News Stories from March 2022
Forming the Upper New York Conference
March 9, 2022 / By The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop and UNY Director of Connectional Ministries
On June 19, 2010, North Central New York, Troy, Western New York, and Wyoming Conferences joined to become the Upper New York Conference. The meeting that day, known as the uniting conference, took several hours, but the work leading up to it had taken several years. Much of that work was led by the New Area/Conference Team or New ACT. For nearly two years, this 26-member team, drawn from the four …more
Welcome Kim Boise as Finger Lakes District AA
March 9, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference is pleased to welcome Kim Boise as the new Administrative Assistant for the Finger Lakes District. Kim has an associate degree in accounting. Most recently, Kim worked in the Registrar’s office at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) as an Administrative Assistant for nine years. She processed transcripts, recorded transfer credits, AP credits, inputted scholarships and Dean’s list and any other …more
Transitional Intentional Interim Specialist three-phase training starts May 3
March 8, 2022 / By UNY Communications
Have you ever felt that your ministry is one “locking horns” event after another? Transitional Intentional Interim Specialist Training (TIIMS) is designed to help pastors and congregations deal with the stresses of our culture in this time of uncertainty. We don’t know what ministry will look like post-COVID, nor do we know what our denomination will look like. While this training is specifically designed for …more
AC 2022 offerings
March 7, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At the 2022 Annual Conference, which will be held virtually, Oct. 6-8, the offerings that will be collected have been planned as follows. The Clergy Care Fund (used to assist clergy who need financial support) The Helping Hands Fund (used by the Cabinet to assist congregants in need of financial support) An offering to support the Mission Central HUB An offering to support Mission of Peace (MOP) …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: General Conference postponed until 2024
March 4, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following note was sent by Bishop Mark J. Webb to the Upper New York Conference on March 4, 2022. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul. (Psalm 94.19) Dear Sisters and Brothers of The Upper New York Conference, The Commission on the General Conference has announced that the 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church rescheduled for Aug. 29 - Sept. 6, 2022, will not be held. Instead, …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Praying for Ukraine this Lenten season
March 2, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following was sent to the Upper New York Conference on March 2, 2022 from Bishop Mark J. Webb. Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Many of us in congregations throughout Upper New York will hear the words of “An Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline.” Some of those words in that invitation are as follows: “I invite you, therefore, in the …more
How Gloversville: North Main Street UMC lay minister will prepare members to lead a worship service
March 1, 2022 / By Shannon Hoson
Ms. Joyce Royal as been the certified lay minister at Gloversville: North Main Street UMC, located in the Mohawk District, for three years. Having previously served as the Education Coordinator for Lay Servant Ministries in the Albany District, Joyce has a curriculum to help lay servants and members of a congregation learn how to lead a worship service. Joyce said, “People don’t realize how many resources are …more
Brag about the new leaders in your church
March 1, 2022 / By UNY Communications
The Upper New York vitality focus for the month of March is “members stepping into leadership roles for the first time.” Do you have young people participating in services or events—taking on a leadership role? Do you have laity delivering sermons and leading worship services? When COVID-19 launched a new or updated digital ministry for your church, who stepped to the plate to do this? We …more
Building a ministry for the addiction and recovering community and their families
March 1, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
There are 20 million people in the United States struggling with alcohol or drug addictions. There are another 20 million people living in recovery. Close to half of the U.S. population has a family member who is addicted to drugs and alcohol. For many years, churches have opened their doors to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings as well as Al-Anon meetings for family members of individuals struggling with addiction. Jonesville UMC in …more