News Stories from July 2018
Commission reduces GC Special Session registration fees
July 17, 2018 / By Diane Degnan / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: Following the passing of the 2019 budget at the 2018 Annual Conference session, a declaratory decision was requested from the Judicial Council about the reality of charging observers a fee to attend the special session of General Conference in 2019. Due to the actions described in this article, those fees will no longer be charged. Thanks to a $450,000 grant from United Methodist Communications (UMCom) and budget reductions identified by …more
Upper New York’s Imagine No Racism initiative off to a great start
July 13, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s Note: In July of 2016, the Northeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church unanimously approved a resolution for every Annual Conference to confront the sin of racism in their own hearts, churches, and communities. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop created a taskforce, known now as the Bishop’s Taskforce on Eliminating Racism, to strategize ways to confront this deeply embedded issue across our Conference. The taskforce …more
Preventing fraud at the local-church level
July 12, 2018 / By Conference Council on Finance and Administration
When you have your annual local church audit done, does your auditor make suggestions about policies or procedures? Have you wondered why this is? Many churches (and small businesses too!) have too few people involved in their financial systems. The suggestions aren’t made because we distrust your people but because we do trust them and want them to be protected as well, from someone else causing harm or …more
New District Superintendent Installations announced
July 10, 2018 / By UNY Communications
The District Superintendent installation services for the Rev. Carlos Rosa Laguer (in the Niagra Frontier) and the Rev. Deborah Earthrowl (in the Adirondack District) have been announced. Rev. Rosa Laguer’s service will be held on Sunday September 16 at Batavia First UMC at 4 p.m. Rev. Eartrowl’s service will be held on Sunday October 7 at Plattsburgh UMC at 4 p.m. Details about each service will be …more
June 2018 Program meeting of the Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society
July 9, 2018 / By Nancy Rutenber, Recording Secretary of UNY United Methodist Historical Society
The purpose of the Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society (UNY-UMHS) is to work with UNYCAH in preserving Methodist materials related to the Upper New York conference and antecedents and to promote knowledge of Methodist history and skills for preserving and disseminating it. In furthering this purpose, Society members and other interested folks met June 16, 2018 at Clyde United Methodist Church in Finger Lakes District. Betsye Mowry reported that the …more
From the desk of Bishop Webb: Commission on a Way Forward Update
July 9, 2018 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: On Monday July 9, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb sent the following letter to the Upper New York Conference informing them of some changes to take place regarding the release of the Commission on a Way Forward report. Dear Friends, I learned this weekend that the Commission on a Way Forward report would not be released on July 8th as communicated by the Council …more
Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church gathering addresses immigrant injustice
July 2, 2018 / By Cathy Woodruf
Speakers at a forum Monday evening, June 25, at Eastern Parkway United Methodist church shared their heartbreak, frustration, and questions surrounding the separations of children and families at the U.S. border with Mexico. About 40 people, mostly members of the Schenectady-Niskayuna congregation, attended the public gathering, centered on the theme “Speak for the Children; Act for the Families.” The format was inspired by a request from two church members …more
Social Holiness Concerns: Reflections to consider as you enjoy Independence Day
July 2, 2018 / By Evelyn A. Woodring, Pastor, South Park UMC, Buffalo, Member CCORR and Conference Social Holiness Committee
Recently, we have experienced the words of Scripture (Romans 13) being used to justify the separation of children from their parents at our borders, and subsequent deportation of immigrants seeking asylum. Calls for denial of due process are in direct conflict with our laws. Historically, Methodists have had extraordinary concern for the wellbeing of children. Our Book of Resolutions references several social ills related to current events. The members of the …more