Weekly Digest: September 28, 2022

Weekly Digest | September 28, 2022

Rev. Robert Kolvik-Campbell officially begins his joyful journey as District Superintendent

Appointed on July 1, 2022, as District Superintendent (DS) of the Binghamton and Oneonta Districts, the Rev. Robert (Bob) Kolvik-Campbell’s installation service was held on Sept. 25 at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center. Over 100 guests enjoyed this uplifting service.

The anthem of this service, “Ten Thousand Reasons,” was sung by the choir of Christ Church: Sherrill, the church that Rev. Kolvik-Campbell last served.

Many clergy and lay persons participated in the presentation of signs of District Superintendency.

Rev. Kolvik-Campbell’s uplifting sermon was entitled “Joy in the Journey.”

Click here to read the full story.

Native American land acknowledgement

One way to seek justice and healing of Native Americans is through education and action.

The Upper New York Conference Commission on Native American Ministries (CONAM) members encourage everyone to learn the true history of the lands on which their church is located and work to create a land acknowledgement for use at church services and gatherings.

Click here to learn more.

Updates to the 2022 issue of the Journal Vol. 1

There have been some updates of the 2022 issue of the Journal Vol. 1 that were not ready at the time of publishing. Click here to find these updates as they come in.

UMC Bishops seek donations for Puerto Rico

in wake of hurricane

The Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church is appealing for donations to assist the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico following the devastation left on the island by Hurricane Fiona last week.

The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico sent a letter to the COB asking for help and donations. In the letter of appeal, Bishop Lizzette Gabriel Montalvo, said: “our beloved brothers and sisters from different locations, we kindly ask for support on this journey in which once again we humbly give what we have received by grace. Your act of love by sending monetary donations for us to continue purchasing first aid supplies to thousands of families around the Island will make the difference in the lives of many people experiencing difficulties in their recovery process.”

In response, COB President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton urged all Methodists to support the recovery effort which is being done in conjunction with the UMCOR.

Click here to read Bishop Montalvo’s full letter and to learn how you can help Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts.

Soul Escape Retreat at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center offered Oct. 14-16

Come away from all your obligations and embrace nature’s pace at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center. There will be a few optional activities offered with spaces for solitude and connection. Reserve your spot by Oct. 6!

For more information and to register, click here.

Gary Bergh scholarship and justice awareness trips

to the Holy Land

Since 2009, the Gary Bergh Scholarship has been offered by the Conference Task Force on Peace w/Justice in Palestine/Israel to enable persons interested in justice and human rights to travel to Palestine/Israel on “justice awareness” trips.

Here is a list of recently announced trips this fall:

EYEWITNESS PALESTINE - October Olive Harvest - mid-August registration deadline

CMEP (Churches for Middle East Peace) - October delegation

PILGRIMS OF IBILLIN - Sept. 29-Oct. 11, “Living Stones of the Holy Land” pilgrimage

CPT - (Community Peacemaker Teams) - Nov. 3-14

FOSNA - (Friends of Sabeel, North America) - Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2022

The deadlines for some of these trips have already happened. But you can check these groups on their websites or contact them directly to learn about upcoming delegations, especially Eyewitness Palestine.

For Gary Bergh Scholarship applications, contact Karen Peterson (607-739-3143). You are requested to be available for UNY presentations or reports upon return. Clergy may be eligible for clergy credit.

Contact any of the following members of the UNY Taskforce on Palestine/Israel leadership team for more information.

Linda Bergh, 315-492-8507

Karen Peterson, 607-739-3141

Gary Doupe, 607-743-5062

Merle Showers, 716-862-4235

Apply by Nov. 15 for GCORR grants

The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) is proud to announce a new cycle of the CORR Action Fund (CAF) grant program that will support creative initiatives that will transform the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the world.

The 2022-2023 grant program will provide up to $10,000 to fund projects that increase intercultural competency and support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity, and systemic equity leading to action.

UMC churches and other UMC entities are invited to apply for funding by submitting a proposal that:

demonstrates bold and innovative thinking,
reaches more people, younger people, and more diverse people,
results in long-term change that could be replicated in other local churches, Districts, Conferences, or other entities within the UMC, and
utilizes existing GCORR resources.

Applications are now open. This grant application cycle closes Nov. 15, 2022.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Tending the Soul delayed, registration extended

The start of the next session of Tending the Soul has been delayed and will begin in February 2022, which means that applications are still being accepted. Click here for a brochure and application. For more information, contact the Rev. Nancy Dibelius at nancyd@unyumc.org.

Updates: Sept. 22-28

Death Notice: Bonnie Totten Adkins

Please keep family and friends of Bonnie Totten Adkins in your prayers. Bonnie, 95, died on Sept. 9. She was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Leon Adkins Jr. in 2018. Rev. Adkins served as District Superintendent in the Albany District, pastor at Schenectady: First UMC, Scotia UMC, Newtonville UMC, and Delmar UMC. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on October 22 at Middlebury UMC in Vermont. Click here to read Bonnie’s full obituary.

On the Conference calendar