News Stories from November 2023

Conference property insurance update

November 29, 2023 / By Pastor Jack Keating, UNY Board of Trustees

As we prepare for the upcoming annual renewal of our Conference-wide insurance program with Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, we face an entirely different insurance climate than probably at any time in anyone’s memory.   “Unfortunately, most, if not all, Upper New York (UNY) churches have already received information from Brotherhood Mutual about significant deductible increases for the coming year without a proper explanation. As Chair of …more

Planning for church year-end statistics

November 28, 2023 / By Autumn Wells, Administrative and Accounting Services Specialist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3)  As we inch closer to the end of the calendar year, the start of annual church statistic season draws nearer. The ACStats platform will open for local churches to begin adding their data starting on Jan. 2, 2024. Information must be submitted by end of day on Feb. 15.  We had an excellent first year using …more

Solar panels for churches

November 20, 2023 / By Rev. Merle Showers, Upper New York Creation Care Team member / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Churches in Upper New York can now get solar panels for their churches. There is federal money through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to help do this.  Why would you want to do this? There are several reasons. First, after about seven years, the money you will have saved due to lower electric bills will have paid for the panels and installation, and the panels will continue to produce for …more

United Methodist Church Bishops to call special session of general Conference in 2026

November 17, 2023 / By UNY Communications

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops plans to call a special session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church in 2026 for the delegates to strategize and work toward bringing about the next vital expression of United Methodism.   The bishops made the decision to call the special session during their recent meeting at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina last week.  The specific call for the special …more

From the desk of Bishop Héctor- Council of Bishops Fall 2023 meeting

November 15, 2023 / By Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23  Dear United Methodists in Upper New York,  Grace and peace of our Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you. Over the past three weeks, I had the opportunity to experience our United Methodist connection in varied ways.   Trip to Cambodia and Manila  First, in mid-October, I traveled to Cambodia …more

Preparing churches for the winter season

November 13, 2023 / By Autumn Wells, Administrative and Accounting Services Specialist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Cold weather can wreak havoc on our homes and churches, but taking proper precautions can help prevent the unexpected. The Upper New York Conference Insurance Committee and Board of Trustees would like to remind our valued churches to be on the lookout for frozen pipes this coming winter season. Not only will these few steps help ease stress, but they could result in cost saving measures to maintaining low insurance …more

Statement from the Council of Bishops on Hamas/Israel war: “Give Peace a Chance”

November 10, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editor's note: This letter was published by The United Methodist Council of Bishops on Nov. 10, 2023 and shared with United Methodists of Upper New York. “Give Peace A Chance” Christ’s true disciples must work for peace: build it and not just keep it; live it and not just aspire for it. If Christ is our peace, then peace must be imperative (Resolution 6129: The United Methodist …more

Prayers from the pumpkin patch

November 6, 2023 / By Rev. Elizabeth J. Stewart, retired Upper New York Pastor

So, what does a retired pastor do during the early fall days? How about sitting in a pumpkin patch for five weeks for about nine hours a day? A most glorious time to spend with the Lord!       Twelve years ago, I retired from “active ministry” and, with my husband, moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It didn’t take long for …more

Our ministry shares at work for all of God’s creation

November 6, 2023 / By Rev. Corey Turnpenny, Church in the Wild

Editor's Note: The Rev. Corey Turnpenny spoke at the LEAD Conference in Asheville, NC. The LEAD Conference was founded in 2011 in the Desert Southwest Annual Conference in response to leaders of young adult ministries in The United Methodist Church desire to be more effective leaders in ministry with young adults. They're modeled around TED style talks about new and creative ways to engage in young adult ministry …more

Rocks changing shape at Webb Mills UMC

November 2, 2023 / By Eric Coons, Webb Mills UMC

Every Sunday morning, you can expect to find about two dozen faithful members worshipping inside Webb Mills United Methodist Church, but total membership exceeds 100. Like many churches, many members don’t attend regularly. Some migrate south for the fall and winter months, others are “taking a break,” and some only come back for major holidays. Regardless, Webb Mills UMC is considered their home church. The church has …more