AROUND THE CORNER
Next Issue May 12, 2022
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“The Lord had said to Abram, “go to the land I will show you.” So Abram left as the Lord told him. The Lord took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited to him as righteous.” Genesis 12:1b & 15:5-6
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! We have entered the Easter season in the life of the church. A time of rejoicing and change. A time of new beginnings. Christ’s resurrection changed the world. Those who follow(ed) Jesus experienced change, challenges, frustrations, miracles, rejection and a new way of life in experiencing ministry.
As Jesus journeyed to the cross, he went to the garden alone to pray. In Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Jesus knew where he was being led. In this struggle he asked his Father to take the cup from him. Yet, Jesus was willing to be faithful and obedient to his Father’s will.
Recall the story of Abram. The Lord told Abram to “leave his country, his people and his father’s household and go to the land I will show you. Abram left as the Lord told him.” Abram was willing to be faithful and obedient to the Lord.
Time passes and Abram is concerned about having an heir. What happens? Abram is inside his tent and God takes him outside. When Abram was in his tent he could see only as far as his human made tent ceiling. God takes Abram outside and tells him to look up into the sky, the heavens, the expanse, the vastness of space that stretches in every direction beyond what we can see or even imagine.
For me, there are two points in this story. First, Abram was inside his tent. He was focused on his own inability and his circumstances. So, God gives him a different vantage point by taking Abram outside of his tent. God helps Abram to see beyond his human made tent ceiling. The human made tent ceiling obscured and blocked Abram’s vision. The farthest Abram could see was the ceiling of the tent. Had Abram’s faith had been reduced to the size of his tent?
Second, Abram did what so many of us do: we put a ceiling (a limit) on what God can do. We put a ceiling on God’s love, faithfulness, power, and wisdom. We try ministries that do not flourish under our own power. We become disheartened and frustrated. God helped Abram to refocus by making Abram look up into the night sky. God gets Abram’s eyes off of his own circumstances and helps Abram refocus on God’s faithfulness. When we are faithful and obedient to God, when we let go of our control, then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God will lead us to opportunities that God is already blessing. We can then join God in this opportunity, in this ministry.
This is where we live our lives in the tension between our human circumstances and the faithfulness of God. What we decide to focus on will make all the difference in this world. As we continue our focus on becoming stronger disciples of Jesus, let us make a commitment to God, each other, our selves, our families, the church, district and conference; That together we will: Live an Intentional Faith Life (praying daily, reading the scriptures, fasting, participating in the Sacraments of Holy Communion & Baptism, being part of a Bible Study and/or an accountability group) ; Take Holy Risks (by intentionally serving others, being part of a Bible Study and/or an accountability group, stepping out in faith as a congregation by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in building relationships within our community and beyond ); Help to Bring the Kingdom of God here on earth (living our lives demonstrating the love, compassion and the hope of Jesus to this hurting world) .
Remember, God’s promise to Abram didn’t happen overnight. In God’s time is when God’s promise was given and then fulfilled.
Each of us, as individuals, families, churches, districts and as the Upper New York Conference will experience growth as disciples differently. Yet, like Abram let us be faithful and obedient as God leads us outside of our tents and see where this new journey in faith takes us as we continue to touch hearts and lives for Jesus Christ.
Rejoicing in our Risen Lord,
Suzanne
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Let Us Continue to Keep the Ukrainian People In Our Thoughts & Prayers |
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Giving opportunities in response to the war in Ukraine |
Individuals can give directly to the Ukrainian people through local church offerings by writing a check to the Upper New York Conference with Advance #14053A in the memo line of the checks. These checks can either be placed in an offering plate or sent directly to the Conference office.
The Ukraine UMC has created a crisis committee that will oversee all the global support that is coming in through UMCOR’s Advance #14053A “Eurasia In Mission Together - Ukraine and Moldova.” The money channeled through this Advance fund will go to the Ukraine UMC church account and decisions on how this will be used will be considered by the crisis committee, which includes pastors as well as lay leaders.
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Important Information to Share |
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Cornerstone District Website |
Please be aware that the only website that Cornerstone District is using is the one found on the Upper New York Conference Website.
There is NO Physical District Office
Please make sure that you share this information as well. There is NO Physical District Office in Cornerstone. Please make sure that you mail anything that needs to go to the District Office to this MAILING address:
Cornerstone District Office
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
716-665-2423
Please Pass this information on to others!!!!
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Pastors & Their Churches to Pray for Month of April |
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--
May 1 Olean:Christ UMC- Rev. Chad Sayers, his wife Jessica and their sons Isaiah & Micah.
May 8 Olean:Trinity & River’s Edge UMCs. Pastor Dawn Quesenberry, her husband Mike and their family.
May 15 Panama UMC. Rev. Steve Taylor, his wife Stacy and their family.
May 22 Ripley & South Ripley UMCs. Pastor Becky Ward and her family.
May 29 Sheridan UMC. David Watson, his wife MaryEllen and their family.
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2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms |
All These Reports are NOW PAST DUE
mail completed & signed copy to District Office
Report of Trustees
Report of Finance Committee
2021 Year End Financial Report - your church format
2022 Church Budget - your church format
2021 Local Annual Financial Audit
Cornerstone District Office
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
Questions? Call Patti at the District Office 716-665-2423 or
at 607-962-8047
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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 Around The Corner 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:
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IN PERSON ANNUAL CONFERENCE POSTPONED
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Annual Conference will be postponed to Oct. 6-8, and it will be a virtual gathering. The plan is to use the same technology that was used at the 2021 virtual Annual Conference gathering, which was relatively well received.
The processing of refunds will start immediately but could take a couple of weeks to complete. If you made a hotel reservation, you should contact the hotel directly to cancel
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Pastors Facing Stress and Slow Burn Burnout |
The life of a pastor is stressful under any circumstances, but the past few years have brought unprecedented challenges. Across the United States, a pandemic that emptied churches, hurricanes and tornadoes, denominational uncertainty, and racial issues have all made a mark.
Click here to read more about how stress is impacting Methodist pastors across the country.
Acknowledging the stress that is affecting pastors, the Upper New York Conference has created a wellness initiative to learn more about UNY pastors’ spiritual needs and to create resources to help them prioritize self-care. Continue following all UNY Conference news platforms for information about this initiative that will be released in the coming weeks.
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Native American Ministries Sunday, May 1st |
The official date set to celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday is May 1. We encourage churches to celebrate on a date that is most convenient for your congregation. Resources to celebrate and promote this Special Sunday can be found here.
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National Day of Awareness May 5 |
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). The Native American International Caucus encourages you to bring awareness through events and education.
Click here to find resources to help plan an awareness event and do your part to end the violence!
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Safe Sanctuaries Training May 7th |
Classes will be held May 7, Aug. 6 and Nov. 5. See the brochure for registration information.
Registration is now open for the May 7 class. There will also be a Training of Trainer class on Oct. 22. This applies to those who wish to become a trainer in their local churches or Districts.
The training on Saturday May 7 is from 9AM to 12:30PM via ZOOM.
You will notice that the dates are strategic as the team wants to make training available prior to summer VBS programs, Fall Sunday school start up and a couple others in between.
REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE: FRIDAY MAY 6TH, 2022 AT 8:00pm If you are not registered by that time, you will not be able to attend this event.
Our next training will be August 6, 2022 to prepare for the Fall Sunday School Season, so we recommend getting registered as soon as possible.
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Easter in Jerusalem:
Reflection from a Zoom room in Corning, NY
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The UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel has published their most recent article in their series, “Because We Care.” In this article, Dianne Roe eloquently describes a Holy Saturday service from Jerusalem that she attended via Zoom.
Within this service, Dianne was especially moved by Palestinian-Christian women who were able to make comparisons between living under occupation in Roman times and present-day Jerusalem under Israeli occupation.
Click here to read Diane’s thought-provoking article that includes a video link to the service she attended.
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Caneadea UMC to Host Chicken & Biscuit Dinner
WHEN: Saturday, May 21st
WHERE: Caneadea UMC
8029 State Rte. 19
Caneadea, NY 14717
TIME: 5pm
MENU: Chicken & Biscuits, Coleslaw, Cranberries, peas and delicious desserts.
COST: Donations of $12 will be appreciated
OTHER: Takeouts & Sit down dining will be available.
Please come and fellowship with us.
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"We Believe" 12 Step Christ-Centered Support Group
Kidder Memorial UMC
will be hosting a weekly "We Believe" 12 step, Christ-centered support group beginning Thursday, April 21.
WHEN: Beginning Thursday, April 21st
WHERE: Kidder Memorial UMC
385 South Main
Jamestown, NY 14701
TIME: 6pm
CONTACTS: Scott Robert-716-490-8844 OR
Pastor Tom LeBeau-716-488-1680
What Is "We Believe"?
"We Believe" is a Christ-centered support group for individuals struggling with addiction or brokenness. It is built upon the conviction that the Gospel of Jesus Christ holds both the promise and power for freedom and new life. It is one group of the Addiction Response Ministry (ARM) of Chautauqua County. ARM exists to help individuals and their families in their recovery journey.
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The Conference has a new job opening for a part-time District Administrative Assistant for Finger Lakes District. If you are interested or have any referrals for this position, please apply online through our website.
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Grants Available for Projects
It is the desire of the UNY Conference United Women in Faith (formerly UMW) to offer grants to non-profit community and faith-based organizations that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and address the needs of women, children and youth within the boundaries of our conference.
Exp. 6.15.22
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Giving Opportunity in Response to the War in Ukraineservices
Individuals can give directly to the Ukrainian people through local church offerings by writing a check to the Upper New York Conference with Advance #14053A in the memo line of the checks. These checks can either be placed in an offering plate or sent directly to the Conference office at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY 13088.
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Reminder: Sexual Harassment Training Is Mandatory |
This is a reminder that New York State employers must adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy and provide training on sexual harassment prevention to their employees on an annual basis. This includes all those employed by the local church.
There is a free on-line training that is available to all. A certificate of completion is provided when the training is complete.
PLEASE NOTE:
Safe Sanctuaries training does not exempt churches from the NYS sexual harassment prevention training requirement.
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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Upper NY United Methodist Men |
"DID YOU KNOW...
We are EMBARKING ON our Aldersgate Men’s Retreat 20th
Anniversary APRIL 29-30
Register today ASAP & bring someone in need of Jesus in their lives!!
Click here for the flyer and registration information
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Register today for the
2022 TIIMSA Gathering
by Zoom
MAY 10-11
$100 with credit card (no extra handling fee required)
OR
The registration cost is $100 required before May 6, 2022, to receive the Zoom invitation and I.D. before event begins.
The registration fee includes all sessions of the Gathering and one year of TIIMSA Membership Registrants will be given access after the Gathering to all recordings of the event. A certificate of Continuing Education will also be available.
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Disaffiliating from the UNY Conference
and the UMC
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During the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference held virtually in June of 2021, the body passed Resolution UNYAC2021.7 which created a Study Commission to examine the readiness in the UNYUMC for the Implementation of the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.
Last fall, the UNY Study Commission issued surveys to clergy and congregations in the UNY Conference about the Protocol. Despite there only being a 30 percent response rate, some congregations and clergy did report that if the Protocol passes, they will leave the United Methodist Church. Click here to read the survey report.
Earlier this month, the Global Methodist Church announced that it will launch on May 1, 2022. Click here to read the announcement.
Given these changes, the Conference Board of Trustees anticipated there would be congregations who might now desire to explore disaffiliation.
Click here to read an article that outlines the disaffiliation process.
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Upcoming Upper NY Safe Sanctuary Zoom Training Sessions.
Click here for flyer and more information on these upcoming trainings
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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Tending the Soul
2022-2024 A Two-year Training Program for Lay and Clergy
Exp.11.14.22
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The “Connect with Us” Academy for Continuing Education 2022 Course Schedule including
A Course Series: Refreshing My Preaching Ministry
exp.6.30.22
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Upper NY Local Pastors Licensing School |
The 2022 Upper New York Local Pastors Licensing School (LPLS) will be held May 9-15 at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center. We are planning to hold this in-person, which means we will be following all safety protocols due to the COVID pandemic. If anything changes, we will keep you updated.
Click here to register. Credit card payment is being accepted through PayPal. If using this method of payment, please use the "guest option" for payment to avoid having to set up a PayPal account.
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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
View the full list of changes here.
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Media Resource Center
Click here for tips on ordering through our website.
Media Resource Center
315-898-2027
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
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Lay Servant Courses Offered Around the Conference
Click here to find out when, where and how you can sign up for a lay servant course that you need or are interested in taking. This link connects you to all the Districts in UNY Conference that are offering courses. Just click and start exploring your options!
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Cornerstone District Office
PO Box 687
Bath, NY 14810
716-665-2423
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