News Stories from August 2017
Carrying out my mission to help thousands in South Africa
August 29, 2017 / By Erma Mae Perkins, Zululand Hospice Partnership, Member Rush UMC
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2017 issue of the Advocate; all article sin this issue were centered on the theme Trusting that God is Enough. I have had an interest in the continent of Africa for as long as I can remember. My friend Judy spent several terms as a nurse in Ethiopia. Judy adopted an abandoned child before returning to the U.S. When …more
From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Flooding from Hurricane Harvey
August 29, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
(Editor’s note: On Monday, August 28, Bishop Mark J. Webb released the following letter about the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.) Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As you are aware, Hurricane Harvey continues to cause tremendous devastation to the greater Houston area, forcing thousands to evacuate. When the waters subside, many people will return to discover their homes and businesses have been destroyed. Rebuilding will take weeks, months, even …more
How the UMC is denouncing racism
August 28, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As a response to the racist events that took place in Charlottesville, August 12-13, 2017, the UMC is taking action. Here are just a few of the ways the UMC has responded to what took place in Charlottesville, VA. They placed a full page ad in The New York Times and USA Today on Aug. 16. Together, these two papers reach about 2 million people. They developed several articles, which cover the …more
Overcoming the challenge of a part-time pastoral appointment
August 22, 2017 / By Lori Bruno-Taylor. Owl's Head UMC
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2017 issue of the Advocate. A pastor is called to serve God in all settings, at all times. Part-time does not change what we are called to do, it just challenges us to trust that God is enough when time, schedules, and resources do not appear to be enough. God has a way of teaching us to work as the Body …more
Love, Grow, Serve, The story of Centerpoint Christian Fellowship
August 21, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Notw: This article was previously published in the Summer 2017 issue of the Advocate, which had the theme of Trusting that God is enough. The story of Centerpoint Christian Fellowship (CCF) in the Mohawk District showcases how a New Faith Community becomes a success by trusting that God is enough. Starting in 2008-2009, the initial meetings of CCF took place from at the old Trenton Town Hall in Barneveld, …more
What to expect at the 2017-2018 District Days
August 18, 2017 / By
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb will be visiting each of the Districts in the Upper New York Conference during his 2017-2018 District Days tour. The theme of the tour will be “A Way Forward.” This year’s District Days is set up in such a way that will facilitate active discussion. In each District, conversations will be had in small groups based on …more
Rowing toward shore after my husband’s death
August 15, 2017 / By By Jan Rothfuss
My husband’s death was not completely unexpected but I was holding on to the thought that we would be together a while longer. After all, he had survived his initial bought with cancer in 2013 and 2014 was a great year, including the birth of our first grandchild and a road trip together out to Colorado. But in June of 2015, he was called home. While I had experienced the death …more
Laity District Days locations announced
August 14, 2017 / By
Bishop Mark J. Webb has announced the following dates for the District Days with the Bishop coming in the fall of 2017 and the spring of 2018. Locations for the event have now been confirmed for each District as follows: Mountain View – 9/7 @ Avoca UMC Cornerstone -9/17 @ Christ First, Jamestown Finger Lakes - 9/26 @ Seneca Falls UMC Niagara Frontier – 10/3 @ Harris Hill UMC Albany – 10/5 @ Shenendehowa UMC Adirondack – 10/19 @ Queensbury UMC Oneonta – 10/30 @ …more
God’s strength throughout my life
August 14, 2017 / By Rev. Rhonda Kouterick, Horseheads UMC
When have I had to trust that God is enough? When haven't I? And when haven't you? Here are some times throughout my life when I have trusted that God is enough: It was when I went off to seminary with a sleeping bag and $75 in my pocket with no guaranteed place to stay and thinking I could buy what books I needed for the semester; The housing …more
Upper New York Conference offers a grant through The Trust Agreement of the late Ercil Cady
August 14, 2017 / By UNY Communications
The Cady Grant is available to UNY individual United Methodists, local UM churches, or District and Conference ministry teams. Priority shall be given to educational proposals that benefit African Americans or Native Americans. This year's applications are due August 21, 2017 with notification by September 1, 2017. The proposal must demonstrate: 1. The education/ministry/program/event is faith based. 2. A direct benefit …more