News Stories from October 2021
Three 2020 and two 2021 Denman award winners announced
October 29, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award is a celebration. This award honors United Methodists who bring people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, the Upper New York Conference works with the Foundation for Evangelism to recognize and honor one lay and clergy member for their commitment to consistently introducing others to the Good News of Jesus Christ—a commitment that even a global pandemic cannot break! …more
Faith and mental health
October 29, 2021 / By Alan Whitley, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on umc.org. I grew up where we often did not talk about faith and mental health in the same conversation. It almost felt like faith was welcomed into conversation but any conversation around mental health was averted. Imagine if we allowed faith and mental health to join forces and build a relationship? Let me start: My …more
Upper New York Committee on Native American Ministry grants available
October 26, 2021 / By Sharon Schmit, CONAM
The Upper New York Committe of Native American Ministries (CONAM) is accepting grant applications to fund Native American missions, ministries, and communities to support native churches, community outreach, leadership training, education, and cultural survival projects. The grants are funded through Native American Ministries Sunday offerings. Native American Ministries Sunday is one of six special church-wide Sunday offerings. There is no deadline for submission of an application. …more
New York State Minimum Salary Increase
October 25, 2021 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The New York State minimum salary for employees classified as exempt under the New York State Labor Law’s administrative and executive exemption will increase from $937.50/week to $990.00/week or $51,480 per year. Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay employees classified as exempt under the administrative and executive exemption the New York State minimum salary. For more information regarding the administrative …more
Study Commission on possible passage of Protocol begins
October 20, 2021 / By Pastor Jack Keating
Editor's Note: The Commission extended the survey deadline once again. The new deadline is Dec. 28. You may remember that at our 2021 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, the body passed UNYAC2021.7, which called for a study of our Conference’s readiness for the possible passage of the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation. This resolution created a Study Commission that was given commission-specific instructions on how to, …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Thank you to Upper New York clergy
October 13, 2021 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following letter was sent to Upper New York clergy on October 13, 2021. Dear Friends, As the church celebrates Pastors Appreciation Month, I wanted to send you a note to add my voice in saying thank you! Your lives and your commitment to Christ and the Church are valued and deeply appreciated. The congregations, ministry settings and communities you serve and have served, are blessed because …more
Boy Scouts of America charter agreement follow up
October 12, 2021 / By Pam Klotzbach (Chair of UNY Board of Trustees) and Peter Abdella (UNY Chancellor)
As a follow-up to the letter you received last week, Pam Klotzbach (Chair of UNY Board of Trustees) and Peter Abdella (UNY Chancellor) want you to know that the denomination's UMC Ad Hoc Committee, which is working to negotiate a release for UMC congregations and Conferences from future lawsuits pertaining to any Boy Scouts of America (BSA)-related abuse injuries, has informed them that the BSA's reorganization plan …more
Black and Indigenous Solidarity with Palestine
October 11, 2021 / By Dianne Roe
Editor's Note: This is the second in a series, “Because We Care” from our UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel. It examines how their journey into Palestine has intersected with our United Methodist struggles toward Black and Indigenous liberation. The first “Journey toward Understanding” taken by members of the New York West Area (former Western NY and North Central NY …more
Boy Scouts of America charter agreement recommendations
October 7, 2021 / By Pam Klotzbach (Chair of UNY Board of Trustees) and Peter Abdella (UNY Chancellor)
Since early this year, the UMC Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of eight Conference chancellors, four general agency staff, and two Bishops, has been working on behalf of all Annual Conferences to negotiate a release for congregations from future lawsuits pertaining to any Boy Scout-related abuse injury from 1940 through 2020. These negotiations are ongoing and involve mediation with other groups involved in the BSA bankruptcy. The Boy Scouts of America and United …more
Greg Forrester to Coordinate Disaster Response
October 5, 2021 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The search for a new Director of Missional Engagement is underway, please pray for God’s provision and discernment. During the season between the retirement of Mike Block and the new Director getting started it is important to continue the ministry of the UNY Mission HUB, support for volunteers responding to community needs, and active disasters across the connection. Upper New York has contracted with …more