ADVOCATE Upper New York
A publication of the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church
Looking ahead!
A preview of what’s to come in 2015 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Table of contents
Volume 7, Issue 1
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NEW TOOLS The Conference’s Communications Ministry Area has new and updated communications coming in 2015. Read a preview from Communications Director Stephen J. Hustedt about these new ministry tools.
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LOST & FOUND In the Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding’s desk is a long-ago scribbled note: What is job one for an annual conference? Read his thoughts about leadership development and its importance to the Conference.
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IRADICATING MALARIA Upper New York’s Imagine No Malaria Field Coordinator Laurel O’Connor shares an update on Imagine No Malaria, one half of the Conference’s $2 million Africa 360 campaign.
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NURTURE A PLANTING CULTURE Learn how over the remaining winter months and into this spring the Upper New York Conference will provide its members a number of opportunities for current and future planters to be supported and trained.
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DREAM BIGGER The Rev. John Martin has written a six-part series about his experience as part of a small group of young clergy – the Young Pastors Network – and mentoring under the Rev. Mike Slaughter and the Rev. Adam Hamilton.
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FRESH APPROACH In a piece about his experience at the Illuminate Preaching Academy, the Rev. Andrew Sperry says preaching is a lot like broccoli, but the fresh approach of the academy has been a welcomed respite from other teaching styles.
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MISSIONS TO NICARAGUA Nearly 10 percent of Nicaraguans live in extreme poverty, but what really makes missionaries have a heart for this Central American country is the loving and sharing spirit of its people.
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ON THE ROAD AGAIN Conference staff members will again hit the road in March for two stops as part of the Road T.R.I.P.
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CCYM EXCITEMENT The Conference Council on Youth Ministries has several exciting programs in the works for 2015. UP!WORD is coming in April; be a youth representative to the 2015 Annual Conference Session; or apply for next year’s Mission of Peace to China – there are lots of opportunities for youth to be a part of UNY Conference-wide ministries.
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A dose of
inspiration ‘Kids day out’ in Schuylerville The Schuylerville United Methodist Church and the Quaker Springs United Methodist Church provided our neighbors with a “Kids Day Out.” Some 35 children, many of whom we didn’t know, and parents came for free pancakes, pictures with Santa pictures, crafts, movies and pizza. We also served our neighbors at The Way – a gently used clothing store for the community (see ribbon cutting photo below). Parents and kids enjoyed breakfast and lunch, then parents were offered a “Christmas day out” while we provided games and crafts for the kids. I am so pleased to be part of a group of Jesus followers that really knows what it means to “love their neighbors” and the roughly 20 volunteers from our churches. Photos and story courtesy of Pastor Albert W. Johnson, who serves both churches.
This story first appeared in the Weekly Digest, Upper New York’s weekly roundup of information from the Conference. To get these stories – and all the latest Conference news – right in your inbox, subscribe to the Weekly Digest (it’s free) by visiting the Conference website at www. unyumc.org. Cover image by Maria Vu (Shutterstock)
From the desk of Bishop Mark J.Webb Hope and excitement in store for 2015
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appy New Year! Moving from the old into the new brings with it many responses and emotions. For some, looking back on the past brings joy and fulfillment, for others it holds disappointment and pain. As we look to the future, there are some who experience great anticipation and hope, while others respond with fear and hopelessness. The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that God has been in our past, is in our present and is already in our future waiting for us with faithfulness. I have always loved the words of Jeremiah 29:11: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” That is a promise given to us individually as well as corporately. God has plans for us! God has plans for the Church that will move us forward with hope. I believe with all of my heart that the best days for the Church of Jesus Christ are ahead of us – IF we will claim the one to whom we belong, and trust the promises that our God offers. I celebrate the ministry of Jesus Christ that is happening through the
churches of the Upper New York Conference. We have been faithful in the past and the present, and I know that our faithfulness will continue into the future. Our boldness in proclaiming the good news of Jesus will continue – and even increase. Our effectiveness in partnering with God as God calls others to a life of following Jesus will bear even greater fruit than we have seen in days past. As we enter 2015 together, I have
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and our quest to be effective and fruitful in equipping one another to faithfully live that purpose. 4. Our continued holy conversations about the things we hold in common and the things about which we find ourselves divided. 5. Our desire to deeply love God, one another and the world around us. The new year will have its challenges; there will be times when we
“I believe with all of my heart that the best days for the Church of Jesus Christ are ahead of us ... ”
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great hope and great excitement for our ministry together. Some of the things that give me that hope and excitement are the things that we are attempting to do together: 1. Our commitment to the main thing – more disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 2. Our focus on increasing the leadership capacity of both clergy and lay leaders who will be radical disciples of Jesus Christ and transformational leaders. 3. Our foundational understanding that the mission of Jesus Christ is accomplished through the local church
will bump into one another as we attempt to live together. Yet, even amid the challenges, we claim hope! We claim the hope of abundant life in Jesus Christ. We claim the hope of our calling through Jesus Christ! We claim the promise of God’s plan to move us into a future that is beyond anything we dare imagine or dream. May we live boldly into 2015, meeting God where God is, joining God in the work of the Spirit that is already happening, and watching as God continues to transform our lives and the lives of our neighbors in all places!
Editor/Publisher: STEVE HUSTEDT
Social Media/Web: ASHLEY RIDDELL
UPPER NEW YORK
(315) 424-7878 x307 stevehustedt@unyumc.org
(315) 424-7878 x320 ashleyriddell@unyumc.org
STAFF
Graphic Designer: CHRISTIAN VISCHI
Weekly Digest: KAREN CAMPOLIETO
(315) 424-7878 x313 christianvischi@unyumc.org
(315) 424-7878 x304 karencampolieto@unyumc.org
ADVOCATE
UNY Director of Communications
Communications Associate
Multimedia/Web Coordinator
Administrative Assistant to the Director
THE UPPER NEW YORK UNITED METHODIST ADVOCATE IS A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE UPPER NEW YORK CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, WHOSE MISSION IS TO BE GOD’S LOVE WITH ALL OUR NEIGHBORS IN ALL PLACES. MATERIALS IN THE ADVOCATE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED UNLESS THE ITEM IS ACCOMPANIED BY A COPYRIGHT NOTATION. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT UTICA, NEW YORK 13504; USPS 14025. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 PER YEAR PAID IN ADVANCE TO 324 UNIVERSITY AVE., 3RD FLOOR, SYRACUSE, NY 13210; OR CALL (855) 424-7878; OR VISIT WWW.UNYUMC.ORG. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO UPPER NEW YORK UNITED METHODIST ADVOCATE, 324 UNIVERSITY AVE., 3RD FLOOR, SYRACUSE, NY 13210. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OR DECLINE ANY ITEMS SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION.
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Telling the story in new ways New and updated communications tools coming in 2015
By Stephen J. Hustedt, Director of Communications stevehustedt@unyumc.org
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n 2015, the Upper New York Conference will see how the listening and research that has been done around the topic of “how we tell the story our faith” has resulted in exciting changes and new ideas being enacted. The launch of the new Conference website means much more than just having a website that is aesthetically pleasing, easy to navigate and cross platform proficient. This new communications tool provides a new online home for the Conference, where people can easily find information about their districts, specific ministry areas and stories of missions and ministry. Of course, there will still be a place for forms, calendar items, and other important informational pieces, too. However, the website is not the only major overhaul taking place in 2015. The Advocate will also see very significant changes that are the result of continually asking the questions: “How do you use the Advocate?” and “How do you wish you could use the Advocate?” All too often the answer to the first question was that people didn’t know how to use the Advocate. In 2015, the Advocate will have the clear purpose of being a ministry magazine. Following the January/February issue, it will be printed on glossy paper and each issue will have a central theme. It will feature more voices from across the Conference, but most importantly the stories will be inspiring and share who we are as the Upper New York Conference. The new ministry magazine format will be designed so that churches can share the publication with visitors to help explain who we are as United Methodists in Upper New York or it can be shared with church members who could use some inspiration. The hope is that church leadership will be intentional about giving out their copies. Rather than simply setting them on a table for people to take, you are encouraged to put them in visitor packets or hand deliver them to someone. The Advocate will also be published on a different schedule. It will now come out every other month, but this does not mean there will be less frequent communication for local churches. A new Communication tool will soon launch that will work in conjunction with the new format of the Advocate. The Conference Communications team will produce a bulletin insert every two weeks that churches can print and copy to keep members of the congregation connected on a regular basis. The bulletin insert will be available in both color and grayscale but will be designed to simply run off on a photo copier on a standard 8.5x11 sheet of paper. If churches are unable to make the copies themselves they can request copies to distribute from the Communica-
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tions Ministry Area. These changes are only the beginning of what is ahead in 2015 as we strive to tell the story of what it means to be United Methodist in Upper New York. If you have questions or ideas for the future of Communications ministry in Upper New York, contact me at SteveHustedt@unyumc.org. Your feedback is always appreciated. Together we will do amazing things and share the stories of our ministry in ways we have never imagined.
Over the years ...
Main work of the Conference in two words:
Leadership Development By the Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Director of Connnectional Ministries BillG-F@unyumc.org
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o get ready for the New Year, I decided to tidy up my desk. Opening my “not sure I need this but not ready to chuck it” drawer, I found a note I’d scribbled over four years ago musing on the question: What’s job number one for an Annual Conference – not a local church, but an Annual Conference? It’s always been clear to me the main work of a local church is making disciples; but what about an Annual Conference? On the note I’d written (and underlined twice) “the main work of an Annual Conference is leadership development.” Job number one for us as an Annual Conference is to call, train, and support local church laity and clergy who, with God’s help, make disciples. I’m not sure what prompted me to write that note, but I was encouraged by finding it. The conclusion it names still rings very true for me. In fact, it sounds even more right today than it did four years ago. This past year, members of the Conference Leadership Team and the Extended Cabinet worked on a “Mission-Map” or mission statement to clarify the purpose and primary tasks of the Conference. At the same time, the Conference invited a team of consultants from the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, the General Board of Discipleship and the General Council on Finance and Administration to examine our financial issues and challenges (a process known as
the Financial Advisory Consultation Team or FACT). Back in November these two tracks (the Mission-Map conversation and the FACT process) came to a similar conclusion: of the many things our Conference could be doing, nothing is more needed than calling, training, and supporting leaders – leadership development, in other words. Thinking about this learning journey, this stanza of T.S. Eliot’s poem Little Gidding V came to mind: We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. When it comes to identifying the main work of an Annual Conference, the place I started and have arrived at again is leadership development: to equip leaders who lead congregations who make disciples who transform neighborhoods. As I think of the programs and initiatives that will be offered by the Conference 2015, it’s clear we’re focused on developing and supporting leaders. (See the list at the right.) This is all good; based on this list, 2015 will be great. But I’m going to print out a copy of this article and stick it in my “need to remember because it’s important” drawer, because lots of things will wind up on my desk in 2015, but none will deserve my attention more than calling, training and supporting leaders like you.
Illuminate Preaching Academy Hand to Plow peer learning groups Lay Servant Ministries Council on Youth Ministries events Camp and Retreat Ministries offerings Road T.R.I.P. District Training Days Bishop’s Retreat Bishop’s Confirmation Retreat Annual Conference workshops Tending the Soul Tending the Fire EQ-Human Relations workshop The work of the Board of Ordained Ministries unyumc.org 5
Imagine No Malaria;
or, the story of how UNY is working to iradicate the disease in 2015 By Laurel O’Connor, INM Field Coordinator ImagineNoMalaria@unyumc.org
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embers at the 2014 Upper New York Annual Conference session voted to support The United Methodist Church’s Imagine No Malaria initiative, through a commitment to raise $1 million. This commitment joins the Conference’s previous commitment of $1 million to fund scholarships at Africa University. Both of these goals come together through our Africa 360 campaign. Now is the opportunity to kick off the Imagine No Malaria part of our campaign right: starting off the new year by saving a life! Your financial contribution of $10 provides two rounds of malaria medication that will save one life. Upper New York’s goal is to raise enough money in 2015 to save at least 100,000 lives. Every church and every United Methodist in the Conference are urged to take part. With our commitment to Africa University, by saving 100,000 lives – malaria affects the most vulnerable: children under the age of 5 and pregnant women – you will be giving children and adults a far better chance to thrive, attend AU and follow their dreams. How you can give You can text “Malaria UNY” to 27722 to make a $10
donation and save a life. (Note: Be sure to put a space between Malaria and UNY.) Contributions may be sent to the Conference Treasurer’s Office, Upper New York Conference, 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210. Designate “Imagine No Malaria” on your check or at the bottom of your apportionment statement. If the check is from a church, be sure to indicate the church GCFA number on the check. To use a credit card, contact Mike Weaver at (855) 424-7878 ext. 315. You can also be a part of the Africa 360 campaign (see the article on page 8) with your gift being equally divided between Imagine No Malaria and Africa University. About Imagine No Malaria Visit www.imaginenomalaria.org for more information about Imagine No Malaria, an extraordinary effort by the people of The United Methodist Church to put their faith into action to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa. Over 4.6 million lives have been affected, and the number is growing each year as more lives are saved. You can find resources that will help your church participate in this initiative at www.imaginenomalaria. org/resources. Laurel O’Connor is the field coordinator for the Conference’s Imagine No Malaria initiative, a part of our Africa 360 campaign, for the next year. She can be contacted by email at LaurelOConnor@unyumc.org or ImagineNoMalaria@unyumc.org.
Meet Imagine No Malaria Field Coordinator Laurel O’Connor
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aurel O’Connor, born and raised in Upstate New York, graduated from SUNY Cortland with a degree in Spanish. Before attending seminary, she spent time as an interpreter at The Spanish Action League in Syracuse and later in Syracuse as a workers’ rights advocate. In late 2014, O’Connor completed the majority of her coursework for her Master of Divinity from Drew University in New Jersey. O’Connor She considers the Imagine No Malaria initiative as part of her “journey home,” to return and be a part of the Conference she knows and loves. She is a certified candidate for Deacon in the Upper New York Conference and will be continuing on the path toward ordination in the near future. She is married to Pastor Ben O’Connor, who also attends Drew University, and the couple resides in the Crossroads District with Pastor O’Connor’s daughter,
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Olivia, who is five years old. He currently serves the Lycoming UMC. The energy of having a kindergartener in the house gives her all the more impetus to help with Imagine No Malaria, O’Connor said, as she sees the faces of the children that can be saved in the face of her stepdaughter, full of life and gusto. O’Connor has a passion for bringing resources together that can change peoples’ lives, and is hoping her excitement and determination can start a chain reaction that gets Conference members excited about this initiative. As part of her responsibilities with the Imagine No Malaria initiative, she is available as a resource to congregations and districts in the Conference, and said she looks forward to seeing all corners of the Conference over the next year. Though she’s excited at the possibility of saving 100,000 lives, she said that only with the help of the entire Conference can that goal be reached or even exceeded.
What is the I
n 2011, members of the Upper New York Annual Conference pledged to raise $1 million for Africa University (AU) to fund eight scholarships. At the 2014 Annual Conference Session, members voted to contribute $1 million to the Imagine No Malaria campaign of The United Methodist Church. Both of these priorities have been placed in a campaign that we are calling Africa 360. AU, a United Methodist-related institution, aims to provide quality education within a Pan-African context through which persons can acquire general and professional knowledge and skills, grow in spiritual maturity, and develop sound moral values, ethics and leadership qualities. More than 1,200 students from 22 African countries attend AU. Malaria is the leading killer of children in Africa, with estimates of a life being taken every 60 seconds by this
Challenge?
preventable disease. In 2008, The United Methodist Church as a denomination committed to join the global fight against malaria, embarking upon a $75 million Imagine No Malaria fundraising campaign. Of Upper New York’s combined $2 million commitment, approximately $300,000 has been raised to date. To help Upper New York reach that $2 million goal, Bishop Mark J. Webb issued the Africa 360 Challenge. “The challenge is that every congregation in Upper New York would raise at least $1,000 between now and the time we gather for Annual Conference in 2015,” Bishop Webb said when he issued the challenge in August 2014. “If every local congregation would take up this challenge, we would exceed $1 million of our $2 million commitment.”
Thinking outside the box, and in W
e dig into “Our little book of BIG ideas” to help you and your congregation find creative ways to be involved in these life-giving and life-saving opportunities. Here are a few ideas to help your church reach the goal of raising $1,000: • Create a special offering one Sunday a month until the 2015 Annual Conference Session • Challenge your Sunday School classes or small groups to come up with creative ways of receiving gifts • Invite your youth group or children’s ministry to get involved in raising funds • Commit to taking a special Good Friday or Easter Sunday offering with all gifts being designated for these efforts • Designate funds from your mission budget • Hold a car wash or silent auction • Hold a “unique foods sale” –
similar to a bake sale, but your chefs only use recipes inspired by Africa; you can find recipe ideas at www. pinterest.com/prb928/africanrecipes • Hold a special Africa-themed Vacation Bible School during the week that your school has off around Easter and take a special offering • Several chain restaurants will offer you a percentage of an evening’s receipts as a fundraiser night; partner with one of them and you can engage
your community • Host a community event (like an indoor garage sale, model railroad show, antique show), with the proceeds from an entrance fee going toward your goal Find more resources at www.imagineno malaria.org/resources and review the resources that the Africa University Task Force has developed at www. unyumc.org. Do you have a creative way to raise funds for Africa 360? Share your ideas with the Communications Ministry Area at news@ unyumc.org. If you don’t want to wait until the 2015 Annual Conference session to present your gifts, you can mail them anytime by check to Upper New York Conference, 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 Attn: Africa 360. Checks should be made payable to the Conference with Africa 360 in the memo line. unyumc.org 7
Opportunities coming for current and future planters By the Rev. David Masland, Conference Director of New Faith Communities dmasland@unyumc.org
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ne of the Upper New York Conference’s five areas of focus is to “nurture a planting culture in Upper New York, where everyone feels freed up to plant a new faith community in their neighborhood.” The great news is that God’s spirit is helping our Conference’s New Faith Community ministry realize that vision! As of Jan. 1, 2015, there were 40 new faith communities being actively planted in the Conference and 16 others in various stages of planning. The Cabinet is currently working on making strategic appointments that will enable eight to 10 new plants to get started on July 1! God is calling and gifting many people for planting. These people are being trained and are working to develop their plans and their teams.
Once formed, the teams are applying for and receiving grant funding to seed their work. As teams are being deployed in diverse contexts across the state, they are building relationships. Hundreds of new, unchurched, or de-churched people are being invited to join us in knowing, loving and following Jesus in the world. By God’s grace, new disciples are being made. This winter and the coming spring will provide a number of opportunities for current or future planters to be supported and trained. We will offer planter peer-group retreats to provide our planters with spiritual growth and support. Our fourth annual New Faith Communities event will be held Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
in Moravia. This year’s event will feature a training conducted by Pastor Tom Arthur, who planted “Church in a Diner” in Lansing, Mich., as well as various workshops by some of our own most gifted planters. There will be a new training opportunity for coaches as well. This will be for those people who want to support planters in the future as certified coaches. And there will be two new Virtual Planning Groups, idea crucibles within which new plans can begin to develop and planters can learn from each other. For more information on these and other learning and support opportunities provided through the Upper New York New Faith Community ministry, please check out our website at www.unynfc.com. And ask yourself: “Is God calling you to join the movement?”
New Faith Community Process
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Part one of a six-part series
Young Pastors Network:
Dream bigger By the Rev. John Martin phlppns121@hotmail.com
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his past year, I was a part of a small group of young clergy gathered from across the United States to spend some time in community and mentoring alongside the Rev. Mike Slaughter and the Rev. Adam Hamilton. This opportunity included trips to both the GingRev. Martin hamsburg United Methodist Church (Rev. Slaughter’s church) and the Church of the Resurrection (Rev. Hamilton’s church). This was an incredible opportunity to learn from two of the leading pastors within our denomination, and while only approximately 40 of us were a part of the Young Pastors Network, I thought some of the insights I learned might be worth sharing with all of you! I invite you to look for this column in your Advocate for the next several issues as I try to share a little of what I learned. The first and biggest take away I
left this program with was to dream bigger! Living in the Northeast, specifically in the Upper New York Conference, few of us have had a lot experience with vibrant, growing and healthy congregations, especially not big ones. For many of us, the “good old days” were long ago, and what we consider success actually isn’t all that successful. Revs. Hamilton and Slaughter encouraged all of us to not limit God’s vision and plan in our own lives and within our congregations. Our first trip was to the Ginghamsburg UMC, located in Tipp City, Ohio. Tipp City has a population of roughly 9,500 people (or roughly equivalent to Upper New York’s communities of Corning, Hamburg, Ogdensburg and Watervliet); Rev. Slaughter’s church runs right around 5,000 people each Sunday! When he made this point to us it was not to brag, or compare his church to any of ours, but rather to say that God can do great things in places we might least expect! This encouragement to dream bigger wasn’t simply about attendance numbers, budgets or statistical re-
ports. Over and over again, we were told stories of people who had a dream for this ministry or that, who were given permission to dream bigger and then to follow their dreams! One of these ministries entailed the group going to an auto garage, where one person had a dream of fixing up old and broken down cars and then donating them to people in need. The ministry has become a huge part of Ginghamsburg’s outreach into the surrounding communities and has grown to include several mechanics and dozens of cars given away each year! Friends, hear these words as encouragement and permission to dream bigger! As you’re looking to your plans, your upcoming ministries and out into your communities this year, don’t limit God. Don’t allow past success, old expectations and current standards to limit how God can use you and the people you are called to be in ministry with and alongside. DREAM BIGGER! The Rev. John Martin is pastor at the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid. This article is part one of a sixpart series.
The Young Pastors Network is a partnership between the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (online at www.cor.org) and the Ginghamsburg Church (www.ginghamsburg.org). The YPN is designed specifically for high capacity clergy within The United Methodist Church who are under the age of 35. It is designed to provide a large church “leadership development school” for young United Methodist clergy while also providing an ongoing online community featuring mentoring, networking, spiritual growth and peer sharing opportunities. Network candidates must be nominated by their bishops based on each candidate’s potential and drive to serve as a future leader of a large membership church within the Conference. You can learn more about the program at its website at www.youngpastorsnetwork.org.
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More ‘Vital’ ministries coming in 2015 By the Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Conference Director of Vital Congregations aaronbouwens@unyumc.org
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s the page has turned from 2014 to 2015 there are many things to celebrate about the ministry of Vital Congregations in the Upper New York Conference. The Hand to Plow process continues to have a positive impact on local congregations and their leaders. The fall of 2014 welcomed a new cohort of conRev. Bouwens gregations ready to roll up their sleeves and further their journey to being a vital congregation. This coming fall a new group of congregations will begin the process, perhaps yours will be one of them. Be watching for details in the near
future. The Illuminate Preaching Academy kicked off its inaugural group in January, working to move from being good preachers to being great preachers (read below about the Rev. Andrew Sperry’s experience at the academy.) This year will bring with it two cohorts of the Illuminate Preaching Academy, the one that started in January and another in August. Coupled with Illuminate, be watching for other opportunities for clergy and laity to develop their ability as preachers throughout 2015. All of these vital congregations require transformative leaders. In order to continue the growth of leaders the Vital Congregations ministry will be partnering with
various groups in the Conference to offer leadership development. The development opportunities will come in various forms and be targeted to unique contexts in order to help as many people as possible become transformational leaders. Be watching for an event, class or opportunity near you. Coming very soon to Upper New York will be Coach Approach Skill Training or CAST. This coach training is offered by Chris Holmes, a former district superintendent in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. CAST prepares people to be leadership coaches for a wide variety of situations and contexts. The Vital Congregations Ministry is partnering with the New Faith Communities Ministry; by offering this training we can provide more coaches to more leaders who are developing vital
Experiencing the Illuminate Preaching Academy By the Rev. Andrew Sperry Editor’s Note: The Upper New York Conference held its first Illuminate Preaching Academy Jan. 13-14, 2015. Eleven participants took part in that first event. The Rev. Andrew Sperry, pastor at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church and one of the participants, agreed to share his experience.
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reaching is a lot like broccoli, or at least it has been for me. Preaching was not my favorite part of my call to ministry. It has been more of an acquired taste (like broccoli). In the early stages of my ministry, I have served in several roles: Christian Education Director, Hospital Chaplain, and Associate Pastor. None of these have required me to preach extensively. Yet, I believe preachRev. Sperry ing is a sacred part of what occurs in worship and is the main vehicle through which pastors relate to their congregations. It is vital to the work of pastors – helping 10 UNY ADVOCATE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
asperry86@gmail.com people be in relationship with God. So when Upper New York Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb announced at the bishop’s retreat this past October that the Conference would be hosting a preaching academy, I jumped at the opportunity to develop my skills and a taste for preaching. What drew me to participate in the Illuminate Preaching Academy was its fresh approach. The idea of being a part of something new excited me – and, let’s face it, fresh broccoli is always better than frozen! Many other opportunities for enhancing one’s preaching are like frozen broccoli: tired hermeneutical schemes, seemingly ancient texts, and ailing teaching styles. But this was something new, with new ideas for sermon writing, new contemporary source materials, and new, modern ways of engaging the participants. One aspect of this new approach that has been helpful for me is a hyper-personalized teaching model. Throughout the process, participants are offered one-on-one advice from
mentors in addition to class work. This model helps each participant enhance his or her unique voice and excel in his or her gifts for ministry. This is extremely important for modern ministry. Authenticity is the key to developing relationships with people, especially in worship. I have found that a lot preachers try to be something they aren’t while they stand in front of their congregations. This program does not tell me how to be a better preacher using a prescribed model, instead it teaches me to more fully develop the skills I already have. Bishop Mark J. Webb (left) addresses the participants at the Illuminate Preaching Academy. Photo by Stephen J. Hustedt
congregations that are developing more disciples of Jesus Christ. CAST is done in three modules: first an independent study time; then a week long intensive learning environment (which will be March 16-20, 2015 at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia); and finally with a multiple week online learning interaction. (Read more about CAST at right.) Not to be left out of the year to come is the continuing work of coming alongside local congregations to enhance the ways disciples are being developed. This includes having an intentional process in place to help people grow in their faith and to help invite others in to the journey of following Jesus. As 2015 gets going teams in the Vital Congregations Ministry will be finding ways to best help local congregations discover, dream, design and implement systems and processes to develop disciples of Jesus Christ. Through all of the opportunities and activities of the Vital Congregations Ministry, the goal is to develop transformational leaders, who provide leadership with vital congregations, so that there can me more and more disciples of Jesus Christ. If you have thoughts about how this critical mission can be done, please contact me at aaronbouwens@ unyumc.org or (315) 424-7878 ext. 338. Thus, making my preaching more authentic to who I am. Being a part of a program like this is thrilling. Since attending the Illuminate Preaching Academy I have sensed personal growth in myself. I can feel God’s presence within me, igniting a passion for preaching. At the academy worship and mindfulness to God’s presence are valued parts of learning. I realized that in my sermon preparation and preaching sometimes I would forget about God’s presence. I would not forget to include God in the sermons, but I would forget to rely on the Holy Spirit’s partnership with me in the act of preparation and delivering a message. However, as we continually engaged in prayer, worship, and sacrament together at the academy I was reminded of this important component to sharing God’s message. After all, for it to truly be God’s message shouldn’t God be a part of the work? Just as I have grown to like broccoli I know my experiences in the Illuminate Preaching Academy will lead me to love preaching. In the months ahead I will work closely with my mentor and the academy participants to become a better preacher. I hope to become a more effective speaker, listener and relationship builder in the preaching moment. I want to be able to engage the people I serve in a manner that lights them on fire with a burning passion for Christ. I want everyone, including myself, to leave the worship space filled with the Spirit, ready to serve the world and spread God’s love.
Coach Approach Skill Training comes to UNY
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ow would you like to harness your inner ability to lead with a “coach approach” in your ministry context, or be more effective as a lay member in peer coaching? Clergy and laity have a unique opportunity this March to participate in Coach Approach Skill Training (CAST). CAST is a series of trainings developed specifically to teach the “coach approach” in ministry to denominational leaders, pastors and lay persons. This training, which is highly participatory with heavy emphasis on the integration and practice of each skill, prepares participants for certification in the field of coaching. The local CAST event will be held March 16-20, 2015 at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia. The cost ranges from $500 to $1,750 per person depending on your level of commitment to coach a certain number of hours each month for up to three years. All lodging, materials and meals are included in that registration fee. The CAST Fast Track training series spreads out 60 hours of International Coach Federation-approved coach-specific training over four months rather than the traditional 12 months. Phase one of the series is a guided independent study based on the best coaching text book available. Phase two, which accounts for more than half of the training, is the event that will take place at Casowasco. Phase three consists of eight two-hour live online conference calls. “We are finding a lot of interest in this accelerated path because it is concentrated enough that participants can really focus on their learning for a season, but is spread out enough to allow participants to integrate significant learning from the experience of coaching clients as they improve their skills through the training,” said the Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Bouwens, Conference Director of Vital Congregations. This training counts toward credentialing through the International Coach Federation; participants who would like to move forward after the Fast Track series for credentialing by the ICF would additionally need 10 hours of mentor coaching (at an additional cost), 100 hours of logged coaching of clients (no cost), and they would need to pass the ICF entrance exam administered at the time of the ICF application ($500). You can register online at http://tinyurl.com/ CASTMAR15. You can find more information about the training at http://tinyurl.com/ABOUTCAST, but the pricing should be ignored. unyumc.org 11
CRM gearing up for busy 2015 By the Camp & Retreat Ministries A moment lasts a second … but the memory lives on forever! Are you ready to come and join Camp & Retreat Ministries for a year of fun, excitement, and outdoor adventure? CRM is thrilled to share that this past fall and winter the team has been busy creating 32 exciting new summer programs for children, youth and adults that will empower, develop independence and self-esteem, and create life-long friendships. During the second phase of the grant-funded Young Clergy Initiative (YCI) young adults will participate in internships and mission experiences throughout 2015. This initiative has helped many begin to identify their individual call to ministry. CRM is in the process of identifying locations within the Upper New York Conference to develop a new
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Day Camp Program. The CRM staff is scheduling strategic church visits over the next four to five months and will specifically be visiting churches that sent the highest number of youth to summer camp in 2014. While it’s impossible to visit every church in the Conference, CRM can offer a packet of information for churches who wish to highlight camp during a special Sunday. Look for the 2015 summer camp brochure as well as information on CRM’s popular retreat offerings, coming soon to a mailbox (or email box!) near you. Additional information will also be forthcoming in subsequent issues of the Advocate and can be found on CRM’s website at www.campsandretreats.org. Join us in the count down for 2015.
unyumc.org 13
Missions to Nicaragua: Rich experiences in a poor nation By Beth DiCocco news@unyumc.org
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he number of Nicaraguans living in extreme poverty – defined as less than $1 a day – increased from 7.6 percent to 9.5 percent from 2012 to 2013, according to a survey published in November 2013 by the Managua-based Fundación Internacional para el Desafío Económico Global, a nongovernmental foundation. That’s the factual reason Upper New York United Methodists have a heart for mission in Nicaragua. Here are some other reasons: “The people are a very loving and sharing people,” said Mary Anderson, who with her husband, Genesee Valley District Superintendent Rev. Ted Anderson, has been to Nicaragua some 15 times. “They don’t have a lot of material goods, but they are warm and welcoming; they open up to visitors. It’s very compelling.” “It’s just a wonderful opportunity to give back and to be God’s hands and feet,” said Carole Gehrig, a member of New Hartford United Methodist Church, who has been on medical missions to Nicaragua seven times. “We are all His people ... not that we don’t do things in this country, but there is a special calling to go and help people in less-fortunate countries also.” From Feb. 14-22, 2015, the Andersons will be among the 19 people going on the Genesee Valley District mission trip to Project Chacocente (www.outofthedump.org) in Nicaragua. A Central New York Medical Mission, which Gehrig has been on in the past, will take place from March 16-26. It’s organized by Greg Wright of the United Church of Canastota. Project Chacocente began in 2003, inspired by United Methodist youth on a Northeastern Jurisdiction Mission of Peace trip to the Managua dump where they saw “people living off the dump – scavenging food and stuff to sell like ball bearings and oth14 UNY ADVOCATE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Students in art class at the Project Chacocente school. Photo courtesy of The Friends of Project Chacocente er metal. It’s a pretty hardscrabble life, and these high school students were touched, shocked, horrified,” said Anderson, and then they asked: What can we do to help? What they did was donate $5,000 to create Project Chacocente, which started as a way to move people who were living in the dump into their own homes. “It was about more than land and house,” Anderson said. “It was about building a Christian community that was working toward self sustainability; that’s how it all began.” It took 10 years to get the original families the deeds to their land, she said, but now those families are doing well and are mentoring the next generation. The dump has been covered over, although there are still families living in and around it. Now Project Chacocente operates a school, which in December 2014, graduated its first class.
The volunteers on this mission trip will tackle work that needs to be done at the school, but the relationship building is just as essential, Anderson said. “You learn from people down there and share Christ,” she said. “It’s a week and a half-long communion of saints. You realize God is there and has been there.” “Their faith is so strong and somehow more essential to their lives,” Anderson said. “Here, we’re under the illusion that we can provided for ourselves.” The medical mission will bring routine medical care as well as basics to people in rural Nicaragua, where it’s difficult if not impossible to access medical care. Gehrig’s role has been to help distribute clothing and toys to the families who come to the clinic. Gehrig said that she’s moved by the Nicaraguans’ patience – waiting in the hot sun for hours at the clinic – and their deep gratitude. It’s a lesson
she wanted her grandchildren Nicole and Andrew to learn. “It’s strengthened my faith,” Gehrig said. “I am so grateful for what I am blessed with. I’ve taken my grandchildren with me so they see what a third world country looks like and how grateful the people are and how little they have. “Our kids have so much, and they want more. They don’t realize the difference between want and need. That was the lesson I hoped my grandchildren would get, and they did.” Gehrig cautions that the days are long and “things don’t always go as you plan” – something Anderson remarked on as well. But “it’s a
Q&A session
wonderful experience,” Gehrig said of mission work in Nicaragua. “ ... we are so blessed and don’t appreciate it. We need to be more open to people that don’t have anything.” Learn more Learn more about Project Chacocente at outofthedump.org. To learn about other opportunities for missions, visit the following resource pages: • Volunteers in Mission (VIM) are United Methodists who offer their skills and talents for Christian service at home or abroad on short-term assignments in areas affected by disasters and hardships. • Haiti Partnership (www.haiti-
One United Methodist in Upper New York with a heart for mission in Nicaragua is Sarah Muder. The 18-year-old is a Muder member at the New Hartford First United Methodist Church. On the pre-med track at Vassar college, she hopes to one day be an OB/GYN. She is making her first trip to Nicaragua as part of the medical mission organized by Canastota United Methodist Church. Here’s what she had to say about why she’s drawn to serve in Nicaragua. What inspired you to join this mission trip? I’ve always firmly believed that medical care is a basic human right that everyone deserves. Currently I’m on the pre-medical track in college and administering hands-on care to people that have difficulty accessing it is something that I’m passionate about. What do you hope to learn and experience? I hope to have a glimpse at what my future career
partnership.com) is a joint mission experience between the Susquehanna and Upper New York conferences that sends mission teams to Haiti to build schools and churches, to provide humanitarian aid, and to do God’s work alongside the Haitian people. • The General Board of Global Ministries website (http://tinyurl. com/GBGMVIMProjects) lists national and international VIM projects for teams, individual volunteers opportunities, and VIM project for youth teams. • You can also contact local churches and districts for mission opportunities within the Conference whenever they arise.
could be like, but other than that, I believe that God knows way more about what He wants me to learn than I do. Visiting another country always results in pearls of wisdom that I never could’ve expected or predicted. You have done mission work outside the U.S. before; talk a little about what those experiences have been like and how they have affected your faith journey: I spent a month in Cambodia in 2012, which really just opened my eyes to how diversely beautiful God has made the world and His people. Further, it also gave me a huge reality check on the many blessings that we have in America that are not commonly present in other developing nations. Without healthcare, women and children often perish in childbirth, kids often aren’t healthy enough to get an education, which affects the rest of their lives. It really gave me a clear picture of how adequate public health and clinical care can easily change the world. Feel free to add anything else you’d like say that I haven’t asked about. Thanks to the New Hartford First UMC, for always supporting me, financially and in prayer!
Young adults (ages 19-35, and families are welcome) are invited to participate in the “Revive” overnight retreat March 13-14, 2015 at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia. For more information, unyumc.org 15 contact Ashley Riddell at ashleyriddell@unyumc.org or register at: http://tinyurl.com/Revive2015
‘Road T.R.I.P.’ makes two stops this March By Stephen J. Hustedt, Director of Communications stevehustedt@unyumc.org
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he Upper New York Conference staff will again be taking a Road T.R.I.P. across the Conference to offer a series of workshops for clergy and lay leaders. The next two stops will be at: • Liverpool UMC (604 Oswego St., Liverpool) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 • New Beginnings UMC (300 E. Miller St., Elmira) from 2-7 p.m. on Sunday, March 8 The previous Road T.R.I.P. training sessions took place at United Methodist churches in Potsdam, Saratoga Springs, Batavia and Bemus Point. “The feedback we received from participants at early Road T.R.I.P. stops indicated it was a great success,” said the Rev. Bill GottschalkFielding, Conference Director of Connectional Ministries. “People appreciated Conference staff coming to them and providing learning experiences which could help their local church to be more effective in ministry. Staff also learned a lot from participants about what local church folks are struggling with. The Road T.R.I.P. is a definitely a two-way street.” The Road TRIP training opportunities are designed to be: Transformative – Focused on
equipping leaders and congregations for life-changing, disciple-making ministries Relevant – Congregation-centered, needs-based with practical information Innovative – Creating something new and challenging, with elements of both wonder and risk Personal – Sharing ideas, experiences and possibilities that trainers are personally and passionately invested in These five-hour programs include a meal. The registration deadline for the next two stops is March 2; to register to attend the event at the Liverpool UMC visit http://tinyurl. com/RT15Liverpool, to register to attend the event at the New Beginnings UMC visit http://tinyurl.com/ RT15NB. Conference staff will be presenting on the following topics: From the Wading Pool to the Deep End – How to Move People into Deeper Discipleship Presenter: The Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Director of Connectional Ministries This workshop will help participants assess their congregation’s current “disciple-making system” to
identify its strengths and weaknesses. Participants will learn multiple ways that a church’s disciple-making ministries can be improved and encouraged to return home and try at least one new thing. They Have Us Surrounded… But Who Are They? Presenter: The Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Vital Congregations Every community has people in it that are not participating in the life of a congregation. Often we are convinced the people surrounding a congregation are just like the people in the congregation. A key first step to reaching the people who surround our congregations is to know who they are. This workshop will offer concrete steps that any congregation can use to learn who has them surrounded. Why Can’t Church Be More Like Camp? Presenter: Mike Huber, Director of Camp & Retreat Ministries In this workshop we’ll focus on the characteristics of camp that are particularly faith formative and highly sought in the spiritual journey of many. Our Camp & Retreat Centers desire to work with our local congregations on how to engage new generations of faith seekers, integrating many of the practices of camp into congregational life. By adopting and adapting the practices of camp, you’ll walk away with great ideas for helping your local congregation become more relevant. Your Conference Finance Office Presenter: Kevin Domanico, Conference Treasurer A wide range of financial topics will be covered. You will be able to ask questions and get information to empower and support local church treasurers, finance committee
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members and clergy. It will be a time to get to know each other and get a sense of the resources the Conference has available. Ministry Share allocations, statistical reporting, financial controls and annual church audits will all be discussed. Wired for Worship Presenter: Clyde Wolford, Director of Information Technology Audio, slides, video, lighting ... these elements can serve to engage worshipers if installed and used properly; if not, they can be a significant distraction. Join this discussion about best practices in the selection, installation and use of these resources. Those who have already enriched their worship space are encouraged to attend and share their stories with those considering a move in this direction.
create content, and update a local church website. Basic information will be addressed though handouts so that the focus at the workshop can be on each individual leaving with a vision of what their church’s current or future website should feature/look like, and how it should be managed. Creating New Places for New People: How to Start a New Faith Community in Your Own Neighborhood Presenter: The Rev. David Masland, Director of New Faith Communities We know that the purpose of the local church is to grow new disciples of Jesus Christ. But, it often seems like pulling teeth to get new people
to walk through the doors of our churches! Because of this, many laity and clergy are planting new faith communities in public spaces, and building relationships with lots of unchurched people. We will learn about a variety of these New Faith Communities growing all over the Upper New York Conference and country, in rural, urban and suburban settings. And, we will explore some of the early steps you can take toward building one that fits your own unique context. If you believe God might be calling you to plant a new faith community in your own region, or you are simply curious about this movement of the Spirit in our Conference, please join us!
Children’s Ministry in an Ever-Changing World Presenter: Diane Miner, Director of the Conference Resource Center This will be an interactive workshop on teaching children in a way that relates to each of them as individuals and in community. Ideas will be shared for one room and multiclass settings in how to offer options for the way children learn. Experience praying in color, ideas for church/home connection, creative ideas for rotational, conventional and unique settings, and of course the many resources that are available to help you plan. How to do Facebook Well Presenter: Steve J. Hustedt, Director of Communications This workshop will focus on how to write, use graphics, manage people/content, and general best practices for using Facebook. Basic information will be addressed though handouts so that the focus at the workshop can be on each individual leaving with a personalized strategy for attracting visitors and fully engaging church members in the most widely used Social Media website. How to do a Website Well Presenter: Steve J. Hustedt, Director of Communications This workshop will focus on how to write, use graphics, organize,
Get the devotional FREE at:
http://tinyurl.com/UMCORDEVO
unyumc.org 17
CCYM gearing up for an exciting 2015 By Maya Smith
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here are lots of things coming up in the United Methodist youth world! “Searching… God” at the Fall Gathering’s in November 2014 was very fun and fulfilling. Luckily there is another chance for youth to search God with other youth. UP!WORD, the Conference Council on Youth Ministry’s biggest event of the year, will be held April 24-26 in Syracuse. This event is packed with exciting search results workshops, fun late night searching games and activities, and worship that will help you search God! There is always lots of excitement when youth get together and worship. One exciting surprise at this year’s UP!WORD is guest performer Wayne Kerr, who will be performing a special Friday night concert! Kerr was at UP!WORD a few years ago and we are very excited for his return. Online registration will again be available this year – check the CCYM page of the Conference website at www.unyumc.org. UP!WORD will also feature an art gallery, planned by the Gathering Organization (GO) team. If you have art that symbolizes this year’s theme, “Searching… God”, and want it to be displayed, send it in! You can contact the Rev. Ted Anderson, Genesee Valley District Superintendent, at ted@ crcds.edu or (585) 340-9525. Please include your name, age, and church with your artwork so we can display it and can return it to you at the end of the event! In the last issue of the Advocate, it was made known that those traveling on the Mission of Peace (MOP) left on Dec. 28, 2014 for India. MOP is a mission trip that involves all the conferences in the Northeastern Jurisdiction. If you would like to know more about MOP there is informa18 UNY ADVOCATE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
tion on the Conference website and on the Jurisdiction’s webpage at http://www.nejumc.org/mop. html. Next year’s Mission of Peace team will travel to China. If you would like to apply to go on MOP, applications are due by March 1. This three week journey to shalom is extraordinary;
youth who are in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply. Applications are available on the Conference website at www.unyumc.org on the CCYM page. Interviews for the MOP will be held during UP!WORD in April. Along with MOP applications, applications for CCYM and the Annual Conference Session are also due
March 1. If you would like to be on CCYM to help plan exciting events for youth to worship God, apply to be a representative from your district. Now is a great time to talk to your district youth leaders if you want to get involved in CCYM next year. Every district has its own process for joining, so it’s important to check with your district leaders. Upon joining, you will participate in a training session during UP!WORD ‘15. The training session, with the whole CCYM, will take place during the day on April 25. If you are unaware who to contact, visit the CCYM page on the Conference website! This is also a great year to think about being a youth representative to Annual Conference. The dates of this year’s Annual Conference are May 27-30. As you may have noticed, this year’s session is a whole day longer than in past years because of the balloting for General Conference! This year we will be electing both lay
Wayne Kerr will be a guest performer at this year’s UP!WORD in April. The Christian musician will take the stage for a special Friday night concert.
leader and clergy delegates for the General Conference which will take place May 10-20, 2016, in Portland, Ore. If you would like to be a delegate at Annual Conference this May, now is the time to talk to your pastor or district coordinator. Youth are also able to apply to attend the General Conference as a voting delegate; the application information, including deadlines, is on the Conference’s main webpage.
If you want to stay in the know about UP!WORD and other youth events, like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/UNY Youth). You can also follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ UNYYouth) and Instagram (http:// instagram.com/UNYYouth), and don’t forget to hashtag your posts with #UNYYouth! Maya Smith is on the PowerPoint and Publicity Team.
REFLECTIONS ON CCYM’S THEME:
‘SEARCHING... GOD’ CCYM members offered the following reflections on this year’s theme “Searching… God” and on one of the Scripture passages on which it is based (Matthew 7:8)
“I
interpret the theme, ‘Searching... God’ as a way to find Him in everything and everyone. It could also possibly mean that people who don’t know that there is a God or who want to connect more with Him are searching how to. It can also be interpreted as God trying to find a way for us to be closer to Him. I personally believe that it’s more of a way to find God in everyone and everything.” – Anonymous
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hen you go to Google, it’s usually to find answers or guidance. Likewise, when you go to God, you can look for guidance, like a search engine. Once you find your answer, you gain knowledge, just as once you find answers from God, you gain knowledge about yourself.” – Johnny Church
“I
think the best part about the theme ‘Searching... God’ is that because it can be interpreted in so many ways, it can be applied to every person. People from all walks of life can relate to searching for God in all parts of their lives as they grow closer to Him. Just like
when you type the word ‘God’ into a search engine and there are practically infinite results, as we grow closer to God we realize that if we search for Him, we find Him everywhere. That is why the theme verse ‘Everyone who searches, finds’ is so appropriate. Anyone can simply ask about God and He will be there to show them what they need. In our secular world, many people search for a deeper meaning in life. Since God is in everything, ultimately if they search for anything in the metaphorical search bar of life, they will find God. Not only are we searching for God and seeking to know Him more, but God is searching for us and calling us to Him. God is everywhere looking for us, and when we find Him we are able to experience the results.” – Emily Allen
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o me, this Scripture gives me security. When I read this, it reminds me that God is always there and always will be. I may need to search for Him at times, look for Him in the people I meet and the places I go, but He is always there. He’s in the beauty, the kindness, the laughter. God’s there in the comfort of another, the love of your parents. Sometimes, it may be hard to see God in the people, places, and situations around you, but ‘Everyone who searches, finds.’” – Rachel Lake unyumc.org 19
Remembrances R
oma Marie Gould, 88, died on Jan. 27, 2015. She was the wife of the late Rev. Ardell Gould, who most recently served at the Albion United Methodist Church before retiring in 1992. Read the obituary at http:// tinyurl.com/Gould012715.
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ev. Jane T. Borden, 86, died on Jan. 15, 2015. She served the Round Lake, Calvary: Latham and Saratoga Springs United Methodist churches before retiring in 1994. Her husband was the late Rev. James Borden. Condolences can be sent to her son, Erich Borden, at the Saratoga Springs UMC, 175 Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Borden011515.
“ ... ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:15-16
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etty Lou Furman, 86, died on Jan. 1, 2015. She was the wife of the Rev. Edward K. Furman, a retired elder in the Susquehanna Conference who served churches in Lake Como and Jermyn in the former Wyoming Conference. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/ Furman010115.
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arbara Vollmer, 82, died on Dec. 30, 2014. Her husband, the Rev. Stanley Vollmer, passed away on Jan. 14, 2014. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Vollmer123014. Bruce Cornell, 83, died on (Ashton) Dec. 26, 2014. He was the husband
of the Rev. Virginia Cornell, who serves in retirement at the Easton and Stump (North Cambridge) United Methodist churches. Cards can be sent to Rev. Cornell at P.O. Box 265, Victory Mills, N.Y. 12884. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Cornell 122614.
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ev. Claude Corbett, 93, died on Jan. 14, 2015. He served the Theresa, Plessis, North Shore Parish, Rushville, Elmira: Riverside and Cicero United Methodist churches before retiring in 1987. Cards of condolence can be sent to his wife Zella at P.O. Box 236, Penney Farms, FL 32079.
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uanita Spence, 89, died on Jan. 6, 2015. She was the mother of the Rev. Lynn Spence, who serves the Clifton Springs United Methodist Church. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Spence at 13 Pleasant St., Clifton Springs, N.Y. 14432. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Spence010615.
UMCOR Training Academy comes to the NEJ 20 UNY ADVOCATE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
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ris I. Civalier, 92, died on Dec. 22, 2014. She served in several roles for the former Troy Annual Conference, including president of the conference United Methodist Women and chairperson of the conference Council on Finance and Administration. She also served on the General Board of Global Ministries. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/ Civalier122214.
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his spring the Northeastern Jurisdiction will host its first United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Training Academy in more than 10 years. The training academy, hosted by the NEJ United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) will be held March 18-21, 2015 at the West River Camp & Retreat Center in West River, Md. United Methodists from the 10 conferences and 15 states that make up the NEJ will gather to share in learning, ministry planning, prayer and fellowship. These academies offer high-caliber training and education on mission and disaster response from the UMCOR staff. You will learn about how those in crisis from natural or human disasters are served, said the Rev. Paul “Nick” Nicholas, NEJ UMVIM Coordinator. “(You will get to) learn, share, and prepare so that the Church in your region can be ready to respond when disaster and crisis come to those in your community. As people of faith, we recognize that relief and recovery require attention to the physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational needs of survivors and that we can point to God’s healing presence and hope simply by being there when the storms of life have hit,” Rev. Nicholas said. The training will expand the skills and education of those who already have a basic understanding as well as
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ilma J. Burt, 79, died on Dec. 20, 2014. She was the wife of the Rev. Guy Burt, retired. Condolences can be sent to their son, P. Christopher Burt, 305 Adams Ave., Endicott, N.Y. 13760.
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ev. L. Alden Smith, 96, died on Dec. 19, 2014. He served churches in northern and western New York before retiring as pastor emeritus at the Hamburg United Methodist Church. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl. com/Smith121914.
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argaret Brockway, 98, died on Dec. 18, 2014. She was the grandmother of Jodi Webb, wife of Upper New York Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb. Condolences can be sent to Bishop and Mrs. Webb in care of the Upper New York Conference Office at 324 University Ave., Third Floor, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210.
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atricia S. Arnold, 88, died on Dec. 17, 2014. She was the wife of the Rev. Neil Arnold, retired. Cards can be sent to Rev. Arnold at 15010 Shell Point Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33908-1666. Read the obituary at http://tiny url.com/Arnold121714.
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dward J. Sprenger, 38, died on Dec. 14, 2014. He was the son of the Rev. James Sprenger, retired. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Sprenger121414.
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ev. Malcolm A. Howard, 81, died on Dec. 13, 2014. He served a number of churches including Perryville, Clockville, Middlesex, Freeville and DeRuyter before retiring in 1989. Spring interment will take place in Cortland Rural Cemetery. Condolences can be sent to his wife, Joan, in care of the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9
Lincoln Ave., Cortland, N.Y. 13045. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Howard121314.
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oretta Jones, 82, died on Dec. 13, 2014. She was the mother of Mark Jones, who is husband of Pastor Sue Jones. Mark is President of the Mohawk District and Upper New York Conference United Methodist Men. Pastor Jones serves the Asbury United Methodist Church in Utica. Condolences may be sent to Mark and Sue Jones, 475 Shortlots Road, Frankfort, N.Y. 13340. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Jones121314.
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ev. Marion M. Thomas, 106, died on Dec. 12, 2014. She served the Tyrone, Caton, Wayne and South Corning United Methodist churches. Cards can be sent to her son Jeremy Thomas at 4918 E. Swamp Road, Stanley, N.Y. 14561. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/ Thomas121214.
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illiam “Bill” Clay Childress, Sr., 80, died on Dec. 8, 2014. He was the father of the Rev. Douglas Childress, who serves the Alexander United Methodist Church. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Childress, 10540 Main St., Alexander, N.Y. 14005. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Childress120814.
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ev. Alice M. Hobbs, 79, died on Dec. 2, 2014. Before retiring in 2001, she served churches in Rexford, Port Henry, Moriah and Crown Point. From 2011 to 2012, she served as coordinating pastor at the Crown Point UMC. Cards can be sent to David Hobbs, 13 Fourth St., Apt. A, Amsterdam, N.Y. 12010. Read the obituary at http://tinyurl.com/Hobbs120214.
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provide an introduction to this type of mission service, so even those with no prior experience are welcome to attend. Sessions will include a look at UMCOR’s 75 years and the foundations of disaster ministry. Participants will be asked to choose one elective track from the following for the rest of their courses: • Emotional and Spiritual Care Team • Ready Congregations & Connecting Neighbors • Emergency Response Team: Train the Trainer (there are prerequisites for this track and space is limited) • Volunteer Excellence The cost is $225, which covers three nights of lodging plus meals from dinner on Wednesday to lunch on Saturday. Event participation is capped at 140 people, and the first 85 registrants have the option of
requesting a lower bunk bed. For more information, contact Upper New York’s VIM co-coordinators Roger and Donna Cullen at UNYvim@unyumc.org.
Register for the event at http:// tinyurl.com/UMCORNEJMAR18. Find a link to the 40-day Lenten devotional celebrating UMCOR’s 75 years on page 17.
The UMCOR Training Academy prepares volunteers to serve those in crisis from natural or human disasters. Pictured above, Sid Riddick mixes concrete for a footing to repair the damage from Hurricane Sandy at a home in Atlantic City, N.J. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose unyumc.org 21
How to reach us BISHOP’S OFFICE
CONFERENCE OFFICE
Upper New York Area Episcopal Office of The United Methodist Church 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 Phone: (315) 422-5027 Fax: (315) 422-5304
Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 Phone: (315) 424-7878; toll free: (855) 424-7878 Fax: (315) 424-0975
Adirondack District District Superintendent William Mudge PO Box 590 – 54 Bay St. Glens Falls, N.Y. 12801 (518) 480-4866 Email: AdirondackDistrict@unyumc.org
Finger Lakes District District Superintendent Jeffrey McDowell 1 Franklin Square, Suite 213 Geneva, N.Y. 14456 (315) 781-0188 Fax: (315) 781-0199 Email: FingerLakesDistrict@unyumc.org
Niagara Frontier District District Superintendent K. Wayne Butler 247 Cayuga Road, Suite 70 Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14225 (716) 276-8631 Fax: (716) 276-8632 Email: NiagaraFrontier@unyumc.org
Genesee Valley District District Superintendent Ted Anderson 1100 South Goodman St. Rochester, N.Y. 14620 (585) 340-9525 Fax: (585) 340-9526 Email: GeneseeValleyDistrict@unyumc.org
Northern Flow District District Superintendent Rebekah Sweet PO Box 208 – 93 E. Main St. Gouverneur, N.Y. 13642 (315) 535-5149 Fax: (315) 535-5151 Email: NorthernFlowDistrict@unyumc.org
Binghamton District District Superintendent Dr. David Kofahl 53 McKinley Ave. Endicott, N.Y. 13760 (607) 748-0662 Fax: (607) 748-0549 Email: BinghamtonDistrict@unyumc.org
Mohawk District District Superintendent Dr. Sung Ho Lee 105 Genesee St. New Hartford, N.Y. 13413 (315) 797-1777 Fax: (315) 797-5702 Email: MohawkDistrict@unyumc.org
Oneonta District District Superintendent Jan McClary Rowell PO Box 668 – 66 Chestnut St. Oneonta, N.Y. 13820 (607) 441-5102 Fax: (607) 441-5102 Email: OneontaDistrict@unyumc.org
Cornerstone District District Superintendent Dr. Sherri Rood 663 Lakeview Ave. Jamestown, N.Y. 14701 (716) 665-2423 Fax: (716) 665-3763 Email: CornerstoneDistrict@unyumc.org
Mountain View District District Superintendent Nancy Adams 65 E. First St. Corning, N.Y. 14830 (607) 962-8047 Fax: (607) 962-8045 Email: MountainViewDistrict@unyumc.org
Albany District District Superintendent Richard Weihing 568 Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110 FOR MAIL: PO Box 511 Newtonville, N.Y. 12128 (518) 608-1246 Email: AlbanyDistrict@unyumc.org
Crossroads District District Superintendent Darryl R. Barrow 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 (315) 422-2288 Fax: (315) 424-0975 Email: CrossroadsDistrict@unyumc.org 22 UNY ADVOCATE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Bishop Webb names new district superintendents Rev. Nola Anderson assigned to Crossroads District
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pper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Nola Anderson as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Crossroads District. Rev. Anderson, pastor at the Grace and West Avenue United Methodist churches in Rochester, currently sits on the UNY Board of Ordained Ministry and has been active in Black Methodists for Church Renewal, the Rev. Anderson Northeastern Jurisdiction Clergy Women Consultation Planning Team, and Aldersgate Renewal Ministries. In 2003, Rev. Anderson began serving in the former Wyoming Conference as an elder from the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas Conference. She and her husband, Pastor Andy Anderson, have one son Asriel. “Rev. Anderson is first and foremost a disciple of Jesus Christ, who passionately lives out the mission of the Church,” Bishop Webb said. “Her rich and varied experiences in the local church, including her understanding of ministry in multiple settings, including the urban area, will bring tremendous gifts to the work of the Cabinet and to the context of the Crossroads District. I am excited about her leadership and
commitment to our task as an annual conference, as well as her experience throughout the connectional church. Please join me in praying for the Anderson family, the congregations at Grace and West Avenue, the Crossroads District and the Upper New York Conference in this time of transition.”
Rev. Abel Roy assigned to the Mohawk District
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pper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Abel Roy as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Mohawk District effective July 1, 2015. Rev. Roy currently serves the Springville First United Methodist Church in the Niagara Frontier District. Born in Sri Lanka, Rev. Roy received his Master of Theology and Master of Divinity from Asbury TheoRev. Roy logical Seminary in Kentucky and was ordained in The United Methodist Church in 1990. He served three quadrennium on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and was nominated as a delegate to the World Methodist Conference. Rev. Roy and his wife, Rebecca, have two daughters, Abigail and Priscilla. “Rev. Roy is a person of deep spirituality who has a commitment
Upcoming dates March 2
Final day to get Pre-Conference reports to the Conference office
March 2
AC Session registration opens
March 7 & 8 Road T.R.I.P.: Liverpool UMC & The New Beginnings (in Elmira) (See pages 16-17 for details)
March 13-14
Revive Young Adult Retreat (See page 19 for details)
March 16-20
Coach Approach Skill Training
April 6
Sharing knowledge The Rev. Darryl Barrow, Crossroads District Superintendent, and the Rev. Dr. Sung Ho Lee, Mohawk District Superintendent, share what they have learned as Conference superintendents. Read the article on the Conference website at www.unyumc.org.
and passion for the Church,” Bishop Webb said. “Throughout his ministry, he has led congregations to live the great commandment, as well as the great commission. Abel’s pastoral heart for the least, the last and the lost, his boldness in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his desire to equip others to be who God has called them to be, will greatly add to the work of the Cabinet and the varied ministries within the Mohawk District. I am excited to work alongside him. I ask you to join with me in prayer for the Roy family, the Springville congregation, the Mohawk District and the Upper New York Conference in this time of new beginnings.”
Anticipated publication date for the Pre-Conference Booklet
May 1
AC Session Registration ends
May - Date TBA Rev. Barrow
Rev. Lee
Pre-Conference Briefings unyumc.org 23
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April 25
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