Confirmation Class Answers Call to Serve

The 2013 confirmation class took to the streets and neighborhoods of Williamsville as they answer their call to ministry on Saturday, May 4. On this day, confirmands and their mentors joined our neighbors in the Williamsville Village Spring Tree Planting.

This community event has been going on for years. Last fall, volunteers (including some WUMC members) planted 75 trees in our church neighborhood in one morning. The holes are already dug, and the trees are already delivered. Volunteers simply tip up the tree and fill in the dirt. Village employees come around later with a watering truck and stakes to stabilize the trees for the growing season.

Class members and mentors met at the church at 8:30 a.m. to receive their service-project T-shirts and join in some preparation and prayer for the day. From there they moved to the fire hall to have some refreshments, form groups, and go to work.

We are proud of our confirmands response to this call for service to our community.

Safe Sanctuaries Policy

Williamsville United Methodist Church has been a leader in the Upper New York Annual Conference in developing Safe Sanctuaries Policy. We are extremely concerned about providing a safe place in our church for children and other vulnerable adults where they can learn, grow, and be nourished in the Christian faith. Our Safe Sanctuaries Policy, which has been in place since 2004, includes a two-adult rule, windows in every classroom, and training and screening for volunteers and staff. For example, volunteers must be involved in the church for a minimum of six months before they can work with children or youth, and minimum age requirements are in effect for youth workers. A complete copy of our Safe Sanctuaries Policy is available in the church office.

Summer Camp Opportunities for Children and Teens

Summer camp provides endless laughter, meaningful worship, and important friendships. Camp also provides a solid foundation that lasts a lifetime by giving youth the gifts of confidence, faith in God, and a healthy self-esteem. Campers don’t just hear about something, they do it! Everything at camp is hands on, feet on, and heads up!

The Upper New York Camp and Retreat Ministries has exciting summer camp programs planned for you in 2013! There are six awesome UMC camps in New York that are offering over 200 programs this summer.

Camp Asbury and Camp Findley are the two camps used most often by Western New Yorkers. Both of these camps offer programs for children and youth, ages 6-18, that vary in length from a couple of days to a week long experience. They also provide all of the “camp favorites” like swimming, arts and crafts, basketball, volleyball, and hiking. Here is a little more information about these two camps:

Camp Asbury
Located on the shores of Silver Lake in Western New York, Camp Asbury boasts over 60 acres and over a quarter mile of shoreline. You are sure to find the exact camp experience you’re looking for among the 40 programs being offered this summer. In addition to the “camp favorite” activities, Camp Asbury also offers tons of unique activities such as experiencing the aqua park, woodworking, ice cream for breakfast, horseback riding, and much more!

Camp Findley
Set on shimmering Finley Lake near Clymer, NY, Camp Findley offers over 140 acres, a beautiful waterfront, and a quarter mile of shoreline. Camp Findley is really excited about the more than 25 programs they are offering this summer! In addition to the "camp favorite" activities, Camp Findley also provides fun activities that include target skills, tent camping, sports, slip-n-slide, and horseback riding!

Reserve a spot in a summer camp program for your youth by visiting the Upper New York Camp and Retreat Ministries web site. You can use the new tool on this site to select the ages and interests of your youth to find the perfect camp experience this summer!