News Stories from May 2017

The United Methodist Center agrees to be a Mission Central HUB

May 24, 2017 / By

When members of the Upper New York Conference staff and trustees were searching for an ideal headquarters space, one of the appeals of the building eventually purchased in Liverpool was the warehouse space. The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries, said, “Hands-on mission work is part of the DNA of the four previous Conferences that make up the Upper New York Conference; all …more

What to bring to Annual Conference

May 24, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

In just over a week, attendees to the Eighth Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference will begin arriving in Syracuse, NY. If you are one of them, let’s make sure you come prepared. What to bring: Offering(s) The theme of the 2017 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, taking place June 1-3 at the Oncenter in Syracuse, is “Together in Prayer: Trusting that …more

Your prayer can be simple

May 17, 2017 / By Theresa Eggleston, UNY Young Adult

“Now I need to fold my hands and kneel, right?” Her bright, eight-year old eyes looked up at me seeking approval for the next step. “You can pray however you feel most comfortable,” I told her. “Well then I want to pray with Teddy.” She grabbed her scruffy loved bear from her bunk and nestled on the cabin’s front porch to pray. …more

Susan LaTessa hired as HR/Office Manager for the UNY Conference

May 17, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Susan LaTessa has been hired as the Human Resources/Office Manager for the UNY Conference office. She replaces Debi Marshall, our former Human Resources Generalist, who has decided to pursue other career opportunities. Susan comes to the UNY Conference with over 20 years of Human Resources experience, in banking, non-profit, and manufacturing. She is married and has two children; her son Anthony is 13 and her daughter Rose is 11. Susan is very …more

Prayer on the Bluff

May 10, 2017 / By Pastor Sandi Pearl, Bluff Point UMC

Editor’s Note: Bluff Point UMC uses two unique methods of praying for members of their congregation and beyond: One Call Now and Prayer Cards. One Call Now Bluff Point UMC uses One Call Now to communicate with members of our church family. Any family can sign up to be added to the One Call Now list. At Bluff Point the One Call Now technology allows the Pastor, or …more

Tongsung Kido (A Unique Korean Prayer)

May 10, 2017 / By Pastor Yohang Chun, Oswego First UMC

Before I came to the United States from South Korea, to study, I had some concerns. One of them was, “How will I survive without Korean food? Can I live with only American food?” Fortunately, since coming to the U.S., I have become well-adjusted to American food culture.  However, as time passed, I missed Korean foods, like kimchi. So, my wife and I went to Korean …more

Cadie Hockenbary hired as Northern Flow Administrative Assistant

May 10, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Ms. Cadie Hockenbary has been hired as the Northern Flow District Administrative Assistant. She comes to the UNY Conference as a member of the Gouverneur First UMC She found out about the position from her pastor, Elizabeth Quick, and felt the position would be a great way to get involved in her local community and serve the Church.  Cadie said, “I’ve discovered through the last three …more

Violet’s Garden Call for Grant Applications

May 3, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Grant Applications are being requested for the final round of Violet’s Garden Awards. Violet’s Garden, created in 2008 in honor of Bishop Violet Fisher’s great love for children and youth has been awarding funding to local UNY churches to foster the spiritual development of children and youth for 10years. This will be the final opportunity for churches to apply for the grant. There is $1,200 available …more

The Youngest Prayer Warriors

May 3, 2017 / By Melanie Clark, Lead Sunday School Teacher at Bath: Centenary UMC

The Apostle Paul exhorted us to “Pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5: 17), but did he determine an age when we should begin?  The children in the Sunday School program at Bath: Centenary United Methodist Church have learned that we are never too young to join the ranks of faithful warriors of prayer.  Throughout the months of January and February 2017, these young believers, from first to fifth grades, were …more

10 Ways to improve your prayer life

May 3, 2017 / By Susan Hogan, umc.org

Prayer, like tennis, takes practice to become accomplished. Spiritual guides and sages, pastors, and other church members are filled with advice and counsel. Here's some of that wisdom condensed into 10 tips about prayer: You are worthy. Do not feel guilty about the quality of your prayer life, or fall victim to doubts and despair about your worthiness to talk to God. Each of us has a spiritual gift. So …more