NEW! Note from DS Vonda

In my home church, Metropolitan United Methodist Church Buffalo, the Lenten season was a very important time in the life of the church. We offered ourselves individually and collectively in some sort of devotional or sacrificial observance in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

I remember a time we all decided to fast until noon three days out of the week.  Another year during Lent we all read the book of Joel. Other years we held Wednesday night Lenten services or dedicated ourselves to visiting the sick and shut in.

 

Whenever we tried in sheer earnest to be faithful to our Lenten observance, Easter time seemed even more blessed. I pray that God will lead you into a deeper more meaningful relationship with Jesus during this Lenten season.

NEW! Greetings friends and colleagues,

 

I'd like to invite you to join Rabbi Peter Stein, of  Temple B'rith Kodesh, and myself for breakfast and conversation on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 8:00 am until 9:30 am at the Jewish Community Center (JCC), located at  1200 Edgewood Ave, Rochester, NY 14618.

 

It is important to join in solidarity with our Jewish sisters and brothers in the midst of growing anti-semitism and recent bomb threats at the JCC. Rabbi Stein is a leader in the greater Rochester Jewish community and a personal friend. If you haven't met him, you will be delighted by his spirit and passion. 

 

The JCC has lite breakfast items for sale.

 

Please extend this invitation to your friends and colleagues, with my thanks.

 

I hope you can join Peter and I.

 

Blessings,

The Rev. Todd R. Goddard

[email protected]
585.703.9235 (cell)

315.524.2982 (home)

315.684.9036 (cottage)

NEW! SAVE THE DATE:  25th Annual Palestinian Dinner

 Plymouth Congregational Church

Thursday, June 1 serving begins at conclusion of the afternoon session

Authentic Palestinian food

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 $20.00 made out to "UNY Conference", 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.  

UpWord!17 CCYM Spring Event Registration Opens

March 31-April 2 - Liverpool Holiday Inn

6:30 PM on Friday through Noon on Sunday

Best CCYM event of the year

Registration $60/pp

Rooms $115/night (max. 5 persons per room)

Registration Deadline:  Monday, March 27.

Click here to Register:

A note from the GVD Lay Servant Ministries Committee

Please spread the word that there are openings for 

the Basic course. 

It will be held at Hilton UMC, on two Saturdays, 

April 29 and May 13, from 9:00AM to 2:30PM. 

Please click here for the brochure for the registration form. 

Upper New York Annual Conference - Safe Sanctuaries® Team

 

SAFE SANCTUARIES® TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Saturday, April 1, 2017

 Grace United Methodist Church, Corning  

(Mountain View District)

 

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, April 1, 2017   9:00 a.m. - noon Please arrive between 8:40 and 8:55 so we can begin on time.

WHERE:  Grace United Methodist Church, 191 Bridge Street, Corning, NY  14830

Class size is limited to 40 participants with priority given to those also registering for the afternoon Training of Trainers.

PRE-REGISTER by March 22. Please contact Patti Gridley, Mountain View District Administrative Assistant, at 607-962-8047 or email [email protected]   Information needed is name, church and email address.  Link to handouts will be emailed prior to training for participants to print and bring.

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, April 1, 2017   1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Grace United Methodist Church, 191 Bridge Street, Corning, NY  14830

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 March 22, 2017. Please contact Patti Gridley, Mountain View District Administrative Assistant, at 607-962-8047 or email [email protected]   Information needed is name, church and email address. 

 

QUESTIONS:  Questions should be directed to Carol Barnes at [email protected] or 607-687-4793