News Stories from June 2021
Nelson Richards, a true disciple
June 28, 2021 / By Mary Johnson Pastor, Bowen’s Corner Church
Each member of the congregation has an inspiring story, but for this time around, it is Nelson Richards inspiring story that I choose to highlight. Nelson has been a member of Bowens Corners UMC for 29 years and has been an inspiration to many people throughout his life because of how dedicated he is to caring for others. Until February of 2020, Nelson cared for his wife Joyce of 59 years, in any …more
Church in the Wild worship kicks off joyfully
June 28, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On a balmy Sunday afternoon, earlier this month, a new kind of worship service began at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center. Two years in the making, Church in the Wild had its inaugural worship service. The pastor, Rev. Corey Turnpenny has a deep connection with Sky Lake. She first visited the camp for her confirmation retreat and immediately found it to be a special place; she then attended summer …more
Upper New York Annual Conference Report
June 22, 2021 / By Stephen J. Hustedt, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Upper New York Annual Conference Report Due to lingering COVID-19 concerns, the Upper New York Annual Conference gathered remotely for the second year in a row June 17- 19. The gathering took place through Zoom with meeting support and voting provided by GNTV. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, presided. The time began with Opening Worship, acknowledging that this has been a very challenging time to be the …more
Commissioners and Ordinands inspired to chase God
June 19, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On the sunny Saturday, of June 19, 2021, 10 United Methodists filed into Cicero United Methodist Church, over two hours before visitors arrived. These 10 individuals were about to fulfill their call to ministry by becoming commissioned to the work of deacons, commissioned to the work of elder, ordained to the work of deacon, or ordained to the work of elder. At 3:00 p.m., the Service of Ordination and Commissioning, as part of the 2021 …more
Retirees honored at Annual Conference
June 19, 2021 / By Tara Barnes
The Upper New York Conference celebrated its retiring clergy on Saturday morning of the 2021 annual conference. Eighty clergypeople were honored during the virtual ceremony. “Though we are unable to greet these individuals in person, give them a hug, shake their hands, say thank-you, we can still celebrate who they are and all that they have contributed to each of us individually and to all of us corporately,” said …more
UNY Conference celebrates Juneteenth, virtually
June 19, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Juneteenth has finally been acknowledged as a federal holiday. On June 19, at its 2021 virtual Annual Conference, Upper New York (UNY) celebrated the holiday, which honors the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when news reached enslaved peoples in Texas that the Civil War had ended and the Emancipation Proclamation ended the institution of slavery in the United States.. Restricted to a virtual format, the Juneteenth celebration was a video compilation. In this video, …more
Petition and Resolution results at the 2021 Upper New York Annual Conference
June 19, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Discussion and voting for the petitions and resolutions brought to the 2021 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference session began in the afternoon plenary on June 17 and continued through the June 18 morning and afternoon plenaries. UNYAC2021.1 Because We Care, supported This petition called for each delegate to take back the message to their home churches ” to engage in a process of study, reflection and confession concerning the historic and systemic …more
UNY Memorial Service 2021 reminds mourners of the comfort of Jesus
June 18, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Friday, June 18, at the 2021 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, welcomed friends and family members to a Memorial Service that was held to recognize over 100 clergy and clergy spouses who have died since the 2019 Annual Conference (Click here to see the names of those celebrated). This service was held at Cicero United Methodist Church by invitation-only, and it was also …more
New leaders approved for 2022
June 18, 2021 / By Tara Barnes
The Upper New York Conference Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development report to the 2021 Annual Conference was presented by the Rev. Tony Hipes, chair of the committee. “The committee has diligently worked to bring nominations that are diverse in many different ways, and we continue to encourage self-nominations by using the nominations form located on the conference website,” the Rev. Hipes said to open the report. The committee …more
Proposed 2022 Budget approved at Annual Conference
June 18, 2021 / By Tara Barnes
On June 18, the proposed 2022 Ministry Share Budget was presented to the 2021 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference by Holly Roush, chair of the UNY Conference Council on Finance and Administration. Holly reported that thanks to reduced spending, a Paycheck Protection Plan loan, and generous giving by individuals in the UNY Conference, 2021 ended with a budget surplus of $600,000. The Conference was able to offer a Ministry Shares credit to local churches …more