news stories
Young adults add their pieces to the puzzle to break down the walls at Young People’s Service
June 5, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Elyse Muder and Maya Smith kicked off the Young People’s Service on June 2 at the 2018 Annual Conference session with a skit. Maya wanted to start a Bible study but wasn’t sure she could do it and felt awkward about talking about her faith outside of church. Elyse encouraged her. “It’s important to spread the word of God everywhere you go, in any way …more
Petition and Resolution Results at the 2018 Upper New York Annual Conference
June 5, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Discussion and voting for the petitions and resolutions brought to the 2018 Annual Conference session began in the afternoon plenary on June 1 and continued through the June 2 morning plenary. Here are the results of each resolution. UNYAC2018.1-on Guidelines for GC 2019 Delegation, not supported This resolution called the Upper New York Conference delegates attending the Special Session of General Conference (SSGC) in February 2019 to use the biblically-based values of grace, …more
Bishop Webb celebrates many at the Service of Blessing and Anointing
June 1, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Service of Blessing and Anointing was held June 1 at the 2018 Annual Conference session at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena. It was a celebration! InsideOut had the crowd singing verses from Father Let your Kingdom Come at many times throughout the service: “You make all things new You make all things new In places we don’t choose You make all things new.” This service …more
Recommendation results from AC2018
June 1, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson
Voting on the Upper New York Conference recommendations began in the morning plenary on June 1 and extended through the afternoon plenary at the 2018 UNY Annual Conference session held at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse. The results are as follows: Recommendation from the Accessibility Committee – Disability Awareness Weekend, supported This recommendation is for the Upper New York Conference to establish February 1-7, or another weekend chosen …more
Rev. Jones explains how to get the past out of our eyes to attain an extraordinary future
June 1, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
For more years than most, the most hapless team in baseball was managed by Charlie Brown, said Study Leader the Rev. Dr. L. Gregory Jones of Duke Divinity School. One of the problems with his winless team involved the team’s outfielder Lucy, who was always daydreaming and thinking of boys. But one day she comes up to the mound and tells her manager, “This time it is …more
Study Leader Rev. Dr. L. Gregory Jones says we must stop ‘going back to Egypt’
June 1, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Back in the early days of airplane travel, it took longer to go from east to west than west to east. One time, a plane flying from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles fell into heavy fog for a while. “The pilot said, ‘I have good news and bad news. First the bad news: We’re lost. The good news? Now we’re two hours ahead …more
Clergy and clergy spouses remembered at AC2018 Memorial Service
June 1, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson
On May 31 at the 2018 Annual Conference session, a Memorial Service was held to honor Upper New York clergy members and clergy spouses who have passed away since the 2017 Annual Conference session. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb introduced the service. “I hope you know that we have been praying for you, that we love you, and that we thank you for making sacrifices so that your …more
Actions taken during Trustees Report
May 31, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson
The Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees shared their report May 31 at the 2018 Annual Conference session during the afternoon plenary. President of the Upper New York Board of Trustees Rich Barling began by discussing the great energy and work happening in the United Methodist Center, making special mention of the Resource Center, Mission Central HUB, and the team spirit in all departments. “The feeling of mission and ministry …more
Mold discussion dampens Commission on Equitable Compensation Report
May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The Rev. Lauren Swanson, chair the Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation, presented the commission’s report May 31 at the 2018 Annual Conference session. “It has been our mission to equip struggling local churches to establish sound financial footing so they can build leadership capacity, make disciples, and transform the world,” Rev. Swanson said. “We have done this by supplying short-term grants to help bridge short-term setbacks …more
Business as usual during Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits Report
May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits presented their report Thursday at the 2018 Annual Conference Session at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. The board’s Chair, the Rev. Mary Rublee, started by acknowledging the board members. “The board is made up of dedicated and active individuals,” she said. According to Rev. Rublee, the board is responsible for management of a sustainable health …more