news stories Tagged “Episcopal Office”
From the desk of Bishop Webb: Retirement announcement
August 15, 2022 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
After a season of prayer and discernment, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, has made the decision to retire from the active episcopacy on Dec. 31, 2022. He submitted his request for retirement to the Northeastern Jurisdiction and the Council of Bishops on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. Click here to read Bishop Webb’s Aug. 15, 2022, letter to the UNY Conference, announcing his retirement. …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: District Superintendent appointments extended
June 16, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following information was sent to the Upper New York Conference on June 16, 2022 on behalf of Bishop Webb. Dear Friends, As we continue to mourn the loss of Genesee Valley District Superintendent Vonda Fossitt, we celebrate the life, ministry, and witness to Christ that she lived among us and the new life in Christ she now experiences. I know you join me in continuing to pray …more
Celebrating the life of Bishop Joseph Yeakel
May 24, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Bishop Joseph (Joe) Yeakel died July 4, 2021, at the age of 93. He served as Resident Bishop of the New York West Area, which at the time included three Conferences (Western New York Conference, Northern New York Conference, and Central New York Conference) from 1972-1984. The Upper New York Conference, as well as Methodists across the Connection, mourn his death. Bishop Yeakel’s Memorial Service was held Friday May 20, 2022, at …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Death of Genesee Valley District Superintendent Rev. Vonda Fossitt
May 12, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following was sent on behalf of Bishop Mark J. Webb to clergy in the Genesee Valley District on May 12, 2022. On May 17, the Upper New York Conference learned that Rev. Vonda J. Fossitt's Celebration of Life and Resurrection is planned for May 26 at New Light UMC, located at 2009 Dewey Ave. in Rochester, NY. The wake begins at 11 a.m. followed by a service at 12 p.m. …more
Upper New York Annual Conference postponed due to COVID-19 concerns
April 21, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Sessions Committee of the Upper New York Conference gathered by Zoom on the morning of Thursday, April 21 to discuss growing concerns about the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Upstate New York and throughout the United States. Members of the Committee shared both their own perspectives and what they have been hearing from others regarding the comfort level of gathering more than a thousand United Methodist from across Upper New …more
Reminder regarding New York State required annual training for sexual harassment prevention
April 11, 2022 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a reminder that every employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training on an annual basis. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training New York State Law requires that employers of one or more employees must conduct sexual harassment prevention training for all employees on an annual basis. The employer can decide the timing of the annual training (calendar year, anniversary date, or any …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: NEJ Bishops issue message of vision and recommitment
March 18, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following note was sent on behalf of Bishop Webb to the Upper New York Conference on March 18, 2022. Bishop Mark J. Webb and the rest of the Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops has issued a ten-minute video sharing their vision of recommitment and hope even in these times of fear, illness, division, grief, greed, and unbridled abuses of power. Click here to see this moving …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: General Conference postponed until 2024
March 4, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following note was sent by Bishop Mark J. Webb to the Upper New York Conference on March 4, 2022. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul. (Psalm 94.19) Dear Sisters and Brothers of The Upper New York Conference, The Commission on the General Conference has announced that the 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church rescheduled for Aug. 29 - Sept. 6, 2022, will not be held. Instead, …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Praying for Ukraine this Lenten season
March 2, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following was sent to the Upper New York Conference on March 2, 2022 from Bishop Mark J. Webb. Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Many of us in congregations throughout Upper New York will hear the words of “An Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline.” Some of those words in that invitation are as follows: “I invite you, therefore, in the …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Ukraine Crisis
February 24, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following note was sent by Bishop Mark J. Webb to the Upper New York Conference on Feb. 24, 2022. As the world watches the Russian military aggression and invasion within Ukraine, we as United Methodist followers of Christ reaffirm the truth that “we deplore war and urge the peaceful settlement of all disputes among nations." I invite you to join with me in offering prayers of protection, peace, and …more