Niagara Frontier District E-Connection

Niagara Frontier District E-Connection [email protected] April 17, 2017 www.NiagaraFrontierUNY.org 247 Cayuga Rd., Suite 70 Cheektowaga, NY 14225-1900 716-276-8631 fax: 716-276-8632

Rev. K. Wayne Butler, Superintendent [email protected] Jessica White, District Lay Leader [email protected]

The E-Connection! is sent out near the 1st & 15th of each month. (The next edition will go out May 1) The E-Connection can now also be found on the District webpage

We are part of the Upper New York Annual Conference (12 Districts) – 168,000 members – 915 churches in 49 of New York State’s 62 counties!

~ All Attachments are found in the e-mail message. ~

Calendar of Events 10:00 am – 12:45 Batavia: First UMC April 22 Safe Sanctuary Training pm 8221 Lewiston Rd., Batavia Lay Servant Training Christ UMC April 28-29 Basic & Advanced Courses 633 Linwood Ave., Olean 9:00 am – 3:00 Clarence UMC May 3 Mentor Training pm 10205 Greiner Rd., Clarence 9:30 am – 2:30 Right Start Workshop Springville: First UMC May 3 pm For Transitioning Clergy 474 E. Main St., Springville Oakfield UMC May 6 9:00 am – Noon Safe Sanctuary Training 2 S. Main St., Oakfield District Celebration and Prayer Buffalo: Cleveland Hill UMC May 10 7:00pm Gathering 546 Eggert Rd., Buffalo May 12-14 2017 CONAM Conference North Eastern Jurisdiction 8:00 am – 4:00 Fredonia: First UMC May 20 UMCOR Early Response Training pm 25 Church St., Fredonia Samuel’s Grande Manor May 21 4:00 pm District Laity Banquet Main St., Clarence Open House at new Conference 3:30-7:30pm 7481 Henry Clay Blvd. May 31 Center 7:30pm Liverpool Service and Dedication Open Air Service Columbus Circle May 31 5:30-6:30pm Hosted by Syracuse UM Churches 2 blocks north of OnCenter OnCenter June 1-3 Upper New York Annual Conference Syracuse, NY

Please continue to pray for Milford UMC and Fonda-Fultonville UMC as they recover from the fires that destroyed their buildings earlier this month. The Milford UMC, which caught on fire Sunday March 12, begins moving forward. Click on Milford UMC to find out how to help this church. The fire at the Fonda-Fultonville UMC took place on Tuesday March 14, amidst Storm Stella, that swept the Northeast. Click here to read more.

Please pray for the community and congregations of Niagara Falls: St. James, North Ridge and N. Tonawanda: First and clergy Mike Breunig, Alice Priset, Luis Rivera and Jay Roberts.

~ Annual Conference Stuff ~ (New) (4/17) 2017 Pre-Conference Briefing to be produced via video – In prior years, leading up to the Annual Conference, Pre-Conference Briefings were held across

1 the UNY area to provide information about the budget, pensions and benefits, resolutions, constitutional amendments, and other details to help you feel prepared for Annual Conference. This year the Pre- Conference briefing will be conducted via video. Watch for the release in May! Click here to learn more.

2 (New) Accessibility Committee seeking volunteers at the UNY Annual Conference – The Accessibility Committee needs volunteers to help those who need an extra set of hands during meals at the Annual Conference this year. They would like to meet for about 15 minutes before opening worship on June 1 for a quick training. Your role would be to go to a designated line during meals to hold plates for others or to fill them according to the preferences of the person and bring them to the tables. This would be a great assistance to those who have mobility issues or small children. It does not take much time, but is very much needed. Please contact Melissa (Missy) McCarthy at [email protected] or via phone/text at 518-231-0693.

Annual Conference 2017 speakers announced – Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb has announced three featured speakers for the 2017 Upper New York Annual Conference, June 1-3 at the OnCenter in Syracuse. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean will be the study leader; the Rev. Natalie Hanson will be the Memorial Service preacher; and the Rev. Junius B. Dotson, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries, will serve as the speaker at the Service of Commissioning and Ordination. Click here to learn more.

Registration is now open for the Upper New York Annual Conference session, held June 1-3 at the OnCenter in Syracuse. Click here for the registration form and to obtain more information about the 2017 Annual Conference session, including the registration and event guidelines and the housing form. Questions about registration can be addressed to Julie Valeski at [email protected]. Registration will close on May 1. You will be able to register at the event, but there is a late fee charged. Housing will close on April 27.

Open Air Service! The Syracuse United Methodist Churches will host an open-air service on May 31 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Columbus Circle, which is located two blocks north of the OnCenter where Annual Conference will be held again this year. This will be a nice gathering for worship and fellowship. Rev. BJ Norrix said, "We have a good band ready to go and expect to have a great time."

25th Annual Palestinian Dinner – Plymouth Congregational Church will again host this annual event on Thursday, June 1 with service beginning at conclusion of afternoon session. It includes authentic Palestinian food and a brief program centering on the plight of Palestinian children. Reservations: Linda Bergh (315) 492-8507, 116 Edna Rd., Syracuse, NY 13205, or Karen Peterson, (607) 739-3141, 116 Greenridge Dr., Horseheads, NY 14845. Checks for $20 per person made out to "UNYAC", with ‘Palestinian Dinner" on the memo line. An additional amount may be designated for the Gary Bergh Scholarship Fund, which enables young adults/ adults to travel to Palestine/ Israel to learn first-hand about peace and justice issues there. ~ Safe Sanctuary Training ~ (3/15) Batavia: First UMC – Saturday, April 22 from 10am-12:45pm. Contact Amy at 585- 356-7604 or [email protected] to register. See calendar at top of newsletter for address.

(3/15) Oakfield UMC – Saturday, May 6 from 9am-Noon. Contact Amy at 585-356-7604 or [email protected] to register. See calendar at top of newsletter for address.

~ Local Church News ~ (New) Niagara Falls: St. James UMC (4661 Porter Rd., Niagara Falls) Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ (drive thru only) on Wednesday, April 19 from 3-6pm. Dinner includes roasted potato, homemade coleslaw, roll and brownie. To reserve your dinner call 716-297-6421.

(New) Amherst: Christ UMC (350 Saratoga Rd. at Harlem Rd., Snyder) Sub Sale Fundraiser! The Uganda Missions Team from Christ UMC in Amherst is hosting a sub sandwich sale! For $7.50 you can purchase a 12 in. turkey, ham, or assorted sub at the church (on a first come, first served basis) from 12 – 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The team of six adventurers will be heading to Uganda this August to help with care and repair of clean water wells, provide medical care in a rural clinic, and offer presentations about health 3 and safety. All proceeds from the sale will help with trip expenses and supplies to leave behind. For more information, please contact the church office at 716-839-2460 or [email protected].

(New) Kenmore UMC (32 Landers, Kenmore) On Sunday, April 23 from 11:30 – 2:30, Kenmore UMC will once again host a Chiavetta’s chicken dinner, an event that started in 1991 by the United Methodist Women of the church. All interested, hungry people are welcome to join the crowd at the corner of Delaware Road and Landers Road (next to the Kenmore Library) to enjoy a delicious dinner, plus pie or a brownie for just $10. Dine in or drive thru in the parking lot off Landers Road. A friendly face will take your order and bring it to your car. The proceeds benefit missions for women, children and youth. For more about KUMC, see our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/ Kenmore - United -Methodist-Church.

4 (New) Buffalo: Metropolitan UMC (657 Best St., Buffalo) Saturday, April 29 at 10 am all are invited to join us for our Community “Breakfast at Metro.” Please come to dine and fellowship with our community neighbors at Metropolitan UM Church. Our Special Guest Speaker will be Pastor Gregg Stierheim, the pastor of Wesley’s Place, a new faith community (NFC) in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Corridor area of the City of Buffalo. Please join us to find out what is happening in our city and what God is doing for all believers. We encourage each of you to please come out to support this great community effort. Don’t spend your money going out somewhere else, come on over to Metro and enjoy a good, hot breakfast and great fellowship!

(New) North Ridge UMC (Rt. 93 at Rt. 425, Cambria) Come to the Cobblestone Church for a Chowder and Bake Sale and Basket Fair on Saturday, April 29 from 11am-3pm. Chowder is available to go (bring your own container, please) or to eat there starting at 11am. Basket Fair drawing will be at 2pm. The church is handicap accessible. If you have any questions, call the church at 716-433-4105.

(New) Oakfield UMC (2 S. Main St., Oakfield) Everyone is welcome to The Oakfield Church's 2nd Annual Praise and Worship Concert on Saturday, April 29 at 7pm. Join The Oak's Praise Band, along with Genesee Country Church's Praise Band, the OACS Praise Chorus, The Oak's Youth Praise Team, and the Discovery Church's Praise Band. It will be a time to raise our voices together to Praise God! A freewill offering will be taken to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance.

(New) Amherst: Christ UMC (350 Saratoga Rd. at Harlem Rd., Snyder) Hymns and Hers: Celebrating Great United Methodist Hymns – Paul Ferington, retired BPO Staff Conductor and lifelong United Methodist musician, presents a free lecture entitled HYMNS AND HERS, celebrating the men and women composers, poets, and arrangers of some of our most beloved and famous Protestant hymns and spirituals. His presentation will include brief biographies of these famous and not-so-famous creative personalities, as well as singing many of these beloved hymns and spirituals found in the United Methodist Hymnal. At the conclusion and as time permits, there will be a general hymn sing-along where audience members can choose their favorite hymn to sing. Maestro Ferington’s presentation will be Sunday, April 30 at 1:30 PM in the sanctuary of Christ UMC. For additional information, call Christ Church at: (716) 839-2460 or email: [email protected].

(New) Boston: Churchill Memorial UMC (8019 Boston State Rd., Hamburg) Discover the "Women of the Bible" through scripture, song and humor at Churchill Memorial UMC on Saturday, May 6 from 9am to 1pm. Tickets are $15 and include a continental breakfast, speaker Carol Mullins' program on "Women of the Bible, What Can We Learn from Them?" and lunch. The main door prize will be a handmade "Women of the Bible" quilt. Registration is due by May 1 to Diane Helmbrecht, 9752 Lango Rd., Boston, NY 14025 or call 716-941-3412.

(New) Orchard Park UMC (3700 N. Buffalo St., Orchard Park) Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 3:00 to 7:00pm. The dinner includes Half Chicken, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Roll & Butter and Cake. Dine-in or Take-out. Adult meal is $11.95 and children are $7.00

~ District and Conference News ~ (New) 2017 Harry Denman nominations sought – Nominations are open for the 2017 Harry Denman Evangelism Awards. The awards honor United Methodists in each conference whose exceptional evangelism brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, annual conferences join the Foundation for Evangelism in recognizing one youth, one clergy member and one layperson in their conference. The 2016 recipients in the Upper New York Conference were lay member Shari Schuck and the Rev. Joseph Pascoe. The deadline for submitting your nominations to the Conference is May 1. Please contact Cherish McGowan at [email protected] with your nominations. DETAILS

District Celebration and Prayer Gathering! Come together with all of our district congregations on Wednesday, May 10 at Cleveland Hill UMC (546 Eggert Rd., Buffalo) at 7pm for a time of celebration and prayer. The District Leadership Team will lead this service of praise and thanksgiving, sharing the 5 blessings of God at work in the Niagara Frontier District. We will also be praying for discernment for the District and our ministries, for the churches that make up the Niagara Frontier District, Upper New York Annual Conference, and General Conference. We hope to have representatives from every church in our district. Come and be blessed as we gather in God’s name to praise and pray with each other.

6 (New) 2016 Audits were due on March 15. We have received copies from about half of our churches. Please get these done as soon as possible. Remember to have your Administrative Board approve the audit after it is completed and send a copy of the minutes showing it was approved to the District Office. I do not need the original (I actually prefer a copy) so you can send it by fax or e-mail. Thank you!

(New) Journey's End is hosting a "Topsoil Social" on Thursday, April 27 from 6-9pm at the Tri-Main Centerto benefit our Green Shoots for New Americans - Refugee Agricultural Program, which has provided over 50 refugees with the opportunity to learn urban farming methods and earn a small supplemental income. Refugees attend classes to improve their English, learn farming methods, and grow vegetables at an urban farm located in the City of Buffalo. The vegetables they grow contribute to a weekly 20-member CSA, as well as their household meals. The farmers also sell vegetables at a farm stand and to the The Lunch Box, both located in the Tri-Main Center in Buffalo, and at The Downtown Buffalo Country Market. In 2016, the program grew 2,000 pounds of produce and generated over $6,000 in revenue used to supplement the income of the farmers in the program. Tickets are $30 and include appetizers and drinks. There is also a basket raffle, silent auction and more! See the Journey’s End attachment for a flyer. Click here here to order tickets.

(3/31) The Conference Offices have moved! – The Upper New York Conference office is now in the new United Methodist Center at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd in Liverpool, N.Y. 13088. Office hours remain the same (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). The new phone number for is 315-898-2000. The toll- free number, 855-424-7878, remains the same. The office hours for the Episcopal office (Bishop’s office) are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new phone number for them is 315-898-2020. The new building also houses the Crossroads District office, and soon several other United Methodist offices that serve Upper New York. The Media Resource Center will move from Endicott to the new United Methodist Center, and Archives and History will bring the documents, artifacts, and informational pieces that had been stored all over the state to that single location.

Open House at new Conference Center – On Wednesday May 31, the day before the 2017 Upper New York Annual Conference, the doors of the United Methodist Center will be open for all from 3:30-7:30 p.m. The Open House will showcase the Media Resource Center, Mission Central, all office areas, and all meeting rooms. A service and dedication will follow at 7:30 p.m.

(New) Spiritual Side of End of Life Issues – April is “Conversation Project” month. The Conversation Project is a national effort to encourage all of us to make the very important conversation with our loved ones about matters that can be difficult and emotionally trying. The time to talk about these issues: the medical, legal and most important, spiritual side of the end of life is right now. Niagara Frontier City Ministries and Williamsville UMC invite you to join us on Sunday, April 30 from 12-2pm for a workshop – free of charge – to help you on this path. The workshop will feature Etta Eskridge, MD, an expert in the field of Palliative and Hospice care; Beth Buckley, Esq., an attorney with extensive experience in these fields and Barbara Saltarella, Pastoral Assistant for Nurture and Member Care at Williamsville UMC. A light luncheon will be served. There is no charge for the workshop, but please RSVP to Barbara Saltarella at 716- 634-4800 by April 28 so that we can get an accurate headcount for the luncheon. If you have any questions please contact Barbara.

(New) NFCM Grant Funding Available for Spring – Summer 2017 – NFCM is currently accepting grant applications for VBS, other summer, spring, early fall projects from urban churches in the Niagara Frontier District. If your church wishes to apply for grant funding, please fill out the application in the NFCM Grant attachment. A hard copy has been mailed to your church. Please note that grants available to urban churches only, and in order to be eligible, your church must have completed an audit for 2016.

7 Deadline for grant funding is May 1 2017. Please send hard completed applications, along with audit if not previously submitted, to NFCM, 5681 Main Street, Williamsville NY 14221 and send an electronic copy to Beth Buckley at [email protected]. Questions can be referred to Beth at this email address or you can call at 716-913-5010.

8 (New) (4/17) Toward A Stronger Future – The Niagara Frontier District Leadership Team is looking toward the future of our district and how we might best use our gifts and resources to increase the leadership capacity within our district and our local churches. One way of gathering some of that information is through a brief survey that would guide our Leadership Team as we expand our district vision and develop some strategies to help build up the leaders throughout the district, both locally and in a larger context. The survey is short – only 8 questions, but would give us some important information as we work together to strengthen our district for ministry in the months and years ahead. Please take some time to share your ideas and input. Here is the survey.

~ Lay Servant Training ~ (New) An Advanced Lay Servant Class based on the book, This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion, will be offered at the Indian Falls UMC on 4 Monday nights from 6:00 - 8:30pm (April 24, May 1, 8 & 22). Rev. Dr. Karen Grinnell will lead this class. Please register for the class by calling the church office at 585-762-9105 or sending an email to [email protected]. Class members are to order the book on their own and bring to class the first night.

(2/1) Lay Servant Training in Olean! Register now for the Lay Servant Ministries Training School, scheduled for Friday-Saturday, April 28-29 at Christ UMC in Olean. Click here for the brochure, which also is available on the Cornerstone website, www.cornerstonedistrict.com. An online registration form also is available on the website. In addition to the Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course, taught by District Lay Leader Richard Preston, Advanced Course offerings include: Polity, taught by the Rev. Suzanne Block, pastor at Christ UMC in Olean; From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon, taught by District Superintendent Rev. Sherri Rood; and Afire With God: Becoming Spirited Stewards, taught by Ernie Warren, chair of Cornerstone's Committee on Lay Servant Ministries. Deadline for registration is Monday, April 17. Payment should be mailed to the Cornerstone District office, 663 Lakeview Ave., Jamestown, NY, 14701. Checks should be made payable to UNYAC.

~ United Methodist Men ~ (Update) Shoes for Service – The district office received a note about the success of this campaign during the month of March. Over 7,000 pairs of shoes were delivered to the Conference Center in Liverpool on April 1. I know some of our churches participated and I would like to thank Doug Hendershott at Indian Falls UMC for being a drop off location for our district. They will report on the actual "shoes into dollars" once the footwear is taken by truck to the Orlando, Florida warehouse for the Funds2Orgs' company we contracted with, weighed, and the reimbursement check sent to the Conference UMM.

(New) (4/17) 12th National Gathering of United Methodist Men – Don't miss out on this once-every-four-year event that will offer 19 workshops from which attendees can choose. These groups will focus on leadership, ministry development, personal growth and spiritual development. Subjects ranging from cyber bullying, local church visioning, stress management, and small group ministries. All workshops will support men no matter their age or their role in the local church. "This is not an event to just have a good time and learn things - it will change your life and change the lives of people around you," said Gil Hanke, General Secretary of the General Commission on United Methodist Men. He continued, "This gathering challenges men to change their behavior, encouraging them to become more Christ-like in their daily lives. Men will be transformed into a more disciplined disciple." Click here to register for the event that takes place Friday-Sunday, July 7-9 in Indianapolis. For event transportation to Indianapolis and hotel accommodations contact Mark Jones at [email protected] or 315-749-3700.

9 ~ Peter & Paul List ~ (I can help – do you have a need or I have a need – can you help?) (New) (4/17) FOR SALE: The District Office recently purchased two folding tables but we were unable to use them as intended. They are high density, lighter weight plastic tables that fold in the center for easier carrying. When opened they are 6 ft. long. The original price was $40 and we will sell them for $30 each. You may purchase one or both. If interested, please contact the Niagara Frontier District Office.

10 (New) (4/17) Job openings at the new United Methodist Center – Complete job descriptions and application process can be found at http://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church has an exciting opportunity for the right individual to join our mission-based team as an Office/HR Manager to facilitate the operations of our staff team and to manage our new office space in Liverpool, N.Y. This is a full-time exempt position at approximately 37.5 hours per week. The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church has an exciting new opportunity for the right individual to join our mission-based team as a Custodian/Building Maintenance Technician, to provide a clean, orderly, and safe environment for employees and visitors at our new office space in Liverpool, NY. This is a full-time position at approximately 37.5 hours per week. The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church has an exciting new opportunity for the right individual to join our mission-based team as a full-time Administrative Assistant to the Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries at our new office space in Liverpool, NY. This is a full-time position at approximately 37.5 hours per week.

(3/31) Portable Partitions are needed at Kenmore UMC. If you can help, please contact Rev. Bonnie LeValley at the church at 716-875-5091.

(3/31) Free for the taking: Upright piano; 2 desks; Black robe for a short woman. Contact Ruthellen at 585-409-1114.

(3/15) Hymnals Available! Akron: First UMC has some old Methodist Hymnals (1966) that are available for whoever can use them. They have 22 of them, you just need to come get them. If you are interested, contact Becky at 716-542-2060 or [email protected].

(3/15) Risograph available. Williamsville UMC has a Risograph 2130UI with a black drum and a green drum. There are ink cartridges and master rolls too. The duplicator was serviced in April 2016 and is in good working order. The Trustees would like $200 for the machine and all supplies or best offer. Purchaser would have to be able to pick up the duplicator. We do not have the ability to deliver it. Contact Brenda if you have any questions. 716-634-4800 or [email protected].

~ Opportunities, Ministry Aids and “Stuff” ~ (New) UMCOR Early Response Team Training and ERT Recertification class is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at Fredonia: First UMC from 8am-4pm. UMCOR's Early Response Team (ERT) training equips United Methodists to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. When disaster strikes, Early Response Teams (ERTs) fill a specific need to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage. The work provides a caring Christian presence in times of disaster. ERTs are not a first-response group of emergency workers, nor are they recovery, rebuild, or repair teams. Under very specific guidelines, ERTs assist survivors, without causing further harm or being a burden to the affected community. On May 20, two Early Response Team classes are being offered at First UMC of Fredonia. Early Response Team (ERT) training, is being taught by Tom and Linda Cooper. This basic ERT course is eight hours. For current ERT members whose UMCOR badges are expiring (badge dated before 2014), a four-hour re-certification class is being taught by Brian Greenwald. All three trainers have been approved by UMCOR and are experienced ERT responders. The cost is $25. Those interested should register quickly, as space is limited. Registration deadline is May 8. Click here for more information about the class and registration. You can also contact Linda Cooper at [email protected] or Brian Greenwald at [email protected].

(New) Updates to the Peace with Justice Grant program – The Social Holiness Team has recently reevaluated our Conference Peace with Justice Grant guidelines. This was necessary because folks have been utilizing the Peace with Justice Sunday funds to support wonderful ministries and opportunities. In 2016, the Social Holiness team was able to grant $21,500 to five projects, including: 11  NYS Council of Churches Luncheon with speaker  Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS Faith for Fair NY Conference  NYS Council of Churches Protestant Chaplain Care Program  NYS Council of Churches Congregations for Justice Initiative  Brown Memorial Church Adult Life Skills Currently, the Peace with Justice fund is below $8,000 and in order to continue supporting a wide range of ministries for both education and advocacy, the application process has been tightened. The next application deadline is April 30. Click here to learn more.

12 (New) (4/17) Religion and Race Grant Available – The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), The United Methodist Church's racial justice agency, announced that the CORR Action Fund (CAF) will be releasing the United States Program Grants for 2017-2020 with $750,000 in available funding. Applications will be accepted starting May of 2017 with a deadline of August 2017. GCORR is seeking to fund innovative and bold initiatives that will support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity, xenophobia, and systemic equity. UMC churches and other UMC entities in the United States are invited to apply for funding to disrupt racism and xenophobia by working with a community partner or alliance. See the Religion & Race Grant attachment for more information.

~ Newsletters & Calendar Items ~ The Rev. Dr. John Tyson on Wesleyan prayer – The next issue of the Advocate, expected to arrive at local churches in early April, focuses on prayer. For this issue, we connected with Wesleyan scholar, the Rev. Dr. John Tyson to learn more about John and Charles Wesley's prayer life and insight on how the Wesley's teachings can help nurture our prayer life today. Click here to read some of Rev. Tyson's understandings about Wesleyan prayer and stay tuned for the release of the next issue of the Advocate, which will feature more insight from Rev. Tyson as well as the Rev. Dr. Robert Hill.

March Media Resource newsletter now available – The March/April issue of Upper New York's Media Resource Center newsletter is now available for download. The Media Resource Center - a free lending library supported through your shared ministry dollars - publishes the monthly newsletter, which features new resources that are currently available or coming soon along with assorted pieces of information about the resource center from Director Diane Miner. The Media Resource Center is now in the Methodist Center in Liverpool. Please send any Media Resource Center materials that you return by mail to 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY 13088. The new phone number for the Media Center is 315-898-2027. If you have questions, please contact Diane at [email protected].

5 Ways to Better Equip Vital Congregations – Click April Ideas for this month’s ideas. 1) Attend a workshop on Women in Church Planting 2) Need to know what to study next? 3) Webinar series for strengthening congregational prayer 4) Equip clergy and laity to lead vital, life-changing congregations 5) Make plans now for the Global Young People’s convocation

The United Methodist Church invites you to check out our new biweekly e-newsletter specially created for all church members. United Methodist Now will highlight examples of Christian living, share inspirational messages and focus on what it means to be part of our connection. You can subscribe for free. Click here to see the many resources and articles you can receive.