news article
Members approve new Conference Center
October 18, 2014 / By
Members of the Upper New York Annual Conference voted to approve the Trustees' recommendation to purchase a building to serve as the new Conference Center.
With the approval of the recommendation, the Trustees will pursue purchasing a 33,000-square-foot building at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd. in Liverpool with an option to consider other properties should that purchase not come to fruition. The vote authorized up to $3.4 million be spent for the purchase and renovations of a new Conference Center.
Approximately 750 voting members attended the Oct. 18, 2014 special session at the OnCenter in Syracuse.
After the vote, Bishop Mark J. Webb thanked those who spoke, saying that he was impressed with the way that they were "prepared to share your very important and intentional and deliberate comments."
"May God send us forth in a spirit of courage, boldness and love as we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and be God's love with our neighbors in all places," the bishop said in benediction.
The Trustees have signed a letter of intent with the sellers to pay $895,000 for the property. Renovations are expected to cost between $2 million and $2.5 million. The total approved includes a cushion for unanticipated expenses.
Discussion during the 2.5-hour session centered primarily around questions about the specifics of the recommendation's costs and procedures.
Those speaking against the recommendation raised the issue of moving out of an urban area – and away from those who are often most in need – to the suburbs. Others suggested the funds may be better used to improve local church properties.
Those speaking in favor of the recommendation seemed to agree with a statement made by the Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Director of Connectional Ministries and member of the Headquarters Task Force, made during his presentation:
"One of the most important tools a Conference can have is a Conference Center," he said."If it’s the right tool – an excellent and effective tool –a Conference Center helps leaders and local churches enhance, expand and extend their ministry into the lives of their neighbors and neighborhoods by providing a place of hospitality, collaboration and identity."
But members supported a call for the question at 3:20, and the session had wrapped up by 3:25 p.m.
The Headquarters Task Force spent two years looking at some 30 properties in and around the city of Syracuse before proposing the Liverpool facility.
Task force members are: Trustee Vice President the Rev. Dr. Wendy Deichmann, chair; Deborah Byers, Trustee and former board president; John Jackson, current president of the Trustees; Rev. Gottschalkâ€ÂFielding, Brooke Conklin, former Trustee; Paul Wiley, Trustee; the Rev. Thomas A. Clemow, property management consultant to the Trustees; Mike Huber, Director of Camping and Retreat Ministries; Christine Doran, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, and the Rev. Patricia Brown, Trustee.
No timeline has been set for the project, but once renovations begin they are expected to take about six months.
Photo by Christian Vischi.