news stories
We are community
February 22, 2023 / By Pastor Daniel J. Bradley, Faith Journey United Methodist Church
Community is at the heart of everything we do as the Church of Jesus Christ. Faith does not happen in a vacuum. Faith happens when we walk the road of life with the people God has placed on the path with us. We don’t get to pick and choose who is on road. What we do with those individuals is integral to their faith and ours. Scripture tells …more
Celebrating miracles at Jonesville UMC
February 22, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
We last covered Jonesville United Methodist Church’s Stigma Takes Away Hope and Life (STAHL) ministry and its Alcoholism and Addiction Family Recovery Resource Center a year ago and since then, the committee has become larger and impressively active. STAHL works to create an awareness of drug and alcohol addiction and to provide support to family members and those in recovery. STAHL founder, Phyllis Mullaney, said, “As they …more
On the Mission podcast: Better Together for Lent
February 21, 2023 / By UNY Communications
Upper New York has launched its podcast, called On the Mission. We will frequently offer series with different themes. Our first theme is “Better Together,” which will carry you through the Lenten season. We live in a time when the difference between us is often highlighted more than anything else. To say we live in a world that feels divided is no shock to most. Yet, we are …more
Special Message from Bishop Burgos – Disaffiliations
February 17, 2023 / By Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez The United Methodist Church Serving the Upper New York Area
Editor's Note: The following letter was emailed to clergy and laity in the Upper New York Conference on Feb. 17, 2023 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez. “…the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first of all, pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 Dear United Methodists in Upper …more
Shelby Winchell named new Director of Communications
February 15, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference is excited to announce that Shelby Winchell has been promoted as the new Director of Communications for the Upper New York Conference. She is replacing Steve Hustedt, who vacated the role in the fall of 2022 to become the top communicator for the College of Science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Shelby is a familiar face around Upper New York. She joined the Conference …more
2022 Statistical Reports due March 17
February 15, 2023 / By Bob Flask, UNY Treasurer
This is a reminder that the deadline for your local church 2022 statistical report is due no later than March 17, 2023. In addition, this process is now done through the new General Council on Finance and Administration (GCF&A) system called ACStats. EZRA is no longer being used; however, it will still contain prior year data that has also been migrated over to the new ACStats platform. If you have not …more
Conference leaders tour Buffalo churches impacted by the Christmas blizzard
February 15, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s Note: Jehovah Jireh Community Church is also a church that was severely damaged by the Christmas blizzard; while this church was not included on the tour, Bishop Héctor had already connected with the Jehovah Jireh congregation by preaching at their service held at a local community center where they are meeting until their church is restored. You can click here to watch the service. Almost …more
New Esperance-Sloansville UMC youth group’s unique Valentine’s fundraiser
February 15, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Esperance-Sloansville UMC (ESUMC) has only recently started a youth group and they did an amazing job selling Valentine's Chocolates this month. It was their first activity to support their group that started last year with a youth group leader, Brandi Kerber. The four children in the youth group did their first project with three parents. They sold 64 Valentine's Chocolates (chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate-covered peanut butter balls, milk/dark …more
My occupied life
February 6, 2023 / By Heather Ann
Editor's Note: On January 31, we published an article about the relationship that Dianne Roe, Upper New York Taskforce for Palestine-Israel member, developed with a Palestinian family Click here to read that article. Below, the mother of the family, an American, writes about her life in Al-Ezariya, Palestine. My name is Heather Ann; I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. I am 36 years old, and I graduated …more
UNY Taskforce for Palestine-Israel update
January 31, 2023 / By Dianne Roe, UNY Taskforce for Palestine-Israel
Sabri and Heather Al Awawda hosted me (Corning First UMC member Dianne Roe) for five weeks in the fall of 2022 in their home in Al Eizariya( Bethany). I first met Shefa, Sabri’s Grandmother, in 1990 while on a Holy Land trip with Bishop Forrest Stith and laity and clergy from the NY West Area. Sabri became like a grandson to me after he moved here and married Heather, …more