news stories
Challenge pits districts against each other to raise funds for Imagine No Malaria
April 8, 2015 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The spring District Day challenges are complete, and each district rose to the challenge: to raise more money than the district before it. The challenges raise money for Imagine No Malaria, an effort to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa by 2016. The $1 million campaign for Imagine No Malaria is one half of Upper New York Conference’s Africa 360 challenge, a holistic campaign to provide ministry to the people of Africa. …more
Take time to acknowledge importance of child abuse prevention
April 7, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse. The Safe Sanctuaries team of the Upper New York Conference’s Sexual Ethics Committee provides standard training about safe sanctuaries – “making congregations safe places where children, youth and elders may experience the abiding love of God and fellowship within the community of faith” …more
Spiritual leadership grants available
April 6, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Spiritual Leadership Ministry Oversight Team invites individuals, congregations, and groups within the Upper New York Conference to submit grant proposals that would address its stated mission of “encouraging and developing leadership within the laity and clergy that is diverse and unified by our love of Christ.” The vision of this ministry oversight team is to deepen the spiritual lives of individuals and, in turn, local congregations. The …more
Kingdom Kids: What it is, what it does, and what it means to the vitality of one church
April 1, 2015 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The staff of Kingdom Kids gathers in a circle for prayer, led by the Rev. Ellen Knight, before the children arrive. Then they leave to retrieve the youth awaiting them across the street at Lyons Elementary School. With a flurry of backpacks and winter coats, the children arrive, ready first for their snack, and then, more importantly, eager to learn about religion. Kingdom Kids – a Friday afterschool program that …more
Violet’s Garden grant applications due May 1
April 1, 2015 / By Christian Vischi / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Violet’s Garden Task Force is now accepting grant applications. This is a grant program designed to further the spiritual development of children and youth at the local-church level. Grants are awarded twice per year, in May and November, and congregations can apply for up to $2,000 for these non-recurring, start-up grants. The application deadline for this round is May 1. Click here to download the grant application. For …more
Becoming Tabasco Habanero Christians at the Confirmation Retreat
April 1, 2015 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb greeted the youth at the 2015 Upper New York Conference Confirmation Retreat via webcam from Pennsylvania. He started with a question – “Have you ever had a job as a babysitter?” – and a story. Bishop Webb once babysat a little girl who asked to say a prayer before bed. Not knowing what prayer the girl said, he began reciting …more
South Sudan Health providers in desperate need of supplies
March 31, 2015 / By Pat Shea
The casualties of war are many, but it’s the innocent that suffer the most with the lack of healthcare supplies and trained personnel to treat them. When a civil war broke out in December 2013 in South Sudan, one of the places that suffered the greatest destruction was Malek, a community outside of Bor. Eight home health care promoters, who have worked closely with the United Methodist Southern Sudan …more
Foundation for Evangelism seeks nominees
March 25, 2015 / By Ashley Riddell / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Culture of the Call Church nominations LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - The Foundation for Evangelism is seeking nominations for the 2015 Culture of the Call Church Award. This annual award recognizes one local United Methodist congregation that encourages the next generation of leaders with a passion for evangelism to enter full-time Christian service. Nominations are due April 2. DETAILS Distinguished Evangelist of the UMC nominees The Foundation for Evangelism is also …more
Asbury Shalom Zone to close
March 25, 2015 / By Ashley Riddell / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
After nearly two decades of ministry to Buffalo's West Side, the Asbury Shalom Zone (ASZ) has been sold and will close its doors within the next month. Proceeds from the sale will go to Niagara Frontier City Ministries (NFCM) to be used to continue the ministry to the people and churches in the greater Buffalo and Niagara Frontier areas. A celebration of ASZ's ministry will be held at 3 …more
Social Holiness Team seeks to support immigrant families
March 24, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference Social Holiness Team is asking church leaders to read a recent letter co-written by Bishop Julius C. Trimble and Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño about ways United Methodists can help immigrant families. Click here to read the full letter. Further, the Social Holiness Team urges churches to work together in a connectional spirit to provide ministry to these hurting people in ways that are …more