news stories
Welcoming Rev. Eleanor Collinsworth to Bath: Centenary UMC
November 6, 2018 / By Bob Dunham, Co-Lay Leader, Bath: Centenary UMC
t was Sunday, July 6, 2014, and everyone at Centenary was anxious and excited to welcome our new pastor. Several of us had already met Pastor Eleanor when she came to an evening gathering at our church in the spring to be introduced and to have the opportunity to tell us a little about herself. It also gave her the chance to meet several of us for the first time. While I …more
Replacing a pastor who served a church for 17 years
November 6, 2018 / By The Rev. Eleanor Collinsworth, Bath: Centenary UMC
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Fall 2018 Issue of the Advocate, which focused on itinerancy and appointment-making in the United Methodist Church. As if a phone call from a District Superintendent asking you to prayerfully consider a change in appointment doesn’t get your heart beating fast enough, these words will surely do the trick: “…and the person you are following has been …more
Do No Harm urges The UMC to lead in combating sin of sexual misconduct
October 30, 2018 / By Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries
“I have a dream that the United Methodist Church will be the leading prophetic voice in combating sexual misconduct.” Bishop Sharma Lewis (Virginia Conference) shared this vision during worship the last day of the “Do No Harm” sexual ethics training event sponsored by the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (https://www.gcsrw.org/DNH2018.aspx) and held earlier this month in San …more
Clergy appointments in Upper New York
October 29, 2018 / By the Rev. Brian Fellows, Clifton Springs UMC
Editor's Note: This article was first published in the Fall 2018 issue of the Advocate, which focused on itinerancy in the United Methodist Church. The Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) is privileged to have the ministry of caring for the clergy of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference from the first perception of a call through retirement. BOM works through the 12 District Committees on Ordained Ministry (dCOMs), and in close …more
Baldwinsville First welcomes 600 community children to their annual trunk-or-treat
October 29, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Sunday Oct. 28 was rainy and cold in Central NY, but that did not stop Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church from putting on an awesome trick-or-treating alternative event. For nearly a decade, Baldwinsville First UMC has put on a trunk-or-treat event and has welcomed the community to come to the church for trick-or-treating at decorated car trunks in their parking lot. When the weather calls for rain, they simply change plans …more
The Culture of Call
October 29, 2018 / By Rev. Mark Kimpland, Endwell UMC
Editor's Note: This article was first published in the Fall 2018 issue of the Advocate, which focused on itinerancy in the United Methodist Church. Over 40 years ago, while attending a youth retreat at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center, I encountered the very presence of God calling me into ministry. I only wish I had comprehended the event as a call, but the best I could conjure was simply an occurrence …more
Dr. Clif Christopher unravels how to increase giving at the 2018 Bishop’s Retreat
October 29, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At the 2018 Bishop’s Retreat, held Oct. 23-25 in Syracuse, Dr. Clif Christopher, founder of Horizons Stewardship Company, provided inspiring insights to Upper New York clergy on how they can improve stewardship in their congregations. Dr. Christopher emphasized the fact that people are bombarded with messages from the media that they need the next new car or gadget. He explained, “The greatest sin your people have is their …more
UNY completes a successful medical mission trip in Vieques, Puerto Rico: Article 2 of 3
October 23, 2018 / By Pastor Sharon Rankins-Burd
Editor’s Note: A 12-person team from the Upper New York (UNY) Conference went on a mission trip to Puerto Rico, on the island of Vieques in Sept. Team members included seven people from Fly Creek and Schuyler Lake UMCs in the Oneonta District as well as three additional medical staff from the Northern Flow District. Drs Sylvia and Marv Reimer of Watertown, NY led the team. …more
Become a spiritual entrepreneur-Nov. 15 workshop
October 23, 2018 / By UNY Communications
Starting a New Faith Community (and keeping it going!) is in many ways like building a business from scratch. We may never have the financial payoff of a Silicon Valley software firm, but we'd all like to see new churches succeed in disciple-making! How can we as planters adopt and adapt the best practices of private-sector start-ups? How do entrepreneurs identify their customers plan for success? How do they …more
Rev. Cathy Stengel on itinerancy
October 23, 2018 / By Rev. Cathy Stengel, Rush UMC
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in The Fall 2018 (2018, issue 4) of teh Upper New York Advocate, which focused on intinerancy in the United Methodist Church. Imagine having the same pastor from when you were born until you are on the verge of graduating from high school. Imagine having the same pastor who baptized your children preside at their weddings and then baptize your grandchildren.Rev Maybe you can …more