News In & Around the District

July 28th

NEXT ISSUE AUGUST 11th

Words From DS Sherri Rood

Jesus, Take My Hand

I have a very early memory of waking up in the middle of the night during a thunderstorm and asking Jesus to hold my hand because I was afraid. I remember a calming presence and an assurance that I was not alone. The thunder and lightning did not stop, but somehow, I knew Jesus was with me. There have been many times over the years when I have asked Jesus to hold my hand. Other times I have prayed, “Lord, what should I do?” Sometimes the answers came; sometimes there was silence – for a long time. But always, I felt the presence of the Lord with me. No matter what, I was not alone. The Bible is full of stories where God said to people, “I will be with you.” God is present with us as well.

Psalm 46:1-3 says,

“God is our refuge and strength,

a very presenthelp in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

There is a lot going on in our world and our lives today. No matter what happens, God is with us as our refuge and strength. That’s good news! So many people do not know the comforting, guiding, leading, and yes, sometimes prodding presence of God in the person of Jesus Christ. People around us are looking for meaning, purpose, belonging and connection. They are seeking hope. They long to know they matter. We can offer people all those things as we introduce them to Jesus, walk with them as they decide to take his hand and nurture them in a community of faith. That is the calling of every church and every Christian. The United Methodist Church puts it this way: Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Disciple-making is our purpose.

If you are facing troubles or fears, I hope you will invite Jesus to take your hand. He will be present with you. While the storm may continue around you, please know you are not alone. I look forward to hearing how you and your church community are inviting people into relationship with Jesus. His love has the power to transform us and transform the world. Let’s take Jesus’ hand and share the good news!

I am praying for you, please pray for me!

Grace and peace,

Sherri

From the Desk of Reverend Michael J Kelly, MV District Associate

And here we are in another appointed year gladly serving God, our churches and our communities. Sorry to have missed the last newsletter, I had the privilege of serving as the Minister of the Week at Casowasco when it was due. I strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to serve there, it was extremely fulfilling for me. We together welcome our new Superintendent Reverend Doctor Sherri Rood, and are fortunate to have Reverend Doctor Jeff McDowell continue in the district as the new pastor at Horseheads United Methodist.

Having met with Sherri on a couple of occasions it remains clear what our focus is and it is just as the Bible teaches us and the very message of the United Methodist Church, “Go and Make Disciples for the Transformation of the World. I personally find that I have had great success in this by “Being the Church,” in the community.

Our Book of Discipline provides us guidance with a very clear and succinct message. From paragraph 201: The local church provides the most significant arena through which disciple making occurs. And in paragraph 202 it says the function of the local church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people to accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to live their daily lives in light of their relationship with God. Therefore, the local church is to minister to persons in the community where the church is located to provide appropriate training and nurturing to all, to cooperate in ministry with other local churches, to defend God’s creation and live as an ecologically responsible community, and to participate in the worldwide mission of the church. WOW, yes, we can.

There are many ways that this can happen and does happen in our local churches. But friends these are the minimal expectations. Please know that Sherri and I are available to come and help you empower and engage others in the ministry of your local church.

Hope to hear from you,

Mike

New Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON HOW TO CONTACT US

Please beware that we are having some issues with our voicemails going to our emails. SO...if you have an emergency when the office is closed PLEASE send an us an email.

For the District Office contact Patti at: mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org

For the District Superintendent contact Rev. Sherri Rood at sherrirood@unyumc.org

We appreciate your patience as the issue is being worked on.

From Rev. Dena Stevens

I would to express my gratitude for the the prayers phone calls and cards received from the clergy, friends and churches for my mothers death and during this time of grief.

Thank you

Dena Stevens

Disaffiliation Information-From Wespath

Understanding Pension Liabilities-For Local Churches Considering Disaffiliation

Watch this video for easy-to-understand answers to complex questions related to pension plan funding and the withdrawal liability payment required for local churches that disaffiliate from the UMC.

Click here for video

Course of Study Through Wesley Seminary:

Fall 2022-Spring 2023

Licensed local Pastors....are you are planning to take COS for the Fall, 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 Fall-Sept.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. Click here for all the information you need for COS Satellite School. You will find all the forms you need here as well.

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

Positions open at the Methodist missionary vacation home

in Chautauqua, NY

Seeking host and hostess couple to open and close the home, process reservations, supervise a staff of four, and all operations of the house, including kitchen, laundry, maintenance, and care of the lawn. Host and Hostess should be on site from May 15 to Sept. 15 starting in 2023.

Salary, plus room and board, gate pass, parking.

Please send resumes to: Marie Follett, 331 West Academy Street, Albion, New York 14411 by Aug. 15, 2022. A more detailed list of duties will be available to interested parties.

Family Life & Youth Director Sought at Baker Memorial UMC

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in East Aurora, NY, is seeking a Director of Family Life and Youth to lead practical and spiritual education in Christian ministries for local families, children, and youth. This is a full time position that requires a flexible schedule. The compensation package includes competitive salary, housing, health and retirement benefits. To respond to this opportunity please contact the church office at (716) 652-0500 or admin@bakerchurch.org

For the job description, click here .

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., August 6th

This training is offered by the Ministry Shares of the Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. This training is for anyone who works with children, youth and vulnerable adults in the ministry setting of an Upper New York Church.

Click here to register.

Red Bird Mission Project

We are in the planning stages for this years collection of shoeboxes and other items for the Red Bird Mission. We are looking for drop off sites in the various districts where various Churches could drop off their shoeboxes and or other items that are going to the Red Bird Mission. We are looking for sites from October 16 thru November 16. The trip is planned for November 28 with the packing of the trucks on Saturday, November 26.

The need for shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene supplies, backpacks, new blankets and sheet sets and diapers are in great need this year. The need for used clothing is not a critical need at this time as their warehouse is full. We will still take new cloths as they can be used at the Community Outreach Center for distribution. If there are Churches that can be drop off sites, please send an email to Dalexander4@stny.rr.com , so a list can be made available in our future emails.

Your help in this project is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, I can be reached by email or you can call 607-743-8955. Thank you for helping us start the process of getting things ready to take to the Red Bird Mission.

United Methodist Hymnals Available

They Are The Red Cover Ones

If you are in need of UMC Hymnals (these are the red hymnals) please contact the Cornerstone District office at cornerstonedistrict@unyumc.org or you can call 607-962-8047 Please note that these are located in Jamestown.

Events To Check Out

United Methodist Women in Faith

2022 Mission U

Upper New York United Women in Faith

2022 Mission u - Luke 13

A Transformative Biblical Curriculum for Adults, Youth and Children

Thursday, August 18 – Saturday, August 20, 2022

Fayetteville United Methodist Church

601 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066

Click here for flyer & registration information

Resource Central

Download the #BeUMC Discussion Guide

Did you know that the United Methodist Church has a free, downloadable 45-page discussion guide tied to the #BeUMC campaign? This is a great resource for your Sunday School class, Bible study, or small group to reflect on what it means to #BeUMC.

Click here to access the guide.