news stories
From the Desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Open letter to Emanuel AME Church
June 19, 2015 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
I urge all United Methodist Christians in Upper New York to be in fervent prayer for the community of Charleston, S.C., our sisters and brothers of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family and friends of the victims killed in the horrendous acts of violence committed on June 17. As people of faith, may we continue to work toward justice, including the end of gun violence and acts …more
How is Upper New York’s customer service? Take survey now
June 18, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In order to better serve the members and local churches of the Upper New York Conference, a customer service survey has been developed to provide the Conference with feedback from those who have received service from Conference staff. If you have had an interaction with the Conference office, please help us perfect our service by filling out the brief five-minute survey. Click here to complete the survey. …more
Upper New York’s trio of missionaries
June 17, 2015 / By The Rev. Jeff Childs
The Upper New York Conference is blessed to have three individuals among us who are preparing, currently providing, and just completing for missionary service in The United Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Gracie Lynn BesseGracie Lynn Besse is the daughter of the Rev. Deborah Earthrowl, pastor at the West Hebron and Salem UMCs, and a recent graduate of Siena College, majoring in psychology with minors …more
Conference introduces new event registration system
June 17, 2015 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference has transitioned to a “simpler” system for event registration. “The new registration system for Upper New York will be fully integrated with our Mission Connect database,” said Stephen Hustedt, Conference Director of Communications. “This will result in better follow-up, better communication, and a better overall experience for attendees.” The new system, called Mission Connect – SignUp, is different from …more
2015 Denman Award recipients named
June 16, 2015 / By
On Friday, May 29, during the Celebration of Ministry at the 2015 Annual Conference session, the Upper New York Conference and The Foundation for Evangelism presented the 2015 Denman Evangelism Award to Virgia Phoenix, lay member at First United Methodist Church in Schenectady, and the Rev. David Martin, pastor at Hope UMC in Troy. Oneonta District Superintendent the Rev. Jan McClary Rowell presents Virgia Phoenix with the 2015 Denman Evangelism Award for laity.Shirley …more
Peace with Justice Program announces participation rates
June 16, 2015 / By Heather Smith / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Peace with Justice Program is about building community by breaking down the walls that divide us. The grant program helps fund ministries that work toward this goal. Half of the Peace with Justice offering stays right here in the Upper New York Conference to support justice ministries, including the Committee on Native American Ministries, Albany United Methodist Society, and Faithful Citizen. Visit the Conference website for more details on …more
‘Net’ gain: Conference eclipses $400K for Africa 360
June 9, 2015 / By Christian Vischi / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Africa 360 Field Coordinator Laurel O’Connor is unapologetically passionate about the work of Imagine No Malaria and Africa University. “My job is to help our Conference dream God-sized dreams of a world where no child or mother dies of malaria, which is preventable, treatable, and beatable. God-sized dreams where new leaders have a chance to learn, grow, and change the world,” she said during Saturday’s …more
Offerings total more than $70K during AC ’15
June 8, 2015 / By Christian Vischi / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
More than $70,000 was received from the five offerings held during the 2015 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, according to the Conference Finance Ministry Area. The offerings provide a tangible way for the communities in Upper New York to support outreach and ministry locally and around the world, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb said prior to the session. The Clergy Care Fund and Helping Hands …more
Conference body addresses all AC resolutions, petitions
May 30, 2015 / By Christian Vischi / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
With Saturday’s lunch delayed by 30 minutes and an adopted motion to suspend Conference rules in favor of a more expedient deliberation period, the members of the Upper New York Conference address all Conference resolutions and the majority of the General Conference resolutions and petitions that were submitted for the Conference’s endorsement. Those General Conference resolutions that were not addressed will be addressed by written ballot. Because …more
2016 GC, NEJ delegation elections complete
May 30, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The slate of delegates for the 2016 General and Northeastern Jurisdictional conferences have been elected. The delegates elected, including their ballot of election, are: General Conference lay delegates: Dr. Scott Johnson (laity ballot one), Greg Forrester (ballot three), Riley O’Flynn (ballot three), Carmen Vianese (ballot five), Marthalyn Sweet (ballot five), and Blenda Smith (ballot seven). General Conference clergy delegates: The Rev. Bill Allen (clergy ballot four), Adirondack District Superintendent …more