news stories
Rev. Hamilton wraps up Study Sessions at AC16
June 4, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino
Why do people need Jesus Christ? Why do people need the Church? Why do people need our particular church? According to the Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., these are three important questions pastors and congregations must ask themselves. Rev. Hamilton’s final Study Session at the 2016 Annual Conference session included tips for churches on how to prepare for …more
Annual Conference daily update videos, daily notes now available
June 4, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Each day during the 2016 Upper New York Annual Conference session, the UNY Communications Ministry Area produced daily update videos that recapped the previous day’s highlights in a fun and exciting way. The videos were played at the beginning of the morning sessions June 3 and 4. The videos can be viewed below. June 3 video: 2016 Annual Conference Session Thursday Recap from Upper New York Conference on Vimeo. June 4 video: 2016 Annual …more
Celebration of Ministry observed as a gala this year
June 4, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Day two of the 2016 Annual Conference ended with an electrifying Celebration of Ministry Gala, which mirrored the Academy Awards. This celebration included gold BobbleWebbs, musical transitions between recognitions, and envelopes with the names of those recognized. Cornerstone District Superintendent the Rev. Sherri Rood and Adirondack District Superintendent the Rev. Bill Mudge hosted the Gala. An ongoing debate between the co-hosts about the appropriate attire for the gala added humor to …more
CBOPHB presents three recommendations
June 4, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino
The Rev. Stephen Deckard, the chair of the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB), and Vicki Putney, Conference Director of Human Resources and Benefits, presented the CBOPHB Report. Rev. Deckard and Putney started by thanking members of the board and the Benefits and Administrative Services Ministry Area, with a special thanks to Linda Houmiel, Conference Clergy Care Assistant, who will retire this year. Rev. Deckard then presented the …more
Five recommendations from CEC report supported
June 3, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino
The Rev. Loren Swanson, chair of the Commission on Equitable Compensation (CEC), presented the CEC Report on June 3. He said among the commission’s responsibilities are to insure that a healthy balance exists between clergy and level of support and to help churches in financial difficulty come to sustainable solutions. Rev. Swanson presented five recommendations on behalf of the commission. The first recommendation called for a raise to the …more
Rev. Hamilton discusses effective worship and preaching
June 3, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino
After wrapping up some points from the first session, Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., dove into the topic of the second Study Session: effective worship and preaching. He began with examples of what he and his congregation do: having people pray during the week over the seats in the sanctuary for those who will sit in them, praying at …more
Actions taken during the Trustees Report
June 3, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
During afternoon plenary on day two of the 2016 Annual Conference session, three matters were discussed in the Trustees Report: the new Conference Center, churches that have been discontinued and abandoned, and the Findley Camp & Retreat Center (Camp Findley) Resolution. Regarding the new Conference Center at 7481 Henry Clay Boulevard in Liverpool, Pastor Richard Barling, a trustee, discussed the progress that has been made in renovating the building. He mentioned the …more
Markus McKinney thanks the Black College Fund
June 3, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
During the afternoon plenary of the 2016 Annual Conference session, Markus McKinney, a rising senior at Rust College in Holly Springs, Miss., thanked the Conference for the opportunity the Black College Fund afforded him and affords many others. McKinney quoted Nelson Mandela, who said, “Education is the most powerful method that you can use to change the world.” He explained how his experience thus far at Rust College has …more
Leadership Report aims to upgrade the experience at the table
June 3, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The banquet table of the Upper New York Annual Conference session is set – and it’s no ordinary meal. “It is a table filled with delicacies you can’t even imagine,” a narrator recites at the opening of the Leadership Report. “The blessing is before us.” “No matter what your gift is, no matter who you are; you are invited to the …more
First session with Rev. Adam Hamilton focuses on effective leaders
June 3, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino
Day two of the 2016 Annual Conference session began with Study Session leader 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. Rev. Hamilton started the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in 1990 with three other people – his wife, LaVon, and their two daughters, Danielle and Rebecca. It …more