Weekly Digest Wednesday, October 28, 2020

 Weekly Digest Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Bishop Webb to host Zoom gatherings with laity

The past month, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, has hosted rejuvenating District gatherings with UNY clergy. In Dec., Bishop Webb is inviting all laity to join him for regional gatherings on Zoom. These gatherings will be a time of prayer and conversation around our ongoing commitment to the mission of the Church in these unprecedented days.

Bishop Webb said, “I look forward to gathering with the laity of each region to join together in prayer, celebrate the ongoing ministry within each congregation, and keep our focus upon the common task we share in ‘making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.’”

The Zoom meetings for each region will be as follows, from 6:30 p.m-8:30 p.m.:

Dec. 2 – Northeast Region (Northern Flow, Adirondack, Mohawk and Albany Districts)

Dec. 8 – Southern Tier Region (Oneonta, Binghamton, Mountain View and Cornerstone Districts)

Dec. 9 – Lakes Region (Crossroads, Finger Lakes, Genesee Valley, and Niagara Frontier Districts)

Zoom links will be released soon.

File your Boy Scouts of America claim by Nov. 16

Earlier this year, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect itself against a growing number of sexual abuse claims made against it. This bankruptcy process is intended to allow the BSA to deal with these claims – through the creation of and payment from a victim’s compensation trust fund – and continue its operations. As is typical in bankruptcy proceedings, the court has established a “Bar Date,” which is the deadline for potential creditors to file claims against the BSA (the debtor). The Bar Date in this case is Nov. 16, 2020, at 5 p.m. EST.

On Wednesday Oct. 28, Upper New York Conference Treasurer, Bob Flask, sent a note to the UNY Conference that includes a statement by Conference Chancellor, Peter H. Abdella, that all churches who have ever chartered or sponsored a Boy Scout Troop, Cub Scout Pack, or venturing crew must read.

The letter also includes instructions on how to file claims and includes information about Zoom meetings that will take place on Wednesday Nov. 4 at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. to answer any questions filers may have.

Click here to read more.

Listen to previous digital discipleship trainings and attend the Nov. 5 training on using Zoom to host house churches

Workshop: Using Facebook to engage

This fall, the Upper New York Conference launched a Digital Discipleship online training series via Zoom.

Earlier this month, the Rev. B.J. Norrix, lead pastor of the Syracuse United Methodist Ministries, lead a training on using Tithe.ly for online giving. Click here to hear his testimonial. Click here to watch his training.

Last night, Lori Jagow, online minister at Pendleton Center UMC, lead a training on using Facebook to increase discipleship. Click here to hear her testimonial. Click here to watch her training.

Next Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m., the Rev. Rachel Barnhart, pastor at Broad Street U.M.C will be leading a Zoom training on using Zoom to host House Churches. Click here to hear Rev. Barnhart’s testimonial. Click here next Thursday at 6 p.m. to attend the training.

The spiritual practice of Visio Divina

Art as Prayer Revisited by Nancy Dibelius

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

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

This week, Rev. Dibelius introduces you to Vision Divina, which combines two practices that she taught earlier in this series, Lectio Divina and praying with icons.

Click here to watch the video.

Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments

Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce 10 ad interim appointments and four retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.

Three of Four Board of Pension and Health recommendations supported at AC2020

AC 2020: Board of Pensions and Health Benefits Report

Three of Four Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits recommendations were accepted at the Upper New York secure-livestreamed Annual Conference held on Oct. 3, including recommendations to:

Accept the 2021 housing/rental exclusion resolution designating 100 percent of United Methodist pension, severance or disability income as housing exclusion, in accordance with IRS Code section 107, from Jan. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2021

Support the 2021 past service annuity rate for the pre-82 pension plan remain the same as for 2019 at $645

Accept the 2021 Comprehensive Benefit Budget Plan

An additional recommendation to reduce the health reimbursement account for retiree spouses by 50 percent was referred to the Conference Board of Pensions and Health and Conference Committee on Finance and Administration to reassess.

Click here for additional information on the report of the Conference Board of Pensions and Health.

Nominations report at 2020 UNY Annual Conference

AC 2020: Nominations Report

On Oct. 3, Upper New York held their Annual Conference via a secure livestream. One of the six reports presented was the Nominations Report. There were no changes to their report.

However, the committee did take the time to explain that New York State’s requirement that the Conference elect Conference Trustees by written ballot means new trustees can’t be elected during a virtual session. The Book of Discipline does allow the Bishop and Cabinet, on recommendation of the nominating committee, to fill vacancies ad interim (between sessions of Annual Conference). The nominating report lists the three persons who will be appointed using this provision. They will serve only until our 2021 Annual Conference when new trustees will be elected by Conference members using a written ballot.

Bishop Webb also acknowledged that Conference Lay Leader, Susan Hardy, is stepping down. Drew Griffin, former Associate Lay Leader is the Conference Lay Leader this year, and Jessica White is now the Associate Lay Leader.

Click here for more information on the Nominations report.

CF&A budget, report, added motion, and declaratory decision supported

AC 2020: CFA Report

On Oct. 3, 2020, the Committee on Finance & Administration (CF&A) shared its report at the Upper New York Annual Conference, held via secured livestream.

The Conference Budget recommendations was supported. However, motions were passed that resulted in the Annual Conference requiring all ministry areas receiving an increase of more than $5,000 to provide within three months a report on how their budget has and will be used. These areas include:

Camp and Retreat

Hispanic and Latino Ministries

District Operations

New Faith Communities

Vital Congregations 

Vital Congregations was specifically asked to provide information on Spiritual Leadership Incorporated (SLI), including:

The coaches hired to train leaders

How SLI helps grow and support a thriving United Methodist Church

Click here for more information on the report from the CF&A.

Download or access news items from the Nov. Issue I of the Bridge

The Nov. Issue I 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 covers the Cry for Palestine and ways you can help. It also provides prayers you can use on Nov. 29, not only the first day of Advent, but also, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

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.

Preach Palestine on Nov. 29

Friends of Sabeel North America is inviting congregations to "Preach Palestine" on Nov. 29 by incorporating Palestine into their worship service on the first week of Advent. Your UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, deeply committed to human rights for the Palestinian people is encouraging UNY pastors to unite in this effort to Preach Palestine.

Sunday, Nov. 29 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Friends of Sabeel North America has prepared some excellent resources that congregations might use. There are prayers, litanies, children's stories, music, and even sermon possibilities to choose from.

This is also a great way to respond to the most recent "Cry of Hope" from our Christian brothers and sisters in Palestine.

Click here to review and choose from an amazing library of resources.

Dismantling racism resource: How to be an Ally

The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort through General Conference, Aug. 29 to Sept. 7, 2021, 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 share a video based on a webinar that was hosted by our friends at the Great New Jersey (GNJ) Conference.

This video on How to be an Ally was co-hosted on Zoom and Facebook Live (July 17, 2020) by Lan Wilson, Director of Worship in GNY and Rev. Vanessa M. Wilson, the Chairperson of GNJ’s Committee on Religion and Race.

Click here to watch the video.

Updates: Oct. 22 - 28

Prayer Request: Pastor Barbara Gifford

Please keep family and friends of Pastor Barbara Gifford in your prayers. Barbara died on Oct. 24. Before retirement, she served at Branchport UMC. Click here to read her full obituary.

Death Notice: Rev. Ossie Wharton

Please keep family and friends of the Rev. Ossie (Osceola) Wharton in your prayers. Rev. Wharton, 86, died on Oct. 20. He was serving at Wayland UMC. Calling hours will be held Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m. at St. George-Forsythe Funeral Home, located at 109 W. Naples St. in Wayland, and on Oct. 31 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Wayland UMC, located at 3 East Ave. in Wayland. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. on Oct. 31 at Wayland UMC. You can watch the livestream of the funeral service at https://www.youtube.com/user/PEISHTV. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Wharton’s wife, Amanda Wharton, at 3 East Ave., Wayland, NY 14572. Click here to read Rev. Wharton’s full obituary.

On the Conference calendar

Oct. 28: Bishop Webb Zoom gathering with Mountain View District clergy - DETAILS

Oct. 29: Bishop Webb Zoom gathering with Binghamton District clergy - DETAILS

Oct. 30: Peace with Justice Grant Application Deadline - DETAILS

Nov. 1-30: Native American Heritage Month

Nov. 1: All Saints Day

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