METNews - November 2016

Rev. Dr. Denise Smartt Sears Sing to the Lord a New Song O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Psalm 96:1 When I was in high school, my cousin Gregory placed his Walkman headphones over my ears so I could listen to this "new song." Planet Rock by the Soulsonic Force  Party people Can ya'll get funky?... Yeah, just hit me Just taste the funk and hit me Just get on down and hit me... We know a place where the nights are hot. It is a house of funk, females and males Both headed all for the disco. The D.J. Plays your favorite blasts, takes you back to the past, music's magic, poof! What a powerful beat, it was quite different than anything I had ever heard before, but it turned out to be a hit! In every season we have to engage the culture so we can be in ministry with them. How else will we be able to sing the Lord's song in a strange land? We know a place that's HOT where the people are praying and singing of the goodness of our God. But as long as we keep the doors closed to passersby, our churches every day, we are missing an opportunity to create relationships with new people. This is November, a time when many cultures in the United States of America pause to give thanks. Many will participate in preparing and or serving dinners to the poor. Some will donate canned goods to schools, or other agencies. These venues, especially those held within churches can be opportunities for telling stories of how God transforms lives. Yes, break into new songs! Do something different: converse with the needy and poor in spirit; listen to parents whose children attend failing schools; and think of ways to hear the concerns of those living under sub-standard housing conditions. These opportunities bring a certain amount of humanity and gratitude to both servers and receivers.  Party people, Metropolitan District can we get funky (different but cool)? Can we spread the good news like every day is Thanksgiving Day!?  Este es el dia que el senor ha hecho vamps a regosisr en el. (This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it. Psalm 18:24) Give thanks to God for the good things, the new things that God is doing in our midst that might be in the form of a testimony or a gratitude journal. God is doing great things and it is time to sing a new song.  In faith,

Bishop Responds to Judicial Council Ruling

http://www.nyac.com/newsdetail/bishop-responds-to-judicial-council-ruling-6458854

11/1/2016

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members
of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.”
-Ephesians 2:19, NRSV

 
The Judicial Council recently issued a ruling on the bishop’s Decision of Law in the New York Annual Conference concerning whether or not the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry is required to ascertain whether a candidate meets the qualifications for candidacy and ordained ministry, including whether or not she or he is exhibiting “fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness” or is a “self-avowed practicing homosexual.”
 
The Judicial Council affirmed the ruling in part and reversed the ruling in another part, remanding the ruling back to the bishop for a specific ruling on those parts. 
 
I respect the Judicial Council's ruling that questions 3 & 4 are moot and hypothetical.  Those questions were related to situations that had not yet taken place and, hence, were hypothetical in nature and not within the purview of the Judicial Council. I also respect their request that there be a ruling on questions 1 & 2.  Those questions were concerning the responsibilities of the Board of Ordained Ministry in ascertaining “whether a candidate meets the qualifications for candidacy and ordained ministry,” and to what degree a Board of Ordained Ministry can recommend candidates to the clergy session of an Annual Conference.  The Judicial Council has sent those two questions back and asked for a specific ruling to be made on each of them.  Bishop Jane Allen Middleton, who was the interim bishop at the time of this request, will therefore make those rulings at the request of the Judicial Council in anticipation of their next meeting.
 
What this means, quite simply, is that there is more work to be done.  As this work is being done, I would ask that you join me in praying for Bishop Middleton as she prepares her ruling and for the Judicial Council as they respond to it.  And, even as we pray, I believe that we should continue to focus on our ministry as an Annual Conference.  There are lives that need to be touched by the grace and love of Christ in our midst.  I pray that we will keep our eyes focused on the work God has called us to as servant leaders. 
 
I want to express how deeply grateful I am to the Conference BOOM for their past and present work. They have and do act with intentionality and integrity, and I look forward to working with them moving forward as we discern God's call for ourselves, our Annual Conference, and the candidates who are responding to the call that God has put on their hearts.
 
I also want to share my commitment to being supportive of the persons directly affected by this matter.  I have been blessed by the character, authenticity, and genuine nature of call within those persons who have been recently commissioned and ordained. Throughout this Annual Conference we have an abundance of called and committed people who are faithfully living out their calling from God.  This includes members of the LGBTQI community who continue to feel marginalized and who experience deep hurt in the midst of the church’s ongoing struggle.   My prayer is that each of us can be supportive of the many and various ways in which God is using us to bless the church, the people of this region, and the world as a whole.
 
I recognize that we in the New York Annual Conference are not of one mind on this issue.  However, it is my hope that we will continue to provide space so that ministry can unfold in the midst of varied contexts and theological expressions.  While there is still work to be done and decisions that must be made by our Judicial Council, I would hope that we will commit ourselves as an Annual Conference to the ongoing and important work before all of us, lay and clergy alike, to the ministry of disciple-making in the New York Annual Conference.
 
I fully believe that there is a way through all that we are facing.  And, I am committed to leading us through these days with a conviction that God is greater than any obstacle we may face and that God will provide a way for the church to be the full expression of what God intends.  I pray that you will join me in those efforts.
 
May Paul’s words to the church at Ephesus speak to us today.  Each of us are a part of the household of God, claimed, called and loved by Christ Jesus our Lord, the cornerstone of who we are and who we are called to be.
 
Finally, I would call everyone to serious and intentional times of prayer and centering so that God may continue to speak to us and work through us with grace and unconditional love.  May others look to us as a significant example of how people of differing viewpoints can work together and, more importantly, love one another.
 
May it be so.
 
The Journey Continues, . . .
 
Thomas J. Bickerton
Resident Bishop

Roena Littlejohn, Conference Lay Leader

Laity on the Move:

Laity Convocation Sat., November 19, 2016

A Word from Your Conference Lay Leader

Greetings my Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We would like to extend a cordial invitation to you to join us for our 2016 Laity Convocation, Saturday, November 19, 2016. The theme: WE ARE CALLED . . .


A continental breakfast will be served at the beginning of our day as we meet and bond with acquaintances across the NYAC. Following breakfast, we will participate in the opening and an inspiring worship service to nourish and stir the soul featuring The Rev. David Gilmore, Preacher and Religious Leader for the day.
Activities continue with nine different small group workshops: CONNECT, OPEN, MERCY, MUTUALITY, UNCONVENTIONAL, NARRATIVE, INVITATIONAL, TRUSTWORTHY and YEARNING.  The workshops are inspired by the book, Transforming Community by Henry H. Knight III and F. Douglas Powe, Jr. which is included in the $25 registration donation. Learn more about what Rev. Gilmore will be sharing with us.
An hour has been set aside for physical nourishment, mental reflection and fellowship as you digest a delicious fall luncheon. Those important needs met, we will resume small group sessions for wrap up and summary culminating with combined assembly with Rev. Gilmore for discussion and closure.
You don’t want to miss this dynamic day of inspirational preaching, workshops and fellowship.  Are you ready to “Walk in a manner worthy of the Calling you have received?”  Bishop Thomas Bickerton will deliver the charge to the laity, affirm the role and purpose of the laity and bless all with Communion Meditation and send us on our way!
Join us at the Stamford Hilton, 1 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT
Click here for a bulletin insert to encourage laity in your church to join us.

Click here to register now. 

Roena Littlejohn
Conference Lay Leader

FORGIVENESS OF INTEREST & PENALTIES ON FINES

Dear Pastors and Trustees,
 
As you know, the United Methodist City Society does its best to represent United Methodist Churches with city agencies and issues.  Recently, we have gotten the news of a special program from the Department of Finance.
There is a tremendous opportunity for your church to eliminate the interest and penalties that have accumulated on outstanding violations with the New York City.  The City of New York is reducing penalties and interest for many violations*issued by the Department of Sanitation, Department of Buildings, and other city agencies. Not including Parking and Real Property violations. 

Violations must be in judgment. This means the City of New York has taken the legal step of filing a public record of your liability in court for the entire amount due, plus additional interest. Criminal violations and violations over $25,000 are excluded. Other limitations, exclusions and eligibility requirements apply. 
I discovered that we were able to reduce a bill on the Willis Avenue property from $697.87 for a trash violation from December of 2010 to the original fine of $100, saving $597.87 in penalties and interest.  We found others related to UMCS properties. Your congregation may be able to do the same thing. 

Take advantage of the amnesty program before it expires! This amnesty period runs until December 12, 2016.  Here is the link to begin your process.  You may also want to look at the Department of Finance website to see if you have any outstanding balances with the city.  I highly recommend that you do this at this time.
 
Amnesty Link: 
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/taxes/forgiving-fines-the-nyc-amnesty-program.page
 
Department of Finance Link:
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/index.page
 
Feel free to call me if you have any questions.  Please look at both of these links.  It will help if you have the block and lot number of your property.  On the Amnesty site, please note that when you put in the church name on the search form (last name area) that many churches are still listed with the city under previous names such as Methodist Episcopal Church (or M.E.).  For instance, the Willis Avenue UMC was listed as the First M.E. Church.  I found it searching with the name “first” only. 
 
Blessings, 
Bill Shillady
 
 
Rev. Dr. William S. Shillady
Executive Director, CEO
UM City Society
Room 1922
475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115

I Was in Prison and you...

On Saturday, October 1st, the Conference Board of Church and Society sponsored a comprehensive Symposium on prison ministry and criminal justice advocacy at Grace UMC on 104th St. This month’s edition of The Vision has a full article about the event here. John Collins, retired elder and long-time social justice advocate, was one of the ninety or so people attending and wrote this account:

A conference on Ministry with the Incarcerated was held at Grace UMC in Manhattan on October 1, 2016. Workshops on prison reentry programs, criminal justice reform, letter-writing to the incarcerated, how to lobby and other aspects of ministry, filled the day with inspiration and ideas on how to get your church involved. One workshop leader, a formerly incarcerated man, shared the book he has written, Changin Your Game Plan: How to use Incarceration as a stepping stone to SUCCESS for families of men and women in prison. He has sold over 10,000 of these on the subway. His workshop led many to purchase the book and to involve their church in this life-giving and life-saving work.

Rev. George Chochos, standing above, moderates apanel focused on assisting the incarcerated and their families that included the NYAC's Rev. George McClain, center. 

A highlight of the day was the opening worship service which featured testimonials from the formerly incarcerated and music by the New Day UMC church musicians. Rev. Doug Cunningham from New Day presided. He observed, “the testimonies of George & Amie Chochos brought home the connections between the violence our society directs toward those who are marginalized and the continuation of that violence in prison."  Assistant Pastor Lisa Pratt of New Day UMC stated "the Spirit was moving powerfully throughout the whole event. I could feel God whispering 'rise up, the time is now. I am with you.' Mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex have broken too many lives, and now we stand at a crossroads as a church and as a society. I don't believe change is going to happen from upper levels of leadership in the UMC; it never has. No - it's now on the people to decide if we're going to rise up or fade back into denial and irrelevancy."

                             New Day UMC Worship Arts                                                                                 Amie Chochos offers her testimony about redemption                                                 

For more information on ministry with the incarcerated or ways to involve your church in criminal justice reform contact: Sheila Peiffer, Conference Coordinator Social Justice Organizing, Engagement and Advocacy, 
churchandsociety@nyac-umc.com or 203-269- 5317.

2016 -2017 Metropolitan District
Church Conference Schedule

(v. 11.2.2016)

Employment Opportunities

PART TIME CUSTODIAL ASSISTANT

20 Hours Per Week

Salem United Methodist Church, located at 2190 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd (at the corner of 7th Ave and 129th Street), New York, NY, is currently accepting applications for a Part Time Custodial Assistant. Applicant must be able to perform general custodian duties and be able to work flexible hours to include weekends and some holidays.

If interested, please contact the church office at 212-678-2700 or via email at info@salem-harlem.org for more information.

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