news stories
UNY response to Hurricane Florence
September 18, 2018 / By Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As many of you are aware, Hurricane Florence brought a significant amount of rainfall to North and South Carolina, causing evacuations, flooding, the displacement of many families, and for some, death. When the water subsides, many will return home to find their homes and businesses damaged or destroyed. Rebuilding can take weeks, months, or perhaps years. As the Director of Missional Engagement for the Upper New York Conference, I urge …more
Rev. Carlos Rosa-Laguer installed as the Niagara Frontier District Superintendent
September 18, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Sunday September 16, 2018 at Batavia First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Carlos Rosa-Laguer was officially installed as the District Superintendent (DS) of the Niagara Frontier District. Well over 200 clergy and lay members throughout the Upper New York Conference attended the service, including several members of Rochester’s Emmanuel UMC were Rev. Rosa-Laguer previously served as pastor. In the service, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb said, …more
Transformation in Christ 180 UNY UMM Retreat, inspiring for men, women, and children
September 11, 2018 / By Mark Jones / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Greetings from the United Methodist Men (UMM) of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. “Transformation in Christ Turn 180“ was our theme for this year’s UMM Annual Conference-wide retreat held at the beautiful Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center, in Windsor NY (about 15 miles from where I grew up in Conklin, NY). The idea this year was to include families; men, women and children. This idea …more
Spotlight on the Bishop’s Retreat 2018 Keynote Speaker, Dr. Clif Christopher
September 11, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“Living, Leading, and Equipping for Biblical Stewardship” is the theme of this year’s Bishop’s Retreat to be held October 23-25 at the Genesee Grande Hotel in Syracuse, Ny The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Clif Christopher, founder of Horizons Stewardship Company, is the perfect speaker on the topic of stewardship. Since founding Horizons, he and his strategists have led consultations in over 2,000 churches, conferences, synods, and …more
What’s new at SU: September 2018
September 11, 2018 / By Rhonda Chester, United Methodist Ecumenical Chaplain. Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University
It’s the beginning of my third year as the United Methodist Ecumenical Campus Ministry chaplain here at Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University campus and I am reflecting on the meaningful ministry opportunities that I have had with so many students. Recently, I got the opportunity to be a part of the welcoming committees and watched with glee as we kicked off the Fall 2018 semester with 5,000 new incoming students, 800 of …more
Tommy boldly living his way forward
September 4, 2018 / By Erin Patrick, Church Planter
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of the Advocate, which focused on individuals and churches throughout the Conference who are boldly living their call. Tommy is one of those individuals. The ROAD is a New Faith Community that reaches people by creating a place and sense of belonging through being relational community that is open to all levels of faiths that affirms, loves, and accepts …more
The Upper New York Conference welcomes new treasurer, Bob Flask
September 4, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference Council on Finance and Administration is pleased to announce that new Conference Treasurer Bob Flask has officially joined the Finance Ministry Area. Tuesday, September 4, was his first day. Susan Ranous, Chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration said, “After a long and exhaustive search, I am delighted with the addition of Bob Flask to the Conference staff as our Treasurer. …more
Garden ministries grow relationships and feed the hungry
August 31, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s Note: If your church has a garden ministry that you would like to share, send the story to news@unyumc.org. Vegetable gardens are flourishing this season throughout the Upper New York Conference. Many churches throughout the Conference have garden ministries that help to feed fresh, local produce to the hungry and build relationships both with their communities and among their members. Here are some of their …more
Called into the healing ministries
August 28, 2018 / By Jessica Glaser, Commissioned for the work of Deacon
Editor’s Note: This article was written in April 2018 before Glaser was commissioned. This article originally appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of the Advocate. I first felt the call to ministry close to 10 years ago, when I lived in Denver. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a deacon. I was inspired by one of the deacons at my church who also served as a labor organizer. I …more
Urgent need for cleaning kit supplies
August 28, 2018 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Recent flooding in Seneca County and throughout Pennsylvania has caused a shortage of UMCOR flood buckets within the Upper New York Conference. UNY Mission Central HUB is in great need of UMCOR cleaning kit supplies and help assembling and verifying buckets. While some of these buckets are used to help our own area, they’re also used around the world. According to Mike Block, Director of Missional Engagement, and …more