news stories Tagged “Connectional Ministries”
The Rev. Wayne Butler takes flight for Africa 360
July 26, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Africa 360, the initiative that the UNY Conference set forth to raise funds for Africa University and Imagine No Malaria was a huge success, raising $773,000. The ways in which districts and local churches raised these funds are awe-inspiring. Many challenges were set forth and answered for this great work. For instance, if someone in a leadership role, perhaps a District Superintendent, told you that if you and other church members in …more
Cave Quest Vacation Bible School kids show their generous spirit
July 26, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Vacation Bible School season is in full-swing. Several churches in Upper New York host VBS. Visit our Facebook album to see photos of VBSs all throughout The UNY Conference. We will continually update this album as photos come in. Here is one account of the United Methodist Church of Webster’s VBS: During the week of July 18 through July 22nd, the United Methodist Church of Webster had an awesome …more
Invitations now accepted for Bishop Webb to preach in your church
July 21, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Bishop Webb is now establishing his preaching schedule for the months of January 2017 through June 2017. If you wish to extend an invitation to Bishop Webb to preach in your church, please contact Mary Bradley at bishopsoffice@unyumc.org or at 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse, New York, 13210. The deadline to receive requests for the bishop's 2017 preaching schedule is August 22, 2016. Click here to read the letter from the bishop. …more
First UMC Oneonta’s mission work in Jamaica
July 19, 2016 / By UNY Communications
The First UMC Oneonta congregation is sending a mission team to Jamaica from July 23 to August 3. The church has been in partnership with the people of St. Thomas Parish in Jamaica for over 15 years. St. Thomas Parish is in the far southeastern corner of Jamaica, the poorest section, far removed from the popular resort areas. St. Thomas' primary means of income are the sugar cane plantations. In 2000, First UMC …more
Penny Proper walks from Newark, NY to Africa University
June 27, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
From concerts to a hoagie drive-through, the creative ways in which local churches have raised funds for Africa 360 have been astounding. Penny Proper, a member of Newark First United Methodist Church, has a very interesting story about how she raised funds. Penny is 53 and has been a member of Newark First United Methodist Church since she was a small child. She faithfully attends worship every Sunday. Penny has special …more
Rev. Wayne Butler to fly on Darien Lake’s Redhawk Bungee Jump
June 24, 2016 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In the fall of 2015, The Rev. Wayne Butler, District Superintendent of the Niagara District, set a challenge for the district’s churches to raise $20,000 for Africa 360. He said that if they met the challenge, he would do the bungee jump at Darien Lake. The churches more than surpassed his challenge! Rev. Wayne will be going to Darien Lake for the payoff - he will fly on the Redhawk …more
My experience in the Leadership Academy
May 25, 2016 / By Rev. Dr. Karen Grinnell
I saw the flyer for the Leadership Academy in last year’s Annual Conference session packet of materials. It sounded like a good program, and I really did plan to follow up on it after I got home. But, the good intentions were soon forgotten. I was busy, and the packet of materials was filed away and forgotten. In the fall, my district superintendent invited me to participate in …more
United Methodist General Conference calls on Israel to end unjust practices toward Palestinians
May 23, 2016 / By Chris Hazou of Institute for Middle East Understanding
Despite fierce opposition, which included calls to delegates from Israeli ambassadors and consulates, the United Methodist General Conference passed strong measures calling for an end to Israel’s unjust practices toward Palestinians. One of these measures, Resolution 60206, calls on Israel to correct the unequal distribution of water in the West Bank, where illegal Israeli settlers receive four times as much water as the indigenous Palestinians. It also demands that …more
Peace with Justice 2015 honor roll
May 17, 2016 / By Heather Smith
Peace with Justice Sunday is this Sunday, May 22! If you’re not ready, please feel free to reschedule it to suit the needs of your congregation. The special Sunday offerings are not just about money, but giving everyone an opportunity to support ministries they are passionate about. As for participation, even $1 counts! I wanted to take a moment to recognize two groups of churches who have made an impression …more
Legacy Ministry website has launched
April 26, 2016 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Legacy Ministry website is now available. The website will introduce people to Legacy Ministry and what it’s about so they can see if it is something they want to explore. Legacy Ministry seeks to help congregations that are “having trouble staying in operation and who express that they’re having trouble extending their mission and ministry” determine in which direction the congregation should move …more