news stories
God brings diversity to Aldersgate UMC
February 6, 2017 / By The Rev. Anne O'Connor
Aldersgate UMC is located in Greece, a first-ring suburb of Rochester. The church is surrounded by affordable homes built in the 1950s and 60s to house employees of Eastman Kodak. In the last several years, the neighborhood has changed and has become ethnically diverse. We are pleased to see more ethnic people in our morning worships services, but God is doing much more. A few years ago, we noticed many …more
Hidden Figures-A brilliant account of three African American women at NASA
February 6, 2017 / By Linda Hughes, CORR
On Friday January 20, I had the great opportunity to go to the Stanley Theatre in Utica and listen to Margot Lee Shetterly (pictured on the right) speak about the book she recently authored entitled Hidden Figures. It’s about a group of African-American female mathematicians working for NASA during the 1960s, in segregated Virginia. Ms. Shetterly, also African-American, grew up in the same area as these women. Her father …more
NEJ Bishops release statement supporting refugees and speaking against visa ban
February 1, 2017 / By Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops
Editor's Note: The Northeastern Jurisdiction’s College of Bishops has released the following statement about the recent Executive Order suspending the country’s refugee assistance program and banning visas for seven countries. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, . . .” These words, written by poet Emma Lazarus and posted on pedestal of the Statue of Liberty have, for decades, welcomed …more
Fighting racism: The Church’s unfinished agenda
January 31, 2017 / By Upper New York Communications
Racism is everywhere, even in our churches. The racism that is apparent many times may be unintentional. The General Commission on Religion & Race (gcrr.org) has published these quotes to illustrate ways in which you may be unintentionally perpetuating racism. I acquiesce in the perpetuation of racism when I… “don’t challenge racist jokes and comments.” “feel threatened when interacting with persons of different …more
Pan-Methodism: What is this?
January 31, 2017 / By Blenda Smith, CORR
Pan-Methodist Churches are plentiful in the Upper New York area. Have you noticed African American Episcopal (AME), African American Episcopal Zion (AMEZ), Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME), African Union Methodist Protestant, or Union American Methodist Episcopal Churches in your communities? Collectively, they are called Pan-Methodist Churches. It has been over 200 years since Pan-Methodist Churches began separating from Methodism. Many African Americans chose to leave the Methodist Church when color and …more
From the desk of Mark J. Webb: Embracing diversity
January 31, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female, fall you all are one in Christ Jesus. Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise. …more
CLT continues logic model work to guide ministry in UNY
January 24, 2017 / By Stephen J. Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On January 14, members of the Conference Leadership Team (CLT) gathered in Syracuse to continue their visioning and strategic planning work. Using a logic model (see the logic model graphic) the team “began with the end in mind,” working its way backwards from the Vision and Mission to identify the steps required to live into the vision and mission. The CLT had previously identified three desired outcomes: Increase …more
Upper New York young adults reflect on poverty
January 24, 2017 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Earlier this month, 15 young adults from the UNY Conference traveled to Washington, D.C. and spent two days learning at the United Methodist Building as part of the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) seminar program, focusing on #FaithandPoverty. Maya Smith, Weagba Nelson, Alisyn Klock, and Cory Jones share their reflections on what they learned about poverty. Below are a few reflections from the young adults who …more
A letter of thanks from the Desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb
January 24, 2017 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: On the morning of Jan. 24, Bishop Mark J. Webb sent the following letter, expressing sincere thanks to all Upper New York Conference congregations who paid their Ministry Shares and the leaders who have strived to reduce spending, as it has enabled our Conference to pay 100 percent of our General Church apportionments for the first time in the history of the Upper New York Conference. Dear Sisters …more
Bishop Mark J. Webb names new Northern Flow District Superintendent and extends three others
January 23, 2017 / By Stephen J. Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Mike Weeden as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Northern Flow District effective July 1, 2017. Rev. Weeden currently serves Fulton: First United Methodist Church in the Crossroads District. He first sensed God calling him into ministry as a student at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania where He received a B.A. …more