News Stories from January 2021

AC2021 to be held June 17-19, remotely

January 29, 2021 / By UNY Communications

After consultation with the Upper New York (UNY) Committee on Sessions, Conference Leadership Team, Board of Ordained Ministry Executive Committee, and the Upper New York Board of Trustees, Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Cabinet are announcing that the UNY 2021 Annual Conference (AC2021) session will be held remotely. The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries, who also serves as …more

Equity vs Equality

January 26, 2021 / By GCORR

Editor's Note: This article originally apperared in the 2020 Issue 4 of the Advovate, with the theme Dismantling Racism. Click here to see the issue.  Don't the terms "equity" and "equality" mean the same thing? It would seem so. Both terms point toward treating all people the same - with dignity, worth, and as children of God who have voice, power, and choice. Both terms point toward a deep …more

Good news about 2020 Ministry Shares

January 26, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The pandemic of 2020 brought many challenges to our local churches as well as the entire Upper New York (UNY)Conference. Most local churches had to stop in-person worship, which reduced giving. The Conference office was closed to outside visitors. The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) had to create a revised reduced spending plan for all Conference Ministry Areas. Despite these difficulties like none we have experienced …more

Imagine No Racism in Upper New York

January 19, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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 our own hearts, our churches, and our communities. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, created a taskforce, known now as the Bishop’s Taskforce on Eliminating Racism, to start strategizing ways to confront this deeply embedded issue across our Conference. …more

Gov. Cuomo expands vaccination sites to include houses of worship

January 19, 2021 / By UNY Communications

Governor Cuomo has expanded vaccination sites to include houses of worship. Click here to determine whether your church meets the criteria. If your location matches these criteria and you wish to be a vaccination site, you can click here to submit information about your congregation. You can also send your information or questions to the Rev. Que English, Deputy Director of Faith-Based Initiatives by emailing her at Que …more

New York State Paid Sick Leave law

January 15, 2021 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist

All private sector workers in New York State are covered under the state’s paid sick leave law, regardless of industry, occupation, part-time status, overtime exempt status, and seasonal status. If a person is issued a W-2 year-end tax form, they are eligible for the New York State Paid Sick Leave. Non-profit and religious organizations are not exempt from this law. The law requires employers, depending on their size, …more

Systemic vs Institutional Racism

January 13, 2021 / By Georgia Whitney, Conference Commission on Religion & Race

When did you last use an offensive term referring to someone of another race? Refuse to sit next to a person at church whose skin color is different from yours? Told a racist joke?  It's probably been a while—or maybe you've never done these kinds of things. Because as Christians, that's just not how we behave. And in the U.S., that's how …more

Central Endicott “Best Place to Worship”

January 13, 2021 / By Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost

In a delightful end to the difficult year that was 2020, Endicott: Central UMC was chosen as the “Best Place to Worship” in the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin’s Readers’ Choice awards. Members consistently reflect this reality, and some have explained why. Amber Gaylord comments, “Central is the best place to worship because everyone is so welcoming to anyone and everyone. It’s like …more

Intentional Discipleship Development

January 4, 2021 / By Ellen Mall-John, Albany District Lay Leader and District Associate

Editor’s Note: In 2019, the Rev. Dr. Aaron Bowens, the UNY Director of Vital Congregations wrote an article on what it means to have an intentional discipleship system. Click here to read it. But, how do we create disciples in the midst of a pandemic? In the article below, Ellen Mall John, Albany District Associate offers excellent ways to develop disciples at this difficult time. Her advice can prove …more