news stories
Together in Worship 2.0
October 7, 2024 / By Missional Excellence Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Do you provide leadership in ministry and are looking for an opportunity to recharge? If so, we have a worship experience for you! Once a month for the past 15 months, leaders among United Methodists of Upper New York have had an opportunity to gather for worship through Facebook Live or in-person at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool. Like many local congregations, there has been conversation about the …more
FJUMC serves as Guatemalan Consulate for hundreds of immigrants
October 3, 2024 / By Beth Jordan, Faith Journey UMC member
Faith Journey United Methodist Church (FJUMC) got the unique opportunity to serve as a meeting place for hundreds of Guatemalans immigrating to the United States. The church was contacted by the New York State Immigration Coalition as a possible location for an upcoming event over the summer and the community events planner inquired about renting space in the Clay area. Over time, we learned a Guatemalan Consulate would be …more
Time off to vote and posting requirement
October 3, 2024 / By Tracy Rickett, HR Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a reminder that New York State employees are eligible for up to two hours of paid time off to vote if they do not have “sufficient time to vote.” An employee is deemed to have “sufficient time to vote” if an employee has four consecutive hours to vote either from the opening of the polls to the beginning of their work shift, or four …more
Hurricane Helene disaster response
October 2, 2024 / By Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following letter was emailed to United Methodists of Upper New York on Wednesday, October 2 about disaster response following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene on behalf of Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, Disaster Response Coordinator. Dear United Methodists of Upper New York, We are heartbroken to witness the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene to communities across our United Methodist Connection. We’re …more
Churches take on Operation: Home Repair for second year in a row
September 30, 2024 / By Cobleskill UMC / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Schoharie Mosaic, a Cooperative Parish of ten United Methodist churches in and around Schoharie County in the Oneonta District, recently completed its second annual Operation: Home Repair. This local mission project took place over two weeks in July, however planning and preparation for the mission projects began back in January 2024. Operation: Home Repair provides no-cost critical home repairs to homeowners in and around Schoharie County by bringing neighbors together …more
United Methodists of Upper New York Parental Leave policy
September 27, 2024 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As approved at the 2024 Annual Conference, there is a new Parental Leave policy for all clergy and laity employed by the Upper New York Annual Conference or any of its funded extension ministries. This policy applies to all clergy, regardless of their part-time or full-time status, and lay employees who work 20 or more hours a week, or who have worked for at least 175 hours. This policy was effective …more
Protecting your church in time for winter
September 27, 2024 / By Autumn Wells, Administrative and Accounting Services Specialist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It’s only the start of the fall season, but winter will be here before you know it. There are several things you should take into consideration when it comes to protecting your church and church property for winter weather. Want to know when there’s going to be extreme freezing weather or emergency info alerts in your area? Sign up to receive free text alerts …more
UNY Greenhouse Days: Sparking innovation and reimagining ministry
September 24, 2024 / By Rev. Abigail Browka, UNY New Faith Communities Initiative / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Last weekend, 100 people gathered for UNY Greenhouse Days both at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool and at Penn Ave UMC in Pine City. Local church leaders came together to explore new ways of reaching people and reimagining ministry for today’s world. Michael Beck, a dynamic pioneer in Fresh Expressions, served as the keynote speaker. He shared real-life examples of how small, inherited churches can spark fresh …more
Offering back-to-school support at Massena First UMC
September 23, 2024 / By Kathy Perry / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Massena First United Methodist has been involved in a community program for approximately 20 years. The program offers a hot nutritious dinner on Thursday evenings for anyone who wishes to have a meal. We currently serve approximately 150 meals per week, all prepared and served by volunteers. As we got to know our guests, we realized that many of them needed help with personal care, household cleaning, and …more
Creation Care Ministry weighs in on solar panels
September 20, 2024 / By Andrew Hartley, UNY Creation Care / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
United Methodists know that caring for God's Creation is a part of honoring God and loving our neighbors. Many want to reduce air pollution associated with heating and cooling while still generating electricity for their homes and expressed interest in shifting from coal, oil, and gas to clean solar power. Yet, to some, the cost of solar panels puts solar energy out of reach, even with the …more