E-News from the Valley! January 10, 2017
Click here to go to the Genesee Valley District website.
PRAYERS & CONCERNS


Please pray for the following churches this coming week:  
West Barre UMC; West Sparta UMC; West Walworth Zion UMC; Williamson UMC; Wyoming First UMC
CALENDAR EVENTS

January 18 - Prayer & Witness Gathering
West Sparta UMC - 7-9pm

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

March 31 - April 2  
UpWord Youth Gathering

June 1-3  
Annual Conference

NEW! Ezra Statistical Reports 
 
This is to remind you that your church's 2016 Statistics report must be completed as of   February 15, 2017.
 
You will complete your Statistical submission by using the Ezra system.  Please log in at www.ezra.gcfa.org 
 
Type in your username and password.  If you need assistance and cannot locate this information, please contact your District Office.
 
Carefully read the message from the Conference Office on the homepage before beginning your reports.
 
When you are ready to begin your 2016 reports, please:
 
1. Update your church's contact information by clicking on "Account" at the top of the homepage.
 
2. To begin updating your statistics, click on "Enter Stats" on the homepage.
 
PLEASE DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY INSERT 2015 DATA.  ACCURACY IS VERY CRUCIAL for both your church and reporting to the General Church.

NEW! Important dates for upcoming deadlines.
 
Ministry Share Deadline Date for 2016 is Tuesday, January 10, 2017. After that date, any payments received for 2016 will be reflected in 2017 listed as Prior Year Ministry Share Payments on you monthly statement.
 
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.
NEW! Sign up for the Weekly Digest
The Weekly Digest is a wrap-up of news and information, along with feature articles, direct links to several "hot spots" on the Conference website, photos and more.

 To sign up to receive the Weekly Digest beginning next week, click here: Weekly Digest
Submit your petitions & resolutions for the 2017 UNY Annual Conference

The opportunity is here, once again, for UNY clergy to offer petitions and resolutions for consideration at the 2017 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, June 1-3. Appropriate petitions and resolutions will be in accord with the Conference's purpose and seek actions that advance its vision. 
Click here for submission instructions and to find the appropriate form for your submission. The Committee on Petitions and Resolutions is charged with overseeing the submission, review, and presentation of petitions and resolutions to the Annual Conference. 
The deadline for individuals, churches, and unofficial bodies of UNY to submit petitions and resolutions for the 2017 session of the Upper New York Conference is Feb. 1, 2017.
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
(585) 340-9525  * [email protected]