news stories
Three Upper NY United Methodist Churches’ help bring joy to seniors
December 20, 2023 / By Kevin Miller, Multimedia Content Creator / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The holiday season is a time of celebration, joy and family gatherings, but for many senior adults, it can also be a time of loneliness and isolation. However, Faith in Action Volunteers, a program of the Broome County Council of Churches, has been lighting up the lives of seniors for a number of years through a heartwarming initiative known as the Silver Bells program. The mission of …more
Two churches create lasting Christmas memories for children, their families, and volunteers
December 11, 2023 / By Pastor Deb Peacock, Argyle UMC
Two years ago, I took my grandson shopping so he could buy small gifts for his mom and dad for Christmas. I remember how excited he was to do this. I began to think about the children in the Argyle and West Hebron communities, as well as other small communities around us, that are struggling to provide meals for their families, let alone Christmas gifts. I immediately had an idea. …more
Commentary: Where is he?
December 7, 2023 / By Dianne Roe / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dianne Roe is a member of First United Methodist Church of Corning and wrote the following reflection on behalf of the Upper New York Task Force for Peace with Justice in Palestine-Israel which is part of Social Holiness. Dianne drew the sketch below from an Instagram photo sent out from Gaza during the bombing in 2014. She reflects on this as she processes the present catastrophe, which at …more
Community yoga opens church doors to new faces
December 7, 2023 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Breathe. Don’t just inhale and exhale. Take the kind of breath where you can feel your diaphragm contract and your lungs expand. Become one with your breathing. Deep breathing is a part of yoga, an ancient practice that not only can improve strength and flexibility, but also helps reduce stress. Yoga can also be used to manage pain. Disbelievers may hear the word “yoga” …more
A call for prayer for wise discernment
December 6, 2023 / By Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost on behalf of the CVA Task Force
The Conference Leadership Team has been tasked “to provide a comprehensive examination of every feasible funding source… for payment of the Child Victims Act (CVA) case settlements and legal fees to be reported back with recommendations to the Conference no later than Annual Conference 2024. In the meantime, the sources of any funds spent in the next year on the resolution of CVA cases must be tracked and understood …more
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez shares his message for Advent
December 4, 2023 / By Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
Editor's note: The following video was released and sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on Wednesday, Nov. 29. The video transcript is provided. Click here to download a version that can be printed for easy sharing. Dear United Methodists of Upper New York, I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, the source of our faith and hope. During the Advent season, we …more
Conference property insurance update
November 29, 2023 / By Pastor Jack Keating, UNY Board of Trustees
As we prepare for the upcoming annual renewal of our Conference-wide insurance program with Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, we face an entirely different insurance climate than probably at any time in anyone’s memory. “Unfortunately, most, if not all, Upper New York (UNY) churches have already received information from Brotherhood Mutual about significant deductible increases for the coming year without a proper explanation. As Chair of …more
Planning for church year-end statistics
November 28, 2023 / By Autumn Wells, Administrative and Accounting Services Specialist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3) As we inch closer to the end of the calendar year, the start of annual church statistic season draws nearer. The ACStats platform will open for local churches to begin adding their data starting on Jan. 2, 2024. Information must be submitted by end of day on Feb. 15. We had an excellent first year using …more
Solar panels for churches
November 20, 2023 / By Rev. Merle Showers, Upper New York Creation Care Team member / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Churches in Upper New York can now get solar panels for their churches. There is federal money through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to help do this. Why would you want to do this? There are several reasons. First, after about seven years, the money you will have saved due to lower electric bills will have paid for the panels and installation, and the panels will continue to produce for …more
United Methodist Church Bishops to call special session of general Conference in 2026
November 17, 2023 / By UNY Communications
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops plans to call a special session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church in 2026 for the delegates to strategize and work toward bringing about the next vital expression of United Methodism. The bishops made the decision to call the special session during their recent meeting at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina last week. The specific call for the special …more