news stories
Get to know UNY’s newest District Superintendents
September 3, 2014 / By Beth DiCocco / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
We asked the Upper New York Conference's newest District Superintendents – the Rev. Jeff McDowell of the Finger Lakes District and the Rev. Nancy Adams of the Mountain View District – a few questions to help folks get to know them. A Welcome Service for Rev. Adams will be Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 A Welcome Service for Rev. McDowell will be Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 Read the original announcement of their appointments. …more
Four-legged friends invited to ‘AdironDog Retreat’
August 29, 2014 / By Beth DiCocco / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
They say dogs are man's (and just as often woman's) best friend; and for many folks, their dogs are their family. But the Rev. Garrie Stevens says dogs can also be a way to see God's faithfulness. That's what the first AdironDog Retreat at the Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center in Greig is all about. The three-day retreat, Sept. 5-7, 2014, invites dogs and their people to …more
From Ohio: Thoughts on ‘Walking with Palestinian Christians’ event
August 18, 2014 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The subject at hand could not be more timely, nor more urgent: this week, concerned United Methodists from all over the U.S., including friends from the larger church universal, are meeting to discuss how to work with Palestinian Christians in the ongoing struggle for peace. As Israeli and Palestinian leaders begin to negotiate peace after their most recent round of violence, there is tension between the three Abrahamic religions …more
Join the Africa 360 Challenge
August 14, 2014 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
During the recent Upper New York Annual Conference session, an overwhelming vote to contribute $1 million to the Imagine No Malaria campaign of The United Methodist Church was celebrated. In 2011, members of the Upper New York Annual Conference pledged to raise $1 million for Africa University to fund eight scholarships. The passion and commitment to be a part of what God is doing among, within and through the people of Africa is …more
UMM to hold annual gathering at Casowasco
August 14, 2014 / By Christian Vischi / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
United Methodist Men from across the Upper New York Conference will once again converge at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia for its annual gathering. This year marks the fifth annual gathering of the UNY UMM and the 68th annual conference-wide UMM fall gathering under prior and current Conference names. The event will be held Friday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Sept. 7. "Lead Like Jesus" is this year’s …more
NEJ delegates reflect on 2014 Global Young People’s Convocation
July 31, 2014 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The 2014 Global Young People's Convocation & Legislative Assembly in the Philippines was attended by more than 300 young people and observers. Among other business, the young people urged leaders of the denomination to “seek solutions that promote our global unity” and not be divided by issues such as homosexuality, adopting a unity statement the night before ending its quadrennial gathering on July 20, 2014. Click here to read the statement. …more
Spiritual exercises old and new
July 29, 2014 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Donald Robert Hoff, retired, shares this reflection as "four pilgrims from the Upper New York Conference" prepare to walk the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain and Portugal. Pictured above are, from left: Rev. Don Hoff, Donna Hoff, Jeanne Judson and Rev. Gary Judson. Photo courtesy of Rev. Hoff. How many United Methodists from the Upper New York Conference have made a spiritual pilgrimage and …more
Upper New York Volunteers-in-Mission welcomes new coordinators
July 29, 2014 / By Beth DiCocco / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Upper New York's Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM) has two new co-coordinators: Roger and Donna Cullen (above). The couple, who are members of Clifton Springs UMC, take over for Dr. Sylvia Reimer, who had served as VIM coordinator since 2012. “I’m grateful the Cullens are willing and able to step into this coordinating role," said the Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Director of Connectional Ministries. "They bring years of VIM team experience …more
RON MOT grant helps forge ‘Caring Connections’
July 24, 2014 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Susan Hardy, Reaching Our Neighbors Ministry Oversight Team (RON MOT) member, has toured some of the ministries that received grants in RON MOT's 2013 round of funding. In this story, she recounts her visit to Caring Connections in Oneonta. Caring Connections is a collaborative effort of more than 30 faith communities and serves as an entry point for families and individuals who may not qualify for assistance from a social services …more
Resource Center makes VBS materials accessible
July 23, 2014 / By Beth DiCocco / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Vacation Bible School – most often simply VBS – is popular with churches (not to mention the kids). A 2012 study by the Barna Group showed that more than two out of three churches in America – 68 percent – offered VBS that summer. And that level of involvement has stayed pretty stable, according to the study. But VBS organizers know that the materials needed can be expensive. That's …more