news stories Tagged “Episcopal Office”
Participate in Day of Prayer on April 23
February 23, 2016 / By Kathleen Rubino / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On April 23, members of the Upper New York Conference will observe a 24-hour day of prayer for the 2016 General Conference session, which meets May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. In a statement late last year, the Council of Bishops “invited each of the annual conferences to host a 24-hour prayer effort on a specific date, with the intent of creating a groundswell of prayer in the days leading up to …more
CLT and CFA announce changes to 2016 spending plan
February 22, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s note: The following letter was released by the Conference Leadership Team and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration on Feb. 22. Sisters and brothers in Christ, We want to share some challenges, concerns, and, by the grace of God, opportunities for our Conference in the area of financial stewardship. As we finalized the total of Conference Ministry Shares collected in 2015 from local churches, we became aware …more
Finger Lakes District Day postponed
February 16, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Due to predicted inclement weather in the Finger Lakes region today (Feb. 16), the Finger Lakes District Day with Bishop Mark J. Webb has been postponed to March 2. Times and locations will remain the same for the March 2 event. Should there be any further developments, a notice will be sent though Conference and District communication channels. …more
Africa 360 Lenten Devotional now available
January 26, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Inspired by the example set in 2012 by the North Texas Annual Conference and its Lenten Study Guide, “Seeds of Hope,” the Upper New York Conference decided to create its own Lenten Devotional for Africa 360 – the UNY Conference’s holistic plan for health and education initiatives in Africa that benefits Imagine No Malaria and Africa University. Clergy and laity from across the Upper New York Conference have …more
UNY Young Clergy Initiative featured in Interpreter
January 21, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The November/December 2015 issue of Interpreter magazine features an article about the Young Clergy Initiative (YCI), including a section about the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries' YCI at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia. General Conference 2012 created the $7 million YCI Fund to "increase the number of young clergy among the jurisdictional conferences" in the United States. UNY's YCI 16-month program involved 12 participants ages 17 to 26 and …more
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with acts of service
January 11, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to the realization of God’s beloved community, where every person would have access to the basic necessities of life and have unfettered opportunity to reach their fullest potential. He further believed everyone could and should play a role in making this bold dream a reality. He championed the responsibility and value of service. “Everyone can be great …more
Bishop Webb names new district superintendents
January 11, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is pleased to announce the appointment of two new district superintendents. The Rev. Vonda Fossitt, pastor at the High Street United Methodist Church in Binghamton, will be superintendent of the Genesee Valley District. The Rev. Everett Bassett, pastor at the Cicero UMC, will be superintendent of the Oneonta District. The appointments are effective July 1, 2016. “Both Rev. Fossitt and Rev. Bassett …more
Conference District Superintendents urge churches to ‘share the love of Christ’
December 28, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The District Superintendents of the Upper New York Conference have written an open Christmas letter to the congregations of the Conference. In the letter, they point out that, “During this season of Christmas, we open our hearts and lives to welcome the newborn Christ,” and so they call upon all United Methodists to “open our hearts to share the love of Christ.” They are asking pastors …more
Bishop Mark J. Webb shares his Christmas message
December 16, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb's annual Christmas message he asks, "As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, I wonder how we are getting ready to be changed by the promise of Christmas?" To see his Christmas video message, click the image to the right; to read his letter, see below. You can also find his Christmas letter in December's Vol. II issue …more
Advent letter asks New York’s congregations to ‘proclaim the fullness of our faith’
December 14, 2015 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
A central focus in many worship services during the Advent season is the Advent Wreath. The outer ring of the wreath holds four simple candles that represent so much: Hope, peace, joy, and love. The world in which we live is crying out for what we claim in our liturgy of Advent. The candle in the center of the wreath represents the promise and reality of a Savior in the …more