news stories
Church livestreams God’s word
November 7, 2017 / By Kathleen Christiansen
After some members of the Lycoming United Methodist Church became too ill to attend Sunday Worship, Pastor Brandin Greco came up with an idea in September 2016. About the same time, Facebook Live, the social media platform’s livestreaming, was growing in popularity. Pastor Greco thought his church could use this technology for something good. “A lot of people put down things like Facebook and cellphones,” he said. …more
Come and retreat at one of the UNY Camp & Retreat Centers
November 7, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Did you know that Camp & Retreat Centers throughout UNY offer much more than summer camping opportunities for youth and children? In fact, these centers are open year-round and offer retreat and event opportunities for adults, youth, families, clergy, and ministry leaders. These centers offer exceptional hospitality, home cooked meals, great accommodations, and wonderful relaxation and recreation options. Your group can select from a variety of meeting and gathering …more
Track data, gain insight, and help your church with VitalSigns
November 7, 2017 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The VitalSigns Dashboard is a tool that allows churches to track church growth indicators, such as weekly worship attendance, professions of faith, small group participation, missional participation, and financial giving. It is a deeper level of insight, support, and accountability that tracks and trends vital information in an easy-to-understand dashboard. VitalSigns provides both a real-time pulse and long-term perspective on what’s going on in congregations, Districts, and Conferences. …more
Strengthening Camp and Retreat Centers
November 7, 2017 / By Pam Harris, Director, Run River Enterprises
My work through an Extension Ministry appointment is to serve as a consultant to faith-based camp and retreat centers. In 19 years of working with camp and retreat ministries, our organization has worked with nearly 300 sites of ministry in almost 200 organizations. We have worked with nearly all denominations, in most US states, and three Canadian provinces. Some projects result in strategic, long-range plans, which guide the ministry into the future they …more
2017 UNY Conference Journal Vol. 2 now available for purchase
November 6, 2017 / By
The 2017 Upper New York Conference Journal Vol. 2, is now available. This volume of the journal contains all business from the 8th session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, held June 1-3, 2017. There are two ways to receive the Journal Vol. 2: Click here to purchase a hard copy from online publisher Lulu.com OR Click here to view online or to download a free PDF version If you order …more
From the Desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: God’s love in all places
October 31, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
The fall 2017 edition of the Advocate is available on our website and has also arrived at local churches. This issue focuses on Being God’s love to our neighbors in all places. In this issue, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb reflects on a blog he read by Rich Robinson, who describes what it means to be m.i.s.s.i.o.n.a …more
UNY Communication Department staffing changes
October 26, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Over the next few months, the Upper New York Conference Communications Ministry Area will be undergoing some staffing changes. Karen Campolieto, Administrative Assistant for Communications, New Faith Communities, and Vital Congregations, has been promoted to Media Resource Coordinator and Archives Assistant. In this role, she is taking on the tasks that Resource Center Director Diane Miner (who is retiring next month) fulfilled and she will also be helping to …more
Rev. Michael L. Weeden celebrated as Superintendent of the Northern Flow District
October 24, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson
On October 15, 2017, nearly 200 people gathered together at the Gouverneur First UMC to celebrate the appointment of the Rev. Mike Weeden as District Superintendent of the Northern Flow District and to worship with each other on this joyous occasion. When Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb introduced Rev. Weeden, he first described what he looks for when he is appointing a new District Superintendent. He said, “We …more
Introducing the Upper New York Conference Communication Hubs
October 24, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson
Shortly after the UNY Conference was formed, with the large geographical size of the Conference in mind, a promise was made to create Communication Hubs across the UNY Conference to strengthen our connection. And now this promise has been fulfilled. In the beginning of 2017, the Conference Leadership Team (CLT) and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) decided to designate some Conference funds toward creating Communication …more
revitup! for a Lifetime in Ministry—Scholarship Opportunities and Childcare This Year!
October 18, 2017 / By UNY Communications
Wespath is hosting a revitup! for a Lifetime in Ministry educational event for young clergy ages 39 and under November 13-15, 2017 in Pensacola Beach, Florida. This event serves to strengthen personal, financial, and leadership skills in order to sustain a lifetime in ministry. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS APPROACHING! Use the link above to register. New this year, are scholarship opportunities available to first-time attendees of revitup! …more