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


    news article

    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 is very evident,” he said.

    Rich Barling also updated the Conference on the fact that Trustees have come to an agreement to transfer Camp Findley and reported that ministries will continue there through Fit for Life.

    During the Trustees Report, the recommendation that the conference trustees be corporately authorized to sell, lease, convey, transfer, and exchange of real property or other real property interests associated with the Camp & Retreat centers. It was supported.

    Jack Keating, secretary of the Board of Trustees, reviewed property management the board oversees, which is currently 11 District parsonages and one Episcopal residence.

    “Since our last Annual Conference gathering, we acquired one of these district parsonages, and we believe that 2018 will see us add the 12th parsonage to complete the project of providing parsonages in each of our 12 districts,” he said.

    Vice President of the Board of Trustees Peter Abdella discussed the 2018 insurance program renewal as well as an update on the risk management program and water sensor program through Church Mutual Insurance Company.

    “The 2018 renewal was impacted by two significant losses and some unusual weather issues (high wind damage claims), which have impacted our pricing for this year,” Peter said. “While all coverage aspects of our Conference policies remain the same this year, including property and liability limits, deductibles, and policy terms, all churches across the Conference saw a 3 percent to 5 percent increase in their 2018 commercial multi-peril premium from Church Mutual.”

    Peter also encouraged all churches to install water sensors, which are available to them at no cost from Church Mutual.

    Closed churches were honored for the work they have done and were each recognized by their respective District Superintendents.

    The following churches closed since the 2017 Annual Conference session:

    Blockville UMC, Jamestown: New Beginnings UMC, Fellowship UMC, Coopers Plains UMC, Lockwood UMC, Binghamton: High Street UMC, Perrysburg-Dayton UMC, Earlville UMC, Ellenburg UMC, Watervliet UMC, Stannards UMC, Kenyontown UMC, Rexford, and Vestal: Calvary UMC.

    Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb said, “We celebrate the legacy that these churches leave. Ministries continue because of who these congregations were in their lives and their ministries.”

    The Rev. Alan Kinney, retired, requested a report of the funds the Board of Trustees used and earned in the latter half of 2018 to increase the board’s transparency. The Board of Trustees agreed to do so.

    The Board of Trustees Report was accepted.

    TAGGED / Communications / Annual Conference 2018


    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."