.com
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
The Latest issue of the Bridge is now available for download. It is available in both color and black & white formats. Click here to select the version you prefer and make copies as necessary.
Items from Celoron UMC Available
The congregation of Celoron United Methodist Church will be celebrating their final worship this Sunday, June 27. They are looking for a "good home" for the church's contents: pulpit furniture, worship supplies, office furniture, kitchen items, etc.

Click here for a compete inventory of available items. If you/your church/any other church is interested, please contact Chris Fandt, Celoron Trustee Chair, 716-488-1722.
NY Hero Act and how it pertains to New York State employers

On May 5, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act) into law. The law mandates extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for ALL New York State employers. The purpose of the NY HERO Act is to protect employees against exposure and disease during a future airborne infectious disease outbreak.
 
Under this new law, the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL), in consultation with the NYS Department of Health, has developed a new Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard, a Model Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan, and various industry-specific model plans for the prevention of airborne
infectious disease. Employers can choose to adopt the applicable policy template/plan provided by NYS DOL or establish an alternative plan that meets or exceeds the standard’s minimum requirements.
 
By Aug. 5, 2021, employers are required adopt a model prevention plan and conduct a “verbal review” of the policy, employee rights and the overall prevention plan.
 
By Sept. 4, 2021, employers must provide copy of the adopted plan to all employees in their primary language within 30 days of adoption, or by Sept. 4, 2021.
 
Click here for more information including the details of this law and templates you can use.
CORNERSTONE DISTRICT [cornerstonedistrict.com]