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


    News Stories from August 2018

    Garden ministries grow relationships and feed the hungry

    August 31, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor’s Note: If your church has a garden ministry that you would like to share, send the story to news@unyumc.org. Vegetable gardens are flourishing this season throughout the Upper New York Conference. Many churches throughout the Conference have garden ministries that help to feed fresh, local produce to the hungry and build relationships both with their communities and among their members. Here are some of their …more

    Called into the healing ministries

    August 28, 2018 / By Jessica Glaser, Commissioned for the work of Deacon

    Editor’s Note: This article was written in April 2018 before Glaser was commissioned. This article originally appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of the Advocate. I first felt the call to ministry close to 10 years ago, when I lived in Denver. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a deacon. I was inspired by one of the deacons at my church who also served as a labor organizer. I …more

    Urgent need for cleaning kit supplies

    August 28, 2018 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Recent flooding in Seneca County and throughout Pennsylvania has caused a shortage of UMCOR flood buckets within the Upper New York Conference. UNY Mission Central HUB is in great need of UMCOR cleaning kit supplies and help assembling and verifying buckets. While some of these buckets are used to help our own area, they’re also used around the world. According to Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement, and …more

    Discerning my call into ministry

    August 28, 2018 / By Paul Winkelman

    Editor’s Note: This article was written in April 2018 before Winkelman was ordained. My calling to pastoral ministry was not discerned by a specific moment or encounter with God - it occurred more gradually. Since I was very young, I began seeing and experiencing the grace of God through Jesus Christ, by the things that I saw in the world and in nature, through the love of Christ that …more

    2018 UNY Conference Journal Directory now available for purchase

    August 27, 2018 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The 2018 Upper New York Conference Journal Directory is now available. The directory is a compilation of clergy, church, and laity contact information. There are two ways to receive the Journal Directory: Click here to purchase a hard copy from online publisher Lulu.com. Click here to view online or to download a free PDF version on Issuu. If you order directly from Lulu.com, you can have it delivered to …more

    Reflection on the Global young People’s Convocation 2018

    August 27, 2018 / By Rachel John, Emmaus UMC

    This past July, I attended the Global Young People’s Convocation (GYPC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. At this enlightening convocation, youth and young adults from about 40 different countries gathered together to assess different issues facing each of us in our own communities. This convocation was able to give each and every one of us a voice so that we can see change happen right before our eyes. At GYPC, …more

    Summer Fun Retreat 2018

    August 27, 2018 / By Jan Rothfuss, Co-Chair of the Genesee Valley District Leadership Team

    The purpose of the Summer Fun Retreat 2018 was to provide a faith-based camping experience for our city youth who may not have an opportunity to attend a Christian camp. One goal was to help the participants mature in their self-worth and explore models of community that empower the young people to share their faith. By providing a time away from their day-to-day urban environment, the participants interact with peers and …more

    How my past impacted my journey into pastoral ministry

    August 20, 2018 / By Pastor Mike Kelly, Newfield UMC

    We all have interesting stories when it comes to answering our call to ministry. Like many, I was but a sinner who God decided to use for His purpose. After college, I went into law enforcement for nearly 10 years. Although I loved law enforcement, because of many factors, I lost my zeal and passion for it. My life took an odd turn when I decided to change careers and attend …more

    Here I am… is it where you are?

    August 20, 2018 / By Becky Priest, New Faith Community Planter & member of Fairport UMC

    Let’s just start with this-I’ve been lucky in my life. No one has ever asked much of me. Most of what I had done up until this has been asked of me by the toughest expectant I’ve ever encountered, myself. I knew what I wanted to do, and why I wanted to do it, and let’s just say that few things could …more

    Building relationships and strengthening faith through Workcamp 2018

    August 16, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    This past July, Central New York United Methodists were both on the supporting end and receiving end of amazing ecumenical mission work – Syracuse Workcamp 2018. This mission work involved over 300 youth from all over the country of several different denominational backgrounds coming together to work on repairs needed in 54 homes in Syracuse.  How did Syracuse Workcamp 2018 come about? Syracuse Workcamp 2018 came out of a partnership between Onondaga Hill Presbyterian …more



    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."