news stories
Upper New York Property Insurance Update
October 8, 2024 / By Jack Keating / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Over this past summer the Insurance Subcommittee of our Annual Conference Board of Trustees has met several times with representatives from Lightwell Insurance (formerly American Church Group) as we look at coverage and pricing options for the future of our conference-wide insurance program. While the commercial insurance market continues to struggle with increased losses and pricing fluctuations, we are pleased to report that our Annual Conference insurance …more
Important dates leading up to AC2025
October 7, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Mark your calendars as there are several important dates you should add to your calendar as we look forward to as we prepare for the 2025 Upper New York Annual Conference session. January 6: Petitions/Recommendations/Reports submissions accepted March 1: Last day to submit Petitions/Recommendations/Reports March 14 – April 15: Register for Annual Conference April 1: Presenter scripts due for closed captioning purposes April 15: 2025 UNY Pre-Conference Workbook …more
Celebrating Ministry at Countryside United Methodist Church
October 7, 2024 / By Rev. Abigail Browka / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In January, Countryside United Methodist Church received an Engage New People grant, designed to help local churches reach beyond their walls and engage new people in creative and meaningful ways. With an average weekly attendance of 13 people, this grant was a beacon of hope and an opportunity to renew the church's connection with its surrounding community. Countryside committed to hosting regular youth activities for 12 to 17-year-old teens in the …more
Together in Worship 2.0
October 7, 2024 / By Missional Excellence Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Do you provide leadership in ministry and are looking for an opportunity to recharge? If so, we have a worship experience for you! Once a month for the past 15 months, leaders among United Methodists of Upper New York have had an opportunity to gather for worship through Facebook Live or in-person at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool. Like many local congregations, there has been conversation about the …more
FJUMC serves as Guatemalan Consulate for hundreds of immigrants
October 3, 2024 / By Beth Jordan, Faith Journey UMC member
Faith Journey United Methodist Church (FJUMC) got the unique opportunity to serve as a meeting place for hundreds of Guatemalans immigrating to the United States. The church was contacted by the New York State Immigration Coalition as a possible location for an upcoming event over the summer and the community events planner inquired about renting space in the Clay area. Over time, we learned a Guatemalan Consulate would be …more
Time off to vote and posting requirement
October 3, 2024 / By Tracy Rickett, HR Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a reminder that New York State employees are eligible for up to two hours of paid time off to vote if they do not have “sufficient time to vote.” An employee is deemed to have “sufficient time to vote” if an employee has four consecutive hours to vote either from the opening of the polls to the beginning of their work shift, or four …more
Hurricane Helene disaster response
October 2, 2024 / By Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following letter was emailed to United Methodists of Upper New York on Wednesday, October 2 about disaster response following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene on behalf of Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, Disaster Response Coordinator. Dear United Methodists of Upper New York, We are heartbroken to witness the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene to communities across our United Methodist Connection. We’re …more
Churches take on Operation: Home Repair for second year in a row
September 30, 2024 / By Cobleskill UMC / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Schoharie Mosaic, a Cooperative Parish of ten United Methodist churches in and around Schoharie County in the Oneonta District, recently completed its second annual Operation: Home Repair. This local mission project took place over two weeks in July, however planning and preparation for the mission projects began back in January 2024. Operation: Home Repair provides no-cost critical home repairs to homeowners in and around Schoharie County by bringing neighbors together …more
United Methodists of Upper New York Parental Leave policy
September 27, 2024 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As approved at the 2024 Annual Conference, there is a new Parental Leave policy for all clergy and laity employed by the Upper New York Annual Conference or any of its funded extension ministries. This policy applies to all clergy, regardless of their part-time or full-time status, and lay employees who work 20 or more hours a week, or who have worked for at least 175 hours. This policy was effective …more
Protecting your church in time for winter
September 27, 2024 / By Autumn Wells, Administrative and Accounting Services Specialist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It’s only the start of the fall season, but winter will be here before you know it. There are several things you should take into consideration when it comes to protecting your church and church property for winter weather. Want to know when there’s going to be extreme freezing weather or emergency info alerts in your area? Sign up to receive free text alerts …more