news stories
What to know about Accountable Reimbursement Plans
November 17, 2020 / By Rev. Susan Ranous
When your Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee prepares the Clergy Compensation form each year, it includes lines for expense reimbursements. It is split between continuing education for the pastor and other expenses reimbursements. The Conference does suggest a minimum accountable reimbursement amount based on the percentage of appointment. Of course, the church and the pastor can come to an agreement for a higher amount. There should be an agreement between …more
Updated COVID-19 guidelines and best practices
November 17, 2020 / By UNY Communications
New York State, like much of the world, is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases with regional micro-clusters across the UNY Conference experiencing positive test rates above 4.5 percent. With the health and safety of all members and communities of the Upper New York Conference in mind, the Conference Reopening Task Force, with the full support of Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, and the members of the …more
New York State Paid Family Leave benefit changes 2021
November 16, 2020 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist
Effective January 1, 2021, there are changes to the New York State Paid Family Leave benefit. The number of weeks eligible employees can take increases from 10 weeks to 12 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. In 2021, the benefit increases from 60% …more
Nov. 29 is Student Day
November 10, 2020 / By UNY Communications
What is Student’s Day? One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Student Day takes place the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. This Special Sunday calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The special offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist applicants. When you give generously on United Methodist Student …more
File your Boy Scouts of America claim by Nov. 16
October 28, 2020 / By UNY Communications
Earlier this year, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect itself against a growing number of sexual abuse claims made against it. This bankruptcy process is intended to allow the BSA to deal with these claims – through the creation of and payment from a victim’s compensation trust fund – and continue its operations. As is typical in bankruptcy proceedings, the court has …more
Bishop Webb to host Zoom gatherings with laity
October 28, 2020 / By UNY Communications
The past month, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, has hosted rejuvenating District gatherings with UNY clergy. In December, Bishop Webb is inviting all laity to join him for Regional gatherings on Zoom. These gatherings will be a time of prayer and conversation around our ongoing commitment to the mission of the Church in these unprecedented days. Bishop Webb said, “I look forward to …more
Preach Palestine on Nov. 29
October 26, 2020 / By UNY Conference Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel
Friends of Sabeel North America is inviting congregations to "Preach Palestine" on Nov. 29 by incorporating Palestine into their worship service on the first week of Advent. As your UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, we are deeply committed to human rights for the Palestinian people. Sunday, Nov. 29 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Friends of Sabeel North America has prepared some …more
Meet the new Niagara Frontier District AA-Beth Holdridge
October 20, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Please extend a warm welcome to Beth Holdridge, the new Niagara Frontier District Administrative Assistant. She begins her training on Monday Nov. 2. Beth is the daughter of Fred Holdridge, Licensed Local Pastor at Collins Center UMC. Beth grew up in the Forestville UMC congregation, where her father became a lay minister. Beth studied art and art history at Robert Wesleyan college. Her major was in painting and sculpture. Beth said, …more
Monitoring at Annual Conference 2020
October 19, 2020 / By Commission on Religion and Race and Commission on the Status and Role of Women
Annual Conference 2020 was one like no other. Yet it remained vital to have a variety of voices at the table—actually, at computers and phones. Our worldwide United Methodist Church values healthy conversations. To that end, the Commission on Religion and Race, and Commission on the Status and Role of Women monitor who is speaking at Annual Conference in terms of clergy, laity, race, and gender. The rules and …more
Red Bird Shoe Box drop off locations for 2020 announced
October 9, 2020 / By Dave Alexander / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It is that time of year to think about the shoebox mission for the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. I realize that things are tough for a lot of churches, but the Red Bird Mission is still in need of shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene supplies, new backpacks filled with school supplies, and new sheets, blankets, towels and washcloths. They also are in need of diapers, wipes, …more