Northern Flow Weekly Newsletter February 9, 2023

The Current

February 9, 2023

UMCOR Cleaning Buckets for Buffalo

In the aftermath of the Christmas Blizzard, many have asked “What else can we do?”.

Buy items from the Upper New York Mission Central Hub’s “Cleaning Kit" Amazon Wishlist now through March 1st and have your items shipped to Harris Hill United Methodist Church, located in the Buffalo area.

Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3U03Y63G93KQA?ref_=wl_share

Harris Hill United Methodist Church’s “Go! Ministry” was prepared to respond to their community's cleaning needs after the blizzard with UMCOR Cleaning Buckets. They graciously provided these buckets to their neighbors and helped many make sense of the mess that was in front of them. Let's help replenish their buckets!

If you are dropping off in person, please call Harris Hill UMC to schedule a drop off at (716) 632-4688

Buying from somewhere else? Ship to: 8495 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221

Are you connected to UNY?

Do you receive the latest news and updates from UNY Conference?

All pastors should be connected and as many people from your congregation that would like to be.

Open to everyone – pass the word!

If you are not connected please follow the instructions below.

To sign up either click the following link: https://bit.ly/UNYnotes.

Or follow the steps below:

Go to the conference website

Click on News in the toolbar

Select Connect with UNY

You can sign up for all six categories or just select the UNY Notes

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez’s

Installation Service to be Held March 11

The Upper New York (UNY) Committee on Episcopacy invites all United Methodists in UNY to join us Saturday, March 11, at 2 p.m. to celebrate the assignment of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez as our new episcopal leader. At this installation service, we will thank God for the life, ministry, and leadership of Bishop Héctor, offer him and his family our gracious hospitality, and hear our new bishop share his vision for how God intends to lead us into the future together.

This service of installation and celebration is intended for the whole Conference. You may participate in one of two ways:

1. In-person at the Liverpool First United Methodist Church in Liverpool, NY. A limited number of seats are available. Please RSVP for in-person participation no later than March 4 by registering here. An onsite reception will follow this service.

2. Via Livestream from anywhere in the Conference and beyond. To connect, please click here on the Conference website on the day of the service. For Livestream participation, no RSVP is necessary.

We look forward to joining together Saturday, March 11, 2023, to welcome our new resident bishop and celebrate all God seeks to do in and through us in the days ahead.

Save the Date for Regional Meetings

with Bishop Héctor

Starting Jan. 1, 2023, Bishop Héctor Burgos, who prefers to be addressed as Bishop Héctor, will be the new bishop of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. Bishop Héctor is eager to meet laity and clergy throughout the Conference and has scheduled dates for regional meetings. The meetings will be as follows:

Feb. 9, 2023 – Lakes Region–Leroy UMC
Feb. 16, 2023 -Northeast Region–New Hartford
March 1, 2023 – Lakes Region–Auburn UMC
March 2, 2023 – Northeast Region–Plattsburgh UMC
March 15, 2023 – Southern Tier Region—Olean: Christ
March 16, 2023 – Southern Tier Region—Central Endicott

The clergy meetings will be from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The laity meeting (and clergy unable to attend the earlier time) will be from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

LEARNING AND GROWING OPPORTUNITY

A DISCIPLE’S HEART: GROWING IN LOVE AND GRACE

A Book Study and Discussion Group

by James Harnish with Justin Larosa

Discipleship in the Methodist tradition affirms that there is always more work for God to do in the human heart. Our focus in this study circle is the ongoing transformation of the heart that happens as the love of God that came to us in Jesus takes up residence in us, enabling us to become agents of God’s transforming love at work in the world.

Thursday, February 16^th @ 7:00-8:30 PM

Thursday, March 2^nd @ 7:00-8:30 PM

Thursday, March 16^th @ 7:00-8:30 PM

Thursday, March 30^th@ 7:00-8:30 PM

Thursday, April 13^th @ 7:00-8:30 PM

All Sessions will be held on Zoom. Please email one of the facilitators to register. There will be no registration fee, but participants (lay or clergy) need to purchase their own book.

Facilitators

Wendy Zepp: wzepp@stny.rr.com

Ann Welch Wood: awelchwood@hotmail.com

A Disciple’s Heart Daily Workbook: Growing in Love and Grace by James Harnish with Justin Larosa here

BLESS THIS MESS

Bless This Mess ZOOM Forum - Sponsored by Plattsburgh United Methodist Church

Parent ZOOM Video Forum: Bless This Mess Bless This Mess: A Modern Guide to Faith and Parenting in a Chaotic World (by Re. Molly Baskette and Ellen O'Donnell. PhD.)

A book study / parent support group. We will discuss: a brief overview of the book topics of raising children in a Christian faith; navigating developmental challenges from preschool through adolescence to adulthood; developing positive parenting and discipline skills; coping with life emotional challenges including anxiety, depression, fear, anger; developmental challenges; and other medical and mental health issues.

There are 10 Chapters and we will discuss 2 Chapters each time we meet. The meeting dates and times are as follows:

Sundays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Feb 26th, March 19th, April 16th, May 7th, and finish May 21st.

Link to purchase the book here

Link to reading guide here

In order to offer this opportunity we need at least 3 families to sign up. If you know of others that are interested in a group like this, please forward this information. This is an open group to Members and Non-Members of the congregations.

Please email me back by February 12th, if you are interested in participating. pastorphils@gmail.com

We will send out a link to those registered by February 23rd.

Blessings,

Rev. Phil Richards

Adirondack District Offering Lay Servant Courses

Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has added some courses to the 2023 schedule.

Please remember that you MUST attend all class times and dates to receive credit.

All registrations and course fees MUST be in by the date due.

For a registration form or for more information, contact Arlene Schmidt, arlenedschmidt@gmail.com For more information about the courses (books, etc.) click here for the updated brochure.

Advanced Course: Leading Prayer

Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Registration and course fees due by Feb. 15

Advanced Course: Called to Preach

Tuesdays April 11, 18, 25, May 2 & 9: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitators: Jacqueline Kim & Team member

Registration and course fees due by March 28

Advanced Course: Polity

Wednesdays, May 3, 10, 17 & 24: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Bruce Hazard & Team member

Registration and course fees due by April 19

Advanced Course: Opening Ourselves to Grace

Thursdays: May 4, 11, 18, 25, & June 1: 6-9pm

ZOOM: $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim & Team member

Registration and course fees due by April 20

"Engage New People Grant" Available

The Upper New York New Faith Communities' Team is excited to announce the “Engage New People Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working to Engage New People not already in their church/ministry. New Faith Communities Conference-wide purpose is to reach people outside the Church in new and contextual ways.

Grants will be available up to $2,500 to help local churches and ministries. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis in 2023. Churches and ministries may apply for up to $2,500 during one calendar year. Please expect 60 days to review your application.

Click here to apply for the “Engage New People Grant.”

Upon completing the application, the New Faith Communities' team will reach out to the pastor/lead planter of the church and/or contact person listed to confirm your submission.

Equalization Members Needed for 2023

Please CLICK the application button below to find the 2023 Northern Flow District Equalization Member Application for Annual Conference.

Please read the application carefully as it has changed from last year. This year there will be three (3) sessions that our EQ Members will need to attend. There will be two (2) virtual sessions - Saturday March 25th and Saturday October 14th - in addition to an IN PERSON session to be held June 1 - 3, 2023 at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.

Applications are to be received in the district office no later than

Wednesday February 1^st, 2023.

Each session will have a separate registration process and cost associated with it. There will be NO COST for the March 25th session.

Thank you to all of you in advance for volunteering your time and energy in serving as an Northern Flow District Lay Equalization Representative.

Any questions please contact the office.

Application

Reminder for Churches Certificates of Insurance

If your church is seeking certificates of insurance for disability insurance coverage (DB 120.1) and/or workers’ compensation insurance coverage (C105.2), the following information will be helpful to you.

Requests for DB 120.1

Certificates of insurance for disability insurance coverage (DB 102.1) are issued by the disability insurance carrier, Guardian. The following information will be needed from you to request the certificate of insurance. You can email either Tracy Rickett, HR Generalist, at t tracyrickett@unyumc.org or Suzannah Emerson at SEmerson@WalshDuffield.com with the following information. Please allow at least 5 business days for your request to be processed.

NAME OF INSURED CHURCH:

MAILING ADDRESS OF INSURED CHURCH:

EMAIL ADDRESS TO WHERE DB 120.1 CERTIFICATE SHOULD BE SENT:

NAME OF ENTITY REQUESTING PROOF OF INSURANCE (Typically the Dept of Health):

ADDRESS OF ENTITY REQUESTING PROOF OF INSURANCE:

Requests for C 105.2

Certificates of insurance for workers’ compensation insurance coverage (C105.2) can be obtained by contacting American Church Group of NY. They will assist each church in obtaining the documentation needed. Contact them at 800-326-7200; 717-763-5517 (fax) or UMCservice.NY@AmericanChurchGroup.com.

If you have questions on certificates of insurance, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at (315) 898-2017 or tracyrickett@unyumc.org.

SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING SCHEDULE

Schedule

Report your church statistics on ACStats beginning Jan. 3, 2023. Please share this news with those in each church who work on statistical reporting.

After Jan. 3 Report your Church Statistics on ACStats

Annual Church Statistics (ACStats) is the one-stop location for United Methodist data that tracks membership, expenses, and income. It's designed to help churches submit year-end statistics to the Upper New York (UNY) Conference digitally in a way that's cost-effective.

This user-friendly platform replaces Ezra as the method of reporting your church statistics.

March 17, 2023, is the deadline to complete the 2022 statistical report for your church; however, you cannot enter any data to the 2022 statistics tables until Jan. 3, 2023.

In the meantime, you may familiarize yourselves with the new ACStats platform by reviewing the user's guide for local churches. Translated reports are available in Spanish and Korean.

Click here to learn more.

Save the Date for March Special Session

The Upper New York Conference’s March 2023 Special Session of Annual Conference to consider disaffiliation requests will take place remotely on March 25 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Registration will open on Feb. 1, 2023, and close on

March 10, 2023.

ANNUAL CAMPAIGNS

Stewardship with Rev. Susan Ranous

January 25, 2023

FINANCIAL PLANS #2

Last week, I talked about personal financial plans and introduced the idea of church financial plans.

For a personal financial plan, it should:

Prioritize savings for the future
Focus on reducing existing debt
Divide the rest of your income into your expense categories, like housing, food, clothing, transportation.
Do all of this, keeping God in mind.

The keeping God in mind concept is good, reducing debt is good, prioritizing savings is also good; but I think there’s a different way to approach a church’s financial plan. Church Law & Tax did a study about how churches spend their money. How does this compare to your church?

Start with the amount of income you “know” you’re going to receive during the upcoming year. You will, of course, have to make some assumptions: pledges and “known” unpledged giving, rental income, interest income, etc., may vary in reality, but you probably have a pretty good idea and you have to start somewhere. Once you’ve done this, start a list. Start with the amount of income at the top.

Then, create a list of the “fixed” expenses. You know which ones I mean, the ones you have to pay, no matter way—utilities, mortgages, real estate taxes, retirement and health insurance. Subtract the sub-total of that from your income number. Write that number down.

Then create a second list of the “semi-variable” expenses. These are expenses that may seem fixed, but can be changed. That may be ministry shares (although these should be fixed). It may be payroll. Please keep in mind that paying employees is a fixed cost, but changing who is employed and for what positions can be changed. It may not happen today or tomorrow, or even a month or two from now, but in about 12 months or so, those amounts might be changed. Then subtract that sub-total from your remaining income number. Write that number down.

The expenses that are left are “variable” and don’t have to be paid. These are most likely your mission and ministry amounts.

That all sounds good, but I want to point out where this will point out issues that you need to look at when making your financial plan.

If there is no income left after the fixed or even the semi-variable expenses, there is an immediate need to work on a plan. The way you’re set up prevents you from doing any ministry that you are called to do.

Reducing employees, including clergy, might be a short-term solution, but unless a plan is put in place to “right the ship”, this may start a repeating cycle.

Mission and ministry, for accounting purposes, may be variable costs, but mission and ministry is what we are called, as churches, to do and be. If we’re not able to do that, but are only paying to keep doors open and lights on—what does that say to us as a church?

This is all an accounting procedure, but it should be able to help you figure out what your financial reality says about your future as a church!

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Please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or susanranous@unyumc.org if you’d like to talk about mission and money in your local church. I have some great ideas to help you understand where you are and were you’re going!

Charge Conference Forms Due Dates

Due November 1st.: NOW PAST DUE

Pastor's Appointment Advisory Form (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

S/PPRC Appointment Advisory Form (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

Pastor-S/PPRC Covenant Forms (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

*These need to be printed and mailed to the district office*

Due December 1st.: UPDATE ONLINE - DO NOT PRINT A COPY

Church Profile (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

Pastor's Profile (https://uny.umcprofile.org)

Due February 15th. 2023

Report of Trustees

Report of Finance Committee

2022 Year End Financial Report

2023 Church Budget - Your church format

2022 Statistical Reports (https://stats.gcfa.org/)

Wesley Heritage Tour 2024

Join Pastor Brett Johnson on the trip of a lifetime to visit John and Charles Wesley’s homeland of England. We will be visiting sites of great importance to United Methodists, including the Wesleys’ hometown of Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, and worship in the Wesley Chapel in London.

We will also be stopping at Stonehenge and Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Tour dates are July 13-22, 2024. Please use the following link to register: https://portal.myfaithjourneys.com/ and use group code 24002.

Contact Rev. Brett Johnson, pastor.brett.johnson@gmail.com, with any questions.