news stories
June 2018 Program meeting of the Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society
July 9, 2018 / By Nancy Rutenber, Recording Secretary of UNY United Methodist Historical Society
The purpose of the Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society (UNY-UMHS) is to work with UNYCAH in preserving Methodist materials related to the Upper New York conference and antecedents and to promote knowledge of Methodist history and skills for preserving and disseminating it. In furthering this purpose, Society members and other interested folks met June 16, 2018 at Clyde United Methodist Church in Finger Lakes District. Betsye Mowry reported that the …more
From the desk of Bishop Webb: Commission on a Way Forward Update
July 9, 2018 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: On Monday July 9, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb sent the following letter to the Upper New York Conference informing them of some changes to take place regarding the release of the Commission on a Way Forward report. Dear Friends, I learned this weekend that the Commission on a Way Forward report would not be released on July 8th as communicated by the Council …more
Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church gathering addresses immigrant injustice
July 2, 2018 / By Cathy Woodruf
Speakers at a forum Monday evening, June 25, at Eastern Parkway United Methodist church shared their heartbreak, frustration, and questions surrounding the separations of children and families at the U.S. border with Mexico. About 40 people, mostly members of the Schenectady-Niskayuna congregation, attended the public gathering, centered on the theme “Speak for the Children; Act for the Families.” The format was inspired by a request from two church members …more
Social Holiness Concerns: Reflections to consider as you enjoy Independence Day
July 2, 2018 / By Evelyn A. Woodring, Pastor, South Park UMC, Buffalo, Member CCORR and Conference Social Holiness Committee
Recently, we have experienced the words of Scripture (Romans 13) being used to justify the separation of children from their parents at our borders, and subsequent deportation of immigrants seeking asylum. Calls for denial of due process are in direct conflict with our laws. Historically, Methodists have had extraordinary concern for the wellbeing of children. Our Book of Resolutions references several social ills related to current events. The members of the …more
Dress a Girl Around the World
June 29, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Last month, the Whitney Point United Methodist Church hosted a celebration of the 10,000 dresses their Sew ’n Sews ministry group sewed for Dress a Girl Around the World. Click here to read more about how the Holy Spirit, donations, and the sewers from Whitney Point UMC who met once a week contributed to the success of their ministry. This ministry was spurred because of the Dress a Girl Around …more
Moving outside my comfort zone through Leadership Academy
June 25, 2018 / By Pastor Warren VanDewark, Edwards Chapel UMC and Watts Flats UMC
Editor's Note: This article was originally publisged in the Spring 2018 issue of the Advocate, which focused on spiritually planning our way forward to create leaders and vital congregations in Upper New York. Leadership Academy is just what you would expect it to be; it’s about leadership, but that term “leadership” for the pastor could mean many things. Leadership Academy challenged my ideas of what the …more
Rome area United Methodists host anti-racism vigil
June 20, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Early last week, recruitment letters from the Ku Klux Klan were discovered along driveways in the town of Lee, which is in the Rome area in the Upper New York Conference’s Mohawk District. Rome-area United Methodists were not going to let this act of hate go unnoticed. When the news came out about the KKK letters on June, 13, Pastor Brian Lothridge, of the Rome First United Methodist Church; …more
How God equips the called through Leadership Academy
June 18, 2018 / By Rev. Caroline Simmons / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“You are enough.” These powerful words were spoken to each of us as we were anointed and commissioned to return to our congregations at the end of the “Change the World Conference” at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in March 2017. An important part of participating in the Upper NY Leadership Academy, is the incredible road trip we took to one of our United Methodist mega churches in …more
Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries Transforming Lives: The 2017 Impact Report
June 18, 2018 / By UNY CRM Ministries
“Before this I never really followed God and Jesus. The camp has created a connection between me and God. I will always remember that God is real, God loves me, and God wants a relationship with me. I really felt a connection to Christ and I want to remain connected, I know that if I abide in God, God will abide in me.” This is what an Upper …more
Commission on a Way Forward report at UNY Annual Conference 2018
June 13, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Commission on a Way Forward (Commission) was formed by the Council of Bishops (Council) after a decision was made at General Conference 2016 to develop a committee to address the issue of division around the topic of human sexuality in The United Methodist Church. The charge given to the Commission was to “design a way for being a Church that maximizes the presence of a United Methodist witness in …more