News Stories from January 2019
New York United Methodist Bishops make statement on Reproductive Health Act
January 31, 2019 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s Note: The following statement was released on January 31, 2019, by New York Area Resident Bishop, Thomas J. Bickerton, and Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, about the Reproductive Health Act that was signed into New York State law in January. Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ! The conversation about abortion has dominated the media over the last few days. In …more
Friday night worship at Hope Korean UMC
January 29, 2019 / By Pastor, Jee Hae Song, Hope Korean UMC
Hope Korean UMC is a rather unique congregation. Though its name has “Korean” in it, it is multi-cultural group. We have diverse people from various ethnicity, race, and nationality. But we all share one thing in common: Hope Church is our home. The motto of Hope Church is a “Home away from Home.” This diversification has begun from a crisis. In recent years, Hope Korean UMC …more
Upper New York pays 100 percent of their General Church apportionments
January 23, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
For the third year in a row, the Upper New York (UNY) Conference was able to give 100 percent of our General Church apportionments, supporting life changing ministries around the world. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb said, “Our ministry together through the giving of Ministry Shares truly multiplies the impact of the Gospel around the world. I want to personally thank every congregation in the Upper …more
The Rev. Suzanne Block to become District Superintendent of the Cornerstone District
January 21, 2019 / By Upper New York Communications
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is pleased to announce this intention to appoint the Rev. Suzanne Block as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Cornerstone District effective July 1, 2019. Rev. Block currently serves Christ United Methodist Church, Olean, NY. Rev. Block has been involved in various Conference and District leadership roles, including as a current member of Board of Ordained Ministry, Cornerstone District Committee on Ministry, …more
From the desk of Bishop Webb: Wespath FAQ
January 18, 2019 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: On Thursday Jan. 17, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb sent the following letter to the Upper New York Conference regarding Wespath and the Special Session of General Conference. Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ! As we approach the Special Session of General Conference in St. Louis, I continue to be committed to …more
How the IRS “Parking Lot” Tax Guidance affects your church
January 8, 2019 / By Conference Council on Finance & Administration
Some of you may have read articles or seen information about a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that seemed to assess an unrelated business income tax on employers, including churches, that provide parking to employees. Within the past couple of weeks, the Internal Revenue Service released guidance, which, essentially showed the IRS adopting a special rule that should eliminate the possibility of a tax burden …more
Resources for Human Relations Day on Sunday, Jan. 20
January 8, 2019 / By UNY Imagine No Racism Team
Friends, As we continue to Imagine No Racism and journey together through small group experiences and study, we’d like to offer ways to bring the Imagine No Racism message into your worship settings. Human Relations Day on Sunday, Jan. 20, offers an ideal opportunity to incorporate messages of race inequality and injustice. In addition to other resources available through UMC Discipleship Ministries, we offer this video entitled Racism Is …more
Honor Disability Awareness Weekend Feb. 2-3
January 8, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At the 2018 Upper New York Annual Conference, held at on Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena, in Syracuse, NY, a petition was adapted for local churches to hold a Disability Awareness Weekend. This petition was submitted by Rev. Missy McCarthy and the Accessibility Committee. The petition recommends a Disability Awareness Weekend to be held during the first weekend of Feb. or another weekend chosen by a local church for …more
Hope in the midst of tragedy
January 7, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Imagine watching your 28-year-old daughter’s health deteriorate over a course of a few weeks. This is what Linda Mauro experienced last September. Her daughter. Brittany Sass, was diagnosed with pneumonia. When undergoing treatment for pneumonia, Brittany began having dizzy spells. Linda took Brittany to the emergency room at Upstate University Hospital. Diagnostics showed that Brittany had a stroke that was caused by her having a heart attack. …more