news stories
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center receives $10,000 from Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes
January 11, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
CST Brands Inc. presented representatives from the Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center with a $10,000 gift that will be used to assist in renovations at the site. CST Brands Inc., headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is owner of Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes. CST Brands held 10 Corner Store Country Runs across the United States during 2015, boasting 37,000 participants and generating $1.4 million that were donated to children’s charities. “We are …more
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with acts of service
January 11, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to the realization of God’s beloved community, where every person would have access to the basic necessities of life and have unfettered opportunity to reach their fullest potential. He further believed everyone could and should play a role in making this bold dream a reality. He championed the responsibility and value of service. “Everyone can be great …more
Bishop Webb names new district superintendents
January 11, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(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 two new district superintendents. The Rev. Vonda Fossitt, pastor at the High Street United Methodist Church in Binghamton, will be superintendent of the Genesee Valley District. The Rev. Everett Bassett, pastor at the Cicero UMC, will be superintendent of the Oneonta District. The appointments are effective July 1, 2016. “Both Rev. Fossitt and Rev. Bassett …more
Women in the pulpit: UNY’s number nearly four times national average
January 5, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference is significantly ahead of the national curve when it comes to women serving in the pulpit. According to a new analysis of Duke University’s National Congregations Study, women serve as senior or solo pastoral leaders at just 11 percent of congregations in the United States – indicating essentially no overall increase from when the study was first done in 1998. Further, these women-led communities …more
Conference District Superintendents urge churches to ‘share the love of Christ’
December 28, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The District Superintendents of the Upper New York Conference have written an open Christmas letter to the congregations of the Conference. In the letter, they point out that, “During this season of Christmas, we open our hearts and lives to welcome the newborn Christ,” and so they call upon all United Methodists to “open our hearts to share the love of Christ.” They are asking pastors …more
Finding harmony with the United Methodist brand
December 17, 2015 / By Stephen J. Hustedt / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Two years ago, the Upper New York Conference Communications Ministry Area tried something new. It sponsored a contest that decided the new UNY Conference logo. It was a great success; entries were received from across the Conference and beyond. The end result was a lot of spirited voting, improved engagement from our audience, and a nice new logo. At nearly the same time that the Communications Ministry Area was running …more
Bishop Mark J. Webb shares his Christmas message
December 16, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb's annual Christmas message he asks, "As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, I wonder how we are getting ready to be changed by the promise of Christmas?" To see his Christmas video message, click the image to the right; to read his letter, see below. You can also find his Christmas letter in December's Vol. II issue …more
Advent letter asks New York’s congregations to ‘proclaim the fullness of our faith’
December 14, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
A central focus in many worship services during the Advent season is the Advent Wreath. The outer ring of the wreath holds four simple candles that represent so much: Hope, peace, joy, and love. The world in which we live is crying out for what we claim in our liturgy of Advent. The candle in the center of the wreath represents the promise and reality of a Savior in the …more
Using videos in your church – the legal way
December 11, 2015 / By the Rev. Nancy Hale
More and more churches are using video clips or movies for worship, family movie nights, and other events. But did you know that a church must have a video license to show movies or video clips, even if it does not charge admission? Churches are not exempt in any way from copyright law, and a video license is required to avoid possible fines or other legal action for copyright infringement. …more
Special request: Photograph your Christmas spectacular
December 10, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Every Christmas, churches of the Upper New York Conference put on elaborate, funny, and poignant Christmas pageants. We want to hear about your budding thespians. Take photos of your production and send them along with a short summary - including who participated, what was the theme/story, and any other unique tidbits - to news@unyumc.org with the subject line "Christmas Pageant." Please remember to get a signed photo …more