E-News from the Valley! February 5, 2020
Click here to go to the Genesee Valley District website.

Items you would like to see in the E-News should be submitted to the district office by Monday at noon.
CALENDAR EVENTS

Local Pastor Licensing School
April 19-25, 2020
Camp Casowasco 
CLICK HERE for more info and to register
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Statistics for 2019:
The Ezra site will be opened Wednesday, January 1, 2020 to enter the church statistical data. The 2019 Statistical data will be due by Saturday, February 15, 2020.

Local Church Audit: 
The 2019 annual audit of your church financial records are due to the District Superintendents on
 Sunday, March 15, 2020, no later.
Outward 2020 - Destination God - Our Journey

Friday - Sunday
March 13-15,2020
Holiday Inn in Liverpool

Registration and hotel costs for the event 
are the same as last year!

The $70.00 per person (youth or adult) covers the registration and includes a YSF t-shirt.  It does not include meals.  There are many options available locally.
Hotel room:  $115.00 per person per night 
(max 5 people per room)
Any questions, contact Judy Hipes at 607-624-2145 or [email protected]

CLICK HERE to register for the event
Social Holiness Workshops

On Feb. 11 and 12, Rev. Dana Horrell will a workshop, "Three Ways to Engage Your Community," in two locations in the Genesee Valley
District:
 
Tuesday, Feb. 11: Canandaigua United Methodist Church. 
Address: 100 N Main St., Canandaigua. 
To register: CLICK HERE  

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Fairport United Methodist Church. 
Address: 31 W.  Church St.. 
To register:   CLICK HERE
 
The workshop will take place from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Its purpose is to introduce tools that church leaders can use to reach out to the community in service and dialogue. Those three ways include 1) Learning more about your community through surveys, mapping, and interviews, 2) Starting or restarting a service project, and 3) Deliberating together to overcome divisiveness about important social issues.
 
The event is free. It is sponsored by the Social Holiness team of the Upper New York Conference. For more information call Rev. Horrell at 315-439-9154.
 
In addition to serving as pastor of Cooperstown United Methodist Church, he is Coeditor of The Parish Paper ( www.theparishpaper.com).
This workshop is based on his book, Engage!: Tools for Ministry in the Community, which was published by Fortress Press last year.

Upper New York Conference - Safe Sanctuaries® Team
 
SAFE SANCTUARIES® TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES


Saturday, March 7, 2020   
Webster UMC (Genesee Valley District)
169 East Main Street, Webster, NY

(MT View District is holding one on Saturday March 14th at Horseheads UMC - contact [email protected] for details)
 
Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries® Training
WHO :    Individuals with responsibility for reducing the risk of abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in the churches' ministries such as pastors, youth group leaders, Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School coordinators, music leaders, after-school program workers, home visitors, respite care workers.

WHAT : The goal of this course is reducing the risk of abuse. This basic course satisfies Upper New York's Minimum Standard that all adults who have regular and direct contact with children, youth and vulnerable adults are Safe Sanctuaries trained. This course will not directly assist in Safe Sanctuaries policy and procedure development nor does it address topics related to "sanctuary churches," sexual harassment, or active shooters.
This course is a prerequisite for Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers.

WHEN:  Saturday, March 7 9:00 a.m.- noon with registration from 8:45-8:55 a.m.
PRE-REGISTER by March 1. 
Contact Pastor Christine Mitchell at [email protected] with name, church and email address; also a phone number in case class is cancelled due to weather.
 
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, March 7  1:00-4:00 p.m. with lunch provided to those participating in both morning and 
afternoon sessions.   
Please make dietary needs known when you register.

(Mt View District is holding one on Saturday March 14th at Horseheads UMC - contact  [email protected] for details)

PRE-REQUESITE : Upper NY's 3-hour Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. This needs to be completed sometime since June 2016 and must be the standard learning station format facilitated by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable.
ALSO Members of the District training team should be affirmed by their District Superintendent.
Advanced Lay Servant course credit and Continuing Education credits for clergy 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 1.
 Contact : 
Christine Mitchell at  [email protected] with name, church and email address; also a phone number in case class is cancelled due to weather conditions.
 
QUESTIONS should be directed to Carol Barnes at [email protected]  or 607-687-4793
Upper New York Imagine No Racism through preaching contest 
deadline extended
The Upper New York Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) is welcoming submissions of sermons designed to call out and dismantle racism. A panel of judges will recognize the sermon that most effectively engages and motivates listeners to imagine and build a world free of racism. The Pastor, Lay Preacher, or Deacon preaching this sermon will be honored at Annual Conference. Excerpts of the sermon will be shared in a variety of ways. The individual who delivers the winning sermon will also be given collaborative access to our Conference staff to develop a promotional video for their church. 
 
The deadline for sermon submission has been extended to Feb. 29, 2020.
 
Click here  to learn what judges will be looking for in the videos and to find out how to submit the videos.

WNY WALK to EMMAUS #58

   What would it be worth to you, to spend an entire weekend surrounded by the love of Jesus, praising in song and worship with like-minded followers of Christ, listening to His teachings, participating in interactive conversations, and breaking bread together in fellowship with one another?

Now is the time to find out. Become one of the first 30 available "Pilgrim" opportunities (those have never been) to register and join us on the Men's or Women's Walk to Emmaus #58.

Don't delay.

Send in your registrations early so we can plan for your arrival.

Registration is only $95.00, and registration forms can be printed from the web site at   www.wnyemmaus-chrysalis.org 

You can also contact Cindy & Vince Hull at 716-258-9000 or
  [email protected]  for any needed help with obtaining forms, or with questions.
 
  • Men's Walk #58 March 26th starting Thurs. 7:00 PM thru Sun. 29th
      Men's Registration Deadline March 9
 
  • Women's Walk # 58 April 16th starting Thurs. 7:00 PM thru Sun. 19th
Women's Registration Deadline March 30
 
  • Walk # 58 Reunion May 2nd
CLICK HERE for a flyer
UMM Spring Retreat

Dear Brothers in Christ, 
 I invite you to join in this spring retreat sponsored by the Upper New York United Methodist Men. This will be the forth spring retreat I have attended. Every time I have spent time with my bothers I have been blessed and recharged to share the love and connection to Jesus we have. Above all it is a great time with other Godly Men. 
 
In His Service
 
George Sanford
330 413 5021
CLICK HERE for a flyer
Course of Study- REMINDER
 
Licensed local Pastors....are you are planning on attending COS for the Spring Weekend 2020 at the Conference Center? If you are, please fill out your registration form and get it to the District office to have the DS sign it and then I will get it to the registrar. The deadline for registration is Friday, February 14th. (Reminder that the District office is CLOSED on Fridays)
Please, DO NOT WAIT to the last minute to register. When a class is filled, Wesley closes the registration for that class and there is no wiggle room.
 
The courses being offered for this session are:
  • 321- Bible 3: Gospels
  • 323-Congregational Care
  • 522-Theology in the Contemporary
 
There is no reason to wait to the last minute because there is no money that needs to be sent with your registration. So, please sign up now!!
Information Links

Safe Sanctuaries Training Opportunities
Sexual Harassment Inf o  GCFA Website  
UNY Notes & The Advocate       Weekly Digest
The Bridge     Resource Center    Mission Insite
Genesee Valley District
of the Upper New York Conference 
of the United Methodist Church 

Peter Lagueras, District Lay Leader
Betsy O'Flynn, Adminstrative Assistant
Rev. Vonda J. Fossitt, District Superintendent

MAILING:  1050 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
PHYSICAL:  1040 East Ave, 2nd Floor, Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 340-9525  * [email protected]