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


    news article

    More than $773,000 raised for Africa 360

    June 6, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    “Over the past two years, this Conference has been a part of a grand narrative,” said Laurel O’Connor, Africa 360 field coordinator. “In 2014, we took the unprecedented step of combining the stories of Imagine No Malaria and Africa University, seeking to raise funds to not only save children’s lives but raise up new leaders that are bringing peace and health to their home countries.”

    On June 4 at the 2016 Annual Conference session, the people of Upper New York came together to celebrate Africa 360, the Upper New York Conference’s holistic plan for health and education initiatives in Africa. 

    O’Connor announced that the Conference raised more than $773,000 for Africa 360 – more than $226,000 for Imagine No Malaria and more than $536,000 for Africa University. Within the Conference, 452 congregations have participated in Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb’s challenge for each church to bring $1,000 to AC session for Africa 360.

    “This Conference dares to dream God-sized dreams,” O’Connor said. “More has been raised for Africa 360 than has ever been raised in this Annual Conference. That’s a God-sized dream fulfilled. More churches have participated in Africa 360 than have ever participated in a shared goal in this Annual Conference. That’s a God-sized dream fulfilled.”

    The Conference raised money for Africa 360 through BobbleWebbs, mosquito net superheroes, youth-led lemonade stands, hoagie drive thrus, concerts, Giving Tuesday, and worship services,.

    O’Connor raised up the Niagara Frontier District, which raised the most money and had the most churches participating. She also recognized the Saratoga Springs and Endwell United Methodist churches, which raised the most funds in the past year for the campaign, as well as the Cabinet, who made Giving Tuesday a “resounding success.”

    “But if your church hasn’t finished its goal yet, or had set a two-year goal, keep working,” she said. “Whether you use the Africa University Bible Study or the Africa 360 Lenten Devotional, there are still resources available.”

    The offering at this year’s Service of Commissioning and Ordination benefitted Africa 360. Click here to order a limited edition Africa 360 sweatshirt – available through June 10. Click here to view the Africa 360 toolkit.

    “God accomplishes more through us than we could ask or imagine, and that has happened here, through Africa 360,” O’Connor said. 

    TAGGED / Annual Conference 2016 / Communications


    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."