news stories
Study Leader Rev. Dr. L. Gregory Jones says we must stop ‘going back to Egypt’
June 1, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Back in the early days of airplane travel, it took longer to go from east to west than west to east. One time, a plane flying from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles fell into heavy fog for a while. “The pilot said, ‘I have good news and bad news. First the bad news: We’re lost. The good news? Now we’re two hours ahead …more
Clergy and clergy spouses remembered at AC2018 Memorial Service
June 1, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson
On May 31 at the 2018 Annual Conference session, a Memorial Service was held to honor Upper New York clergy members and clergy spouses who have passed away since the 2017 Annual Conference session. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb introduced the service. “I hope you know that we have been praying for you, that we love you, and that we thank you for making sacrifices so that your …more
Actions taken during Trustees Report
May 31, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson
The Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees shared their report May 31 at the 2018 Annual Conference session during the afternoon plenary. President of the Upper New York Board of Trustees Rich Barling began by discussing the great energy and work happening in the United Methodist Center, making special mention of the Resource Center, Mission Central HUB, and the team spirit in all departments. “The feeling of mission and ministry …more
Mold discussion dampens Commission on Equitable Compensation Report
May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The Rev. Lauren Swanson, chair the Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation, presented the commission’s report May 31 at the 2018 Annual Conference session. “It has been our mission to equip struggling local churches to establish sound financial footing so they can build leadership capacity, make disciples, and transform the world,” Rev. Swanson said. “We have done this by supplying short-term grants to help bridge short-term setbacks …more
Business as usual during Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits Report
May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits presented their report Thursday at the 2018 Annual Conference Session at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. The board’s Chair, the Rev. Mary Rublee, started by acknowledging the board members. “The board is made up of dedicated and active individuals,” she said. According to Rev. Rublee, the board is responsible for management of a sustainable health …more
Leadership Report presented comically, but discussion gets serious
May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The Leadership Report was presented on a fun note, with Conference Lay Leader Susan Hardy describing how she thought her first meeting would go through a video of Conference Leadership Team members saying one-liners, sharing their opposing views as stats, and posing next to those stats. Then the Rev. Steve Taylor, of the Panama UMC, and the Rev. Andrew Sperry, of the Saratoga Springs: UMCWest, delighted the crowd with some …more
Bishop Webb opens worship at AC18 with a message to acknowledge Christ
May 31, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“Are you persistent in your pursuit of God, or is it a hobby? Do you strive to experience and claim the things of God with the same diligence that you strive to experience and claim the things of the world? ... What is your response when Jesus says ‘Who do you say I am?’” These are just a few of the questions Upper New York Area Resident …more
Session shares examples of laity boldly living their call
May 31, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Laity Session for the 2018 Upper New York Annual Conference session kicked off promptly at 7 p.m. May 30 at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. Upper New York Conference Lay Leader Susan Hardy started the evening with an introduction of Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, noting how he has equipped and empowered other leaders in UNY. Bishop Webb took the stage, thanking laity for …more
Being God’s love in downtown Syracuse
May 30, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
To many people leaving work in downtown Syracuse, it may have seemed like an ordinary, hot and humid late May Wednesday—until they heard a Christian rock band jamming out with a crowd around them. Wednesday May 30, 2018 marked the second annual Celebrating Christ in the City, an outdoor worship event held in Syracuse’s Columbus Circle. The event, open to the public, was sponsored by the Syracuse United …more
Mission Central HUB hosts UMCOR kits event
May 30, 2018 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Before the start of the 2018 Upper New York Conference session, dozens of UNYC members gave back to the community. The UNY Mission Central HUB hosted an event May 30 in which volunteers helped assemble hygiene kits and flood buckets for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UNY Director of Missional Engagement Mike Block said the UMCOR kits are important because if a disaster happens, these are the first things homeowners receive. …more