ministries
UNY Scholarships and Grants
Upper New York Annual Conference Scholarships and Grants
Everyday Disaster Grant
Gary Bergh Scholarship
The Upper New York Mission Central HUB is excited to open the “Everyday Disaster Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working in their community to fight everyday (socio-economic) disasters. These disasters might include, but are not limited to, food insecurity, addiction, racial injustice, violence, or lack of affordable housing.
Grants will be available up to $2,500. Funding will be prioritized to outreaches that reflect at least one of the core values of the Mission Central HUB. Applications are being accepted through December 31, 2022 and will be awarded in February 2023. Click here for an application (available in English, Spanish, and Korean) and for more information.
Since 2009, the Gary Bergh Scholarship has been offered by the Conference Task Force on Peace w/Justice in Palestine/Israel to enable persons interested in justice and human rights to travel to Palestine/Israel on “justice awareness” trips. Hoping to help United Methodists and UNY area neighbors, especially youth and young adults, to see first-hand the need for human rights for Palestinians was thought to be a motivator for education and action in our UNY Conference—a stepping-stone to action-oriented discipleship.
For the last two years, international travel has been difficult, if not impossible. As the COVID pandemic has been moderated, and medical protections expanded, such travel has been resumed. Therefore, delegations to Palestine/Israel have re-organized. Here is a list of recently announced trips this fall:
EYEWITNESS PALESTINE - October Olive Harvest - mid-August registration deadline
CMEP (Churches for Middle East Peace) - October delegation
PILGRIMS OF IBILLIN - Sept. 29-Oct. 11, “Living Stones of the Holy Land” pilgrimage
CPT - (Community Peacemaker Teams) - Nov. 3-14
FOSNA - (Friends of Sabeel, North America) - Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2022 Early Bird discount if you register by Sept. 23. [Sabeel=Palestinian Ecumenical Institute]
As you can see, deadlines for some of these trips have already happened. But you can check these groups on their websites or contact them directly to learn about upcoming delegations, especially Eyewitness Palestine.
For Gary Bergh Scholarship applications, contact Karen Peterson (607-739-3143). You are requested to be available for UNY presentations or reports upon return. Clergy may be eligible for clergy credit. Take advantage of this great opportunity!
Linda Bergh, Leadership Team - 315-492-8507 - UNY Task Force on Palestine/Israel
Karen Peterson, Leadership Team- 607-739-3141
Gary Doupe, Leadership Team - 607-743-5062
Merle Showers, Leadership Team- 716-862-4235