Crossroads and Finger Lakes Districts

July 23, 2024

Next newsletter is August 6, 2024

Please submit items for inclusion to the district office no later

than Friday before.

A Note from Sherri:

“Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.”

Jeremiah 6:16 NRSVUE

Two weeks ago, I talked about the importance of knowing where we’re heading as a congregation. If we don’t know where we’re going, how will we know when we’ve arrived?

Now is a great time for your church to ask, “Where are we headed?” What are some of the things God is calling us to accomplish in the next twelve months? What is the roadmap for us to get to where we want to go? I shared that an Intentional Discipleship Plan is a tool designed to help congregations map out how to achieve these goals.

But maybe we need to take a a further step back. What is the definition of a church?

Paragraph 201 of The United Methodist Book of Discipline states:

“The local church provides the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. It is a community of true believers under the Lordship of Christ. It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by persons divinely called and the sacraments are duly administered according to Christ’s own appointment. Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit, the church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world.”

A local church is where:

·        disciple-making occurs

·        within a community of believers

·        under the Lordship of Christ.

·        where the Word of God is preached,

·        The sacraments are duly administered.

The church exists

·        for the maintenance of worship

·        the edification of believers

·        the redemption of the world.

So, a way to do a baseline check is to ask, “How is our church meeting these definitions? Are we making disciples? How are we a community of believers? What do we do to nurture one another as followers of Jesus? 

Asking these questions may reveal the places where your church is doing well and where you may want to dig a little deeper. Planning and goal setting help us move forward as people of faith. In these weeks ahead, I pray your pastor and church leadership will take time for prayer, conversation and planning. Please contact me if you have questions or would like assistance with the Intentional Discipleship Plan.

Prayerfully yours,

Sherri

Wesley Seminary Offers 2024-2025 Course of Study

Please note this information for local pastors interested in taking course of study classes at Wesley Theological Seminary. Registration for the Course of Study fall term is open through September 1, 2024. Currently, registrations are accepted for the fall term only. Students can register for the winter term from September - December 1, 2024, and the spring term from December 1 through February 1, 2025. Students may take ONE COURSE each term only. (Fall—one course, Winter—one course, Summer—one course) ​Full information is listed on the seminary website: COS Students | Wesley Theological Seminary (wesleyseminary.edu)

Courses are still being offered online and via zoom. Deadlines apply to register. As always registration forms must be signed first by the DS and second by the UNY COS Registrar, Mail completed forms to: candidacy@unyumc.org, or PO Box 207, Washington Mills, NY 13479 for UNY COS registrar's signature. Please allow several weeks' time for COS registration form signatures to be obtained prior to deadlines. Allowing only a couple days prior to the deadline is too late.

If you have new registration requests or inquiries, please feel free to email them to cosregistration@wesleyseminary.edu

Here is a link to the updated registration form, also available on the Wesley website: https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-2025Weekend-Registration-form-1.pdf

For questions about COS, please contact Wesley directly. Contact Yasika Bigham, ybigham@wesleyseminary.edu, Program Liaison and Assistant, 202-885-8607, or Dr. Doug Tzan, dtzan@wesleyseminary.edu, Director, 202-885-8602.

Explore New Opportunities in Mission Leadership!

Are you interested in leading a mission journey in your community or beyond? Join us for the UMVIM Team Leader Training on October 5th at the Upper New York Conference Center in Liverpool, NY. This intensive session, led by Ray Yarnell, NEJ Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, is designed for both new and seasoned mission leaders in the local church.

Key Topics Include:

• Spiritual Leadership
• Mission Safety and Health
• Cultural Competency
• Understanding Poverty
• Types of Mission Service
• What to Expect Before, During, and After Your Journey

By attending, you'll gain invaluable skills and insights to effectively lead mission trips, whether locally or internationally. Lunch and all training materials are provided.

Early bird registration is $15 until August 31^st ! After that, the price increases to $25. 

Register now at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/vimtraining/event/tlt/

Just a reminder to update your contact information

for the district. All mail should be sent to:

District Office

PO Box 23206

Rochester, NY 14692

Please also update our email address to:

betsyoflynn@unyumc.org

Thanks

Crossroads District News

Church Announcements

Stewardship with Susan Ranous

Please check out the blog below

CLICK HERE for the Blog: Stewardship with Susan Ranous

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The Camillus First United Methodist Church is searching

for candidates to fill their Pianist and/or Organist position. 

This candidate will be responsible for choosing and preparing a Prelude, Offertory, and Postlude for Sunday worship services

each Sunday at 10:00 am. In addition, this candidate will be responsible

for choosing music and playing on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve. 

If you are interested in this position,

please call 315-672-3051 to schedule an interview.

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Now - Sept 26, 2024

LAKESIDE FARMERS MARKET

2024

SUPPORT LOCAL!!

In the parking lot of the

Bridgeport United Methodist Church –

3-6 p.m. Thursdays      June 27 – Sept. 26

(weather permitting)

Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Baked Goods and Crafts

Childrens’ Activity, Prayer and Wellness Tent

Chicken Dinners every week -

$12 includes ½ chicken and 2 sides

Bridgeport United Methodist Church

377 RT 31            PO Box 369

Bridgeport NY 13030

315-633-9745

Pastor Omar Hall

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July 26 - 27, 2024

PENNELLVILLE RUMMAGE SALE

The Pennellville United Methodist Church will hold their

annual Rummage Sale on Friday and Saturday, July 26th and 27th from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day. 

Come early and get some good items at reasonable prices. 

The church is located at 389 County Route 54 in Pennellville. 

If you have any questions, please call Bonnie at (315) 695-2193.

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July 30, 2024

PENNELLVILLE FREE WILL DINNER

The Pennellville United Methodist Church will be having their next

Free Will Dinner on Tuesday, July 30th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

The menu will be a choice of ham, turkey or tuna with cheese on a roll, chips, watermelon, assorted desserts and beverages. 

Come out and enjoy some good food and fellowship. 

The church is located at 389 County Route 54 in Pennellville.

We are a self-sustaining group with our goal of bringing community together in sharing a meal and fellowship. We appreciate those who have helped us to provide the meal through your giving, 

Donations are not required but are gratefully accepted. Thank you.

 In conjunction with the Free Will Dinner, we will also be holding our Farmers Market in the parking lot from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

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July 16 - August 27, 2024

PENNELLVILLE FARMERS MARKET 

A Farmers Market will be held every Tuesday,

July 16th thru August 27th, at the Pennellville United Methodist Church parking lot from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. 

The church is located at 389 County Route 54 in Pennellville. 

We hope to connect our community with the best in local produce and products at reasonable prices. The church will also be selling hot dogs, macaroni salad, potato chips, soda and water. 

On dates of our Free Will Dinners (July 30th and August 27th), there will be no food sold at the Farmers Market. 

You will have the opportunity to eat inside the church at the

Free Will Dinner from 4:00 until 5:30 p.m.

New vendors are welcome. There is no charge for a space. 

You must feature homegrown and/or homemade products. 

Any vendor who is interested may contact

Jeff Hodge at (315) 383-4384, Bonnie Frawley at (315) 695-2193,

or Chris McCabe at (315) 516-4875. 

Please call as soon as possible to reserve a space.

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August 1, 2024

PENNELLVILLE VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

The Pennellville United Methodist Church will be holding a

one-day Vacation Bible School (VBS) on

Thursday, August 1st from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Join us for all the fun and games as we are "on a roll with God!" -

including music, story, games, crafts, science and more! 

Children under 5 are welcome with a parent or guardian. 

Come and enjoy a time of learning and family fun!

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August 4, 2024

Oswego: Trinity UMC is hosting a Free Will Dinner

Sunday August 4th

4:30pm - 5:30pm or until gone

Hamburgers and/or hot dogs, potato salad, chips, cookies & beverage

All Are Welcome

Donations Accepted - Never Expected

Eat-In only. Downstairs: Use Utica Street Entrance

Church is located at 45 East Utica Street - Oswego

(corner of East 4th & Utica)

CLICK HERE for a Flyer

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August 22, 2024

United Methodist Night at the Ballpark

NBT Stadium located at 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse NY 13208

Syracuse Mets vs Durham Bulls

A Family & Friends Fun Night

Sponsored by: Syracuse United Methodist Ministries

Thursday, August 22nd, Game starts at 6:35pm

Tickets: $18.00

Contacts: andmcand@hotmail.com or 917-723-0901; rdennis31@verizon.net or 315-345-6338

To order tickets please click the link below

CLICK HERE for a Flyer

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August 23-24, 2024

SAVE THE DATE

Cicero UMC's Rummage Sale is returning August 23-24, 2024.

Please stay tuned for more information.

CLICK HERE for a Save the Date Flyer

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Finger Lakes District News

Church Announcements

Organist needed for the Lyons United Methodist Church,

93 William Street, Lyons, New York.

The job includes one practice a week with the praise band and choir

plus playing on Sunday morning. Salary negotiable with experience.

If interested, please call 315-946-9628 and leave a message.

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Reminder: Update your Church Information on the UNY Website:

Thank you to all the churches that have sent updates and/or corrections to their church information listed on the conference website.

If you have not sent in an update or OK as is - please send a reply

email to the district office.

CLICK HERE for the Crossroads District listings

CLICK HERE for Finger Lakes District listings

CLICK HERE to reach the district office

Crossroads and Finger Lakes District Superintendent

Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood - Sherrirood@unyumc.org

Crossroads District Lay Leader

Darlene Dennis

Robert Mueller

Finger Lakes District Lay Leader

TBD

Superintendency Administrative Assistant

Betsy O'Flynn - betsyoflynn@unyumc.org

Office # - (585) 340-9525

PO Box 23206

Rochester, NY 14692