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THIS IS THE LAST NEWSLETTER OF 2022 |
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Immanuel: God with Us
My good friends The Rev. Jan Rowell and The Rev. Sheila Price share their nativity collections during Advent on Facebook. I’m always amazed at the different interpretations of the nativity. Each piece has cultural significance. Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish who the figures are, but it’s always clear who Jesus is – he’s the tiny baby, the center of attention. One day this week Jan wrote, “incarnation is when God comes to us in a way we can recognize.” Certainly, Mary and Joseph recognized how special Jesus is – they had it on direct authority from angels. The shepherds also knew that this baby was no ordinary child. I wonder though, if they all grasped the notion that this tiny new human was really God in the flesh, God, who loves us so much, God was willing to become one of us, a human being, to show us the way.
As we prepare for Christmas, I invite you to take a few moments to ponder the nativity. Maybe you have a favorite nativity scene in your home. Which person do you identify most with? What would it feel like to encounter an angel with good news? Please also take a moment to ask yourself, “How am I making Jesus the center of attention this Christmas season?” I’m praying you will notice God’s presence in a real and profound way this Christmas season. May the light and love of Jesus the Christ shine into your life this Christmas season and always!
I’m praying for you. Please pray for me!
Grace and peace,
Sherri
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Blessings Friends and Families of the Mountain View District,
As we come to the close of another year, we find ourselves in Advent, nearing that day when we celebrate together the birth of Jesus Christ. In our churches as pastors and laity it can be one of the most stressful times of year. Many are making special plans for Christmas Eve services, our choirs, and sometimes our youth are planning pageants. While in our personal lives we may be making travel plans, or perhaps preparations for family to visit you. You’re shopping for just the right gifts and planning for big meals that come with the season. I personally make check list after check list, and it seems pretty easy to be caught up in the stress of the holidays. But friends don’t forget how important it is to sit back, take a breath and reflect on this joyous season. I mean the “real” reason for the season, that love of God, that He sent His only begotten Son for you and me.
But as I reflect, I can’t help but feel drawn to the story of Mary. The young virgin that was chosen by God. I share with you all the Scripture from Luke 1:28-30 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And did she ever. The same God who chose Abraham to be the father of the Jewish nation, the same God who selected Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, and the same God who chose David to be the King of Israel had just selected Mary to be the one that would bring His Son into the world.
Can you imagine what Mary must have felt like? Mary could have refused. God would not have forced her, but Mary chose to go with God’s plan. God won’t come to you and ask you to bring His Son into the world, He’s already done that, but rest assured that He has plans for You too, for like Mary He has found favor in you. I never dreamed of pastoring a church or two, but God another plan, I never dreamed of being your District Associate, supporting this district, but God had another plan, and I don’t think He’s done yet. So in light all the busyness and stress that the season brings, find peace in this Scripture from Ephesians 1:18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you.
May you all continue to be blessed by His calling in this special season.
Mike
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Oakwood UMC
212 Oakwood Ave.
Elmira Heights, NY 14903
December 24th, 1pm
Rathbone UMC
6703 County Rte. 21
Addison, NY 14801
December 24th, 6pm
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Regional Meeting with Bishop
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
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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.
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2022 Ministry Shares
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.
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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.
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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.
Click here to learn more.
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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.
What this means is that the Upper New York (UNY) Conference delegates that were elected at the 2019 UNY Annual Conference for the originally slotted 2020 General Conference will be able to serve at the 2024 General Conference. There is no need for new elections.
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.
Click here to read more.
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Jan. 14 Gestalt Pastoral Care webinar and in-person event
Co-director of the Mountain View District Lay Servant Ministry and Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister, Deaconess Susan Sihan, RN, is offering a Zoom webinar on an Introduction to Gestalt Pastoral Care on Jan. 14 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. She is offering the same workshop in-person at Odessa UMC from 2- 4 p.m. on Jan. 14.
Gestalt Pastoral Care is a model of healing ministry that integrates our spiritual practices of prayer and meditation with awareness of our body to explore the root experiences causing physical and emotional dis-ease.
Click here to learn more about Gestalt Pastoral Care.
Call Susan at 607-703-0010 for registration and more information.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR From The Mountain View District Office | | | | |
