News Stories from February 2021
General Conference 2020 postponed to 2022
February 25, 2021 / By Commission on the General Conference
Meeting on February 20, the Commission on the General Conference made a decision to further postpone the 2020 General Conference until August 29 – September 6, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minn. as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the safety of mass gatherings and travel. It is the Commission’s responsibility to select the site and set the dates of General Conference. Further, The Book of Discipline requires the Commission on the General …more
Bishops call Special Session for May 8
February 25, 2021 / By Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga Director of Communications – Council of Bishops
In response to the further postponement of the 2020 General Conference, the Council of Bishops (COB) is calling a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened online on May 8, 2021. According to the call letter signed by COB President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the Special Session will be held in accordance with Division Two - Section II - Article II of The …more
God provided a miracle for Faith Journey UMC
February 24, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Twenty-twenty was a tough year financially for many churches not only in the Upper New York Conference, but also, around the world. Still, churches became creative in making ends meet so that they could at least pay their Direct Bills, expenses such as health benefits and pension.The pandemic could have especially financially exacerbated churches who were already behind in Direct Bills. Faith Journey UMC in Liverpool, NY is one …more
Black History Jeopardy
February 16, 2021 / By Rev. Holly Strickland and Georgia Whitney, Conference Commission on Religion and Race
Knowledge equals power and understanding! As we move through Black History Month, here's a fun way to deepen and enrich your knowledge of African American history. You might do this as a team event—or just to increase your familiarity on a variety of African American topics. Think of it as Black History Jeopardy! 1.) Question: Who was the first black woman to travel in space? Answer:: Dr. Mae …more
Recognizing your white privilege
February 15, 2021 / By Georgia Whitney, Conference Commission on Religion & Race
Last week, I described what white privilege means and what disadvantages People of Color have because of their skin color. Click here to read that article. What's a white person to do once they recognize their privilege? I'm reminded of the words of the late poet Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." When you hear the …more
Retired Bishop F. Herbert Skeete dies at 90
February 12, 2021 / By Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga Director of Communications - Council of Bishops
Bishop F. Herbert Skeete, a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, passed away at noon February 11, 2021. Bishop Skeete was elected to the episcopacy at the 1980 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference and assigned to the Philadelphia Area for eight years. In 1988, he was assigned to the Boston Area for eight years. He retired in 1996. In 2002, Herb was reactivated by the Council to serve as Interim Bishop in Zimbabwe for a year. …more
What is “White Privilege?”
February 10, 2021 / By Georgia Whitney, Conference Commission on Religion & Race
Have you ever gone to a shopping mall and been followed or harassed by a security guard? Have you ever been refused a loan even when you had a strong credit rating? How about being assumed guilty when accused of a crime? Me neither. That's because, as a white person, I have an unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits, and choices bestowed on me just because I' …more
How the Bible supports dismantling racism
February 10, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 4 of the 2020 Advocate, which focused on the theme of dismantling racism. Click here to read the Advocate. We are made in God’s image: “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” Genesis 1:27 In Psalm 139, David expresses how he is “fearfully and wonderfully made” just …more
How the United Methodist Church supports dismantling racism
February 10, 2021 / By UNY Conference Council on Religion & Race
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 4 of the 2020 Advocate, which focused on the theme of dismantling racism. Click here to read the Advocate. Dismantling racism has been a critical part of the United Methodist Church’s social principles. While the Book of Discipline and the Book of Resolutions have dozens of paragraphs that mandate the importance of dismantling racism, we chose some that may most …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Ministry Shares thank you
February 9, 2021 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: On Feb. 9, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, sent the following letter to the Upper New York Conference. Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ! We continue to navigate one of the most challenging and unique seasons within our lives. COVID-19 continues to impact every area of daily life. We continue to pray for those who have been devastated by …more