tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.comments2013-12-14T17:40:33.460-08:00Convener's Corner - reflections on the work of New ACT (Area/Conference Team)Bill Gottschalk-Fieldinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828117201440674877noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-52760330378878157002010-05-04T13:51:03.704-07:002010-05-04T13:51:03.704-07:00Natalie Sleeth wrote in the new and beloved "...Natalie Sleeth wrote in the new and beloved "Hymn of Promise"- <br /> In our end is our beginning -<br />I was born in Fulton, "grew-up" in Liverpool, lived in Ithaca for 10 years of my young adult life. Home is now Honesdale, PA. Soon home will be Lake Placid. As I think of June 19 and July 1 what comes to my mind and heart is four Annual Conferences closing the chapter on their life and history - and two of those Conferences bifurcating and relating to three entirely different Episcopal Areas. That's a load of leaving behind. Still, Sister Sleeth's hymn sings on: From the past will come the future, what it holds, a mystery - unrevealed until it's season, something God alone can see. <br />SHALOM IMMANUELBirney Kelloggnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-21903995214257328062010-04-01T04:25:08.399-07:002010-04-01T04:25:08.399-07:00My wife and I are two persons who have become part...My wife and I are two persons who have become part-time local pastors through circumstance rather than choice. We began as full-time pastors and have served churches in a variety of settings that were tenuous at the time and more often than not experienced great resistance as we sought to help aging congregations develop a vision for the future. We have served the UMC faithfully for 2 decades and have always enjoyed the benefit of quality health care coverage - which made more palatable the demotion to part-time status. Today, I am one of the co-conveners on the CQ Leadership team. It will be a sad irony if the Upper New York Area begins life as a new and visionary conference by marginalizing an entire group of persons who have given up so much to serve Jesus. The moral and justice issues alone are staggering. If we are to get off on the right footing, all of us will have to work together to ensure that we do not create or recreate a structure comprised of an elite class of clergy (full time elders and staff) and a marginalized class (part time clergy and staff). Speaking in a general way for the conveners of the CQT, this was our mutual response to the health care proposal. And I know that any future response that avoids the above scenario that can only stain the new conference image, we must work tirelessly, not only to provide quality health care options for all our clergy and staff, but examine as well how we utilize and deploy the gifts and graces of those of us called to a full time life of ministry in the name of Jesus and under the auspices of the United Methodist connection.Larry Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03560051078177021713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-80190101996094289742010-03-14T08:40:39.841-07:002010-03-14T08:40:39.841-07:00I am so glad I took Holly Nye's advice and am ...I am so glad I took Holly Nye's advice and am now "hooked-up" to your blog. This is cool! Already I'm encouraged by the material you're offering and reading the comments from my sisters and brothers.<br /><br />I thought the Feb. BOM retreat was exceptionally energizing and engaging as we gathered to wonder about our identity (what will be our "new normal?").<br /><br />At the March 11 Troy clergy gathering, the video presentation and Q & A session that followed were very well done. Honesty seemed to be the central theme as all of us are in this "wilderness" journey (with it's distinctive "promised land" - our new conference).<br /><br />I hope that as our saints experience the anxiety (while still breathing!), the local church leadership will shift from anxiety-reduction to confidence-building. There are ways to do that that are simple, affordable, and already present within each congregation.<br /><br />Thank you and all the folks that are so hard-at-work in discovering this "new thing" that God has delivered to we Upstate New Yorkers.<br /><br />Ray Stees (Embury [the "New" Albany] District)<br /><br />'Living Faithfully Forward into Our Future'<br />www.theedgeoftomorrow.comRay Steeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13303929072219831593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-64096462083090361852010-03-05T16:49:42.199-08:002010-03-05T16:49:42.199-08:00HI Bill and New ACT team
--I am wondering why we n...HI Bill and New ACT team<br />--I am wondering why we need to have a single, uniform health care provider and plan. I am wondering if it is truly necessary--or if it is just convenient, but very expensive. <br /><br />I think of the health care professionals in hospitals admissions offices who have to know the benefits of many programs--and I wonder if it would be cheaper to hire part time one of those professionals who already knows all those programs, and allow clergy to keep the health care plans they have now--and offer them a selection each time they are moved around. <br />it seems worth investigating if local churches would be more willing to spend a grand total of $20,000-30,000 ( which comes to $1000, more or less, per charge) for such a professional, perhaps one that works evening hours (so that no extra money is spent for office space) than the $5000 more per charge that apparently many will be paying. <br /><br />I would be interested to know if the pastors and laity of other district meetings decided that uniformity of salaries and benefits was the top priority--as it apparently was in the meeting I attended--or if something else was. <br /><br />thank you for all the hard work you and the team have been doing; I understand that all members of it are serving in local churches in various capacities, clergy and lay, and that this time of year makes the NEW ACT work even more tough to keep going...<br />May God continue to bless you all with your work; I keep praying for our new conference, and for all the people with all the fears...<br />living into a new normal is very tough, and nobody really likes it much.<br /><br />grace and peace<br />fran hemstreet<br />pastor, harrisville and natural bridge umcs <br />northern flow districtfran hemstreetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-21541281537608687482010-01-20T11:09:14.046-08:002010-01-20T11:09:14.046-08:00I appreciate this blog (see comment below)...I wou...I appreciate this blog (see comment below)...I would be hopeful that the Social Principles are integral to the "Guiding Principles and Driving Vision."<br /><br />Our layleader at Jonesville UMC, Tom Bonds, will be attending this Saturday's discussions in Liverpool. I have voiced to Tom by email, my concern on the future roles of the Wyoming and Troy Conference Boards of Church and Society within the newly formed Conference. I noted to Tom the following:<br /><br />"Tom,<br /><br />I would appreciate being able to have input without travel. The new conference will continually need to deal with the issue of distance. Perhaps there is a blog, facebook page or email where we can voice our concerns? <br /><br />My concern is the continuation of the Board of Church and Society within the new conference. Even though I’m Co Chair with Rev. Steve Smith, I’ve heard nothing about the new conference establishing an “Upper New York Board of Church and Society.” I do know that the previous Chair with North Central Conference, Dr. Janet Allen, received little or no support from the Bishop (at that time) and ultimately left out of frustration. While our DS, Jan Rowell has noted that we are in a time of prayfull discernment, I would beg the question to New ACT as to their intent. Their silence to date has been deafening! <br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />Ed"<br />Edward Bennett<br />Co Chair<br />TACBCSEdward Bennettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-83569223262342865532009-12-18T08:53:45.550-08:002009-12-18T08:53:45.550-08:00I will also speak plainly. It would appear that th...I will also speak plainly. It would appear that there is no dilemma regarding the future of the lay staff of the conferences. They have all been laid off. What about their futures? What about their health insurance? Will they be entitled to unemployment? Does anybody care? Your lay staff should be a priority- not the forgotten ones. They need action and information.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-62126872458934825122009-12-18T07:44:56.627-08:002009-12-18T07:44:56.627-08:00Bill, Thank you for articulating again and again t...Bill, Thank you for articulating again and again the vision. I have appreciated the Advent bulletin inserts to help us during this season of "watching and waiting!" During the next few rapidly moving months the vision will become clearer and clearer for those of us further from the center. <br /><br />You and the New ACT leadership are in my prayers.<br /><br />Jeff ChildsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-67619028911626601632009-12-17T08:54:34.011-08:002009-12-17T08:54:34.011-08:00as a methodist since birth, my views may seem radi...as a methodist since birth, my views may seem radical at this juncture of church and God. our current beliefs do not match our founders in any way shape or form. what happened to sin and saving souls? be good, be nice and everything is beautiful is the current credo. preach a little old time methodist religion, and half your congregation will leave------the rest will stay and then the church can grow again. all the churches that are growing in our area are preaching the old message. why don't methodists read john wesley for a change-----see how he saw things. grants for celtic heresy studies, and tthrow old religion under the bus. lets go way back and study witchcraft, sun gods would be popular here in the northwoods. we all ready have tree worship. lets pile it all on and say how up-to-date we are. and not a soul will be saved from sin. and this will be on our plate to answer for on judgement day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-70324200104495054072009-10-31T13:00:21.807-07:002009-10-31T13:00:21.807-07:00Great idea, Dick. Anything we can do to make the ...Great idea, Dick. Anything we can do to make the new conference part of our conversation will be helpful. Please let me know what sort of information and in what format(s) will help you connect with your people. Thanks for sharing this work!Bill Gottschalk-Fieldinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15828117201440674877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-33744807576360069282009-10-30T18:24:33.059-07:002009-10-30T18:24:33.059-07:00For two reasons, I suggested to our local pastor t...For two reasons, I suggested to our local pastor that we include a small portion of our worship service to (a) acknowledging UNY Conference work and/or (b) examine a RETHINK CHURCH concept. The reason being that (1) so much of the ongoing communication is online (and many don't embrace this media) and (2) we should focus on the transitions that the church and conference are going through. One of the prompts was the "working Visions and Purpose Statement" posted on the back of the lastest *Transitions* issue. Let's raise up a piece of this on Sunday - make a comment and acknowledge the work. (deliberately focus)<br />-Dick Hubbard<br />Centerville UMC (Allegany Co)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-70098513614234848062009-10-19T13:58:40.060-07:002009-10-19T13:58:40.060-07:00I'm not sure how I feel about staffing, but pr...I'm not sure how I feel about staffing, but probably fewer is better to begin with. I wanted to add a different book to people's reading lists, from a very different, non-church perspective. I suggest The Art of Innovation by Tom Kelley. It is about the lessons in creativity from IDEO, a leading design firm in the US. Lots of good lessons there about planning for change. Bruce Lee-Clark leeclark@together.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-54557293884331311412009-10-07T12:24:12.257-07:002009-10-07T12:24:12.257-07:00Any chance that the train will derail before pulli...Any chance that the train will derail before pulling into the next station? Is there a pit crew with the right equipment to put it back on the rails?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-34932360644166286522009-10-01T07:00:14.065-07:002009-10-01T07:00:14.065-07:00Mike,
Great question. We have a Planning Team cal...Mike,<br />Great question. We have a Planning Team called "UNYBOOM" which stands for Upper New York Board of Ordained Ministry working on Board issues. I will forward your question to Rev. Lynne Spence, the convener for UNYBOOM><br /><br />And thanks for checking out this blog. I'd really like it to be more widely read. Could you tell 5 or 6 people to check it out? Over the next few months a lot of information will be shared (and discussed) on this site.Bill Gottschalk-Fieldinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15828117201440674877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-19838677231631743092009-09-30T19:35:33.756-07:002009-09-30T19:35:33.756-07:00I am a Certified Candidate for Ministry and have h...I am a Certified Candidate for Ministry and have hope to attend Local Pastor School this coming spring. It would be helpful to know if the New Act has addressed the issue of at least where and possibly when the next Local Pastor School program(s) will take place within the new Conference. Might this decision even fall into the 3rd category you mentioned, namely the team has gone ahead and made the decision and not waited for the Uniting Conference?<br /><br />Thanks for any information you may have.<br /><br />Mike Asbury <br />Calvary UMC Latham<br />Home phone: 518-729-4526Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-67760827202426988632009-05-08T12:21:00.000-07:002009-05-08T12:21:00.000-07:00Hi Bill,
How wonderful to honor the youth through ...Hi Bill,<br />How wonderful to honor the youth through your reflections. Thanks, Bill. Blessings as you give leadership to part of this journey. blessings, Robin<br />www.commongoodradio.orgRobin Blairhttp://www.commongoodradio.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-56562116645553472442009-04-29T06:38:00.000-07:002009-04-29T06:38:00.000-07:00Hey Bill - we're so glad that you joined us on Sat...Hey Bill - we're so glad that you joined us on Saturday. The youth are inspiring, aren't they, and I felt particularly this year that their testimonies and sermons were powerful. Thanks for your thoughts!Beth Quickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14171030571583683180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-59746016943680467702009-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:002009-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:00From Pastor Jeff McDowell in Bath, NY, NCNY confer...From Pastor Jeff McDowell in Bath, NY, NCNY conference:<BR/><BR/>Thanks to Dave Masland for his insight in beginning new churches.<BR/><BR/>I want to add another slant:<BR/><BR/>Chaplaincy appointments. I have thought for years we need to train some pastors to have role of chaplain at churches whose demongraphics and energy will be most likely to only sustain them as a church for a decade or less as a viable church. These church can play a vital role in the context of rural churches by attending to the needs of those within them. When the time comes for them to disband or united with another area church, they will have been cared for, intentional about their end - game strategy, and feel a part of a greater whole: church for Jesus' sake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-64897331061199415992009-03-05T19:09:00.000-08:002009-03-05T19:09:00.000-08:00Bill (and the hard working friends you represent),...Bill (and the hard working friends you represent), <BR/><BR/>Please accept my heart-felt thanks for the hard work you have done so far. I am very pleased with the vision/purpose statement that you have crafted as a document to guide us toward the future. I love the emphasis placed outside the church walls. I love the focus on leadership development. I love the fact that you are saying this is a start, and not the end of the conversation. I believe this is a vision that can unify us. Thanks for asking for our input!<BR/><BR/>I have just two simple thoughts I'd ask your committee to consider. Maybe these things do not need to be in the vision/purpose statement. Perhaps they are better seen as aspects of the way we will live into this vision. Or, maybe few others see these things as important. I share them because these are things I feel God is calling us to move toward. Please take use them only if they seem helpful to your entire committee:<BR/><BR/>1. I believe we need to focus (along with our entire general church) on creating "new places for new people." It seems counter-intuitive to plant new churches when so many of the churches we already have are in decline. However, research shows that there is a typical institutional life span... and that turning around a declining church is much harder work than starting new congregations. Rapid church growth typically only happens in the first 20 years of a churches life span. If we really want to reach new people with the good news of Jesus, I believe we must be starting new communities of faith.<BR/><BR/>2. I think we somewhere need to add the word "witness" to what it is we are trying to do when we are "being the body of Christ in the world." One of the most significant practical changes made at General Conference was the addition of that word "Witness" at the end of the four commitments made at the time of membership ("...prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.") If we are serious about spreading the good news of Jesus, we need to not only show folks Jesus in our actions, but also tell people about what Jesus means to us. <BR/><BR/>Once again, thank you for your leadership and hard work. I am so hopeful that we will be able to create a truly new thing together that glorifies God and transforms the people and the communities of upstate NY.<BR/><BR/>Dave Masland<BR/>Binghamton District, Wyoming Conf.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-72192454068972160162009-03-02T12:18:00.000-08:002009-03-02T12:18:00.000-08:00I am hopeful about this process and trust that tog...I am hopeful about this process and trust that together we will work out the details in due time. Occasionally, I hear anxiety about the "new conference," mostly around size matters. There is a concern that the districts will get bigger. There is also anxiety that we, as a whole conference, will overlook the concerns and input of our ethnic and racial minorities. Fritz Perls, founder of Gestalt Psychotherapy defined anxiety as "excitement while holding one's breath. To feel the excitement as excitement and not as anxiety we have to breathe. I look forward to the process unfolding.<BR/><BR/>Rev. Will BaezRev. Dr. Will Baezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17109529433006970517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-35400319891313400652009-02-27T14:08:00.000-08:002009-02-27T14:08:00.000-08:00Bill - and members of the New ACT - I think the st...Bill - and members of the New ACT - I think the statement is excellent. I particularly appreciate that you have identified its audience and noted that it is a "transitional tool" designed to help us prepare for the future rather than define it.<BR/>And I love Maple Syrup - pastoring in Vermont for 14 years prior to coming to the Adirondacks, I used to time my pastoral visits in the spring by looking at the horizon - where I saw the steam rising, I decided to go and have a prayer with them. So many wonderful hours sitting, loading wood, stirring, and of course, tasting. May our work - now and in the future - be every bit as joyful and fruitful - "sweet" - as the effort required for the producing of liquid gold.<BR/>One thing that has surfaced frequently on the BOM has to do with the awareness that our current structure is more temporary with each passing day. It feels to me a bit like waiting for surgery. The patient just wants it to be over so the healing and physical therapy can begin. So ... we wait in the midst of this uncertain present, expecting the future to bring us something better than ever we could have anticipated.<BR/>Thanks for the blog ..... MarkMark Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00233974517815367270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8222336186383681458.post-53482865488121820572009-02-27T12:02:00.000-08:002009-02-27T12:02:00.000-08:00Good stuff...I'd would just like to recommend a st...Good stuff...I'd would just like to recommend a statement that sticks...without easy recall, it has no real guiding power...I've seen it time and time again...mission statements that hang on the wall without them shaping what's going on down the hall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com