Finger Lakes District E-Newsletter  November 6, 2018

WELCOME FRIENDS !
Rev. McDowell
Welcome to the Finger Lakes District e -Newsletter! Please share this with church members and staff, teams and organizations. We hope that you will find this a useful resource as we work to promote the missions, ministries and events of the Finger Lakes District. If you have something you would like to see included in a future issue of this e-newsletter, send to [email protected]
May you have a blessed week!
Your friends at the Finger Lakes District Office,
       Rev. Jeffrey McDowell, District Superintendent
            Pam Deckard, Administrative Assistant

******************************************************
Office Hours: 
 To be announced.  Please continue to contact the office via email (above) or phone (315-781-0188) and your messages will be responded to.   
The next edition of this eNewsletter comes out on November 20, 2018.  To submit an item for the newsletter, please have it to the district office by November 16.   Thank you.
DS NOTES : November 6, 2018
 
Dear Friends and members of the Finger Lakes Churches:
 
     Afraid your church will close? It might. People today in America don't attend churches regularly; this has gotten to be the norm. So, if you are attending church you are not normal. The Pew Research Polls says the share of Americans who do not identify with a religious group is surely growing. 23% of American people now describe themselves as atheists, agnostics or "nothing." Nearly one-quarter of the people you drive past, see in the grocery store, interact with on the phone are NONES.
     Sometimes we express magical thinking like this: "If we can only come up with the one or two different methods of attracting people to our church, we can save our church!" But friends, Jesus did not come to save the church; he came to launch the church out into the world. It could be said the turning point in the gospel of John is the death of Lazarus. The faith of the disciples and especially of Mary and Martha are sorely tested, therefore the questions in vs. 32 and 37 about Jesus' intentions and methods:   "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!" (32)  See vs. 4 "This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the son of God may be glorified by means of it." Jesus to Martha: "Do you believe this?" See vs. 37: "Couldn't this healer of the blind have prevented the death of Lazarus?"
     Sometimes we feel like the crowds around Mary, Martha, Jesus, Lazarus. "Couldn't this healer of the blind have prevented the death of Lazarus?" We wonder, "Couldn't this savior of the world have prevented the death of his church?" Jesus weeps, not because of grief of loss of Lazarus, but because of the lack of faith of Mary. And Martha. And you. And me.
     Remember your calling to go into all the world and announce the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus! Go, baptize, teach, and remember Jesus is with you until the end of the world. May it be so for you and for all of us called Christian. If you spend your time saving the church, you will fail. Be the church instead: a body of believers in the name of Jesus. And you will live.

-Jeff McDowell

Worship for our Clergy and their families is taking place Wednesday Nov. 7 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium at 12 North Park Street, second floor. A powerful praise team will lead us in worship and I will preach a word of encouragement, celebrate communion and offer anointing prayers. Plan to join me!

Also ... as we continue in Charge Conference season, please plan to take part in our combine worship experiences.  The theme is "holy boldness"! 
District Superintendent available to preach and/or lead worship

The DS is available to preach and/or lead worship on the Sundays noted below. These opportunities are an opportunity for the DS to worship with you and, if desired, to provide the message (as opposed to providing vacation pulpit supply). Other days of the week are possible as well with an inquiry. Please send a request to both Pam Deckard at [email protected] and Jeff McDowell at [email protected].

In 2019: avail. On 1/13; 2/3; 3/31; 4/28; 5/5; 5/19; 6/2; 6/23. 
Clergy (& Family) Worship Event!

Wednesday November 7 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
12 North Park Street, Seneca Falls, in 2nd floor auditorium.

Praise team leading music; DS McDowell Preaching on "Christ in YOU, the Hope of Glory!"

We will praise God, hear the Word, celebrate what God is doing, and offer prayers for one another and for the larger church.  Communion will be celebrated and anointing with oil will be offered.

And YOU don't have to lead it, Pastors!
Alleluia.  Please plan to attend.
Church Charge Conference Schedule 

WE WILL WORSHIP TOGETHER AT ALL CHARGE CONFERENCES.  PLEASE COME WITH ALL YOUR CHURCH LEADERS TO BOTH THE COMBINED WORSHIP TIMES AND THE INDIVIDUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE TIME ASSIGNED TO YOUR CHURCH.
 

When: Sun. Nov. 18, 2018
Where: Wolcott:Faith UMC
Time: 2:15pm - 5:45pm
 
2:15pm Session:
Amazing Grace (Butler, Countryside, Victory)
Red Creek-Westbury
Clyde
Sodus 3rd
North Rose
 
3:30pm Worship
 
4:45pm Session:
Wolcott: Faith
Rose
Sodus Point
Sterling
Newark: Emmanuel


When: Fri. Nov 30
Where: Seneca Falls
Time: 7:00 pm
Seneca Falls
Geneva
 
When: Sun. Dec. 2, 2018
Where: Auburn UMC
Time: 2:15pm - 5:45pm
 
2:15pm Session:
Tyre
Mottville: St. Andrews
Port Byron
Weedsport
New Hope: Midlakes
Trumansburg
 
3:30pm Worship
 
4:45pm Session:
Cayuga
Ledyard
Moravia: Christ Church
Auburn
Ithaca: St. Paul's

Special Offerings have been taken at each of the cluster charge conferences for a variety of needs. Here is a list of the ministries supported through your generosity:
 
Cortland First: the offering supports building repairs, $330 raised
Penn Yan: the offering supports the Living Well mission, $495 raised
Clifton Springs: the offering supports the church food pantry, $308 raised

OLDEST CHURCH BUILDING?
Loreen Jorgensen of the Commission on Archives and History has been asked to determine which church building in the Finger Lakes District is the "oldest"; i.e. which church building in the Finger Lakes District has been in use by the same Methodist Congregation for the longest period and is still using it today. Please email the date when your church building began to be used by your congregation to [email protected].  THANK YOU!


TRICK OR TREAT FOR UNICEF

The children of Fleming Federated Church in Fleming, New York w ent Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF on  October 28, 2018.  

This group of kids collected $84.47 to help others! 


Native American Festivals


November 11  Canandaigua Treaty Celebration. 12 noon - 9 pm, Courthouse lawn, Canandaigua and Elementary Schoo l
Red Bird Mission 2018

Click Here for SHOEBOX information for Red Bird 2018.  Please consider being part of this vital mission.  If you have any questions, please let us know, you can contact the Endwell UMC at 607-754-5735 or Dave Alexander at 607-743-8955.

FINGER LAKES DISTRICT COLLECTION POINTS:
Aloquin-Flint Church 
2760 State Route 5 & 20 
Stanley, NY 14561
Please contact David Mott, 585-526-6713 to set up drop off time prior to November 17.

Christ Church of Locke & Moravia
36 Church Street 
Moravia NY 13118
Please contact Jerry Hall,  Phone & Text -  315-515-9866 or  E-mail - [email protected] to set up drop off time prior to November 25.

YOUTH GATHERING AT CENTENARY UMC, BATH
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm 

Neighboring Mountain View District will be holding a Youth Gathering this fall and invites all FINGER LAKES DISTRICT YOUTH to participate!  The theme will be:  
LOVE: Digging deep,branching out

Click here for details and a registration form.  
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Bluff Point UMC is a drop-off site for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. Hours are:  
Mon, Nov 12:        4 - 7 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 13:     9 a.m. to Noon
Wed., Nov. 14:     Noon to 3 p.m.
Thur., Nov. 15:     4 - 7 p.m.
Fri., Nov.16:         9 a.m. to Noon
Sat., Nov. 17:       Noon to 3 p.m.
Sun., Nov.18:       Noon to 3 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 19:     9 a.m. to Noon

Golden Bucket Award
 
The Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church Mission Central HUB is announcing the Golden Bucket Award  to the District that donates the most UMCOR Cleaning Kits!

Monthly recognition will be shared throughout the conference with a certificate to be displayed at the District Office. The District that collected the most UMCOR Cleaning Kits throughout the period will be awarded the prestigious Golden Bucket Award !

This award starts on October 1st, 2018 and runs till May 25th, 2019. The Golden Bucket will be awarded at the 2019 Annual Conference.

It is important to follow the UMCOR Cleaning Kit last updated May 2018 (see below).   Any questions please contact Mike Block.

Click here for a list of UMCOR certified supplies used in cleaning kits and click here for your closest drop-off location. 

If you or a few friends can help assemble kits in the very near future at the UNY Mission Central HUB, please contact Mike Block at (315) 898-2066 or  [email protected]
FINGER LAKES DISTRICT CHURCHES PARTICIPATING IN FLOOD BUCKET MINISTRY 

As of 10/18/2018, these churches have contributed flood buckets and/or needed dollars to the UNY Hub: 
Amazing Grace Parish - 5 buckets & $142 
Clyde - 5 buckets 
Fleming Federated - 25 buckets
Freeville - $556 
Newark First - $100 
Penn Yan Cluster - 48 buckets
Red Creek - $98 
Seneca Falls - 1 bucket 


Looking for a Local Mission to be Involved With?

Interested parties who want to schlep out muddy basements and do other home repairs in the Finger Lakes or Mountainview Districts should call the " Lodi flood phone" which will coordinate helpers coming in.  That number is: 585-319-7227.  Pastor Charlie Valentine is involved as District ERT and Roger Cullen is there as VIM coordinator for the conference.  Recent flooding in Seneca County and throughout Pennsylvania has caused a shortage of UMCOR flood buckets within the Upper New York Conference. (see article above)
Trombone Choir Christmas Concert by Bones East
1 p.m. December 2, 2018
Christ United Methodist Church of Locke and Moravia
36 Church Street
Moravia, NY 13118
 
CUMC of Locke and Moravia will host a Bones East (trombone ensemble) Christmas Concert at 1 p.m. Sunday, December 2d. This trombone extravaganza will offer those who attend an exciting and memorable experience. A free will offering can be made to help support youth summer camp programs offered by the Upper New York Conference of the Methodist Church. Refreshments will be served after the concert. The concert will feature traditional Christmas music. Bones East was founded in the early 1980's by Howard Kelley and is comprised of 15-20 of Central New York's finest professional, amateur and student trombone players.  

Conversations for an Engaged Community
Free & Open to the Public at Forest Home Chapel. 

The Chapel begins a series of community lectures addressing broad topics of social justice, the environment, politics, and the arts. Talks will be held on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., will be about 50 minutes long, and will be followed by questions and discussion.

Click here to see a description of upcoming events. 

Forest Home Chapel, 224 Forest Home Drive, Ithaca, NY  14850. www.foresthomechapelumc.org.

For questions about the event, including handicap access, contact Wendy Millroy at [email protected]


Bishop Webb offering fall gatherings for A Way Forward

This fall, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is hosting six gatherings around the Conference in preparation for Special Session of General Conference to talk about Commission on a Way Forward for The United Methodist Church.
 
The regional gatherings will include a presentation of the plan and process of General Conference, a time to remember our mission, and worship and prayer. Click here to find the dates and times when Bishop Webb will be in your area.

The final report of the Commission on a Way Forward has been released in all four official languages of the General Conference: English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili. The report will be presented to the 2019 Special Session of General Conference. Subject to final copy editing, the report will be printed in the Advance Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA) in November.  Click here to read a statement from the moderators of the Commission and the President of the Council of Bishops on the release of the report as well as access to the report in all languages.
Save the date for Order of Elders Gathering

Elders, mark your calendars and save the date for the Order of Elders
Gathering with the theme, "Leading with a Heart of Peace." Join Bishop Webb as he welcomes Bishop Grant Hagiya from the California-Pacific Annual Conference. The event will be held Dec. 6 from 10-3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool. All elders are expected to attend. Additional details and registration info will be released soon.
Click here for more information.  
There is still space for YOU at one of our fall, winter, or spring gatherings - explore the opportunities available at our Camp & Retreat Centers. Head to www.campsandretreats.org for more information or to sign up/register, contact the site directly, or contact the CRM Central Office at 315-898-2026 with any questions.
 
Asbury:
January 4-6, 2019: Youth Winter Retreat (Youth & their Adult Leader(s))
 
Casowasco:
December 7-9: Retreat: Be Still {a silent retreat} (Adults) **Note: Date Correction**
December 30-January 1, 2019: Retreat: Camp Echo (Ages 7-18)
January 25-27, 2019: SOLID: Youth Retreat (Youth & their Adult Leader(s))
March 1-3, 2019: Women's Chocolate Getaway (Women)
April 11-14, 2019: Quilt by Faith: Spring (Women)
May 12, 2019: Mother's Day Brunch (Families & Adults)
 
Sky Lake:
November 8-10: Leadership: L.E.A.D. (Leadership Enrichment & Development) (Adults)
January 3-5, 2019: Special Needs Winter Retreat (Ages 18+ with Special Needs)
January 18-21, 2019: Family Winter Weekend (Families & Adults)
February 15-18, 2019: Family Winter Weekend II (Families & Adults)
April 5-7, 2019: Church Family Getaway (Families & Adults)

Workshop and Conference Sponsored by the Voyagers
For Leaders and Coaches: Clergy, Educators, Therapists
Location: Buffalo, New York Area

The Voyagers are a gathering of clergy and church leaders exploring Bowen family systems theory and its application to congregations and leadership by Rabbi Edwin Friedman. We believe that the factual approach of Murray Bowen that underlies his theory and the creative and imaginative use of theory by Edwin Friedman provide a unique understanding of human functioning for life, leadership, coaching, and ministry.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - Bowen Theory Introduction and Application
Location: Westin Hotel, Buffalo     Time and Cost: TBA

Thursday, November 15, 2018 - Conference with Dr. Michael Kerr
Theme - Bowen Theory's Secrets: The Hidden Life of Families
Location: Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, NY
               Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM     Cost: TBA

For information and registration,  contact Rev. Robert Spilman,  [email protected]
phone:  716-479-7933
363 Darwin Drive, Amherst, NY 14226
Red Bird Mission Work Camp
Sept. 29 - Oct. 5, 2019

Red Bird Work Camp is a work opportunity for volunteers in mission. Work Camp strives to provide home repair for low-income community residents and maintenance for Mission buildings and grounds. Some examples of work projects are small room additions, painting, building porches or ramps, and grounds keeping. On a very limited basis, light duty work is available. Fees ($400 total) cover the cost of each person's application, lodging, meals, and materials used. It does not include the cost of transportation or expenses on travel days.
 
Work camp provides an opportunity to serve, to be successful in the giving of your time and to experience the joy of being in ministry with others. In addition to providing mission opportunities, Red Bird strives to provide an atmosphere where participants grow spiritually and gain a personal understanding of mission. Evenings are spent in Christian fellowship and learning about the diverse ministries of Red Bird Mission.
 
Team Leaders: Donna & Roger Cullen  Email: [email protected]
 
Link to register is http://bit.ly/2019RedBird
Need Lights? 

The Clyde United Methodist Church has 8-foot fluorescent lamps (1-pin), 4 boxes of used and 1 box of new. They are free to anyone who wants to come and get them. Call 315-923-3491, Pam or Don Anstee, to make arrangements to pick them up.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Ithaca, New York is an inclusive, progressive congregation seeking to be a compassionate community, led and transformed by the Spirit.  Music is an integral part of the worship experience with congregational singing, multiple choirs, small ensembles, and soloists. St. Paul's United Methodist Church is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all members, visitors, guests, and staff.

Two positions are currently open in the St. Paul's music ministry.  Click here for more information.  

DeMay Living Center in Newark is seeking a full time Recreation Therapist to work days. A Recreation Therapist uses compassion and creativity to assist in keeping the DeMay community physically and mentally healthy.

A full description and application can be found here:
https://rrhs.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/RRH/job/DeMay-Living-Center/Recreation-Therapist_REQ_89856

                                                                         Subject: From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Imagine no Racism engagement


Dear Imagine No Racism Group Participants,

I am grateful to each of you for your participation in Upper New York's Imagine No Racism ministry. You are engaging in the urgent work of addressing racism in ourselves, our Church, and in our communities. This is holy work that we join our sisters and brothers throughout the Northeast Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in doing. Thank you.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF BISHOP WEBB'S LETTER

CLICK HERE for a list of District Advocates.
General Conference Special Sessions Registration Fees Reduced 

Thanks to a $450,000 grant from United Methodist Communications (UMCom) and budget reductions identified by the General Council of Finance and Administration (GCFA) and General Conference staff, there will be no registration fees for the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference.

The Commission on the General Conference voted this week to rescind the registration fees after United Methodist Communications agreed to provide $450,000 to cover communication-related needs outside the scope of their responsibility that would normally come from the General Conference budget. Click here to learn more.

Greetings, UMW members,


CLICK HERE for the Fall 2018 Newsletter.

CLICK HERE for the Winter 2018 Newsletter.
 
Any questions can be directed to President Mary Anjo 315 573-0553.
Pastors and the Sacraments, and Weddings and funerals:

All pastors may perform the sacraments of communion and baptism in their local church. Ordained Elders may perform them outside the confines of their local church if there is cause for this. 

Funerals may be performed by anyone, including lay speakers and lay servants.  

Weddings may be performed by local pastors in the context of their church building and congregation's members, but not outside of those boundaries. Ordained Elders may perform weddings any place, with appropriate reason and coordination with local clergy so as not to impose on the work of other pastors. All pastors are responsible to provide pre-marriage counseling for couples seeking marriage. Anyone who is or is planning to become a pastor may not be certified by an online service for the purpose of performing a wedding. We do not recognize online certifications or ordinations for these purposes. No clergy are allowed to perform weddings or "hold unions" for same gender couples and none can be performed by anyone within our church buildings. This stance is up for reconsideration by our General Conference in February of 2019.
Did You Know?

Your church has beliefs and stances we have agreed upon, called "Social Principles" which are a great study for your small groups. They are found in our Book of Discipline but can be ordered and studied through Cokesbury book store.
Continuing Education Requirements for Clergy
 
Attention:  All clergy under appointment or assignment are required to complete  2 CEUs (20 contact hours) per year or accumulative 8 CEUs (80 contacts hours) per quadrennium and will provide documentation to the District Superintendent, unless  enrolled and attending Course of Study or Seminary Degree Program.
 
COS Information
Our registrar is continuing to receive registrations with 2015, 2016 & 2017 dates on them. Please a make sure you are using the most updated form.  You can download the correct form HERE

Please Note:

If there are changes in the names, addresses, phone numbers, and  e-mail addresses  for you, and/or any of your committee chairs, please contact the  district office with the changes. Thank you  
RESOURCES
UNY Media Resource Center

Don't forget to order your Stewardship and Advent/Christmas resources!

If you've never used the Media Resource Center before, I invite you to give us a try. Funded by your Shared Ministry dollars, we can supply you with small group discussion materials, Bible studies, children and youth curriculum, adult curriculum, and a myriad of subjects such as stewardship, evangelism, social issues and VBS materials, just to name a few. Our quick and easy online ordering is just a click away. You can add things to a "shopping cart", then once submitted, you'll receive an email with your invoice attached. We send your order through the USPS and we'll supply the mail back envelopes and label with instructions on mailing. Your only cost is the postage to return it. Please feel free to search our online catalog below.

Check out these resources: 
Earn, Save, Give by James A. Harnish
John Wesley believed money was important as a way of expressing and living out Christian faith. To Wesley, the task was simple: earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can. In this essential little book, pastor and author James A. Harnish presents Wesley's concepts and beliefs in plain, useful language, suitable for individuals to grapple with and groups to discuss and act upon.

Treasure by Jacob Armstrong
Whether you are in plenty or in want, money has a direct connection to your values, your faith, and the health of your relationships. It's no wonder that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presented a radical message about our "treasure" and our hearts. 

We now have some of the books written by the Bishop's Retreat speaker and author, J. Clif Christopher on stewardship.

If I can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to give me a call at 315-898-2027 or email me at [email protected].
 
Click here for the latest Media Resource Center Newsletter.  
2019 Employer Updates 

There are two changes that will affect Upper New York churches and employees in the new year.

Effective Dec. 31, New York State's hourly minimum wage rate is increasing to $11.10. All employers in the Upper New York Conference must pay non-exempt employees minimum wage regardless of how many people they employ. Click here to read more about the wage increase.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, New York State (NYS) Paid Family Leave is increasing to 55% benefit and 10 weeks for eligible employees. Click here to learn more about the updates and changes.

If you have any questions, contact Tracy Rickett, Upper New York Conference's Human Resources Generalist, at (315) 898-2017 or [email protected].

New York State Employers required to adopt a sexual harassment policy and training
Due to a new law, every employer in New York State is required to establish and distribute a sexual harassment prevention policy. The policy can be distributed in writing or electronically.  Employers are encouraged to have employees acknowledge receipt of the policy, and to post a copy of the policy where employees can easily access it.  
Every employer is also required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training by October 9, 2019. This is an annual requirement as part of the new regulations.
Additional resources for sexual harassment training will be shared once that information has been gathered. 
Click here for more details on New York State's Sexual Harassment regulations.
If you have any questions regarding New York state's sexual harassment requirements, please contact Tracy Rickett, Upper New York Conference's Human Resources Generalist at (315) 898-2017 or  [email protected].

Ways to Connect with the UNY Conference
The Conference Communications staff have a number of ways to share information throughout Upper New York. Here are a few of them:
 
UNY Notes are simple text-based emails that will immediately alert you to important news and events of the Upper New York Conference. UNY Notes are targeted email blasts in nine categories from which to choose: From the Desk of Bishop Webb, Alerts, Prayer Concerns, Announcements, Missions, Justice, Camp & Retreat, Young People and Death Notices. If you prefer fewer emails, remember that all of the week's UNY Notes are included in the 
Weekly Digest , published on Wednesdays. Click here to subscribe to UNY Notes and here to subscribe to Weekly Digest.
 
Click here for the latest issue of The Advocate on the Conference website;  the printed version of this newsletter will be available in your local church. The Advocate is the Conference's ministry magazine.  

You're also encouraged to "like" Upper New York Conference on
Facebook . Here you'll find pictures, short videos, questions from fun to serious, the latest news from the Conference and ways to try to engage with our followers. These posts will appear in your news feed along with posts from your other Facebook friends.
You may follow Upper New York on Instagram to see pictures and short videos from around the Conference. Posts will appear in your news feed along with everyone else you follow on Instagram.
 
So stay connected and up-to-date with your friends and churches from throughout the Conference!
How to use VitalSigns

We introduced you to VitalSigns, a platform that can help your church to track key  indicators and uncover important insights. Click here to watch a video that shows you just how easy this program is to use. 
 
Track data, gain insight, and help your church with VitalSigns
The VitalSigns dashboard is a tool that allows churches to track church growth indicators, such as weekly worship attendance, professions of faith, small group participation, missional participation, and financial giving. It is a deeper level of insight, support, and accountability that tracks and trends vital information in an easy-to-understand dashboard.
 
The General Council on Finance and Administration pays for this software through  General Church apportionment's - which the Upper New York Conference paid in full in 2016. The UNY Conference began using VitalSigns about 18 months ago, and so far, 38 UNY churches have signed up. Click here to learn how VitalSigns can help your church.
 
For more information about the VitalSigns tool, free to all United Methodist churches, contact Aaron Bouwens, Upper New York Conference Director of Vital Congregations at [email protected]

Disaster Preparedness 

You can't prevent disaster. But you can prepare. United Methodist Insurance has created a comprehensive, robust handbook on Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather for Churches. 
                                                  Click here to download the eBook
The Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society was organized by the Upper New York Commission on Archives and History to promote and preserve Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren history within the bounds of Upper New York Conference.  Its mission is to Preserve the PAST; Inform the FUTURE.  
Counseling available for all of our appointed Clergy, part time and full time, and some paid church staff...

ESI's (Employee Assistance Group) TotalCare EAP can help
with virtually every area of life.  See flyer ( click here) for more information. Or go to: www.theEAP.com or call: 800-252-4555
The latest 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. 
As a bi-monthly publication, the Bridge can be used this Sunday or next, whichever is most useful to the local church. The Bridge is a communications tool designed for local churches to stay connected to each other and to the ministries taking place around the Upper New York Conference and The United Methodist Church. The newest volume will be listed at the top of the webpage, with older volumes below. The Bridge is designed to be handed out in worship, as a church bulletin insert, or as a standalone item. If you have questions or are unable to make copies, please contact [email protected]
How Do I connect?

Denominational Website: The United Methodist Church
District Website: Finger Lakes District 
If you would like to subscribe to this e-newsletter, please send your email address to:  [email protected]
Finger Lakes District
of the Upper New York Conference

Rev. Jeffrey McDowell , District Superintendent
Pam Deckard, Administrative Assistant

12 North Park St., Suite 11
Seneca Falls, NY 13148  
Office:  315-781-0188     efax: +1-315-282-2367 
 click here for: Finger Lakes District Map