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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 abl
e 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
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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb has announced 13 new appointments and three retirements, pending approval at the 2017 Clergy Session during Annual Conference. View the full list of changes
here
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Mountain View District Website
You can find the District Newsletter on the District Website.
Click here
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Local Churches & their Leadership to pray for this week
Rathbone
UMC& Pastor Mort Gridley
Rishingville & Wheeler UMC's & Pastor Veronica Seeley
Riverside & S. Corning UMC's Pastor Patrick Holder
Short Tract & Swain UMC's & Pastor Marian Luce
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Also Keep These Folks in your Prayers As Well
Retired
Local Pastor Dan Knopf and his family.
Tom Bement and his family. Tom is the husband of Retired Rev. Betty Bement.
Rev. Jan Rowell, retired Oneonta District Superintendent.
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Sign up for the Weekly Digest
Would you like to be in the know of what's going on in and around the Conference? Then you should sign up to receive the Weekly Digest that is published once a week.
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.
If you would like to sign up to receive the Weekly Digest beginning next week,
click here .
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IMPORTANT DATES TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR:
- Statistics for 2016 - The Ezra site http://ezra.gcfa.org will be opened by Sunday, January 1, 2017 to enter the church statistical data. 2016 Statistical data will be due by Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
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Local Church Audit
- The 2016 annual audit of your church financial records is due to the District Superintendents on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
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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 (mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org or 607-962-8047).
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.
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Churches take notice: Real property tax exemption applications deadline approaching
The deadline for filing new and renewed real property tax exemption applications for most towns and some cities across New York state is
March 1. This deadline is critical, and missing it may result in the denial or revocation of your church's real property tax exemptions. If your church has received a communication from the local assessment office, do not ignore it. Steps need be taken each year to ensure that tax exemptions are properly carried over and applied to church buildings, parsonages, and all other parcels used for religious purposes.
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Bishop Mark J. Webb names new Northern Flow District Superintendent and extends three others
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Mike Weeden as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Northern Flow District effective July 1, 2017.
Rev. Weeden currently serves Fulton: First United Methodist Church in the Crossroads District. He first sensed God calling him into ministry as a student at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania where He received a B.A. in Religious Studies in 1982. He completed his Masters of Divinity at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1986.
Rev. Weeden is also currently a member of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and is the chairperson of the Crossroads District Missional Leadership team as well.
Rev. Weeden is married to Ellen Weeden and they are parents of four grown children. They are also proud grandparents to four young grandchildren.
Bishop Webb said, "Rev. Weeden has demonstrated a commitment to Christ and a passion for the Church throughout his life and pastoral ministry. His gifts will be a blessing to the people of the Northern Flow District and his leadership will offer much to the overall ministry of The Upper New York Conference. Mike has served in various district and Conference leadership roles and will bring to this new task a contagious spirit and the heart of a servant. I am excited to welcome Mike and Ellen to this new form of ministry and encourage you to pray for them, the Fulton First congregation and the people of the Northern Flow District."
Rev. Weeden will be replacing Rev. Rebekah Sweet as Superintendent of the Northern Flow District. Rev. Sweet will be returning to pastoring a local church after six faithful years serving as the Northern Flow District Superintendent.
"Rev. Sweet has served the Northern Flow District with grace and passion. I am grateful for the leadership Beckie has provided at the Cabinet table, as well as in many other arenas of the Conference," expressed Bishop Webb. "I invite you to pray for Beckie, Birney, and their family as they travel toward this new chapter of ministry and mission."
In addition to naming Rev. Mike Weeden as the Superintendent of the Northern Flow District, Bishop Webb is pleased to announce that after consultation with each respective District Committee on Superintendency, he will be extending the Rev. Wayne Butler, the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, and the Rev. William (Bill) Mudge to a seventh year in their terms as District Superintendents.
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AVOCA UMC Pancake Breakfast
WHEN:Sunday, February 12, 2017
WHERE: 8593 Jacob's Ladder Rd., Avoca, NY 14809 (Corner of Jacob's Ladder Rd. & State Rte. 415, one mile north of village of Avoca)
TIME: 8:00-10:00 am
MENU: Buffet Serving: Buttermilk Pancakes, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, Applesauce, Juice, Coffee, Tea
COST: Free Will Offering
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United Methodist Men
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 here
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THINGS GOING ON THIS WEEK-Jan. 26th-Feb. 2nd
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Lifetree Conversation Café
at Arnot Mall
WHEN: Every Monday Evening
WHERE
: Fresh Start Corner Office
located in the Arnot Mall (between Ruby Tuesday & Bon Ton)
TIME:
7 pm - 8 pm
at Watkins Glen
WHEN: Every Thursday Evening
WHERE:
Fresh Start Watkins Glen
206 Fourth St., Watkins Glen, NY
TIME:
7 pm - 8 pm
Lifetree Café
is a comfortable place and time for people to gather every week to explore life and faith. It's the kind of place where you'd meet a friend for food and drink and fun. Where the atmosphere encourages conversations, questions, and personal stories. The hour-long Lifetree Cafe experiences feature real stories of real people, guided conversation, biblical insights, time to build relationships with old and new friends, laughter, and opportunities to serve.
You are invited to come and bring a friend!
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Pine Valley United Methodist Church Men
Winter Chicken BBQ
WHEN:
Saturday,
January 28, 2017
WHERE: Pine Valley United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Pine Vally Rd & State RT 14.
TIME: 11 am-3 pm or gone
MENU: ½ Chicken, baked beans, salt potatoes, cole slaw, roll, & beverage
Eat-in or take-out
COST: Adults- $8.50 Journey Special (chicken & 2 cole slaw) $7
CONTACT:Lou or Diane Bower at:(607) 426-6699
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Submit your petitions and resolutions for the
2017 UNYAC
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
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Soup-To-Go Sale
Odessa-Catharine UMC
WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 2017
WHERE: Odessa-Catharine UMC
305 Church St., Odessa, NY 14869
TIME: 10 am-2 pm
Homemade Soups: Broccoli Cheese, Cream of Corn, Hamburger and Chicken Vegetable
COST: $8.00 Per Quart
Reserve Your Soup: (607) 594-2271 after 10am on the day of sale.
Proceeds of this sale benefit our "send our kids to summer camp" scholarship fund -- a great experience for our kids at beautiful Camp Casowasco.
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File your stats on Ezra between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15
The Upper New York Conference will be quickly coming upon the filing for church statistics for 2016! In anticipation of this deadline, please remember that your church's 2016 statistics must be completed by February 15, 2016. You will be able to log your statistics through Ezra beginning Jan. 1.
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LOCAL, DISTRICT & CONFERENCE UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR
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"Informed to Transform" training event
The Genesee Valley District is offering a training event, "Informed to Transform," on
February 4, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the
UMC of Webster. This event is open to all districts. The guest speaker is the Rev. Heather Heinzman Lear, who will be speaking on the topic, "Kingdom Leadership in the 21st Century."
Featured workshops include:
* Discipleship
* Church Revitalization
* Ministry Shares
* Revs on Retreat
* SPRC
* Trustees
* Pillow Prayers
* Youth Ministry
Click here to register for the event.
Registration closes Jan. 31. This is one of many Upper New York Conference Districts that will offer training at the beginning of 2017. Keep watching the Upper New York Conference communications channels for information about more training events throughout the UNY Conference.
Cost to attend is $20
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UNY Launchpad 2017 registration now available
Church planting is unlike any other ministry of the church. Effectively starting a new faith community, that has a chance to be sustainable over time, takes unique skills and practices that no one learns in seminary or Course of Study or even through decades of experience. Launchpad teaches those skills and practices!
Launchpad will be offered on
Friday, Feb. 3 through Saturday, Feb. 4 in Syracuse. David Masland (Director of NFC in Upper NY) and Bill Valet (Lead Planter of the multi-campus Fresh Start NFCs in Elmira and Watkins Glen) will be co-teaching, along with a visit from Paul Nixon (Northeastern Jurisdiction Director of Path 1).
Registration
for this event is now available. Details
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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.
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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
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Mission Trip to Project Chacocente
Masaya, Nicaragua
February
20-28, 2017
Project Chacocente is a ministry which has moved families who had been living in the dump in Managua to the Chacocente community. There they are educated and trained for a productive life and experience the opportunity to live interdependently in their own homes that they built with the help of groups like ours and which they now own through fulfilling a 5-8 year covenant with Project Chacocente. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere with a 65% unemployment rate. Chacocente Christian School now has 150 in its school and will graduate its third class of seniors this year.
For more information, go to www.outofthedump.org or Friends of Project Chacocente on facebook for more information. We go to assist the folks of Project Chacocente build their futures and to build relationships.
Click here
for more information and the application.
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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.
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Mountain View District Spring Lay Servant Courses Being Offered
Spring Classes: 3 Sunday Afternoons
WHEN: Sundays, March 12, 19, & 26, 2017
WHERE: Hornell UMC
7528 N. Main St. Ext.,Hornell, NY 14843
TIME: 2pm-6pm
COST: $25 (checks made out to UNYAC)
REGISTRATION: Mail form & check to:
Vida Johnson
Lay Servant Class Registrar
34 S. Maple St.
Corning, NY 14830
QUESTIONS:
Contact Mountain View District Office at 607-962-8047 or email
COURSES OFFERED:
- Basic Lay Servant
- Book- Lay Servant Ministries - Basic Course Participant's Book by Sandy Jackson with Brian Jackson, is available at Cokesbury and Amazon, ISBN-9780881776263
- Exploring Prayer
- Using PowerPoint in Worship
- Please bring a laptop with you if you are able to and it would be a plus if it has a PowerPoint program already on the laptop.
Click here for the brochure with registration form.
Students must order their own books.
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Mountain View District's Listening Session with CF&A
WHEN: Saturday, March 11th, 2017
WHERE
: Bath Centenary UMC
3 W. Washington Street, Bath, NY 14810
TIME:
10 am - 12 pm
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Border Buddies Ministries
Border Buddies Ministries is organizing a Short Term Missions Team to go to Tegucigalpa, Honduras from
May 22 th until June 1 st, 2017. The physical project is to add classrooms or renovate existing classrooms at local elementary and high schools. No experience needed just a willingness to serve the Lord. Our spiritual project is to continue to spread the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Should you want more information please contact Al Erickson at
607- 742-8082
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a messenger to these people? Who will go for us? I said, "Here I am. Send me."
This team is sponsored by Pennsylvania Avenue United Methodist Church and team members are from PAUMC and various local churches.
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Journeys of Paul Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's
Jewel of the Seas.
Join Pastor Rhonda Kouterick and guest speaker Adam Hamilton for the Journeys of Paul Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas.
Sail roundtrip from Rome, Italy and stop in Sicily, Mykonos, Ephesus, Santorini, Athens & Corinth, Naples & Pompeii, and Ancient Rome.
Enhance your journey with a Vatican City Post Tour!
Departs October 6, 2017.
Call First United Methodist Church at 607-739-1943 for more information.
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Holy Land tour with Bishop Webb scheduled for Jan. 2018
Join Bishop Mark J. Webb and his wife, Jodi Webb, on an 11-day trip (January 9-19, 2018) to the Holy Land through Educational Opportunities Tours. This journey will deepen your experience and bring to life the Scriptures. You will have the opportunity to explore Jericho and Qumran; Bethlehem; Caesarea, Mount Carmel, and Megiddo; The Galilee; Cana, Nazareth, Samaria, and Jacob's Well; Jerusalem; and Ein Karem, Nebi Samuel, Emmaus, and the Valley of Elah. Click here to learn more, including the cost and ways to save.
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UNY Media Resource Center is moving
The UNY Media Resource Center's long anticipated move to the new UNY Conference Center in Liverpool, N.Y. is almost here! In order to prepare for the move, the Media Resource Center will be closed from February 22 through March 7. As January and February are busy months at the Media Resource Center in preparation for Lent, Media Resource Center director Diane Miner encourages you to plan early for the resources you will need.
Click here to read more.
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Media Resource Center newsletter now available
The January 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.
Click here
to view and/ordownload the current newsletter. If you have questions, please contact
Diane at diane@unyumc.org
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New York State Minimum Wage poster available
Effective
December 31, 2016, New York State minimum wage has been increased to $9.70/hour. Employers in the Upper New York area, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employees minimum wage. An updated NYS Minimum Wage poster must be posted at your worksite for your employees to see. The poster is now available on the Conference Church Employer webpage under
Employment Law Compliances & Posters. You can find additional information on NYS Minimum Wage on the
Department of Labor website. If you have any questions about wage and hour regulations, please contact
Debi Marshall in Human Resources or 315-424-7878 ext. 302.
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2016 Conference Journal Vol. 2 now available
The 2016 Upper New York Conference Journal Vol. 2 is now available. There are two ways to receive this publication: in print from publisher Lulu.com or online through issuu.com. A PDF can also be downloaded for free through issuu.com.
Click here
to order a printed copy the 2016 Journal Vol. 2 ($17.48 plus tax and shipping).
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The
January I
issue of the Bridge
is now available
Click here to select the version you prefer and make copies as necessary. In this issue of the Bridge, learn about the special Sundays celebrated by The United Methodist Church.
If you have questions or are unable to make copies, please contact
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
February- Black History Month Details
Feb. 1 Deadline to submit petitions & resolutions-Details
Feb. 3-4 UNY New Faith Communities Launchpad event-Details
Feb. 15 Statistical Reports due-Details
Feb. 15 Report of the Finance & the Trustee Committees and 2017 Church Budget are due
Feb. 20 Conference office & District office closed in observance of President's Day
March- Women's History Month Details
Mar. 1 Ash Wednesday Details
Mar. 3 World Day of Prayer Details
Mar. 11 Mt. View District Listening Session- Bath Centenary 10am-12pm
Mar. 15 Annual Local Church Audits due to District Superintendent
June 1-3 Annual Conference
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Rev. Nancy Adams
District Superintendent
Patti Gridley
Administrative Assistant
65 East First St., Corning, NY 14830
(607) 962-8047
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Upper New York Annual Conference Contact Information
Upper New York Conference
of The United Methodist Church
324 University Ave., 3rd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 424-7878
Toll-Free (855) 424-7878
Fax (315) 478-4869
The Resource Center Links
Resource Center Newsletter for January 2017:
Click Here
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