news stories
Vote NO on BSA bankruptcy plan
December 1, 2021 / By The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop and UNY Director of Connectional Ministries
The United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee has notified Conferences that it recommends all churches reject the BSA bankruptcy plan, i.e., vote no: After months of mediation to achieve a settlement in the BSA bankruptcy and working with annual conferences about voting on the plan, the United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee recommends voting NO on the plan. We do not have a signed settlement that would bring healing to the …more
How mentorship creates and equips leaders
November 30, 2021 / By The Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens
Editor’s Note: The 2021 Issue II of the Advocate explores the meaningfulness of mentorship in helping people fulfill their call and their ministries throughout Upper New York (UNY) and beyond. Leading up to the publication of this issue, the Dr. Rev. Aaron Bouwens, UNY Director of Vital Congregation, explains how a mentoring relationship provides an exceptional opportunity for growth. Click here to read the “mentorship” issue …more
A Palestinian Cry for Hope
November 22, 2021 / By Linda Bergh
Hope is one of the candles in this season's Advent wreath. What does Hope look like for Palestinians living in the land where Jesus was born, in the year 2021-2022? In 2006, when my husband Gary and I, along with 50 other United Methodists, stayed in Bethlehem, I noticed some messages on the Israeli-constructed 27' (frequently designated “apartheid” wall) which surrounded the town. One message which has stayed with me …more
Asbury Methodist Church of Watertown Spreading LOVE and THANKS to Schools
November 16, 2021 / By Melanie Rafferty, Watertown: Asbury's co-chair of Membership & Evangelism
Asbury Methodist Church of Watertown, NY, has been visiting several organizations in the Watertown area to express our appreciation and show our love for all they do for our community. We have so far visited the Watertown Fire Department, Hospital (Samaritan Medical Center), Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Watertown Police Department. Over a large cake and/or gift bags, Pastor Laura Calos has offered our thanks to …more
Help the UNY Media Resource Center continue its ministry in 2022
November 16, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Does your church use resources for small groups, curriculums for children and adults, Lent studies, Vacation Bible School kits, or perhaps Wesleyan history studies for new members? The Upper New York (UNY) Conference Resource Center is a great place to turn for thousands of resources, including popular studies created by Adam Hamilton, Amy-Jill Levine, Matt Rawle, Max Lucado and John Ortberg. As you may know, the funding for our Conference …more
Potato drops feed thousands across UNY
November 16, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Society of St. Andrew has been contributing potatoes to the Upper New York (UNY) Conference for many years (except for 2020 when COVID-19 posed safety concerns for such an operation). The Society of St. Andrew gleans produce left in fields after harvest season and then delivers the produce to churches. The churches distribute to area food pantries and organizations to help feed the hungry. Each truckload of potatoes that came …more
Resources for launching a New Faith Community
November 15, 2021 / By The Rev. Abigail Browka
Couldn’t make “What Now?” New Faith Communities’ three-part series about dreaming of connection in a church changed by the pandemic? No Problem! Click here to access the videos freely via New Faith Communities YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw7GLCeq91uNbXe6xQcB8ow Learn about: Fresh Expressions of Church from Luke Edwards How to build Relationships with People Online from …more
Karen Nachbar Staulters wins Ministry of Memory award
November 5, 2021 / By UNY Communications
The Ministry of Memory Award (MoM) is a national award granted by the Historical Society of The United Methodist Church, with the support of the General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church, to recognize and encourage excellence in archival and historical work in the local church, Annual Conference, Jurisdictional, or central Conference. This award is intended to complement the Distinguished Service Award granted by the General …more
Three 2020 and two 2021 Denman award winners announced
October 29, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award is a celebration. This award honors United Methodists who bring people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, the Upper New York Conference works with the Foundation for Evangelism to recognize and honor one lay and clergy member for their commitment to consistently introducing others to the Good News of Jesus Christ—a commitment that even a global pandemic cannot break! …more
Faith and mental health
October 29, 2021 / By Alan Whitley, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on umc.org. I grew up where we often did not talk about faith and mental health in the same conversation. It almost felt like faith was welcomed into conversation but any conversation around mental health was averted. Imagine if we allowed faith and mental health to join forces and build a relationship? Let me start: My …more