News Stories from October 2015
UNY Media Resource Center releases VBS survey results
October 13, 2015 / By Diane Miner
First, thank you to those who took the time to fill out the online survey with feedback on your Vacation Bible School (VBS) program this year. Below are the aggregated results from the survey along with some of my own suggestions. Survey participants were divided evenly between those who purchased and those who borrowed the program kits. Most churches tend to use either Group or Cokesbury for their program. I …more
UNY asked to fill shoe boxes for Red Bird Mission
October 9, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When you think about filling shoeboxes around Thanksgiving, Samaritan’s Purse’s ministry probably comes to mind. But there is a stateside ministry that also needs your supplies: Red Bird Mission. The Red Bird Mission and Clinic in Beverly, Ky., has provided ministries in the Appalachian Mountains region since 1921. Today, the need remains critical in this isolated, rural, distressed area. Chronic poverty, lack of jobs, poor housing, and …more
Update: BCBS breech impacts UNY Healthflex members
October 9, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Sept. 9, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) informed HealthFlex that unauthorized users accessed the Excellus BCBS systems. Click here for more information about the information breech. Excellus is a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association that operates in upstate New York. At that time, we did not have any additional information regarding impact to HealthFlex participants. We have now been given the list …more
Resolution results in important addition to compensation form
October 6, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits has provided an update on the progress of undertaking Resolution UNYAC2015.12: Health Insurance for All Clergy and Local Pastors that was passed during the 2015 session of Annual Conference concerning UNY’s health insurance policies. Below is the action portion of the resolution: “Therefore, be it resolved that the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) explore …more
Palermo UMC aims to help its community one class at a time
October 2, 2015 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It all started with a research project for a class taught by the Rev. Craig French, retired, at the Course of Study Extension School of Wesley Theological Seminary in Buffalo. Rev. French challenged his students to discover the needs of their communities by interviewing key leadership individuals. Pastor Tammie Chawgo-Nipper, serving at the Palermo and North Volney United Methodist churches, took the project seriously. She began by interviewing a school …more
GBGM missionaries make a difference in Israel and Palestine
October 2, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
General Board of Global Ministries Missionaries the Rev. Alex Awad and his wife, Brenda, have volunteered in Israel/Palestine for the past 26 years. The couple recently returned to the Upper New York Conference – the couple served as peace and justice educators in upstate New York from 1990 to 1991 – to share their experience through the years in Israel/Palestine. Both teachers from Georgia, the two have dedicated their time …more