news stories
New York State Paid Sick Leave law
January 15, 2021 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist
All private sector workers in New York State are covered under the state’s paid sick leave law, regardless of industry, occupation, part-time status, overtime exempt status, and seasonal status. If a person is issued a W-2 year-end tax form, they are eligible for the New York State Paid Sick Leave. Non-profit and religious organizations are not exempt from this law. The law requires employers, depending on their size, …more
Systemic vs Institutional Racism
January 13, 2021 / By Georgia Whitney, Conference Commission on Religion & Race
When did you last use an offensive term referring to someone of another race? Refuse to sit next to a person at church whose skin color is different from yours? Told a racist joke? It's probably been a while—or maybe you've never done these kinds of things. Because as Christians, that's just not how we behave. And in the U.S., that's how …more
Central Endicott “Best Place to Worship”
January 13, 2021 / By Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost
In a delightful end to the difficult year that was 2020, Endicott: Central UMC was chosen as the “Best Place to Worship” in the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin’s Readers’ Choice awards. Members consistently reflect this reality, and some have explained why. Amber Gaylord comments, “Central is the best place to worship because everyone is so welcoming to anyone and everyone. It’s like …more
Intentional Discipleship Development
January 4, 2021 / By Ellen Mall-John, Albany District Lay Leader and District Associate
Editor’s Note: In 2019, the Rev. Dr. Aaron Bowens, the UNY Director of Vital Congregations wrote an article on what it means to have an intentional discipleship system. Click here to read it. But, how do we create disciples in the midst of a pandemic? In the article below, Ellen Mall John, Albany District Associate offers excellent ways to develop disciples at this difficult time. Her advice can prove …more
The pandemic produces positive outcomes for Chittenango UMC
December 15, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Since March, the coronavirus pandemic has hurt many churches’ attendance, giving, and more. But many have seen positive outcomes. Chittenango United Methodist Church is one of them. Retired pastor, the Rev. John Fulton, took on a part-time appointment to become Chittenango’s pastor eight years ago. He said, “It’s weird to think that the pandemic impacted the church in a positive way, but it kind …more
Keeping Christmas traditions alive in UNY
December 14, 2020 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
COVID-19 has been a challenging time for all churches. What are Upper New York churches doing to preserve the Christmas spirit, to keep their traditions of celebrating Christ’s birth alive?! Here are some unique ways that UNY churches, large and small, are keeping their Christmas traditions alive amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Asbury First UMC Avon First UMC Calvary First UMC East Greenbush UMC East Randolph UMC Newtonville UMC …more
University UMC excels at meeting community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic
December 8, 2020 / By Galyn Murphy-Stanley, Neighborhood Outreach & Food Center Coordinator, University United Methodist Church
The Food Center @ 324 University Ave. lives inside University United Methodist Church (UUMC). We sit at the edge of Downtown Syracuse and Syracuse University in a magnificent church built after a 1914 fire destroyed the previous church structure. We are perfectly situated to easily reach, engage, and connect with our diverse Syracuse community. University United Methodist Church is striving to meet our mission statement of “Feeding God’s People: …more
Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship for Online and In-Person Audiences with Jason Moore
November 30, 2020 / By By UNY Communications
The UNY Conference will be offering a timely webinar with Jason Moore on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 6-8 p.m. on Zoom. This can help churches better prepare through Advent and especially for Christmas. It will also help churches prepare into the new year as the webinar will be available for 90 DAYS to view and review. Through this webinar churches large and small, technically savvy and challenged, are finding …more
Advent devotionals and resources and the symbolism of the nativity scene
November 30, 2020 / By UNY Communications
If you are looking for ways to celebrate Advent at home with devotionals and activities, UMC.org invites you to dive intotheir resources, which they update each week of Advent. Click here to get started. As you reflect on Christmas, this year, consider learning about nativity scenes and how different variations use certain characteristics as special symbols related to the birth of Christ. Click here to learn about the …more
UNY Conference welcomes David Weber as Casowasco site director
November 17, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“I’m going to show God’s love through all I do with extreme hospitality.” This is what David Weber calls his mantra. And he is excited to live out his mantra as Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center’s new Site Director. David was born in Buffalo, NY, a son to a Methodist pastor. His father moved to different Conferences with each new appointment so …more