news stories
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Thank you to Upper New York clergy
October 13, 2021 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following letter was sent to Upper New York clergy on October 13, 2021. Dear Friends, As the church celebrates Pastors Appreciation Month, I wanted to send you a note to add my voice in saying thank you! Your lives and your commitment to Christ and the Church are valued and deeply appreciated. The congregations, ministry settings and communities you serve and have served, are blessed because …more
Boy Scouts of America charter agreement follow up
October 12, 2021 / By Pam Klotzbach (Chair of UNY Board of Trustees) and Peter Abdella (UNY Chancellor)
As a follow-up to the letter you received last week, Pam Klotzbach (Chair of UNY Board of Trustees) and Peter Abdella (UNY Chancellor) want you to know that the denomination's UMC Ad Hoc Committee, which is working to negotiate a release for UMC congregations and Conferences from future lawsuits pertaining to any Boy Scouts of America (BSA)-related abuse injuries, has informed them that the BSA's reorganization plan …more
Black and Indigenous Solidarity with Palestine
October 11, 2021 / By Dianne Roe
Editor's Note: This is the second in a series, “Because We Care” from our UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel. It examines how their journey into Palestine has intersected with our United Methodist struggles toward Black and Indigenous liberation. The first “Journey toward Understanding” taken by members of the New York West Area (former Western NY and North Central NY …more
Boy Scouts of America charter agreement recommendations
October 7, 2021 / By Pam Klotzbach (Chair of UNY Board of Trustees) and Peter Abdella (UNY Chancellor)
Since early this year, the UMC Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of eight Conference chancellors, four general agency staff, and two Bishops, has been working on behalf of all Annual Conferences to negotiate a release for congregations from future lawsuits pertaining to any Boy Scout-related abuse injury from 1940 through 2020. These negotiations are ongoing and involve mediation with other groups involved in the BSA bankruptcy. The Boy Scouts of America and United …more
Greg Forrester to Coordinate Disaster Response
October 5, 2021 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The search for a new Director of Missional Engagement is underway, please pray for God’s provision and discernment. During the season between the retirement of Mike Block and the new Director getting started it is important to continue the ministry of the UNY Mission HUB, support for volunteers responding to community needs, and active disasters across the connection. Upper New York has contracted with …more
UNY New Faith Communities offer Zoom workshop series
September 30, 2021 / By UNY NFC Team
Tired. Frustrated. Wondering…What Now? If you have found yourself in any of these categories over the past 18 months or so then the New Faith Communities Team of Upper New York has an opportunity for you! We are offering a series of FREE Zoom webinars to help us all dream of ways to reconnect in a church changed by pandemic. The series is an opportunity to breath fresh air …more
PWJ funded handbook and webinar for congregations to reach out to the unvaccinated
September 28, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dr. Dana Horrell, pastor of Cooperstown United Methodist Church, is passionate about community outreach. Like many pastors across Upper New York (UNY), Dr. Horrell wanted to know how he could serve his community during the COVID pandemic. The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021 helped to lessen the spread of the virus. However, despite the opportunity to get vaccinated, there were still people who were very hesitant to get the …more
Red Bird Mission needs your support
September 27, 2021 / By Dave Alexander
The Mission team at Endwell United Methodist Church is again coordinating the collection and delivery of shoeboxes for the Red Bird Mission, located in Beverly, Kentucky. The Red Bird Missionary Conference is one of three United Methodist missionary conferences in the United States. It is the most comprehensive mission effort of the United Methodist Church, providing outreach and services that minister to the whole person (spiritual, physical, social, and economic). …more
Mike Block to retire as Mission Central HUB director
September 20, 2021 / By Steve Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
After nearly four years, Mike Block will retire as the Director of the Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB at the end of this month. As the first Director of the Mission Central HUB, Mike put in place much of the groundwork that future ministry in the Mission Central HUB will build on. Some highlights of this ministry include: Leading the Conference in the response to the Halloween storms …more
UNY Extended Cabinet work to clean up Casowasco as long road to flood recovery continues
September 16, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On July 12, 2021, Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center was hit hard by heavy rain and flooding. Within four hours, the site had six inches of rain and the resulting damage was severe: the waterfront was washed away, water and mud crept into the Lakeview Chapel, Galilee Lodge, Bethany Lodge, The Emmaus Commons, and the office building. Twenty-two culverts were broken, missing, or completely compromised. Roadways were washed away. Tree limbs fell …more