AROUND THE CORNER
Information for and about our District
August 26, 2021
Around the Corner will be published/distributed
every other week. Next Issue Sept. 9th
2022 Clergy Compensation Report Form

Each year churches are asked to complete the UNY Clergy Compensation Report for their Pastor/lay pastor. This report is:
 
  • Completed by the local church's Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee and then sent to;
  • The Finance Team for approval;
  • Then the Church Council approves Pastor's Compensation;
  • Finally the Annual Church Conference will give the approval for Pastor's Compensation, which begins on Jan. 1, 2022.
 
Even if there is no change in the amount from 2021, a 2022 Report must be completed. The SPRCs should be scheduling a meeting by the end of August or first week in Sept. for this work to begin. The Finance Team and Church Council should plan to act on this Compensation no later than September or beginning of October. The Annual Church Conference is not the place for continued discussion and questions on the Pastor's Compensation. Please contact the Superintendent well in advance of the Church Conference if SPRC, finance team or church council have difficulty completing this work.

The S/PPRC chairpersons and church treasurers for whom churches have provided email contacts should have received the information below. There have been no paper packets mailed for some time now. Pastors, please ensure this work is taking place. If the SPRC chair did not receive this email, they should contact the District Office to verify their email address on file and restore communication.


Click here if you need any of the above information

2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms Are Now Available
8/12/21
ATTENTION ALL LOCAL PASTORS ATTENDING COURSES AT
WESLEY SEMINARY

Course of Study is getting ready to start back up!!!!!
The Fall Classes registration due date is Sept. 1st.
PLEASE do not wait to the last minute to sign up for your classes.

When you fill out your registration form please make sure you have done the following:
  • You need to include your PID from GBHEM
  • You need to include your WTS Student ID as well
  • You need to make sure you check ONE course box per term. (just a side note: you can sign up for ALL 3 terms now and be set for the year!)
  • Send NO money at this time for Wesley Seminary. (you will receive a bill)
  • You need to make sure you sign it
  • You need make sure to get it to the District Office to get the DS's signature
  • The District Admin. will send your registration on to the Conference Registrar for her to sign and get it to school that you are registering for.

Remember that you are to take 2 courses per year

Courses through the winter session of 2022 will remain fully on-line. We *may* return to some in person courses in the spring session. Please check the Blackboard site for instructions after the first of the year. All weekend courses can be registered for using a single form found below. Syllabi will be posted to the Wesley Theological Seminary website at: 

Click here for the registration form
8/12/21
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord send your spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us pow'r, send us grace.
-- Ken Medema
Here are the Pastors and their churches to keep in your prayers for the month of August.

Allentown & Bolivar UMCs. Pastor Elva Cornell, her husband Darrin and their family.
KonXions UMC. Rev. Stephen R. Crowell, Sr., his wife Kristan and their family.
Short Tract & Swain UMCs. Rev. Marian Luce, her husband and their family.
Northern KonXions & Wellsville:First UMCs. Pastor Craig Buelow, his wife Diane and their family.
Caneadea UMC. Harrison Putnam, his wife Brigette and their family

The 2021-2022 District Prayer Calendar begins July 25. To view or download, click here.
NEW
SOUTHERN TIER REGION WORKSHOP
(Cornerstone, Mountain View, Binghamton and Oneonta Districts)
WHEN: September 1, 2021
WHERE: By Zoom
TIME: 10:30am-12:20pm OR 6:00pm-8:00pm
ATTENTION PASTORS & CHURCH LEADERSHIP in the Southern Tier Region!

How Does Stewardship Relate to Discipleship? 
We use the word discipleship when we talk about people and we use the word stewardship when we talk about money, but we seldom use the two words together. This “shortchanges” both discipleship and stewardship. When we become a discipleship, we are choosing to actively follow Jesus Christ and walk with Jesus Christ, but that choice also makes us stewards of God’s gifts! Discipleship cannot happen without good stewardship. Good stewardship cannot happen without discipleship.
 
Please join Rev. Susan Ranous, Director of Stewardship for the Upper New York Conference. She is an Ordained Deacon and a Certified Public Accountant. This workshop will discuss how discipleship and stewardship relate to each other and how this understanding will deepen the faith of you, your congregation and your community. You can join the session that best suits your schedule. Topics covered will be similar, but questions discussed may differ.

Please register with Suan Ranous for this event at: sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com
or call at 315-427-3668
8/26/21
NEW
United Methodist Men's Retreat



FAITH in ACTION Men's Retreat

WHEN: Fri. Oct.1st, 4pm-Sat. Oct. 2nd, 2:30pm

WHERE:Camp Casowasco

Click here for registration


PLEASE Bring- Camping gear, Sleeping bag, Pillow, Flashlight, Bible and a MASK (masks may be required per UNYAC and CDC)
8/26/21
NEW
2021 UNY Directory Now Available

The 2021 UNY
Conference directory is now available to view or download or view online and a hard copy is available to purchase. Click here to view/download. Click here to purchase a hard copy for $6.28.
8/26/21
UNY CONAM
We need your voice
As Charge Conference time returns we wish to remind you to appoint a
local church representative to Native American Ministries. Designating an
individual to be mindful of native needs, share information with your
church, and celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS) is vital to
help us serve native peoples in our Conference and beyond. As a
representative you receive links to timely issues, action items, and
resources for celebrating NAMS.
It has been a particularly challenging time for our Native American
brothers and sisters. Heartbreaking losses due to the pandemic and the
revelation of countless graves in boarding schools has caused much
sadness. The legacy of boarding schools continues to traumatize many.
The road to Repentance and healing is a long one. You continue to walk
the road with us when you designate a local church representative at
Charge Conference. This individual becomes an important point of
contact for CONAM and our native brothers and sisters with whom we
walk.
Sharon Schmit, Chair
UNY Committee on Native American Ministries
8/12/21
Pre-retirement seminar scheduled for Oct. 1

There will be an in-person pre-retirement seminar held in October to highlight and explain the benefits available through The United Methodist Church to retiring clergy. This seminar is intended to assist persons in their later years of ministry understand the current pension plan, health insurance options, Social Security, and moving assistance available.
 
Online registration is required, as we will provide clergy-specific retirement projections, and also schedule personal consultations.
 
The seminar will be held at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool on Friday, Oct. 1 from 9:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. Click here for more information and to register. The deadline to register is Sept. 17.
8/12/21
Transforming Church Conflict and Creating Space
for Authentic Community Retreat
 
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-Oct. 6&7, 2021 (W/Th)
Session Two-Oct. 27 & 28, (W/Th)
Both sessions begin w/ lunch at 12:15 (W) & end at 5pm (Th).
 
This retreat series explores the theory and practice of effective conflict engagement, including the skills and strategies that work to create space for conflict's transformation in three different contexts:
1. Self-Managed Conflict - When we are the ones in conflict.
2. The Mediator - When we serve as a neutral third party.
3. The Facilitator - When we convene a heated church meeting.
 
Tuition: $375. Casowasco Meals & Lodging: $224. Total Cost: $599. Maximum # of participants is 20. Registration deadline is September 24. To Register Click here. For more information visit www.mcneillmediation.com. 
8/12/21
Cornerstone District Office mailing address
(As of July 1,2021):

PO Box 687
Bath, NY, 14810
Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM Training
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, September 25.  
 
More information: click here
  
If there are any questions please contact one of the co-chairs of the committee at safesanctuaries@unyumc.org  
  
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.  

Registration-click here
NEW
How are new appointments going?

Starting July 1, many pastors throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference received new annual appointments. We are starting a blog series about the new appointments.
 
Whether you are a pastor who has received a new appointment, or you are laity with a new pastor, we want to hear how it’s going! Send your stories to news@unyumc.org by Friday Sept. 3.
NEW
Dismantling Racism Resource:
Reflection on Native American Boarding Schools
The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The UNY Conference Communications team will regularly share worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
 
This week we feature a reflection by a Colorado Conference Navajo pastor, Norman Mark, who attended four Native American boarding schools during his youth. For almost 100 until the 1960s, thousands of Native American children were forcibly taken from their homes and trained to reject their heritage and do manual labor. Christian denominations, including Methodism, were involved in running some of the schools.
 
Click here to read Pastor Mark’s reflection, to learn about the 2021-2024 Native American Comprehensive Plan, and the Oct. 6 Day of Repentance.
8/26/21
The following information was updated and shared with the Upper New York Conference on August 10, 2021.

The CDC has recently issued revised guidelines for in person gatherings due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. These revised guidelines include the recommendation that vaccinated and unvaccinated persons in areas with high infection rates wear masks when gathering indoors. Because this recommendation would apply to worship and other church gatherings, churches are advised to consult their county listing on the CDC webpage. This can be found here: 

Click here to read the UNY Church COVID guidelines and to determine your county’s level of transmission.
8/12/21  
LSM Classes Open to All
Please note the class facilitator and/or contact person and contact him/her with any questions.

Imagine No Racism
September 8, 15, 22 & 29 and October 6 & 13 6:30-8 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $10
Facilitator: Thaddeus Pinckney thaddeusp1@yahoo.com

Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution
September 11 & 18
9 am – 12 pm and 1-3 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $10
Facilitator: Pastor Danyal Mohammadzadeh – pastordanyal@livinghopeumc.org

Weekend Retreat: Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders
October 15, 5 pm through October 17, 12 pm
Class held in person
Retreat fee, $65 (includes Friday dinner and Saturday lunch and dinner)
Hotel accommodations, $75 + taxes/night
Contact: Nancy Goddard – bngoddard@davespc.net

NEW
Mountain View District Lay Servant Courses
These are open for anyone to take
They are all by ZOOM
COURSE: Basic
WHEN: Wednesdays-Beginning Oct. 6- Nov. 3
WHERE: By Zoom
TIME: 7:00pm-9:00pm
 
COURSE: Lay Pastoral Caregiving
WHEN: Wednesdays-Beginning Oct.13-Nov. 10
WHERE: By Zoom
TIME: 6:30pm-8:30pm
 
COURSE: Afire with God
WHEN: Saturdays- Beginning Oct. 2- Nov. 6
WHERE: By Zoom
TIME: 9:30am-12 Noon
 
Click here for registration and brochure
Registration Due before Sept. 15, 2021

NEW
Adirondack District Lay Servant Classes Being Offered
They are all by ZOOM
  
Advanced Course: Spiritual Gifts
Thursdays: September 9, 16, 23, & 30
6:00 – 9:00 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15 
Instructors: Jacqueline Kim and Nancy Lee Harrington
 
Advanced Course: Polity
Wednesdays: September 8, 15, 22 & 29 6:00-9:00 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15 
Instructors: Arlene Schmidt and Bruce Hazard
 
Advanced Course 2: Preaching
(Called to Preach: From Pew to Pulpit)
Wednesdays: October 6, 13, 20: 6:00 -9:00 pm
Saturday: October 23, 9:00 am -1:00 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15  
Instructors: Arlene Schmidt and Jacqueline Kim
 
Advanced Course: Leading Worship
Thursdays October 14, 21, 28 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Saturday: November 6: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15  
Instructors: Arlene Schmidt and Jacqueline Kim
 
Please be in touch with Arlene Schmidt if you have questions: adschmidt@nycap.rr.com

NEW
Binghamton District Lay Servant Class
Open to ALL laity and clergy

COURSE: Puppet Ministry Pizzazz
WHEN: Mondays Sept. 13-Oct.- 6:00-8:30pm
WHERE: By ZOOM

For more information, please contact binghamtondistrict@unyumc.org

Click here for Binghamton District brochure
2021 Campaign for
Red Bird
It's not too early to begin planning for your congregation's response to the annual Upper New York Conference collection drive for Red Bird Mission. Please share the
attached letter from David Alexander, Coordinator and member of Endwell UMC.

Ripley UMC has graciously agreed to serve as a collection point for our District again this year. If your church is willing to serve as an additional collection point please email David, Dalexander4@stny.rr.com
Items from Celoron UMC Available
The congregation of Celoron United Methodist Church will be celebrating their final worship this Sunday, June 27. They are looking for a "good home" for the church's contents: pulpit furniture, worship supplies, office furniture, kitchen items, etc.

Click here for a compete inventory of available items. If you/your church/any other church is interested, please contact Chris Fandt, Celoron Trustee Chair, 716-488-1722.
HELPFUL LINKS FOR YOU
CORNERSTONE DISTRICT [cornerstonedistrict.com]