news stories
Members stepping into leadership roles at Carthage UMC
March 21, 2022 / By Rev. Fran Hemstreet, Carthage UMC pastor
Worship planning had been part of the Administrative Council monthly agenda for years. When the pandemic started in 2020, the worship team began to meet separately from the Council. The members became more active in helping to plan worship services with the Certified Lay Minister. Doing services over Zoom and Facebook was a challenge. The Carthage UMC church family includes two people whose secular work requires digital expertise, and the …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: NEJ Bishops issue message of vision and recommitment
March 18, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following note was sent on behalf of Bishop Webb to the Upper New York Conference on March 18, 2022. Bishop Mark J. Webb and the rest of the Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops has issued a ten-minute video sharing their vision of recommitment and hope even in these times of fear, illness, division, grief, greed, and unbridled abuses of power. Click here to see this moving …more
Launchpad training starts next month
March 15, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Do you want to reach New People? Or plant a new ministry or even a new Church? Launchpad is the training for Churches and Church Planters looking to create “New Places for New People.” Over six Zoom sessions your Team will learn: How to engage new people outside of your church How to clarify vision and contextualize your discipleship How to establish a 6 month plan with 1 year of …more
Developing the Intentional Discipleship System at Panama UMC
March 14, 2022 / By Tory Irgang, Growth and Vision Team Leader, Panama UMC
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching to obey everything that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 As the foundation of our Christian faith, this verse has compelled followers 2,000 years with the same urgency that fueled the disciples who heard it commanded by Jesus himself. At the Panama …more
Forming the Upper New York Conference
March 9, 2022 / By The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the Bishop and UNY Director of Connectional Ministries
On June 19, 2010, North Central New York, Troy, Western New York, and Wyoming Conferences joined to become the Upper New York Conference. The meeting that day, known as the uniting conference, took several hours, but the work leading up to it had taken several years. Much of that work was led by the New Area/Conference Team or New ACT. For nearly two years, this 26-member team, drawn from the four …more
Welcome Kim Boise as Finger Lakes District AA
March 9, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference is pleased to welcome Kim Boise as the new Administrative Assistant for the Finger Lakes District. Kim has an associate degree in accounting. Most recently, Kim worked in the Registrar’s office at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) as an Administrative Assistant for nine years. She processed transcripts, recorded transfer credits, AP credits, inputted scholarships and Dean’s list and any other …more
AC 2022 offerings
March 7, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At the 2022 Annual Conference, which will be held virtually, Oct. 6-8, the offerings that will be collected have been planned as follows. The Clergy Care Fund (used to assist clergy who need financial support) The Helping Hands Fund (used by the Cabinet to assist congregants in need of financial support) An offering to support the Mission Central HUB An offering to support Mission of Peace (MOP) …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: General Conference postponed until 2024
March 4, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following note was sent by Bishop Mark J. Webb to the Upper New York Conference on March 4, 2022. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul. (Psalm 94.19) Dear Sisters and Brothers of The Upper New York Conference, The Commission on the General Conference has announced that the 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church rescheduled for Aug. 29 - Sept. 6, 2022, will not be held. Instead, …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Praying for Ukraine this Lenten season
March 2, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following was sent to the Upper New York Conference on March 2, 2022 from Bishop Mark J. Webb. Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Many of us in congregations throughout Upper New York will hear the words of “An Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline.” Some of those words in that invitation are as follows: “I invite you, therefore, in the …more
How Gloversville: North Main Street UMC lay minister will prepare members to lead a worship service
March 1, 2022 / By Shannon Hoson
Ms. Joyce Royal as been the certified lay minister at Gloversville: North Main Street UMC, located in the Mohawk District, for three years. Having previously served as the Education Coordinator for Lay Servant Ministries in the Albany District, Joyce has a curriculum to help lay servants and members of a congregation learn how to lead a worship service. Joyce said, “People don’t realize how many resources are …more