news stories
Celebrating Juneteenth in UNY
June 9, 2021 / By Georgia Whitney, Conference Commission on Religion & Race
Are you ready to celebrate June 19th: a celebration of Juneteenth, the day in 1865 that all Americans became free from slavery? “But wait!” you say. “Weren't enslaved people freed when Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier?” Well, no. In 1863, the Civil War was still going on, and tragically, the state of Texas, like many Southern states, refused to spread the news of …more
What’s unique about this year’s Annual Conference?
June 9, 2021 / By The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop and UNY Director of Connectional Ministries
As is true at every Annual Conference, members will be asked to elect a variety of leaders to new terms of office at this year’s Annual Conference, held virtually, June 17-19. This year, though, there are several unique situations of which we wanted you to be aware. The first deals with the election of equalization members. To comply with our Conference rules, the first action of the Conference …more
Juneteenth celebrations throughout the years
June 8, 2021 / By Georgia Whitney, Conference Commission on Religion & Race
Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence Day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans. Combining the words "June" and "nineteenth," it began as a local celebration in Texas and has since evolved into a worldwide celebration of freedom. Also known as "Jubilee Day," "Freedom Day," "Cel-Liberation Day," "Second Independence Day," and "Emancipation Day," Juneteenth is …more
UNY CONAM 2021 Four Directions Humanitarian Award winners
June 1, 2021 / By Sharon Schmit, CONAM
Each year, the UNY Committee on Native American Ministries presents the Four Directions Humanitarian Award to honor one or more individuals for their dedication to native ministries. This year we chose to honor four individuals who have retired from their service after years of tireless effort. Three of these individuals are pastors retiring or leaving from the three Native American churches in the Upper New York (UNY) Conference: David Rood, …more
UMECM Temperature Check
June 1, 2021 / By Rhonda Chester, MDIV, United Methodist Ecumenical Chaplain Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University
It was an honor to be among the class of 2021 graduates of Syracuse University. Over 6,000 degrees were conferred on this year’s graduates. My feelings were mixed as I prayed for and with, blessed, and congratulated the courageous members of this class. They have persevered through a very difficult final year as the pandemic and other socio-cultural and political fires blazed. I recognized their tears as a symbol of …more
Mark Jones receives John Wesley Fellowship Award
June 1, 2021 / By Steve Ranous, Vice President, United Methodist Men
On April 30th, 2021, Mark Jones from the Mohawk District of the Upper NY (UNY) United Methodist Church (UMC) Conference, and current President of the Upper NY UMC Conference United Methodist Men (UMM), became a John Wesley Fellowship Award winner, only #845 world-wide since the award started in 1982! Being named a Fellow in the Society of John Wesley is the top award within the UMM community. Mark was given the award …more
United Methodist Women Program Advisory Group hold first meeting of 2021-2024 Quadrennium
May 12, 2021 / By Tara Barnes, Editor, response magazine, United Methodist Women
The 2021-2024 United Methodist Women Program Advisory Group gathered via Zoom for its first annual meeting March 11-13, 2021. This global gathering included national director Valerie Clark representing the Upper New York Conference. The group members met for orientation and preparing for their work throughout the next four years. The program advisory group studies issues and prepares recommendations to the national board regarding mission priorities, mission education work, and program guidance …more
CCORR Celebrates Preaching to Dismantle Racism
May 11, 2021 / By Conference Commission on Religion & Race
In early 2020, a team of CCORR members invited submissions for a juried Preaching Contest. Designed to elicit and share creative excellence in our collective struggle to uproot racism from our church, this contest yielded some wonderful submissions. We are pleased to announce that Rev. Ewart Morris won the contest with his entry “Unity is God’s Idea.” Beginning with the intimate words of the apostle Paul, &ldquo …more
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center welcomes Ben Mudge as Assistant Director
May 11, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center has been without a full-time, year-round staff person since 2014. On May 3, 2021, that changed when Aldersgate Director Pam Harris welcomed Ben Mudge as the full-time Assistant Director. This position became possible because of Aldersgate’s growth and momentum over the past year. Pam said, “This past summer when we were able to host family retreats, we reconnected with families who we haven’t …more
UNY Mission Central HUB needs financial contributions to sustain its operations
May 4, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB was made possible through a gift that Earlville UMC gave to the UNY Conference in 2017. The primary mission of the UNY Conference Mission Central HUB is to equip local Church and Conference leaders to be the “Hands and Feet of Jesus,” providing help and hope to people in times of distress and disaster. Mike Block, UNY Director of Missional Engagement …more