Notes From District Superintendent Sherri

A New Commandment

When I was a child, I never understood what people meant by “Monday-Thursday.” What is “Monday-Thursday?” How can it be Monday when I know it’s Thursday?  It’s funny what we hear sometimes. Of course, Thursday of Holy Week is called Maundy Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin word, maundatum which means commandment. It comes from John 13:34-35:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: 

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 

                  By this all people will know that you are my disciples,

        if you have love for one another.

Jesus doesn’t ask, he doesn’t suggest, he commands. “Love one another as I have loved you.” That night, in the upper room, Jesus showed his love for his disciples by washing their feet and sharing in a meal together – a meal that would become for us the sacrament of Holy Communion. Jesus demonstrated his love for all, even Judas, who would betray him. Later that night, Jesus would be arrested, and in the days ahead he would be beaten, spat upon, cursed, and forced to carry the very cross he would be crucified upon to Golgotha. The words of the hymn remind us, “What wondrous love is this? That caused the Lord of life to lay aside his crown, for my soul?” Such love is almost beyond comprehension, yet, this great agape, this pure, sacrificial, divine love of God for humanity is the same love Jesus commands us to share with one another.

Jesus didn’t just command us to love, he shows us the way. He embodied what it meant to love fully, unconditionally, and sacrificially. As I reflect on these verses this Holy Week, I wonder what our world, our nation, our communities, our denomination and our churches and families would look like if we followed Jesus’ command to love one another as Jesus loves us. May we confess the places where we have not loved and seek new ways to follow Jesus’ command as we move forward in faith from Golgotha to the tomb, to Resurrection Sunday.

I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.

Grace and peace,

Sherri

Note from District Lay Leader

Ann Welch Wood

God has always been a God of grace, but Easter highlights that trait. Easter points to the amazing grace of God. As you journey through this Holy Week, may you recognize God’s love at work in the past at the cross, in the present in your daily routines, and in the future in His words of hope and assurance. His work of love in our human hearts, shapes us to grow into the likeness of Jesus. May that transforming love fire up a passion within each of us to share this love of God with others and be God’s ambassadors of grace in the world around us.

Journeying with you,

Ann Welch Wood

District Lay Leader

Article From Mt. View District Lay Servant Ministry Co-Chair Sue Silhan

Learning to See Through Change- Spring Lay Servant Classes

My mom has dementia. Our family feels blessed that her progression has been pretty slow, she is 92, and that she feels happy and is physically well. This is not so for many with Alzheimers/Dementia and it feels like a slow loss of one’s we love. The changes are unsettling when they don’t remember our names or even who we are in relationship to them. I personally entered into a time of deep grief over “losing my Mom” while she is still alive. 

It was a wonderful thing to read and teach Ministry With the Forgotten: Dementia Through A Spiritual Lens by Kenneth L. Carder.  “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known” 1 Cor 12:12  “Such an affirmation has significant implications when considering people with dementia. For one thing, it challenges the notion that persons with dementia lose their identity if they lose their memory. Our identity lies in God’s memory, not our personal memory……..Who am I? Only God knows!” [1]

This says something to me as well. As we navigate some pretty rough seas in our churches, our culture and our health we can trust in God, the one who knows us completely, loves us fully, and sets us free to depend upon Christ’s resurrection and salvation. The old saying from my MYF days, “let go and let God” allows us an opportunity to be church by surrendering in faith to God’s love and presence in our daily lives. We can sit with and care for those who forget themselves and us. We can be patient as our church structures change to something God has planned and we cannot yet see. We can be church in our communities with the gifts God has provided through the Holy Spirit. Our Easter Alleluias raise up to “catch the flame” of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and be the disciples we are called to be. 

Our District and Conference Lay Servant Ministry teams plan classes to help you discover what God might be calling you to. Not only a time of learning but also being in fellowship with others across the conference through zoom! To worship and pray together as we grow in understanding and in faith.

Join us this spring for the Basic Class in Lay Servant Ministry or the course Ministry With the Forgotten. Both will be offered live and by zoom, May 2^nd – May 30^th at First UMC Horseheads from 6-8 pm.  You can download the registration form https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FVsHJp8KjrFh9ECVZMGnCuDjIAP2MG0ZactBPHv9arc/edit?usp=sharing  

Classes are open to anyone interested and may be taken without cost if no credit is needed for LSM. Pastors receive 10 hours of CE for Advanced LSM Classes. Please feel free to call me with any questions or for more information. 607-703-0010

Blessings of God’s Love and Peace,

Deaconess Susan Silhan RN 

Co-Director Mountain View Lay Servant Ministry

Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister

[1] Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia Through a Spiritual Lens – Kenneth L. Carder pg. 21

Prayers for:

Please keep the Rev. Paul Rowley and his family in your prayers. Rev. Rowley’s stepfather, Donald “Don” R. Yeddo, died on April 4. Don Yeddo was very involved in the life and ministry of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Rowley served several Upper New York churches, including Hammondsport UMC, Harrisville First UMC, and Natural Bridge UMC. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Rowley at 9836 Meadow Lane, Houghton, NY 14744. Click here to read Don Yeddo’s full obituary.

 **********************************************

Please keep the family and friends of the Rev. Warren Covell in your prayers. Rev. Covell, 91, died on March 23. He served several Upper New York churches, including Cedarville UMC, Syracuse: James St. UMC, Corning: Grace UMC, and others. A Memorial Service begins at 12 p.m. on May 27^th at Cicero United Methodist Church, located at 8416 Brewerton Rd, Cicero, NY 13039. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Covell’s daughter, April Martin, at 5980 Ridge Road, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Click here to read Rev. Covell’s full obituary. 

Visiting the District Office

The office is generally open Monday-Thursday.

We would appreciate if you would PLEASE CALL FIRST before coming to the office. We occasionally work remotely and would not want you to make an unnecessary trip to the office to find that we are not in.

Please call 607-962-8047 or email the office at

mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org

District Administrative Assistants, Offices Reconfigured

This information originally appeared in the March 29th issue of the UNY Conference Weekly Digest. Click here to read the full article.

The Upper New York Extended Cabinet shared today, March 29, its plan to reconfigure how administrative support is provided to its districts. Beginning July 1, 2023, the current structure of eight part-time and two full-time administrative assistants serving districts will be replaced by six full-time Superintendency Administrative Assistants, each serving two districts as well as working collaboratively on the superintendency support team. 

The new configuration of district administrative staff aligns with the reconfiguration of the Cabinet announced in January by Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez. Click here to read about the reconfiguration of the Cabinet.



By Jan. 1, 2024, it is anticipated all Superintendency Administrative Assistants and District Superintendents will work from home and all district offices will be closed. In this new arrangement, each district will still have a dedicated administrative assistant assigned to them.

2023 Appointment Announcements

Click here to read the letter of how the processes for appointment discernment, retirement announcements, expressing interest in open churches, and transitioning churches.

Click here for the announcement of appointments

District Administrative Assistants, Offices Reconfigured

This information originally appeared in the March 29th issue of the UNY Conference Weekly Digest. Click here to read the full article.

The Upper New York Extended Cabinet shared today, March 29, its plan to reconfigure how administrative support is provided to its districts. Beginning July 1, 2023, the current structure of eight part-time and two full-time administrative assistants serving districts will be replaced by six full-time Superintendency Administrative Assistants, each serving two districts as well as working collaboratively on the superintendency support team. 

The new configuration of district administrative staff aligns with the reconfiguration of the Cabinet announced in January by Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez. Click here to read about the reconfiguration of the Cabinet.



By Jan. 1, 2024, it is anticipated all Superintendency Administrative Assistants and District Superintendents will work from home and all district offices will be closed. In this new arrangement, each district will still have a dedicated administrative assistant assigned to them.

Mitchellsville UMC: Eat-In Chicken & Biscuit Dinner

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 2023

WHERE: Mitchellsville UMC

8421 County Route 13

Bath, NY 14810

TIME: 4:00-6:00 pm

MENU: Chicken & Biscuits, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Coleslaw,

Assorted Desserts & Drinks, AND Bake Sale

COST: 4 and under Free

           5-11 $5.00

           12- Adult $12.00

*Take-Outs Available

Two new job openings for a part-time Cook and part-time Kitchen Assistant for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center have been posted to the website. If you have any referrals for any open positions, please ask folks to apply through the link on the website. Please contact me with any questions. Thank you.

https://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs

Attention Churches

If you are considering…

Buying or selling a church building, a parsonage or other church property,

including land, or Undertaking major renovations to existing properties, or

Building a new church, parsonage, education building

or an addition to an existing building,

There are certain procedures that must be followed. 

The Book of Discipline - Chapter Six - Church Property

(page 733 in the 2016 version)

describes in detail the requirements that must be met in

order to do these things.



Please contact the District Office

607-962-8047

mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org

Being A Church Home, Finding A Church Home

In a season of disaffiliating churches, it’s time to open hearts and open doors. We have some great tips for non-disaffiliating United Methodist churches to welcome members who are being displaced from disaffiliating churches. And we also have tips for members of a disaffiliating church, who want to remain United Methodist and are looking for a new church home.

MEN’S RETREAT UNITED MENS MINISTRY / NEW GENERATION

WHEN: May 12th & 13th, 2023

WHERE: Letourneau Christian Center

4950 County Road 11

Rushville, NY 14544

Equalization Members Are Being Accepted For Mt. View District

Would you like to serve as an Equalization Member to the 2023 Annual Conference? We are looking for Disciples of Jesus that are willing to commit to attending the 2 upcoming Sessions of Annual Conference.

There are 2 sessions of Annual Conference that you will need to attend (1 is virtual and 1 is in person).

In Person Session

• June 1st-3rd, 2023 being held at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse NY.

The Virtual Session is:

• Saturday, October 14th, 2023

Applications are being accepted in the district office through April 18th. No later than that date. (Please read the application and complete it with both signatures)

Please note:

Both of these sessions will have a separate registration process and cost associated with it.

IF you were and Equalization Member for the March session (you are expected to register and attend) the In person session June 1st-3rd AND the Virtual session October 14th. You need to register for each of the upcoming sessions.

Boy Scout Bankruptcy update

Last week, the General Council of Finance and Administration (GCFA) issued an updated frequently asked questions webpage on the Boy Scout Bankruptcy following a recent ruling in the case. This webpage provides an overview and provides insight on what might happen next. Contact either Bryan Mills (bmills@gcfa.org) or Brandy Bivens (bbivens@GCFA.ORG) if you have any questions.

Online Service of Lament Planned

Discipleship Ministries is planning an online worship experience titled “Out of Ashes: A Service of Lament in a Season of Disaffiliation.” The service is scheduled for 12 p.m. EST on April 20 and is intended to be a time to name loss while seeking the new thing God is doing.

Do You Want to Reach New People?

Or plant a new ministry or even a new church?

Launchpad is the training for Churches and Church Planters looking to create New places for New people.

Launchpad Spring 2023 Schedule via Zoom

Week 1 Wednesday 6-8pm, April 19 Discerning

Week 2 Wednesday 6-8pm, April 26 Visioning

Week 3 Wednesday 6-8pm, May 10 Gathering

Week 4 Wednesday 6-8pm, May 17 Discipling

Week 5 Wednesday 6-8pm, May 24 Worshiping

Week 6 Wednesday 6-8pm, June 14 Closing Session

August 1 Anticipated Opening of Greenhouse Group

Click the button below for the flyer with all the information you will need.

In Person Safe Sanctuary Training

All are invited to an IN-PERSON basic training in “safe sanctuary,”

WHEN:Saturday April 15, 2023

WHERE: Horseheads UMC

1034 W. Broad Street

Horseheads, NY 14845

TIME: 9:00 am-Noon

COST: FREE

More information will be coming on this. Rev. Steph Brown and one other trainer will lead this training. All who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults must be trained. The Horseheads UMC will provide a light lunch after the training.

This is open to the district area churches.

RSVP by April 10 to office@horseheadsumc.org with names, phone numbers and your home church information.

Mountain View District Lay Servant Ministry Course Offerings

Exploring Healing Prayer- Zoom Only

Tuesdays March 7th-April 4th 6-8pm

Ministry With the Forgotten-In Person/Zoom

Tuesdays May 2nd-May 30th 6-8pm

Click here for brochure

Adirondack District Lay Servant Ministry

Course Offerings Via Zoom

Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has added some courses to the 2023 schedule.



Please remember that you MUST attend all class times and dates to receive credit.

No refunds or credit for courses will be given. All registrations and course fees MUST be in by the date due.

For a registration form or for more information, contact Arlene Schmidt, arlenedschmidt@gmail.com For more information about the courses (books, etc.) click here for the updated brochure.

Advanced Course: Called to Preach

Tuesdays April 11, 18, 25, May 2 & 9: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitators: Jacqueline Kim & Team member

Registration and course fees due by March 28

Advanced Course: Polity

Wednesdays, May 3, 10, 17 & 24: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Bruce Hazard & Team member

Registration and course fees due by April 19

Advanced Course: Opening Ourselves to Grace

Thursdays: May 4, 11, 18, 25, & June 1: 6-9pm

ZOOM: $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim & Team member

Registration and course fees due by April 20

Opening to Grace 2023 Retreats

Co-director of the Mountain View District Lay Servant Ministry and Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister, Deaconess Susan Sihan, RN.

These retreats will be Hybrid In Person and Online.

• May 19-21
• Sept. 14-16
• Oct. 26-28

Click here for flyer and more information

2023 Safe Sanctuary Trainings

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: May 6, Aug. 5 and Nov. 4.

The Training of Trainers will be 9 AM to Noon, Saturday, 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.

Equitable Compensation Grants Now Available

The CEC grants for the second half of the year have been posted to the website https://www.unyumc.org/news/article/equitable-compensation-grants-now-available

They are fillable PDFs so they should be pretty easy to complete. If anyone has any issues, please let me know.

The relevant deadlines/dates for the June – December 2023 Cycle:

April 7, 2023 – deadline for church applications to the District Superintendent for review

Puppet Production Puppets & A Preaching Robe Available

Do you have a puppet ministry? Would you like to start one? We have several Puppet Production puppets available along with staging.

Free - Wesley style gray preaching robe with Cross and Flame on the velvet panels. Will fit a person Six feet tall. 

For more details please contact Rev. Doug Knopp at dkrev@yahoo.com

Does Your Church Have Members Attending SUNY Geneseo

My name is Gwyneth Jones-Wenninger, I am serving as the Wesley Fellowship Interim Director at SUNY Geneseo. 

The Geneseo United Methodist Church, under the appointment of Pastor Beth Malone, is beginning to revive the SUNY Wesley Fellowship which meets at the InterFaith Center near campus. We are reaching out to all of the churches in our conference who could have students attending SUNY Geneseo or nearby community colleges for contact information. I would appreciate it if you could provide me with any student information. They could also contact me directly at shadetreeauthor@gmail.com or via telephone (585) 969-0127.

I appreciate any assistance you can give me in reaching out to students that could be in our area. As you know, Wesley Fellowship is such an important support system and tool for growing leaders in our church!

Are You Connected to UNY?

Do you receive the latest news and updates from UNY Conference? All pastors should be connected and as many people from your congregation that would like to be. This is open to everyone – pass the word!

If you are not connected please follow the instructions below. 

To sign up either click the following link: https://bit.ly/UNYnotes.      

Or follow the steps below:

• Go to the conference website
• Click on News in the toolbar
• Select Connect with UNY



Sign up for all six categories or just select the UNY Notes.