News Stories from May 2022
UNY blessed to have Charlie Camp as Finger Lakes Administrative Assistant
May 17, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Last week, the Finger Lakes District welcomed their new Administrative Assistant, Charlie Camp. In addition to being a Certified Nurse’s Assistant, Charlie has over 15 years of experience in administrative roles. Since 2019, she has worked as a part-time administrative assistant for Newark First United Methodist Church. A couple of months ago Charlie realized that her part-time position at the church was not enough to pay the bills and support …more
Reflecting on Confirmation
May 17, 2022 / By Rev. Alison Schmeid, pastor of Lansing United Methodist Church
Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the Advocate 2022 Issue I, which focused on children and youth in UNY. Back in the last century, I loved confirmation class because it met in a relaxed environment. Our pastor wore blue jeans and sat in a rocking chair and talked with us as if we were thinking adults, not children. Today, a pastor in blue jeans is not an anomaly, and …more
How UNY CRM shaped lives
May 17, 2022 / By Matt Williams, Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center Site Director
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2022 Issue I of the Advocate. Click here to access this issue, which focuses on children and youth. It is always fascinating to see the number of hands that are raised when a group of clergy women and men are asked if they received their call to ministry in a camp and retreat setting. What is it about time spent at …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Prayers for Buffalo
May 14, 2022 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor’s Note: On the evening of May 14, 2022, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, sent the following letter to the Upper New York Conference after learning of the racially-motivated mass shooting that took place at a Tops market in Buffalo, earlier that evening. Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I join with the people of the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Death of Genesee Valley District Superintendent Rev. Vonda Fossitt
May 12, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following was sent on behalf of Bishop Mark J. Webb to clergy in the Genesee Valley District on May 12, 2022. On May 17, the Upper New York Conference learned that Rev. Vonda J. Fossitt's Celebration of Life and Resurrection is planned for May 26 at New Light UMC, located at 2009 Dewey Ave. in Rochester, NY. The wake begins at 11 a.m. followed by a service at 12 p.m. …more
UNY Camp and Retreat Ministries to receive $118,000 in grant money
May 11, 2022 / By UNY Communications
The Upper New York (UNY) Camp & Retreat Ministry (CRM) sites will be receiving a total of $118,000 in grant money to impact sustainability for each site and foundation board development. An anonymous foundation initially offered $1,000,000 to UM Camp & Retreat Ministry sites across the United States through a Ministry Impact Grant application process. Members responded enthusiastically submitting requests totaling $4,000,000. Inspired by the wonderful requests, the granting foundation was able to …more
Passing on the faith
May 10, 2022 / By Rev. Carrie Wolfe, Deacon and Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries, Olean: Christ UMC
Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the UNY 2022 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused onchildren and youth ministries. Click here to access this issue of the Advocate. From 2 Timothy 1:5 (ICB), “I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. And I know that you now have that same faith.” Antoinette Abernethy …more
Building youth leadership throughout UNY
May 10, 2022 / By Kevin Clark, CCYM Publicity Chair
Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the 2022 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused on children and youth. Click here to access this issue of the Advocate. The Conference Council on Youth Ministry, or CCYM, is an organization that plans events and promotes leadership among peers. The council is made of youth from across the Upper New York Conference, Each District elects 4-6 youth that …more
UNY Pastoral Wellness initiative launches
May 4, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Church leaders have busy lives and many demands. And the past few years have brought about more stress with COVID-19, racial unrest, and denominational uncertainty. Stories of burnout among pastors are everywhere. What can be done to assure that pastors are taking a Sabbath and a day off, taking time regularly to renew their souls? Upper New York (UNY) has developed a Wellness Team to determine what can be done …more
From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Focusing on children and youth
May 3, 2022 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” – Matthew 19.14 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these …more