Perspectives from October 2019

Meet the DLTs: Peter Lagueras

October 29, 2019 / By Peter Lagueras

My name is Peter Lagueras and I am the lay leader of the Genesee Valley District. As the District Lay Leader, I have been a part of the District Leadership Team (DLT) because of my position. This is my second year serving on DLT. We have helped plan and organize many different events for the District including the Inform to Transform and the recently finished Bishop’s Retreat. The …more

Meet the Spiritual Directors: Rev. Tim Phelps

October 24, 2019 / By Rev. Tim Phelps

Hi; this is Tim Phelps and I offer this brief introduction as a Spiritual Director in the UNY Conference. My wife Liz and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary this past summer. We have two young adult children. Liz and I live in Falconer, New York in the Cornerstone District Across the years, I have been aware of the presence of the Living Christ in my life. Attending Tending the …more

Meet the DLTs: Jan Rothfuss

October 21, 2019 / By Jan Rothfuss

My name is Jan (Janet) Rothfuss. I am a member of Aldersgate UMC: Greece, where I have been a member for fifteen years. My son, Aaron, now lives in North Carolina. He and his wife Diana have three children. I am blessed with grandchildren Alex, 6 ½, and twin girls Sophia and Madalyn, 2 ½. I was born into Methodism, fondly remembering my extended family sitting in the same pew every week. …more

Meet the DLTs: Deb Clyde

October 14, 2019 / By Deb Clyde

Many years ago, I was invited to attend a Lay Speakers Retreat at Asbury Retreat Center. Fast forward and now I am the GVD Lay Servant Ministry Director, who planned this past fall’s Lay Servant Retreat at the Asbury Retreat Center. With that title came the opportunity to be on the GVD Leadership Team. I was somewhat overwhelmed at first because I wasn’t sure what was …more

Meet the Spiritual Directors: Bonnie Kreutter

October 10, 2019 / By Bonnie Kreutter, Geneseo UMC / 1 Comment

Tending the Soul (TTS) is s a program designed to train individuals in Spiritual Direction and Congregational Formation. When I took the TTS training , I was focused on spiritual direction and thought “I’m not really interested in congregational formation.” At that point, I can now picture the Lord chuckling to Himself! Since completing the program, my work has been congregational formation pretty much, although I do …more

Meet the Deacons: Rev. Becky Guthrie

October 8, 2019 / By Rev. Becky Guthrie / 1 Comment

I have two half-time appointments: First UMC New Hartford and St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica. I have a Masters’ in counseling with a specialty in grief and certified by the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC.org). I am available for my congregants and the community. Many pastors and community members in my area reach out for guidance and support. At First UMC, I am entrusted with …more

Meet the DLTs: Genesee Valley District

October 7, 2019 / By Rev. Vonda Fossitt / 1 Comment

The Genesee Valley District Leadership Team meets monthly to pray together, discern together, and strategize ways to assist the local church in ministry to the world. Several years of risk taking and faithful attempts at initiating new ideas and action plans, has resulted in a prosperous annual schedule of programming for the District. Our DLT hosts several main events, the Inform To Transform, a Fall Training event, and the Summer …more