news stories
Earn your way to the Holy Land
January 9, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Bishop Mark J. Webb and his wife, Jodi Webb planned an 11-day trip (January 9-19, 2018) to the Holy Land through Educational Opportunities Tours for anyone in the Conference to join. Click here to learn more about the trip. If you would like to join them, the earlier you register, the more you can save. For example, register by February 9, 2017 to save $150. Pastors are also able to promote the tour and …more
Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) celebrates 2016 and looks ahead to 2017
January 3, 2017 / By UNY Communications Team
Over two weekends in November, youth and adult advisors from all around Upper New York Conference gathered to learn who and what “God is” through fellowship and workshops. The workshops included: God is …Diverse, …A Leader, …Forgiving, …Speaking, …Now, and …Peace. Each workshop offered different insightful pieces as to who God is, and we are confident that the youth who attended …more
The Media Resource Center is moving
January 3, 2017 / By Diane Miner / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
With the New Year will come some changes for the Media Resource Center and that will mean a few changes for you as well. Our long anticipated move is finally happening. As I prepare for the move, it will mean closing the Resource Center for two weeks to be able to pack up everything, move, and setup in the new Conference Center in Liverpool. January is typically a very busy …more
Worship and a Meal: How Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church reaches its neighbors
January 3, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Every Tuesday evening, the dining room at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church (SJJ) fills with dozens of diverse residents of the tri-cities of Binghamton, Johnson City, and Endicott. They range in age from infancy to elderly. And a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The director of the program since 2001, Jim Lane, said, “Everyone here is needy in one form or another. Most are low-income and literally hungry. Many …more
Ministries supported by Shared Giving
January 3, 2017 / By UNY Communications Team
Leadership The past year has been filled with opportunities for people across the Conference to increase their leadership capacity. November of 2015 saw the launch of the UNY Leadership Academy attended by 17 people throughout the Conference. The Rev. Anne Cole had this to say about her experience, “Leadership Academy has equipped me to better care for self spiritually while leading adaptive change in the congregation I serve. I am …more
My message about Shared Ministry
December 20, 2016 / By Mike Kelly
When pondering Ministry Shares, I always tell my congregations that we must realize that Jesus Christ’s ministry is not limited to Reynoldsville or Newfield United Methodist churches; it is global, as noted in Matthew 28, “Go and make disciples of all nations, we are responsible!” Ministry Shares help make global ministries possible, as part of these monies go to General Connectional Ministries, which funds broader initiatives of …more
The importance of Peace with Justice for the UNY Conference
December 20, 2016 / By Heather Smith
With all the turmoil surrounding that past several weeks - election results, increased racial and religious intolerance, numerous shootings, etc. - now is the time for those of us who call ourselves United Methodist to take action. Prayer, study, and justice work are more important than ever. One way connect to this work is to support the Special Sunday offerings outlined in the Book of Discipline. As your Peace with …more
Connectionalism and mutual trust drive giving at Champion Second UMC
December 13, 2016 / By Pastor Sung Ah Choi, MSW, MDiv, PhC, Champion Second UMC and Carthage UMC
Editor’s Note: In 2015, Champion Second UMC increased their Ministry Shares by 81 percent. In 2016, Champion Second UMC has paid 100 percent of their Ministry Shares. Pastor Sung Ah Choi is the pastor of Champion Second UMC and Carthage UMC; both are small rural churches in the Northern Flow District that have accomplished the great work of increasing their Ministry Shares. Here is the story of how Champion Second UMC accomplished …more
Why Carlton UMC values Ministry-Share giving over half-time appointment
December 7, 2016 / By Rev. Melanie Ollett
Editor’s Note: Carlton UMC improved their Ministry Shares in 2015 by almost 80 percent. At the time of this writing (October, 2016), they have already surpassed 100 percent of their Ministry Shares for 2016. Despite the very difficult transition from a half-time pastor to a quarter-time pastor, Carlton UMC has found a way to pay our Ministry Shares in full. I am a new pastor at Carlton and I entered an environment …more
Together we can do more: A worship series at Homer First UMC
December 7, 2016 / By Rev. Rachel Morse
At Homer First, our stewardship campaign barely addresses the question, “Why should Christians give?” I know, I know. I know that we’re supposed to explain every year why God wants us to commit to give. We did that last year and our pledges increased by 30 percent! But there is still resistance to giving generously in the offering plate. It’s strange, because we have a …more