Issue Date: August 19th, 2021 |
|
Dear members and friends of our United Methodist churches:
Grace is already yours as you carry on serving! Our identity and call from God is to serve others in Christ’s name. Part of service is putting the safety and welfare of others in prime importance. With Covid and the variants running rampant again this summer, public worship and ministry hast to adapt yet again. Those with extra health risks are especially in danger. Those not vaccinated are at a greater risk of life altering illness and death. PLEASE GET VACCINATED!!! As churches, revive your Covid reopening team and stay up to date on what needs to happen in your county regarding all gatherings.
In doing these things faithfully, we are serving one another and serving Christ our Lord.
In His Service, I am Jeff McDowell-
|
|
Please Keep the McFarland Family & Friends in Prayer |
Please keep family and friends of the Rev. William McFarland in your prayers. Rev. McFarland, 85, died on July 26. He served several Upper New York churches, including Chemung UMC, Caton UMC, and others in the former North Central New York Conference. A private burial will be held at the Cedar Brook Burial Ground in Limington, Maine. Condolences can be sent to Rev. McFarland’s daughter, Diana McFarland, at 11 Davis Street, Brunswick, ME 04011. Click here to read Rev. McFarland’s full obituary.
|
|
Mountain View District Office
Open By Appointment Only
|
At this time visits to the office are by appointment ONLY.
Office is open: Mon.-Thurs.
|
|
|
From the desk of Mountain View District Associate:
Rev. Michael J Kelly
|
Good Morning Friends,
Many are saying, “Oh no, COVID is back!” The fact is it truly never left us. We are in a trying time, and due diligence is necessary. Many of our congregations remain at risk. The CDC lists four levels of transmission, low, moderate, substantial, and high. As of Monday, there were only three counties within the entire state that were of moderate risk. Fortunately, Schuyler County, which has four of our churches within our district, is one of them. Steuben and Alleghany are listed as substantial, while Chemung and Tioga have raised to the level of high transmission. Many other counties in our area are also at that level.
The Upper New York Conference, last week, updated their policy. Here it is with a really good link: 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:
Take this to your team, consider options, maybe it’s a great time to take your service outside! Remind people of the importance of hand washing, paperless services, staying home if they are feeling sick, or not feeling comfortable with the risk, reassure them about the safety of masking as a great option, air hugs and other things to stave off this resurgence. If I or Jeff can help steer you in any way, please call.
|
|
CHARGE CONFERENCE FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
The 2021-2022 Church/Charge Conference and Annual Forms are now available to download. All information can be found by clicking here.
If you have any issues accessing this page, please click here for help.
|
|
Bishop Announces Clergy Appointments |
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce appointments and retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
|
|
|
Revised CDC Guidelines Affecting Local Churches
|
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.
8/19/21
|
|
|
From the Mountain View District Lay Ministry Team |
|
|
CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED |
|
Transforming Church Conflict & Creating Space
for Authentic Community
|
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 – October 6&7, 2021 (W/Th)
Session Two – October 27 & 28, 2021 (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.
8/19/21
|
|
|
Upper New YORK
Committee on Native American Ministries
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
8/19/21
|
|
|
|
2021 UNY Directory Now Available |
The 2021 Upper New York Conference directory is now available to view or download or view online and a hard copy is available to purchase. Click here to view/download. Click here to purchase a hard copy for $6.28.
8/19/21
|
|
|
Dismantling racism resource:
Image of God—unity and diversity
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 share a video of the Rev. Stephen Handy sharing insight on being made in God's image, and the implications it carries for how we relate to one another. Click here to watch the video.
8/19/21
|
|
Pre-Retirement Seminar Scheduled for Oct. 1st |
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.
8/19/21
|
|
LAY SERVANT COURSE OFFERED
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
|
|
ATTENTION:
LAY SERVANTS, LAY SPEAKERS & CLM's
|
Every year lay servants, lay speakers, and CLM's are required to fill out an annual report that is due at your church charge conference.
Please make sure you fill it out completely and have your Pastor sign it and that you have signed it before you hand it in.
|
|
|
|
Note* - Because of COVID, the Conference Team of Lay Servant Ministries is extending a year of grace to everyone who needed to take an Advanced Lay Servant Course in 2020 so you now have through 2021 to take a course to keep your certification up-to-date
7/8/2021
|
|
|
|
BINGHAMTON DISTRICT LAY SERVANT CLASSES |
|
|
MOHAWK DISTRICT 2021 FALL LAY SERVANT COURSES |
|
ALBANY DISTRICT LAY SERVANT COURSE OPPORTUNITIES |
|
|
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
|
|
Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM Trainings |
Two Opportunities to Attend!
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.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks,
7/22/21
|
|
Southern Tier Interfaith Coalition (STIC) |
STIC have confirmed the date of Sunday, Sept. 12th, 3 p.m. for the online version of the Witness to Injustice program. The program will feature 9 Native American readers narrating the history of Turtle Island. Narration will alternate with small group reflection time after each section.
|
|
|
FAITH IN ACTION
WHEN: Oct. 1-2, 2021
WHERE: Camp Casowasco
|
|
Tool for the Local Church: Mission Insite |
Mission Insite is free to churches
Mission Insite is a web-based demographics provider for local church use. In planning ministry, it is important to know the context.
Mission Insite provides demographic data that is updated on a regular basis and the reports are user friendly to the novice or experienced demographer.
The reports are free to the local church because the Annual Conferences is under contract with Mission Insite. But in order to access the website you will need to register your local church.
7/8/2021
|
|
|
From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership
of Wesley Theological Seminary
|
|
50 Ways to Improve Your Annual Stewardship Campaign |
This free resource in our popular 50 Ways series provides effective strategies for improving your stewardship campaign. Topics include: plan carefully; structure your campaign to acknowledge unique giving patterns; know what motivates people to give; ask in effective ways; follow up; and more.
*********************************************************************
Dan Hotchkiss explains how congregations can build their staffs by “hiring” unpaid volunteers. He explains how this approach can make fuller use of a volunteer’s talent and energy while also creating a more unified reporting and decision-making structure.
7/22/2021
|
|
|
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
7/22/21
|
|
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES
Christmas In July!
|
The Advent season is closer than you think, so start planning ahead!
The invitation this Advent season to your church and the world is “Come Home for Christmas.”
Included you’ll find the Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy, Hymn Suggestions, Worship Planning and more!
7/22/21
|
|
|
Effective July 1, 2021, eligibility rules for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program have been changed. This change creates a new opportunity for clergy members and other employees of not-for-profit organizations engaged in faith-based work to potentially have certain student loans forgiven under the PSLF Program.
The PSLF Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and designed to support careers in public service. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance of an eligible individual’s student loans that were provided under the federal government’s Direct Loan Program (or consolidated into a Direct Loan) after the individual has made 120 qualifying monthly payments.
To be eligible for loan forgiveness, an individual must be working full-time for a qualifying employer and meet other eligibility requirements. Not-for-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code—such as local churches, annual conferences, church-controlled agencies and church-associated organizations—can be qualifying employers. In the past, applicable rules excluded applicants from counting hours spent on “religious instruction, worship, and any form of proselytizing” toward the full-time work requirement. The Department of Education has removed this exclusion effective July 1.
The PSLF Program’s eligibility requirements and application process are complex. Clergy members and lay employees who are interested in learning more about the PSLF Program and the recent change are encouraged to visit the Department of Education’s PSLF Program website.
The information above should not be considered legal or tax advice. Individuals, annual conferences, local churches, or other employers or parties should consult with their own counsel and other advisers.
|
|
|
PLEASE CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING
TO THE FOLLOWING LINKSC
|
|
These will keep you updated
on all the news coming from the Conference.
UNY-Notes are targeted email blasts:
· From the Desk of Bishop Webb
· Alerts
· Announcements
· Prayer Requests
· Death Notices
· Camp & Retreat
Weekly Digest- will be sent every Wednesday. It will contain a round-up of that week’s UNY Notes, along with feature articles, direct links to several “hot spots” on the Conference website, photos, and more.
7/8/2021
|
|
|
COVID-19 Information & Resources |
|
|
Other News Links From the Conference |
If you want to keep in the know of what is happening in the Upper New York Conference and the United Methodist Church please consider these links. |
|
|
The HUB at UNY Conference Center |
|
|
MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT OFFICE |
35 Wilkes Ave.
PO Box 706
Bath, NY 14810
607-962-8047
Office Is Open
Mon.-Thurs.
In Person by APPOINTMENT ONLY
District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Jeff McDowell District Associate: Pastor Mike Kelly
District Lay Leader: Ann Welch Wood
District Administrative Assistant: Patti Gridley
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
