news stories
Doran retiring as executive assistant to the bishop
February 19, 2015 / By Sandra Brands
Twenty-two years ago, Chris Doran quit a high-paying job in advertising because the work she was asked to do conflicted with her beliefs. Doran“I came home from work and told my husband I’ll flip burgers before I go back,” she said. That decision led her to the Office of the Bishop of the New York West Episcopal Area, where she applied for the job of …more
A new website and new way to tell our story
February 13, 2015 / By Steve Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
If you are reading this article that means it has finally happened. After a great deal of research and a lot of hard work, The Upper New York Conference has a new online home. Welcome to the new www.unyumc.org. The new website has been designed to be clean and easy to navigate, while still aesthetically pleasing. It is a dynamic website that will look just as good on …more
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center making a shift in 2015
February 13, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Mike Huber, Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries Executive Director, has written an open letter to families who had a loved one attend summer camp or a retreat in 2014 at the Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center. In his letter, Huber states that Aldersgate is making a shift from a multiple week summer camp season to hosting guest groups and providing retreat experiences during the spring, summer and fall months …more
New DS Anderson: ‘There is joy in serving God’
February 12, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Life transformed. That’s what the Rev. Nola Anderson wants to see as she takes on the position of a Conference superintendent assigned to the Crossroads District beginning July 1. “I want to see people tapped into all that God has to offer to God’s people,” she said. “I want to see people come to truly believe that with God, all things are possible.” …more
For new DS Roy, ministry is about helping others
February 12, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Abel Roy (top left) is pictured with his family (clockwise from top right): daughter Abigail, 17; wife, Rebecca; and daughter Priscilla, 11. Submitted photoThe Rev. Abel Roy has a heart, a passion for evangelism. In fact, Rev. Roy’s enthusiasm was recognized in 2003 when he received the former Western New York (WNY) Conference’s Denman Award for Evangelism. “Everything we do reflects the love of Christ in …more
‘Piece Corps’ at Delta UMC challenged by Wildlife
February 12, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
By Paul Phister* On Nov. 13, 2005, members at the Delta United Methodist Church started a small group called the “Puzzle Fellowship,” or, more affectionately: the “Piece Corps.” The first puzzle chosen was an 18,000-piece puzzle titled “St. Columbia Altarpiece” based on a painting from 1455 by Rogier van der Weyden. The puzzle represents three events in the life of Jesus Christ: Annunciation, Gifts of the Magi, …more
Team at the ready to respond to congregational crisis
February 11, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When Upper New York Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb arrived in the Conference in 2012, he brought with him experience of responding to the care of a congregation dealing with betrayal, anger and grief. Knowing that even with the most stringent safeguards in place, sexual and financial misconduct can happen, Bishop Webb wanted to have a response team in place, ready to deploy to a congregation in crisis. He also wanted …more
A look at the FACT process and final report
February 11, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
By Susan Ranous* As you may have read, the Upper New York Conference has begun the Financial Advisory Consulting Team process, affectionately known as the FACT process. Despite the word “financial” in the title, this process is not just for accountants, treasurers and “numbers people.” This is a process that is for all of us. According to the outline provided by the team, this process comes …more
Help meet the needs of a Palestinian child in Gaza
February 11, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Palestinian children walk to school past a spent teargas canister. Flickr photo by CPT PalestineThere is a massive ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting nearly 800,000 children in Gaza. According to UNICEF, children there were exposed to unparalleled levels of violence and destruction last summer with 539 children killed and 2,956 injured, leaving many struggling with life-long disabilities. The United Nations News Service estimates that more than 370,000 Palestinian children are in need of “psycho-social …more
Sky Lake’s Krager to retire after 45 years
February 5, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
A simple love for God, the forest and camping led Jim Krager into a 45-year career. Come June 30, 2015, Krager, Director at the Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Windsor, will retire and turn his attention to his wife, children and grandchildren. He said he’s looking forward to his first Fourth of July off in decades. “One of our college staff members asked me what I did …more