News Stories from July 2021
Small but Mighty: Waterville UMC
July 27, 2021 / By Bryant (Waterville UMC Pastor) and Kristina Clark
Before we first started dating, my now wife asked me, “So what do your churches do?” I wasn’t sure what she meant - “well we worship on Sundays, have Bible study on Monday nights; there’s choir rehearsal on Thursdays.” “No I mean what do they actually do?” I did my best to not get defensive - I work a complicated …more
Celebrating the Crossroads District Mosaix cohort
July 27, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused on "celebrating who we are." Click here to access the full issue. While twenty-twenty was a year we will all remember as the year that the coronavirus pandemic began, there were indeed celebratory stories taking place behind the scenes. One of those stories was the Crossroads District Mosiax Global Network learning cohort, which …more
Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center flood relief update
July 26, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On July 12 in wee hours of the night, Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center was devastated by heavy rain and flooding. As UNY Communications reported later that day, four parts of the road were completely washed away; seven to 10 culverts were impacted or washed away; several vehicles were flooded; boats were damaged; and the swimming area shoreline eroded away. The Lakeview Chapel, Galilee Lodge, Bethany Lodge, The Emmaus Commons, and the …more
Good Neighbors The Neighborhood Center in Utica, New York, walks the path with children, seniors and immigrants.
July 23, 2021 / By Mary Beth Coudal
Editor's note: This article is a preview of a story to appear in the September/October 2021 issue of response magazine, the magazine of United Methodist Women. It features the Neighborhood Center, a community outreach organization located in Utica, New York, supported by both Upper New York and United Methodist Women. United Methodist Women is the official women's organization of The United Methodist Church and the largest denominational faith …more
Louise Russell brings church to long-term care facility
July 19, 2021 / By Rev. Diane E. DiLuzio, Bridgeport UMC
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the 2021 Issue I of the Advocate, which had the theme "Celebrating who we are." In a year when pandemic has cut such a wide swath of mayhem in our lives, it became clear to our church that we needed to “do something” to raise up hope and assurance in our little hamlet by the Oneida Lake …more
Pastor Andrew Anderson’s call to ministry
July 19, 2021 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the 2021 Advocate Issue I, which focused on the theme “celebrating who we are.” Click here to access this issue. Pastor Andy Anderson has been involved in The Church since his baptism. He grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, mainly Tobago, where he was very involved in the life of his church, attending Sunday school, participating in youth group, …more
UNY United Methodist Center to open July 26
July 19, 2021 / By UNY Communications
Upper New York (UNY) Conference staff members have been working at the UNY United Methodist Center in Liverpool, NY, throughout the pandemic following CDC guidelines. Now that the CDC and New York State have issued guidelines allowing indoor gatherings for vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals (so long as they wear masks and social distance), the UNY Conference executive staff team has made the decision to open the UNY United Methodist …more
NYS HERO ACT: Protecting New York Workers from Airborne Diseases
July 14, 2021 / By UNY Communications
Editor’s Note: On Feb. 15, 2022, the NYS Commissioner of Health announced the continuation of the NYS HERO Act through March 17, 2022. This classifies COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health." Click here to read more about the latest extension of the NYS HERO Act. On May 5, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York Health and Essential Rights …more
UNY CONAM advocates and educates about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls
July 13, 2021 / By UNY CONAM
The Upper New York (UNY) Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) seeks to advocate for ministry with and by Native Americans and educate all regarding the rich and diverse culture, history, and traditions of Native Americans. There are three Native American United Methodist churches in the Upper New York Annual Conference: Four Corners United Methodist Church, located on the Cattaraugus Territory Hogansburg United Methodist church located on the St. Regis …more
Being a Korean Pastor in Caucasian Congregations
July 13, 2021 / By The Rev. Dr. Moon Ho Kim
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 Issue 1 of the Advocate, which focused on the theme “Celebrating who we are.” Click here to access this issue. One day I went to a restaurant to have dinner soon after I came to this country more than four decades ago. A waitress came to take an order, "What would you like to have for dinner?" I chose …more