Issue Date: July 22nd, 2021 |
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Change is hard on all of us. When I say I love change, I’ve have noticed over the years I am talking about change which affects me less and other people or organizations more. Yet change is inevitable and a part of the world we live in. I often quote God in Isaiah 43 when change seems to make people frightened: “Don’t remember the former things; behold I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth, do you now perceive it?” I love and depend on God’s changes to life because God knows more than we do and God seeks to make all things new. However, the work of “letting go” of the old patterns and ways of doing things and the work of embracing the new realities is hard work! Jesus taught his disciples, “With God, all things are possible.” Are we resisting the changes God is bringing to our churches, or are we embracing the new relationships and new ministries which God is bringing us? Are we welcoming new pastors and lay leaders, or embracing only the past, reveling in our accomplishments and comfortable in the style of worship or sermon or music that does not change? As followers of Jesus, we walk in the footsteps of those who first left their work to follow him, not knowing where he was going and not knowing how long or difficult the way would be. Can you embrace change as long as Jesus is with you? Will you decide now to go with him, not knowing every step of the journey? Will I? In the midst of change . . .
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Announcement! Our wonderful Administrative Assistant, Patti Gridley, is now working for our district and the Cornerstone District, out of our office in Bath. When the “A.A.” was going to retire from her work in Jamestown, the District Superintendent there, Suzanne Block, considered options. The work in the district office is extensive and far – reaching. It takes a long time to train a new person to do it. The reality of virtual offices has emerged more during the pandemic, and more information than ever is being transmitted online through email and websites. Could we save the conference some money, pare down some of the clerical tasks for the position and use one person to do the work of two, providing more hours and including health benefits? The answer, after much prayer, consultation with the bishop and cabinet, our regional DS team and the finance department of the conference was a resounding yes. Patti is strong in people skills as well as the management of the reports of local churches, and providing resources to each church and pastor. Her efficiency has increased dramatically over the years as new tasks have been added. Delegation of work to district and conference teams is increasing and local church leaders are becoming more competent at the new ways of doing business to the glory of God. And as the conference cuts costs in every department, this savings will help immensely. So please welcome Patti to her new position and pray for her as she merges two 29 hour-a-week jobs into one 40 hour-a-week job. It sounds impossible, but with God, a revised job duty list and support from each of us, I think it will work.
Appointments made recently:
- Pastor Lenny Fuller (local pastor) will add Bishopville to his ongoing appointment at Hornell August 1.
- Pastor Dena Stevens (full elder) will add Canisteo to her ongoing appointment at Arkport August 1.
- Pastor Patrick Holder (retired elder) is now serving Elmira Westside.
Pray for these churches without pastors: Burdett (appointment rescinded), Breesport & North Chemung, Cohocton & North Cohocton, Erin & Sullivanville, Litchfield & Lounsberry, Oakwood Elmira, Pine Valley
I am with you in Christ! -Jeff McDowell-
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Rev. Greg DeSalvatore
Please keep family and friends of the Rev. Greg DeSalvatore in your prayers. Rev. DeSalvatore, 68, died on July 17. He was serving Cicero UMC. Condolences can be sent to Rev. DeSalvatore’s wife, Bonita DeSalvatore, at 8428 Brewerton Road, NY 13039. A memorial service will be held on July 24 at 11 a.m. at Cicero UMC, located at 8416 Brewerton Road in Cicero. Clergy are asked to wear white stoles and will robe and sit together. Click here to read Rev. DeSalvatore’s full obituary.
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Mountain View District Office
Open By Appointment Only
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At this time visits to the office are by appointment ONLY.
Office is open: Mon.-Thurs.
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Message From District Associate Mike Kelly |
Good morning all,
I sometimes think back to the good ole days.
Yesterday I was blessed to officiate a funeral for a wonderful man that epitomized the Scripture from John 15:13. He had retired a short time ago as a Lieutenant at one of our local Sheriff’s Departments and died after an eighteen month battle with injuries sustained as a result of a tragic traffic accident. It was a wonderful hero honoring service.
So, what does that have to do with the good ole days? On our way to the cemetery, which was escorted and followed by Sheriff’s vehicles, I noticed as the Sheriff’s cars were approaching the oncoming traffic, they would pull over to the shoulder of the road. But as soon as the Sheriff’s vehicle passed, out they would pull with no regard to the hearse or any other vehicles in the procession. I was taught and it was modeled to me by my parents that when you approached a funeral procession, you pulled over out of respect, if you safely could. I remember hearing, “You respect your elders,” “You respect your pastor, you respect the police officers, you respect your teachers, you respect authority” etc., etc., simply put, the expectation was of kindness and respect.
When we talk about respect, according to Microsoft Edge it is mentioned in the Bible seventy-four times. And I suspect it may be even more times. On top of the listing was 1 Peter 2:17 NIV17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. And we even can find instruction to live by on the subject: Titus 2:7-8 The Voice 7-8 Titus, you have to set a good example for everyone. Go out of your way to do what is right, speak the truth with the weight and authority that come from an honest and pure life. No one can argue with that. Then your enemies will cower in shame because they have nothing bad to say against us.
Friends these are the behaviors that we need to model as a church and as God’s people. Our society needs it. It is time for us to come together and truly live the expectations that Jesus requires of us, and it is simple, “Love All!” Lets be that church and those people.
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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.
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Please note that there is a new type of phishing-scheme email that has been received in multiple inboxes throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. The email will look as though it is from someone you know in the UNY Conference and will show their actual email address. The text will ask you to link to a DocuSign document. DO NOT OPEN THIS DOCUMENT! It contains a virus. It is not truly from the person in the “From” address.
Do not open any links in these emails.
My Mountainview district email was hacked July 12th. and it has been an ordeal to get it fixed and back up working again!!!! PLEASE be careful in what emails and documents you open.
Click here for a helpful video that outlines how to identify such an email and what to do if you receive one.
If you have any questions or concerns about this phishing scheme, contact Doug Thomas, UNY IT Manager, at dougthomas@unyumc.org
7/22/21
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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
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DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES
Christmas In July!
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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
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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
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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
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From the Mountain View District Lay Ministry Team |
When Jesus called his disciples, those he would teach, heal and pray for, he chose everyday folks. Fishermen, tax collectors, farmers, and such were called, and nudged by God with a longing to follow and serve. We today as Lay Servants have been called as well in such a way and if you had not noticed, times have changed a bit.
We are faced with different challenges in our discipleship and so it is vital that we, the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, called to teach, preach, healing and leading take time to gather together. We gather to encourage, support, and provide teaching to help us in our ministries…Jesus said it best when he prayed for his disciples and then all believers; “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:25-26
You are not alone in your ministry. Our Mountain View District Lay Servant Team has planned a time of gathering in the Spirit on August 21st, from 9-5 pm. We are so blessed to have David Teel, the Director of Laity and Spiritual Leadership come up from Nashville to speak to us about our call and the future of Laity. From the Conference, Mike Block, the Director of Missional Engagement will be holding a workshop on Missions and the church. Please see the flyer for the other workshops being provided during this day of unity in the Spirit. We will worship together, learn together, share a meal. and Communion to be sent out to do the work God has called us to do. For the glory of God, the building of disciples and the transformation of the world.
WE also hope to introduce others to Lay Ministry and encourage you to invite someone from your church who has shown an interest and the gifts to serve.
Join us! Registration information is on the flyer or click here for an online registration form.
Joyously in Service,
The Mountain View Lay Servant Ministry Team
7/22/21
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United Methodist Night at the Ball Game |
Contact Ken Summers for tickets at:
or my phone (607)725-7709
7/22/21
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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
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UNY Conference Center to Open July 26th |
Now that the CDC and New York State have issued guidelines allowing indoor gatherings for vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals (so long as they wear masks and social distance), the UNY Conference executive staff team has made the decision to open the UNY United Methodist Center to the public following the attached protocols, effective July 26, 2021.
UNY Conference Director of Connectional Ministries and Executive Assistant to the Bishop, the Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding said, “We are very, very excited to be able to welcome guests, visitors, and teams back into the building. We have really missed them.”
The protocols are in place to ensure that everyone will be safe when using the UNY Methodist Center.
The office will be equipped for hybrid meetings via Zoom for those unable to attend in-person.
Click here to register for a meeting with your team at the UNY United Methodist Center.
We hope to see you soon!
7/22/21
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CRM is excited to see:
Campers (still registering – click HERE to search the program list!!)
Staff (critical need for health professionals, counselors and kitchen staff)
Volunteers (small and large projects, an hour or a week+)
Questions? Call the site or the CRM Central Office at 315-898-2026.
7/8/2021
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PLEASE Consider Subscribing to the Following Links |
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
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2021 Annual Conference Recap |
The 2021 UNY Annual Conference, held virtually, from June 17-June 19, was a success! If you are looking for an easy way to report the happenings of this important event to your churches, we’ve done the work for you!
Click here to find an overview of Annual Conference, notes for what was accomplished each day, and videos, including recorded livestreams in addition to the Memorial and Ordination services.
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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.
They have had to modify the format due to COVID. Program will be 2 1/2 hours followed by 1/2 of Q&A.
Cindy Squillace is the coordinator for this event. It was created
by a group called Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, a committee
of the Syracuse Peace Council.
5/27/21
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From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership
of Wesley Theological Seminary
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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.
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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
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ALBANY DISTRICT LAY SERVANT COURSE OPPORTUNITIES |
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COVID-19 Information & Resources |
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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. |
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The HUB at UNY Conference Center |
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MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT OFFICE |
35 Wilkes Ave.
PO Box 706
Bath, NY 14810
607-962-8047
Office Hours
Mon.-Thurs. 7am-2:15pm
In Person by APPOINTMENT ONLY
Rev. Dr. Jeff McDowell
District Superintendent
Pastor Mike Kelly
District Associate
Ann Welch Wood
District Lay Leader
Patti Gridley
District Administrative Assistant
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