news stories Tagged “Connectional Ministries”
Coming together to help those impacted by the ‘Blizzard of the Century’
January 9, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
After already experiencing a late-November blizzard that dropped over 50 inches of snow in the Buffalo region, an even more life-threatening storm swept through Christmas weekend. The blizzard began on Dec. 23, 2002, with heavy snowfall and up to 70 mph winds. The snow and wind kept falling relentlessly overnight. Snowbanks and drifts were up to seven feet high. Not only were people stranded in their homes, but thousands were trapped in their cars, …more
Blizzard of the century response
January 4, 2023 / By Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez,
Editor's Note: On Jan. 4, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, sent the following letter to the Upper New York Conference about the recent winter storm that impacted the Niagara Frontier and Northern Flow Districts. Dear partners in ministry, Like you, my thoughts and prayers have been with all the communities affected by the blizzard, the residents …more
Evidence of clergy’s declining wellness
January 4, 2023 / By The Rev. Drew Sperry, UNY Conference Leadership Team, UNY Clergy Wellness Team
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 full issue. I’m overweight, on blood pressure medication, a workaholic—and a pastor. For most of my career, my personal wellness has come second to my call as a servant leader in the church. The result has been a decrease not only …more
From the Desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: Welcome
January 3, 2023 / By Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
Editor's Note: The following note was sent on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez to the Upper New York Conference on Jan. 3, 2023. “I [we] can do all things through Christ who strengthens me [us].” Philippians 4:13, par Dear siblings in Christ, May the grace and peace of God be with you in the New Year! I thank God for the …more
Save the Date for regional meetings with Bishop Héctor
December 15, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Click here to watch a recording of the laity regional gathering from Christ United Methodist Church in Olean on March 15. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, Bishop Héctor Burgos, who prefers to be addressed as Bishop Héctor, will be the new bishop of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. Bishop Héctor is eager to meet laity and clergy throughout the Conference and has scheduled dates …more
Bishop Webb’s farewell gathering
November 30, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dozens of people across the Conference attended the Nov. 19 gathering to bid farewell to Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, and his wife, Jodi. Bishop Webb’s official retirement date is Dec. 31, 2022. Folks across the Conference were able to connect for a time of fellowship before and after a one-hour formal farewell. The Rev. Dr. Bill Allen, Chair of the UNY Episcopacy Committee MCed the …more
Asbury First of Rochester’s new Community Outreach Center
November 30, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Food distribution, community meals, medical services, haircuts, laundry, and clothing. These are ministries that Asbury First United Methodist Church has offered to the Rochester community for decades. Now, these services and more will be offered more frequently and will be housed under one roof, at the newly renovated and expanded Community Outreach Center, across the street from the church at 1010 East Avenue. The Community Outreach Center Dedication service On Sunday …more
UNY local churches support the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota
November 16, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Penny Brink, currently serving South Glenn Falls UMC, created a personal mission in 2014, to help support residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the second poorest nation in the Northern Hemisphere, second to Haiti. Rev. Brink said, “The mission started as a required trip for my ordination journey and has continued since 2014. I wrote an article published in the Lakota Times in 2015. What is …more
Rev. Nicholas suggests steps to address systemic racism
November 14, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“Not well at all.” This was the answer that the Rev. George Nicholas, pastor at Lincoln Memorial Church, gave when asked how his congregation is healing six months after the May 14, 2022, racially motivated shooting that took place at the Tops supermarket less than one mile away from the church. Rev. Nicholas explained, “In this congregation, we have some Tops employees and people who were there at the …more
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