E-News from the Valley! January 24, 2017
Click here to go to the Genesee Valley District website.
PRAYERS & CONCERNS


Please pray for the following churches this coming week:  
Adam's Basin UMC; Albion UMC; Allens Hill UMC; Avon UMC
CALENDAR EVENTS

February 4 -  Informed to transform 8! 
Webster UMC - registration is open 

February 22 - Prayer & Witness Gathering
Macedon Center UMC - 7-9pm

March 18 - Listening Session with CF&A
Rush UMC - Saturday 10am - noon

March 31 - April 2  
UpWord Youth Gathering

June 1-3  
Annual Conference

NEW! Pre-Conference Briefing will be different this year

There will be no gatherings for Pre-Conference briefings this year.  It will be done by video and posted on website in April.  
All are encouraged to make a point to watch the video BEFORE Annual Conference.

We will keep you updated once the video has been posted.

Thanks
NEW! A Letter of Thanks from the Desk Of Bishop Mark J Webb

Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Upper New York Conference,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!

As United Methodist followers of Jesus Christ, we claim a rich heritage and an amazing connection. Together we are stronger and able to accomplish a witness for Christ in the world that we could not alone. Stories abound of the ways in which God's grace is offered through the passionate ministry of each and every congregation within The Upper New York Conference and through our connection with United Methodist Christians around the world.

I want you to know of my continual appreciation for your ministry, but specifically I want to say thank you for one expression of that ministry - the commitment to increasing our capacity as it relates to Ministry Share payments. This year, thanks to the leadership of clergy and laity in each of our congregations, we received the highest receipt of Ministry Shares in the history of The Upper New York Conference.

Because of this commitment and through the increased efforts that our Conference Council on Finance & Administration, staff, and other leaders have applied to manage our spending, for the first time in our history, The Upper New York Conference has paid 100 percent of our General Church apportionments. In three years, we have moved from being able to pay only 56 percent of our commitments to the General Church to paying 100 percent. This is an amazing accomplishment! Thanks be to God!

Our giving through Ministry Shares represents one of the ways in which we commit together to mission, ministry and witness. Over this past year, we had to make some painful decisions around spending. We have increased our conversations about our culture of giving. Our work together has brought fruit!

I am grateful for the congregations that have faithfully paid 100 percent of their Ministry Shares year after year. I celebrate the many ways in which congregations responded to the challenge of increasing ministry share payments. I have been blessed by the stories of congregations giving beyond 100 percent to help their sister churches who could not offer their full payment. I am filled with joy as I think about the generosity, sacrifice, and hard work.

We know this work is not complete and God is calling us to continue to find ways to offer the best of what we have been given in every way. Yet, let us look at what God has done! Let us truly celebrate what is possible when we trust, honor, and live our connection with one another.

So again, let me say thank you! Thanks for your commitment to the mission of "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Thanks for your willingness to share the love of Christ by honoring the covenant of Ministry Shares. Thanks for your faithful witness!

It is my joy to share ministry with you. Be assured of my constant prayers for each and every one of you as you continue to shine the light of Jesus Christ!

Sincerely,
Mark J. Webb
NEW! GVD UMM News!

Prayer is the vehicle to communicate with God
1 Timothy 2:1-8
 
God so wants to be part of our life. The United Methodist Men would like to support you with your activities and spiritual life.  2017 should be a prayer filled year. Every year should be a prayer filled year!

Prayer is the vehicle to communicate with God  by Sanjay Solomon 

To read the article click this link
  NEW! Course of Study seeking instructors  

The Course of Study for Local Pastors held in Kenmore, N.Y. is seeking applications for instructors beginning August 2017. There is a particular need for "Gospels" and 
"Transformative Leadership." 

A $1,500.00 stipend plus expenses is offered for each course, which involves one Fri-Sat session for two consecutive months. A DMin or doctorate in another area is preferred, but equivalent experience will be considered. 

For inquiries, call Rev. Gail Lewis, Director, at 716-984-1140. Please email resumes to:   RevGML@aol.com by Jan. 20, 2017.
NEW! Job Posting - District Administrative Assistant
 
Posting Date:   1/13/2017
Location:          Northern Flow District Office, Gouverneur, NY
 
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 part-time Administrative Assistant for our Northern Flow District Office in Gouverneur, NY (up to 29 hours per week). This position is responsible for providing complete and confidential administrative support to the District Superintendent in his or her work as outlined in the most current version of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. Job duties include reception, answering telephones, database management, mailings, maintaining calendar, meeting setups, filing of all church and clergy related files, direct communication with churches and Pastors related to annual reports, and making travel arrangements.
 
The successful candidate will be highly organized and able to work independently. A high school diploma or equivalent, experience with Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Excel, Access and Outlook, and 3 years of clerical or equivalent experience, and customer service experience is required.
 
Please refer to the job description for a complete list of qualifications and responsibilities.
 
Application Instructions: To be considered for this position you must apply online at http://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs and include the following:
 
  • Completed online application
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Contact information for 3 professional references
 
Application Deadline: January 25, 2017
 
The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse team. We strongly encourage women and men from all races and backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
NEW! Don't Wait Until the Last Minute - Login to EZRA

You are now able to enter your church's 2016 statistics through Ezra (http://www.ezra.gcfa.org). If you need login information or help with data entry, don't hesitate to call or email the District office - we are here to help!
 
Before you begin, please take a few minutes to read through the following "tips" from the Treasurer's Office of the Upper New York Annual Conference:

1. Please go to "Account" and update your church user contact information, including email address and phone number.
 
2.You do not have to complete lines 40-47, 50, and 65 on Table 2.  The UNY Conference Office will be feeding this data into the system.
 
3. Baptism reporting is now split between children and adults on lines 11a and 11b. The system will automatically total both lines on line 11.
 
4. It is now required that you enter explanations in order to submit your stats. You can SAVE, but not SUMBIT with an error or unexplained warning.
 
5. Line 67 from the 2016 statistical tables will be used to calculate your ministry shares for 2018. Please ensure you are fully and accurately reporting these figures.
 
6. Federated, united, community churches, etc. please report ONLY the portion of your statistics that is United Methodist.
 
7. Mission churches and New Church Starts are now required to report statistical information. Please call Dave Masland if you need assistance.

  8. You must complete and submit your statistical information by February 15, 2017. You will find  helpful information in the Reports section of the site. Please see "Users Guide" that you can access from the Home Page.
 
9.  We are asking all statistical input to be done via website access and NOT using paper forms. If you have difficulty with this, please contact the District Office for assistance (geneseevalleyumc@crcds.edu or 585-340-9525).
 
10.  You may contact your District Office for an updated Password or call the conference office at (855) 424-7878, ext. 333 with other questions about the reporting.
 Important dates for upcoming deadlines.
 
Statistics for 2016 - The Ezra site opened January 1st to enter the church statistical data. 2016 Statistical data will be due by Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Call the district office if you have trouble logging in. 
 
Local Church Audit - The 2016 annual audit of your church financial records is due to the  district office on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
 
All employers, including churches, must use the new I-9 form beginning January 21, 2017.
SAFE SANCTUARIES® TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
 
Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries® Training
 
WHO: Individuals who have responsibility for the safety of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in the churches' ministries - pastors, those responsible for Christian education and youth group leaders.
This course is a prerequisite for Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers.
WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 2017 9:00 a.m. - noon Please arrive between 8:40 and 8:55 so we can begin on time.
WHERE: Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing, NY 14882
Class size is limited to 40 participants with priority given to those also registering for the afternoon Training of Trainers.
PRE-REGISTER by February 1. 
Please contact Pam Deckard at the Finger Lake District Office ~ fingerlakesdistrict@unyumc.org or 315-781-0188
There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries® Training of Trainers
 
WHO: Individuals interested in facilitating Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training as part of their District training team and/or for their local church.
WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 2017 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing, NY 14882
Lunch will be provided for those participating in both morning and afternoon sessions.

Registration is limited to 15 participants with those desiring to be a members of their District's training team having priority.

PRE-REQUESITE : Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. The 3-hour Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training course can be completed in the morning or at a previous time but must be the standard learning station format offered since Fall 2012 by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable. 

Members of the District training team must be affirmed by their DS. This is your responsibility.
Advanced Lay Servant course credit is available.

There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
 
PRE-REGISTER FOR ONE OR BOTH COURSES by February 1 , 2017. Contact Pam Deckard at the Finger Lake District Office ~  fingerlakesdistrict@unyumc.org  or 315-781-0188
 
QUESTIONS:  Questions should be directed to Carol Barnes at carolb@htva.net or 607-687-4793
Genesee Valley District
of the Upper New York Conference 
of the United Methodist Church 

Pat VanVleck, District Co-Lay Leader
Betsy O'Flynn, Adminstrative Assistant
Rev. Vonda Fossitt, District Superintendent

1100 South Goodman St., Rochester, NY 14620