news article
Revitalizing Community: Cornerstone District’s Inspiring District Days
June 24, 2024 / By Kristian Snyder, Cornerstone Superintendency District Associate / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Cornerstone District has recently reignited a sense of community and support through two successful District Day events. The first event was held on April 20th at Mayville UMC, followed by a second on May 18th at Wellsville UMC. These gatherings were orchestrated by the dedicated District Superintendency Associates (SAs): Kristian Snyder, Susan Hardy, Georgia Whitney, the Rev. Nick Perry, and the Rev. Chad Sayers.
Recognizing the need to rejuvenate the spirit of togetherness and support among local churches and their leaders, the SAs took the initiative to reintroduce District Days. The absence of such events since 2019, compounded by the challenges of COVID-19, church closures, and disaffiliations left many local churches feeling isolated and unheard. The return of District Days aimed to bridge this gap.
Both events were rich in fellowship, worship, communion, prayer, and small-group learning. Attendees participated in sessions tailored to various church leadership roles, including Trustees, Lay Leaders, Finance Committee members, Treasurers, Ad Council members, Lay Servants, SPPRC, and more. The classes were led by esteemed teachers such as Pastor Craig Buelow, the Rev. Mary Kelly, the Rev. Dr. Stephan Crowell, Susan Hardy, Kris Snyder, and Georgia Whitney.
Although these District Days were condensed to three hours, differing from pre-COVID-19 formats, they were warmly received by all participants. The enthusiasm was palpable, with attendees expressing a desire for more in-depth learning and opportunities to connect with members from other churches within the Cornerstone District.
Encouraged by the positive feedback, the Cornerstone District Team is actively planning additional events for late summer or early fall. Their vision is to establish District Days as an annual tradition, fostering ongoing support and collaboration among local churches.
We invite all districts to consider organizing similar events to strengthen their communities and support local church leaders. Together, we can build a more connected and resilient future.