Around the Corner

The E-Monday Newsletter of the Cornerstone District of the United Methodist Church

Western New York Conference

cornerstonedistoffice@windstream.net * www.cornerstonedistrict.com

 

March 10, 2008

 

(1) From the Superintendent (2) Larry’s Weekly Schedule (3) Dates to Remember (4) Weekly Prayer Guide (5) NEW Prayer Request Update (6) Annual Report Due Dates (7) NEW Older Adult Ministries Survey Still Need to be Completed (8) NEW Workshops on Conflict in the Church (9) Change in March Combined LDT (10) Change in Date of District Ministry Equipping School (11) Local Church Lay Leader Listening Sessions – Updated Dates and Locations! (12) Seminary Aid Reminder (13) NEW Annual Laity Banquet Theme “Quietly Serving” (14) Corrections to the 2008 Summer Camp Brochure (15) NEW Youth Needed For Annual Conference (16) Camp Scholarship Form (17) Background Check Information (18) New Methodist Manor Open House – April 19, 2008 (19) The WNY Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry has two opportunities available to local churches and their members. (20) Appointment Announcements (21) Cornerstone Community Ministries (22) Local Church Announcements

 

I am looking forward to being with the pastors on Thursday morning for worship and the sacrament of Holy Communion.   Please remember that there will only be one gathering for this.  The evening session last time was poorly attended and did not seem to warrant repeating.   The agenda will be worship and fellowship and you may be on your way as soon as your desire.

 

My prayer is that you are having a meaningful Lent and it has been a time of spiritual growth for both you and your congregations.  

            March 10         9:00 am – Cabinet Conference Call

                                    12:30 pm – dCom Meeting @ Westfield UMC

            March 11         6:30 pm – General Conference Delegates Meeting @ Batavia UMC

            March 12         1:30 pm – District Missions Team @ Christ First: Jamestown

                                    6:30 pm – Covenant Council @ Batavia UMC

            March 13         9:30 am – Combined LDT Worship @ Kidder Memorial UMC

                                    7:00 pm – Meeting @ Brocton Tri-Church

            March 14         Office Day

            March 15        

            March 16         Palm Sunday

                                    6:30 pm – SPRC Meeting @ East Otto UMC

            March 17         Cabinet in Buffalo

 

 

This coming Sunday, March 16, and during the ensuing week, we are all to be praying especially for Rev. Matt Stengel, his wife Cathy, their children Martin, Kathleen, and Jordan and the Fredonia First UMC Church. 

 

Please include these prayer requests in your weekly church bulletin, in your prayers during your Sunday worship if you have a time of "pastoral prayer" and please encourage your people to keep the Rev. Matt, his family, and the Fredonia First UMC Church family in their prayers throughout the week.  Include this as part of your current prayer concerns listed in your Church's prayer room.

 

Christopher Rhodes is home and slowly regaining his strength.  Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to receive oxygen and takes blood thinners to alleviate the blood clot that has developed in his upper arm.

 

Pastor Dena Stevens’ mother, Maudina, has responded well to surgery and her other medical conditions are under control at this time.  She is now adjusting to a nursing home setting for rehabilitation.  Dena and her family appreciate your continual prayers as she begins another phase of healing.

 

It was reported that Bethany Ruane (South Dayton and Hamlet) fell off a ladder last week and broke her leg.  But a second opinion shows that the leg is not broken but is really a deep bruise behind her knee cap.  Praise God the recovery time will be much shorter.

Just a reminder that with the New Year comes new due dates for annual reports.  All the forms can be found on the conference website (www.wnyumc.org) or if you need hard copies contact the district office.  The following are what are coming up due…

            Pastor’s Annual Report – January 31, 2008

            Church Conference Minutes - January 31, 2008

            S/PPRC Charge Conference Report - January 31, 2008

            Annual Report of the Committee on Finance - January 31, 2008

            Report of the Annual Audit - January 31, 2008

            Annual Report of the Trustees - January 31, 2008

            Local Church Financial Status Report - January 31, 2008

Local Church Report to Annual Conference - January 31, 2008

Church and Clergy Profiles were to be updated online (www.nywestconnect.org) by December 1, 2007.  Many still need to be completed.  Please take a minute to tweak the information that is already on file.  If you are in need of your username and password, please contact Cindy at the District Office.

A resolution was passed at Annual Conference stating that each church is to complete the older adult ministries survey and return their results to the Conference Office and report the results to their Church Charge Conference. As of this date, only 31 surveys have been reported to the Conference Office (seven in the Cornerstone District). Needless to say, the OAM team is very disappointed. Please go the the conference website (www.wnyumc.org) and click on older adult ministries to complete the questionnaire and return the results as soon as possible. The team will report the results at the 2008 Annual Conference. Hopefully, we can multiply the current results to have a 100% return.  Also, the other OAM resolution states the there will be one clergy and one lay member from each District on the OAM Team. Currently, we do not have a clergy rep from the Cornerstone District.  If that is something that you might be interested in serving on, please contact the district office.

                        Thank you Cornerstone Churches who have completed the survey

                                    Laona

                                    Napoli

                                    Edwards Chapel

                                    Hurlbut

                                    Cattaraugus

                                    Little Valley

                                    Kennedy

 

The Western New York Conference Mediation Team is hosting four events for individuals and congregations throughout the conference. Conflict in the church is one of the most prevalent consequences of the ways that we communicate. Typically conflict is seen as wrong, bad or unloving. But conflict is simply the result of human beings relating to one another.  How we deal with conflict creates either great pain or exceptional growth in individuals and congregations. These seminars will give participants an understanding of conflict that will help them use conflict positively.  The hope is that every church will take advantage of these seminars and bring a team including the pastor, staff and several lay persons to the training.  On April 5 and 26 regional trainings will be offered at two different United Methodist Churches.  Each Saturday, identical workshops will be offered.  The goal is to make the trainings available as close to your area as possible.  You may attend whichever training is best for you.  Eight facilitators trained by Richard Blackburn of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will lead the seminars in teams of two.  The facilitators are Tim Mordaunt, Karen Grinnell, Wilson Jones, Kristen Allen, Ron Isaman, Dorothea Schweitzer, John McNeil and Sherri Rood.

The cost per participant is $12.  Includes manual, lunch and breaks. 

To register email Cheryl Isaman @ mtnviewumc2@verizon.net with names of participants, your local church, and the location where you wish to attend. Send payment for your team to Cheryl Isaman, 1801 West State St., Olean, NY  14760.  Make checks payable to the Western New York Conference.

 

Cut off Dates for Registrations are:

 

 April 26, 2008

 

 

There has been a change in the schedule for the March combined LDT.  Based on the response at the December get together (32 in attendance in the morning and 5 in attendance in the evening) we have decided to only have one combined LDT in March.  On Thursday, March 13^th at 9:30 am join us at Kidder UMC (also a change from the schedule in your directory) for worship and fellowship.  We realize that some of you will not be able to make it and for that we are very sorry but we were able to free up an evening on Larry’s calendar to visit with one of the churches in the district.

Join us for a day of learning and fun with courses available for everyone.  There will be offerings for church school educators, lay speakers, lay leaders, missionaries, and any United Methodist with a thirst for knowledge.  Brochures were sent in the mail, are available on the district website, will be emailed to Pastors this week, or you can Click here for a brochure.

Your Conference Co-Lay Leaders, Scott Johnson and Eleanor Collinsworth, have begun to go “on the road” to meet with local church lay leaders in a series of Listening Sessions around the Conference. The intent of these informal, conversational gatherings is to get to know one another better, and to share the joys and challenges of ministry as a local church lay leader. Scott and Eleanor would like to hear how the Conference Lay Leaders can best serve the needs of lay leaders in the local churches. Our unique strength as the church called United Methodist can be found in our connectedness as local churches, districts, and conferences. Local church lay leaders are invited to gather to celebrate our existing strengths and lift up opportunities to make us even stronger.

 

The list of dates and locations has been finalized. All local church lay leaders are invited to attend the session that is most convenient for them. Pastors are asked to encourage and support the attendance of their local church lay leader(s) at one of these sessions. Information on dates, times, and locations are listed here:

Thursday, February 28, 6:30 p.m. at Medina UMC
Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m. at Springville UMC
Thursday, March 6, 6:30 p.m. at New Hope UMC in West Seneca
Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. at Cuba UMC
Saturday, April 5, 1:15 p.m. at Jamestown: Christ First UMC (NOTE LOCATION CHANGE!)
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 p.m. at Camp Asbury
Tuesday, April 15, 7 p.m. at Kenmore UMC

March 15, 2008 is the deadline for receipt by the loan officer of applications and required supporting documents for BOM seminary financial aid.  This is for the spring semester of '08 and January '08 classes that qualified, seminary attending students seeking ordination as elder or deacon may receive.  Send forms to:

Willow Brost

925 Delaware Ave.  6B

Buffalo, NY 14209

email: mumfis@aol.com

716-882-6206

Forms and requirements may be found by going to the wnyboom.org or wnyumc.org websites and following the links. Questions or concerns should be directed to Willow Brost.

The twenty-first annual laity banquet is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the Ashville Fireman’s Training Center.  Registration is at 5:30 pm and dinner is at 6:00 pm.  Praise and special music will be presented by Pastor Susan Fish and Rev. Eleanor Hare will be the evening’s keynote speaker.  Each congregation in the Cornerstone District is invited to honor an individual who is quietly serving in his/her church and beyond.  Registration forms were sent to pastors and churches.  The cost of the dinner is $11.00 per person.  Please send your reservations to the Cornerstone District Office by April 28^th.

 

The 2008 Summer Camp Brochures were recently sent out through the mail to churches.  A few errors have been discovered.  Please note the following corrections…

 

Please Note that we have discovered two errors in the 2008 Summer Camp Brochure. 

 

 

Please help us find some youth equalization members for annual conference.  We are asking you to approach and invite a youth to go to the Annual Conference June 13-15 at the Adams Mark hotel in Buffalo.  You can let them know that their way is paid for by the District but that they will have to miss school on Friday to attend.  If you have someone who would like to go, please email Mary Anderson with their contact information (name, address, phone, email) and she will contact them by phone to confirm that they are able to go.  DCYM appreciate your help with this!  And ask that you do this as soon as possible (and within the next couple of weeks!)  Please contact Mary Anderson if you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions  HYPERLINK "mailto:357-5441/manderson@opheliaproject.org" 357-5441/manderson@opheliaproject.org

The WNY Camps, Conferences and Retreat Ministries Team is once again exited to offer summer camp scholarships for persons who need assistance to attend Camp Asbury or Camp Findley in 2008.  Click here for more information and an application.  The Pastor is required to submit this form on behalf of any camper who is seeking financial assistance through the CCRM.  Please take time to read through the form.  Local church financial assistance is expected prior to the CCRM providing any scholarship funds.  If a camper has a special need in order to attend one of our summer camp programs, please contact me directly.  Funds are limited, but we do not want to see any child miss the opportunity of attending church camp simply because they cannot afford it.  All Scholarship Application forms need to be sent to the CCRM Executive Director, as indicated on the form.  If you have any questions, please contact Larry Wiliford.  Thank you.

Background checks for local church employees and volunteers are strongly encouraged by the Conference Trustees.  As promised, the relationship with the company utilized by our former insurer has been re-established with Walsh Duffield.  The company’s name is Choice Point and links to the Choice Point web site are now operational on the Walsh Duffield website. Churches should follow the below steps:

Please note that existing customers can log-in under the "Customer Login" tab at the top right of the Choice Point webpage. New customers should enter the "Promotional Codes" WIG and SN162 when setting up their account.

 

If you do not have an account set up, you will need a credit card to do so.  Once established, and you are logged into the Choice Point Web Site, choose Screenow.  You will want to order a National Criminal Check.  It only takes a few seconds and the cost is $6.50/background check.

 

April 19, 2008 - An Open House will be held for the New Methodist Manor at Camp Asbury along with a celebration of the ministry of the Old Methodist Manor.  As part of this celebration there will be an Auction of items from the Old Manor, and a Fundraising meal.  More details will follow with time, etc.  This notice is so that you can put the date on your calendar if you would like to be present.

 

The first:  College scholarship information is available at http://www.wnyumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=885 .  Two additional awards are available this year through the generosity of two WNY UM churches.

 

The second:  Ministry Seminar for Clergy and Laypersons:  “Is God Calling You to a Ministry to College Students?”

 

We know that recent reports on our Annual Conference and our denomination show that we have a significant challenge before us regarding young adults. During the college years, when young people are exploring options, learning new things, and defining themselves as adults, they are presented with a unique opportunity to grow in relationship to Jesus Christ. The Western New York Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry is offering churches in our conference an opportunity to learn and discern how they might be in ministry to the young adults on the college campuses in our annual conference.

 

This event will offer an overview of recent research that demonstrates an increasing desire for spiritual growth and information among college students, college faculty and staff. It will also present an overview of successful strategies for creating and cultivating relationships on campus. Current students will speak about their faith journeys and worship experiences as a guide to what some students are looking for from local churches.  We are confident that a day of exploration and information will be useful as we try to make new disciples and sustain current ones.

 

When: Saturday, April 12, 2008, 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M.

Where:  The United Methodist Church of Livonia, 21 Summers Street, Livonia, NY 14487

Registration:  Please register by April 1, 2008

Continental Breakfast, soup and sandwich lunch, and refreshments will be provided

Name:

Address:

Phone:

E-mail:

Church:

Dietary restrictions:

 

Registration may be E-mailed to wnybhecm@att.net or send to Peter Crichton, Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, PO Box 32, Conesus, NY 14435-0032  Telephone:  (585)243-2819

Bishop Violet Fisher announces the appointment of …

The Community Ministries line item has been cut out of the Conference Budget for 2007.  Below is a list of approved Community ministries that we encourage local churches to continue to support.  The Cornerstone District will still act as a clearing house for donations to these ministries.  Please make sure that the purpose of your donation is clearly marked.

·         Chaut.County. Rural Ministries, Dunkirk, NY

·         Chaut.County Jail Ministries (supplies only), Mayville, NY

·         Jamestown Reachout Ministry, Jamestown, NY

·         Dunkirk Hispanic Mission, Dunkirk, NY

·         Elinor’s House, Dunkirk, NY

·         Intervarsity, JCC

Each month, we will be highlighting one ministry in the Around the Corner to give the local churches more information about what each ministry does.

 

 

Dear Fellow Pastors and Partners in Ministry,

 

Joy and peace to you at this special season.   The mission of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Jamestown Community College goes well.  We have continued to meet Mondays and Wednesdays at the noon club hour. Monday is a student led Bible study on Christian Character (by IVP, of course!)   The study is so good that the Adult Sunday School at Gerry is also using it and growing greatly.  Back on campus, we use the Wednesday time for Worship and special speakers. Many of our colleagues have graced IVCF with their wisdom, including Roy Miller, Steve Wiggers, Nate Bailey, and Tim Middleton.  If any of you are free Mondays or Wednesdays at noon and would like to come and speak, we would be thrilled.

 

This is a strong group – the only Christian one on campus. We pray and seek to build a witnessing community that prays for and reaches out to others on campus. To that end, we have had a few book table outreaches in the Student Union and plan to do one in December to raise awareness and funds for an AIDS orphanage in Africa.  We also plan to do service projects at St. Susan’s Center and Habitat for Humanity this winter.  I meet personally with the student leaders, as individuals or a small group to help disciple and train them. I am always seeking to develop new leaders, as the turnover is so rapid. We are literally one year away from extinction!  I am planning on teaching the university edition of “Becoming a Contagious Christian” in the spring to help students fulfill the vision God has given us.

 

Many thanks to those churches that have prayerfully and financially supported this mission. We couldn’t do this without you.  Please consider adding this local mission to your budget.

 

Thank you – Pastor Heather Allport-Cohoon.

 

Send your local church information for publication to cornerstonedistoffice@windstream.net.

Join LVUMC on Saturday, March 15 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm for a yummy chicken and biscuits dinner.  The cost of the meal would be a donation.  Proceeds from the evening will benefit the LVUMC Preschool

 

This one-day event is designed for children in 1^st thru 5^th grades, and has been used in churches across America to help kids develop a greater interest in the Bible. Under the direction of a skilled facilitator from Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, children will learn about the chronology of events in the Old Testament.  It is a fun, interactive and memorable way to teach our children the ‘big picture’ in the Old Testament. It all happens on March 15, from 9:45am to 3:00pm.  We invite kids from all the local UMC churches to come enjoy this exciting way of learning God’s Word. The cost is $10 per child, which covers the workbook, snacks and lunch. In the event that a parent would like to send their child(ren) but can’t afford to, we are offering some $5 scholarships to help minimize the cost.  Contact the B.P.U.M.C. office by phone, 386-3401, or by email (bpumc@bpumc.com) for more information or to request promotional materials and registration forms.

The combined choirs of the Cattaraugus and Sheridan Churches are pleased to present an Easter Cantata on March 16 at 7:00 pm at Sheridan UMC.  There will be a second performance on March 18 at 7:00 pm at Cattaraugus UMC.  A final showing will be on April 6 at the Holy Trinity RC Church in Dunkirk.

 

The Easter Passion Play, “Worthy is the Lamb,” will be presented at the Panama UMC on Sunday, March 23 at 10:15 am and 6:00 pm.  The play is being presented by the Celebration Choir and the Drama Team and is being directed by Rev. Tim Middleton.

 

Is your Christian life full? Probably   Is it fulfilling? Probably not What's missing? Why not go "M.A.D."? (Make A Difference) Come and find out HOW to make the GREATEST possible difference with the rest of your life! "Make A Difference" training for teens and adults. Friday, April 4th beginning at 6 pm at Park UMC, 49 Sinclair Drive, Sinclairville, NY 962-2265. A love offering will be taken for the speaker.

Help Wanted:  Mayville United Methodist Church is looking for a person who feels called to do youth and young adult ministry to become our new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.  This is a new position and while we have a job description, to a great extent the person hired will be able to influence the shape this ministry takes.  It is a part time salaried position.  Please contact Mayville United Methodist Church at 753-7532 or the Rev. Alan J. Jones at 753-2761 (home) if interested or you would like more information.  You can leave a message.

 

Chiz Rider is an accomplished Trumpet player and performer. You can check him out on www.chizrider.com. He has been at Cattaraugus church and others in the area several years running and is coming again. The concert will be held at 7:00 pm. If you would like more information, please contact Pastor Dave at 716-257-3583 or cattwes@localnet.com.

Kenmore United Methodist Church is conducting a search for a Pastoral Associate.  This is a full time position.  The successful candidate will have experience in developing spiritually enriching programs, developing and supporting small learning and study groups.  

Work collaboratively with Senior Pastor and other staff to develop the spiritual life and programs for the congregation and community.  Assists Senior Pastor in worship development, pastoral care, preaching and teaching.         

 Through Christ-centered ministry: 

·         Provide for spiritual growth opportunities that are appealing and compelling to those inside and outside Kenmore UMC. 

·         Strengthen and develop community outreach ministries and programs. develop and nurture programs to help young families and young adults. 

·         Support and equip the laity to help carry out and provide leadership for our programs and ministries.

·          Support and further develop existing and new small groups. 

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications.

For more information contact Kenmore United Methodist Church                 

32 Landers Rd., Kenmore, New York, 14217  875-5091, email Kenmoreumc@Verizon.net