news stories Tagged “Communications”
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
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
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
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
UNY shares observations from General Conference
April 30, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
United Methodists for all over the world are gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina from April 23-May 3 for the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. Elected clergy and laity delegates from 133 annual conferences, including delegates from Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, normally meet once every four years, but that wasn’t possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which postponed the top policy-making body of The …more
Three UNY churches awarded grant money
April 19, 2024 / By Dr. Blenda Smith, CONAM Treasurer / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) wants to thank the Upper New York churches that support Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS) each year. This year, the Special Sunday was held on April 14. Upper New York has three Native American Methodist Churches within our Conference boundaries, including Four Corners UMC (south of Buffalo) Onondaga Nation UMC (south of Syracuse) Hogansburg UMC (northeast of …more
Serving at General Conference
April 17, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Their bags are packed and they’re ready to go. The Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, District Superintendent of the Crossroads and Finger Lakes Districts, along with the Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell, District Superintendent of the Binghamton and Oneonta Districts, are off to General Conference (GC) in Charlotte, NC. They aren’t serving as clergy delegates, but in the role of marshals, representing Upper New York. This …more
A glimpse inside UNY Archives: Hidden treasures revealed and restored
April 15, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York (UNY) Archives is full of archived information from documents to artifacts. Located in the United Methodist Center in Liverpool, the UNY Archives is run by a group of volunteers and part-time Archives Assistant, Reilly Callahan, who aim to record and preserve United Methodist history in Upper New York, dating back to before the formation of UNY. Many items and documents are reviewed and cataloged in …more