Mohawk District E-newsletter for Churches and Pastors
September 30, 2020
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For I am about to do something new ...
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)
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All Are Welcome to
View Annual Conference
Live stream/Ordination
Oct. 3, beginning at 9:30 a.m., the UNY Annual Conference session takes place via secured livestream for eligible voting members (a different link will be sent to these members. They use the email and password created at registration to login).
Use the button below to access the livestreams of the ordination service (7 p.m., Oct. 2) and the public livestream (for members who are non-eligible to vote) of Annual Conference.
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District E-newsletters
To catch up on the latest,
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are conveniently archived
on the Conference website at:
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District Prayer Focus
Week of October 4
Constantia UMC
and
West Monroe UMC
and
Rev. David Carnie
Special prayers for the
new ordinands being ordained Friday and the Annual Conference session Saturday.
the 2020-21 Prayer Calendar
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Attention All Laity and Clergy:
District Day Registration Is Here For You!
Your Superintendent and Leadership Team are providing fellowship, worship and resources through a District Day like no other. Come take advantage of this time together while in the comfort of your own living room from 9 a.m. to Noon, Oct. 17, using the digital format of Zoom. You will need a device with a camera, such as smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer with a webcam to participate. Please download the Zoom app if you haven't used it yet. Or, you may use the non-video option and join by phone with audio only if your technology doesn't have a camera.
Two timely break out sessions from which to choose:
Small groups for faith development in COVID times - with Rev. Dan Finch
How to form small groups and keep them going as connecting with others may be more difficult but is more important that ever for churches
Panel discussion on Relaunching/Reopening your church's ministry
What are some things churches need to know? What are some best practices others have discovered as they relaunch ministry in-person and virtually during the COVID crisis?
Register today and share the registration link with your churches. Deadline is October 14. Registered participants will receive a Zoom link. Please encourage registration and not just share the Zoom link as break out sessions are being assigned in advance with registration.
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Virtual District Day Schedule
Saturday, October 17th 9 a.m. - Noon
9 - 9:50 a.m.: Worship songs, prayers, message & greeting from Regional
Superintendent Abel Roy
10 - 11:30 a.m.: Breakout Presentations
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Small Group Ministry during COVID Times with Rev. Dan Finch
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Relaunching/Reopening Ministry Discussion Panel with Heather Brown, Pastor Wayne Clemens, Pastor Brad Chesebro, Mark Adsit
11:30 a.m. - Noon: Closing Q & A with Breakout Presenters
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Imagine No Racism
Are you moved to help dismantle racism? Have you already experienced the "Imagine No Racism" curriculum? The Conference Commission on Religion & Race (CCORR) is planning more opportunities to train people as INR Facilitators to lead new small groups. This one-day training will be on ZOOM. If interested, please let your District A.A. know and we will coordinate times that work for people.
If you have not experienced the six sessions of INR but are interested, please let your District A.A. know and we will find a small Zoom group for you.
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Tips for a Successful Virtual Annual Conference
+ Register on time, by September 25th. There is no late registration.
+ Know your login email and password you created during registration. Have the necessary technology to participate. Technical questions can be directed in advance to the Conference Director of Communications, Steve Hustedt, at stevehustedt@unyumc.org.
+ Non-eligible voting members can view the Annual Conference session via a public livestream that will be available on the Conference website. Click here.
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Excused Request for Clergy for Annual Conference
Any clergy member looking to be excused from Annual Conference Oct. 3 can submit a request by clicking here. Please fill this out if you are not able to attend and vote at Annual Conference Saturday.
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Each year, we celebrate World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday in October, which is Oct. 4 this year. For United Methodists and others, the observance focuses our attention on the universal and inclusive nature of the church. |
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Time for Boundaries Training - Pastors and Lay Pastors
(Note: Boundaries Training is not the same as required
New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training)
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Tips for a Successful Virtual
Charge Conference
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Since the members of the Council who attend will be spread apart,
it will be helpful if each individual has copies of the reports in front of them during the Charge Conference, either electronically or on paper. Consider printing/distributing or emailing packets of the reports to each person.
Remember:
Charge Conference Must Be Announced
AT LEAST 10 days in advance. Announce the time and date during worship, in the newsletter, in meetings, person-to-person.
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Region Offers Stewardship Training Series for Churches |
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Telling Your Stories Stewardship Workshop
How and When
October 20, 2020, 1:30 – 3 p.m. OR 7 – 8:30 p.m.
There are many ways to telling your story. The worst kind of story is an untold one. We all have stories of faith, generosity, mission, ministry, and history.
This workshop will talk about how you can share your stories. One way is using a narrative budget that tells the story of your congregation’s mission and service and how each part of your story and you budget ties your community of faith into its God-given vision. Narrative budgets, when done well, tell a story that inspires, interprets, encourages, challenges and informs.
Stories must speak to the listeners
· What lives have been changed?
· Where has God been involved in your congregation?
· What is it that God has called your congregation to do and to be?
Our stories must be told throughout the year. We will learn about ways to share our stories throughout the year!
Please join Rev. Susan Ranous, Director of Stewardship for the Upper New York Conference. She is an Ordained Deacon and a Certified Public Accountant. This workshop will discuss ways to tell the stewardship story of your congregation, including various styles of narrative budgets.
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Having Trouble Getting Those Charge Conference Reports?
Some of you are having a little difficulty with error messages on the website for charge conference reports. One work-around is to try a different web browser. Additionally please see this help section from the UNY Conference --click here. if you're still not able to get those reports, please contact the District Office to help with tech trouble shooting. We are available by phone or email Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or leave a message. If it is easier, the reports are downloaded for you below. Just click on the button for the report you need.
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Pastoral Conversations, Charge Conferences Go Virtual!
Some changes for 2020 fall meetings will include a virtual meeting space due to safety concerns surrounding COVID-19 and also shifting from Church Conferences as we have done lately to Charge Conferences. Plan that members of your Church Council or
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Ad Board will be in attendance and able to vote this year. The entire church membership is NOT invited or allowed to vote for a Charge Conference according to The Book of Discipline, see ¶ 246, 247, The Book of Discipline.
The Superintendent asks all churches to please prepare & practice so your Council is ready to participate via Zoom.
There will be information provided in advance for your charge conference members to participate safely from home with an internet connection plus tablet or computer with webcam or smartphone. If a Council member doesn't have these available, it is possible for the church to set up a meeting site in a socially-distant and safe way at church for those willing to go to church and meet virtually with the Superintendent or Elder conducting the Charge Conference. If none of these will work for you, then the Council member may join by phone with audio only as a last option.
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Here are the Pastoral Conversation Reports that were Previously Emailed to Pastors
The Superintendent asks that reports be typed/keyboarded, not hand-written,
because most of the hand-written reports are very difficult to read.
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Reminder: New York State requires annual training for sexual harassment prevention |
New York State employers must adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy and provide training on sexual harassment prevention to employees annually. |
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Each New York State employer is required to have a sexual harassment prevention policy in place. The employer’s sexual harassment prevention policy must be provided to the employee at the time of hire and during each annual training. The policy can be provided electronically as long as the employee is able to print the policy for their records.
It is recommended you obtain a signed acknowledgment from the employee affirming they have received and read the employer’s sexual harassment prevention policy.
There are various free or low-cost online sexual harassment prevention trainings available to your employees. Click here to learn more.
If you have questions on this topic, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at tracyrickett@unyumc.org or (315) 898-2017.
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NEW - Basic Lay Servant via Zoom Offered
The Basic Class takes place 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Oct. 19, 22, 26 & 29, 2020. Must attend all four sessions for credit. Cost: $15. To register, contact adschmidt@nycap.rr.com. Participants must purchase: Lay Servant Ministries: Basic by: Sandy Jackson with Brian Jackson. This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship.
Mohawk District is Offering In-Person Class
"Leading in Public Prayer" takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24, 2020, at Lowell UMC, 5840 Lowell Road, Lowell, NY 13490. Both sessions required. Social distancing will be in effect and face coverings that completely cover the entire nose and mouth must be worn at all times. If you cannot wear a mask, please see the virtual class listing offered below.
This is one of six required advance classes for those seeking the Certified Lay Speaker recognition. Registration cut-off date is October 12, 2020.
A completed registration form and course fee must be sent to the district office to receive proper credit for this course.
This class offering is open to all seeking instruction on formulating and leading public prayer in various situations (family gatherings, worship, meetings, etc.).
Each student must obtain their own textbook prior to the start of class. The text, "Let the Whole Church Say Amen," by Laurence Hull Stookey, can the purchased from Amazon.com for $17.39. Check used starting at $7.97.
Click here for a registration form. Send the completed form and course fee to the District Office to ensure proper credit for completion of the course.
Lay Servant Classes on Zoom - Open to All
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The final day to register for Annual Conference was Sept. 25. The 2020 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference is abbreviated and livestreamed Oct. 3. Registered voters receive a special link to participate. Those not voting can watch a livestream on the Conference website.
Tentative schedule:
Friday, Oct. 2: 7 p.m., Service of Commissioning and Ordination-invitation only
Saturday, Oct. 3: 9:30 a.m.
- Welcome & General Instructions
- Opening Devotional
- Organizational pieces
- Business
- Leadership Report
- Board of Pensions Report & Recommendations
- Equitable Compensation Report & Recommendations
- Board of Trustees Report & Recommendations
- Committee on Nominations Recommendations
- Council on Finance & Administration Recommendations
- Acknowledgement of Appointments
If you do not have internet, please contact Steve Hustedt, UNY Director of Communications, at 315-251-5572 or stevehustedt@unyumc.org.
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New Procedures for Visiting Mohawk District Office |
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The Mohawk District Office is open to visitors Wednesdays by appointment.
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Please call ahead & let us know your plans: 315-797-1777.
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Take your temperature before you leave home. If your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher or if you are feeling ill, please visit another day.
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Upon arrival, we will ask you health questions. If you would like a copy of the health questions in advance, contact the office.
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We will collect your name and phone number in case it is needed for contact tracing.
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Please wear a mask that completely covers your nose and mouth to enter the building and at all times during your visit. If you cannot wear a mask, perhaps we can help you outside the building. Please call to explore options.
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Use hand sanitizer upon entering.
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Maintain six feet or more of distance between people.
- The rest of the building is not open to District Office visitors.
Any questions about the required procedures, please communicate with us in advance of your visit.
The Mohawk District Office staff will be available
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
generally, via phone and email and limited in-person hours.
Call the District 315-797-1777, or
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Mohawk District Office
105 Genesee Street
New Hartford, NY 13413
315-797-1777
Office Hours:
Tues.,Thurs., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
In-Person Wed. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (please call ahead)
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