news stories
Partnering with Friends in Uganda
August 8, 2018 / By Pastor Bob Schooley, Centerville UMC / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
You know what it’s like to see a friend you haven’t seen in a year, don’t you? It’s a moment of great joy, when time stands still. Stepping out of the airport in Entebbe – 7,000 miles away -- there stood our friend Musumba (Pastor) Fred Muyimbwa, welcoming us, as he always does. This was our 16th journey to Uganda since 2006. Friends, our …more
Into the desert
August 7, 2018 / By Pastor Cory Jones
Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from a longer story that Pastor Jones submitted for the Mohawk District newsletter. To read the original article, contact Mohawk District Administrative Assistant Cindy Muder at MohawkDIstrict@unyumc.org. This past July I took part in a cross-cultural trip through my seminary, Drew Theological, and spent eight days in southern Arizona in an area commonly referred to as the Borderlands. The purpose …more
What is God inviting you to do?
August 6, 2018 / By Nancy Dibelius, Assistant Director, Spiritual Life for Vital Congregations
Editor’ Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of the Advocate, which focused on individuals and churches throughout the Upper New York Conference who are boldly living their call. Discerning your call is a many-layered, challenging process for most of us. To discern means more than to understand or to make a decision. Discern comes from the Latin discernere; dis means apart, and cernere means to separate. …more
The Susquehanna Conference visits for mission work on the Onondaga Nation Reservation
July 31, 2018 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Connection. This is what enables United Methodists to make a difference in the global community. Just as the Upper New York Conference engages in mission work all over the world so all the Conferences. Last week, members of a mission team from the Susquehanna Conference repaired houses on the Onondaga Nation Reservation, just South of Syracuse. In fact, the Susquehanna Conference has been committed to mission work on the …more
Way Forward report released in all four official languages of General Conference
July 31, 2018 / By Council of Bishops
The final report of the Commission on a Way Forward has been released in all four official languages of the General Conference: English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili. The report will be presented to the 2019 Special Session of General Conference. Subject to final copy editing, the report will be printed in the Advance Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA) in November. Here is a statement from the moderators of the Commission and the …more
Q&A about baptism
July 30, 2018 / By UMC Discipleship Ministries
Q: What does United Methodism fundamentally believe about baptism? A: Baptism is a sacrament. In a sacrament, God uses common elements – in this case, water – as means or vehicles of divine grace. Baptism is administered by the church as the Body of Christ. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. Q: Is sprinkling the only way …more
How baptism is related to your call
July 30, 2018 / By The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Director of Connectional Ministries and Assistant to the Bishop
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of the Advocate, which focused on individuals and churches throughout the UNY Conference that are boldly living their call. Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, …more
UNY Conference hires Treasurer
July 24, 2018 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Susan Ranous, Chair of the Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference, announces that CF&A has completed its search for a new Conference Treasurer and has recommended Robert (Bob) Flask for the position. CF&A took the selection process seriously; the process involved interviews by a primary interview team as well as conversations with the Conference Executive …more
Bishop Webb offering fall gatherings for A Way Forward
July 24, 2018 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This fall, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is hosting six gatherings around the Conference in preparation for Special Session of General Conference to talk about Commission on a Way Forward for The United Methodist Church. The gatherings will include a presentation of the plan and process of General Conference, a time to remember our mission, and worship and prayer. Click here to find the dates and …more
From the desk of Bishop Mark J Webb: Living Boldly
July 24, 2018 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of the Advocate, which shared stories on individuals and churches throughout the Upper New York Conference that are boldly living their call. Sarah, Abraham, Miriam, Moses, Sarah, Ruth, Joshua, David, Esther, Hannah, Solomon, Jeremiah, Peter, John, Mary Magdalene, and Paul. What do these individuals all have in common? What do their lives offer to ours? These women and …more