news stories Tagged “Communications”
Steve Hustedt to leave role as Director of Communications
September 14, 2022 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
After serving as the Upper New York (UNY) Director of Communications for more than nine years, Steve Hustedt will be leaving his role to become the top communicator for the College of Science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. “I have greatly valued my time with the Upper New York Conference and the United Methodist Church as a whole,” Steve said. “And I especially value all …more
“Because We Care” Gaza in 2012
August 24, 2022 / By Karen Peterson
Editor’s Note: The following article is part of the "Because We Care" series, published monthly on the Upper New York website. With Gaza recently in the news, I was reminded of my trip to Gaza. In 2012, the Reverend Gary Doupe and I took an Eyewitness Palestine trip for two weeks in Palestine/Israel and then extended a third week to travel to Gaza. If we had been allowed …more
Support children by distributing UMCOR School Kits to a local organization
August 16, 2022 / By Kristina Clark, Director of Missional Engagement / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The start of a new school year is around the corner! If your congregation has spent the last couple of months putting together UMCOR School Kits, this year the Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB is challenging you to address the need in your local community by distributing the kits to a school or organization that supports children. By making a connection with a local organization such as a …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: District Superintendent appointments extended
June 16, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following information was sent to the Upper New York Conference on June 16, 2022 on behalf of Bishop Webb. Dear Friends, As we continue to mourn the loss of Genesee Valley District Superintendent Vonda Fossitt, we celebrate the life, ministry, and witness to Christ that she lived among us and the new life in Christ she now experiences. I know you join me in continuing to pray …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Death of Genesee Valley District Superintendent Rev. Vonda Fossitt
May 12, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following was sent on behalf of Bishop Mark J. Webb to clergy in the Genesee Valley District on May 12, 2022. On May 17, the Upper New York Conference learned that Rev. Vonda J. Fossitt's Celebration of Life and Resurrection is planned for May 26 at New Light UMC, located at 2009 Dewey Ave. in Rochester, NY. The wake begins at 11 a.m. followed by a service at 12 p.m. …more
Upper New York Annual Conference postponed due to COVID-19 concerns
April 21, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Sessions Committee of the Upper New York Conference gathered by Zoom on the morning of Thursday, April 21 to discuss growing concerns about the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Upstate New York and throughout the United States. Members of the Committee shared both their own perspectives and what they have been hearing from others regarding the comfort level of gathering more than a thousand United Methodist from across Upper New …more
Reminder regarding New York State required annual training for sexual harassment prevention
April 11, 2022 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a reminder that every employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training on an annual basis. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training New York State Law requires that employers of one or more employees must conduct sexual harassment prevention training for all employees on an annual basis. The employer can decide the timing of the annual training (calendar year, anniversary date, or any …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: NEJ Bishops issue message of vision and recommitment
March 18, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following note was sent on behalf of Bishop Webb to the Upper New York Conference on March 18, 2022. Bishop Mark J. Webb and the rest of the Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops has issued a ten-minute video sharing their vision of recommitment and hope even in these times of fear, illness, division, grief, greed, and unbridled abuses of power. Click here to see this moving …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: General Conference postponed until 2024
March 4, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following note was sent by Bishop Mark J. Webb to the Upper New York Conference on March 4, 2022. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul. (Psalm 94.19) Dear Sisters and Brothers of The Upper New York Conference, The Commission on the General Conference has announced that the 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church rescheduled for Aug. 29 - Sept. 6, 2022, will not be held. Instead, …more
From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Praying for Ukraine this Lenten season
March 2, 2022 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following was sent to the Upper New York Conference on March 2, 2022 from Bishop Mark J. Webb. Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Many of us in congregations throughout Upper New York will hear the words of “An Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline.” Some of those words in that invitation are as follows: “I invite you, therefore, in the …more