News Stories from February 2018
Imagine No Racism locations announced
February 13, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On April 21, 2018 from 12:30-4 p.m., clergy and lay members across the Upper New York Conference will have the opportunity to unite together and begin strategizing how they can work together to eliminate racism. Click here to read Upper New York Area Resident Bishop’s invitation to this event. This event will feature Bishop Webb and members of the Bishop’s Taskforce on Eliminating Racism. The event …more
Annual Conference 2018 speakers announced
February 13, 2018 / By UNY Communications team
The quadrennium theme “Together in Prayer” continues at the 2018 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference with a sub-theme of “Boldly Living Our Call.” The Rev. Dr. Gregory Jones of Duke Divinity School will be the guest study leader. His emphasis will be on living our call in the Wesleyan Way. Bishop Dennis Proctor of the North Eastern Episcopal District of the African Methodist …more
What Launchpad is all about
February 13, 2018 / By Rev. Dave Masland, Director of New Faith Communities
On Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 3, 52 people gathered at the United Methodist Center for Upper NY Conference’s Launchpad 2018. Launchpad is essentially a boot camp for people that feel called by God to plant a New Faith Community in their neighborhood. The materials were developed by Path 1, the planting arm of the United Methodist Church. Three years ago, Bill Vallet and I were approved by Path 1 to teach …more
Bishops urge Methodists to deny themselves for the sake of Gospel this Lent
February 13, 2018 / By UMC Council of Bishops
In a message sent on behalf of UMC bishops to United Methodists throughout the world, Council of Bishops President Bishop Bruce R. Ough challenged fellow Christians to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ words in Mark 8:34-35, where he said: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will …more
Teaching children about emergency relief efforts
February 13, 2018 / By Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement of the Upper New York Conference and lay member of Immanuel (Church of the Bells) UMC in Camillus, NY
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared In the Winter 2018 Issue of the Advocate, which zeroed in on the ministry of the laity. It is not often that one has the opportunity to share information regarding regional and worldly events with a young audience. As part of the Sunday School “JAM” (Jesus And Me) session at Immanuel UMC, our youth coordinator, Carol Doucette had asked if I could …more
What you need to know about Annual Conference 2018: Getting There
February 13, 2018 / By Vicki Swanson
This year, the Annual Conference is at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College (OCC). GPS Address is: 4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse NY 13215; comprehensive directions from multiple locations can be found here: http://www.sunyocc.edu/index.aspx?menu=807&id=1817 Buses: There will be shuttle buses from the Crowne Plaza and Genesee Grande. Youth and others staying at the Parkview will have access to the shuttle leaving from …more
Bishop Webb invites all to attend UMM fall retreat
February 6, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The Upper New York Conference’s United Methodist Men will host their fall retreat Sept. 7 and 8 at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Windsor. The theme of this year’s event is “Transformation through Christ: Turn 180°.” The retreat is open to people from all denominations and communities; and, for the first time, it will not only be open to men, but also to women. …more
From the Desk of CF&A Chair, Rev. Susan M. Ranous
February 6, 2018 / By Rev. Susan M. Ranous, CF&A Chair
Editor's Note: The following letter was sent from Susan M. Ranous to the UNY Conference on Feb. 6, 2018. Sisters and brothers in Christ, After prayerful discernment, the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) has made the decision to end our current relationship with Kevin Domanico as Conference Treasurer, effective immediately (2/5/18). On behalf of the Upper New York Conference, we express thanks for the ways in which Kevin …more
Erin Patrick and the community she creates
February 5, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Winter 2018 issue of the Advocate, which focused on the ministry of the laity. Erin Patrick discovered something she loved about the Methodist Church when she was in fifth grade—she loved the sense of community. Erin said, “One day my brother started going to church with some of his friends and because he is older than me and way …more