news stories
My trip to the Holy Land, Article 2 of 4
September 20, 2017 / By Theresa Eggleston
When I went to the Holy Land, I was expecting to have a grand spiritual experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is one of my favorite Bible stories; Jesus stays up all night praying that the burden before him is taken away. He pleads with his friends to stay up with him, longing for company. When I read this story, I feel closer to a human Jesus. Naturally, I …more
Upper New York’s CLT updates its Purpose Statement
September 19, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
For many years, the UNY Conferences Leadership Team’s (CLT) purpose focused on administrative tasks. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb requested the CLT to work together to expand their purpose statement. The new focus of the Conference Leadership Team is more comprehensive and is geared toward living out the vision and mission of the UMC and the UNY Conference. Drew Griffin, a member of …more
Shoeboxes for Red Bird Mission
September 19, 2017 / By Dave Alexander, lay person, Endwell United Methodist Church
The Endwell United Methodist Church mission team is again coordinating the collection and delivery of shoeboxes for Red Bird Mission, located in Beverly, Kentucky. The Red Bird Missionary Conference is one of three missionary United Methodist conferences in the United States. It is the most comprehensive mission effort of the United Methodist Church, providing outreach and services that minister to the whole person (spiritual, physical, social, and economic). …more
From franchise to local dive… unleash the power for your local church
September 12, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Are you wondering how to spark new life, meet new people and offer them Christ? The temptation is to serve up the same exact ministry models that worked in another time and space. Like ordering from a menu at the franchise chain restaurant and expecting the meal to be palatable in the local context, many churches fail to connect with what their local community is actually hungry for. Join …more
From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Response to Hurricane Irma
September 12, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
On Sept. 12 Bishop Mark J. Webb sent the following letter about how to respond to Hurricane Irma to members of the Upper New York Conference. Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Once again, we have seen the incredible destruction a powerful hurricane can bring. Our prayers are with the people of the Caribbean, Florida and the other places along Irma’s storm path. Just as with Harvey, we know recovery …more
UNY staff welcomes Betsy Schuessler
September 11, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
We extend a warm welcome to Betsy Schuessler who has been hired as Administrative Assistant to the director of Camp & Retreat Ministries. Betsy grew up as a camper at Aldersgate and served on summer staff ultimately filling the role of interim director from the fall of 2006 through the spring of 2009. She has continued to serve in a volunteer role for CRM many times throughout the year and …more
When God takes over
September 5, 2017 / By The Rev. Gary Kubitz, First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville
Editor's Note: For the Summer 2017 issue of the Advocate, we asked members across the UNY Conference to share stories of when they have had to trust that God is enough. Rev. Gary Kubitz, of the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, responded with a story. If you have a story of when you had to trust that God is enough, submit it to news@unyumc.org. During my first …more
Carrying out my mission to help thousands in South Africa
August 29, 2017 / By Erma Mae Perkins, Zululand Hospice Partnership, Member Rush UMC
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2017 issue of the Advocate; all article sin this issue were centered on the theme Trusting that God is Enough. I have had an interest in the continent of Africa for as long as I can remember. My friend Judy spent several terms as a nurse in Ethiopia. Judy adopted an abandoned child before returning to the U.S. When …more
From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Flooding from Hurricane Harvey
August 29, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
(Editor’s note: On Monday, August 28, Bishop Mark J. Webb released the following letter about the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.) Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As you are aware, Hurricane Harvey continues to cause tremendous devastation to the greater Houston area, forcing thousands to evacuate. When the waters subside, many people will return to discover their homes and businesses have been destroyed. Rebuilding will take weeks, months, even …more
How the UMC is denouncing racism
August 28, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As a response to the racist events that took place in Charlottesville, August 12-13, 2017, the UMC is taking action. Here are just a few of the ways the UMC has responded to what took place in Charlottesville, VA. They placed a full page ad in The New York Times and USA Today on Aug. 16. Together, these two papers reach about 2 million people. They developed several articles, which cover the …more