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WELCOME FRIENDS !
Welcome to the Finger Lakes District e
-Newsletter! Please share this with church members and staff, teams and organizations. We hope that you will find this an invaluable resource as we work to promote the missions, ministries and events of the Finger Lakes District. If you have something you would like to see included in a future issue of this e-newsletter, send to
FingerLakesDistrict@unyumc.org
May you have a blessed week!
Your friends at the Finger Lakes District Office,
Rev. Jeffrey McDowell,
District Superintendent
Pam Deckard,
Administrative Assistant
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The next edition of this eNewsletter comes out on June 21, 2016. To submit an item for the newsletter, please have it to the district office by June 15th. We do not include church dinners or local events unless they could involve people from across the district (like a concert to raise money for camping or Africa 360 e.g.) Thank you.
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Superintendent Talk:
The Anxious Organization: Why Smart Companies Do Dumb Things is a book by Jeffrey A. Miller, a therapist, consultant, and coach. He writes about companies that improve their leadership techniques and create new initiatives which end in failure. The culprit:
Excessive Chronic Anxiety. Think about it this way: imagine a moment in your life when you were most stressed by a
series of unfortunate events. These times are often characterized by a lack of appetite, stomach aches, headaches, muscle tension, feeling on edge, difficulty sleeping, lack of patience with others, and many other unpleasant symptoms. Now, imagine that you are in a room of 1000 people where it seems like most of them are feeling excessively anxious. Can that gathering of people be productive? No, but their condition will be contagious. Miller says,
- In seeking to relieve their own anxiety, individuals usually pass it on to someone else. Thus, anxiety tends to travel in cycles that have no clear starting point while the underlying cause of the anxiety goes unaddressed.
- Because an organization is a system in which all members are connected, an individual can change the entire system by changing his or her own behavior.
In other words, church of the Upper New York United Methodists: Chill. Calm down. Learn how to calm down. Don't take yourself so seriously. You cannot fix this. But you can fix YOU, with God's help. And I can fix ME, with God's help. I don't mean to oversimplify things. We are facing tough times in a tough world. But Jesus once said to his very anxious disciples, "
Don't be anxious about your life..." (Mt. 6:25)
How do you
not be anxious? Lots of ways, but that is for another article. In the meantime, read Proverbs 12:25; Psalm 42:5; Proverbs 3:5-8; Romans 8:26-28; Philippians 4:13, 19; Psalm 131:1.
In Prayer
Jeff McDowell
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REVISED DISTRICT OFFICE ADDRESS
We have added a more "GPS" friendly address to the Finger Lakes District Office in Geneva. It is:
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Look - Ahead Dates:
Clergy & Lay Leaders Family Picnic (optional): late July or early August, at several locations.
Clergy / DS Annual 1-1 Conversations: TBA via Doodle poll, Aug. and Sept.
Charge Conferences: October & November.
District Clergy Day (required): Wed. September 7, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (OR 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. for those unable to attend daytime.) Location to be announced.
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DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT WORSHIP/ PREACHING SCHEDULE
| Date |
Time |
Place |
| June 19 |
10:30 am |
Aloquin/Chapin
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| Aug. 7 |
9:00 am |
New Hope
:Midlakes
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| Aug. 7 |
11:00 am |
Scott |
| Aug. 14 |
9:30 am |
Dresden |
| Aug. 14 |
11:00 am |
Dundee |
| Sept. 25 |
10:00 am |
Ithaca: Forest Home
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Oct. 16
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11:00 am |
Palmyra |
| Nov. 6 |
10:00 am |
Amazing Grace at
Countryside |
| Nov. 20 |
9:30 am |
Mecklenburg |
The DS is available to attend your church and preside at worship, meet with leaders, and/or preach. Pastors to be present.
Oct. 23, 30; Dec. 4
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Please Join Us in Welcoming Pastors New to the District
Effective July 1, 2016
Welcoming:
- Rebecca Laird - appointed as Full Elder to Moravia: Christ Church
- Alison Schmied - appointed as Provisional Elder to Lansing UMC
- Richard Neal - appointed as Full Elder to N. Rose UMC
- Eunice Kim - appointed as Local Pastor to Wolcott UMC
Saying Farewell to:
- Cheryl Hine - appointed to Bainbridge UMC, Oneonta District
And those Retiring effective July 1, 2016:
- Dan Corretore - from N. Rose UMC
- Jane Sautter - from Lansing UMC
- Beth Bouwens - from Moravia: Christ Church
- Jake Denny - from Sodus Point UMC and Wolcott: Faith UMC
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PULPUT SUPPLY
Below is a list of potential guest preachers available for pulpit supply. Please contact any of them directly to work out details and dates. DO YOU know of others? Email their names to
fingerlakesdistrict@unyumc.org
. For visiting Clergy, the pay rate set by our Annual Conference is $90 for 1st service, $75 for each additional service on the same Sunday; plus mileage reimbursement at the current IRS rate (.54 per mile for 2016).
Retired:
RE David Bergner, Rushville 585-526-5379 (15-20 miles of Gorham area)
LP Marcia King, Auburn 315-889-7727
RE Mary Guy, Auburn (half year) 315-244-8264 (May 1 - November 1 only)
RE Beckie Laumeier 309-333-8970
LP
Ellen Knight, Lyons 315-945-5557
RE Diane Walker, N. Rose 315-573-5444 (emergency basis only)
RE LeRoy Kettinger
315-515-9396
Elder on Extension Ministry
Sharon Battist, Clyde 315-587-2172
Thana Kibbe, Lyons 315-946-3338 (pls call in a.m.)
Babs Steinert, Penn Yan 585-781-0704 (Active in Bluff Pt, but ok to leave on list)
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Safe Sanctuaries Training Opportunities
Upper New York Annual Conference
Safe Sanctuaries® Team
1st Opportunity:
WHAT
: Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries® Training
WHO
: Individuals who have responsibility for the safety of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in the churches' ministries especially pastors, those responsible for Christian education and youth group leaders. This is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers
WHEN:
Saturday, June 11, 2016 9:00 a.m. - noon
WHERE:
Voorheesville UM Church, 68 Maple Avenue, Voorheesville, NY
(Albany District; about 13 miles west of downtown Albany) (see register information below)
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2nd Opportunity:
WHAT:
Safe Sanctuaries® Training of Trainers
WHO
: Individuals interested in facilitating Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training as part of their District training team and/or for their local church. Members of the District training team must be recommended by the DS.Completion of these two courses will certify individuals to present UNY's Safe Sanctuaries training in the Conference, District and local church. Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. This 3-hour course can be completed in the morning or at a previous time (since Fall 2012).
WHEN
: Saturday, June 11, 2016 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Lunch will be provided for those participating in morning and afternoon sessions.
WHERE
: Voorheesville UM Church, 68 Maple Avenue, Voorheesville, NY
(Albany District; about 13 miles west of downtown Albany)
PRE-REGISTER
: Please pre-register by June 5.
Pre-registration information needs to include:
Session(s) attending - morning and/or afternoon
Name, contact email address and telephone number, local church
Pre-register by contacting Carol Barnes at carolb@htva.net (anytime) or 607-687-4793 (after May 9) QUESTIONS: Questions should be directed to Carol at carolb@htva.net or 607-687-4793 (after May 9)
BROUGHT TO YOU BY :
UNY Safe Sanctuaries Team
SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING TEAM
And funded by Ministry Shares from local churches
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3rd Opportunity:
Upper New York Safe Sanctuaries Training
The UNY Safe Sanctuaries Minimum Standards are established by the Upper New York Annual Conference for all ministries. They are set minimum standards to protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. Without exception, these standards apply to all local churches/charges, district and annual conference ministries, and those who serve within. Adoption of a Safe Sanctuaries policy that meets or exceeds the provisions of the conference policy is mandatory. The training, combined with a background check, are used by congregations to minimize harm and to protect employees and volunteers.
When: Sunday, August 7, 2016 from 12:30-3:30 PM
Where:
Clifton Springs United Methodist Church, 1 East Main Street, Clifton Springs, NY
Who: Individuals with responsibility for the safety of children, youth and vulnerable adults in the churches' ministries. These individuals include pastors, those responsible for Christian education and youth group leaders.
Trainers: Roger and Donna Cullen
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F
UNY Camp & Retreat Ministries Calendar
Aldersgate:
June 19, Open House
Skye Farm
:
June 26, Open House
Asbury:
June 19-21, Ways of the Wesleys
Casowasco: June 12, Open House
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A word from Wesley:
"Immediately it stuck into my mind, 'Leave off preaching. How can you preach to others, who have not faith yourself?' I asked Boehler, whether he thought I should leave it off or not. He answered 'By no means.' I asked, 'But what can I preach?' He said,
'Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.' "
- John Wesley -
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NEJ UMW Quadrennial Meeting
June 16, 2016 - June 18, 2016
The United Methodist Women Northeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting will be held June 16-18 at the OnCenter in Syracuse. The theme for the gathering is "A Fresh Wind Blowing" based on John 3:8. The program will include daily worship services featuring dynamic music, a business session to elect women to the board, and workshops, which include topics such as maternal health, poverty, racial justice, and Ubuntu opportunities - working at area missions. For more information and to register, visit
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Methodism for Dummies
:
Don't Move
OUR
Pastor!
Before they are ordained or licensed, clergy in The United Methodist Church
agree to serve where their bishop appoints them. Appointments are for one year at a time. For elders and local pastors, particularly, the goal is to match the gifts and graces of the particular pastor with the ministry needs of a particular congregation. In this "serial leadership" of consecutive pastors - no two are alike - over time, the combination of skills blends to form a broad base of developed ministries.
While bishops make appointments, they incorporate a consultative process outlined in The Book of Discipline that includes district superintendents, pastors and pastor and staff/parish relations committees. The needs and desires of clergy are considered, says Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase, but "
the mission of the church comes first."
-Adapted from "Chuck Knows Church," Discipleship Ministries, and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry website.
For more information, go to umc.org.
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UMM:
United Methodist Men gather for fellowship building a healthy community for all people. We are here to provide support in each churches mission. Visit our website UNYUMM.org to read the bible, see our mission work, activities, retreats and daily spiritual postings Facebook. We the Upper New York United Methodist Men look forward to meeting you.
James 2:14-17
Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup-where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
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Missionaries working in Nepal to visit St. Paul's UMC
On Tuesday, June 7, Dr. Mark and Deirdre Zimmerman, will visit St. Paul's UMC (402 North Aurora St., Ithaca) St. Paul's has had a covenant relationship with the Zimmermans to support their work in Nepal and they have been supported by other churches in our conference. The SPUMC Local and World Missions team is sponsoring a catered dinner at 6:00 pm in the Memorial Room (free will donation). Presentation is at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. Reservations for the dinner by Sunday, June 5 to Karen Kaufmann (tunafiki@twcny.rr.com
or 607-257-0528). If you can't make the dinner, come to the program anyway!
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Media Resource Center newsletter now available
The May issue of Upper New York's Media Resource Center newsletter is now available for download. The Media Resource Center - a free lending library supported through your shared ministry dollars - publishes the monthly newsletter, which features news resources that are currently available or coming soon along with assorted pieces of information about the resource center from Director Diane Miner. Click here to view and/or download the current newsletter. If you have questions, please contact Miner at diane@unyumc.org. |
North Rose UMC requests that you: "Please join us for a celebration in honor of Pastor
Dan Corretore's 19 years of Ministry at North Rose UMC & Retirement.
On Saturday, June 11,we will have an Open House from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. with a program at 3 p.m. at the North Rose-Wolcott HS, 11631 Salter-Colvin Rd., Wolcott, NY 14590
On Sunday, June 12, Pastor Dan will preach at our Church Service at 10:30 a.m. with a Dish-To-Pass Luncheon here at church followed by a program at 1:00 p.m. Please help us spread the word.
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Dear Pastors and Leaders of our Finger Lakes District:
Last Summer I was worshipping at the Ovid Federated Church and met a family who are called to serve in Cape Town, South Africa! Brian and Tracy Heffron were there sharing their story and seeking to garner support for their mission through the SIM mission organization. Following God's call, they have sold their house to ready for the mission field, a challenge to them and their two children Karen and Billy. Since then, financial support has been coming in, but their mission organization requires 100% support before they leave so they have been stalled in the states much longer than planned. Currently their pledged support is at 91%. If they get to 100% before June they can be deployed in July; if not, they will have to wait until Feb. of 2017!
If you or your church is current in your conference Ministry Shares and you already support United Methodist sponsored missions, and are looking for extra places to give support, I encourage you to connect with this fine family. Go to https://theheffronfamily.com/ for more information.
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IGNITE! Jump-Starting Vibrant, Effective Ministries
A Crossroads District Ministry Gathering, Friday June 24
If we could do the one thing too often overlooked to get effective ministry off the ground, AND out the doors, this would be it. If we could identify a critical element needed to help each of us grow as authentic Jesus followers, Christ-centered leaders, and have a lasting effect on the spiritual lives of others, this would be it. The focus of this event is "Rooted in the Good Stuff", the one thing needed to take your faith beyond the walls. Please make time to attend this extraordinary gathering.
Please plan to join D.S. Nola Anderson for an evening of inspiration and prayer on June 24 from 7 - 9 pm at
CAMILLUS IMMANUEL UMC
Our guest speaker is the Rev. Dr. Diana DeWitt, an dynamic speaker and author of "The Authority of Love: Reclaiming Spiritual Authority in the Church Today".
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UNYUMC CONFERENCE NEWS
There are two ways for you to subscribe to receive the Weekly Digest from our Conference. At the bottom of this newsletter, click on Update Profile/email address. This will take you to the conference page that lets you input your information and email address. You will then receive an email from the Conference office asking you what information you'd like to receive. ***
If you do not answer this email and state your preferences, you will not receive the information you requested. You are not automatically added to conference email list***You can also get to the conference form by clicking this link:
Conference email preferences
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Limited copies (books) available to purchase:
We have several copies of books written by J. Clif Christopher at a cost of $10 each. If you would like to purchase one or more of these books, please contact Pam at the district office. Email: fingerlakesdistrict@unyumc.org or by phone: 315-701-0188.
The Church Money Manual (5)
Not Your Parent's Offering Plate(4)
Rich Church, Poor Church (1)
Whose Offering Plate Is It? (5)
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Finger Lakes District
of the Upper New York Conference
Rev. Jeffrey McDowell
,
District Superintendent
Pam Deckard,
Administrative Assistant
537 Exchange St, Suite 213, Geneva, NY 14456
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