News Stories from January 2017
Fighting racism: The Church’s unfinished agenda
January 31, 2017 / By Upper New York Communications
Racism is everywhere, even in our churches. The racism that is apparent many times may be unintentional. The General Commission on Religion & Race (gcrr.org) has published these quotes to illustrate ways in which you may be unintentionally perpetuating racism. I acquiesce in the perpetuation of racism when I… “don’t challenge racist jokes and comments.” “feel threatened when interacting with persons of different …more
Pan-Methodism: What is this?
January 31, 2017 / By Blenda Smith, CORR
Pan-Methodist Churches are plentiful in the Upper New York area. Have you noticed African American Episcopal (AME), African American Episcopal Zion (AMEZ), Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME), African Union Methodist Protestant, or Union American Methodist Episcopal Churches in your communities? Collectively, they are called Pan-Methodist Churches. It has been over 200 years since Pan-Methodist Churches began separating from Methodism. Many African Americans chose to leave the Methodist Church when color and …more
From the desk of Mark J. Webb: Embracing diversity
January 31, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female, fall you all are one in Christ Jesus. Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise. …more
CLT continues logic model work to guide ministry in UNY
January 24, 2017 / By Stephen J. Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On January 14, members of the Conference Leadership Team (CLT) gathered in Syracuse to continue their visioning and strategic planning work. Using a logic model (see the logic model graphic) the team “began with the end in mind,” working its way backwards from the Vision and Mission to identify the steps required to live into the vision and mission. The CLT had previously identified three desired outcomes: Increase …more
Upper New York young adults reflect on poverty
January 24, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Earlier this month, 15 young adults from the UNY Conference traveled to Washington, D.C. and spent two days learning at the United Methodist Building as part of the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) seminar program, focusing on #FaithandPoverty. Maya Smith, Weagba Nelson, Alisyn Klock, and Cory Jones share their reflections on what they learned about poverty. Below are a few reflections from the young adults who …more
A letter of thanks from the Desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb
January 24, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: On the morning of Jan. 24, Bishop Mark J. Webb sent the following letter, expressing sincere thanks to all Upper New York Conference congregations who paid their Ministry Shares and the leaders who have strived to reduce spending, as it has enabled our Conference to pay 100 percent of our General Church apportionments for the first time in the history of the Upper New York Conference. Dear Sisters …more
Bishop Mark J. Webb names new Northern Flow District Superintendent and extends three others
January 23, 2017 / By Stephen J. Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Mike Weeden as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Northern Flow District effective July 1, 2017. Rev. Weeden currently serves Fulton: First United Methodist Church in the Crossroads District. He first sensed God calling him into ministry as a student at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania where He received a B.A. …more
Earn your way to the Holy Land
January 9, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Bishop Mark J. Webb and his wife, Jodi Webb planned an 11-day trip (January 9-19, 2018) to the Holy Land through Educational Opportunities Tours for anyone in the Conference to join. Click here to learn more about the trip. If you would like to join them, the earlier you register, the more you can save. For example, register by February 9, 2017 to save $150. Pastors are also able to promote the tour and …more
Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) celebrates 2016 and looks ahead to 2017
January 3, 2017 / By UNY Communications Team
Over two weekends in November, youth and adult advisors from all around Upper New York Conference gathered to learn who and what “God is” through fellowship and workshops. The workshops included: God is …Diverse, …A Leader, …Forgiving, …Speaking, …Now, and …Peace. Each workshop offered different insightful pieces as to who God is, and we are confident that the youth who attended …more
The Media Resource Center is moving
January 3, 2017 / By Diane Miner / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
With the New Year will come some changes for the Media Resource Center and that will mean a few changes for you as well. Our long anticipated move is finally happening. As I prepare for the move, it will mean closing the Resource Center for two weeks to be able to pack up everything, move, and setup in the new Conference Center in Liverpool. January is typically a very busy …more