news stories
Four equitable compensation recommendations supported
June 5, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson
Paula Kuempel, current chair of the Commission on Equitable Compensation brought forth four recommendations to the floor of the Upper New York Annual Conference session on Wednesday, June 5. The first recommendation can be found on page 47 of the Journal, lines 28-34. This recommendation sets the minimum base salary levels guaranteed to pastors for the 2020 budget year. The base salary is set for the different credential levels. Any less than full-time …more
Laity “move” through many topics during AC2019 session
June 5, 2019 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The more than two-hour Laity Session during the 2019 Upper New York Annual Conference session covered a plethora of topics – from the service of United Methodist Women to the work of UNY young people and a statement from United Methodist conference lay leaders regarding new peace and unity. Laity session began with an address from Bishop Webb, who thanked all lay members for attending AC session as well as for …more
Upper New York hosts first Awards Dinner at AC2019
June 5, 2019 / By Kathleen Christiansen
About 100 UNY Conference staff, award recipients, and honored guests gathered Wednesday evening for the inaugural Upper New York Conference 2019 Awards Dinner during AC session. The event put a spotlight on those who “don’t seek the limelight” but serve “quietly, unassumingly, and selflessly.” “In particular, I am eager and privileged to welcome our honorees and their guests this evening,” said Assistant to …more
Christ in the City offers hope
June 5, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
For the past three years, the Syracuse United Methodist Churches has hosted a worship service called, “Christ in the City,” the afternoon before the Upper New York Annual (UNY) Annual Conference session begins. Held at Columbus Circle, only a few blocks from the Oncenter in Syracuse, where the Annual Conference is typically held, this service includes music, praise and worship, a message, and testimonies of faith. This year, …more
It’s time to take a leap of faith, Bishop Webb urges during AC2019 Opening Worship
June 5, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Click here to read Bishop Webb's transcript from his message shared during Opening Worship. “We need a fresh word! We need to be reminded of who we are and whose we are … we need to be reminded that amid this season, God is doing a new thing.” This sentiment was expressed by Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb during Opening Worship at …more
Bishop Webb proclaims hope after Special Session of General Conference
May 29, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hundreds of people throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference spent an April or May evening gathered at a church in their region to listen to UNY Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb explain how the United Methodist Book of Discipline will change effective Jan. 1, 2020 based on the Judicial Council’s decisions regarding the constitutionality of the petitions that made up the Traditional Plan affirmed by the delegates …more
God’s grace after the storm
May 28, 2019 / By MaryBeth Ingalls, Upper New York Volunteer Coordinator
Editor’s Note: MaryBeth Ingalls was just certified as an ERT earlier this month. She went on her first mission trip as an ERT to Smalltown, PA. from May 20-22 with a team of 12 volunteers from the Upper New York Conference. Montrose UMC hosted the group and East Bloomfield UMC provided the food. The specific town of the home the team worked on has been changed as has the …more
Peace with Justice Sunday is June 16
May 20, 2019 / By Heather Smith
Pentecost is June 9 and traditionally Peace with Justice Sunday is the following week. I like the way they scheduled that – the first thing we do as United Methodists after celebrating the birthday of the church is take an offering in support of justice ministries. This year, I have great hope that our Conference-wide participation will increase – hopefully meeting the 30% goal that we set for ourselves at the 2017 Annual …more
Mission U 2019 is back for another summer of learning
May 14, 2019 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Take time this summer to study, worship, sing, and great fellowship. Mission U (formerly known as School of Christian Mission) will continue its annual emphasis on “learning together for the transformation of the world.” It was created by Methodist women in the early-20th century in order to educate women and inspire them to a sense of mission at home and around the world. The United Methodist Women …more
Why a Palestinian dinner?
May 14, 2019 / By Linda Bergh
Did you ever think that participating in a meal could be an act of Social Justice? When members of Annual Conference, other United Methodists, and community members gather on Friday, June 7th for the Palestinian Dinner during Annual Conference, they eat in solidarity with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, who suffer the denial of their basic rights and freedoms under the illegal Israeli occupation, as well …more