News Stories from December 2022

Boy Scouts of America Affiliation and Building Use Agreements

December 16, 2022 / By UNY Communications

BSA/UMC agreements between troops and local congregations will not be extended past December 31, 2022. Troops and local congregations seeking to continue or start a relationship will need to complete a new “BSA Affiliation Agreement” and “Facilities Use & Indemnity Agreement.”  Click here to download the BSA Affiliation Agreement. Click here to download the Facilities Use & Indemnity Agreement.   All UNY local …more

Save the Date for March Special Session

December 15, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Upper New York Conference’s March 2023 Special Session of Annual Conference to consider disaffiliation requests will take place remotely on March 25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Registration will open on Feb. 1, 2023, and close on March 10, 2023. …more

No new elections needed for GC2024

December 15, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The United Methodist Church’s highest court ruled that new delegate elections “are not required” for the long-delayed and potentially pivotal General Conference, now set for 2024. There is no need for new elections. The location and dates for the 2024 General Conference have also been announced—the event will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina from April 23, 2024 to May 3, 2024. Click here to read more. …more

Save the Date for regional meetings with Bishop Héctor

December 15, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Click here to watch a recording of the laity regional gathering from Christ United Methodist Church in Olean on March 15.   Starting Jan. 1, 2023, Bishop Héctor Burgos, who prefers to be addressed as Bishop Héctor, will be the new bishop of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. Bishop Héctor is eager to meet laity and clergy throughout the Conference and has scheduled dates …more

Nature connects us to God

December 9, 2022 / By Laura Buchanan UMC.org

Time spent outdoors can strengthen our faith and reveal a deeper meaning in our daily life. God equipped us with five senses to help us discover and better appreciate the natural world – it’s up to us to step outside, engage and explore. Few could say they’ve experienced this more than Jack Layfield. In 2019, at age 67, Layfield served as a chaplain on the Appalachian Trail, hiking 2,192 …more

World Council of churches debates Israel apartheid

December 8, 2022 / By Rev. Dr. Gary Doupe, UNYAC Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine-Israel

A political system that separates and discriminates among people based on their ethnic heritage is known as apartheid. The word, in the Dutch-derived language, Afrikaans, means “apartness.” That system came to worldwide attention as South Africa, early in the 20th century, hardened its laws of racial separation, denying indigenous Africans any political power. The party of Dutch settlers (known as Afrikaners) consolidated white power, playing on the fears …more

Youth 2023 in Daytona Beach this July

December 5, 2022 / By Tony Hipes

Every four years, youth from throughout the United States have gathered at a special event for four days of discipleship, fun, and fellowship. This youth event is always in a different fun-filled spot and is jam-packed with interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and fellowship time. Adults who bring youth to the event can expect inspiration and support. While you are at this event, you will grow closer to …more