news stories
Bishop Webb on itinerancy
October 23, 2018 / By Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb
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. The United Methodist system of itinerant ministry is rooted in John Wesley’s vision of spreading scriptural holiness across the land and utilizing both clergy and laity in the fulfillment of this mission. In the days of Francis Asbury, the first of …more
UNY response to Hurricane Michael
October 15, 2018 / By Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editors Note: The following is a letter that was written by Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement, about the response to Hurricane Michael and sent to the Upper New York Conference on Oct. 15, 2018. Dear Friends, It’s going to be a long road of recovery and rebuilding following Hurricane Michael, the most powerful hurricane in nearly 50 years to hit the continental U.S. The Florida Panhandle was hit …more
New York State Employers required to adopt a sexual harassment policy and training
October 15, 2018 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Beginning in October 2018, New York State employers must adopt a sexual harassment policy and training or use a similar policy and training that meet or exceeds the laws minimum standards. Key Components of the new law: Policy Under the new law, every employer in New York State is required to establish and distribute a sexual harassment prevention policy. Model policies are available through the link below. The policy can …more
Rev. Debbie Earthrowl offers a powerful worship experience at her DS installation
October 10, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Sunday Oct. 7 at Plattsburgh First United Methodist Church (FUMC), the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl was installed as the Adirondack District Superintendent; from the music and performances to the inspiring sermon, the installation was a vibrant celebration filled with joy. In introducing Rev. Earthrowl, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb described the several qualities he looks for in selecting a District Superintendent. He said confidently, “I am …more
UNY completes a successful medical mission trip in Vieques, Puerto Rico: Article 1 of 3
October 10, 2018 / By Joyce Wilder, RN and Karen Axenfeld, RN
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. On Viequez, …more
NEJ Bishops gather at United Methodist Center
October 9, 2018 / By Shelby Winchell / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Nine Bishops from the Northeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church (NEJ) joined Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb for a peer learning session on Oct. 8 and 9 at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool. The NEJ Residential Bishops meet four times a year, rotating meeting locations. The last time the NEJ Bishops gathered in UNY was the fall of 2016 at a hotel in Syracuse. This is …more
Social Holiness concerns: Majority does not necessarily rule
October 3, 2018 / By Rev. Alan Kinney
We as a people of the local church, the District, the Annual Conference, the United Methodist Church, and on a larger scale the United States of America have been confronted time and again with questions that deal with what is right and what is not right. These questions are nothing new to our lives, our country, or even in human existence. We can hear this question in the book of …more
NEJ delegates prepare for Special Session of GC
September 26, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Saturday Sept. 22, delegates from the 10 Conferences within the Northeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church gathered together at the Westin Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The purpose of the meeting was for delegates to learn how to go about entering the Special Session of General Conference in February 2019 in a Christ-like manner. The Rev. Bill Allen, head of the Upper New York (UNY) Delegation of the General Conference (GC), attended …more
UNY response to Hurricane Florence
September 18, 2018 / By Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As many of you are aware, Hurricane Florence brought a significant amount of rainfall to North and South Carolina, causing evacuations, flooding, the displacement of many families, and for some, death. When the water subsides, many will return home to find their homes and businesses damaged or destroyed. Rebuilding can take weeks, months, or perhaps years. As the Director of Missional Engagement for the Upper New York Conference, I urge …more
Rev. Carlos Rosa-Laguer installed as the Niagara Frontier District Superintendent
September 18, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Sunday September 16, 2018 at Batavia First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Carlos Rosa-Laguer was officially installed as the District Superintendent (DS) of the Niagara Frontier District. Well over 200 clergy and lay members throughout the Upper New York Conference attended the service, including several members of Rochester’s Emmanuel UMC were Rev. Rosa-Laguer previously served as pastor. In the service, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb said, …more