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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    News Stories from June 2016

    From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Prayers and support for West Virginia

    June 29, 2016 / By Steve Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor’s note: Following is a letter from Upper New York Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, asking Upper New York Conference Churches to use the United Methodist Connection to respond to the devastating flooding in West Virginia.   Sisters and brothers in Christ, By now you have likely heard about severe weather and flash flooding that the residents of West Virginia have suffered through since late last week. The …more

    Penny Proper walks from Newark, NY to Africa University

    June 27, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    From concerts to a hoagie drive-through, the creative ways in which local churches have raised funds for Africa 360 have been astounding. Penny Proper, a member of Newark First United Methodist Church, has a very interesting story about how she raised funds. Penny is 53 and has been a member of Newark First United Methodist Church since she was a small child. She faithfully attends worship every Sunday. Penny has special …more

    The Rev. Cathy Hall Stengel and the Rev. Beckie Sweet to be considered for bishop vacancies

    June 24, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Every four years, United Methodist laity and clergy delegates gather regionally (in five Jurisdictions in the US and in Central Conferences outside the US). One of the key roles of Jurisdictional Conference is to elect new bishops to fill vacancies created by retiring bishops. Bishops are required to retire if they reach the age of 68 by July 1 in the year of the Jurisdictional Conference. In support of the Jurisdictional Conference …more

    Offerings received at Upper New York’s 2016 Annual Conference Session

    June 24, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The Upper New York Conference would like to thank all of those who contributed to the offerings at the 2016 Annual Conference. The offering total for Africa 360, during Opening Worship, was $127,261.67. The offering total for Africa 360, during the Ordination Service was $4,099.22. The offering total contributed to the Clergy Care Fund, was $5,453.85. The offering total for Helping Hands Fun, during the Laity Worship Service, was $1,601.01. The Mission of Peace offering was $6,956.00. The …more

    Rev. Wayne Butler to fly on Darien Lake’s Redhawk Bungee Jump

    June 24, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    In the fall of 2015, The Rev. Wayne Butler, District Superintendent of the Niagara District, set a challenge for the district’s churches to raise $20,000 for Africa 360. He said that if they met the challenge, he would do the bungee jump at Darien Lake. The churches more than surpassed his challenge!  Rev. Wayne will be going to Darien Lake for the payoff - he will fly on the Redhawk …more

    Susan Hardy elected as laity leader

    June 20, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    On June 3, during the afternoon plenary at the 2016 UNY Annual Conference, Susan Hardy, Cornerstone District Lay Leader was elected as the Conference Lay Leader. Susan brings with her decades of leadership skills. On June 2, during the laity session, she shared her sentiment about the Annual Conference for laity, expressing, “What do the scriptures tell us about discipleship? It takes courage; it takes trust; it will take us to new …more

    The Rev. Adam Hamilton’s UNY Annual Conference 2016 Study Session Videos Now Available

    June 20, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The featured Study Session leader of the 2016 Annual Conference was the Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan. He led the Conference in three 90-minute training sessions throughout the day on June 3. Click here to download the handout/worksheet that accompanies Rev. Hamilton's lessons.  In his first lesson, Rev. Hamilton described the role of leaders. He reviewed five key …more

    W. Drew Heitzenrater wins the first annual UNY Annual Conference Step Challenge

    June 17, 2016 / By UNY Communications

    Congratulations to W. Drew Heitzenrater, retired clergy, who won the first annual UNY Annual Conference Step Challenge by logging 92,496 steps between June 2 and 4. He is the winner of a $25 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods store. So how did Drew accomplish this feat? For the challenge, he simply decided to get as many steps as he could. He walked the dog three times a day, went to …more

    Watch videos from Annual Conference 2016

    June 15, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Did you miss out on the 2016 Upper New York Annual Conference (AC2016)? Or were you there and would love to listen to an inspiring message again? Now you can. There have several videos available of the various worship services as well as the leadership report. Approval was just granted to upload the videos of Rev. Adam Hamilton. Those videos will be available soon and notice will be sent out when …more

    The 2016 Upper New York Annual Conference ends with the Service of Ordination and Commissioning

    June 13, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb ended the 2016 session of Annual Conference with the Service of Ordination and Commissioning. This year there was a diverse age range in those being both ordained and commissioned. There were seven ordinates; the youngest was 29 and the oldest was 63, with 48 being the average age of the group. There were four commissioners; the youngest was 26 and the oldest was 60, with the average …more



    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."