Niagara Frontier District E-Connection

May 4, 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 May 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. ~

Calendar of Events
May 6 / 9:00 am – Noon / Safe Sanctuary Training / Oakfield UMC
2 S. Main St., Oakfield
May 10 / 7:00pm / District Celebration and Prayer Gathering / Buffalo: Cleveland Hill UMC
546 Eggert Rd., Buffalo
May 12-14 / 2017 CONAM Conference / North Eastern Jurisdiction
May 20 / 8:00 am – 4:00 pm / UMCOR Early Response Training / Fredonia: First UMC
25 Church St., Fredonia
May 21 / 4:00 pm / District Laity Banquet / Samuel’s Grande Manor
Main St., Clarence
May 31 / 3:30-7:30pm
7:30pm / Open House at new Conference Center
Service and Dedication / 7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool
May 31 / 5:30-6:30pm / Open Air Service
Hosted by Syracuse UM Churches / Columbus Circle
2 blocks north of Oncenter
June 1-3 / Upper New York Annual Conference / Oncenter
Syracuse, NY
June 5 / 6:30-9:00pm / Safe Sanctuary Training / Kenmore UMC
32 Landers Rd., Kenmore

Please keep the family of June Rowsam Morin in your prayers. Mrs. Morin, 88, died on Sunday, April 16. She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. Robert Rowsam, who served several churches and as District Superintendent for the Rochester District in the former Western New York Conference. Private graveside services will be held in Lowville, New York. Condolences can be sent to her son Scott Rowsam, 5517 Purple Crown Dr., Frederick, CO 80504. Read the obituary.

Please keep the family of the Rev. Jonathan W. Smith in your prayers. Rev. Smith, 66, died on Monday, April 17. He served several churches in the former Western New York Conference until his retirement in 2004. A funeral service was held on April 22. Read the obituary.

Please pray for the community and congregations of Darien, Oakfield, Olcott and Orchard Park and clergy Greg Crispell, Dave Rood, Brian Rotach and Sue Russell.

~ Annual Conference Stuff ~

(New) (5/1) Volunteers needed who want to pray at AC – Anyone attending AC this year is invited to be on a list of people who could be called on to pray during the plenary sessions. This is open to clergy and lay people. If you would like to be considered, please notify Julie in the District Office by May 12.


(New) (5/1) Name Tags at AC – This year we want to promote our district and make it easy for us to be recognized. We have a sticker to go on your name tag! If you do not already have a sticker on your tag when you register, please find Julie (she’ll be working at registration) to get your sticker. Then during our time in Syracuse you can easily spot someone from Niagara Frontier and get to know them. We want this to make it simpler to identify others from our district and for you to interact with them.

(New) (5/1) Need to be excused from AC2017? If you need to be excused for part or all of the 2017 Upper New York Annual Conference session, June 1-3 in Syracuse, for health, travel, work, or other reasons, you must complete and submit a form online. Be sure to click the "register" button in order for Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb to receive your request.

(New) (5/1) There is an important update to the Journal Vol. I. The update is the addition of the Constitutional Amendments that will be voted on at Annual Conference this year. The pages are available to viewed or downloaded on the Conference website here. Any further updates to Journal Vol. I will be made available on this page. Copies of the constitutional amendments will also be distributed at the 2017 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference.

(New) (5/1) In previous years, Pre-Conference Briefings have been live events held on multiple days across the Conference. This year, a different approach has been taken. A Pre-Conference Briefing video has been created for you to watch any time. The hope is that an on-demand video will provide Conference members access to needed information at their convenience. You can watch the video on your own, with a small group, or as a congregation! Click here to view the video. Should you have any questions or concerns about the Annual Conference after watching the video, please email .

(New) (5/1) Behind the Scenes of Annual Conference blog series – Do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the Upper New York Annual Conference Session each year? Many hours and many hands are involved in the process of each and every detail of planning. Every Ministry Area plays an important part, along with the help of many volunteers before and during the Session. Click here to learn what topics we will cover in this fun series. You will be surprised to learn just how much involvement it takes to accomplish a successful Annual Conference.

Logistics Blog! When it is time to gather for the Upper New York Annual Conference, we rarely think about the details that make it happen. Can you believe that the next Annual Conference logistics kick off as early as the conclusion of the current Annual Conference? That work begins with the meetings of the Sessions Committee, which takes place multiple times throughout the year. This is where discussion of details such as logistics, registration, worship, and budgets are born. From there, many other Ministry Areas carry the work forward throughout the year. Click here to learn about the logistics involved in planning an Annual Conference on our latest blog entry in our series, "Behind the Scenes of Annual Conference."

(New) (5/1) Flood bucket and health kit collections to take place during the UNY United Methodist Center Open House – In previous years, the UNY Conference Disaster Response Teams collected flood buckets and health kits during a set time period in a parking lot across from the Oncenter at Annual Conference. However, this year the UNY Disaster Response Team will be collecting flood buckets and health kits during the UNY Conference United Methodist Center's Open House on May 31. Click here to learn more.

(New) (5/1) 2017 Annual Conference Questions and Answers – Are you prepared for Annual Conference? Each year, some details remain the same and some are different. Click here to see our Frequently Asked Questions page with answers related to this year's Annual Conference. If you do not see your question listed, please send it via email to .

(New) Seeking volunteer photographers for the 2017 AC – The UNY Conference Communications Ministry Area is seeking talented photography volunteers to take photos at the June 1-3 Annual Conference at the Oncenter in Syracuse. These photos may appear on our Facebook page, on our website, and/or in UNY Conference digital or print publications. For anyone interested in this great volunteer opportunity, please send an email to with a link to their photography work.

Accessibility Committee seeking volunteers at the UNY Annual Conference – The Accessibility Committee needs volunteers to help those who need an extra set of hands during meals at the Annual Conference this year. They would like to meet for about 15 minutes before opening worship on June 1 for a quick training. Your role would be to go to a designated line during meals to hold plates for others or to fill them according to the preferences of the person and bring them to the tables. This would be a great assistance to those who have mobility issues or small children. It does not take much time, but is very much needed. Please contact Melissa (Missy) McCarthy at or via phone/text at 518-231-0693.

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.

Open Air Service! The Syracuse United Methodist Churches will host an open-air service on May 31 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Columbus Circle, which is located two blocks north of the Oncenter where Annual Conference will be held again this year. This will be a nice gathering for worship and fellowship. Rev. BJ Norrix said, "We have a good band ready to go and expect to have a great time."

25th Annual Palestinian Dinner – Plymouth Congregational Church will again host this annual event on Thursday, June 1 with service beginning at conclusion of afternoon session. It includes authentic Palestinian food and a brief program centering on the plight of Palestinian children. Reservations: Linda Bergh (315) 492-8507, 116 Edna Rd., Syracuse, NY 13205, or Karen Peterson, (607) 739-3141, 116 Greenridge Dr., Horseheads, NY 14845. Checks for $20 per person made out to "UNYAC", with ‘Palestinian Dinner" on the memo line. An additional amount may be designated for the Gary Bergh Scholarship Fund, which enables young adults/ adults to travel to Palestine/ Israel to learn first-hand about peace and justice issues there.

~ Safe Sanctuary Training ~

Oakfield UMC – Saturday, May 6 from 9am-Noon. Contact Amy at 585-356-7604 or to register. See calendar at top of newsletter for address.

(New) Kenmore UMC on Monday, June 5 from 6:30-9pm. Contact the church at 716-875-5091 or to register. See calendar at top of newsletter for address.

~ Local Church News ~

Boston: Churchill Memorial UMC (8019 Boston State Rd., Hamburg) Discover the "Women of the Bible" through scripture, song and humor at Churchill Memorial UMC on Saturday, May 6 from 9am to 1pm. Tickets are $15 and include a continental breakfast, speaker Carol Mullins' program on "Women of the Bible, What Can We Learn from Them?" and lunch. The main door prize will be a handmade "Women of the Bible" quilt. Registration is due by May 1 to Diane Helmbrecht, 9752 Lango Rd., Boston, NY 14025 or call 716-941-3412.

(New) UMC of the Abundant Harvest The UMC of the Abundant Harvest invites you to a Chicken BBQ on Sat., May 6 from 4:30 – 7pm or sold out. We will be serving at two locations. Come to either the Knowlesville Fellowship Hall, 3619 Knowlesville Rd., Knowlesville or Millville Fellowship Hall, 12373 Maple Ridge Rd, Medina. The meal includes 1/2 chicken, salt potatoes, macaroni salad, baked beans, roll, dessert and beverage. You can dine in or take out. All for just a $10 donation. For ticket info call the Abundant Harvest Cafe, Pie and Gift Shop on any Friday or Saturday from 9AM - 4PM at 585-798-3173. You can also leave a message at 585-798-1290 or contact any member of the church. Check out our website at www.abundantharvestny.org or check our Facebook page: The United Methodist Church of the Abundant Harvest.

(New) Clarence Center UMC (9750 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Center) Hungry? Come get a Chiavetta’s chicken barbeque on Sunday, May 7 beginning at noon until sold out. Eat in or take out. Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased at the door or reserved by calling the church at 716-741-2410.

(New) Hamburg UMC (116 Union St., Hamburg) The Outreach Team at Hamburg UMC invites you to join us for a Community Forum on Addiction on Wednesday, May 17 from 7-9 pm. Our featured speaker is Brian Costello from Lake Shore Behavioral Health, who will provide an educational piece after which we will engage in conversation about how our churches and community might be a part of the response to, in particular, the opioid addiction crisis. See the Community Forum attachment for more information. Please consider joining us for this important event.


(New) Attica: Trinity UMC (75 Main St., Attica) Our Famous Chicken BBQ is Thursday, May 18, 4 pm til sold out. Your $10 dinner includes: ½ Chicken, all homemade items include: potato salad, coleslaw, roll and dessert. Eat in or take out. Handicap accessible.

(New) Indian Falls UMC (7908 Alleghany Rd., Corfu; 585-762-9105) It's Spring Cleaning time! Want to make a little extra money for your things you don't want anymore? It's our annual Yard Sale on Saturday, May 20 from 10:00-3:00. For $10 you can have a table and a place to set up to sell your items (contact the church to reserve your table). You keep what you make and take back home what you don't sell. There will be a church table to donate items to and proceeds from there go to the church. Hot dogs will be sold that day too! Rain or shine!

Orchard Park UMC (3700 N. Buffalo St., Orchard Park) Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 3:00 to 7:00pm. The dinner includes Half Chicken, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Roll & Butter and Cake. Dine-in or Take-out. Adult meal is $11.95 and children are $7.00.

(New) Darien UMC (1951 Broadway Rt. 20, Darien) Texas Yard Sale on Saturday, May 27 from 8am-2pm (no early birds). Bag sale at noon. Handmade quilts for sale as well as clothing, toys, household items, etc. You can also purchase baked goods, hot dogs pop.

(New) Buffalo: Central Park UMC (216 Beard Ave., Buffalo) New York State provides a way to save 10% off your auto insurance for 3 years by completing a certified 6-hour Smart Driver Class. This is being offered at Central Park UMC on Wednesday evenings, June 7 and 14 from 6-9pm. Cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-AARP members. The Certified Instructor is Mary Lou Frost. To reserve a spot in the class, call the church office at 716-833-3193.