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


    News Stories from May 2018

    Actions taken during Trustees Report

    May 31, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson

    The Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees shared their report May 31 at the 2018 Annual Conference session during the afternoon plenary. President of the Upper New York Board of Trustees Rich Barling began by discussing the great energy and work happening in the United Methodist Center, making special mention of the Resource Center, Mission Central HUB, and the team spirit in all departments. “The feeling of mission and ministry …more

    Mold discussion dampens Commission on Equitable Compensation Report

    May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen

    The Rev. Lauren Swanson, chair the Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation, presented the commission’s report May 31 at the 2018 Annual Conference session.   “It has been our mission to equip struggling local churches to establish sound financial footing so they can build leadership capacity, make disciples, and transform the world,” Rev. Swanson said. “We have done this by supplying short-term grants to help bridge short-term setbacks …more

    Business as usual during Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits Report

    May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen

    The Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits presented their report Thursday at the 2018 Annual Conference Session at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. The board’s Chair, the Rev. Mary Rublee, started by acknowledging the board members. “The board is made up of dedicated and active individuals,” she said. According to Rev. Rublee, the board is responsible for management of a sustainable health …more

    Leadership Report presented comically, but discussion gets serious

    May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen

    The Leadership Report was presented on a fun note, with Conference Lay Leader Susan Hardy describing how she thought her first meeting would go through a video of Conference Leadership Team members saying one-liners, sharing their opposing views as stats, and posing next to those stats. Then the Rev. Steve Taylor, of the Panama UMC, and the Rev. Andrew Sperry, of the Saratoga Springs: UMCWest, delighted the crowd with some …more

    Bishop Webb opens worship at AC18 with a message to acknowledge Christ

    May 31, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    “Are you persistent in your pursuit of God, or is it a hobby? Do you strive to experience and claim the things of God with the same diligence that you strive to experience and claim the things of the world? ... What is your response when Jesus says ‘Who do you say I am?’” These are just a few of the questions Upper New York Area Resident …more

    Session shares examples of laity boldly living their call

    May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen

    Laity Session for the 2018 Upper New York Annual Conference session kicked off promptly at 7 p.m. May 30 at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. Upper New York Conference Lay Leader Susan Hardy started the evening with an introduction of Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, noting how he has equipped and empowered other leaders in UNY. Bishop Webb took the stage, thanking laity for …more

    Being God’s love in downtown Syracuse

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

    To many people leaving work in downtown Syracuse, it may have seemed like an ordinary, hot and humid late May Wednesday—until they heard a Christian rock band jamming out with a crowd around them. Wednesday May 30, 2018 marked the second annual Celebrating Christ in the City, an outdoor worship event held in Syracuse’s Columbus Circle. The event, open to the public, was sponsored by the Syracuse United …more

    Mission Central HUB hosts UMCOR kits event

    May 30, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen

    Before the start of the 2018 Upper New York Conference session, dozens of UNYC members gave back to the community. The UNY Mission Central HUB hosted an event May 30 in which volunteers helped assemble hygiene kits and flood buckets for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UNY Director of Missional Engagement Mike Block said the UMCOR kits are important because if a disaster happens, these are the first things homeowners receive. …more

    Whitney Point UMC’s Sew ’n Sews ministry makes a difference in the lives of 10,000 girls

    May 23, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Picture 10,000 vibrant dresses in bright blues with checkered trim, or fuchsia a with floral trim, purple with paisley trim, or entirely floral in bright pinks, reds, turquoise, or yellow—gorgeous dresses. These dresses are for little girls in impoverished communities all over the world—dresses that were once sheets and pillow cases, or quilting patterns found when cleaning out attics of loved ones who have either passed away …more

    Inviting and Inspiring Worship: Highlight on Asbury First UMC

    May 23, 2018 / By Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II, Asbury First UMC

    In the United Methodist tradition, worship is ultimately about “an encounter with the living God through the risen Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Or, so says our Book of Worship.  Unfortunately, many people (including some clergy) are more likely to experience boredom in worship than God.  To our credit, we have known that there is a problem for several decades and have done …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."