news stories
From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Why Ministry Shares matter
November 8, 2016 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb
Editor's Note: The fall 2016 issue of the Advocate reveals the UMC Connection and how Ministry Shares spark change locally and around the world. Here is an excerpt of Bishop Mark J. Webb's article. See the full article in the print copy of the UNY Advocate/2016/Issue 4 (coming out the third week in November). United Methodists accomplish big things together. That is true around the world and it is …more
UNY represented at NAMC Annual Meeting
November 8, 2016 / By UNY Communications
Wheeling, West Virginia, hosted the Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Native American Ministries Committee (NAMC) on Oct. 6 – 8. Upper New York was proudly represented by Kae Wilbert, chair of the Upper New York Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM), and Sharon Schmit, member of CONAM and newly elected treasurer of the NEJ NAMC. CONAMs throughout the Jurisdiction gathered to connect with resource representatives who work in Native Ministries, receive …more
Respite program for families with autistic children aims to foster more community, less isolation
November 3, 2016 / By Kathleen Christiansen
The Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region recently received a $5,000 seed grant from the New York State Caregiving & Respite Coalition to begin a respite program for families with autistic children. The society is currently working with United Methodist churches in the Albany area to get the program up and running. The Rev. Alan Kinney, pastor at the Eastern Parkway UMC in Schenectady and on the Autism Society&rsquo …more
Council of Bishops to call for 2019 General Conference
November 2, 2016 / By Diane Degnan / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
St. Simons Island, Ga.: Through an affirmative vote at their fall meeting this week, the United Methodist Council of Bishops expressed their intent to call for a special session of the General Conference in either February or March of 2019 and asked the business manager of the General Conference to move forward with exploring venues and a bid search. The Constitution of The United Methodist Church provides that the …more
Holy Land Journey with Bishop Webb scheduled for January 2018
November 1, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Join Bishop Mark J. Webb and his wife, Jodi Webb, on an 11-day trip (January 9-19, 2018) to the Holy Land through Educational Opportunities Tours. This journey will deepen your experience and bring to life the Scriptures. You will have the opportunity to explore Jericho and Qumran; Bethlehem; Caesarea, Mount Carmel, and Megiddo; The Galilee; Cana, Nazareth, Samaria, and Jacob’s Well; Jerusalem; and Ein Karem, Nebi Samuel, Emmaus, and …more
Ministry with the Marginalized Training offered throughout UNY Conference
October 31, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Social Holiness Team highly recommends the Ministry with the Marginalized Training to everyone. The Rev. Dana Horrell has developed this program and the accompanying videos with support from a Peace with Justice grant. Heather Smith, the Peace with Justice Coordinator says, “Along the way, we have reviewed materials and are thrilled with the professional results. This course is designed around principles of doing justice and being God's …more
The Rev. Dr. Amanda Drury challenges UNY clergy to grow their faith
October 31, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Dr. Amanda Drury wants to bring testifying back to the Church; she wants congregations to understand and feel God’s outrageous love. Rev. Dr. Drury, the featured speaker at the 2016 Bishop’s Retreat held in Niagara Falls, NY October 25-2, shared her desires in a series of powerful and thought-provoking lectures on Doubt and on God’s Outrageous Love to an audience of nearly 200 clergy …more
‘Grace in Action’ Vital Congregations Trip to Cape Coral, Florida – Jan. 20-22, 2017
October 25, 2016 / By UNY Communications
Vital Congregations, on behalf of the Upper New York Conference, has put together a package trip to Grace Church in Cape Coral, Florida, home church of Rev. Jorge Acevedo, to attend ‘Grace in Action’. In the words of Rev. Acevedo, “During this weekend, you and your team will experience and learn about how Grace Church builds healthy teams, establishes clear focus, develops fruitful strategies and structures and …more
UNY Cabinet and other leaders gain tools to aid in diversity
October 25, 2016 / By Stephen J. Hustedt
On Wednesday, Oct. 19, the Conference Committee on Religion and Race invited members of the Upper New York Conference Cabinet, the Executive Staff Team, and adult leaders of youth ministry to take part in a full-day diversity training provided by the Kaleidoscope Institute. The training was in response to the Northeastern Jurisdiction’s Call to Action about racism. The goal of the training was to give leaders in Upper New …more
UNY Board of Ordained Ministry attend BOM training in Chicago
October 24, 2016 / By Sue Russell
Upper NY Board of Ordained Ministry representatives attended the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) Quadrennial Training, Oct. 3 – 6, 2016, held in Chicago, IL. Matt Stengel, Sue Russell, Beckie Sweet, Bob Kolvick-Campbell, Heather Williams, Brooke Newell, Ann Cole, and Brian Fellows participated. The BOM Quadrennial Training helps prepare new and seasoned BOM officers and members for the work of recruiting, developing, and credentialing ministerial leaders for the United Methodist Church. …more