news stories
UNY’s Scott Johnson one of 32 people named to Commission on a Way Forward
October 24, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The United Methodist Council of Bishops has announced the membership of the Commission on a Way Forward. Dr. Scott Johnson, the former UNY Conference lay leader, was one of the members chosen for the Commission. "After three months of diligent and prayerful discernment, we have selected eight bishops, 11 laity, 12 elders and one deacon to serve on the Commission," said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, President of the Council of Bishops. …more
How ministry shares support youth at the jurisdictional level: The example of Mission of Peace
October 19, 2016 / By Tasha Gottschalk-Fielding
Editor’s Note: The next issue of the Advocate will highlight the importance of the United Methodist Connection and the impact that Ministry Shares can have on various ministries from the local church to the global level. This article provides a glimpse of how Ministry Shares work at the jurisdictional level. Through the giving of its ministry shares, the Upper New York Conference provides approximately 10 percent of the Jurisdictional …more
Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey to visit UNY Conference Nov. 19-20
October 18, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Saturday Nov. 19 and Sunday Nov. 20, UNY Conference clergy and laity have the opportunity to meet Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey to learn more about Africa University (AU). J. Lawrence McCleskey retired as a bishop of The United Methodist Church in 2008. He served for 45 years as an active United Methodist clergyperson, beginning as a student pastor in 1963, serving 27 years in pastoral ministry, six years as a district superintendent, and 12 years …more
Gathering of NEJ Conference Lay Leaders in Buffalo
October 12, 2016 / By UNY Communications
The Northeastern Jurisdiction Association of Conference Lay Leaders gathered at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Buffalo on October 7, 2016. Hosted for the first time by UNYAC, the group of Conference and District Lay Leaders received gift bags assembled by Niagara Frontier DL Jessica White and friends, as guests were welcomed and directed to the meeting space. Drew Griffin, Associate UNYAC Lay Leader, offered a blessing prior to the buffet dinner …more
CLT and DLTs discuss shared vision and shifting the center
October 11, 2016 / By Stephen J. Hustedt, Director of Communications
On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Conference Leadership Team (CLT) met with the District Leadership Teams (DLTs) at Casowasco Camp to form a shared vision of their work together in the coming year. The time started with a review of the work that had been done in previous years and the assurance that the teams will be building on that work and not starting from scratch. The graphic developed last year and …more
Bellevue Heights UMC helps to feed 50 children from Delaware Academy through Blessings in a Backpack
October 11, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When Jeanie Brown, member of Bellevue Heights United Methodist Church in Syracuse, learned of Blessings in a Backpack from her dear friend Karen Nicholas who was involved in the program with her church, Resurrection Episcopal Church in Oswego, NY, Jeanie’s heart was touched. She knew she had to get involved. Blessings in a Backpack is a national program that mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on …more
Bishop Webb hosts time of Prayer and Witness
October 10, 2016 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Editor's Note: The three Evenings of Prayer and Witness offered encouragement to many. There is now a video available of the Evening of Prayer and Witness that took place at Liverpool UMC. Click here to view it. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb held an evening of Prayer and Witness from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Liverpool United Methodist Church, which was also livestreamed. The …more
Finance Ministry Area welcomes Erica Wentworth
October 7, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference is pleased to announce that Erica Wentworth will now be working with the Finance Ministry Area. Erica will be assisting the Finance Ministry Area with day-to-day tasks and some clerical work. Some of her daily tasks include: performing data entry and maintaining organized files and logs of daily receipts, treasurer information, and financial documents. She also helps with monthly invoices, arrearage notices, and handle …more
Rev. Vonda Fossitt ignites excitement at the Genesee Valley Installation Service
October 4, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Sunday, October 2, over 200 people, young and old with great diversity, attended a service at the United Methodist Church of Webster to celebrate the Rev. Vonda Fossitt’s appointment as the Superintendent of the Genesee Valley District. In addition to the Covenant Service that takes place when a superintendent is appointed to a district, this evening service was comprised of exceptionally energizing performances. The theme of Rev. Fossitt …more
The 2016 UNY Conference Journal Directory now available for purchase
October 4, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The 2016 Upper New York Conference Journal Directory is now available. This directory contains up-to-date contact information of all UNY churches, clergy, members to Annual Conference, and surviving spouses for the 2016 Upper New York Annual Conference Session. There are two ways to receive the Journal Directory: Click here to purchase a hard copy from online publisher Lulu.com OR Click here to download a free PDF version If you order directly …more