Weekly Digest: Wednesday, October 14, 2020

October 14, 2020

Weekly Digest: Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Weekly Digest: October 14, 2020

Upper New York Conference <updates@unyumc.org>

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

Weekly Digest | Wednesday, October 14, 2020

UNY Annual Conference videos available

AC 2020: Organizational Motion and Agenda

Did you miss some or all of the 5 ½ hour virtual Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference that took place on Oct. 3? The UNY Communications team pulled together videos of each report and recommendations. Click here to watch all of the Annual Conference or to select the specific report and recommendations video you are looking for. You can also find a video of the Oct. 2 UNY Service of Commissioning and Ordination.

Notes from the 2020 UNY Annual Conference available

Would you like to report to your District or local church the results from the 2020 virtual Upper New York Annual Conference? We have made that task easy for you. Click here for notes referencing all that occurred at the 2020 UNY Service of Commissioning and Ordination held on Oct. 2, 2020 and Annual Conference Session held on Oct. 3, 2020.

2020 UNY Service of Ordination and Commissioning takes place at Liverpool UMC

The UNY Service of Commissioning and Ordination was held in-person but by invitation only to allow for appropriate social distancing coupled with the requirement that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) be worn. There was also an open livestream of the service on the Conference website, allowing those who could not be there in person to be a part of the service.

During the service:

Two individuals were commissioned for the work of Elder
Three individuals were commissioned for the work of a Deacon
One individual was ordained to the order of a Deacon
Two individuals were ordained to the order of Elder
Two individuals from the Korean United Methodist Church were recognized

Click here to read about the service, including Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb’s inspirational sermon on “Positioning for Ministry.”

Click here to watch the video of the service.

Red Bird shoebox drop-off locations announced

It is that time of year to think about the shoebox mission for the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. Red Bird Mission needs shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene supplies; new backpacks filled with school supplies; new sheets, blankets, towels and washcloths; diapers, wipes, and cleaning supplies; as well as gently used clothing.

Arrangements have been made for the following churches to be drop-off sites:

Alowuin-Flint UMC
Little Meadows UMC
New Milford UMC
Perry First UMC
Ripley UMC
Calvary UMC, Latham
Asbury UMC Getzville
Endwell UMC
Christ United Methodist Church in Moravia
Fair Haven Community Church, Fair Haven
South Glens Falls UMC
Upper New York Conference Center in Liverpool (Please call Mike at Mission Center (315-491-0497) to arrange a time for items to be dropped off.)

Click here for information on items that need to go into shoe boxes and for drop-off/pick-up dates.

Questions can be addressed to Dave Alexander at dalexander4@stny.rr.com.

Digital discipleship Zoom webinars

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, churches across our Conference have been learning how to use digital platforms to increase discipleship. While digital discipleship has been effective for many years, it is currently becoming necessary to keep everyone’s safety in mind.

Last night, the Rev. B.J. Norrix, lead pastor for the Syracuse United Methodist ministries led a webinar on how he was able to increase giving at Erwin United Methodist Church, using Tithe.ly. If you missed that webinar, click here to check it out.

We have two more digital discipleship webinars on the calendar.

On Tuesday Oct. 27 at 6 p.m., Lori Jagow, Online Minister for Pendelton Center UMC, will be teaching folks how to use Facebook to increase digital discipleship.

On Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m., the Rev. Rachel Barnhart, pastor at Broad Street UMC, will be teaching about increasing discipleship through using Zoom as a platform for House Churches.

Click here to hear testimonials from all three pastors and to attain Zoom links for the upcoming webinars.

Revisiting the spiritual practice of Stations of the Cross and a special retreat guide

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Upper New York Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, has been providing videos of helpful spiritual practices to help deepen people’s relationship to God during this difficult time.

During Sept. and Oct., Rev. Dibelius has been revisiting practices she taught to provide more insight to help further deepen your relationship with God.

Although Stations of the Cross is a practice usually done during Holy Week, Rev. Dibelius explains that this practice can be done anytime. This week, Rev. Dibelius encourages you to take a prayer walk and use hand-crafted crosses that can be done with any material to mark your stations. Click here to watch this segment.

In addition to this week’s video, we are also sharing a retreat guide that comes highly recommended by Rev. Dibelius. It was created by her colleague Cheryl Lyon. Click here to download the Peace Like a River retreat guide. This can be used as a guide for a contemplative retreat at home that Rev. Dibelius recommended in this video.

Download or access news items from the Oct. issue II of the Bridge

The Oct. Issue II issue of the Bridge is now available for download. It is available in both color and black & white formats. Click here to select the version you prefer and make copies as necessary. The stories that are featured in the Bridge can also be accessed from the news section of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference website for easy copying and pasting for those who wish to electronically distribute news featured in the Bridge. Click here to access the UNY Conference news items.

This issue shares the news from the livestreamed UNY Conference ordination service on Oct. 2 as well as the secure livestreamed Annual Conference on Oct. 3.

The Bridge is a communications tool designed for local churches to stay connected to each other and to the ministries taking place around the Upper New York Conference and The United Methodist Church. The newest volume will be listed at the top of the webpage, with older volumes below. The Bridge is designed to be handed out in worship, via email, on the church website, as a church bulletin insert, or as a standalone item. If you have questions or are unable to make copies, please contact news@unyumc.org.

Equitable Compensation Application for Jan.-July 2021 available

The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period Jan. to June 2021. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full-time appointment.

To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the directions provided. Completed applications should be submitted to your District Superintendent by the Oct. 19, 2020 deadline.

Click here for more information and the application.

Peace with Justice grant application deadline is Oct. 30

The Oct. 30 deadline to submit a Peace with Justice grant is quickly approaching. The Social Holiness Team administers the Peace with Justice Grant Program. This program is supported by one half the money collected by the Peace with Justice Special Sunday Offering taken by each congregation. The other half of the collection is remitted to the General Board of Church and Society to support their global grant program. To download the Peace with Justice Grant Application, click here.

Questions about the Peace with Justice grant program can be directed to Heather Smith at peacewithjustice@unyumc.org.

Featured Church: Pine Grove UMC

On Wed. Oct. 7, Pine Grove UMC planned a drive-through chicken BBQ featuring Brooks BBQ. Before the drive-through began, church office manager, Susan E Solomon and her daughter Danielle Laraway, bought Brooks BBQ for the 12 or so residents and staff of the motel across the street from the church. The phone wasn't working at the motel, so Sue went over personally to get the number of meals needed!

When the 4 p.m. serving time arrived, the hours of torrential rain and heavy winds began.

Despite literally 100s of cars in the church parking lot, volunteers managed to serve most everyone by 5 p.m. and sell out!

Pine Grove Lay Leader Tim Barnard even braved the rain in a chicken suit!

Pine Grove pastor, AL Johnson wants to offer a huge thanks to the wet soggy volunteers and organizers Becky and Sandi. He exclaimed, “They did an awesome job!”

Pastor Johnson continued, “We even got compliments on our organization and friendliness!”

Pine Grove also offered drive-through prayers for many including a request for service people in harm’s way and communion!

Dismantling racism resource: Oct. 7 Town Hall on voter suppression

Voter Suppression: Dismantling Racism Discussion

As we prepare for the upcoming United States presidential election, we must expand the conversation around voter suppression. Hard questions arise around this topic: When ballots are cast, who is left out and who is locked out? What are the intersections between racism and voter suppression?

In the latest UMC Town Hall on dismantling racism, experts discuss the historic significance of the presence of a Woman of Color on the presidential ballot, the impact of the 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage and who still faced barriers to voting.

Click here to watch the Town Hall and learn about action steps we can take to eradicate voter suppression.

I Give UMC

Did you know that Oct. is Clergy Appreciation Month? Ask congregants to donate in honor of your pastor and then post a message on social media encouraging others to do the same. The hashtag for this campaign is #IGiveUMC.

This is a campaign you can run any time of year, not just during Clergy Appreciation Month, perhaps the anniversary of your church? Click here for resources to promote this campaign.

Updates: Oct. 1 - 14

Death Notice: Alice Goddard

Please keep family and friends of Alice Goddard in your prayers. Alice, 96, died on Sept. 29. She was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Charles Goddard, who served several Upper New York churches, including Clyde UMC, Riverside UMC, and others. Alice is also the mother of the Rev. Todd Goddard, who is currently serving Rush UMC. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Todd Goddard at 1621 Rush Henrietta Townline Road, Rush, NY 14543. A private funeral service was held on Oct. 2. Click here to read Alice’s full obituary.

Death Notice: Wah Sei Park Kim

Please keep family and friends of Wah Sei Park Kim in your prayers. Wah Sei Park, 83, died on Sept. 10. She was married to the Rev. Hae Jong Kim (retired), who served as bishop in the New York West area for eight years. A memorial service was held on Sept. 15 in New Jersey. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Kim at haejongkim@aol.com. Click here to read Wah Sei Park’s full obituary.

On the Conference calendar