News Stories from February 2016
2016 Mission u dates announced
February 26, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This year, Mission u - formerly the School of Christian Mission - will continue its annual emphasis on"learning together for the transformation of the world." The 2016 studies include "The Bible and Human Sexuality," "Latin America: People and Faith," and "Climate Justice." The Upper New York Conference's Mission u will be held on the following dates: July 15-17 at Cazenovia College July 21-23 at the Asbury Camp & Retreat …more
UNY Conference names new IT manager
February 26, 2016 / By
The Upper New York Conference is pleased to announce that Doug Thomas will now serve as the Conference's IT Manager. Thomas will be responsible for the overall planning, organizing, budgeting, and execution of all information technology-related functions for the Conference and its associated offices and ministries. He joined the staff on Feb. 22. and can be reached at DougThomas@unyumc.org. Thomas' background includes IT management, database administration, and …more
Conference announces revised 2016 spending plan
February 24, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference Leadership Team (CLT) and the Conference Council on Finance & Administration (CF&A) released a letter earlier this week detailing changes to the Conference’s 2016 spending plan. According to the letter, “the guiding principle in making these decisions was, ‘What cuts will have the least direct impact on the ministry of the local church?’” Click here to read the …more
Four Corners UMC forms union with two churches for joint Bible study, other activities
February 23, 2016 / By Marilyn Anderson
The Four Corners United Methodist Church is one of three Native American churches in the Upper New York Conference. It is a growing church led by Pastor Dave Rood, and is located on the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation of Indians, which is 30 miles south of Buffalo in Erie County. Recently Pastor Rood and Pastor Chris Klimecko, serving at the Gowanda UMC, brought together three Upper New York churches …more
2016 ministry grant announcement
February 23, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The board of directors at the United Methodist Frontier Foundation has announced the initiation of the foundation’s 2016 Rev. Keith Muhleman Ministry Grant. Named in honor of the foundation’s former president and executive director, the grant encourages and supports creative and vital ministry in the local church. One or more grants totaling $5,000 will be awarded to a local church or churches where initiative, creativity, and commitment to …more
Participate in Day of Prayer on April 23
February 23, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On April 23, members of the Upper New York Conference will observe a 24-hour day of prayer for the 2016 General Conference session, which meets May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. In a statement late last year, the Council of Bishops “invited each of the annual conferences to host a 24-hour prayer effort on a specific date, with the intent of creating a groundswell of prayer in the days leading up to …more
Serving up supper & scripture in Salem
February 22, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Debbie Earthrowl, pastor at the Salem United Methodist Church and planter of Thursday Nights, said it all started with a conversation in early May 2014. Three young mothers approached Rev. Earthrowl, saying they wanted to experience church with their children, but were discouraged by previous church experiences. Rev. Earthrowl wondered what it would be like to have an hour one night a week to gather for dinner and worship. …more
CLT and CFA announce changes to 2016 spending plan
February 22, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s note: The following letter was released by the Conference Leadership Team and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration on Feb. 22. Sisters and brothers in Christ, We want to share some challenges, concerns, and, by the grace of God, opportunities for our Conference in the area of financial stewardship. As we finalized the total of Conference Ministry Shares collected in 2015 from local churches, we became aware …more
General Conference Delegation to hear group presentations
February 17, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The General Conference Delegation is hosting a meeting on April 2 at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia. It will meet with any group that wants to present a message to the delegation prior to General Conference, held May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. Currently, there are four groups that want to meet with the delegation. Each group will have approximately 30 minutes for its presentation. The delegation will consider any request …more
Conference Communications Ministry Area undergoing transition
February 16, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
After more than a year of working for the Upper New York Conference, Kathleen Rubino will be leaving her position as Conference Writer/Editor. She will be joining her fiancé in moving to Orlando, Fla., where he was recently hired for a new position. “Kathleen has been a great asset to our team and has helped us to get even better at sharing our story with each other …more