news stories
Golf with Bishop Yeakel
September 16, 2021 / By Gordon W. Knapp
When Joe Yeakel was about to leave our Conference for another assignment, Irv Hill, Vern Lee, and I gave him a plaque that I made up which read, “May your score glide down with eagles. May you drive and not be weary… sink a putt and not faint.” It commemorated golf with the Bishop. I guess that you don’t get to …more
Why observe Oct. 6 as day of truth and repentance for Native American children
September 13, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson and CONAM / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Oct. 6, 1879, Capt. Richard Pratt opened the first Indian boarding school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. For almost 100 years until the 1960s, thousands of Native American children were forcibly taken from their homes and trained to reject their heritage and do manual labor. The United Methodist Church supported at least 12 Indian Boarding Schools. The Native American International Caucus (NAIC) of The United Methodist Church is calling on United Methodists to observe Oct. 6 …more
NY HERO Act now in effect
September 10, 2021 / By UNY Communications
Editor's Note: On Jan. 15, 2022, the NYS Hero Act enacted classifying COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health.” It has been extended through March 17, 2022. Click here to read more. On May 5, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act) into law. The law mandates extensive new workplace health …more
Remembering the Act of Repentance
September 8, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Earlier this year the Upper New York (UNY) Conference Committee on Native American Ministries wrote a letter to the Council of Bishops endorsing the Native American International Caucus’ (NAIC) call for the United Methodist Church to observe Oct. 6, 2021, as a day of Truth and Repentance for Our Children to begin a process of healing, justice, and reconciliation for families and communities. On that day in 1879, General Richard …more
Our Family in Palestine-Beit Ummar
September 8, 2021 / By Dianne Roe
Editor’s Note: For more than 30 years United Methodists from Upper New York (and the WNY and NCNY Annual Conferences that preceded it) have been “Getting off the Bus” to meet Palestinian families when we have been on Holy Land tours. This is the work of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel. Sharing meals and hearing stories built …more
Engaging in small group ministry on Facebook
August 30, 2021 / By UNY Communications
Upper New York Conference’s very own Lori Jagow (Pendleton Center UMC Online Minister) shared with Resource UMC many ways that you can engage your parishioners in small groups using Facebook. In her article, Lori mentions some of the following ways to engage with your Facebook community: • Comment on posts made by followers • Host weekly Facebook Live sessions with Q&A. Avoid one-way communication. Remember, people …more
But God—How Harris Hill UMC triumphed through the pandemic
August 23, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When COVID-19 swept the globe starting in March 2020, churches in UNY scrambled to start services in new ways. Like many churches, Katie Zettle, the pastor at Harris Hill UMC and her leadership team began connecting with congregants digitally. Katie said, “We had to find ways to reach the people of church without gathering, and what we thought would be two or three weeks turned into months of quarantine and …more
Digital discipleship catalyzes positive trends in UNY
August 17, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When COVID-19 swept the world in March 2020, we were forced to change the way we connect with God, the way we worship, and the way we serve. The Rev. Joungjae Jee, pastor at Jonesville UMC in the Albany District, said, “The pandemic mandated us to move our services online.” Interestingly, digital discipleship provided a silver lining during a devastating global pandemic—worship attendance increased for many churches …more
Praise and Pizza-a Friday night service at Baldwinsville UMC
August 16, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“People need to remember that there are six-and-a half other days of the week.” This is what Albany and Adirondack District Superintendent, the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl said about the opportunity to worship at Baldwinsville UMC’s “Praise and Pizza” Friday night worship services that began in July. Praise and Pizza is a casual service offered in Baldwinsville UMC’s chapel and is hosted by …more
How Bridgeport UMC connects with its community
August 9, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When the question, “What does this community need?” was posed at a ministry meeting at Bridgeport UMC in 2019, the team members weren’t expecting an idea that would keep them awake at night...for many nights. They wanted something fresh, something new, yet something needed. The pastor at the time, the Rev. Diane DiLuzio, answered, “Maybe a farmer’s market.” Ministry team member Judy …more