iVoice is sent to clergy and lay leadership in the Wyoming Annual Conference and its local congregations. You have received this mailing because of the position you hold in the annual conference or in your local church, or because you have requested it. Please feel free to use this information in your bulletins, local church newsletters, or as announcements during worship services.
In this issue:
Dates to Remember
Key Staff Named for Upper New York Conference
New Details for Information Sessions Available
Creative Worship Workshops Offered
Book on Troy Conference History to Be Released In May
2009 Statistical Reports due Next Tuesday
The Legacy of Prayer Registration due Soon
Quilting Retreat at Sky Lake
News from United Methodist News Service
Dates to Remember:
Monday, March 1: Legacy of Prayer Registrations due
Tuesday, March 2: Statistical Reports due
Thursday, March 11:Upper NYInformation Session - Clergy oriented... 9 AM @ Endwell UMC
Thursday, March 11: Upper NY Information Session - Laity oriented... 7 PM @ Calvary: Vestal UMC
Monday, March 15: Upper NY Information Session - Clergy oriented ... 9 AM at Afton UMC
Monday, March 15: Upper NY Information Session - Laity oriented ... 7 PM at Elm Park: Oneonta
Friday, March 26 – Saturday, March 27: Spiritual Life Retreat @ Fatima
Monday, March 29: Licensing school registrations due
Wednesday, March 31: Pre-Conference material deadline
Key Staff Named for Upper New York Conference
The Rev. Dr. Marcus Matthews, resident bishop of the New York West Area, and resident bishop of the Upper New York Area this July, has announced those named as Senior Executive Staff for the new Annual Conference in Upper New York this week. Sunday, February 21, Bishop Matthews announced appointments of the Rev. William Gottschalk-Fielding as Director of Connectional Ministries and the Rev. Maidstone Mulenga as Director of Communications. In addition, Bishop Matthews announced Ms. Vicki Putney as Benefits Officer and Ms. Sherri Mackey as Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services for the new annual conference in the Upper New York Area. Click here to read the full story.
New Details for Information Sessions Available
Here are new details on the Upper New York Information Sessions:
THURSDAY, MARCH 11
Endwell UMC; Clergy oriented
8:30a.m. Gather
9:00a.m. Session begins
Noon Session concludes
Calvary UMC; Laity oriented
6:30p.m. Gather
7:00p.m. Session begins
9:00p.m. Session Concludes
MONDAY, MARCH 15
Afton UMC; Clergy oriented
1:30p.m. Gather
2:00p.m. Session begins
5:00p.m. Session concludes
Elm Park/Oneonta; Laity oriented
6:30p.m. Gather
7:00p.m. Session begins
9:00p.m. Session concludes
All are invited, and persons in the following roles are especially encouraged to attend:
Pastor
Lay Leader
Lay Member
P/SPRC Chair
Treasurer
Finance Chair (or committee member)
Trustees Chair (or board member)
Church Council Chair
Nancy Stanley, Benefits Officer, will be present at all sessions to answer pension-related questions for active and retired clergy.
Contact your district superintendent’s office if you have further questions.
Plans for additional Susquehanna Information Sessions are in process. Details will be sent as soon as they are available.
Creative Worship Workshops Offered
Over the past year or so, many people have asked about the possibility of a workshop to learn about the use of graphics and other newer technology in worship. Here is an opportunity at a fairly low cost for those wanting to create vibrant and media-enhanced worship.
On March 5 & 6, a team from Midnight Oil Productions, a leader in providing graphics, video clips and presentation software, will offer two Creative Worship workshops in Liverpool, NY. Participants can choose to attend either one day session for $49 per person or both days for $79 per person.
Book on Troy Conference History to Be Released In May
The Enduring Flame, a look at the last decades of Troy Conference history and at the conference camping program, will be released in May. Written by the Rev. Ralph Marino, a retired Troy Conference pastor, assisted by copy editor Jacqueline Marino and photo editor the Rev. William Pattison, the book focuses on the major decisions that had been made by the conference and explores the ways the conference has responded to major forces in society during the last few decades. Publication is scheduled for early May. Read more …
2009 Statistical Reports due Next Tuesday
Don’t forget your local church 2009 Statistical Report Forms are on the website and are due by March 2, 2010. The General Council on Finance and Administration's Statistical Input System is being used to enter the information for Tables I, II and III. It is very important that all churches complete the reports by then, due to the new conferences and boundary changes on July 1, 2010.
To download instructions on how to access the site, click on Business and Finance on the conference website. Look for Instructions for Filing 2009 Statistical Reports in the left hand column. Or copy and paste the following link in your web browser: http://www.wyomingconference.org/pages/detail/1094
The Legacy of Prayer Registration due Soon
A Workshop for Local Churches will be on Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Oxford UMC AND Friday, March 12, 2010, from 6:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Oxford UMC. This is a two-day workshop with Revs. Dan and Donna Martin. The deadline for registrations is March 1. For more information and where you can register, click here.
Quilting Retreat at Sky Lake
There will be a Quilting Retreat on March 4, 2010 beginning at 10 a.m. and going through March 6 at 4 p.m. at SkyLake. The cost is $140. You need to bring your sewing machine and all supplies for your project. Linens and towels will be provided.For further information, contact Renee Gaylord, 21 Whig Street, Newark Valley, or call 607-642-8412.
If you have information that should be included in an iVoice, please send it to Don Perry at dperry@wyomingconference.org or Nancy Conklin at nconklin@wyomingconference.org. Please do not send information on fundraisers such as breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, yard sales, etc.
