news stories
How can I keep from singing?
February 14, 2017 / By Stephen Cady
A little over a year ago, Asbury First had a conversation about caroling as a congregation. We thought it would be fun to get together and walk through the neighborhoods surrounding our church to spread a little Christmas cheer. Then, we thought that it would be more fun with more people, so we considered inviting other churches to carol with us. Next, we thought about all of the brokenness and …more
UNY UMHS announces institutional membership and optional joint dues with the HSUMC
February 14, 2017 / By UNY Communications Team
The United Methodist Historical Society for the Upper New York Conference (UNYUMHS) announces that institutional membership is now available in the organization. Also, an option has been added for reduced joint membership in the Historical Society of the United Methodist Church (HSUMC). UNY-UM Society membership includes access to the private UNY United Methodist Historical Society Facebook closed group. As a closed group, viewing photographs, files, etc. (as well as adding …more
Conference Office closed today, Feb. 13
February 13, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Due to the inclement weather, the Conference Office in Syracuse will be closed today, Feb. 13. It will reopen Tuesday, Feb. 14. …more
How Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial UMC uses basketball to reach diverse youth
February 6, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At 5 p.m. on a Wednesday night, a diverse group of youth, ages 9-14, begin gathering into Sarah Jane Johnson UMC; they are there to play basketball! This is no ordinary basketball league; its purpose is not only to develop the children’s basketball skills, but also to teach the children about God’s love for them. Before hitting the gymnasium, the children gather into the chapel to …more
God brings diversity to Aldersgate UMC
February 6, 2017 / By The Rev. Anne O'Connor
Aldersgate UMC is located in Greece, a first-ring suburb of Rochester. The church is surrounded by affordable homes built in the 1950s and 60s to house employees of Eastman Kodak. In the last several years, the neighborhood has changed and has become ethnically diverse. We are pleased to see more ethnic people in our morning worships services, but God is doing much more. A few years ago, we noticed many …more
Hidden Figures-A brilliant account of three African American women at NASA
February 6, 2017 / By Linda Hughes, CORR
On Friday January 20, I had the great opportunity to go to the Stanley Theatre in Utica and listen to Margot Lee Shetterly (pictured on the right) speak about the book she recently authored entitled Hidden Figures. It’s about a group of African-American female mathematicians working for NASA during the 1960s, in segregated Virginia. Ms. Shetterly, also African-American, grew up in the same area as these women. Her father …more
NEJ Bishops release statement supporting refugees and speaking against visa ban
February 1, 2017 / By Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops
Editor's Note: The Northeastern Jurisdiction’s College of Bishops has released the following statement about the recent Executive Order suspending the country’s refugee assistance program and banning visas for seven countries. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, . . .” These words, written by poet Emma Lazarus and posted on pedestal of the Statue of Liberty have, for decades, welcomed …more
Fighting racism: The Church’s unfinished agenda
January 31, 2017 / By Upper New York Communications
Racism is everywhere, even in our churches. The racism that is apparent many times may be unintentional. The General Commission on Religion & Race (gcrr.org) has published these quotes to illustrate ways in which you may be unintentionally perpetuating racism. I acquiesce in the perpetuation of racism when I… “don’t challenge racist jokes and comments.” “feel threatened when interacting with persons of different …more
Pan-Methodism: What is this?
January 31, 2017 / By Blenda Smith, CORR
Pan-Methodist Churches are plentiful in the Upper New York area. Have you noticed African American Episcopal (AME), African American Episcopal Zion (AMEZ), Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME), African Union Methodist Protestant, or Union American Methodist Episcopal Churches in your communities? Collectively, they are called Pan-Methodist Churches. It has been over 200 years since Pan-Methodist Churches began separating from Methodism. Many African Americans chose to leave the Methodist Church when color and …more
From the desk of Mark J. Webb: Embracing diversity
January 31, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female, fall you all are one in Christ Jesus. Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise. …more