From the Desk of Bishop Webb: Texas school shooting
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Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, sent a note to the Upper New York Conference on May 25 as a response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24.
He asked for prayers for the families and victims, for the parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, and uncles, who had their precious loved ones, their children, violently taken away from them. He asked for prayers for the families of the teachers murdered and healing prayers for those injured and in critical condition.
Bishop Webb also stated how our society and systems must change. He asked for everyone to call out injustice and sin by showing people another way – the way of following Jesus.
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United Methodist Church Bishops call for action
to stop mass shootings
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The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church President, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, today urged clergy and laity to go on offense to stop mass shootings like the one that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas.
Click here to read Bishop Bickerton’s full statement.
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A statement and call to action from the
Conference Commission on Religion & Race
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As we continue to process the racially motivated mass shooting that took place in Buffalo on May 14, the Upper New York Commission on Religion & Race has released a statement, asking for continued prayers and sharing ways in which you can help put an end to systemic racism.
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Tending to your soul so you can tend to others’ souls
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Are you feeling an inkling to become closer to God? Do you feel like your life is like a hamster wheel or are you riddled with anxiety and yearn to feel God’s love deep in your soul? Or do you feel a draw to help others feel God’s presence whether it be friends, family, your congregation, or people in your workplace or community?
If any of these questions apply to you, then you should highly consider attending the Tending the Soul program training in spiritual direction.
This powerful training is available to clergy and laity, whether you are Methodist or not—it takes place over two years, consisting of six four-day retreats. The next training begins Nov. 14, 2022.
Click here for a glimpse of the most recent training that was completed last week and the lives that were transformed.
If you have any questions or are ready to register for the next program, contact Rev. Nancy Dibelius at [email protected].
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Markers of a vital congregation
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In Upper New York, we consider five factors as markers of a vital congregation.
Can you guess what they are?
Ten-year-old Savannah knows!
Click here to watch a fun video of her explaining these markers.
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Skye Farm offering summer programs that will appeal to all
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Whether your child loves sports and games, diving deep into God’s natural creation, or doing wacky things like having ice cream for breakfast, Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center has something to offer them.
The COVID pandemic has hampered children’s opportunity to experience summer camp the past two summers. Following health departments’ advice, Upper New York is taking every measure possible to make sure that children and youth can safely enjoy camp this year.
This summer at Skye Farm, your child can enjoy several different types of camps. And back for the first time in many years are camps for children ages 3-7!
Click here to learn about all of the summer camp opportunities at Skye Farm starting in July!
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Sky Lake 75th Anniversary celebration
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Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center is having a birthday party! You're invited to celebrate Sky Lake’s 75th anniversary on Saturday, June 11th. Activities begin at 11 a.m. and include nature hikes, craft projects, wagon rides, and a bounce-house. Food will be available for purchase from Pinkies BBQ food truck and from the Sky Lake bake sale (pre-order encouraged).
You’ll also have the opportunity to support Sky Lake by visiting the silent auction, featuring donations from Sky Lake alumni and local businesses, and the camp store, stocked with limited edition 75th anniversary gear! The day will conclude with a celebration at 3:30 p.m. Clergy are encouraged to bring a stole and guitarists can bring their guitars (storage will be provided) to participate in closing worship.
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Celebrating the life of Bishop Joseph Yeakel
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Bishop Joseph (Joe) Yeakel died July 4, 2021, at the age of 93. He served as Resident Bishop of the New York West Area, which at the time included three Conferences (Western New York Conference, Northern New York Conference, and Central New York Conference) from 1972-1984. The Upper New York Conference, as well as Methodists across the Connection, mourn his death.
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, began the service began with a call to celebration and opening prayer.
Bishops Sandra Steiner Ball and Sudarshana Devadhar, members of the Northeastern Jurisdictional College of Bishops, each spoke as witnesses to a life well lived as well as Bishop Yeakel’s daughter, Josie Drushal.
An uplifting message was delivered by Bishop Marcus Matthews, who served as a District Superintendent on Bishop Yeakel’s Cabinet.
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Updated Death Notice: Rev. Vonda J. Fossitt's obituary
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Please continue to keep family and friends of the Rev. Vonda J. Fossitt in your prayers. Rev. Fossitt, 56, died on May 11. A 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. Clergy are invited to robe in white stoles and process together. The memorial service will be livestreamed on the Conference website. To read DS Vonda's obituary, click here.
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A snapshot of Asbury First UMC’s children’s ministries
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The 2022 Issue I of the Advocate focused on vibrant youth and children ministries throughout the Upper New York Conference.
Asbury First UMC, in Rochester, NY, endeavors to create an open, supportive, and lively environment for our children and youth. These ministries thrive due to the enthusiasm and passion of the leaders and the hard work of the eager volunteers who support them.
Click here to read more about two very creative ways that Asbury involves children at their church.
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Children and Youth Ministry, the very heartbeat of our churches
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The 2022 Issue I of the Advocate focused on vibrant youth and children ministries throughout the Upper New York Conference.
Lynne Kimpland is a woman who many people turn to when seeking to create successful children’s programming at their church. She has exponentially grown the children’s programs at Endwell UMC and has even continued to creatively offer opportunities to children to learn about Jesus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to learn more about Endwell UMC’s approach to bringing children through their church doors.
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Justice in Israel–Palestine: Travel for Awareness
through the Gary Bergh Scholarship
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The Gary Bergh Scholarship is offered especially to youth and young adults for travel to Palestine-Israel to witness the need and hear possible solutions toward justice, peace, and security for ALL in the Holy Land. This scholarship, a Conference Advance Special, (#932) is offered by the UNY Task Force on Peace w/ Justice in Palestine/ Israel (co-chaired by Linda Bergh: 315-492-8507 and Karen Peterson: 607-739-3141). It has enabled young adults and clergy to join “justice-seeking” delegations almost yearly since 2010.
This year, the UNY Task Force is offering two or three sizable scholarships to enable young adults to see for themselves the effects of Israel's military occupation of Palestinian lands (the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza,) the demolition of Palestinian homes and mistreatment of Palestinian children.
Click here to learn more about the scholarship and to read eye-witness accounts of UNY travelers to Palestine.
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June regional laity gatherings canceled
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Earlier this month, it was announced that Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, would be hosting regional gatherings for laity throughout the Upper New York Conference. Unfortunately, due to continuing high rates of COVID throughout the Conference, these gatherings have been canceled.
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Bishops have authority to call jurisdictional conferences in 2022, top court says
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The Council of Bishops (COB) is expressing its appreciation following the Judicial Council’s ruling on May 20 that the COB is authorized to set the date of regular jurisdictional conferences for the election and assignment of new bishops for the limited purpose of effectuating the continuance of the episcopacy in The United Methodist Church.
The Northeastern jurisdictional conference is scheduled for Nov. 2022.
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Offices closed on Monday May 30
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The Upper New York Conference and Episcopal offices as well as the Crossroads District office will be closed Monday May 30 in observance of Memorial Day. We wish you a safe and happy Memorial Day as we remember the women and men who died while serving our country.
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Prayer Request: Pastor Robert Lindsay
Please keep family and friends of Pastor Robert Lindsay in your prayers. Robert died on May 17. He served several Upper New York churches, including West Schuyler UMC, Lassellsville UMC, and others.
Prayer Request: Pastor Paul Sweet
Please keep Paul Sweet, currently serving Christ Church in Troy, in your prayers. Paul is in the hospital after sustaining injuries in an accident. Paul is the son of the Rev. Beckie Sweet, currently serving at St. Paul’s UMC in Ithaca.
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On the Conference calendar
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May 1 - 31: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May 26: Rev. Vonda J. Fossitt Memorial Service - DETAILS
May 30: Memorial Day - Conference office closed
June 11: Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center 75th anniversary celebration - DETAILS
June 12: Peace with Justice Sunday - DETAILS
June 18: Casowasco Trail walk/run - DETAILS
July 1: Denman Award Nomination Deadline - DETAILS
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