News Stories from March 2020
Tunkhannock UMC tries Facebook Live and expands their reach exponentially
March 20, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Imagine if your average church service attendance jumped from 50 or 60 members to over 2,400 people. This is what happened at Tunkhannock UMC in the Susquehanna Conference during the emergence of the COVID-19 epidemic. How did this happen? Facebook Live. Tunkhannock UMC is what Sean Hadley, a millennial member and co-leader of the church’s youth group, refers to as a “small town church.” The church has 150-160 members …more
UNY to offer matching grants for Zoom
March 19, 2020 / By By Stephen J. Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
To help churches to continue to be in ministry with their members and their communities, the Upper New York Conference is offering $5,000 in matching grants for churches wishing to purchase the Pro version of Zoom for a year. Zoom is an online meeting software ideal for Bible study, small group discussion, or meetings. Zoom is also an option for live streaming worship services if used as a webinar. To learn …more
United Methodist General Conference to be postponed
March 18, 2020 / By Commission on the General Conference
Editor's Note: On Wednesday March 18, the Commission on General Conference released the following statement explaining that General Conferance will be postponed and will not be held May 5-15, 2020 as planned. The Executive Committee of the Commission on the General Conference has been notified by the Minneapolis Convention Center that they are restricting events at the venue through May 10, 2020, following recommendations by the Minnesota Department of Health, the …more
UNY Camp & Retreat Ministries Update
March 18, 2020 / By The Upper New York Camp and Retreat Ministries Leadership
Editor’s Note: The following statement was released by the Upper New York Camp & Ministries Leadership Team on Wednesday March 18, 2020, The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, is often attributed as having said, “Proceed with much prayer and your way will be made plain.” After prayerful consideration, Upper New York Camp and Retreat Ministries will close our sites to retreat guests effective immediately until Monday, April 1 …more
From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: COVID-19
March 17, 2020 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: The following is a letter written by Upper New York Conference Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb that was sent to the UNY Conference on March 17, 2020. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in …more
Bishops ask for postponement of General Conference due to Coronavirus Pandemic
March 13, 2020 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has asked for the postponement of the 2020 General Conference, set to begin in six weeks, because of the new Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. In a letter to Kim Simpson, Chairperson of Commission on the General Conference and Rev. Gary W. Graves, Secretary of the General Conference, the Bishops cited travel restrictions to the US and possibility of potential …more
Conference Leadership shares advice on COVID-19
March 12, 2020 / By Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s Note: The following message was sent by the Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Director of Connectional Ministries/Executive Assistant to the Bishop for the Upper New York Conference. With the recent announcement by the World Health Organization that COVID-19 is now a global pandemic and the announcement of new cases in upstate New York, all leaders in the Upper New York Conference are actively discerning how best to balance …more
From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Should the 2020 General Conference approve the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation
March 12, 2020 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor’s Note: The following is a letter written by Upper New York Conference Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb that was sent to the UNY Conference on March 12, 2020. Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, For many years The United Methodist Church has attempted to be unified through our mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world’, while experiencing deep disagreement about …more
The Coronavirus—Effective recommendations
March 11, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
You can’t open a browser, turn on the radio or television without hearing about more cases of the Coronavirus. Stores are running out of soap and Lysol. Yes, you need to wash your hands, the same as you should do to prevent the flu and yes you should stay home if you are sick so as not to get others sick. In addition to these common-sense recommendations, there …more
The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding chosen as AC2020 Memorial Service speaker
March 11, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding has been chosen to be the Memorial Service speaker for the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, to be held May 28-30 at the Oncenter in Syracuse. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb said, “The leadership of Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding has been a great blessing to Upper New York. His passion for Christ and the Church is unwavering. I know we …more