news stories
LaTrelle Miller Easterling Elected Bishop
July 18, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
LaTrelle Miller Easterling, Metro Boston Hope district superintendent in the New England Conference, has been elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church. She was elected Thursday morning, July 14, on the 17th ballot of the 2016 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in Lancaster, Pa. “I always, always, always stand on the side of justice,” she said after she was introduced to the gathering by Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, “but I draw …more
Cynthia Moore-Koikoi Elected Bishop
July 18, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, a district super intendent in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, was elected as a bishop of The United Methodist Church Wednesday evening, July 13, during the 2016 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in Lancaster, Pa. Her election came on the 11th ballot. She received 108 votes, a percentage of 64.29%. The daughter of a retired United Methodist pastor, she grew up in the church, worked for 17 years as a school psychologist, and was ordained as …more
From the Desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Moving forward following Jurisdictional Conferences
July 18, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s note: On July 18, Bishop Mark J. Webb released the following statement about his reassignment to the Upper New York Conference and the South Central Jurisdictional Conference’s request for a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council following the election of the Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, a self-avowed practicing homosexual, as a new bishop in the Western Jurisdiction. July 18, 2016 Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Upper …more
Bishop Webb reassigned to the Upper New York Area
July 15, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This morning at the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb was reassigned to the UNY area. This means that the Upper New York Conference will be under his leadership for the next four years. The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding – Conference Director of Connectional Ministries and Executive Assistant to the Bishop served as Upper New York’s clergy representative on the Jurisdictional Episcopacy …more
Statement on recent acts of violence opens the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference
July 13, 2016 / By The Northeastern College of Bishops of the United Methodist Church
"As we gather for this Jurisdictional Conference many persons have been confronted and consumed with the overwhelming reports of shootings and violence. Life taken! Trust broken! Anger and fear growing. Frustration and despair looming. We believe that God’s heart breaks as our hearts break with these acts of violence - fed and complicated by fear, prejudice, racism, and privilege. We pray for each family and each community affected …more
Bishop Webb reflects on recent shootings
July 10, 2016 / By Steve Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s note: On July 10, 2016 Bishop Mark J. Webb shared the following reflection about the recent shooting deaths in Baton Rouge, St. Paul, and Dallas. Sisters and Brothers in Christ My grandfather died on July 4th. Yesterday I participated in the celebration of his life. He lived 97 years and today, July 10, he and my grandmother would have celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary. My grandfather taught me much …more
The Principles of holy conferencing
July 8, 2016 / By UNY Communications
The 2016 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference will be held July 10-July 15. Many decisions will be made during this conference. Much like the Upper New York Conference, the Northeastern Jurisdiction reiterates the principles involved in holy conferencing. These principles allow for the celebrating of diverse points of view and promote a coming together to agree on and value decisions made in a spiritual and unprejudiced way. All delegates and participants at the Jurisdictional …more
The Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference theme: Quilted by Connection
July 8, 2016 / By UNY Communications
The theme of the 2016 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference is: Quilted by Connection. This year’s conference takes place in Lancaster, PA, which is rich in the heritage for the United Methodist Church and predecessor denominations. Lancaster is in the center of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, well-known for Amish quilts. Like the iconic quilts, the people of the United Methodist Church are a collection of spiritual and cultural expressions …more
The Function and role of the Jurisdictional Conference
July 7, 2016 / By Tom Salsgiver
There are five United Methodist Jurisdictions that make up the jurisdictions in the United States. The 2012 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, defines the role and function of the jurisdictions. The five jurisdictions all convene on the same day. The beginning date is set by the Council of Bishops. The ending day and time is up to each jurisdiction. The Discipline names six main functions and duties of …more
From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Prayers and support for West Virginia
June 29, 2016 / By Steve Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s note: Following is a letter from Upper New York Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, asking Upper New York Conference Churches to use the United Methodist Connection to respond to the devastating flooding in West Virginia. Sisters and brothers in Christ, By now you have likely heard about severe weather and flash flooding that the residents of West Virginia have suffered through since late last week. The …more