news stories
Upper New York Annual Conference postponed due to COVID-19 concerns
April 21, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Sessions Committee of the Upper New York Conference gathered by Zoom on the morning of Thursday, April 21 to discuss growing concerns about the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Upstate New York and throughout the United States. Members of the Committee shared both their own perspectives and what they have been hearing from others regarding the comfort level of gathering more than a thousand United Methodist from across Upper New …more
Resources for Native American Ministries Sunday (May 1, 2022)
April 19, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS) is May 1! NAMS, one of the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Special Sundays, is a time to recognize the history of Native peoples; marred by colonial violence, land theft, and attempted genocide. This legacy continues to challenge the sovereignty of Native peoples today. Let us all embrace our opportunity and obligation to honor the struggles, perseverance, and achievements of our Native brothers and sisters. …more
Reminder regarding New York State required annual training for sexual harassment prevention
April 11, 2022 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a reminder that every employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training on an annual basis. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training New York State Law requires that employers of one or more employees must conduct sexual harassment prevention training for all employees on an annual basis. The employer can decide the timing of the annual training (calendar year, anniversary date, or any …more
Skaneateles UMC’s unique ministry to help Ukrainians
April 6, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
If you would have told Justin Hood, pastor of Skaneateles UMC, that he would one day spend several hours making pierogies, he would have looked at you as though you were crazy. But when there is a need, Justin and his congregation do whatever it takes to meet that need. When Russia first invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the members of Skaneateles UMC felt driven to help the Ukrainians as …more
What I have learned about God at Endwell UMC
April 6, 2022 / By Winston Rockefeller. Endwell UMC
Hello…my name is Winston Rockefeller. I am in eighth grade at JFS middle school. My confirmation mentor is Dave Alexander. From my Children’s Church classes, I’ve learned how important it is to help others, like Jesus did. I’ve also learned how important it is to have a connection with people to help me along the way to learn about …more
Lament for Ukraine
April 5, 2022 / By Melanie Simmons
“Like stampeding buffaloes, tanks roll in a path of destruction; roads are paved with destroyed vehicles and ruin. Bombs fly like diving birds of prey, destroying homes; rubble is strewn across the city. Striking like lightning, drones shoot missiles into communities; children cry out in fright as their homes are destroyed – who shall comfort them? Streams of refugees flee on broken roads; where are the hungry to find …more
UNY Communications Team wins two first-place UMAC awards
April 4, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The United Methodist Association of Communicators (UMAC) held its annual award ceremony virtually on March 31, 2022. The Upper New York (UNY) Conference Communications Team won two first-place awards, both related to the Advocate. One first-place award was for special publications in the Annual Conference/Local Church Division; the Celebrating Who We Are (2021: Issue 1) issue of the UNY Advocate won this award. The stories in this issue featured different size congregations as …more
How University UMC is tackling the food insecurity crisis in Syracuse
March 30, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Syracuse has the highest poverty rate in the country among cities with at least 100,000 residents, and almost half of all children in Syracuse are living in poverty. This makes food security essential in the city of Syracuse. Further complicating the need, the COVID-19 pandemic hit those already in poverty, the hardest. In this environment, University UMC saw the need and enhanced their existing ministry to make an even greater difference. …more
Disaffiliating from the UNY Conference and the UMC
March 30, 2022 / By UNY staff
During the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference held virtually in June of 2021, the body passed Resolution UNYAC2021.7 which created a Study Commission to examine the readiness in the UNYUMC for the Implementation of the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation. Last fall, the UNY Study Commission issued surveys to clergy and congregations in the UNY Conference about the Protocol. Despite there only being a 30 percent response rate, some …more
From attending a Bible study to becoming a pastor
March 29, 2022 / By Pastor Maryellen Moore, Middleburgh UMC and Warnersville UMC
Teresa was 10 years old when her mom took her to see Billy Graham. It was an experience she’ll never forget: “I felt the Spirit” for the first time. A few years later her step-father took her to a non-denominational church, where she responded to an alter call, confessed that she believed in Jesus Christ, and, again, she felt the Spirit, this time as though she was …more