News Stories from May 2024
Being willing partners with God
May 31, 2024 / By Tara Barnes / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez called United Methodists of Upper New York to prioritize relationships in his address to the conference Friday, May 31. “Over the past year and moving forward, we will continue prioritizing relationships over everything else, recognizing the crucial role each one of you plays in this,” said Bishop Héctor. “For the …more
Episcopal nominations
May 22, 2024 / By Carmen FS Vianese, Head of the UNY General & Jurisdictional Conference Delegation
The Upper New York (UNY) delegation to General and Jurisdictional Conference has completed the episcopal nomination process for 2024. Upon the public notice back in March, inviting nominations for episcopal candidates, three esteemed elders and members in full connection were submitted to the delegation. Each nominee was notified of their nomination and prayerfully invited to discern their offering to continue the process, submitting a “summary of their call …more
With Bishop’s help, Liverpool First burns its mortgage
May 22, 2024 / By Charles McChesney, Liverpool First United Methodist Church
It was a double celebration at Liverpool First United Methodist Church on Pentecost Sunday. Along with celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, the more than 200-year-old church celebrated paying off a mortgage it took out decades ago to enlarge and improve the church building and later refinanced to update the kitchen to commercial grade. The celebration included a rededication of the building and the congregation …more
Celebrating Creation with Wild Worship at Webb Mills UMC
May 21, 2024 / By Ann Wood / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On a pleasant April 22 evening, Earth Day, the Webb Mills United Methodist Church hosted a memorable outdoor worship service beneath the shelter of a large pine tree on their church grounds. The event, dubbed “Wild Worship,” attracted members from surrounding area churches and the local community, and even captured the interest of a passerby who decided to join in. The service was led by Pastor Corey …more
Brown Memorial UMC engages community while sharing God’s love
May 20, 2024 / By Judy Graigmile / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In 2021, Brown Memorial UMC received a Peace with Justice grant. This grant, along with church congregant donations, allowed the church to continue Loads of Love Laundry Mission, which offers free laundry washing and drying the last Monday of every month at the Canal View Laundromat in Phoenix, NY. The church provides laundry detergent, dryer sheets, coins to operate the machines, and new 30-gallon garbage bags (for cleaned laundry) to families …more
New York State Legislative Updates: Paid Prenatal Leave, Paid Breast Milk Expression Time, and Continuation of Paid COVID-19 Sick Leave until mid-2025
May 20, 2024 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As part of the NYS Budget Bill process, there are three legislative updates which were approved. The details for each one are listed below. If you have any questions on these legislative updates, please contact Tracy Rickett, HR Generalist, at tracyrickett@unyumc.org or 315-898-2017. Paid Prenatal Leave New York becomes the first state to mandate paid prenatal leave requiring employers to provide pregnant employees with 20 hours …more
Statement from the Council of Bishops clarifying the status of The United Methodist Church’s relationship with The Global Methodist Church
May 15, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: This letter was published by The United Methodist Council of Bishops on May 14, 2024 and shared with United Methodists of Upper New York. “Make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together.” (Ephesians 4:3 CEB) Holding Scripture’s call for Christian unity before us, we lament that some have chosen to leave The United Methodist Church. …more
Rome First UMC builds relationships while providing services to those in need
May 7, 2024 / By Pastor Sherry Mahar, Rome First UMC / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In November 2022, Rome First UMC received a grant from Peace with Justice which was used to support our Five Loaves Ministry and launch Saturday’s Bounty. The Five Loaves Ministry provides boxes of food for people in need; those in poverty, disabled veterans, and the elderly. We seek to impact everyone physically by feeding their hunger and spiritually by offering prayer, Scripture, and a greeting from a friendly person …more
Community working together to care for one another
May 7, 2024 / By LeAnn Childs, Westfield First UMC
I knew nothing about the commitment of the Westfield community to helping those less fortunate when I started working as the Administrative Assistant at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield (FUMC Westfield) in 2011. Part of my job was checking in food pantry clients. Since my husband is a pastor, I have been in many churches and lived in different communities and have heard about different needs and …more
From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: Recapping General Conference
May 3, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following video and transcipt was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on May 3, 2024 following the adjournment of the postponed 2020 General Conference, held April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Click here to download and print the transcript and click here to download the video. NOTE TO APPOINTED CLERGY: Bishop …more