News Stories from September 2017
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Response to Hurricane Maria and those affected in Puerto Rico
September 28, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Bishop Mark J. Webb sent the following letter requesting prayer and support for Puerto Rico and all those impacted by Hurricane Maria and the other recent devastating storms. Sisters and Brothers in Christ, It is hard to believe that I am writing to you about devastating destruction from a hurricane for the third time in just a few weeks. As I am sure you know by now, Puerto Rico in …more
Naomi Hartnagel named Assistant Director of Asbury Camp & Retreat Center
September 27, 2017 / By Joan Newlon, Executive Assistant
Camp & Retreat Ministries
Camp & Retreat Ministries is pleased to announce the hiring of Naomi Hartnagel as Assistant Director of Asbury Camp & Retreat Center. Naomi is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College with a degree in Religion and Philosophy. She has had two-and-a-half years program experience with Infuzion Team Ministry where she was a part of a team bringing a retreat weekend on the road to a number of different places. Naomi …more
God always has a plan
September 26, 2017 / By Manoj Chapagai
Editor’s Note: The fall 2017 issue of the Advocate, features stories centered on the theme of “Being God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” One of the stories in this issue profiles Pastor Sean Chanthasone, who has helped form a New Faith Community for Bhutanese and Nepalese refugees as well as a New Faith Community for Karrenni refugees who live on the Northside of …more
Upper New York Helps Children in Texas and Florida: Interview with the Rev. Cathy Hall-Stengel
September 25, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
United Methodists have a long history of responding to communities in the midst of disaster though the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM), and Conference and District disaster response teams, and partnerships with other organizations. One organization that UNY Methodists are regularly involved with helps children impacted by natural disasters. Through Children’s Disaster Services, which historically has been connected to the United Methodist Church, a number …more
UNY Conference Board of Pensions & Health Benefits to remove billings from 2014 and years prior
September 25, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Over the past several years, the UNY Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, Board of Trustees, Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) and the Cabinet have discussed what to do about local churches’ unpaid bills and the negative impact these unpaid bills have to the clergy benefits program of the Conference. All of the above teams have gleaned helpful information from these discussions and have …more
Earlville UMC will leave a lasting legacy in Mission Central HUB
September 21, 2017 / By
Earlville United Methodist Church has spread the love of Jesus and changed lives for 202 years, but with a recent vote to close, that is changing. Like many small churches, Earlville UMC was in ministry to a community that was shrinking. The members of the Earlville UMC realized that the church was becoming unsustainable and they decided to be proactive about the legacy of their church. As a part of their …more
My trip to the Holy Land, Article 2 of 4
September 20, 2017 / By Theresa Eggleston
When I went to the Holy Land, I was expecting to have a grand spiritual experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is one of my favorite Bible stories; Jesus stays up all night praying that the burden before him is taken away. He pleads with his friends to stay up with him, longing for company. When I read this story, I feel closer to a human Jesus. Naturally, I …more
Upper New York’s CLT updates its Purpose Statement
September 19, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
For many years, the UNY Conferences Leadership Team’s (CLT) purpose focused on administrative tasks. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb requested the CLT to work together to expand their purpose statement. The new focus of the Conference Leadership Team is more comprehensive and is geared toward living out the vision and mission of the UMC and the UNY Conference. Drew Griffin, a member of …more
Shoeboxes for Red Bird Mission
September 19, 2017 / By Dave Alexander, lay person, Endwell United Methodist Church
The Endwell United Methodist Church mission team is again coordinating the collection and delivery of shoeboxes for Red Bird Mission, located in Beverly, Kentucky. The Red Bird Missionary Conference is one of three missionary United Methodist conferences in the United States. It is the most comprehensive mission effort of the United Methodist Church, providing outreach and services that minister to the whole person (spiritual, physical, social, and economic). …more
From franchise to local dive… unleash the power for your local church
September 12, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Are you wondering how to spark new life, meet new people and offer them Christ? The temptation is to serve up the same exact ministry models that worked in another time and space. Like ordering from a menu at the franchise chain restaurant and expecting the meal to be palatable in the local context, many churches fail to connect with what their local community is actually hungry for. Join …more