Close X
  • Our Focus
  • Home
  • About
  • Ministries
  • Missions
  • Events
  • News
  • Resources
  • X

    Translate

    Close

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


    news article

    Upper New York Conference is “Praying Our Way Forward”

    February 28, 2018 / By UNY Communications Team

     “Praying Our Way Forward” is an initiative created by the Council of Bishops, in which every Conference around the world is invited to participate and engage in a week of intentional prayer for the Commission on A Way Forward.

    The week of March 4-10 was selected as the week for the UNY Conference to pray.

    The Commission is preparing recommendations for the Council to offer to General Conference on the matter of human sexuality related to ordination and marriage. The General Conference will be considering and voting on recommendations at a special session in February 2019. Click here to watch a video about the initiative.

    Upper New York Area Resident Mark J. Webb described several ways that everyone across the Conference can participate in this important week of prayer. He said,

    “In this season of discernment for the future of our beloved United Methodist Church, we need to pray. We need to pray for the members of the Commission on a Way Forward, the Council of Bishops, the Upper New York delegation and all delegations that will participate in the special called session of General Conference in Feb. 2019. I urge you to personally set a time each day for prayer; gather with others in a small group setting and pray; or participate or plan a prayer service in your local church. Pray for God’s wisdom; pray for our ability to listen; pray for our willingness to say yes to the direction of God for our life together. Before the vote on a way forward comes, let’s engage in the work of praying forward for the glory of God.”

    Here are some ways you can pray during this significant week:

    • Set a time each day specifically to pray for the Commission on A Way Forward
    • Organize a prayer vigil or prayer circle in your congregation
    • Invite people to sign up for 15-30 minutes of meditation and prayer for a specific day
    • If there is a church meeting or event scheduled during March 4-10, offer a special prayer in opening and closing devotions
    • Start a prayer chain for each day specifically for the Commission on a Way Forward

    Intentional prayer for the work of the Commission on a Way Forward is important for a fruitful future for the United Methodist Church to continue making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.


    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."