Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (NIV)
Luke 9:23 “Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (NIV)
John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV)
1 John 4:19, “We love because God first loved us.” (NIV)
Hello Cornerstone District! As I write this September Newsletter article, it is a sunny day, a slight wind is moving through the green leaves on the trees, and Matzo is sleeping and snoring on his blankets to my right. Life is good!
Yet, the news weighs heavy on my heart with stories of flooding, fires, violence, immigration, food insecurity, homelessness, the Delta Variant of COVID19 with increasing hospitalizations and deaths, divisions related to vaccinations and divisions in the church as well as the uncertainty of the United Methodist Church. If we continue to focus on everything that is happening around us, we can become numb, filled with anxiety and unable to move or live our daily lives. We can also become numb, filled with anxiety and unable to move or live our daily lives, when we keep wondering “when can we get back to normal,” like it was before the pandemic?
I say this because I love you, what once was before the pandemic, will not be again. God is doing a new thing…. Let’s join God in what God is already doing! Remember, each one of us is a beloved child of God and there is much work to do in sharing the love of God and the good news of the gospel!
So, take a deep breath or three and focus on the four verses listed above.
Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (NIV)
New things are happening! Yes, that means change is also happening!
First: Welcome Patti Gridley as the new Cornerstone District Administrative Assistant. She is also the Mountain View District Administrative Assistant!
The physical office is located at: 35 Wilkes Avenue, Bath, New York, 14810.
The Cornerstone District Office mailing address is:
Cornerstone District Office, PO Box 706, Bath, NY 14810
Telephone number is: 716-665-2423 (when you call this number, leave a voice mail and Patti will receive your message as an email. OR: you may call the Mountain View District telephone number: 607-962-8047
Welcome the following churches new to the Cornerstone District: Swain, Short Tract, Wellsville, KonXions, Bolivar and Allentown!
Welcome to the Cornerstone District: Rev. Marian Luce, Rev. Stephen Crowell and CLM Elva Cornell!
Second: Pastor’s One-on-One Conversation with the District Superintendent.
This year there be Six Regional One-on-One sites: Christ United Olean, Belfast Campus of Northern KonXions, Tri-Church Parish Brocton, East Randolph, Panama and Christ First Jamestown.
Please have your completed forms emailed or scanned to the Cornerstone District Office one week prior to your One-on-One. Email: Cornerstonedistrict@unyumc.org
Third: Charge Conferences 2021. This year there will be Seven Regional Charge Conference Sites: Christ United Olean, Belfast Campus of Northern KonXions, Tri-Church Parish Brocton, East Randolph, Panama, Christ First Jamestown and South Dayton. The current plan is to meet in person.
Luke 9:23 “Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (NIV)
John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV)
Discipleship from the Upper New York Conference: In my last newsletter article, the first characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ is to confess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Characteristic #2) A disciple of Jesus Christ is continually transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflect on these questions:
· How has your life changed/transformed since you have become a follower of Jesus Christ?
· What have you been able to do, as you stepped out of your comfort zone, for the Kingdom of God?
Characteristic #3) A disciple of Jesus Christ seeks accountability to grow spiritually and missionally.
Reflect on these questions:
· What accountability groups are you actively participating in? Examples of accountability groups might be weekly prayer group, Bible study, shepherding group, an ecumenical group …
· Do you have an accountability partner that you check in with on a weekly basis?
· Are you attending worship on a weekly basis?
· Answer for yourself “John Wesley’s 22 Questions of Self Examination” (can be found online)
Characteristic #4) A disciple of Jesus Christ boldly connects with the world around them while dismantling all forms of oppression and building up marginalized communities.
Reflect on these questions:
· Have you participated in Anti-Racism work this year?
· How do you understand mutuality? (this is not the handout, or the hand up, but the hand across – wanting for others what you want for yourself).
Characteristic #5) A disciple of Jesus Christ proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Reflect on these questions:
· How do you demonstrate the love of Christ out in the world?
· How comfortable are you building relationships with strangers?
Characteristic #6) A disciple of Jesus Christ participates with God to make other disciples.
Reflect on these questions:
· How are you participating with God to make other disciples?
· Where are you participating with God to make other disciples?
Deep breath …
This may seem over whelming, but here is the good news – we do not have to do this alone; we can do this together! Whether in person or virtually! We can grow as disciples of Jesus Christ! Share the love of God found in Jesus Christ and rely on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:19, “We love because God first loved us.” (NIV)
As we move through this challenging time, continue to love your neighbor, love God and remember you are each a beloved child of God!
Grace, Peace and Love,
Suzanne
