news stories
From the Advocate: Camp Culture 101
May 4, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center – The ring and hook game Walter Stacy, service manager at the Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center from 1965-1980, remembered playing the ring and hook game as a child, probably on the farm in Phelps, where he spent some of his early teen years. Sometime in the late ’60s, he saw the game again, remembered how much fun it was when he was a …more
From the Advocate: Because of Camp & Retreat Ministry, I ...
May 4, 2016 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
The history of Camp & Retreat Ministry of The United Methodist Church is rich and filled with testimonies of lives changed by the amazing grace of God offered to and working through people of all ages and stages of life. Amazing things happen at camp and retreat settings around the world. Because of Camp & Retreat Ministry, individuals have heard the good news of the Gospel and placed their faith …more
UMC General Conference 101
May 2, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The 2016 General Conference session is fast-approaching, scheduled for May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. So what exactly is General Conference and how does it impact the everyday United Methodist? Read on to find the answers to these questions and more. What is General Conference? General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, which meets once every four years. It is an international body of nearly 1,000 delegates. The …more
Legacy Ministry website has launched
April 26, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Legacy Ministry website is now available. The website will introduce people to Legacy Ministry and what it’s about so they can see if it is something they want to explore. Legacy Ministry seeks to help congregations that are “having trouble staying in operation and who express that they’re having trouble extending their mission and ministry” determine in which direction the congregation should move …more
How to be a part of the 2016 General Conference
April 26, 2016 / By Steve Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In a matter of weeks, the Upper New York Conference delegation to General Conference will leave for Portland, Ore., to join hundreds of other United Methodists from around the world in worship, decision-making, and countless other activities. As the top decision-making body of The United Methodist Church gathers, there will be news and information coming out that will directly and indirectly impact your local church. Unfortunately, locating this information can …more
Golden Cross Sunday offering supports chaplaincy programs
April 20, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Golden Cross Sunday offering is an annual appeal to the members of the Upper New York Conference to help support benevolent services. In Upper New York, the offering is traditionally received in May, giving congregations the flexibility to designate any date in the month that best suits their schedule. Across the denomination, these Conference-wide offerings are used to support health and welfare ministries, such as chaplaincy programs, disability awareness …more
Bishop Webb completes 2015-2016 District Days tour
April 19, 2016 / By
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb completed his 2015-2016 District Days tour with visits to the Finger Lakes, Genesee Valley, Mountain View, and Northern Flow districts in March and the Oneonta District in April. The theme of his tour was “Increasing Our Capacity: A Time of Conversation and Encouragement,” and it provided conversation sessions for clergy (in the morning and afternoon), district leadership committees (over …more
Sign up now for the Conference’s Day of Prayer Vigil
April 15, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Nancy Dibelius, who is coordinating the Upper New York Conference's Day of Prayer on April 23, is organizing a prayer vigil for the entire Day of Prayer. There will be events going on throughout the day at local churches, so the critical time slots are in the early morning and late evening. Each slot is for one hour. Those interested in participating in the vigil - particularly for the hours …more
UNY makes prayer beads for General Conference
April 15, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Nancy Dibelius - coordinator of the Upper New York Conference's Day of Prayer on April 23 - has made 20 sets of prayer beads on behalf of the Conference, which will be given to delegates at the 2016 General Conference session, May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. Since the deadline to receive prayer beads for General Conference is April 30, these beads will not be prayed over during Day of Prayer, but …more
Apply now Violet’s Garden grants
April 12, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The need to foster spiritual growth in and with children and youth is of paramount importance to the congregations of the Upper New York Conference. In honor of Bishop Violet Fisher’s love and concern for children and youth, Violet’s Garden (Advance Special #3075) was established in the former North Central New York Conference to celebrate Bishop Fisher’s life and ministry among us and to continue …more