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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news stories Tagged “Advocate”

    Commentary: The Ugly Truth

    March 7, 2024 / By Rev. Daniel J. Bradley, Pastor at Faith Journey UMC / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The Rev. Daniel J. Bradley is a pastor at Faith Journey UMC in Clay, NY. He wrote the following article to juxtapose the biblical story of Amos, a humble prophet, with his passion for the Buffalo Bills to highlight the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of challenges. Rev. Bradley emphasizes the need for Christians to actively work towards justice and compassion in society, …more

    Spiritual restoration in the wild

    January 24, 2023 / By Rev. Henry Frueh, UNY Spiritual Director

    Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the 2022 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness. The Rev. Frueh is a retired clergy member of the Upper New York Conference and a former hospice chaplain. He continues his ministry as a Spiritual Director.     Nature saved Jesus from burnout. Overwhelmed by pastoral demands, he retreated “to a deserted place,” had soul-talk with …more

    Ways to support your pastor across five dimensions of well-being

    January 13, 2023 / By Wespath

    Editor's Note: This article appeared in the 2022 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness.   Good health is a foundation for effective pastoral leadership. The following “ways” are suggestions the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee and the congregation can use to support their pastor’s health and well-being in all its dimensions—physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial—and thereby …more

    Dr. Laura LeCours helps support pastors’ wellbeing

    January 13, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2022 Volume II edition of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness. While congregants rely on pastors to help support their wellbeing, pastors are appreciative when members of their congregation look out for them and help them to take Sabbath, to take care of their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Many congregations throughout the Upper New York Conference have members in …more

    I am enough

    January 10, 2023 / By Daniel Bradley, Faith Journey UMC

    Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2022 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness. Click here to access the issue.  I am enough. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? I am enough. This is a hard concept to master in this world in which we are continually told we are not enough. If we could just sit with this simple phrase, …more

    Intentionally tending to the wellbeing of our clergy and clergy families

    January 10, 2023 / By Rebekah Solar, Licensed Local Pastor at Three Mile Bay UMC and Point Peninsula UMC

    Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2022 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness. Click here to access the issue.  Something new has come to the Northern Flow District. Well, not really something new, but certainly something different. I am Bekah Solar. I am a licensed local pastor, serving the congregations and communities of Three Mile Bay and Point Peninsula. I am also moonlighting …more

    Nature connects us to God

    December 9, 2022 / By Laura Buchanan UMC.org

    Time spent outdoors can strengthen our faith and reveal a deeper meaning in our daily life. God equipped us with five senses to help us discover and better appreciate the natural world – it’s up to us to step outside, engage and explore. Few could say they’ve experienced this more than Jack Layfield. In 2019, at age 67, Layfield served as a chaplain on the Appalachian Trail, hiking 2,192 …more

    Youth speak truth

    June 1, 2022 / By Kitty Dates

    Editor's Note: This article was originally published in teh 2022 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused  on children and youth. Click here to access the Advocate.  Sometimes, congregations showing up to worship in the local church have a magical idea of how it all happens. There is a whole process of planning, learning, researching, and praying that goes into the preparation of every worship service. Generally, this …more

    Attracting young families to church with puppets

    June 1, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor's Note: This article originally arreared in the 2022 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused on children and youth.  Spark, Goldie, Jimmy, Samuel, and “Big E” are responsible for growing the children’s ministry at Saranac Lake First United Methodist Church. These individuals are “The Not So Perfect” puppets, and “Big E” is Saranac Lake First UMC pastor, the Rev. Eric …more

    Children and Youth Ministry, the very heartbeat of our churches

    May 25, 2022 / By Lynne Kimpland, Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Endwell UMC

    Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the 2022 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused on children and youth throughout the UNY Conference. Click here to access the Advocate.  The year 2019 was the culmination of effort, planning, inspiring, and training leaders. The six years leading up to this time at Endwell UMC produced numerous family-fun entry points in our community with our Children and Youth Mission Statement …more



    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."