news stories
Digital discipleship catalyzes positive trends in UNY
August 17, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When COVID-19 swept the world in March 2020, we were forced to change the way we connect with God, the way we worship, and the way we serve. The Rev. Joungjae Jee, pastor at Jonesville UMC in the Albany District, said, “The pandemic mandated us to move our services online.” Interestingly, digital discipleship provided a silver lining during a devastating global pandemic—worship attendance increased for many churches …more
Praise and Pizza-a Friday night service at Baldwinsville UMC
August 16, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“People need to remember that there are six-and-a half other days of the week.” This is what Albany and Adirondack District Superintendent, the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl said about the opportunity to worship at Baldwinsville UMC’s “Praise and Pizza” Friday night worship services that began in July. Praise and Pizza is a casual service offered in Baldwinsville UMC’s chapel and is hosted by …more
How Bridgeport UMC connects with its community
August 9, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When the question, “What does this community need?” was posed at a ministry meeting at Bridgeport UMC in 2019, the team members weren’t expecting an idea that would keep them awake at night...for many nights. They wanted something fresh, something new, yet something needed. The pastor at the time, the Rev. Diane DiLuzio, answered, “Maybe a farmer’s market.” Ministry team member Judy …more
Grants available for local church racial/ethnic ministries
August 2, 2021 / By Discipleship Ministries
Grants up to $10,000 will be available this fall from Discipleship Ministries to strengthen leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship and spiritual formation in ethnic local United Methodist churches. The application deadline for Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) grants is Sept. 1. “Discipleship Ministries is grateful to be able to serve The United Methodist Church by offering support to ethnic local churches and other entities that develop disciples and promote …more
Small but Mighty: Waterville UMC
July 27, 2021 / By Bryant (Waterville UMC Pastor) and Kristina Clark
Before we first started dating, my now wife asked me, “So what do your churches do?” I wasn’t sure what she meant - “well we worship on Sundays, have Bible study on Monday nights; there’s choir rehearsal on Thursdays.” “No I mean what do they actually do?” I did my best to not get defensive - I work a complicated …more
Celebrating the Crossroads District Mosaix cohort
July 27, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused on "celebrating who we are." Click here to access the full issue. While twenty-twenty was a year we will all remember as the year that the coronavirus pandemic began, there were indeed celebratory stories taking place behind the scenes. One of those stories was the Crossroads District Mosiax Global Network learning cohort, which …more
Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center flood relief update
July 26, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On July 12 in wee hours of the night, Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center was devastated by heavy rain and flooding. As UNY Communications reported later that day, four parts of the road were completely washed away; seven to 10 culverts were impacted or washed away; several vehicles were flooded; boats were damaged; and the swimming area shoreline eroded away. The Lakeview Chapel, Galilee Lodge, Bethany Lodge, The Emmaus Commons, and the …more
Good Neighbors The Neighborhood Center in Utica, New York, walks the path with children, seniors and immigrants.
July 23, 2021 / By Mary Beth Coudal
Editor's note: This article is a preview of a story to appear in the September/October 2021 issue of response magazine, the magazine of United Methodist Women. It features the Neighborhood Center, a community outreach organization located in Utica, New York, supported by both Upper New York and United Methodist Women. United Methodist Women is the official women's organization of The United Methodist Church and the largest denominational faith …more
Louise Russell brings church to long-term care facility
July 19, 2021 / By Rev. Diane E. DiLuzio, Bridgeport UMC
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the 2021 Issue I of the Advocate, which had the theme "Celebrating who we are." In a year when pandemic has cut such a wide swath of mayhem in our lives, it became clear to our church that we needed to “do something” to raise up hope and assurance in our little hamlet by the Oneida Lake …more
Pastor Andrew Anderson’s call to ministry
July 19, 2021 / By Kathleen Christiansen
Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the 2021 Advocate Issue I, which focused on the theme “celebrating who we are.” Click here to access this issue. Pastor Andy Anderson has been involved in The Church since his baptism. He grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, mainly Tobago, where he was very involved in the life of his church, attending Sunday school, participating in youth group, …more