News Stories from October 2020
File your Boy Scouts of America claim by Nov. 16
October 28, 2020 / By UNY Communications
Earlier this year, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect itself against a growing number of sexual abuse claims made against it. This bankruptcy process is intended to allow the BSA to deal with these claims – through the creation of and payment from a victim’s compensation trust fund – and continue its operations. As is typical in bankruptcy proceedings, the court has …more
Bishop Webb to host Zoom gatherings with laity
October 28, 2020 / By UNY Communications
The past month, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, has hosted rejuvenating District gatherings with UNY clergy. In December, Bishop Webb is inviting all laity to join him for Regional gatherings on Zoom. These gatherings will be a time of prayer and conversation around our ongoing commitment to the mission of the Church in these unprecedented days. Bishop Webb said, “I look forward to …more
Preach Palestine on Nov. 29
October 26, 2020 / By UNY Conference Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel
Friends of Sabeel North America is inviting congregations to "Preach Palestine" on Nov. 29 by incorporating Palestine into their worship service on the first week of Advent. As your UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, we are deeply committed to human rights for the Palestinian people. Sunday, Nov. 29 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Friends of Sabeel North America has prepared some …more
Meet the new Niagara Frontier District AA-Beth Holdridge
October 20, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Please extend a warm welcome to Beth Holdridge, the new Niagara Frontier District Administrative Assistant. She begins her training on Monday Nov. 2. Beth is the daughter of Fred Holdridge, Licensed Local Pastor at Collins Center UMC. Beth grew up in the Forestville UMC congregation, where her father became a lay minister. Beth studied art and art history at Robert Wesleyan college. Her major was in painting and sculpture. Beth said, …more
Monitoring at Annual Conference 2020
October 19, 2020 / By Commission on Religion and Race and Commission on the Status and Role of Women
Annual Conference 2020 was one like no other. Yet it remained vital to have a variety of voices at the table—actually, at computers and phones. Our worldwide United Methodist Church values healthy conversations. To that end, the Commission on Religion and Race, and Commission on the Status and Role of Women monitor who is speaking at Annual Conference in terms of clergy, laity, race, and gender. The rules and …more
Red Bird Shoe Box drop off locations for 2020 announced
October 9, 2020 / By Dave Alexander / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It is that time of year to think about the shoebox mission for the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. I realize that things are tough for a lot of churches, but the Red Bird Mission is still in need of shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene supplies, new backpacks filled with school supplies, and new sheets, blankets, towels and washcloths. They also are in need of diapers, wipes, …more
Closed churches and trustees report supported at AC2020
October 5, 2020 / By Tara Barnes
The Rev. Richard Barling offered the 2020 report of the Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees at the Conference’s Oct. 3 virtual annual meeting. The report can be found on pages 102 and 103 of the 2020 Journal. Via video, Rev. Barling shared the work of the trustees managing the Conference’s properties, investments and insurance, and he thanked committee members, supporting staff and building and location teams for their work. …more
Three of Four Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits recommendations accepted at AC2020
October 3, 2020 / By Tara Barnes
The Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits report and recommendations were presented by chair Mary Rublee and Susan Latessa, Conference Director of Human Resources and Benefits. The board brought four recommendations, three of which can be found in Journal pages 97-98 and the other in updates to the journal. The first recommendation was for acceptance of the 2021 housing/rental exclusion resolution designating 100 percent of United Methodist pension, severanc …more
CF&A budget, report, added motion, and declaratory decision supported
October 3, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Oct. 3, 2020 at the UNY 2020 virtual Annual Conference, Holly Roush, Chair of the Conference Council on Finance & Administration (CF&A) presented the 2020 CF&A report via video. She explained that CF&A worked diligently on the 2021 budget, revisited the 2020 budget, and continued to provide resources on the Conference website. To prepare the budgets, Ministry Areas were asked a series of questions. Descriptions of Ministry Areas can …more
Nominations report presented at AC2020
October 3, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This year’s nominations report, presented at the Upper New York Annual Conference, held Oct. 3, 2020, was different than prior years due to the pandemic. The Rev. Tony Hopes brought forth the nominations report, encouraging people to submit nominations using this form. Because of the pandemic, General Conference 2020 was postponed until September of next year. This change also shifted the beginning of the new quadrennium from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022. …more