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


    news stories Tagged “Advocate”

    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

    Reflecting on Confirmation

    May 17, 2022 / By Rev. Alison Schmeid, pastor of Lansing United Methodist Church

    Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the Advocate 2022 Issue I, which focused on children and youth in UNY. Back in the last century, I loved confirmation class because it met in a relaxed environment. Our pastor wore blue jeans and sat in a rocking chair and talked with us as if we were thinking adults, not children. Today, a pastor in blue jeans is not an anomaly, and …more

    Passing on the faith

    May 10, 2022 / By Rev. Carrie Wolfe, Deacon and Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries, Olean: Christ UMC

    Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the UNY 2022 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused onchildren and youth ministries. Click here to access this issue of the Advocate.   From 2 Timothy 1:5 (ICB), “I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. And I know that you now have that same faith.” Antoinette Abernethy …more

    Building youth leadership throughout UNY

    May 10, 2022 / By Kevin Clark, CCYM Publicity Chair

    Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the 2022 Issue I of the Advocate, which focused on children and youth. Click here to access this issue of the Advocate.  The Conference Council on Youth Ministry, or CCYM, is an organization that plans events and promotes leadership among peers. The council is made of youth from across the Upper New York Conference, Each District elects 4-6 youth that …more

    From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Focusing on children and youth

    May 3, 2022 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb

    But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” – Matthew 19.14 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these …more

    Mentors through the ordination process

    January 11, 2022 / By Brian Lothridge

    Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on the theme of mentoring. Click here to access this issue.  The deacon’s stole was placed upon me in June by Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb. I was ordained, blessed, and sent out to do the ministry for which God had called me. It was a profound …more

    Rev. Matsimbe attributes church-planting success in Tanzania to the Rev. Harold Wheat

    January 4, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on the theme of mentorship. Click here to access the full issue. When clergy across the Upper New York Conference were asked to share who has mentored them and helped them to become successful in their ministries, many responded with the upmost gratitude about the mentoring they received from the Rev. Harold Wheat.  …more

    My experience as a mentor

    December 13, 2021 / By Rhonda Chester, MDIV, United Methodist Ecumenical Chaplain Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University

    Editor's Note: The following article originally appeared in the 2021 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on mentorship. Click here to access the issue.  I am looking at a power outlet on the wall here in my office. Reflecting on mentoring, I realize that it is all about tapping into the power that is available to you. Mentoring is about plugging into the right sources to access the …more

    From isolation ministry to collaboration in UNY

    December 13, 2021 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens

    Editor's Note: The following article originally appeared in the 2021 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on mentorship. Click here to access the full issue. It has been said being a servant who is leading in the church is lonely work. Often there is a hesitation to reach out to fellow leaders within the congregation and in neighboring congregations. This isolation breeds burnout and frustration with ministry. Over the …more

    From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: Why I encourage mentoring

    December 7, 2021 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb

    Editor's Note: The 2021 Issue II of the Advocate focused on how mentors help pave the way into individuals’ ministries. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb introduced this issue with this article, sharing several examples of mentorship in the Bible. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the …more



    United Methodists of Upper New York is comprised of a vibrant network of 677 local churches and active 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."