Next Issue: December 9, 2021
(to get back on track)
Dear fellow Christ-followers: what a wonderful time of hope and expectation we are in! Advent is a season of anticipation that God will save all people…not only through the first coming, but also the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. As we struggle with all the issues of living in a fallen world filled with poverty, crime, greed, hatred and natural disasters, Christ-followers of all people can be the most hopeful. God will get us through the pain of this world and this is the good news: this world is not all there is! ‘For God loved this world so much that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not die, but will live forever!’ This season, may we have hope, work for peace and trust that God’s love is with us!
 
Jeff McDowell
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.
To set up a time to visit you may call the office at 607-962-8047 or email at mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org 
LOCAL CHURCH EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT
WHEN: Wednesday, December 15th
WHERE: Waverly UMC
158 Chemung St.
Waverly, NY 14892
TIME: 7:00 pm
Christmas Dinner Concert
WHEN: Saturday, December 11th
WHERE: Avoca UMC
8593 Jacobs Ladder Rd.
Avoca, NY
TIME: 3:00 pm concert- 4:30pm Dinner
DINNER Reservation Deadline: 5pm Tuesday, December 7th

Click here for flyer
Clergy Educational Opportunities
Developing Effective Communication to Grow Your Congregation
WHEN: Dec. 2, 2021
LEADER: Kevin Slimp
Participants receive a certificate for 1-hour CEU following the online class.
Click here for more Information or to Register
Course of Study Through Wesley Seminary
Licensed local Pastors....are you are planning to take COS for the Winter or Spring Weekends? If you are, please consider filling out your registration form and get it to the District office to have the DS sign it and then I will get it to the registrar. The deadline for registration for the Spring-Feb.1st of 2022. (Reminder that the District office is CLOSED on Fridays)
Please, DO NOT WAIT to the last minute to register. When a class is filled, Wesley closes the registration for that class and there is no wiggle room.
 
I am putting this out now as one of the busiest times of the year is coming soon. There is no need for you to miss out on getting your course requirements met. There is NO MONEY due at the time of registration. You can register NOW for both Winter and Spring and if something comes up....you can cancel.

IF you need a specific class.....sign up now ....you need to remember that these courses are not just for UNY Conference....these are open to other Conferences as well. SO, sign up now

The steps to get registered:
·        Get registration form-click here
·        Fill out the form, print it, YOU sign it.
·        Scan & email to your District Office
·        District AA will get the DS to sign it and will send it to COS Registrar
·        Registrar will fill out her part and get it to Sara Shephard.
·        Sara Shephard will send the Registrar a confirmation of your registration.
·        Registrar will send confirmation to the District AA

There is no reason to wait to the last minute because there is no money that needs to be sent with your registration. So, please sign up now!!
Click here for the registration form
Course of Study Participants
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU

If you are registering for a COS class at GBHEM – you will need to list the name and email of your COS registrar. That information is as follows:
Betsy O’Flynn

We have had several lately list BOMregistrar@unyumc.org – this delays or causes you the student to miss the class entirely.
Other Learning Opportunities
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.
 
Certified Lay Servant Report click here
Certified Lay Speaker Report click here
Certified Lay Minister Report click here

LAY SERVANT COURSE OPPORTUNITIES

Albany District Courses - Click here
Binghamton District Courses - Click here
Mohawk District Courses- Click here
OTHER INTERESTS
NY State minimum salary to increase
The New York State minimum salary for employees classified as exempt under the New York State Labor Law’s administrative and executive exemption will increase from $937.50/week to $990.00/week or $51,480 per year, effective Dec. 31, 2021.
 
Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay employees classified as exempt under the administrative and executive exemption the New York State minimum salary. 
 
Churches should review their wage and hour practices to ensure that their employees are classified properly as non-exempt or exempt and that current minimum wage and minimum salary levels are being paid to employees. 
Click here to learn more.
 
If you have any questions on this topic, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at (315) 898-2017 or TracyRickett@unyumc.org
Overview of US Copyright Laws
Has your ministry received a copyright claim on your worship streams? While you may have no malicious intent, copyright laws aren’t governed by intent. To help you avoid these issues, our Legal Services team has developed a comprehensive five-part article series to help your ministry understand copyright laws and licensing. 
Bishop Webb Announces Clergy Appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce 17 ad interim appointments and four retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
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