News Stories from October 2022
Adrienne Demin receives the 2022 Denman Award
October 25, 2022 / By UNY Communications
On Sunday Oct. 23, the Rev. Cathy Stengel presented the 2022 UNY Conference Harry Denman Evangelism Award to one of her congregants at Pendleton Center UMC, Adrienne Demin. The Harry Denman Evangelism 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 …more
The Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood urges UNY Conference leaders to lace up their sneakers
October 18, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Oct. 2, 2022, the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood was officially welcomed as the Mountainview District Superintendent. Bishop Webb’s introduction to the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, introduced Rev. Dr. Rood as the new District Superintendent (DS) for the Mountainview District. He explained that the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church allows an elder to serve an additional …more
NY State minimum wage increase
October 14, 2022 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist
Effective December 31, 2022, New York State minimum wage will increase to $14.20/hour. Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employee’s minimum wage. Future increases will be determined by the NYS Director of Budget in consultation with the NYS Commissioner of Labor and will be announced on or before October 1 each year. Please click this link for more information …more
Seven ordained and one commissioned and AC2022
October 13, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Becoming an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church requires several years of discernment with the assistance of their local United Methodist congregation, District, and Conference Board of Ordained Ministry; it requires a master's degree and a period of supervised service in their ministry with a mentor to encourage them. On Oct 8, at the 2022, Upper New York Annual Conference’s Service of Commissioning and Ordination, in his sermon …more
Voices heard and not heard at the AC2022
October 9, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Monitoring reports are presented at Annual Conference to understand whose voices are heard and whose voices are not heard on the floor of Annual Conference. To conduct these reports, when speakers come to the floor, they are asked to identify their gender, race, whether they are clergy or laity, their District, and their church This year, Annual Conference was held virtually—as opposed to appearing at a microphone on …more
Pastoral appointments celebrated at Annual Conference
October 9, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
Upper New York Resident Bishop Mark Webb took time Saturday Oct. 8 during the 2022 Annual Conference to recognize and celebrate the clergy appointments that began July 1, 2022. “You have been called by God and chosen by the people of God for leadership in the church,” he said to the conference’s clergy. “This ministry is a blessing, it’s a privilege, and it’s a serious …more
Bishop Webb recognizes many across the UNY Conference
October 9, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
During the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, recognized the 2022 retirees of the UNY Conference, the individuals who received licenses as local pastors (LLPs), the LLPs who completed the Course of Studies, the Certified Lay Ministers, and the Cabinet. Speaking of the retirees, Bishop Webb said, “One of my biggest regrets is that we cannot see these people in person …more
Conference Advance Specials celebrated and supported
October 9, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, UNY Director of Connectional Ministries, presented the 2023 Conference Advance Specials, as listed on p. 20 of the 2022 UNY Annual Conference Journal Vol.1, with the addition of the Southern Sudan Health Project and Buffalo 10 Scholarships. Twenty-nine ministries were included on the amended list. The Rev. Jeff Childs, chair of the Conference Global Ministries Team, explained the purpose of the specials. “Years ago, it seems churches were inundated …more
Young Adults Lead Saturday Morning Worship at Annual Conference
October 9, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The final day of the 2022 gathering of the Upper New York Annual Conference opened with a moving worship led by the Conference’s Young Adult Ministries. The time highlighted the Northeastern Jurisdiction Mission of Peace and included various Scripture readings and reflections, with music from Brendan James Fox, Zach Stahlsmith, Elliot Lawrence, and Skye Farm staff and campers. The Mission of Peace is a yearly journey of discovery and …more
New leaders approved for 2023
October 9, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The Upper New York Conference Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development report to the 2022 Annual Conference was presented by Ian Urriola, chair of the committee, who opened his report by singing the hymn “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me.” “It’s a cliché at this point to say that these are trying times in the life of our beloved United …more