JOYS & CONCERNS

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 keep these pastors, their families and the Church families in your prayers throughout the week.

March 24
The Frewsburg:Trinity Church. Pastor PJ Pasieka, his wife Lindsey and their childr   en Peter and Leah.

March 31
The Wheeler Hill Church.

April 7
The Great Valley Church. Pastor John Green, his wife Janet and their family.

Prayers for Pastor Carol and Jim Dill are appreciated as Jim continues to address health concerns.

Also be in prayer for all who are  in need of physical healing, burdened by stress, living with grief, and more.
Thank you to everyone who made our 5th Annual Learning Day for Laity & Clergy on March 16 a success -
our hosts at Bemus Point UMC (volunteers, worship team & those "behind the scenes"), our workshop leaders
and those of you who attended.
It was a great day!
NEW - Special Session Recap
On March 17, 2019,  we gathered as a District for a livestreamed Recap and Reflection after the Special Session of General Conference. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, introduced the gathering by expressing how he wished that everyone could be together under one roof, but also felt grateful that we have the technology to be able to be connect in the livestream format (click here to continue reading).

To watch or download a video of the gathering, click here.

Since the Traditional Plan passed at the Special Session of General Conference last month in St. Louis, many members of the Upper New York Conference have questions related to these results. Bishop Webb and other leaders have begun answering questions that members of the UNY Conference have on their minds.
 
Click here to view the questions that have been answered thus far. Bishop Webb and other leaders will continue to answer as many questions as possible in the coming weeks. If you have questions related to the Special Session of General Conference, please send them to [email protected]. 
NEW - Need for Cleaning Buckets!
With the warming temperatures throughout our Conference this week, flood season is on its way! In a fun yet educational video, Director of Missional Engagement Mike Block explains the need for flood buckets, supplies, and help assembling buckets at the Upper New York Mission Central HUB. Click here to watch the video.
Celebrate UMCOR Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing) on a date that is convenient for your congregation.
Official date: March 31, 2019
NEW - Register Now for LSM Spring Training
Cornerstone's Lay Servant Ministries Spring Training will be held May 10 & 11 at East Randolph United Methodist Church, 122 Church St. 

Click here to download the brochure or register online at www.cornerstonedistrict.com (click on "Resources," then choose Lay Servant Ministries to find the online registration form).
NEW - UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUTH
A "revival" of Cornerstone District Youth Day is scheduled Saturday, March 30, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 131 N. 9th St. in Olean.

A great time together is planned (including "Human Battleship"). The gathering will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Please call Rev. Sue Hadley, 716-680-3269 or the church office, 716-372-5067 by Wednesday, March 27, with the number of youth and number of adult leaders who will attend.
 
*****
The Upper New York Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) want to share a letter with church youth throughout the conference about upcoming youth events and the exciting Spring Conference Youth Event, OUTWARD!, scheduled Friday - Sunday, April 5-7, 2019, at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool. For more details, click here. To register, click here.
NEW - District-Wide Communion Brunch
The Falconer United Methodist Church's unit of United Methodist Women will host Cornerstone's Spring event on Saturday, April 13 at the church, 201 N. Work St.

Pastor Heather Allport-Cohoon will preside at a Communion service beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by brunch. Cost is $8 per person and reservations are due by April 8. Make checks payable to Falconer UMW and send your name, contact information, the UMW unit you are a member of and any dietary restrictions to Pam Vanstrom, 2133 Buffalo St. Ext., Jamestown, NY, 14701.
AC Registration Now Open
Registration for Annual Conference is open! If you are clergy or your church's Lay Member to Annual Conference, it's not too early to register. 

Please review these guidelines before you register.  Click here  to register online or request a paper registration form and mail it along with full payment to: 
UNYAC
Attn:  Annual Conference Registration
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088

Registration for the Annual Conference will stay open until 11:59 PM on May 3, 2019. After that, the next opportunity to register will be on site at the OnCenter with an additional $50 fee. 

Additional information ("What You Need to Know About Annual Conference") can be found by clicking here.

Requests or Questions? Call Erica Wentworth at (315) 898-2004.
NEW - Dinner is Served!
Cherry Creek-Leon United Methodist Church, 6813 Main St. in Cherry Creek, invites the community to join them for a Swiss Steak Dinner on Saturday, April 13, at the church.

The meal will be served from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to the entree the menu includes choice of salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, mixed vegetables, dinner roll, dessert and beverage. Cost is $10 adult, $5 children and $25 family. Local guitarist/soloist Ken Phillips will entertain.

Make plans now to attend!
NEW - Opportunities to Serve at the Conference Level
The Upper New York Conference Committee on Nominations is accepting nominations to fill vacancies on various conference leadership teams.  Click here  to read a letter from Chair of the Committee on Nominations, the Rev. Tony Hipes, and/or to fill out the nominations form. March 19 is the deadline to submit nominations.
NEW - Make Copies of the Bridge!
The March 2019 Issue II copy of the Bridge is now available for download. It is available in both color and black & white formats.    Click here  to select the version you prefer and make copies as necessary.

This issue summarizes the March 17 Post-Special Session of General Conference Recap and Reflections Gathering that took place via livestream through the entire Upper New York Conference. Included in this issue are links to related resources, such as:
  • Video reflections shared at the event
  • A summary of the decisions made at the Special Session of General Conference (including PowerPoint format)
  • Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb's remarks/script from the gathering
  • Bishop Webb's answers to questions UNY members asked'
  • The entire livestreamed video
EQ Members STILL NEEDED!
It's that time of year again when we ask for Equalization Members to attend Annual Conference (June 5-8 at the Oncenter in Syracuse). These are lay people who can vote to help balance (equalize) the clergy who are voting.
 
If you or someone you know is interested in serving as an Equalization Member to Annual Conference, please complete the application and return to the District office ASAP .  Do not register until you have been notified that you will serve . 
 
If you have questions, please contact Cathy in the District Office:
716-665-2423 or [email protected]
NEW - Bishop Announces Appointments, Retirements
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb has announced six new appointments and four retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes   here.

Important Dates for Your Calendar!

March 1 through May 3
Registration for the 10th Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference is open. Go to the UNY Conference website ( www.unyumc.org) to register.

March 29 
All Resolutions & Petitions for the 2019 Annual Conference session (June 5-8 at the OnCenter in Syracuse) must be submitted by email to [email protected] no later than this date (March 29).

Deadline for Equitable Compensation Application for July - December 2019
Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full-time appointment. Click here for more details and to apply for or renew a grant.

May 5-11
Local Pastors' Licensing School at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center, 

May 10-11
Lay Servant Ministries Spring Training, East Randolph United Methodist Church, 122 Church St.

May 23
Right Start Workshop for Pastors changing appointments and Retirees
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Springville 1st UMC
Apply Now for Undergraduate Scholarship
The Upper New York Conference College Ministry Team invites high school and college undergraduate students to apply for the Lottie Brown Grant. The application deadline is April 10.

Click here for more information and to apply.   
Register for Summer Camp!
Registration for Summer Camp 2019 is now OPEN !  Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries is pleased to offer a wide variety of fun , exciting , and meaningful programs this summer including classic favorites and brand new adventures! 


To register for Aldersgate: aldersgate.campbrainregistration.com
To register for Casowasco:  casowasco.campbrainregistration.com
To register for Sky Lake:  skylake.campbrainregistration.com
To register for Skye Farm:  skyefarm.campbrainregistration.com

Check out our retreat offerings throughout the year, including summer, at 
Asbury Retreat Center. To find out more, visit asburyuny.org.


Rev. Sherri Rood
District Superintendent
[email protected]

Rich Preston
District Lay Leader
[email protected]

Cathy Hall
Administrative Assistant
716-665-2423
[email protected]