Niagara Frontier District E-Connection

September 15, 2017 www.NiagaraFrontierUNY.org

247 Cayuga Rd., Suite 70

Cheektowaga, NY 14225-1900

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

Rev. K. Wayne Butler, Superintendent

Jessica White, District Lay Leader

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

(The next edition will go out September 29)

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.

Calendar of Events
October 1 / 1:00-4:00pm / Safe Sanctuary Training / Lancaster: Faith UMC
5505 Broadway, Lancaster
September 26 / 9:00am-Noon / Fall Clergy Gathering
Morning Session / Alexander UMC
10540 Main St., Alexander
September 27-29 / Leadership Institute 2017 / UMC of the Resurrection
Leawood, KS
October 1 (New Date!) / 1:00-4:00pm / Safe Sanctuary Training / Lancaster: Faith UMC
5505 Broadway, Lancaster
October 3 / 12:00-3:00pm
6:30-9:00pm / District Day with Bishop Mark Webb
Lunch & Gathering with Clergy
Gathering with Laity & Clergy / Harris Hill UMC
8495 Main St., Williamsville
October 5 / 7:00pm / Lay Servant Ministry Team
(see article for details) / Pendleton Center UMC
6864 Campbell Blvd., N. Tonawanda
October 10 / 7:00-8:30pm / Fall Clergy Gathering
Evening Session / Niagara Falls: St. James UMC
4661 Porter Rd., Niagara Falls
October 11 / 9:00am-3:30pm / Mentor Training / Clarence UMC
10205 Greiner Rd., Clarence
October 12-15 / Men’s Walk to Emmaus / Lancaster: Faith UMC
5505 Broadway, Lancaster
October 21 / 9:00am-Noon / Rosario Picardo Seminar
From Franchise to Local Dive. . .
Unleash the power of LOCAL church / Alexander UMC
10540 Main St., Alexander
Postponed / 1st Session for “Tending the Soul”
October 24-26 / Leading Through Prayer
Keynote Speaker – Bishop Young Jin Cho / Double Tree Hotel
Binghamton
November 2-5 / Women’s Walk to Emmaus / Lancaster: Faith UMC
5505 Broadway, Lancaster
November 5 / 2:30-4:30pm
3:30-5:30pm / Annual Church Conferences / Elma UMC
2991 Bowen Rd., Elma
November 18 / 9:00-11:00am
10:00am-Noon
2:00-4:00pm / Annual Church Conferences / Clarence Center UMC
9750 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Center
November 19 / 2:30-4:30pm
3:30-5:30pm / Annual Church Conferences / Holland UMC
11699 Partridge Rd., Holland
November 29 / 10:00am-3:00pm / Clergy +1 Advent Retreat / Asbury Camp & Retreat Center
7000 Chapman Ave., Perry
December 2 / 9:00-11:00am
10:00am-Noon
2:00-4:00pm / Annual Church Conferences / Medina UMC
11004 W. Center St. Ext., Medina
January 23 / 7:00-8:30pm / District Prayer Gathering / Hartland UMC
8017 Ridge Rd., Gasport


~ Joys and Concerns ~

Please keep the family of Irene Eichinger in your prayers. Mrs. Eichinger, 96, passed away recently. She was the mother-in-law of the Rev. Douglas Spencer, retired. Services will be at the family's convenience.

Congratulations to Conference Lay Leader, Susan Hardy and her family on the birth of her new granddaughter, Aurora Faye Clutter, on Sept. 10. Mother and baby are doing well. Prayers of thanksgiving are welcomed.

Please pray for the community and congregations of Amherst: Trinity, Barker: Faith and Batavia: First and clergy Anne Cole, Kevin Costner, Giovanna Claudio-Cotto and the Lay Team serving at Alabama-Basom (Bill Barber, Celinda McQuistion, Eric Phelps and Rodney Stringham).

~ Local Church News ~

West Seneca: Covenant UMC (539 Main St., W. Seneca; corner of Union Rd.) Chicken & Biscuit Dinner, Wednesday, September 20 from 4 – 7 p.m. Dinner will include world-famous chicken and biscuits, salad, homemade desserts, and beverage. $9 for adults, $5 for children under 8. Take-out available. 100% of the proceeds of this fundraiser will be used towards our handicapped-accessibility construction. Thank you for your support! For more information, please contact 716-674-6869.

(New) Niagara Falls: St. James UMC (4661 Porter Rd., Niagara Falls) Chiavetta's Drive Thru Chicken Dinner on Wednesday, September 20 from 3-6pm. For $10 you get chicken, homemade coleslaw, roasted potatoes, roll and brownie. Call 716-297-6421 to reserve a ticket.

Newfane UMC (2699 Main St., Newfane) Each week we host a Farmer's Market on Wednesday evenings from 4:30-7:00 pm. You will find a variety of booths selling anything from fruit and vegetables to jewelry, crafts and more! The church has a food booth so come on down on Wednesdays and get a bite to eat and do some shopping from local vendors. Cruise night on September 20. See the Newfane Market attachment for a flyer with more info.

Attica: Trinity UMC (75 Main St., Attica) Chicken BBQ (½ chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, roll and dessert), Thursday, Sept. 21, 4 p.m. till sold out. Eat in or take out. Building is Handicap Accessible. Cost of the meal is $10.

(New) Tonawanda: Bethany UMC (177 Cornwall Ave., Tonawanda) Another year of AWANA (5+ years and counting) has begun! AWANA is a wonderful children's ministry that meets every Thursday evening from 6:15 - 8:00pm. This program teaches the essentials of faith in an atmosphere of fun for children ages 3 years through 9th grade. We invite you to bring your child, grandchild, or any special child in your life to join in this amazing experience of Christian faith. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the club secretary, Becki, at 716-836-8722.

(New) Medina: UMC of the Abundant Harvest (3619 Knowlesville Rd., Knowlesville) The United Methodist Women of the UMC of the Abundant Harvest have set their annual Chowder/Soup, Rummage and Bake Sale for Saturday, September 23 from 9AM – 3PM. This year we will be selling chicken/beef chowder, New England clam chowder, beef/vegetable soup, chili, and corn chowder. The cost is $5 per quart or $15 per gallon of the same kind. A soup and sandwich luncheon will be available to purchase - $2 for a bowl of soup or a sandwich or get a meal deal of both a soup and sandwich for $3. A variety of baked goods will be available, including some gluten free items. A lot of rummage is coming in, which means a good selection of treasures. For more info, call us at 585-798-3173 or find us at www.abundantharvestny.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/abundantharvestny. There is something for everyone at this event. If you just want to socialize, come on down.

Buffalo: Metropolitan UMC (657 Best St., Buffalo) The Metropolitan United Methodist Women cordially invite you to “Our Cup Runneth Over With Blessings” Calendar Tea on Saturday, September 23 at 2:00 pm. Men, Women and childrenare invited to this event! The cost is $10 and $5 for children under 12. For tickets please contact Metropolitan at 716-891-5652.

Buffalo: Seneca St. UMC (1218 Seneca St., Buffalo) Celebrate 100 years with Seneca Street Church on Sunday, September 24 beginning at 1pm. There will be guided neighborhood walks and you can look at pictures and videos of the church’s history. At 2pm the building will be rededicated by Bishop Mark Webb and District Superintendent Wayne Butler. Everyone is then invited to enjoy food for at 2:30pm! Those who attend will see God’s work in our district and can help rededicate a place that brings hope to a neighborhood. For more information about this event, contact .


Hamburg UMC (116 Union St., Hamburg) Learn more about Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis Flights at Hamburg UMC at their 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, August 27. You will have the opportunity to learn more about Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis Flights with a brief video and live testimonials from witnesses who have participated before. There will be an extra dose of music led by Emmaus musicians, and joy and love sprinkled throughout! For more information, contact Susan Gagne at 716-648-3460 or at .

(New) Bowmansville UMC (5344 Genesee St., Bowmansville) We’re having a Meatloaf Dinner Friends & Family Night on Wednesday, September 27 from 5-7:30pm. Traditional and cactus country meatloaf varieties, mashed potatoes, green beans or corn, beverage and dessert! Free will donation will go to Mission Outreach projects. Come have a family meal with some “comfort food” at church!

(New) North Ridge UMC (3930 N. Ridge Rd., Lockport; at Rts. 93 & 425) Annual Autumn Gathering with tea, desserts, baskets, crafters and vendors on Saturday, September 30 from Noon-2pm. A variety of teas and desserts will be served for a free will offering to benefit missions. Church is handicap accessible. Great way to start your holiday shopping!

(New) Orchard Park UMC (3700 N. Buffalo St., Orchard Park) A Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ will be held at the Orchard Park UMC to raise funds to assist the efforts to recover from the recent hurricanes on Sunday, October 1 from 12:30-5:00pm. The dinner is take-out only and will include a half chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, roll & butter, and brownie. The cost of an adult meal is $12 and a child’s meal is $7. All proceeds will go to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to help with hurricane recovery efforts.

(New) Lockport: Clinton St. UMC (50 N. Adam St., Lockport; 716-433-6227) Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, October 7 from 4-6pm. You get spaghetti with sauce and two meatballs, salad, bread and a cookie for $8, children under 12 are $5. Gluten free, dairy free and meatless options are also available. You are encouraged to use take out since there is limited seating available.

(New) Medina UMC (11004 W. Center St. Ext., Medina; 585-798-2142) One October 2017 event will take place on Saturday, October 7 from 10am-3pm, rain or shine! Classic car show, antiques, vendors and crafters (inside & out), live music and a chicken or ribs BBQ dinner (11:30am until sold out) for $11. Call the church for dinner presale tickets.

(New) N. Tonawanda: First UMC (65 Main St., N. Tonawanda; 716-694-2456) Historic N. Tonawanda: First UMC is celebrating its 175 year anniversary with a fundraiser dinner hosted by the United Methodist Women. Join us on Saturday, October 7 from 4:30-6:30pm for an Old Fashioned Chicken and Biscuit Dinner with relish tray, toss green salad, green beans almondine, cranberry sauce, apple pie, hot and cold beverages. Cost is $10 or children 5-10 for $5. Please call the church to reserve your tickets. A limited number of tickets available at the door.

(New) Wilson: Exley UMC (338 Lake St., Wilson; 716-751-6057) SOUP’S ON All you can eat soup dinner at Exley UMC on Saturday, October 7 from 4:30 – 6:30pm. Dinner includes: soup, salad, roll, dessert and beverage. $7, 12 and under $5. SOUP’S ON! See you October 7.

~ Safe Sanctuary Training ~

(New Date!) (8/17) A training session will be held on Sunday, October 1 from 1-4pm at Lancaster: Faith UMC. Please contact the church to register. 716-683-5293 or .

~ Lay Servant Ministries ~

(New) Lay Servant Ministry Team – We are working on forming a new District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries. Jim Brown was the director, but he is now a pastor and has to give up the director position. Jim has offered to stay on as the pastoral advisor. Linda Barczykowski, along with Linda Weatherall (both CLMs), will now be heading up this team. We are looking for 8 or so people who would like to be involved in this ministry. See the Lay Servant Team attachment for the responsibilities of the committee. There will be a meeting at Pendleton Center UMC on Thursday, October 5 at 7:00 pm. Feel free to contact Linda B. at if you have any questions, or just show up to the meeting! There is no obligation if you come to meeting, please consider attending if you want to find out more about this ministry team. Future meetings will rotate around to home churches of other team members.


(New) Lay Servant Training Retreat at Asbury Camp & Retreat Center – The Genesee Valley District Lay Ministries Committee is offering a Lay Servant Training Retreat Nov. 3-5 at Asbury Camp & Retreat Center; this is a great opportunity for lay servants across the UNY Conference. In addition to the Basic Lay Servant's Course, there will be three advanced courses offered (Evangelism, UMC Heritage, and Discovering Spiritual Gifts). Click here for more information and to register.

~ District and Conference News ~

(New) (9/15) From Jessica White, District Lay Leader: God’s Blessing to All! On behalf of the Niagara District Leadership team, I want to thank Pastor Angela Stewart and the Metropolitan UMC congregation for hosting our 2nd District Prayer Meeting on September 6. The night was a very moving and power time, being in prayerful fellowship with other believers. Our focus was on Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We asked for God’s guidance in leading us to be peacemakers in our communities and lives; being the hands, feet, head, heart and light of Christ – in unity – with other believers; staying strong in our faith and trust that God is enough through staying true in our commitment to Christ; and reconciling ourselves to those that we may not agree with. Through worship, praise and prayer of our almighty Father God, great things can happen. Great things will happen. Great things are happening.

The District Leadership Team is planning the next prayer meeting for January 2018. Date and location to be determined.

(New) District Day with Bishop Webb – All district clergy and lay people are invited to a time with Bishop Mark J. Webb where we will engage in loving Christian conversation about our way forward as the United Methodist Church. We will be gathering on Tuesday, October 3 from 6:30-9:00pm at Harris Hill UMC. The conversation will be had through small groups based on questions originating with the United Methodist Commission on a Way Forward. The goal is not to reach a consensus on the answers to the questions, but rather to record the widest array of thoughts and ideas possible to send to the Commission. We hope to have a good representation from our district at this discussion.

(New) Leadership event presented by the Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo – Are you wondering how to spark new life, meet new people and offer them Christ? The temptation is to serve up the same exact ministry models that worked in another time and space. Join the Niagara Frontier District Leadership team as they explore ways to unleash the power of the local church at their event entitled From Franchise to Local Dive.... Unleash the Power of the Local Church. This event, presented by the Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo, will be held at the Alexander United Methodist Church, on Saturday Oct. 21 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Rosario (Roz) Picardo partners with Senior Pastor Mike Slaughter, Executive Pastor of New Church Development at Ginghamsburg UMC, who has effectively helped the Ginghamsburg leadership team to dream and deploy New Faith Communities within the Ginghamsburg community of churches. Click here to register. For more information, contact Jessica White at or 718-536-1820. Cost is $10 per person or $50 maximum per church. See the Roz Picardo Training attachment for more information.