news stories
CCORR outlines three goals in their upcoming work
October 7, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) report was presented during the Oct. 6 afternoon plenary at the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, held virtually. The Rev. Dr. Scott Johnson, co-convener of CCORR, started the report by reminding people of CCORR’s purpose, which he said, is to “challenge, lead, and equip the people to ensure institutional equity and to facilitate vital conversations about religion, race, and …more
The Rev. Dr. Kim Reisman unravels the metaphor of embrace
October 7, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Dr. Kim Reisman knows the life of wanderers—she grew up in Southern California with parents who frequently picked up hitchhikers and welcomed people from a nearby military base to stay at their home when they were on leave. Fast-forward many decades later and Rev. Dr. Reisman is now the Executive Director of World Methodist Evangelism. She educates people on how to walk alongside wanderers and embrace …more
Recommendations for clergy compensation supported at Annual Conference
October 7, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The Upper New York Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation supports and provides funding to churches that are unable to provide the minimum salaries as set forth by the Upper New York Conference for pastors under full-time appointment. The Rev. Rich Weihing, commission co-chair, along with Teddi Urriola, presented the commission’s 2022 report to the 13th annual meeting of the Upper New York Conference on October 6, bringing five recommendations for …more
Recommendations of Board of Pensions and Health Benefits Supported at Annual Conference
October 7, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
Upper New York Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits chair, the Rev. Sara Baron presented the board’s report and recommendations to annual conference Oct. 7, 2022. The board’s work is to find ways to provide for the pensions and health care benefits of clergy and conference employees without placing undue financial burdens on local churches. It brought before the Conference two resolutions relating to rental/housing allowances …more
Testimonies of loving, learning, and leading–AC2022 Leadership Report
October 6, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York (UNY) Conference Leadership Report was presented during the afternoon of Thursday Oct. 6 at the 2022 UNY Annual Conference, held virtually. Associate Lay Leader Jessica White and Dean of the Cabinet, the Rev. Mike Weeden, presented the mission, vision, and purpose of the UNY Conference. Jessica described how since 2013, various leadership teams and churches throughout the UNY Conference have been working on the process of creating Christ-following transformational …more
Laity uplifted at Annual Conference 2022
October 6, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
Lay members to the 13th gathering of the Upper New York Annual Conference attended the Conference laity session held virtually on Oct. 6, 2022. After a greeting from Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, Associate Conference Lay Leader Jessica White welcomed more than 260 participants to the gathering. “In these times we need to hold onto God,” she said. “As I tell my Sunday school class pretty …more
AC2022 interactive Opening Worship service offers a message of hope
October 6, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
How can an online worship service for the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference be interactive? Leave it to the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, UNY Conference Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, to make it possible. Prior to the service, Annual Conference registrants were notified on the Conference website to bring a candle, matches, and a rock in order to be able to fully participate in Opening Worship, which …more
Rev. Robert Kolvik-Campbell officially begins his joyful journey as District Superintendent
September 28, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Appointed on July 1, 2022, as District Superintendent (DS) of the Binghamton and Oneonta Districts, the Rev. Robert (Bob) Kolvik-Campbell’s installation service was held on Sept. 25 at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center. Over 100 guests enjoyed this uplifting service. Introducing Rev. Kolvik-Campbell, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, described the many characteristics he ponders when making the decision of appointing DSes. These include deep spirituality; someone who …more
2022 Native American land acknowledgement
September 23, 2022 / By Sharon Schmit, CONAM
The 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference will open with the following: “I would like to begin by acknowledging the Indigenous Peoples of all the lands that we are on today. While we meet today on a virtual platform, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of the lands, which we each call home. We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships …more
Opportunities to disaffiliate from the Upper New York Conference
September 20, 2022 / By The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop and UNY Director of Connectional Ministries
During the upcoming session of the Upper New York Annual Conference (October 6-8), the Conference will receive its first requests from local churches to disaffiliate from the Conference under ¶2553 of the Book of Discipline. To be eligible to disaffiliate, a church must deposit with the Conference treasurer, all fees stipulated in the disaffiliation agreement at least one week prior to the start of Annual Conference. A complete listing of …more