news stories
Efforts being made to increase fruitfulness of UMC mission in UNY
February 11, 2020 / By Bishop Webb's Operational Task Force
Recently, there was a flurry of headlines related to a proposed measure of splitting the United Methodist Church. While the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Separation is in the proposal stage, it has garnered attention, and with it, questions about the future of the UMC in its current form. While we do not minimize the complexity of the dilemma we face as a denomination, we can look to the proactive …more
Changes to Paid Family Leave in 2020
February 11, 2020 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist
Effective January 1, 2020, there are changes to the New York State Paid Family Leave benefit. The number of weeks eligible employees can take remains at 10 weeks of job protected, paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition or assist loved ones when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service. The number of weeks eligible employees can …more
Conference Office closed
February 7, 2020 / By
Due to the inclement weather, the Conference Office in Liverpool will be closed today, Feb. 7. …more
Conference Archives internship begins
February 4, 2020 / By Susan Slenker, Crossroads District representative to CAH team
The UNY Commission on Archives and History (CAH) is pleased to announce that our first Syracuse University intern began to work late January in the UNY Conference Center rooms. Brewington Bryant will graduate in May with a Master’s in Library and Information Science. Initially, he is working weekly to unbox, identify, and sort materials from closed churches and rehouse them archivally. The CAH has spearheaded the establishment of …more
How to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church based on decisions made at Special Session of General Conference 2019
January 23, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Special Session of General Conference in 2019 adopted legislation which provides a way for churches to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church “for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals.” This limited right is codified as ¶2553 in the updated 2016 Book of Discipline. Throughout …more
UNY pays 100 percent of General Church apportionments
January 22, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Your church’s Ministry Shares enable the UNY Conference to pay General Church apportionments, which support the World Service Fund, the Ministerial Education Fund, the Black College Fund, the General Administration Fund, the Africa University Fund, and more. On Saturday Jan. 11, the UNY Conference Council on Finance & Administration (CF&A) voted to once again pay 100 percent of General Church apportionments for the fourth year in a row. …more
A new approach to the leadership of Superintendent: The Regional Superintendency Plan
January 18, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York (UNY) Conference will be instituting a Regional Superintendency Plan effective July 1, 2020. The plan was shared with District Committees on Superintendency at a Jan. 18 event. With the uncertainty of the future of the United Methodist Church as we approach General Conference 2020, it is imperative to keep focused on the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The new Regional Superintendency …more
How churches should handle a donation from a member’s retirement account
January 17, 2020 / By The Rev. Susan Ranous, Conference Council of Finance & Administration
As many of you may know, the Internal Revenue Code allows a person who is at least 70½ years old to donate to a charitable organization (including churches) directly from their retirement account. It is known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). If a member of your church authorizes their IRA or retirement custodian to make a direct contribution to the church from their retirement account, how do you handle …more
Complimentary tickets available to the Leading Today’s Church event
January 14, 2020 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, UNY Director of Vital Congregations
Dear UNY leaders As we continue to confront challenges in our efforts to reach our neighbors in a post-Christian culture, it is more important than ever to be equipped with the information that will help us understand the people in our communities. That’s why I have decided to partner with Northeastern Seminary to offer you a complimentary ticket to the Leading Today’s Church event on Friday, …more
Cady Grant applications available
January 14, 2020 / By Blenda Smith
Applications for the Ercil Cady Grant are available now through January 31, 2020. Grant(s) of up to $5,000 may be awarded to individual United Methodists, local UM churches, or UNY district and conference ministry teams. As directed by the originator of the Ercil Cady Grant, priority shall be given to educational proposals that benefit minority groups or individuals. Last year, the following exciting grants were awarded: “Cultural Preservation through Indigenous …more