Bishop Matthews says farewell: 'We felt loved throughout the Upper New York'

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7/26/2012

Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Marcus Matthews is expressing his gratitude to the Upper New York Annual Conference for the "support and prayers" that he and his wife, Barbara, have received since he has been the resident bishop in the area.
The United Methodist Church has assigned Bishop Matthews to serve the Washington Area, effective Sept. 1. Newly elected Bishop Mark J. Webb is his successor in Upper New York. All nine bishops in the Northeastern Jurisdiction begin their assignments on Sept. 1.
In an open letter to the Upper New York Annual Conference members, Bishop Matthews said he will cherish the memories he has of Upper New York as he begins his new ministry, leading the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference.
Bishop Matthews said he was proud of the Conference’s achievements of the past two years as United Methodists of the Upper New York Annual Conference strived to live into the Conference’s mission of being God’s love to our neighbors in all places.
“Barbara and I will never be able to fully and adequately express how much we felt loved through the Upper New York Annual Conference,” he says in his letter released today. “We thank you for the many cards, wishes and prayers you have sent to us through these years. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have shared in our spiritual experience and celebrated our faith journey together as we serve our gracious God.”
He asked the Conference to give Bishop Webb the same love and support that was afforded to him and his wife.
“Please feel blessed in the leadership of Bishop Mark Webb. He is a truly gifted and dedicated servant of God, and God will use him faithfully to continue the ministries of the Upper New York Annual Conference. Please keep Bishop Webb, his wife, Jodi, and their two sons, Tyler and Ben, in your constant prayers,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL TEXT OF BISHOP MATTHEWS’ LETTER 
The Upper New York Annual Conference will celebrate Bishop Matthews' service to the Conference with a special service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at First United Methodist Church in Liverpool.
Members of the Upper New York Annual Conference are invited to offer an expression of gratitude or tribute for Bishop Matthews. These written tributes will appear in a special farewell issue of the Advocate. Please submit your tribute/memory for the Advocate by noon Friday, July 27, via email to unyadvocate@unyumc.org.
You may also send other expressions of gratitude for Bishop Matthews to the conference center, 324 University Ave. (3rd Floor), Syracuse, NY 13210. You can also bring those expressions to the service on Aug. 4.

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