news stories Tagged “Annual Conference 2022”
The Buffalo 10 Scholarship—just the beginning
November 1, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Buffalo is the seventh most segregated city in the country for Black Americans, based on as 2020 study conducted by the Brookings Institute. Eighty-five percent of Black Buffalonians live on the East side of the city, where the racially motivated mass murder took place at the Tops grocery store on May 14, 2022. The East Side of Buffalo has been racially segregated for over 70 years and this neighborhood has been plagued with poverty …more
Seven ordained and one commissioned and AC2022
October 13, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Becoming an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church requires several years of discernment with the assistance of their local United Methodist congregation, District, and Conference Board of Ordained Ministry; it requires a master's degree and a period of supervised service in their ministry with a mentor to encourage them. On Oct 8, at the 2022, Upper New York Annual Conference’s Service of Commissioning and Ordination, in his sermon …more
Voices heard and not heard at the AC2022
October 9, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Monitoring reports are presented at Annual Conference to understand whose voices are heard and whose voices are not heard on the floor of Annual Conference. To conduct these reports, when speakers come to the floor, they are asked to identify their gender, race, whether they are clergy or laity, their District, and their church This year, Annual Conference was held virtually—as opposed to appearing at a microphone on …more
Pastoral appointments celebrated at Annual Conference
October 9, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
Upper New York Resident Bishop Mark Webb took time Saturday Oct. 8 during the 2022 Annual Conference to recognize and celebrate the clergy appointments that began July 1, 2022. “You have been called by God and chosen by the people of God for leadership in the church,” he said to the conference’s clergy. “This ministry is a blessing, it’s a privilege, and it’s a serious …more
Bishop Webb recognizes many across the UNY Conference
October 9, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
During the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, recognized the 2022 retirees of the UNY Conference, the individuals who received licenses as local pastors (LLPs), the LLPs who completed the Course of Studies, the Certified Lay Ministers, and the Cabinet. Speaking of the retirees, Bishop Webb said, “One of my biggest regrets is that we cannot see these people in person …more
Conference Advance Specials celebrated and supported
October 9, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, UNY Director of Connectional Ministries, presented the 2023 Conference Advance Specials, as listed on p. 20 of the 2022 UNY Annual Conference Journal Vol.1, with the addition of the Southern Sudan Health Project and Buffalo 10 Scholarships. Twenty-nine ministries were included on the amended list. The Rev. Jeff Childs, chair of the Conference Global Ministries Team, explained the purpose of the specials. “Years ago, it seems churches were inundated …more
Young Adults Lead Saturday Morning Worship at Annual Conference
October 9, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The final day of the 2022 gathering of the Upper New York Annual Conference opened with a moving worship led by the Conference’s Young Adult Ministries. The time highlighted the Northeastern Jurisdiction Mission of Peace and included various Scripture readings and reflections, with music from Brendan James Fox, Zach Stahlsmith, Elliot Lawrence, and Skye Farm staff and campers. The Mission of Peace is a yearly journey of discovery and …more
New leaders approved for 2023
October 9, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The Upper New York Conference Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development report to the 2022 Annual Conference was presented by Ian Urriola, chair of the committee, who opened his report by singing the hymn “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me.” “It’s a cliché at this point to say that these are trying times in the life of our beloved United …more
Rev. Rhonda Kouterick offered balm for the grieving at AC2022 Memorial Service
October 8, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, friends and families, both in-person and watching via livestream, remembered and celebrated the lives of the 27 UNY clergy, 24 UNY clergy spouses, and lay persons who have passed away since the last Annual Conference. Click here for the Memorial Service booklet that names those who were celebrated in this service. The service was held on Oct. 7 at Liverpool United Methodist Church. Upper New …more
Upper New York Missionaries Shares Updates from Estonia
October 8, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The Rev. Doug Childress is a member of the Upper New York Conference now serving as pastor and teacher in Estonia. He and his wife Dr. Kulli Toniste are commissioned as missionaries through the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. The Rev. Childress serves as the chapel coordinator and professor at Baltic Theological Seminary in Tallinn, where Dr. Toniste is the director. In a video message, …more