news stories
The Rev. Adam Hamilton’s UNY Annual Conference 2016 Study Session Videos Now Available
June 20, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The featured Study Session leader of the 2016 Annual Conference was the Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan. He led the Conference in three 90-minute training sessions throughout the day on June 3. Click here to download the handout/worksheet that accompanies Rev. Hamilton's lessons. In his first lesson, Rev. Hamilton described the role of leaders. He reviewed five key …more
W. Drew Heitzenrater wins the first annual UNY Annual Conference Step Challenge
June 17, 2016 / By UNY Communications
Congratulations to W. Drew Heitzenrater, retired clergy, who won the first annual UNY Annual Conference Step Challenge by logging 92,496 steps between June 2 and 4. He is the winner of a $25 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods store. So how did Drew accomplish this feat? For the challenge, he simply decided to get as many steps as he could. He walked the dog three times a day, went to …more
Watch videos from Annual Conference 2016
June 15, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Did you miss out on the 2016 Upper New York Annual Conference (AC2016)? Or were you there and would love to listen to an inspiring message again? Now you can. There have several videos available of the various worship services as well as the leadership report. Approval was just granted to upload the videos of Rev. Adam Hamilton. Those videos will be available soon and notice will be sent out when …more
The 2016 Upper New York Annual Conference ends with the Service of Ordination and Commissioning
June 13, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb ended the 2016 session of Annual Conference with the Service of Ordination and Commissioning. This year there was a diverse age range in those being both ordained and commissioned. There were seven ordinates; the youngest was 29 and the oldest was 63, with 48 being the average age of the group. There were four commissioners; the youngest was 26 and the oldest was 60, with the average …more
Upper New York 2016 Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church Wrap-Up
June 13, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Table is set In the Opening Worship Service at the 2016 Annual Conference of the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church (AC16), Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb reminded us of two promises God has made: “Through Jesus Christ we are chosen by God” and “Through Christ we are given power for the plan.” The theme of opening worship …more
Conference budget passes even among concerns
June 13, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Discussion of the 2017 Upper New York Conference Budget took place across three plenaries: the Friday afternoon plenary, an added Friday evening plenary (which was made possible but cutting time out of the dinner break and starting the Celebration of Ministry later), and Saturday morning’s plenary. The Rev. Larry Lake, the Chair of the Conference Council on Finance & Administration (CF&A), opened the budget discussion with the …more
Bishop Mark J. Webb releases statement on shootings in Orlando, Fla.
June 12, 2016 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor’s note: Bishop Mark J. Webb has released the following statement about the tragic shootings in Orlando, Fla. Once again we are witnesses to unimaginable and horrific violence that has claimed the lives of over 50 people and injured dozens more. This time it has happened in Orlando, Fla. I invite you to join me in prayer for the families and friends of those killed, that God would bring …more
Support materials available for local church reports on AC
June 9, 2016 / By Stephen J. Hustedt
As lay and clergy voting members of the Upper New York Annual Conference prepare reports for their local churches, the Communications ministry area has provided a variety of support materials. The full video wrap-up of Annual Conference is now available here. This video can be used in support of an oral report or even serve as the report itself. Daily notes from all three days of Annual Conference are available …more
More than $773,000 raised for Africa 360
June 6, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“Over the past two years, this Conference has been a part of a grand narrative,” said Laurel O’Connor, Africa 360 field coordinator. “In 2014, we took the unprecedented step of combining the stories of Imagine No Malaria and Africa University, seeking to raise funds to not only save children’s lives but raise up new leaders that are bringing peace and health to their home countries. …more
Saturday morning worship gets crowd to ‘Do Something’
June 6, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Booming music, dancing youth parading down the center of Exhibit Hall A, and a mock Annual Conference session marked the morning worship led by young people June 4 at the 2016 Annual Conference session. J.J. Warren served as “bishop” with his panel, Ian Urriola, Riley O’Flynn, and Emily Allen. “We, the young adults of the Upper New York Conference, seek to bring to life the reality …more