news stories
Faith Journey UMC learns about hardship in Vietnam
July 26, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s Note: The names of the two Vietnamese women who spoke at Faith Journey United Methodist Church have been changed and their photos have been blurred to protect their identity. On July 16, Faith Journey United Methodist Church in Clay, NY welcomed two special guest speakers. Grace, a 35-year old Vietnamese woman and Faith, a 17-year old Vietnamese girl have been pouring forth supreme love and dedication toward improving …more
Haiti’s Promised Land: Building new lives
July 19, 2017 / By Melinda Miles, Coordinator, Haiti Takes Root
In March 2010, Canaan was a mix of floodplain and foothills, a desert scorching in the midday sun. It was a far cry from the forests of hardwood trees that stood there a hundred years ago, although a breathtaking view of the Bay of Port-au-Prince and seeing the hazy capital itself across the sparkling water gave the place a sense of hope. The first residents arrived just two short months after …more
How the Commission on a Way Forward provides hope for the future of The UMC
July 19, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Commission on a Way Forward was formed by the Council of Bishops after a decision was made at General Conference 2016 to develop a committee to address the issue of division around the topic of sexuality in The United Methodist Church. On June 2, at the 2017 Annual Conference session, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb showed a video featuring a number of the diverse members on the Commission …more
From the Desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Trusting that God is enough
July 18, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
This issue of the Advocate reflects the Upper New York quadrennial theme, “Together in Prayer:Trusting that God is Enough.” In June, during Opening Worship at the eight session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, I spoke about the deep meaning and importance of this theme for the future of the United Methodist Church. Here is some of what I shared… “I want to be …more
Feeling Gods Peace
July 18, 2017 / By Frederica Webb, Wellesley Island UMC and Alexandria Bay UMC
Over four years ago, my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. When he didn't come out of the colonoscopy area, I just had that feeling, you know, the one in the pit of your stomach. The nurse came and got me and when I went into the room where my husband and doctor were, I felt a deep sense of peace. I just knew whatever it was, it would …more
Ramping it up in Cortland
July 17, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Imagine not having access to your own home. Seventy-four year old Charlie Yager faced this situation in June of 2016. He struggled with lung problems for several years and was hospitalized for two weeks with severe breathing problems. Charlie came home on hospice, in a wheelchair, yet no way to enter his home. Within 24 hours, Cortland First United Methodist Church’s Ramp it Up ministry came to Charlie’s …more
Exciting changes for CCYM
July 17, 2017 / By Julio Guity
Every year the Conference Council on (CCYM) gathers for five days at one of the six Conference camp and retreat centers to talk business and (hopefully) have some fun in the process. It is a great meeting of the minds, and this is where the planning for the next year of events begins. Since the inception of the Upper New York Annual Conference, the CCYM has been doing things the …more
Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society first meeting
July 12, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society will gather for its first meeting on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church (Tiffany Community Room) in the village of Esperance (in the Oneonta District) in Schoharie County, New York. It is expected that Society meetings will rotate among different areas of Upper New York Conference. The Society meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. to set goals, etc. for …more
First program meeting of the Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society
July 12, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The purpose of the Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society is to work with UNYCAH in preserving Methodist materials related to the Upper New York conference and antecedents and to promote knowledge of Methodist history and skills for preserving and disseminating it. The Society and guests met in its first program meeting June 17, 2017 in the community building of Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church. Tables full of resources on Schoharie …more
Rev. Natalie Hanson on the impact of compassion
July 12, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“You sweep humans away like a dream;” these words were part of a Call and Response in the June 1 Memorial Service at the 2017 Annual Conference session. Bishop Webb thanked the members who supported the clergy and clergy spouses who have passed away since the 2016. He said, “Thank you for supporting the ways in which you supported the ones that we celebrate tonight…I pray that you …more