News Stories from August 2019
How Tending the Soul benefitted two District Superintendents
August 26, 2019 / By UNY Communications
Tending the Soul (TTS), open to both laity and clergy, is a program designed to train individuals in Missional Spiritual Direction and Congregational Formation. The two-year training program (which takes place during six retreats) offers learning and formational experiences in classroom and small group settings. The Rev. Jan Rowell and the Rev. Brigid Farrell both felt that Tending the Soul immensely benefitted them as District Superintendents. Here is …more
Waterville UMC’s sustains solid relationship with a long-term care facility
August 26, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Sixty-six years ago, Catherine Harding, a member of the Waterville United Methodist Church, was a trailblazer in the field of long-term care. Along with her husband and mother, she founded the Harding Nursing Home (now named the Waterville Residential Care Center). Catherine worked as an administrator and LPN at the center, now in its fourth generation of family ownership, until her retirement in her 80s. From the beginning, Waterville Residential …more
My eye-opening experience at Mission Central
August 23, 2019 / By MaryBeth Ingalls, Upper New York Volunteer Coordinator
I have been working as the Mission Volunteer Coordinator at the Mission Central HUB in Upper New York for a few months now and last week I was able to see Mission Central itself in Mechanicsburg, PA. Mission Central is in the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. Mission Central’s mission is “Connecting God’s Resources with Human Need.” This is accomplished by following …more
United Methodist Church of Livonia makes 816 dresses for Dress A Girl movement
August 19, 2019 / By Rev. Hoyt W. Brown United Methodist Church of Livonia
On July 7, 2019, the United Methodist Church of Livonia (UMCL) blessed 436 dresses to be used in the Dress A Girl Around the World Campaign. Dress A Girl (DAG) dreams of a world in which every girl has at least one dress. By providing new dresses girls around the world know they are worthy of respect and that they are loved by God. UMCL became involved with DAG a year ago when …more
Greater Round Lake UMC VIM Trip to Salem, Maine
August 19, 2019 / By Rev. Ralph A. Marino, UNYAC Retired
Under the benevolent influence of Rev. Arthur Hagy in the former Troy Conference, a number of persons got connected with and enthused by the possibilities of serving as Volunteers in Mission. One direction he led people was to the UMEM in central rural Maine. For more than 20 years now, the Round Lake UMC provided the banner under which teams have headed northeast to repair, renovate, and rehabilitate homes in an …more
What Tending the Soul meant to me
August 13, 2019 / By Cheryl Hine, Licensed Local Pastor
Editor’s Note: Tending the Soul, open to both laity and clergy, is a program designed to train individuals in Missional Spiritual Direction and Congregational Formation. The two-year training program (which takes place during six retreats) offers learning and formational experiences in classroom and small group settings. The following is Pastor Cheryl Hine's reflection of Tending the Soul. Click here to learn more about Tending the …more
Regional Imagine No Racism 2.0 events to take place this fall
August 12, 2019 / By UNY Communications
The Upper New York Conference's Commission on Religion & Race will continue Imagine No Racism (INR) trainings this fall and are calling this version INR 2.0. The fall training events are specifically designed to prepare people who have experienced INR’s initial curriculum to facilitate INR 2.0 conversations. Those who may be discerning a call to facilitate INR conversations are welcome. The Facilitator Trainings will kick off …more
Asbury First UMC, bridging the divide one hug at a time
August 12, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Weather is fickle in Upper New York. August 8, was a day filled with rain and thunderstorms, but the sun broke through with God’s perfect timing to welcome the Rochester community to Asbury First United Methodist Church’s Hug Relay. Asbury is known for organizing fun community activities that bring people from all backgrounds together. Last year, they attempted to break the world record for the longest game …more
Wilson: Exley UMC assists Kenya Pastors’ School
August 2, 2019 / By Rev. John Loeser
In March 2019, I attended a doctoral peer group session at United Theological Seminary (UTS). Academic Dean, Dr. David Watson, spoke on the hardships that UM pastors in the Nairobi District of the Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference currently face. Pastors there lead churches with scarce financial resources. Unlike many U.S. churches that support their pastor’s theological education, most Kenya UM churches do not have money to fund pastor&rsquo …more