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Niagara Frontier District E-Connection NiagaraFrontier@

March 1, 2017

247 Cayuga Rd., Suite 70

Cheektowaga, NY 14225-1900

716-276-8631 fax: 716-276-8632

Rev. K. Wayne Butler, Superintendent WayneButler@

Jessica White, District Lay Leader jdgirl25@

The E-Connection! is sent out near the 1st & 15th of each month.

(The next edition will go out March 15)

The E-Connection can now also be found on the District webpage

We are part of the Upper New York Annual Conference (12 Districts) – 168,000 members – 915 churches in 49 of New York State’s 62 counties!

~ All Attachments are found in the e-mail message. ~

2017 Equalization Members needed!

Please see the Equalization Member attachment in the e-mail message that has the information and application.

Applications are due no later than Friday, March 3!

|Calendar of Events |

|March 3 | |Application Deadline for | |

| | |2017 Equalization Members | |

|March 11 |2:00 – 4:00 pm |Conference Budget “Listening” Session |Pendleton Center UMC |

| | | |6864 Campbell Blvd., N. Tonawanda |

|March 17-21 | |Conference Office closed during move | |

|March 22 | |New Conference Office open |United Methodist Center |

| | | |7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool 13088 |

| | | |315-898-2000; 855-424-7878 toll free |

|March 26 |11:30 am – 2:00 pm |Safe Sanctuary Training |Kenmore UMC |

| | | |32 Landers Rd., Kenmore |

|March 31-April 2 | |UP!WORD ’17 God Is |Holiday Inn & Suites |

| | |Conference Youth Gathering |441 Electronics Pkwy., Liverpool |

|April 1 |9:00 am – Noon |Basic Safe Sanctuary Training |Grace UMC |

| |1:00 – 4:00 pm |Training the Trainers Safe Sanctuary |191 Bridge St., Corning |

|April 4 |9:30 am – 12:00 pm |District Clergy Gathering |Kenmore UMC |

| | |Cultural Differences |32 Landers Rd., Kenmore |

|April 28-29 | |Lay Servant Training |Christ UMC |

| | |Basic & Advanced Courses |633 Linwood Ave., Olean |

|May 3 |9:00 am – 3:00 pm |Mentor Training |Clarence UMC |

| | | |10205 Greiner Rd., Clarence |

|May 3 |9:30 am – 2:30 pm |Right Start Workshop |Springville: First UMC |

| | |For Transitioning Clergy |474 E. Main St., Springville |

|May 12-14 | |2017 CONAM Conference |North Eastern Jurisdiction |

| | | |TBD |

|May 21 |4:00 pm |District Laity Banquet |Samuel’s Grande Manor |

| | | |Main St., Clarence |

|June 1-3 | |Upper New York Annual Conference |OnCenter |

| | | |Syracuse, NY |

Please pray for the community and congregations of Lancaster: Faith, Lockport: Clinton Street, Lyndonville and Marilla and clergy Beth Malone, Keith Manry, Yohan Moon and Wayne Mort.

~ Annual Conference Stuff ~

(New) Annual Conference 2017 speakers announced – Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb has announced three featured speakers for the 2017 Upper New York Annual Conference, June 1-3 at the OnCenter in Syracuse. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean will be the study leader; the Rev. Natalie Hanson will be the Memorial Service preacher; and the Rev. Junius B. Dotson, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries, will serve as the speaker at the Service of Commissioning and Ordination. Click here to learn more.

(1/17) 2018 narrative budget draft available – An initial draft of the 2018 narrative budget is now available on the Upper New York Conference website. Click here to download.

Please be mindful that this is a very early draft of the 2018 budget that is being released to aid in the dialog around how we do ministry together. Please send questions, concerns, and potential edits to budget@.

The dialogue around the 2018 budget will continue through the development of an FAQ on the Conference website, one-on-one interactions, and local listening sessions that are being organized by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration. This dialogue will culminate in an informed discussion of the 2018 budget at the 2017 Annual Conference Session when it is put forward for approval.

Niagara Frontier District’s listening session is scheduled for Saturday, March 11 at Pendleton Center UMC from 2-4pm. If you will be attending Annual Conference, it is recommended that you attend this event so you will be better prepared to vote on the budget at the conference. We need a “recorder” to write down questions and answers or other comments at this session. If you are willing to do this, please contact the Julie in the District Office.

~ Safe Sanctuary Training ~

(2/1) Kenmore UMC – A Safe Sanctuary training will take place on Sunday, March 26 at Kenmore UMC from 11:30-2:00. Lunch is included. You must pre-register as there are a limited number of participants! Contact Bonnie LeValley at 716-875-5091.

(New) (3/1) Grace UMC in Corning – Both basic and training the trainers sessions are being offered on Saturday, April 1. Click here for more details and registration information or see the Safe Sanctuary Training attachment. Please register by March 22.

~ Local Church News ~

(New) Amherst: Christ UMC (350 Saratoga Rd., Amherst) Give yourself the gift of peace this Lenten season! Christ UMC will be hosting times of music and meditation each Friday evening through Lent (March 3 – April 7) at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome to come and enjoy music, prayer, and candlelight. Contact the church office with any questions: cumc350@; 716-839-2460.

Medina UMC (11004 W. Center St. Ext., Medina) Every Friday from March 3 through April 14 from 4-7 PM. Still just a $10 donation! Menu includes your choice of fried or baked fish (several choices of seasonings available), breaded butterflied shrimp, chicken fingers or pasta of the week. Appetizers and desserts are available for additional purchase. Dine in or take out ~ delivery available.

(New) UMC of the Abundant Harvest, Knowlesville Fellowship Hall, (3619 Knowlesville Rd., Knowlesville) is again hosting our Famous Fish Fries every Friday during Lent (March 3 thru April 14). Takeouts begin at 4:00PM with dine in starting at 4:30PM until 7Pm or sold out. The dinner includes an 8-10 oz batter dipped fish, baked potato or French fries, coleslaw or apple sauce, New England clam chowder, Manhattan clam chowder or Italian wedding soup, rolls and butter, beverages and dessert.. All of this for the bargain price of $10 for full portion or $7 for half portion. This year we are offering a Season Pass for $60! Ticket is good for one meal each week, with the free meal on Good Friday, April 14. These season passes can be purchased the first Friday, or before. Enjoy a great meal and great fellowship. For more information call 585-798-3173 or check us out on Facebook or our website at .

Pendleton Center UMC (6864 Campbell Blvd., N. Tonawanda) Lenten Fish Fry dinners on Fridays, March 3 through April 14. Fried fish, baked fish, shrimp and chicken fingers are available with coleslaw or applesauce, fries or potato salad and rolls. Homemade desserts also available for purchase. Eat in or take out (716-625-8306). See menu and prices on under Activities.

Orchard Park UMC (3700 N. Buffalo St.) Lenten Fish Fry on Friday, March 10 & 24 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. The dinner includes fresh fried haddock, German & cold potato salad, coleslaw, bread & butter, dessert & beverage. Take-outs are available. Building is accessible to all. Adult meal is $11 and children are $6. The dinner is a joint venture with members of Seneca Street UMC and a portion of the proceeds supports their programs.

(New) Warrens Corners UMC (5293 Stone Rd., Lockport) is hosting a District UMW Gift Day on Saturday, March 11 from 9:30am-Noon. The guest speaker is Kathy McGowan of Lockport Cares (emergency homeless shelter). For more information, you can contact Cindy Dodge at cdodge1969@ or Joyce Hromowyk at umw4nfd@. There is a list of 10 organization and numerous gift suggestions!

(New) Asbury UMC (850 Dodge Rd., Getzville) will host Time Out for God, A Spiritual Workshop on Saturday, April 8 from 9am-12:30pm. Come as you are, spend a few hours with us, laugh and get rejuvenated in the Lord. See the fruits of the Spirit in a whole new way. Open up your eyes, your ears and your mind and leave changed! Cost is $10 with registration due by March 27. See the Time Out Workshop attachment for more information and to register.

South Park UMC (73 Ashton Pl., Buffalo) will be studying Adam Hamilton's "Half Truths" starting the week of March 19. If interested, leave a message at the church, 716-822-1255 or contact Pastor Evelyn Woodring at 716-941-5165 for details.

~ District and Conference News ~

(New) (3/1) The Conference Offices are moving! – The Upper New York Conference office will be moving to the new United Methodist Center at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd in Liverpool, N.Y. 13088, March 17-21. To accommodate the move, the office will be closed. The office will be reopening on Wednesday March 22 at the new location.

Upon reopening, the Conference office hours will remain the same (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). The new phone number for the Conference office will be 315-898-2000. The toll-free number, 855-424-7878, will remain the same.

In addition to the Conference office staff, the new building will also house the Episcopal office, the Crossroads District office, and soon several other United Methodist offices that serve Upper New York.

• The office hours for the Episcopal office are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new phone number for the Episcopal office will be 315-898-2020.

Continue watching Upper New York Conference communications channels for more information about ministries housed at the new United Methodist Center and for information about a grand opening that will be taking place later this spring.

(New) (3/1) Sue Russell named Director of Asbury Camp & Retreat Center – The Upper New York Conference is pleased to announce that Rev. Sue Russell has been named Director of Asbury Camp & Retreat Center. Having served as the Interim Director of Asbury since the spring of 2016, Sue's history there is notable. Click here to learn more about Sue's background and what she hopes to accomplish at Asbury in the coming years.

(New) (3/1) Shoe Collection for Veterans – The Upper New York Conference United Methodist Men are sponsoring "Shoes For Service," a shoe drive that will benefit Upstate New York veterans, from March 1-31. United Methodist Men are working with Funds2Orgs, which gives organizations money based on the total weight of the shoes gathered during shoe collection campaigns. For more information, click here. See the Shoe Collection attachment for a flyer.

(New) A District Clergy Gathering will be held at Kenmore UMC on Tuesday, April 4 from 9:30am-Noon. This is for all active and retired clergy in Niagara Frontier District. Our speaker is Andy Cammarata with Journey’s End Refugee Services which is a Christian community-based organization with the mission of welcoming refugees without regard to ethnic origin or creed and to assist them to become healthy, independent, contributing members of the community. For more information about Journey’s End, take a look at the Journey’s End attachment. A soup and sandwich lunch is available, but you must RSVP to Julie in the District Office if you plan to attend. Lunch cost is $5.

(2/15) DISREGARD Letter from United Methodist Insurance! Your church may have received a letter in the mail from United Methodist Insurance offering coverage for your church property at a reduced cost. The churches in the Upper New York Annual Conference share in group coverage and are not allowed to seek their own coverage. Please disregard this mailing. For more information, please contact the District or Conference office.

Mandatory Mentor Training Session – There will be a Mentor Training, made mandatory by the UNY Conference Board of Ministry, on Wednesday, May 3 at Clarence UMC. Watch for more details, but get it on your calendar now!

(2/15) Jason Moore workshop offered – Join nationally-known worship coach and author, Jason Moore, on Saturday, March 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rush UMC, as he presents 5 Things Your Visitors are Thinking but Won't Ask. He shares lessons learned from years of secretly worshiping in churches, large and small. Jason will help identify what the most pressing issues are for new visitors and how to address them with easy-to-implement ideas and systematic steps. Cost is $10 per person with a $50 Congregation maximum (so bring a whole team) OR $10 for Live Streaming (cost is for the content, not the space). Be sure to include your email address so that we can send you the link. 5 Things will include instruction on how to develop and train a more intentional/welcoming hospitality team, how to and why develop a formal child check-in procedure, how to do audit signage, and what to do with your existing space. All of these things and so much more will help you recognize what you may have been missing for years. Click here to register.

(2/15) 2017 UNY Conference Scholarships for college students – The Upper New York Annual Conference College Scholarships Committee offers two scholarship categories for undergraduate students (Conference Merit Awards and Lottie Brown Grants). Click here to read more; the deadline for the Conference Merit Award is March 1 and the deadline for the Lottie Brown Grant is April 1.

(2/15) Where have you seen prayer make a difference? Having started our quadrenium with the theme "Together in Prayer," the next issue of the Advocate will focus on the purpose and power of prayer. We are looking for stories about how prayer has made a difference in your church or in your personal life. Please submit story ideas to news@ by Monday, February 20 and should we decide to move forward with your story, we will respond with word-count guidelines and deadline information.

(2/15) 2017 Camp & Retreat registration is now open! Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM) is excited to announce that registration is now open for its 2017 Summer Camp & Retreat programs. Program details are available online and brochures were mailed this week! Brochures were sent to past participants and campers as well as all Upper New York Annual Conference churches. Click here to learn more.

(2/1) UP!WORD '17 God Is. Our theme this year is short and to the point. UP!WORD '17 is an opportunity for youth from all over the conference to experience community and grow in their spiritual journey through worship experiences, workshops, late night activities and fun interactions. It will take place in Liverpool from Friday, March 31-Sunday, April 2. Click here to go to the registration site.

From Niagara Frontier City Ministries

(2/15) NYS has new minimum wage and overtime rules! Please take time to read the Minimum Wage & Overtime attachment that goes over the changes that went into effect on December 31, 2016.

(2/1) 2017 CONAM Conference will take place Friday-Sunday, May 12-14 at a location to be announced shortly, but it will be in the Northeastern Jurisdiction. At the beginning of every new quadrennium, the Native American Comprehensive Plan sponsors a gathering for annual conference Committees on Native American Ministries (CONAMs) and conference staff who work with them. This conference will offer workshops for both new and experienced CONAM members, annual conference staff, and plenary sessions of interest to everyone. Registration Fee is $100 and provides 2 nights in a double sleeping room, 6 meals, refreshments during breaks and workshop materials. A limited number of single rooms are available for an additional cost. 2017 CONAM Conference is sponsored by the Native American Comprehensive Plan. See the CONAM attachment for more details.

~ Lay Servant Training ~

(2/15) Lay Servant Training in Genesee Valley District – At our spring training offerings you will have the opportunity to take the Basic Course on Saturday, April 29 and May 13, both from 9am-2:30pm at Hilton UMC (both sessions required to complete the training requirements). An advanced course on “The Art of Spiritual Practices” will be offered at Rochester: Covenant UMC on Mondays from 9:30-11am OR 6:30-8pm on March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3 & 10. Please click here for more information of these courses and for registration information. Cost $20 per person and the registration deadline is March 1.

(2/1) Lay Servant Training in Olean! Register now for the Lay Servant Ministries Training School, scheduled for Friday-Saturday, April 28-29 at Christ UMC in Olean. Click here for the brochure, which also is available on the Cornerstone website, . An online registration form also is available on the website. In addition to the Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course, taught by District Lay Leader Richard Preston, Advanced Course offerings include: Polity, taught by the Rev. Suzanne Block, pastor at Christ UMC in Olean; From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon, taught by District Superintendent Rev. Sherri Rood; and Afire With God: Becoming Spirited Stewards, taught by Ernie Warren, chair of Cornerstone's Committee on Lay Servant Ministries. Deadline for registration is Monday, April 17. Payment should be mailed to the Cornerstone District office, 663 Lakeview Ave., Jamestown, NY, 14701. Checks should be made payable to UNYAC.

~ Peter & Paul List ~ (I can help – do you have a need or I have a need – can you help?)

(New) (3/1) Wanted: Music Director – Trinity UMC in Amherst at 711 Niagara Falls Blvd is looking for an individual to lead the choir (vocal and handbell), play the piano/organ, and coordinate special music in collaboration with the Pastor and staff. If you know anyone who might be interested in this position, please have them submit an electronic copy of their resume to ndesigoldgoma@.

(2/15) What software program do you use? Warrens Corners UMC is wondering what software program other small churches use to track their giving and generate reports and how well they like it. Please respond to Cindy at cdodge1969@ with your comments. Thank you!

(2/15) Looking for Stained Glass Advice – Oakfield UMC is looking for referrals for stained glass window maintenance. Is there any company that your church would, or would not, recommend? Please contact Rev. Mike Breunig with any suggestions that you may have. His email is: mbreunig@

(2/1) Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo has openings for several different positions. Please see the Help Wanted attachment for details.

(2/1) Lead Instrumentalist Sought – Grand Island: Trinity UMC is looking to hire a lead instrumentalist for its Praise Band. Specifically we are seeking an experienced and trained musician with a background in praise music. Duties include preparing and leading the band in weekly rehearsals and Sunday morning services and the ability to sing and play either guitar or keyboard. Please respond to the church office with a current resume by February 15 to Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072. Questions can be directed to Rev. Sung Ho Lee at 716-773-3322.

(2/1) FREE Rail Chair Guide – A 13 foot rail chair glide is available if someone has need of one. Free. Just take it away and enjoy! Contact Dorothea Schweitzer at 716-491-8350.

(2/1) IT Consultant Needed – Akron: First UMC needs some assistance with their Sound Room computer/microphone/TV operation. They are looking for a consultant to assist with the connection of equipment, help to establish consistent IT operation and help with connections of the Apple computer, sound room equipment and the TV. Contact Becky in the church office at 716-542-2060.

~ Opportunities, Ministry Aids and “Stuff” ~

(2/15) Evangelism For Non-Evangelists Online Course Offering – This is an online course the General Board of Discipleship is piloting. It is called Evangelism for the Non-evangelist. This is a five-week introductory online evangelism course offered through United Methodist Discipleship Ministries and team-taught by Dr. Heather Heinzman Lear, the Director of Evangelism for The United Methodist Church, and Dr. Mark Teasdale, the Professor of Evangelism at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. The class will take place on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30pm beginning on March 2. The course if FREE however you must pre-register. As many people from your church can participate however each person must register individually. The class is based on Mark Teasdale's book. Please click here for more information and to register. This link will also give more details of the course and what would be expected of you if you participate. Any questions, please contact Betsy in the Genesee Valley District office (585-340-9525).

(2/15) Refugee Ministry Convocation – VOICE Buffalo / NOAH (Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope) is sponsoring an important Refugee Ministry Convocation on Saturday, March 25 at Christ the King Seminary from 9 am to 3:30. Buffalo Refugee and Immigrant Leadership Team, Christ the King Seminary, and Catholic Charities are also participants in this event. If you are interested in attending this important ministry, you can contact Beth Buckley at 716-913-5010 or efb816@ or Click Here to Register and for more information. Buffalo: Central Park UMC is a member of VOICE Buffalo. Cost is $20 per person for refreshments, but waivers are available.

(2/15) Handbell Events coming up! There will be a Read and Ring session at Webster UMC on Saturday, March 25 from 9am-Noon. Cost is $15 per ringer and you must be registered by March 11. This is a fun, no pressure time to “read and ring” through different pieces of music. It helps directors choose new music and gives ringers a chance to play many pieces with various techniques all at one sitting. For more details and registration form, click here.

Area 2 Festival Conference and Young Ringers Festival will be at Onondaga Community College (near Syracuse). The Young Ringers event is June 28-30 and the Festival is June 30-July 2. Registration includes room, meals, classes and special concerts. Meet ringers from all over Area 2 (Ontario Province, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) and have a chance to learn, ring, shop and fellowship! Here is the information packet for both events and here are the music selections for Festival and Young Ringers.

~ Newsletters & Calendar Items ~

(2/15) New GCORR Resources – Looking for resources on issues of race, diversity, or multiculturalism? Take a look at the website for General Commission on Religion and Race. February new resources

(2/15) The February issue of the 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 February newsletter to view and/or download the current newsletter. If you have questions, please contact Diane at diane@.

(Update!) Please note that the Media Resource Center will now be closed from Mar. 27-Apr. 7 as it prepares to move to the new Conference Office in Liverpool. February is typically very busy in preparation for Lent. You are encouraged to plan early.

(2/15) 5 Ways to Better Equip Vital Congregations – Click February Ideas for this month’s ideas.

1) Recover the ancient purpose of Lent; 2) Grants available for new church starts; 3) Need some help explaining the meaning of Lent? 4) Help young adults live a life of faith and 5) Get tools to help your church’s lay leaders.

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