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


    News Stories from January 2018

    Called to be a lay servant

    January 31, 2018 / By Lucina Hallagan, UNY Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries

    I became a lay servant in 1991 because I was encouraged by my pastor to attend a lay servant basic course held at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. I have always felt a pull to ordained ministry; however, I was never able to begin the process. All the while, for years really, I still had this deep longing and felt that God was calling me to something. I continued to lead …more

    Laity Glossary

    January 31, 2018 / By UNY Communications

    An informal poll by the Upper New York Communications Ministry Area reveals the following 11 items as the least known Lay Ministry terms. Can you correctly identify the meaning? 1. Lay servant A. An active, supportive member of a United Methodist congregation who is eager to be in ministry through the church. He/she is well-informed on scripture, doctrine, heritage, organization and life of the United Methodist Church and is committed to …more

    Commission moderators emphasize mission as key to way forward

    January 31, 2018 / By Bishops David Yemba, Sandra Steiner Ball, and Ken Carter Moderator Team of the Commission on a Way Forward

    The moderators of the Commission on a Way Forward are urging United Methodists to engage in reflections on where they see mission at the heart of the denomination as well as seeing mission as significant for resolving conflict.  Below is the statement from Bishops David Yemba, Sandra Steiner Ball, and Ken Carter Mission and the Way Forward in the Season after the Epiphany At the conclusion of the …more

    Imagine No Racism event to be held on Sat. April 21

    January 30, 2018 / By UNY Communications Team

    In July of 2016, the Northeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church unanimously approved a resolution for every Annual Conference to confront the sin of racism in our own hearts, our churches, and our communities. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop created a taskforce, known now as the Bishop’s Taskforce on Eliminating Racism, to start strategizing ways to confront this deeply embedded issue across our Conference. The taskforce is …more

    CF&A reports positive news about 2017 Ministry Shares

    January 30, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The Upper New York Conference Council of Finance & Administration (CF&A) is happy to report that 638 churches have contributed 100 percent of their Ministry Shares in 2017; this is up from 632 in 2016. The amount of Ministry Shares collected is over $100,000 more than Ministry Shares collected in 2016 ($8,625,795 in 2017 compared to $8,507,208 in 2016). The Rev. Susan Ranous, chair of CF&A said, “It has been such a blessing to work on …more

    Upper New York Conference 2019 Narrative Budget booklet available

    January 26, 2018 / By UNY Communications Team

    The first draft of the UNY Conference 2019 Narrative Budget booklet has been released. Click here to download a .pdf version of the booklet from our website. Click here to view the budget booklet on Issuu. As changes are needed, these digital copies of the budget booklets will be updated. When all updates are completed in the coming months, printed copies of the budget booklet will be available in the District …more

    Special Sunday giving across the Upper New York Conference

    January 24, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Do you have a heart for social justice? How about providing relief in the time of natural disasters? What about enabling disadvantaged youth to attend college through scholarship opportunities? While we can help these ministries through being the hands and feet of Christ, we can also support these ministries through offerings that the United Methodist Church collects on Special Sundays. The United Methodist Church has six Special Sundays church-wide. These …more

    Social Holiness Concerns: Dissecting the meaning of “Black Lives Matter”

    January 22, 2018 / By Evelyn A. Woodring

    “Black Lives Matter.” We have all heard that chanted, shouted, and have even seen the words carried on posters and banners. And, we have our individual responses when hearing them. Before we settle on our response to this, perhaps a bit of learning is called for. February is Black History Month, so let’s look for a moment at the “matter” of black lives. When …more

    My third day in Puerto Rico for Humanitarian Relief

    January 22, 2018 / By Thaddeus Pinckney

    “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth.” John Wesley In a community called “Los Amigos” (which means “The Friends”) where people are very united,  it&rsquo …more

    United Methodists asked to join Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

    January 22, 2018 / By Council of Bishops

    WASHINGTON – The Council of Bishops is urging all United Methodists to join with other Christians throughout the world to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins tomorrow, January 18, 2018. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is promoted by the World Council of Churches, most regional councils of churches, and most mainline denominations, including The United Methodist Church. This year’s Week of Prayer (January 1 …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."