eFriday - a Weekly Newsletter of the Genesee Valley District

E-News is an email communication tool (sent each Thursday) of the Genesee Valley District Office to clergy and laity across the District. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, just “reply” to this message and include “remove” in the subject line. If you know of someone that would benefit from this mailing please notify the district office.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 = Mission Team Meeting @ Mary Beth Kelley’s house (12 noon)

*Please note: Whenever Ted is traveling or in multiple day meetings you may call the District Office and Betsy will know how to reach him.*

Prayers are requested for Rev. Margaret Scott (Fairport UMC), who is recovering from emergency abdominal surgery.

Prayers are requested for Rev. Richard Harrington (Retired) who is in Rochester General Hospital with health concerns.

Prayers of Joy for Rev. Matt Farrell (Bergen UMC), wife Kelli and big sister Emma on the birth of Joshua Wells Farrell born 3/2 at 12:25; 8 pounds 21 1/2 inches...healthy.

If you have other prayer concerns or joys that you would like listed on the e-news, please contact the district office. We welcome all information.

2010 DATES FROM BISHOP MATTHEWS - Do not plan weddings or church functions for the following dates in 2010. Put them on your calendar today and save these dates:

NEW NEW (as of 1/13/10) !!!! PRE CONFERENCE BRIEFING DATES ANNOUNCED!!!!! Please plan to attend one of the five sessions offered.

3:00pm – 5:00pm = Faith UMC (if map questing use the following: 174 Pinnacle Road, Rochester NY 14534)

May 1, 2010 = Awakening to the God who is already There w/Leonard Sweet @ Faith UMC (10:00am – 4:00pm)

June 4, 2010 (Friday) – Clergy Session @ Asbury First; Laity session @ Covenant UMC; Memorial Service in the evening at Asbury First UMC

June 5, 2010 (Saturday) – WNY Annual Conference – 1 day to bring us to a close

June 19, 2010 (Saturday) – Uniting Service of four Annual Conferences @ OnCenter in Syracuse NY (9:00am – 6:00pm)

September 11, 2010 (Saturday) – Adjourned Session and Uniting Worship Celebration of new conference in Albany NY @ Empire State Plaza (9:00am – 4:00pm)

October 15, 2010 = Bishop Day on the Genesee Valley District (more info to come)

Some of our churches, local pastors and laity have been very helpful in providing coverage for worship at Wesley Gardens in Rochester, supporting Rev. Keiper. Financial support for his position there is divided between Wesley and the Conference, through individual gifts and Golden Cross offering in May. This year we cannot wait for the Golden Cross offerings to dribble in, and ask that all of our district churches make some contribution, however small to ensure that chaplaincy services are maintained there!

You can send a check directly to the district office for Wesley Chaplaincy (please make checks payable to GV District Office and put Wesley in the memo line. The office will forward one check on), or make your Golden Cross offering early to the conference, where it is divided in two (half for Beechwood-Blocher and half for Wesley). If you can take up an offering early and would like promotional info for your bulletin, please let Margaret Scott know at mspastor@frontiernet.net

The metro branch will be holding their next pray-in at Grace UMC on Saturday March 20. Come for breakfast at 9 and have conversation with folks at the Deacon's Table (an outreach ministry of Grace) then join us for prayer at 10 AM. This is a great opportunity to begin to get involved with ministry in the city of Rochester.

Hi other clergy friends-
I've gone in past years and it is a very nice day and the speakers usually are very good; the meal is wonderful and the cost is FREE. It's a wonderful time to meet with other clergy in our area too.

Is It Time for New Eyeglasses? “Seeing Early Christianity through Different Specs’ - - Please join us for our Annual Clergy Day seminar at Temple B’rith Kodesh, 2131 Elmwood Avenue on Friday, March 12^th 2010 at 9:00 a.m. This day of study is funded by Temple B’rith Kodesh, The Jewish Chautauqua Society and the Bernstein Society.

Our speaker this year will be Dr. Barry Wilson, Professor of Religious Studies at the York University in Toronto . Professor Wilson has written “How Jesus Became Christian” which is on the best sellers list. This will be available for purchase. His latest publication, “The Lost Gospel” will be available February 2010. Our day’s sessions will begin with, “Exploring Early Christianity; the focus on James versus Paul, their differences in terms of origins, beliefs and practice”. After a nice buffet lunch our session will continue with “A New Model of Christian Origins” (Paul versus the Book of Acts).

Everyone is welcome to attend our Shabbat evening service March 12, 2010 in the Philip S.Bernstein Sanctuary at Temple B’rith Kodesh at 6:00 p.m. Professor Wilson, will speak on the subject of “Essenes, Pharisees, Rabbis and Christians -Why the Dead Sea Scrolls Matter”.

This all day event is free to all clergy. To respond please email: Joanne Mabb at jmabb@tbk.org. or by phone at 585-244-7060x 240.

Deadline for reservations will be Wednesday March 10^th Please sign up today, you will not want to miss this extraordinary day of learning and friendship.

Looking for 6 youth and two young adults to represent youth and young adults of the Genesee Valley District.
Need to be able to attend all sessions of annual conference

June 4th Laity Session at Covenant UMC (1:30-4:30pm dinner provided);Memorial Service at Asbury First(7:00–9:00pm)
June 5th all day at Asbury First UMC
June 19th Session in Syracuse
September 11 Session in Albany

Please check to see if there are any youth who would be interested in leadership and representing youth in our conference... Please invite anyone to join who you would like to be exposed to the District, Conference Youth Ministry as this is a wonderful way to see the church in action and meet other youth...

Contact Dee Finch by Monday March 8^th at 225-1880 or 330-2710 if interested or if you have any questions...
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The Worship Team for the Founding Conference to be held in Syracuse on June 19, has designed an opening celebration that will incorporate colored hand prints from across the entire Upper New York Area. Here's what you can do to help us:

Make your hand print with finger paint or tempra paint on plain white paper. Young and old alike are needed. Use your imagination when it comes to color combinations and the shape of the imprint from your hand--open palm, front of hand, back of hand, closed fist. Each 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper should have only the number of hand prints on it that do not touch or overlap. The handprints will be separated for...we'll you'll just have to come to conference to find out.

We would like as many hand prints from as many people and as many different churches as possible, remembering "many hands make light work" and in this case, many hand prints will make for a brighter celebration. There will be opportunities at upcoming pre-conference briefings for those in attendance to make hand prints at that time.

Mail your hand prints to Rev. Richard Sivers, First UMC, 144 Cedar St., Corning, NY 14830. Please DO NOT fold your papers to avoid creases, chipping and cracking. All hand prints should be received by Rev. Sivers on or before June 10. If you have any questions, you can email Rick at fumchcurch@stny.rr.com.

Make sure you have a hand in this monumental celebration as we become one new conference together.

(9) NEW! IF YOUR MARRIAGE NEEDS HELP

Retrouvaille can be a lifeline. Retrouvaille (Re-Tro-Vi) is an internationally recognized program designed to help and support married couples who are experiencing relationship difficulties. If you and your spouse are willing to put in an honest effort, you are invited---encouraged to –allow this ministry to give you the tools necessary to repair your relationship and strengthen your marriage. The next Rochester Retrouvaille program runs from Friday evening, April 9-11th . Although the program is Catholic in origin, it is open to all faiths. No couple is turned due to financial concerns. For more information, brochures are in the commons area in the Care Notes display. Or call Retrouvaille of Rochester at 585-293-1552 or toll free 1-800-470-2230 or visit the web site at www.HelpOurMarriage.com. All inquiries are confidential. It is not too late to register.

All inquiries remain confidential. It is not too late to register.

MARRIAGE RENEWAL PROGRAM HELPS COUPLES IN TROUBLE

Retrouvaille Weekend, April 9-11, 2010: Difficulties in your marriage? If your marital relationship is strained consider participating in a Retrouvaille Weekend.
Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples renew their marriages and find hope and healing.

A Lifeline for Marriage - Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi, meaning
rediscovery) helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. This
international program has helped tens of thousands of couples experiencing
marital difficulty at all levels including disillusionment and deep misery.
For information about the Rochester program beginning with a weekend April
9-11, call 585-293-1552 or toll free 1-800-470-2230 or visit the web site at
www.HelpOurMarriage.com All inquiries are confidential.

Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World on Wednesday April 14, 2010 at Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan Seminary. Registration Coffee/Fellowship starts at 8:30am – 9:30am; 9:30 – 10:30 General Session; 11:00 – 11:50 Chapel; 12:00 noon – 1:00pm Lunch; 1:30-2:30 General Session; 3:00 – 4:00 General Session; 4:00 – 4:15pm Book Signing. Register online at www.nes.edu/macdonald; by mail (print, complete, and mail the registration form). Cost of the event is $45.00 (lunch included). Contact 585-594-6800 or catalano_jennifer@nes.edu for more information.

The Metro Branch invites you to West Ave UMC on Wednesday, March 24, at 10:00 to hear from Rev. Craig French about a ministry in which he’s engaged called Bridges & Circles. It is “a community based initiative to bring people together to help lift families out of poverty. Unlike traditional government programs, Bridges & Circles provides relationships to create a support system for struggling families. Through their participation, families gain the knowledge and skills needed to bring themselves out of poverty. CNY Bridges & Circles is a program for individuals and families to make real and permanent change in their lives,and the work at the community level also sets it apart from other poverty efforts.”

Bishop Marcus Matthews will convene the Western New York Annual Conference Order of Elders following the retirement luncheon scheduled for May 20. The exact time and place will be announced later, but all ordained Elders serving in the Conference are asked to please hold the afternoon for the gathering. Thank you.

(14) MissionInsite Ready for Upper New York Area Congregational Development!

You may have heard that the Upper New York Area has been working to get Mission Insite up and functioning. Mission Insite is a web based demographics provider that you can use from your local computer. As we plan ministry it is important to know the context of that ministry. Mission Insite provides demographic data that is updated on a regular basis and reports that are user friendly to the novice or experienced demographer. The reports are free to the local church because the Annual Conferences is under contract with Mission Insite. But in order to access the website you will need to register your local church. The attachments provide instruction for you to register and establish the user name and password for your local church. Rev.Lauren Swanson and myself are designated administrators for this site and so if you have problems you can call Michelle Saxon at Mission Insite or either of us. Our contact information is:

A gentle reminder: BOM seminary loan applications and other required supporting documents for Spring semester 2010 must be received by March 15, 2010. They should be sent to:

I can receive by email or regular post. Any questions or concerns, please email or call Willow at 716-882-6206.

The 6th Annual event for youth in grades 7-12 of North Central NY, Troy, Western NY, and Wyoming Conferences! Bring your youth group to praise God and form new friendships!

Willie Santiago from the Cuba Connection Ministries will be here in the Genesee Valley District … March 18-26!

Willie is a Methodist who works ecumenically and with government agencies in Cuba to bring about the transformation of lives for Jesus Christ. He has a tremendous story to tell of Christians and the Church alive in Cuba today!

Call Betsy in the District Office (585-340-9525) to reserve a time to share with Willie!

Willie would delight to speak at breakfast, lunch or dinner…with United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men…or United Methodist Youth…the whole church!

Let’s turn out to give Willie a warm and hospitable Genesee Valley District welcome by inviting him to be part of something!

INFORMATION SHARING SESSION REGARDING THE UPPER NEW YORK Annual Conference SHARED MINISTRIES, CLERGY BENEFITS (PENSION AND HEALTH INSURANCE), AND CLERGY MINIMUM COMPENSATION LEVELS

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Laity in attendance (Lay Leader, Lay Member, SPPRC Chair, Finance Chair)

Finger Lakes District

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Penn Yan UMC

Cornerstone District

Monday, March 15, 2010

Christ First UMC, 663 Lakeview Ave, Jamestown NY 14701

Genesee Valley District

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Victor UMC, 106 East Main Street, Victor NY 14564. 585-924-2621

(20) Upcoming Branch Meetings

Branch #1 Northwest –

Branch #2 Home – This branch meets every Wednesday at 12 noon at Tully’s in Batavia.

Branch #3 Letchworth – The next meeting will be held on TBA, at Noon at Perry First. Bring a sandwich or just come for the fellowship. If you want to pick up a sandwich at Rocker’s, across the street from Perry First, call ahead: 237-0010.

Branch #4 Kudzu –

Branch #5 South – Friday, February 26th @ ?? at 9:00am. Future dates 4^th Friday of the month @ 9:00am – 3/26; 4/23

Branch #6 Rts 5 & 20 –

Branch #7 Eastside – March 16^th at 8:00am @ Denny’s in Victor

Branch #8 “The Ranch” – TBD @ 9:00am at Webster UMC, Regular mtgs.: 9:00 Am

Branch #10 METRO – Wednesday March 24th @ West Ave UMC at 9:30am. Future dates: 4/28 @ Covenant UMC

(21) Committee Meetings

The Genesee Valley Lay Speaking Committee meets at 4:30 pm on Third Monday’s of the month at Bill Grey’s in Henrietta. All lay speakers are invited and encouraged to attend when they are able Everyone’s input is valued.

District Leadership Team Meetings are held the third Thursday of every other month at Avon UMC. The meetings start at 6:30pm. Future dates: 3/18

District Trustees Meeting on Monday March 22^nd at CRCDS in room #312. The meeting starts at 6:00pm.

District Superintendency Meeting on Tuesday March 23^rd at CRCDS in room #312. The meeting starts at 7:00pm.

District Union Meeting on Tuesday March 30^th at Avon UMC. The meeting starts at 7:00pm.

Please note: the district office is available to send out reminder cards for your meetings if you notify us in advance that you wish this done.

(22) Directory Updates

Corrections to the 2009-2010 directories are listed below:

Local Church Events and Announcements

(23) Perry UMC to host Lenten Fellowship Breakfast

Perry United Methodist Church

35 Covington Street, Perry, NY 14530

perryumc@frontiernet.net

585-237-5369

Lenten Fellowship Breakfast

Supporting the General Fund & Noah’s Ark

March 7, 2010 8:30 AM and March 28, 2010 8:30 AM

Adults $6; Kids 5-12 $3; Kids under 5 FREE

Assorted Juices. Assorted Fruits and Muffins, Breakfast Casserole, Home Fries, Toast, Coffee/Tea

(24) Livonia UMC to hold Spaghetti Dinner

Spaghetti Dinner at the United Methodist Church of Livonia, 21 Summers Street, Livonia, the second Wednesday of every month – next one is March 10th. Meat sauce, salad, garlic bread and finger-food desserts. Adults $6; children 10 years and under $3. Serving 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. We hope you can join us for dinner!

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(25) Bergen UMC presents Pancake Breakfast

Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction; Sat., March 13

Serving from 8am to 10:30 am

Little Hands Preschool

Bergen United Methodist Church, 27 S. Lake St. (Route 19)

Cost: Adults-- $7; Children under 10--$5; and Family of 4 or more --$20

Benefit: Little Hands Preschool scholarships

Call church office at 494-1312

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(26) Victor UMC presents Murder at Mardi Gras

There's a mystery afoot in the Big Easy- Pierre DuPre has been murdered, strangled with a set of Mardi Gras beads!!! Come to the Grand Ballroom in our Garden District Mansion (aka Wesley Hall) Saturday March 6th 6:00; tickets are $15.00 per person, 2 for $25.00.

Call 924-7516 for reservations

Dinner will be Mardi Gras Chicken BUT not too spicy!

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Betsy O'Flynn

Administrative Assistant

Genesee Valley District Office

United Methodist Church

1100 South Goodman Street

Rochester, NY 14620

585-340-9525

585-340-9526 (Fax)

geneseevalleyumc@crcds.edu