news stories Tagged “Connectional Ministries”
CONAM: What it is and how Ministry Shares support it
December 2, 2016 / By Blenda Smith
By Blenda Smith CONAM, the Committee on Native American Ministries, is part of the Upper New York Conference and receives Ministry Shares to function effectively. Native peoples need community in order to connect, build relationships, work together, and move forward. Because of the regular connections through our CONAM meetings, we are able to worship together, hearing Christian biblical teachings from a Native perspective. What a gift to …more
The four Sundays of Advent
November 16, 2016 / By UNY Communications
The season of Advent is celebrated over four Sundays in The United Methodist Church – this year, those Sundays are Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, 11, and 18. The season begins four Sundays before Christmas, ending at sundown on Christmas Eve. The end of Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical or church year for Christians. During Advent, United Methodists prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. “We remember the longing of …more
My reflections on the Leadership Institute 2016
November 15, 2016 / By Pastor Alicia Wood
Our Upper New York Annual Conference session three-day meeting in spring 2016 included a three-part learning time with Adam Hamilton, the lead church planter of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan. He started this church 26 years ago, and now it has four sites/campuses. The church is so generous that it hosts a Leadership Institute annually, sharing what the congregation has learned as they planted and grown …more
The Connection: What Ministry Shares mean for the local churches
November 14, 2016 / By Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding
When I started serving as the UNY Conference’s Director of Connectional Ministries, it wasn’t long before I was asked, “so what do we get from the Conference?” This question, asked by both clergy and laity, usually came up in a discussion about shared ministry payments and conference budgets. Heard in the wrong way, it could sound like a consumer demanding a vendor …more
Ministry with the Marginalized Training offered throughout UNY Conference
October 31, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Social Holiness Team highly recommends the Ministry with the Marginalized Training to everyone. The Rev. Dana Horrell has developed this program and the accompanying videos with support from a Peace with Justice grant. Heather Smith, the Peace with Justice Coordinator says, “Along the way, we have reviewed materials and are thrilled with the professional results. This course is designed around principles of doing justice and being God's …more
The Rev. Dr. Amanda Drury challenges UNY clergy to grow their faith
October 31, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Dr. Amanda Drury wants to bring testifying back to the Church; she wants congregations to understand and feel God’s outrageous love. Rev. Dr. Drury, the featured speaker at the 2016 Bishop’s Retreat held in Niagara Falls, NY October 25-2, shared her desires in a series of powerful and thought-provoking lectures on Doubt and on God’s Outrageous Love to an audience of nearly 200 clergy …more
Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey to visit UNY Conference Nov. 19-20
October 18, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Saturday Nov. 19 and Sunday Nov. 20, UNY Conference clergy and laity have the opportunity to meet Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey to learn more about Africa University (AU). J. Lawrence McCleskey retired as a bishop of The United Methodist Church in 2008. He served for 45 years as an active United Methodist clergyperson, beginning as a student pastor in 1963, serving 27 years in pastoral ministry, six years as a district superintendent, and 12 years …more
Rev. Vonda Fossitt ignites excitement at the Genesee Valley Installation Service
October 4, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Sunday, October 2, over 200 people, young and old with great diversity, attended a service at the United Methodist Church of Webster to celebrate the Rev. Vonda Fossitt’s appointment as the Superintendent of the Genesee Valley District. In addition to the Covenant Service that takes place when a superintendent is appointed to a district, this evening service was comprised of exceptionally energizing performances. The theme of Rev. Fossitt …more
The 2016 UNY Conference Journal Directory now available for purchase
October 4, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The 2016 Upper New York Conference Journal Directory is now available. This directory contains up-to-date contact information of all UNY churches, clergy, members to Annual Conference, and surviving spouses for the 2016 Upper New York Annual Conference Session. There are two ways to receive the Journal Directory: Click here to purchase a hard copy from online publisher Lulu.com OR Click here to download a free PDF version If you order directly …more
Evenings of Prayer and Witness to take place throughout UNY
September 21, 2016 / By Steve Hustedt
Details have been released on the times of prayer and witness that were announced over the summer. The three large gathering that will be led Bishop Mark J. Webb in cooperation with the Order of Elders, the Order of Deacons, and the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members will be held: Oct. 3 at Liverpool UMC - 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Saratoga Springs UMC - 6:30-8:30 p …more