Next Issue: September 30th, 2021 |
|
Notes From District Supeintendent Jeff McDowell & District Associate Mike Kelly |
|
Charge Conferences this year:
17 charge conferences will be held separately and in-person. The other charge conferences will take place at cluster events with worship led by Rev. Dr. McDowell, and an ordained elder leading each charge individually.
Individual Charge Conferences: Elmira Westside; Corning Grace / S.Corning; Burdett; Corning First; Montour Falls / Odessa Catherine; Nichols / Tioga Center / Smithsboro; Pennsylvania Ave. Elmira; Horseheads; S. Dansville / Garwoods; Troupsburg ; Tyrone; Rathbone
Cluster Charge Conference Dates:
Sunday afternoon, October 24 at the New Beginnings UMC in Elmira
1:30 Elmira New Beginnings; Elder Bill Vallet
1:30 Addison / Presho; Elder Leanne Zeck
1:30 Elmira Oakwood; DS Jeff McDowell
1:30 Pine Valley; Elder Connie Seifert
1:30 Beaver Dams; Elder Cindy Shulte
2:30 Worship together
Sunday afternoon, November 7 at the Waverly UMC in Waverly.
1:30 Chemung / Wilawana; Elder ___________
1:30 Litchfield / Lounsberry; Elder ___________
2:30 Worship Together
3:00 Breesport / N.Chemung; Elder ___________
3:00 Erin / Sullivanville; Elder ___________
3:00 Webb Mills; Elder Cindy Shulte
3:00 Barton; Elder __________
Sunday afternoon November 21 at the Centenary UMC in Bath.
1:30 Avoca / Mitchellsville Elder Don Guiles
1:30 Bishopville / Hornell Elder Connie Seifert
1:30 Cohocton / N.Cohocton DS Jeff McDowell
1:30 Greenwood /S. Canisteo Elder ___________
2:30 Worship Together
3:00 Hammondsport Elder ___________
3:00 Arkport / Canisteo Elder
3:00 Campbell / Risingville Elder Leanne Zeck
3:00 Italy Valley Elder ___________
3:00 Jasper DS Jeff McDowell
3:00 Whitesville Elder ___________
In Christ, Jeff McDowell
|
|
Please keep Pastor Ruth Reppert and her family in your thought and prayers. Ruth's brother, the Rev. Nelson Reppert passed away last week. Please keep Rev. Nelson's wife Joan and their entire family in your prayers as well. |
|
|
Mountain View District Office Open By Appointment Only |
Office visits are still by appointment ONLY. We ask that you wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. We also ask that you social distance while in the office. Please do not come to the office if you are not feeling well. We ask that you come another time.
Office is open: Mon.-Thurs.
|
|
NY Hero Act Now in Effect |
On Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, Governor Hochul announced that the New York Department of Health designated COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease.” This designation means that the NY HERO Act plan
(a law signed by Governor Cuomo in May 5), which all employers were required to adopt and distribute to employees by September 4, 2021, is now effective through the end of September 2021. Employers now must follow the requirements of their plans, as well as conduct mandatory training for employees on the plan and the law. Upper New York churches are responsible for the mandatory training for their staff.
|
|
From the Desk of Rev. Michael Kelly;
Mountain View District Associate
|
How many of you have heard of the national program called “Welcome Back to Church?” It is a program that has been celebrated for perhaps the last ten years or so and there are all kinds of literature, postcards and things that are available for free. Well, this Sunday, September 19th is National Back to Church Sunday. Their website says this: It is a movement of Christ-followers, reaching every neighborhood to invite every person to a Bible-believing church where they can discover an authentic, Christ-centered community. In the midst of world-changing events that affect everyone, it’s time for the Church to be the shining light Jesus has called us to be. I couldn’t agree them more. After all, COVID has put a damper on our attendance, right? Some perhaps, but what about that 20+ year decline in most of our churches. What is causing that.
As I have been out and about in the district, I have heard plenty of reasons that people aren’t attending church. I have heard people tell me that they just don’t like the new pastor, sorry friends but were not supposed to be worshipping the pastor. Another good one, my kids are involved in sports, yeah mine was too, and she could go to any game after 1 PM. How about this, “I work six days a week!” Absolutely, and so doesn’t God and He still has time for you and me. And maybe the best that I have heard of all time, “The church is filled with a bunch of hypocrites.” To which I will reply, “You might be right, but maybe they’re trying to get it right, and by the way, we always have room for one more!”
We have to ask people why they aren’t coming to church; we can’t assume that we know and it doesn’t have to the pastor that asks. Maybe that conversation will lead them back to church, if nothing else that conversation will let them know that they haven’t been forgotten, and they are still loved. Let those folks know that they have been missed.
In my churches we will celebrate National Back to Church Sunday, but truly we celebrate when anybody comes to church to worship our Lord and Savior because we are blessed by their presence. Applaud the newcomers, celebrate the returners and embrace those that come every week.
|
|
|
|
Charge Conference Information |
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.
Cluster Charge Conference Dates:
1. Sunday afternoon, October 24 at the New Beginnings UMC in Elmira
2. Sunday afternoon, November 7 at the Waverly UMC in Waverly.
3. Sunday afternoon November 21 at the Centenary UMC in Bath.
|
|
World Communion Sunday October 3rd |
Thank You...!
for your generosity in 2020. You gave $400,254 towards the ministries funded by the World Communion Sunday offering. This offering supports diverse mix of national and international ethnic young adults to make a global impact for Christ. Half of the offering benefits World Communion Scholarships for graduate students from the U.S. and other countries; the remainder assists Ethnic Scholarships for U.S. and international undergraduates studying in the U.S. and Ethnic In-Service Training. These funds are administred by the General Boards' of
|
|
Pastor Appreciation Sunday October 10th |
The beginning of the Clergy Appreciation Day started with the establishment of Pastor Appreciation Month. While there is no set date when this day was actually established, there is quite a bit of history to the day itself.
The very first time the mention of appreciating pastors for their contribution was mentioned in Timothy 1 (5:17) where it is stated that church elders deserve double the honor by Paul. This is further reiterated by him in Thessalonians 1 in which he mentions that those who are hardworking among us have to be treated with a lot of honor. This evolved into a month-long celebration known to be the Clergy Appreciation month, started in the year 1992. Religious workers and pastors established this month-long appreciation for clergymen and the Pastor Appreciation Day was established later in the same month, October. Now we celebrate the Pastor Appreciation Day or the Clergy Appreciation Day every year on the second Sunday of October.
On Clergy Appreciation Day you can also show your appreciation in many ways. Some of the means to show your appreciation for pastors is mentioned hereunder:
- Compliment your pastors on the work they are doing and do so in front of others. As they hear their work being recognized, they will be encouraged to work harder and give more.
- The churches provide a lot of opportunities for all to volunteer and contribute to society. You can join to be a volunteer which will help the pastor and be appreciated as well.
- As your pastor prays for you, you can also offer your prayers to keep your pastor well.
- If there is a specific appreciation or compliment you want to share then you can do the same by writing a thank you note to the reverend or the pastor in person.
- You can ask your clergy for any assistance they may need. Some pastors do not always delegate their responsibilities and are much happier when someone volunteers for them.
- Be an active member of your congregation and share what your clergy does for the congregation with the outside world.
- Last but not the least, you have to make sure that you attend their services and sermons regularly, as it would give them immense happiness.
Everyone needs an appreciation for the work they do as it serves as the motivation to try harder. And it includes the elders of the Church, the pastors, and the priests, as well. Encourage them for their contribution and appreciate them for what they do whenever you can.
|
|
Laity Sunday October 17th |
Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all Christians to love God and all people. On Laity Sunday, we lift up the vocation of all (lay and clergy) to follow Jesus Christ and lead others to him. As we welcome and offer the good news of Jesus’ love for all, we know that the most engaging opportunities to grow deep and wide in our faith come from relationships with those beyond the comfort and security of our church walls. The stories and situations of those struggling with fear, loss, trauma, and injustice – as well as freedom, joy, and delight – become altar calls for the wholeness and holiness work of justice, mercy, and reconciliation. This is the ministry of the “all called,” the laity. This is relational discipleship and participation in the mission of God. Therefore, we will go (with hope) through engagement! |
|
|
|
LOCAL CHURCH EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT
Click here
|
|
A Storyteller Looks at the Parables
WHEN: Sept. 21, 2021
LEADER: Charles Maynard
Participants receive a certificate for 1-hour CEU following the online class.
Leading Your Church in New Directions
WHEN: Sept. 28, 2021
LEADER: Olu Brown
Participants receive a certificate for 1-hour CEU following the online class.
Tips for Cultivating Fruitfulness in Ministry
WHEN: Oct. 5, 2021
LEADER: Blake Bradford
Participants receive a certificate for 1-hour CEU following the online class.
Leading Your Church Through Advent
WHEN: Oct. 7, 2021
LEADER: Kay Kotan
Participants receive a certificate for 1-hour CEU following the online class.
|
|
Other Learning Opportunities |
|
Leading Amid Controversy Over Masks & Vaccines
Navigating the complicated and divisive issues of vaccines and mask-wearing has made ministry during this pandemic even more fraught for many pastors and congregations. Doug Powe and Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center say the key question is about how we can be God’s ambassadors in the midst of this tension. They outline four strategies to reframe the debate.
To help you reach new disciples, this free Lewis Center video by Lovett H. Weems Jr. provides an overview of why worship attendance is important and ways you can improve it.
|
|
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).
|
|
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 out the correct form and it be completely filled out. Also, please make sure you have your Pastor sign it and that you have signed it before you hand it in.
LAY SERVANT COURSE OPPORTUNITIES
|
|
Dismantling Racism: Why observe Oct. 6 as Day of Truth and Repentance for Native American children |
The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The Upper New York (UNY) Conference Communications team has been regularly sharing worship, advocacy, and educational resources every week to help with this important campaign.
Last week, we started a five-week series to share educational and worship resources leading up to October 6, “A Day of Remembrance for Our Children.” On that day in 1879, General Richard Pratt took children from First Nations and opened the boarding school in Carlisle, PA. The United Methodist Church went on to support at least 12 Indian Boarding Schools and has never accepted responsibility for its role in supporting these schools, which severed these children’s connections to their families and cruelly punished them.
This week we share facts about the Native American Boarding Schools, educational resources, and ways your church can observe Oct. 6.
|
|
Tuesdays at The Table:
Discussions about our faith, our church and ourselves
|
The global coronavirus pandemic and disagreements within our denomination are just two of many events that continue to affect United Methodists around the world. Tuesdays at the Table, a new discussion series, will help us think through these issues and enter into a time of exploration and broadened understanding.
|
|
|
|
Safe Sanctuary Trainings Available: Basic & Train the Trainer |
Basic Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM Training
The Upper New York Annual Conference Team will host standard Basic Safe Sanctuaries training via ZOOM,
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, September 25th.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries or background checks, click here.
**********************************************************************************
Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries® Training of Trainers
WHO: Individuals interested in facilitating Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries Training as part of their District training team and/or for their local church.
WHEN: Saturday, October 9th from 9am-12pm.
PREREQUISITE: Upper NY’s 3-hour Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. This needs to be completed sometime since June 2016 and must be the standard learning station format facilitated by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable.
Members of the District training team should be affirmed by their District Superintendent.
PRE-REGISTRATION is a must for the TOT by October 6th at Eventbrite
There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
QUESTIONS: Questions should be directed to Co-Chairs Christine Mitchell, Pastor and Arlene Schmidt at email safesanctuaries@unyumc.org
|
|
Register Now For Conference UMW Annual Meeting Oct. 16
|
All are invited to join the UNY Conference UMW for an all-virtual 2021 Annual Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9:00a – 12:00p. We will worship together, conduct formal business, hear from National Office CEO Harriett J. Olson, and grow in our understand of our sisters through our program on “Push Out” with UMW Director Valerie Clark.
Once registered, an agenda and Zoom link will be sent to you. If you wish to make a nomination to the Leadership Team “from the floor,” the form is available on the website and must be returned by Oct. 1.
We look forward to being with you on Oct. 16 as we make plans for 2022 and the mission and justice work we will continue to do for God.
|
|
MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT OFFICE
35 Wilkes Ave. (Physical location)
PO Box 706 (Mailing Address)
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
