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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    News Stories from October 2022

    Rev. Rhonda Kouterick offered balm for the grieving at AC2022 Memorial Service

    October 8, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    At the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, friends and families, both in-person and watching via livestream, remembered and celebrated the lives of the 27 UNY clergy, 24 UNY clergy spouses, and lay persons who have passed away since the last Annual Conference. Click here for the Memorial Service booklet that names those who were celebrated in this service. The service was held on Oct. 7 at Liverpool United Methodist Church. Upper New …more

    Upper New York Missionaries Shares Updates from Estonia

    October 8, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith

    The Rev. Doug Childress is a member of the Upper New York Conference now serving as pastor and teacher in Estonia. He and his wife Dr. Kulli Toniste are commissioned as missionaries through the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. The Rev. Childress serves as the chapel coordinator and professor at Baltic Theological Seminary in Tallinn, where Dr. Toniste is the director. In a video message, …more

    2023 Ministry Share Budget and CF&A Report, supported

    October 8, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The Council of Finance and Administration (CF&A) presented their report during the Oct. 7 afternoon plenary at the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, held virtually. CF&A chair, Holly Roush, discussed how a PPP loan and reduced spending enabled the Conference to fulfil the 2021 Ministry Share budget. She also mentioned how in 2021, 633 churches paid their Ministry Shares in full. In May of 2021, churches were able to receive …more

    Petition and Resolutions results at the 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference

    October 8, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Discussions and voting for the petitions and resolutions brought to the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference session began in the afternoon plenary on Oct. 6, continued after the dinner break, and were completed during plenary on the morning of Oct. 7.. The conference petitions can be found on pages 27-31 of the 2022 Annual Conference Journal Vol.1, except for UNYAC2022.4,  UNYAC2022.5, and UNYAC2022.6 which can be found in the …more

    Global Ministries: Witnesses to the ends of the earth

    October 8, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith

    In a video presentation at the 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference, United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries General Secretary Roland Fernandes shared an overview of the work of the denominational agency. “Working on behalf of you, the people of The United Methodist Church, Global Ministries witnesses God’s love for the world through people, projects, and partnerships in more than 100 countries,” he said. Global Ministries connects …more

    Board of Trustees Report at AC2022

    October 8, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith

    The Upper New York (UNY)Conference Board of Trustees presented its 2022 report at the UNY Annual Conference on Oct. 7. The Rev. Pamela Klotzbach, president of the board, presented an overview of the board’s work, which includes the purchase, sale and maintenance of Conference properties. The Trustees also manage the Conference’s master insurance program. The board also presented resolutions for church closures, church disaffiliations, and an update …more

    CCORR outlines three goals in their upcoming work

    October 7, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) report was presented during the Oct. 6 afternoon plenary at the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, held virtually. The Rev. Dr. Scott Johnson, co-convener of CCORR, started the report by reminding people of CCORR’s purpose, which he said, is to “challenge, lead, and equip the people to ensure institutional equity and to facilitate vital conversations about religion, race, and …more

    The Rev. Dr. Kim Reisman unravels the metaphor of embrace

    October 7, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The Rev. Dr. Kim Reisman knows the life of wanderers—she grew up in Southern California with parents who frequently picked up hitchhikers and welcomed people from a nearby military base to stay at their home when they were on leave. Fast-forward many decades later and Rev. Dr. Reisman is now the Executive Director of World Methodist Evangelism. She educates people on how to walk alongside wanderers and embrace …more

    Recommendations for clergy compensation supported at Annual Conference

    October 7, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith

    The Upper New York Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation supports and provides funding to churches that are unable to provide the minimum salaries as set forth by the Upper New York Conference for pastors under full-time appointment. The Rev. Rich Weihing, commission co-chair, along with Teddi Urriola, presented the commission’s 2022 report to the 13th annual meeting of the Upper New York Conference on October 6, bringing five recommendations for …more

    Recommendations of Board of Pensions and Health Benefits Supported at Annual Conference

    October 7, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith

    Upper New York Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits chair, the Rev. Sara Baron presented the board’s report and recommendations to annual conference Oct. 7, 2022. The board’s work is to find ways to provide for the pensions and health care benefits of clergy and conference employees without placing undue financial burdens on local churches. It brought before the Conference two resolutions relating to rental/housing allowances …more



    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."