news stories
University UMC excels at meeting community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic
December 8, 2020 / By Galyn Murphy-Stanley, Neighborhood Outreach & Food Center Coordinator, University United Methodist Church
The Food Center @ 324 University Ave. lives inside University United Methodist Church (UUMC). We sit at the edge of Downtown Syracuse and Syracuse University in a magnificent church built after a 1914 fire destroyed the previous church structure. We are perfectly situated to easily reach, engage, and connect with our diverse Syracuse community. University United Methodist Church is striving to meet our mission statement of “Feeding God’s People: …more
Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship for Online and In-Person Audiences with Jason Moore
November 30, 2020 / By By UNY Communications
The UNY Conference will be offering a timely webinar with Jason Moore on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 6-8 p.m. on Zoom. This can help churches better prepare through Advent and especially for Christmas. It will also help churches prepare into the new year as the webinar will be available for 90 DAYS to view and review. Through this webinar churches large and small, technically savvy and challenged, are finding …more
Advent devotionals and resources and the symbolism of the nativity scene
November 30, 2020 / By UNY Communications
If you are looking for ways to celebrate Advent at home with devotionals and activities, UMC.org invites you to dive intotheir resources, which they update each week of Advent. Click here to get started. As you reflect on Christmas, this year, consider learning about nativity scenes and how different variations use certain characteristics as special symbols related to the birth of Christ. Click here to learn about the …more
UNY Conference welcomes David Weber as Casowasco site director
November 17, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“I’m going to show God’s love through all I do with extreme hospitality.” This is what David Weber calls his mantra. And he is excited to live out his mantra as Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center’s new Site Director. David was born in Buffalo, NY, a son to a Methodist pastor. His father moved to different Conferences with each new appointment so …more
What to know about Accountable Reimbursement Plans
November 17, 2020 / By Rev. Susan Ranous
When your Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee prepares the Clergy Compensation form each year, it includes lines for expense reimbursements. It is split between continuing education for the pastor and other expenses reimbursements. The Conference does suggest a minimum accountable reimbursement amount based on the percentage of appointment. Of course, the church and the pastor can come to an agreement for a higher amount. There should be an agreement between …more
Updated COVID-19 guidelines and best practices
November 17, 2020 / By UNY Communications
New York State, like much of the world, is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases with regional micro-clusters across the UNY Conference experiencing positive test rates above 4.5 percent. With the health and safety of all members and communities of the Upper New York Conference in mind, the Conference Reopening Task Force, with the full support of Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, and the members of the …more
Nov. 29 is Student Day
November 10, 2020 / By UNY Communications
What is Student’s Day? One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Student Day takes place the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. This Special Sunday calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The special offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist applicants. When you give generously on United Methodist Student …more
File your Boy Scouts of America claim by Nov. 16
October 28, 2020 / By UNY Communications
Earlier this year, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect itself against a growing number of sexual abuse claims made against it. This bankruptcy process is intended to allow the BSA to deal with these claims – through the creation of and payment from a victim’s compensation trust fund – and continue its operations. As is typical in bankruptcy proceedings, the court has …more
Bishop Webb to host Zoom gatherings with laity
October 28, 2020 / By UNY Communications
The past month, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, has hosted rejuvenating District gatherings with UNY clergy. In December, Bishop Webb is inviting all laity to join him for Regional gatherings on Zoom. These gatherings will be a time of prayer and conversation around our ongoing commitment to the mission of the Church in these unprecedented days. Bishop Webb said, “I look forward to …more
Preach Palestine on Nov. 29
October 26, 2020 / By UNY Conference Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel
Friends of Sabeel North America is inviting congregations to "Preach Palestine" on Nov. 29 by incorporating Palestine into their worship service on the first week of Advent. As your UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, we are deeply committed to human rights for the Palestinian people. Sunday, Nov. 29 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Friends of Sabeel North America has prepared some …more