2021 Upper New York Conference Journal, Vol. I

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Table of Contents

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Letter from Upper New York Conference Lay Leader – Drew Griffin ..................................................... 4

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Holy Conferencing Principles of the Northeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church ........... 5

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Organizational Motion ....................................................................................................................... 6

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Consent Calendar ............................................................................................................................... 8

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Annual Conference Agenda - Draft ..................................................................................................... 9

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Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 11

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Budget - DRAFT ....................................................................................................................................... 12

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Recommendation from Equitable Compensation, Commission on (CEC) .............................................. 14

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Recommendation(s) from the Board of Pensions .................................................................................. 16

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2021-2022 Upper New York Conference Advance Specials ................................................................... 18

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Closure of a Local Church – Alfred United Methodist Church ................................................................ 19

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Closure of a Local Church – Angelica United Methodist Church ............................................................ 20

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Closure of a Local Church – Belfast United Methodist Church ............................................................... 21

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Closure of a Local Church – Belmont United Methodist Church ............................................................ 22

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Closure of a Local Church – Boyntonville United Methodist Church...................................................... 23

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Closure of A Local Church – Carman United Methodist Church ............................................................. 24

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Closure of a Local Church – Friends in Christ United Methodist Church ................................................ 25

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Closure of a Local Church – Hartwick United Methodist Church ........................................................... 26

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Closure of a Local Church – Middlefield United Methodist Church ....................................................... 27

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Closure of a Local Church – Mount Vision United Methodist Church .................................................... 28

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Closure of a Local Church – Rushford United Methodist Church ........................................................... 29

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Closure of a Local Church – Scio United Methodist Church ................................................................... 30

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Closure of a Local Church – Stone Mills United Methodist Church ........................................................ 31

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Closure of a Local Church – Westville United Methodist Church ........................................................... 32

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Resolutions and Petitions ................................................................................................................. 33

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UNYAC2021.1 - Because We Care ........................................................................................................... 35

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UNYAC2021.2 - Administrative Fair Process for Local Pastors ............................................................... 37

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UNYAC2021.3 - Support New York Senate Bill S.2960/Assembly Bill A.4565, also known as “Residential Policing” .................................................................................................................................................. 38

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UNYAC.2021.4 - Support New York Senate Bill S.4462/Assembly Bill A.4566, also known as "Spit Hoods Ban" ......................................................................................................................................................... 46

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UNYAC2021.5 - Support New York Senate Bill S.4002/Assembly Bill A.5449, also known as "Chemical Irritants Ban" ........................................................................................................................................... 53

Letter from Upper New York Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb ............................................................... 3

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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UNYAC2021.6 - Support New York Senate Bill S.4814/Assembly Bill A.4697, also known as "Daniel’s Law" ........................................................................................................................................................ 59

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Reports (Conference Teams) ............................................................................................................ 67

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Accessibility Concerns Team ................................................................................................................... 69

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Archives and History, Commission on .................................................................................................... 70

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Communications Team ........................................................................................................................... 71

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Episcopacy, Committee on...................................................................................................................... 73

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Laity and Conference Lay Leaders, Board of ........................................................................................... 74

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Lay Servant Ministries ............................................................................................................................. 75

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Native American Ministries, Committee on (CONAM) ........................................................................... 77

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New Faith Communities (NFC) ................................................................................................................ 78

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Peace with Justice Team ......................................................................................................................... 79

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Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, Task Force on ............................................................................. 80

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Religion and Race, Conference Commission on (CCORR) ....................................................................... 82

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Safe Sanctuaries® Team .......................................................................................................................... 84

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Social Holiness Team............................................................................................................................... 85

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Trustees, Board of ................................................................................................................................... 86

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United Methodist Men (UMM)............................................................................................................... 88

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United Methodist Women (UMW) ......................................................................................................... 91

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Vital Congregations ................................................................................................................................. 92

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Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM) ................................................................................................................... 94

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Young Adults ........................................................................................................................................... 96

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Youth Ministries, Conference Council on (CCYM) .................................................................................. 97

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Reports (Connected Organizations) .................................................................................................. 98

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Africa University .................................................................................................................................... 100

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Candler School of Theology .................................................................................................................. 102

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Drew University Theological School...................................................................................................... 104

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Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) ..................................................................................... 105

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New York State Council of Churches ..................................................................................................... 106

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United Theological Seminary ................................................................................................................ 107

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Letter from Upper New York Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb Dear sisters and brothers of the Upper New York Area, Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus the Christ!

As we prepare to gather for the 2021 session of Annual Conference, we continue to journey through unprecedented days that require unprecedented ways and responses. While we celebrate the progress of COVID- 19 vaccinations, to ensure the safety and health of all who participate, we will once again gather together by remote communication. While this form of gathering is certainly not our preference, we can be confident that it follows both church law and New York state law as we care for the necessary and essential matters before us.

I continue to give thanks for those who have worked tirelessly to assure that our gathering is possible and will support us during the time we are together. I thank each of you in advance for the spirit of patience and cooperation that we will offer one another. While we learned much from last year’s virtual conference session, there will still be some glitches as the fact remains that there are aspects of what we do easily when we are physically together becomes more challenging in a virtual setting.

We will celebrate together in worship, engage in Christian conferencing and together make decisions that celebrate the opportunity to focus on our mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” and how we will carry that mission out in this upcoming year.

The pages in this workbook will prepare you to engage fully in that necessary business that we will consider during our time together. I hope you will take the time to read each report and every page. I urge you to surround your reading, preparation, and consideration in prayer.

I am grateful to be a part of this place called Upper New York, and to share the journey of ministry with each of you. I continue to give thanks to God for the ways in which you have offered the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this season. It continues to be a hard season, yet you have been faithful, as you depend upon the faithfulness of God. I look forward to our virtual time together. You remain in my prayers.

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Bishop Mark J. Webb Resident Bishop, Upper New York Area

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Letter from Upper New York Conference Lay Leader – Drew Griffin Greetings to all my siblings in Christ, Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As we prepare our hearts and minds to gather for the 12th Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference I pray that the Holy Spirit gives you a sense of renewal.

We stand, all of us, at the edge of a new time in the life of the Church. A time of opportunity to bring new children into the family of God, a time to share the love and hope of Jesus with a world crying out for justice.

We could let things like the pandemic, virtual gatherings, or whatever obstacles we might encounter get in the way of our work, but if we do then the enemy has already won. But I don’t believe that is who the people of the Upper New York Annual Conference are. I believe that you are a faithful people, resilient, strong, loving, and compassionate. Boldly continuing to live out the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. You do this despite the challenges of a global pandemic, and you do this despite the challenges of bigotry and racism.

This year we will be Holy Conferencing in a way that we’ve never done before. We have partnered with our friends at GNTV Media Ministry to bring you an experience, we hope, that is worshipful, enlightening, and engaging.

Please be patient if technical glitches occur and be assured that there is a staff of professionals working to make this Annual Conference as productive, efficient, and accessible as possible.

I am looking forward to “seeing” as many of you as possible this June. Until then, know that you are all in my prayers.

Peace be with you!

Drew E. Griffin Annual Conference Lay Leader, Upper New York

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Holy Conferencing Principles of the Northeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church Ephesians 4:3 [Make] every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace x x x x x

Every person is a child of God. Listen before speaking.

Strive to understand from another’s point of view.

Speak about issues; do not defame persons. Disagree without being disagreeable.

Pray, in silence or aloud, before decisions. Let prayer interrupt your busyness.

Strive to accurately reflect the view of others.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Organizational Motion 1. This is the twelfth session of the Upper New York Conference held on June 17-19, 2021.

Pandemic Provisions 2. Due to safety concerns associated with the Covid-19 global pandemic, the 2021 Upper New York Annual Conference will be held by remote communication via an online video platform consistent with New York State’s Religious Corporation Law, section 28.

3. For all purposes, this electronically conducted meeting is deemed to be the equivalent of an inperson meeting in accordance with applicable New York State law.

4. The bar of the Annual Conference shall contain all conference members who log in by electronic device or phone through the secure login information for the annual conference session provided by the Upper New York Conference.

5. Members of the Annual Conference are responsible for ensuring that all necessary technology on the member’s side of the meeting is in proper working order prior to the meeting.

6. The roll call of attendance shall be taken from the login to the secure online meeting.

7. To maintain an open meeting, the Annual Conference session will be livestreamed and recorded for playback.

Agenda and Rules of Order 8. The published agenda available on the Annual Conference website shall be the official agenda for Annual Conference. Questions about the agenda may be directed to the Executive Assistant to the Bishop.

9. Holy Conferencing affirms our covenant with God and one another. At any time during the proceedings, the bishop may call for a moment of discernment and prayer before a vote is taken.

10. All reports without recommendations shall be placed on the Consent Calendar. Upon proper motion, any report may be lifted from the Consent Calendar and placed on the agenda by a onethird vote of the Conference body.

11. The session shall be governed by the rules of General Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Roberts Rules of Order 11th edition shall govern all procedural questions where the rules of General Conference cannot be applied.

12. Securing the floor: Conference members wishing to speak to the Conference shall use the Q&A feature in Zoom to ask to be recognized, stating if they are for, against, or have a point of order.

Their request will then be placed in a queue, and they will wait to be called on by the Bishop.

Upon being called on they will be given the floor and able to unmute themselves. At this time, they should share the following information: x Name x Gender (male, female, non-binary) x Clergy or laity

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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x Race/ethnicity (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; Hispanic/Latinx; Multi-racial or White. x Church and District 13. No person shall speak more than once upon the same question and shall be limited to not more than three minutes, except the maker of the motion or the chairperson of the agency submitting the motion, who shall have up to five minutes to open and three minutes to close debate.

14. To ensure the accuracy of minutes and clarity of what is before the body, all motions and amendments must be submitted in writing through the Q and A feature in the Zoom meeting. No motion or amendment will be voted on unless it is provided in writing.

Conference Membership 15. Lay members are those specified by the 2016 Book of Discipline, ¶32, Article I, and ¶602.4. The election of lay equalization members, as required in ¶32, Article I, and ¶602.4 (i.e., “the annual conference shall, by its own formula, provide for the election of additional lay members to equalize lay and clergy membership of the annual conference”) was determined according to the Rules for Determining and Selecting Lay Members to the Annual Conference, approved by the Annual Conference May 31, 2012 (i.e., “[t]he Chair of the Rules Committee shall create a prioritized list of potential nominees to serve as Equalization Lay Member. This list, with reserves if it exceeds the number of Equalization Lay Members needed as determined by the Conference Secretary, and reserves beyond that number, shall be published and distributed by the Conference Secretary with other pre-conference materials, and incorporated by reference into the Conference Secretary’s Organizational Motion so that these nominees to serve as Equalization Lay Members (and Reserve Equalization Lay Members) can be duly nominated and elected as a first order of business of the Annual Conference”). Per conference rules, the election of lay equalization members will have been the first order of business prior to consideration of the organizational motion.

16. Clergy entitled to vote are those specified by the 2016 Book of Discipline, ¶602, subject to the limitations contained in the same paragraph.

Publications 17. The Journal editor shall have sole authority to edit, condense, organize, and print the Upper New York Conference Journal/Yearbook. All material from this session must be submitted in writing no later July 1, 2021.

18. The Director of Communications shall be responsible for reporting to the general periodicals of The United Methodist Church and secular news media. All references for printing by the Conference official publication shall be subject to editing and condensing by the editor.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Consent Calendar

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Accessibility Concerns Team

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Archives and History, Commission on

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Communications

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Episcopacy, Committee on

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Laity and Conference Lay Leaders, Board of

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Lay Servant Ministries

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Native American Ministries, Committee on (CONAM)

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New Faith Communities (NFC)

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Peace with Justice

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Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, Task Force on

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Religion and Race, Conference Commission on (CCORR)

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Social Holiness Team

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United Methodist Men (UMM)

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United Methodist Women (UMW)

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Vital Congregations

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Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM)

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Annual Conference Agenda - Draft Thursday (6/17) x Morning (9:00 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.) o 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Opening Worship o 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 pm Laity Session and Clergy Session x Afternoon (2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.) o Organizational Motion o Plenary x Evening (7 p.m. – 9 p.m.) o Plenary – focus on petitions Friday (6/18) x Morning (9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.) o Opening Devotions o Plenary x Afternoon (2 p.m. – 5:30 pm) o Plenary x Evening – 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. o 7 pm - Memorial Service (livestreamed) Saturday (6/19) x Morning (9:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.) o 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Juneteenth Celebration o 9:30 – 9:50 a.m. UNY’s 11th o Retiree Recognition o Naming of the Appointments x Afternoon o 1 p.m. – Ordination Rehearsal o 3 p.m. – Ordination Service livestreamed to AC (live at Cicero UMC by invitation only)

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Recommendations ϭϭ

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Budget - DRAFT ϭϮ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Recommendation from Equitable Compensation, Commission on (CEC) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

The mission of the Commission on Equitable Compensation is to help struggling local churches regain sound financial footing, so they can build leadership capacity, make disciples, and transform the world.

The Commission on Equitable Compensation administers funds used to support clergy salaries for churches with pastors appointed full time where those churches are temporarily unable to meet minimum compensation standards.

It is our policy to support churches that demonstrate the potential for moving back to full self-funding.

The Commission on Equitable Compensation works with the Bishop’s Cabinet to encourage right–sizing appointments and other local church staffing, in order to prevent the need for Conference support. In the spring of 2020, we were able to provide support for seven churches totaling $28,000; in the fall of 2020, the support was for seven churches for $25,000. The spring of 2021 was for five churches for $17,500. In these three periods, there were 11 churches that were helped. Each of these churches is participating in the Vital Signs Dashboard program. In addition, in 2020, $50,251 was given for Missional Grants, $1,900 for Sustentation Grants and $15,000 for Appointment Grants.

We are responsible for bringing to the Annual Conference Session, recommendations with respect to the Minimum Compensation Base, the increment for years of service, and any other measures that would ensure that our clergy are fairly supported in their work.

This year we bring three recommendations for approval – all remain unchanged from 2020: The Minimum Base Compensation, the increment amount for years of service, and the amount for a multiple pastoral charge.

Minimum Base Compensation 1. We recommend for 2022 that the standardized minimum base compensation that was established for the Upper New York Annual Conference effective Jan. 1, 2017 stay the same. Those minimum base salaries are set according to credential level, for all full-time clergy persons as noted below: (No Changes)

Full connection (elders & deacons): Provisional (elders & deacons): Associate: FT Local Pastor completed Course of Study or MDiv: FT Local Pastor: 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Base $39,984 $38,556 $37,842 $37,128 $35,700

(Less than full-time appointments shall receive a base salary pro-rated according to the appointment.)

2. We recommend for 2022 that the yearly increment amount that was established for the Upper New York Annual Conference effective Jan. 2020 stay the same. The yearly increment is equal to 1% of the minimum base compensation for each credential level for up to 25 years of full-time equivalent service. (No Changes)

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Full connection (elders & deacons): Provisional (elders & deacons): Associate: FT Local Pastor completed Course of Study or MDiv: FT Local Pastor: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Increment $400 $386 $378 $371 $357

These increments are based on full-time employment years for service up to 25 years.

3. We recommend that an additional $500 for each additional church on the pastoral charge (over one), not adjusted for part-time appointments remain in place. (Unchanged) 4. We recommend that no pastor’s salary can be decreased as a result of this policy, as long as they retain their current appointment. (Unchanged) 5. All churches are encouraged to offer a salary increase of no less than the 10-year average increase in the Consumer Price Index in order to account for increases in the costs of living. Churches are encouraged to consider further raises based on exceptional service.

There are no changes to the Clergy Housing Policy for 2022.

There are no changes to the Accountable Reimbursement Plan policy for 2022.

The Commission currently has other matters under consideration and will report them as appropriate at the 2021 Upper New York Conference.

The members of the Commission on Equitable Compensation for 2020-2021 are: Paula Kuempel (Chair), Penny Brink, De Dunn, Jefferson Niles, Mitchel Smith, Marthalyn Sweet, Teddi Urriola, Rich Weihing and Ex Officio Members: Bob Flask, William Gottschalk-Fielding, Susan Latessa; Cabinet Representative: Abel Roy, and Conference Staff Support: Tracy Rickett.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Recommendation(s) from the Board of Pensions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

The Board recommends the adoption of the Housing/Rental Exclusion Resolution.

Resolutions Relating to Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired, Disabled or Former clergypersons of the Upper New York Annual Conference The Upper New York Annual Conference adopts the following resolutions relating to rental/housing allowances for retired, terminated, or disabled clergypersons of the Conference: HOUSING/RENTAL ALLOWANCE RESOLUTION 2020 The Upper New York Conference adopted the Housing/Rental Exclusion Resolution which designates 100% of United Methodist pension, severance, or disability income as housing exclusion in accordance with IRS Code section 107 is approved for the year Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022 as follows: WHEREAS the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church, of which this Conference is a part, has in the past functioned and continues to function through Ministers of the Gospel (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 107) who were or are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of the Church (“ clergypersons”); and, WHEREAS the practice of the Church and of this Conference was and is to provide active clergypersons with a parsonage or a rental/housing allowance as part of their gross compensation; and, WHEREAS pensions or other amounts paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled clergy persons are considered to be deferred compensation and are paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled clergypersons in consideration of previous active service; and, WHEREAS the Internal Revenue Service has recognized that the Conference (or its predecessors) as an appropriate organization to designate a rental/housing allowance for clergypersons who are or were members of this Conference and are eligible to receive such deferred compensation.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That an amount equal to 100% of the pension, severance, or disability payments received from plans authorized under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, which includes all such payments from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (“GBOPHB”), during the period Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022, by each active, retired, terminated, or disabled clergyperson who is or was a member of the Conference, or its predecessors, be and is hereby designated as a rental/housing allowance for each such clergyperson; and 2. That the pension, severance, or disability payments to which this rental/housing allowance designation applies shall be any pension, severance, or disability payments from plans, annuities, or funds authorized under the Discipline, including such payments from the GBOPHB and from a commercial annuity company contracted by the GBOPHB to provide an annuity arising from benefits accrued under a GBOPHB plan, annuity, or fund authorized under the Discipline, that result from any service a clergyperson rendered to this Conference or that an active, a retired, a terminated, or a disabled clergyperson of this Conference rendered to any local church, annual conference of the Church, general agency of the Church, other institution of the Church, former denomination that is now a part of the Church, or any other employer that employed the clergyperson to perform services related to the ministry of the Church, or its predecessors, and that elected to make contributions to, or accrue a benefit under, such a plan, annuity, or fund ϭϲ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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for such an active, a retired, a terminated, or a disabled clergyperson’s pension, severance, or disability plan benefit as part of his or her gross compensation.

NOTE: The rental/housing allowance that may be excluded from a clergyperson's gross income in any year for federal (and, in most cases, state) income tax purposes is limited under Internal Revenue Code section 107(2), and regulations thereunder, to the lesser of: 1) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the clergyperson's employer or other appropriate body of the Church (such as this Conference in the foregoing resolutions) for such year; 2) the amount expended by the clergyperson to rent or provide a home in such year; or, 3) the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances (such as a garage), plus the cost of utilities in such year. Each clergyperson or former clergyperson is urged to consult with his or her own tax advisor to determine what deferred compensation is eligible to be claimed as a housing allowance exclusion.

Action Item #2 Pre-82 Past Service Rate (PSR) The UNYAC BOPHB has worked very diligently to ensure that our Pre-82 remains in a fully funded status.

As you are aware, to do that there has not been an increase in the PSR for the last couple of years. It is the Board's recommendation that the PSR in the Pre-1982 Plan be increase by 1% for 2022 from $645 to $651.

This is only for retirees with years of service credit in the Pre-82 Plan.

The History of our PSR:

x x x x x x x x

2015: $600 2016: $612 (2% increase from 2015) 2017: $625 (2% increase from 2016) 2018: $638 (2% increase from 2017) 2019: $645 (1% increase from 2018) 2020: $645 (0% increase from 2019) 2021: $645 (0% increase from 2020) Proposed 2022: $651 (1% increase from 2021)

ϭϳ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

2021-2022 Upper New York Conference Advance Specials 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Whereas it is the responsibility of the Annual Conference to approve ministries as Conference Advance Specials, which gives these ministries permission to request support from churches in the Conference, Therefore, be it resolved that the following list of 2021-2022 Conference Advance Specials be approved: x Brown Memorial UMC: Syracuse Code #910 x Buffalo/Niagara Network of Religious Communities Code #903 x Campership Fund Code #912 x Campus Church ConneXion Buffalo Code #914 x Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, Inc. Code #916 x Cleveland Hill UMC: Buffalo Code #923 x The Children’s Center for the Common Good Code #972 x Children’s Home Code #918 x Folts Center Inc. Code #928 x Gary Bergh Scholarship (Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine and Israel) Code #932 x Haiti Partnership Code #936 x Mission Central UNY HUB #951 x Native American Mission, Onondaga Nation UMC Code #948 x Native American Outreach/Transportation Program Code #950 x The Neighborhood Center, Inc. Code #980 x Niagara Frontier City Missions Code #954 x Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE) Code #423 x Seneca Street UMC: Buffalo Code #964 x UMCOR Kits Shipment Dollars Code #974 x Volunteers in Mission Scholarship Fund Code #988 x Watertown Urban Mission Code #990 x NFC - New Places for New People Code #664

ϭϴ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church – Alfred United Methodist Church WHEREAS Alfred United Methodist Church was organized in 1959, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 62 years; WHEREAS on Nov. 17, 2020, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Alfred United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Alfred United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Alfred United Methodist Church from Nov. 17, 2020 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Alfred United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Nov. 17, 2020 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Alfred United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Alfred United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred to KonXions UMC, and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Alfred United Methodist Church be transferred to the KonXions United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

ϭϵ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church – Angelica United Methodist Church WHEREAS Angelica United Methodist Church was organized in 1829, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 192 years; WHEREAS on Nov. 17, 2020, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Angelica United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Angelica United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Angelica United Methodist Church from Nov. 17, 2020 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Angelica United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Nov. 17, 2020 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Angelica United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Angelica United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred to KonXions UMC, and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Angelica United Methodist Church be transferred to the KonXions United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

ϮϬ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for Closure of a Local Church – Belfast United Methodist Church WHEREAS Belfast United Methodist Church was organized in 1838, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 183 years; WHEREAS on February 23, 2021, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Belfast United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Belfast United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Belfast United Methodist Church from Feb. 23, 2021 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Belfast United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Feb. 23, 2021 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Belfast United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Belfast United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred to Northern KonXions UMC, and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Belfast United Methodist Church be transferred to the Northern KonXions United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Ϯϭ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for Closure of a Local Church – Belmont United Methodist Church WHEREAS Belmont United Methodist Church was organized in 1973, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 48 years; WHEREAS on Nov. 17, 2020, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Belmont United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Belmont United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Belmont United Methodist Church from Nov. 17, 2020 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Belmont United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Nov. 17, 2020 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Belmont United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Belmont United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred to KonXions UMC, and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Belmont United Methodist Church be transferred to the KonXions United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

ϮϮ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church – Boyntonville United Methodist Church WHEREAS Boyntonville United Methodist Church was organized in 1856, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 164 years; WHEREAS on Oct. 8, 2020, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Boyntonville United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Boyntonville United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Boyntonville United Methodist Church from October 08, 2020 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Boyntonville United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Oct. 08, 2020 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Boyntonville United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Boyntonville United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and policies of the Upper New York Conference with respect to closed churches effective during the Quadrennium (Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2020); and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Boyntonville United Methodist Church be transferred to the Eagle Bridge United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Ϯϯ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of A Local Church – Carman United Methodist Church WHEREAS Carman United Methodist Church was organized in 1913, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 107 years; WHEREAS on Nov. 12, 2020, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Carman United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Carman United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Carman United Methodist Church from Nov. 12, 2020 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Carman United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Nov. 12, 2020 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Carman United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Carman United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and policies of the Upper New York Conference with respect to closed churches effective during the Quadrennium (Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2020); and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Carman United Methodist Church be transferred to the Rotterdam United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Ϯϰ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for Closure of a Local Church – Friends in Christ United Methodist Church WHEREAS Friends in Christ United Methodist Church was organized in 2007, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 14 years; WHEREAS on Feb. 23, 2021, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Friends in Christ United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Friends in Christ United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Friends in Christ United Methodist Church from Feb. 23, 2021 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Friends in Christ United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Feb. 23, 2021 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Friends in Christ United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Friends in Christ United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred to Northern KonXions UMC, and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Friends in Christ United Methodist Church be transferred to the Northern KonXions United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Ϯϱ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church – Hartwick United Methodist Church WHEREAS Hartwick United Methodist Church was organized in 1842, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 178 years; WHEREAS on Jan. 06, 2021, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that as of Jan. 06, 2021 Hartwick United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Hartwick United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Hartwick United Methodist Church from Jan. 06, 2021 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Hartwick United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Jan. 06, 2021 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Hartwick United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Hartwick United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and policies of the Upper New York Conference with respect to closed churches effective during the Quadrennium (Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2020); and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Hartwick United Methodist Church be transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Ϯϲ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church – Middlefield United Methodist Church WHEREAS Middlefield United Methodist Church was organized in 1828, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 192 years; WHEREAS on Nov. 17, 2020, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that as of Dec. 31, 2020 Middlefield United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Middlefield United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Middlefield United Methodist Church from Dec. 31, 2020 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Middlefield United Methodist Church is closed Dec. 31, 2020 pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Nov. 17, 2020 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Middlefield United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Middlefield United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and policies of the Upper New York Conference with respect to closed churches effective during the Quadrennium (Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2020); and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Middlefield United Methodist Church be transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Ϯϳ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church – Mount Vision United Methodist Church WHEREAS Mount Vision United Methodist Church was organized in 1837, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 183 years; WHEREAS on Jan. 06, 2021, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that as of Jan. 06, 2021 Mount Vision United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Mount Vision United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Mount Vision United Methodist Church from Jan. 06, 2021 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Mount Vision United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Jan. 06, 2021 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Mount Vision United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Mount Vision United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and policies of the Upper New York Conference with respect to closed churches effective during the Quadrennium (Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2020); and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Mount Vision United Methodist Church be transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Ϯϴ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for Closure of a Local Church – Rushford United Methodist Church WHEREAS Rushford United Methodist Church was organized in 1816, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 205 years; WHEREAS on Feb 23, 2021, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Rushford United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Rushford United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Rushford United Methodist Church from Feb 23, 2021 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Rushford United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Feb 23, 2021 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Rushford United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Rushford United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred to Northern KonXions UMC, and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Rushford United Methodist Church be transferred to the Northern KonXions United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for Closure of a Local Church – Scio United Methodist Church WHEREAS Scio United Methodist Church was organized in 1890, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 131 years; WHEREAS on Nov. 17, 2020, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that Scio United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Scio United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Scio United Methodist Church from Nov. 17, 2020 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Scio United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Nov. 17, 2020 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Scio United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Scio United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred to KonXions UMC, and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Scio United Methodist Church be transferred to the KonXions United Methodist Church or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church – Stone Mills United Methodist Church WHEREAS Stone Mills United Methodist Church was organized in 1870, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 150 years; WHEREAS on Dec. 09, 2020, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that as of Dec. 09, 2020 Stone Mills United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Stone Mills United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Stone Mills United Methodist Church from Dec. 09, 2020 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Stone Mills United Methodist Church is closed Dec. 09, 2020 pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Nov. 17, 2020 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Stone Mills United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Stone Mills United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and policies of the Upper New York Conference with respect to closed churches effective during the Quadrennium (Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2020); and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Stone Mills United Methodist Church be transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church – Westville United Methodist Church WHEREAS Westville United Methodist Church was organized in 1849, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 171 years; WHEREAS on Jan. 06, 2021, Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared that as of Jan. 06, 2021 Westville United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and WHEREAS the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and WHEREAS immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, tangible and intangible, property of the Westville United Methodist Church vested in the Annual Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of the Westville United Methodist Church from Jan. 06, 2021 until this session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; it hereby RESOLVED that Westville United Methodist Church is closed pursuant to the provisions of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further RESOLVED that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration on Jan. 06, 2021 are affirmed; and it is further RESOLVED that the balance of the assets formerly of the Westville United Methodist Church, including all net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and that the balance of the assets formerly of the Westville United Methodist Church, including the net sale proceeds, after administration by Conference Trustees be allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and policies of the Upper New York Conference with respect to closed churches effective during the Quadrennium (Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2020); and it is further RESOLVED that the membership of the Westville United Methodist Church be transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1

Resolutions and Petitions ϯϯ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

UNYAC2021.1 - Because We Care 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

Conference Committee: UNYAC Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, Local Churches Financial Implications: None Brief Rationale: Whereas Christians in the Holy Land have issued an urgent call to Christians, churches and ecumenical institutions ” to engage in a process of study, reflection and confession concerning the historic and systemic deprivation of the rights of the Palestinian people, and the use of the Bible by many to justify and support this oppression.” (Cry for Hope: A Call to Decisive Action, Public Launch: 1st July 2020) and Whereas we cannot serve God while remaining silent about the oppression of the Palestinian people and Whereas struggling for a future based on human rights, liberty, and justice for all people in the Holy Land is especially crucial now and Whereas we must say “no” to apartheid as the governing principle in the Holy Land. (described as Israeli government control from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea in “This Is Apartheid,” B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, Report Jan. 12, 2021).

Therefore, be it resolved that each delegate take this message back to their home church, and Therefore, be it resolved that each church in the UNYAC find a way to: x Engage in study and discussion of “Cry for Hope” (available www.cryforhope.org) x Oppose the equating of criticism of Israel’s unjust actions with anti-Semitism x Come and see the reality in the Holy Land or invite people who have been on a justice trip to share with your congregation.

Therefore, be it resolved that any church feeling a need for additional resources, feel free to contact Rev. Gary Doupe, retired (gdoupe@stny.rr.com) for further suggested resources.

Date of Submission: March 9, 2021 Submitted By: Leah Mae Carlisle, Co-Chair UNYAC Task Force on PWJ in Palestine/Israel 437Lachenauer Drive Watertown, NY 13601 315-778-7511 leahtomc@gmail.com Asbury UMC, Watertown

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Linda Bergh, Co-Chair UNYAC Task Force on PWJ in Palestine/Israel 116 Edna Road Syracuse, NY 13205 315-492-8507 lindagarybergh@gmail.com Bellevue Heights UMC, Syracuse

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Karen Peterson, Co-Chair UNYAC Task Force on PWJ in Palestine/Israel 116 Greenridge Drive Horseheads, NY 14845 607-739-3141 dpeterson1@stny.rr.com Horseheads UMC – Horseheads The Rev. Gary Doupe, Retired 243 Mt. Pleasant Road Bainbridge, NY 13733

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607-743-5062 gdoupe@stny.rr.com Bainbridge UMC, Bainbridge Dianne Roe 90 West Market Street Corning, NY 14830 607-654-3450 dianneroe42@gmail.com Corning UMC, Corning

Endorsed by Task Force Members 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58

Thomas D. Carlisle 437 Lachenauer Drive Watertown, NY 13601 315-778-7510 tdcremodel@gmail.com Asbury UMC, Watertown Arlene Lundquest 74 Suburban Drive Elmira, New York 14903 607-358-4023 Lene1223@aol.com Big Flats UMC, Big Flats Christine Root 1031 Cascade Creek Trail Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-384-5506 Christiew067@gmail.com Saratoga Springs UMC, Saratoga Springs Endorsed by UNYC Social Holiness Team Rev. Alan Kinney, Retired Chair, Social Holiness Team 5135 Comstock Road Brewerton New York 13029.

518-390-0883 akinney3@twcny.rr.com

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The Rev. Merle Showers, Retired 401 Highgate Ave. Buffalo, NY 14125 716-862-4235 revshowers@gmail.com University UMC, Buffalo Elizabeth Woolever 240 Cobb Terrace Rochester, NY 14620 585-943-1523 ewoolever03@gmail.com Asbury First UMC, Rocheste

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

UNYAC2021.2 - Administrative Fair Process for Local Pastors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Book of Discipline (¶¶): 320.1; 361.1; 635.3d Conference Committee/Agency that would be affect by/responsible for implementation if passed: District Committees on Ordained Ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, and Conference Relations Committee Financial Implications: None Brief Rationale: Whereas ¶361 states, “Each Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry shall establish a Conference relations committee of at least three persons to hear requests for discontinuance of provisional members, involuntary leave of absence, administrative location, involuntary retirement, or other such matters as may be referred to them by the Board of Ordained Ministry (¶ 635).”

Whereas ¶635.3d states, “The [Board of Ordained Ministry] registrar shall file in the bishop’s office for permanent record, a copy of circumstances involving the discontinuance of provisional membership or termination of the local pastor status.”

Whereas the Board of Ordained Ministry Handbook states the following regarding the Discontinuance of Local Pastors, “The dCOM shall report the circumstances of discontinuance to the BOM, which in turn shall report them to the bishop (¶320.1).” (Chapter 26, p. 9).

Whereas the Board of Ordained Ministry Handbook states, “Ongoing responsiveness may be helpful for someone who has experienced severe criticism, delay or discontinuance.” (Chapter 9, p. 1).

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference implores the Board of Ordained Ministry to ensure that the discontinuance and termination of local pastors are articulated and defensible as called for in ¶¶320.1 and 635.3d.

Date of Submission: March 15, 2021 Submitted by: Mike Mullin Electronic Signature: Mike Mullin 1050 East Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14607 (585) 271-1050 x105 (585) 271-3743 mmullin@asburyfirst.org Asbury First United Methodist Church, Rochester

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

UNYAC2021.3 - Support New York Senate Bill S.2960/Assembly Bill A.4565, also known as “Residential Policing” 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

Book of Discipline (¶): 162A; 164H Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): 3379; 5031 Conference Committee/Agency that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Secretary Financial Implications: None Brief Rationale: The people of the UMC support efforts to humanize the criminal justice system, which will be accomplished, in part, by the passage of S.2960/A.4565, which would allow the city of Rochester to require newly-hired officers of the Rochester Police Department to live in the community they serve.

Whereas the biblical view of the criminal justice system is one that should be characterized by accessibility to all (Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:18), impartiality (Exodus 22:1-3), honesty (Exodus 23:7), (Exodus 23:7), integrity (Exodus 23:6, 8), and fairness to all without regard to status (Leviticus 19:15); and Whereas ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin and affirms the support of the United Methodist Church in efforts to “implement compensatory programs that redress long-standing, systemic social deprivation of racial and ethnic persons.”; and Whereas ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church names the need for “positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large,” and identifies that “most criminal justice systems around the world are retributive.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church identifies that “Systems of retribution breed only violence and isolation,” leading to “misinformed and biased public perceptions of racial and ethnic minorities,” that “justify excessively punitive policies.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls for the composition of police forces to “reflect the communities that they serve, including geographic residence, diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church urges police departments to “publicly establish standards of police conduct and policies for promotion that incorporate training in peacekeeping, life-protecting, other service roles, and law enforcement,” and that these “standards must include strict limits on the deadly use of force.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church states, “Overpolicing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy.”; and

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls on Annual Conferences to “Engage with churches and local communities in speaking out publicly for police accountability regarding racial profiling, misconduct, abuse, and killings.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls on local governments to “stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of ‘wars’ being waged against these communities” and to “make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.”; and Whereas the 2016 Session of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference unanimously affirmed a call to eradicate systemic racism in the Church and in the world; and Whereas police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy; and Whereas on March 23, 2020, seven officers of the Rochester Police Department restrained Daniel Prude, an unarmed Black man experiencing a mental health crisis, using a mesh hood, commonly called a “spit hood” in the process; and Whereas this interaction with law enforcement resulted in Daniel Prude being hospitalized; and Whereas on March 30, 2020, Daniel Prude succumbed to his injuries after being taken off of life support; and Whereas the Monroe County medical examiner ruled Daniel Prudes death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint; and Whereas on Feb 23, 2021, New York State Attorney General, Letitia James announced that the empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester police officers involved in the case on criminal charges; and Whereas on Jan. 29, 2021, officers of the Rochester Police Department used pepper spray against a nineyear-old Black girl experiencing a mental health crisis in their attempt to detain her; and Whereas trust in the Rochester Police Department from the community of Rochester has been shattered by these events; and Whereas it is imperative that the people enforcing a community’s laws are members of that community; and Whereas the city of Rochester cannot rectify with problem without permission from Albany; and Whereas Bill S.2960/A.4565 will allow the city of Rochester to require newly hired officers of the Rochester Police Department to live in the community they serve; and Whereas Bill S.2960/A.4565 will only apply to new hires of the Rochester Police Department and will not impact individuals who are already serving in the RPD prior to its passage; and Whereas this problem is not unique to the city of Rochester; and

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Whereas police reform is a non-partisan issue; and Whereas the 2021 legislative session for New York State legislature ended on June 10, 2021, prior to the convening of the 2021 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and Whereas Appendix B of this resolution is a memorandum of support that faithfully articulates the position of the Upper New York Annual Conference should S.2960/A.4565 be passed prior to the convening of the 2021 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and Whereas Appendix C of this resolution is a memorandum of support that faithfully articulates the position of the Upper New York Annual Conference should S.2960/A.4565 fail to pass or is not voted on during the 2021 session of the New York State legislature.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, representing over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York, heartily and emphatically supports, as a matter of faith and conscious, New York Senate Bill S.2960 and Assembly Bill A.4565; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference calls on the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly to enact similar legislation to S.2960/A.4565 for other municipalities in the state of New York; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference calls on faithful United Methodists in the State of New York to relentlessly petition their State Senators and Assembly Members in support of the passage of anti-racist legislation that will eradicate police brutality, akin to S.2960/A.4565, on a state-wide level; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference directs the Annual Conference Secretary to mail one of the attached memoranda of support for S.2960/A.4565, depending on the status of S.2960/A.4565 at the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference and affixed with the seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference, to the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Majority Leader of the Assembly, Majority Whip of the Assembly, Minority Leader of the Assembly, Minority Whip of the Assembly, President Pro Tempore of the New York State Senate, Majority Whip of the State Senate, Minority Leader of the State Senate, Minority Whip of the State Senate, and the Governor of New York State (contact information attached) no later than fifteen (15) days after the adjourning of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference.

Date of Submission: March 15, 2021 Submitted by: Ian Carlos Urriola 140 Surrey Club Ln Stephens City, VA 22655 (585) 705-9334 i.urriola@yahoo.com Asbury First – Rochester

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Appendix A: Contact information for New York State legislative leaders and Governor The Honorable Carl E. Heastie Speaker of the New York State Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 932 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes Majority Leader of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 926 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable William Colton Majority Whip of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 733 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable William A. Barclay Minority Leader of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 933 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable Michael Montesano Minority Whip of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 437 Albany, NY 12248

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The Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousin President Pro Tempore of the NYS Senate 188 State Street Legislative Office Building Room 907 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Kevin S. Parker Majority Whip of the New York State Senate 172 State Street Room 504, Capitol Building Room 504C Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Robert G. Ortt Minority Leader of the NYS Senate Capitol Building, Room 315 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Patrick M. Gallivan Minority Whip of the New York State Senate Legislative Office Building Room 311 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Appendix B: Memorandum of Support for S.2960/A.4565 to send to state lawmakers in the event of S.2960/A.4565 being passed prior to the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference Memorandum of Support - S.2960 / A.4565 The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is made up of over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York. Our mission is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” Racism in any form is an impediment to that mission, and therefore, we cannot remain silent.

We heartily and emphatically support, as a matter of faith and conscious, S.2960/A.4565, which allows the city of Rochester to require newly hired members of the Rochester Police Department to live in the community they serve, and we are immensely grateful to the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly for prioritizing its passage during the 2021 legislative session. Furthermore, we call on the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly to enact similar legislation to S.2960/A.4565 for other municipalities in the state of New York at the start of the next legislative session.

As a people of faith, we were outraged by news of the murder of Daniel Prude at the hands of the Rochester Police Department last year.1 Mr. Prude, an unarmed Black man, was experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call, and, in their attempts to restrain him, used a mesh face covering commonly known as a spit hood. Mr. Prude was hospitalized as a result of this encounter and died seven days later. The Monroe County medical examiner ruled his death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint. In spite of this, in February of this year, an empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester Police Department officers on criminal charges for the murder of Daniel Prude.2 While even one instance of police brutality is too much, we grieve that this is not an isolated incident.

Earlier this year, officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call of a nine-year-old Black girl experiencing a mental health crisis.3 In their attempts to subdue her, they used pepper spray on this child. It is clear that our law enforcement agencies are not equipped to properly and safely respond to mental health and substance abuse crises. Trust in the Rochester Police Department from the community of Rochester has been shattered by these events.

Police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy. The United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin.4 As United Methodists, we know that there is a deep need for positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large.5 To this end, it is our official position as a denomination that the composition of police forces ought to reflect the communities that they serve, including geographic residence, diversity in race,

1

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/nyregion/rochester-daniel-prude.html https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/ny-attorney-general-to-reveal-daniel-prude-death-grand-jurydecision/6021044/ 3 https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/12/rochester-police-9-year-old/ 4 ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-social-community 5 ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-political-community 2

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.6 Over-policing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy, and so our denomination calls on local governments to stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of “wars” being waged against these communities and to make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

We heartily and emphatically support, as a matter of faith and conscious, S.2960/A.4565, which would allow the city of Rochester to require newly hired members of the Rochester Police Department to live in the community they serve. We are disappointed in the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly for failing to make the passage of S.2960/A.4565 priority during the most recent legislative session of the New York State Legislature, and we call on them to make the passage this bill—in addition to similar legislation relevant to other municipalities in the state of New York—a top legislative priority at the start of the next legislative session.

41 42

As a people of faith, we were outraged by news of the murder of Daniel Prude at the hands of the Rochester Police Department last year.9 Mr. Prude, an unarmed Black man, was experiencing a mental

The laws of the state of New York must reflect the reality that trust a community’s trust in a police department is paramount to the well-being of the community and the efficaciousness of the police department. Police departments and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve mutually benefit when law enforcement officers are members of the communities they police. S.2960/A.4565 goes a long way towards restoring trust in the Rochester Police Department, but the New York State legislature must go further. If history is any indicator, it’s not a matter of if this conversation comes to another municipality, but rather a matter of when. Requiring new hires of any police department in the state of New York to live in the community they serve will aid in dismantling the retributive criminal justice system we have, which breeds only violence and isolation.8 Therefore, while we are exceedingly grateful to the New York Legislature and the Governor for the passage of S.2960/A.4565, which allows the city of Rochester to require new hires to the Rochester Police Department to live in the community they serve, we call on them to enact similar legislation for other municipalities across New York State at the start of the next legislative session. [seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference goes here] Appendix C: Memorandum of Support for S.2960/A.4565 to send to state lawmakers in the event S.2960/A.4565 is not passed prior to the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference Memorandum of Support - S.2960 / A.4565 The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is made up of over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York. Our mission is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” Racism in any form is an impediment to that mission, and therefore, we cannot remain silent.

6

¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/humanizing-criminal-justice-5031 7 ¶3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/stop-criminalizing-communities-of-color-in-the-united-states-3379 8 ¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church 9 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/nyregion/rochester-daniel-prude.html

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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health crisis. Officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call, and, in their attempts to restrain him, used a mesh face covering commonly known as a spit hood. Mr. Prude was hospitalized as a result of this encounter and died seven days later. The Monroe County medical examiner ruled his death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint. In spite of this, in February of this year, an empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester Police Department officers on criminal charges for the murder of Daniel Prude.10 While even one instance of police brutality is too much, we grieve that this is not an isolated incident.

Earlier this year, officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call of a nine-year-old black girl experiencing a mental health crisis.11 In their attempts to subdue her, they used pepper spray on this child. It is clear that our law enforcement agencies are not equipped to properly and safely respond to mental health and substance abuse crises. Trust in the Rochester Police Department from the community of Rochester has been shattered by these events.

Police brutality especially perpetrated against black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy. The United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin.12 As United Methodists, we know that there is a deep need for positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large.13 To this end, it is our official position as a denomination that the composition of police forces ought to reflect the communities that they serve, including geographic residence, diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.14 Over-policing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy, and so our denomination calls on local governments to stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of “wars” being waged against these communities and to make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.15 The laws of the state of New York must reflect the reality that trust a community’s trust in a police department is paramount to the well-being of the community and the efficaciousness of the police department. Police departments and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve mutually benefit when law enforcement officers are members of the communities they police. S.2960/A.4565 would go a long way towards restoring trust in the Rochester Police Department, but the New York State legislature must go further. If history is any indicator, it’s not a matter of if this conversation comes to another municipality, but rather a matter of when. Requiring new hires of any police department in the state of New York to live in the community they serve will aid in dismantling the retributive criminal justice system we have, which breeds only violence and isolation.16 Therefore, we respectfully urge the New York Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.2960/A.4565, which would allow the city of Rochester to 10

https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/ny-attorney-general-to-reveal-daniel-prude-death-grandjury-decision/6021044/ 11 https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/12/rochester-police-9-year-old/ 12 ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-social-community 13 ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-political-community 14 ¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/humanizing-criminal-justice-5031 15 ¶3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/stop-criminalizing-communities-of-color-in-the-united-states-3379 16 ¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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require new hires to the Rochester Police Department to live in the community they serve, as well as legislation similar to it pertaining to other municipalities across New York State, at the start of the next legislative session. [seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference goes here]

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

UNYAC.2021.4 - Support New York Senate Bill S.4462/Assembly Bill A.4566, also known as "Spit Hoods Ban" 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Book of Discipline (¶): 162A; 164H; Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): 3379; 5031 Conference Committee/Agency that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Secretary Financial Implications: None Brief Rationale: The people of the United Methodist Church support efforts to humanize the criminal justice system, which will be accomplished, in part, by the passage of S.4462/A.5031, which will ban the use of “spit hoods” by law enforcement.

Whereas the biblical view of the criminal justice system is one that should be characterized by accessibility to all (Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:18), impartiality (Exodus 22:1-3), honesty (Exodus 23:7), integrity (Exodus 23:6, 8), and fairness to all without regard to status (Leviticus 19:15); and Whereas ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin and affirms the support of the United Methodist Church in efforts to “implement compensatory programs that redress long-standing, systemic social deprivation of racial and ethnic persons.”; and Whereas ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church names the need for “positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large,” and identifies that “most criminal justice systems around the world are retributive.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church identifies that “Systems of retribution breed only violence and isolation,” leading to “misinformed and biased public perceptions of racial and ethnic minorities,” that “justify excessively punitive policies.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church urges police departments to “publicly establish standards of police conduct and policies for promotion that incorporate training in peacekeeping, life-protecting, other service roles, and law enforcement,” and that these “standards must include strict limits on the deadly use of force.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church states, “Overpolicing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls on Annual Conferences to “Engage with churches and local communities in speaking out publicly for police accountability regarding racial profiling, misconduct, abuse, and killings.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls on local governments to “stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of ‘wars’ being waged against these communities” and to “make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.”; and

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Whereas the 2016 Session of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference unanimously affirmed a call to eradicate systemic racism in the Church and in the world; and Whereas police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy; and Whereas on March 23, 2020, seven officers of the Rochester Police Department restrained Daniel Prude, an unarmed Black man experiencing a mental health crisis, using a mesh hood, commonly called a “spit hood” in the process; and Whereas this interaction with law enforcement resulted in Daniel Prude being hospitalized; and Whereas on March 30, 2020, Daniel Prude succumbed to his injuries after being taken off of life support; and Whereas the Monroe County medical examiner ruled Daniel Prudes death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint; and Whereas on February 23, 2021, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced that the empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester Police Officers involved in the case on criminal charges; and Whereas the use of a spit hood was instrumental in the murder of Daniel Prude; and Whereas spit hoods and devices like them can cause disorientation and psychological and physical trauma, and in some cases have led to unintended injury and death; and Whereas the use of a spit hood was instrumental in the murder of Daniel Prude; and Whereas Bill S.4462/A.4566 will prohibit the use of spit hoods, spit masks, spit coverings, spit caps, and/or any device that completely covers the face of individuals who law enforcement officers are attempting to restrain and control in the state of New York; and Whereas S.4462/A.4566 balances the safety concerns of law enforcement with the safety of those who need to be subdued; and Whereas police reform is a non-partisan issue; and Whereas the 2021 legislative session for New York State legislature ended on June 10, 2021, prior to the convening of the 2021 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and Whereas Appendix B of this resolution is a memorandum of support that faithfully articulates the position of the Upper New York Annual Conference should S.4462/A.4566 be passed prior to the convening of the 2021 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and Whereas Appendix C of this resolution is a memorandum of support that faithfully articulates the position of the Upper New York Annual Conference should S.4462/A.4566 fail to pass or is not voted on during the 2021 session of the New York State legislature.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, representing over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York, heartily and emphatically supports, as a matter of faith and conscious, New York Senate Bill S.4462 and Assembly Bill A.4566; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference calls on faithful United Methodists in the State of New York to relentlessly petition their State Senators and Assembly Members in support of the passage of anti-racist legislation that will eradicate police brutality, akin to S.4462/A.4566; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference directs the Annual Conference Secretary to mail one of the attached memoranda of support for S.4462/A.4566, depending on the status of S.4002/A.5449 at the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference and affixed with the seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference, to the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Majority Leader of the Assembly, Majority Whip of the Assembly, Minority Leader of the Assembly, Minority Whip of the Assembly, President Pro Tempore of the New York State Senate, Majority Whip of the State Senate, Minority Leader of the State Senate, Minority Whip of the State Senate, and the Governor of New York State (contact information attached) no later than fifteen (15) days after the adjourning of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference.

Date of Submission: March 15, 2021 Submitted by: Ian Carlos Urriola 140 Surrey Club Ln Stephens City, VA 22655 (585) 705-9334 i.urriola@yahoo.com Asbury First - Rochester Appendix A: Contact information for New York State legislative leaders and Governor The Honorable Carl E. Heastie Speaker of the New York State Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 932 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes Majority Leader of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 926 Albany, NY 12248

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The Honorable William Colton Majority Whip of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 733 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable William A. Barclay Minority Leader of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 933 Albany, NY 12248

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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The Honorable Michael Montesano Minority Whip of the NYS Legislative Office Building, Room 437 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousin President Pro Tempore of the NYS Senate 188 State Street Legislative Office Building, Room 907 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Kevin S. Parker Majority Whip of the New York State Senate 172 State Street Room 504, Capitol Building Room 504C Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Robert G. Ortt Minority Leader of the NYS Senate Capitol Building, Room 315 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Patrick M. Gallivan Minority Whip of the New York State Senate Legislative Office Building, Room 311 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Appendix B: Memorandum of Support for S.4462/A.4566 to send to state lawmakers in the event of S.4462/A.4566 being passed prior to the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference Memorandum of Support - S.4462 / A.4566 The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is made up of over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York. Our mission is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” Racism in any form is an impediment to that mission, and Therefore, we cannot remain silent.

We heartily and emphatically support, as a matter of faith and conscious, S.4462/A.4566, which prohibits the use of spit hoods, spit masks, spit coverings, spit caps, and/or any device that completely covers the face of individuals who law enforcement officers are attempting to restrain and control in the state of New York, and we are immensely grateful to the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly for prioritizing its passage during the 2021 legislative session.

As a people of faith, we were outraged by news of the murder of Daniel Prude at the hands of the Rochester Police Department last year.17 Mr. Prude, an unarmed Black man, was experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call, and, in their attempts to restrain him, used a mesh face covering commonly known as a spit hood. Mr. Prude was hospitalized as a result of this encounter and died seven days later. The Monroe County medical examiner ruled his death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint. In spite of this, in February of this year, an empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester Police Department officers on criminal charges for the murder of Daniel Prude.18 This is yet another example in a long litany of Black individuals being brutalized and murdered and Black communities across our country being terrorized by law enforcement officers who were sworn to protect and serve.

Police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy. The United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin.19 As United Methodists, we know that there is a deep need for positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large.20 Over-policing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy, and so our denomination calls on local governments to stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of “wars” being waged against these communities and to make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.21 The laws of the state of New York must reflect the reality that in any police encounter, the right to safety must be ensured for all parties. S.4462/A.4566 balances the safety concerns of law enforcement with the 17

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/nyregion/rochester-daniel-prude.html https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/ny-attorney-general-to-reveal-daniel-prude-death-grandjury-decision/6021044/ 19 ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-social-community 20 ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-political-community 21 ¶3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/stop-criminalizing-communities-of-color-in-the-united-states-3379 18

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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safety of those who need to be subdued. The use of spit hoods and devices like them by law enforcement spit hoods and devices like them don’t ensure the safety of the party being detained. These devices can cause disorientation and psychological and physical trauma, and in some cases, as in the case of Daniel Prude, have led to unintended injury and death. Spit hoods are a relic of a retributive criminal justice system that breeds only violence and isolation.22 Therefore, we are exceedingly grateful to the New York Legislature and the Governor for the passage of S.4462/A.4566, which bans the use of spit hoods and devices like them by law enforcement officers. [seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference goes here] Appendix B: Memorandum of Support for S.4462/A.4566 to send to state lawmakers in the event S.4462/A.4566 is not passed prior to the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference Memorandum of Support - S.4462 / A.4566 The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is made up of over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York. Our mission is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” Racism in any form is an impediment to that mission, and Therefore, we cannot remain silent.

We heartily and emphatically support, as a matter of faith and conscious, S.4462/A.4566, which would prohibit the use of spit hoods, spit masks, spit coverings, spit caps, and/or any device that completely covers the face of individuals who law enforcement officers are attempting to restrain and control in the state of New York. We are disappointed in the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly for failing to make passage of S.4462/A.4566 priority during the most recent legislative session of the New York State legislature, and we call on them to make the passage of this bill a top legislative priority at the start of the next legislative session.

As a people of faith, we were outraged by news of the murder of Daniel Prude at the hands of the Rochester Police Department last year.23 Mr. Prude, an unarmed Black man, was experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call, and, in their attempts to restrain him, used a mesh face covering commonly known as a spit hood. Mr. Prude was hospitalized as a result of this encounter and died seven days later. The Monroe County medical examiner ruled his death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint. In spite of this, in February of this year, an empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester Police Department officers on criminal charges for the murder of Daniel Prude.24 This is yet another example in a long litany of individuals being brutalized and murdered and Black communities across our country being terrorized by law enforcement officers who were sworn to protect and serve.

Police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy. The United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin.25 As United Methodists, we know that there is 22

¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/humanizing-criminal-justice-5031 23 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/nyregion/rochester-daniel-prude.html 24 https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/ny-attorney-general-to-reveal-daniel-prude-death-grandjury-decision/6021044/ 25 ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-social-community

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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a deep need for positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large.26 Over-policing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy, and so our denomination calls on local governments to stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of “wars” being waged against these communities and to make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.27 The laws of the state of New York must reflect the reality that in any police encounter, the right to safety must be ensured for all parties. S.4462/A.4566 balances the safety concerns of law enforcement with the safety of those who need to be subdued. The use of spit hoods and devices like them by law enforcement spit hoods and devices like them don’t ensure the safety of the party being detained. These devices can cause disorientation and psychological and physical trauma, and in some cases, as in the case of Daniel Prude, have led to unintended injury and death. Spit hoods are a relic of a retributive criminal justice system that breeds only violence and isolation.28 Therefore, we respectfully urge the New York Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.4462/A.4566, which would ban the use of spit hoods and devices like them by law enforcement officers, at the start of the next legislative session. [seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference goes here]

26

¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-political-community 27 ¶3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/stop-criminalizing-communities-of-color-in-the-united-states-3379 28 ¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/humanizing-criminal-justice-5031

ϱϮ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

UNYAC2021.5 - Support New York Senate Bill S.4002/Assembly Bill A.5449, also known as "Chemical Irritants Ban" 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Book of Discipline (¶): 162A; 164H; Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): 3379; 5031 Conference Committee/Agency that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Secretary Financial Implications: None Brief Rationale: The people of the United Methodist Church support efforts to humanize the criminal justice system, which will be accomplished, in part, by the passage of S.4002/A.5449, which will ban the use of chemical irritants by police against minors.

Whereas the biblical view of the criminal justice system is one that should be characterized by accessibility to all (Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:18), impartiality (Exodus 22:1-3), honesty (Exodus 23:7), integrity (Exodus 23:6, 8), and fairness to all without regard to status (Leviticus 19:15); and Whereas ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin and affirms the support of the United Methodist Church in efforts to “implement compensatory programs that redress long-standing, systemic social deprivation of racial and ethnic persons.”; and Whereas ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church names the need for “positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large,” and identifies that “most criminal justice systems around the world are retributive.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church identifies that “Systems of retribution breed only violence and isolation,” leading to “misinformed and biased public perceptions of racial and ethnic minorities,” that “justify excessively punitive policies.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church urges police departments to “publicly establish standards of police conduct and policies for promotion that incorporate training in peacekeeping, life-protecting, other service roles, and law enforcement,” and that these “standards must include strict limits on the deadly use of force.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church states, “Overpolicing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls on Annual Conferences to “Engage with churches and local communities in speaking out publicly for police accountability regarding racial profiling, misconduct, abuse, and killings.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls on local governments to “stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of ‘wars’ being waged against these communities” and to “make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.”; and

ϱϯ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Whereas the 2016 Session of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference unanimously affirmed a call to eradicate systemic racism in the Church and in the world; and Whereas police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy; and Whereas on Jan. 29, 2021, officers of the Rochester Police Department used pepper spray against a nineyear-old Black girl experiencing a mental health crisis in their attempt to detain her; and Whereas on February 22, 2021, officers of the Rochester Police Department used pepper-spray against a Black woman who was holding her three-year-old toddler in their attempt to detain her; and Whereas Bill S.4002/A.5449 will prohibit the use of any chemical agent, including, but not limited to, oleoresin capsicum, pepper spray and tear gas against any minor in any circumstance by law enforcement officers in New York State; and Whereas the use of chemical irritants on minors by law enforcement officers is morally repugnant and indefensible; and Whereas police reform is a non-partisan issue; and Whereas the 2021 legislative session for New York State legislature ended on June 10, 2021, prior to the convening of the 2021 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and Whereas Appendix B of this resolution is a memorandum of support that faithfully articulates the position of the Upper New York Annual Conference should S.4002/A.5449 be passed prior to the convening of the 2021 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and Whereas Appendix C of this resolution is a memorandum of support that faithfully articulates the position of the Upper New York Annual Conference should S.4002/A.5449 fail to pass or is not voted on during the 2021 session of the New York State legislature.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, representing over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York, heartily and emphatically supports, as a matter of faith and conscious, New York Senate Bill S.4002 and Assembly Bill A.5449; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference calls on faithful United Methodists in the State of New York to relentlessly petition their State Senators and Assembly Members in support of the passage of anti-racist legislation that will eradicate police brutality across New York State, akin to S.4002/A.5449; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference directs the Annual Conference Secretary to mail one of the attached memoranda of support for S.4002/A.5449, depending on the status of S.4002/A.5449 at the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference and affixed with the seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference, to the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Majority Leader of the Assembly, Majority Whip of the Assembly, Minority Leader of the Assembly, Minority Whip of the Assembly, President Pro Tempore of the New York State Senate, Majority Whip of the State Senate, Minority Leader of the State Senate, Minority Whip of the

ϱϰ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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State Senate, and the Governor of New York State (contact information attached) no later than fifteen (15) days after the adjourning of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference.

Date of Submission: March 15, 2021 REVISED: March 31, 2021 Submitted by: Ian Carlos Urriola 140 Surrey Club Ln Stephens City, VA 22655 (585) 705-9334 i.urriola@yahoo.com Asbury First - Rochester Appendix A: Contact information for New York State legislative leaders and Governor The Honorable Carl E. Heastie Speaker of the New York State Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 932 Albany, NY 12248

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The Honorable Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes Majority Leader of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 926 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable William Colton Majority Whip of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 733 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable William A. Barclay Minority Leader of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 933 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable Michael Montesano Minority Whip of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 437 Albany, NY 12248

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The Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousin President Pro Tempore of the NYS Senate 188 State Street Legislative Office Building Room 907 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Kevin S. Parker Majority Whip of the New York State Senate 172 State Street Room 504, Capitol Building Room 504C Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Robert G. Ortt Minority Leader of the NYS Senate Capitol Building, Room 315 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Patrick M. Gallivan Minority Whip of the NYS Senate Legislative Office Building Room 311 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Appendix B: Memorandum of Support for S.4002/A.5449 to send to state lawmakers in the event of S.4002/A.5449 being passed prior to the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference Memorandum of Support - S.4002 / A.5449 The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is made up of over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York. Our mission is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” Racism in any form is an impediment to that mission, and therefore, we cannot remain silent.

We heartily and emphatically support, as a matter of faith and conscious, S.4002/A.5449, which prohibits the use of any chemical agent, including, but not limited to, oleoresin capsicum, pepper spray and tear gas against any minor in any circumstance by law enforcement officers in New York State, and we are immensely grateful to the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly for prioritizing its passage during the 2021 legislative session.

As a people of faith, we were appalled by reports of pepper spray being used against a nine-year-old Black girl by officers of the Rochester Police Department in Jan. of this year.29 The use of chemical irritants on minors by law enforcement officers is morally repugnant and indefensible, and while even one instance of this form of police brutality is too much, we know that this was not an isolated case. Less than one month later, officers of the very same police department, even after local and national outcry, used pepper spray against a Black woman while she was holding her three-year-old daughter.30 If history is any indicator, these officers will face no substantial consequences and will not be held accountable for their heinous actions.

The United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin.31 As United Methodists, we know that there is a deep need for positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large.32 Over-policing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy, and so our denomination calls on local governments to stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of “wars” being waged against these communities and to make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.33 The laws of the state of New York must reflect the reality that there is no reason for law enforcement officers to ever use chemical irritants against a minor. Such practices are a relic of a retributive criminal justice system that breed only violence and isolation.34 Therefore, we are exceedingly grateful to the New York Legislature and the Governor for the passage of S.4002/A.5449, which bans the use of chemical irritants against a minor by officers of the law who are sworn to protect and serve their communities. [seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference goes here]

29

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/12/rochester-police-9-year-old/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xVgGEYn70E 31 ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-social-community 32 ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-political-community 33 ¶3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/stop-criminalizing-communities-of-color-in-the-united-states-3379 34 ¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/humanizing-criminal-justice-5031 30

ϱϲ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Appendix C: Memorandum of Support for S.4002/A.5449 to send to state lawmakers in the event S.4002/A.5449 is not passed prior to the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference Memorandum of Support - S.4002 / A.5449 The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is made up of over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York. Our mission is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” Racism in any form is an impediment to that mission, and therefore, we cannot remain silent.

We heartily and emphatically support, as a matter of faith and conscious, S.4002/A.5449, which would prohibit the use of any chemical agent, including, but not limited to, oleoresin capsicum, pepper spray and tear gas against any minor in any circumstance by law enforcement officers in New York State. We are disappointed in the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly for failing to make the passage of S.4002/A.5449 a priority during the most recent legislative session of the New York State legislature, and we call on them to make the passage of this bill a top legislative priority at the start of the next legislative session.

As a people of faith, we were appalled by reports of pepper spray being used against a nine-year-old Black girl by officers of the Rochester Police Department in January of this year.35 The use of chemical irritants on minors by law enforcement officers is morally repugnant and indefensible, and while even one instance of this form of police brutality is too much, we know that this was not an isolated case. Less than one month later, officers of the very same police department, even after local and national outcry, used pepper spray against a Black woman while she was holding her three-year-old daughter.36 If history is any indicator, these officers will face no substantial consequences and will not be held accountable for their heinous actions.

The United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin.37 As United Methodists, we know that there is a deep need for positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large.38 Over-policing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy, and so our denomination calls on local governments to stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of “wars” being waged against these communities and to make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.39 The laws of the state of New York must reflect the reality that there is no reason for law enforcement officers to ever use chemical irritants against a minor. Such practices are a relic of a retributive criminal justice system that breed only violence and isolation.40 Therefore, we respectfully urge the New York Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign S.4002/A.5449, which would ban the use of chemical irritants 35

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/12/rochester-police-9-year-old/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xVgGEYn70E 37 ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-social-community 38 ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church https://www.umc.org/en/content/socialprinciples-the-political-community 39 ¶3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/stop-criminalizing-communities-of-color-in-the-united-states-3379 40 ¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-weare/social-principles-and-resolutions/humanizing-criminal-justice-5031 36

ϱϳ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4

against a minor by officers of the law who are sworn to protect and serve their communities, at the start of the next legislative session. [seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference goes here]

ϱϴ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

UNYAC2021.6 - Support New York Senate Bill S.4814/Assembly Bill A.4697, also known as "Daniel’s Law" 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

Book of Discipline (¶): 162A; 164H Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): 3379; 5031 Conference Committee/Agency that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Secretary Financial Implications: None Brief Rationale: The people of the UMC support efforts to humanize the criminal justice system, which will be accomplished, in part, by the passage of S.4814/A.4697, also known as Daniel’s Law, which would create statewide mental health councils that would respond to people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.

Whereas the biblical view of the criminal justice system is one that should be characterized by accessibility to all (Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:18), impartiality (Exodus 22:1-3), honesty (Exodus 23:7), integrity (Exodus 23:6, 8), and fairness to all without regard to status (Leviticus 19:15); and Whereas ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin and affirms the support of the United Methodist Church in efforts to “implement compensatory programs that redress long-standing, systemic social deprivation of racial and ethnic persons.”; and Whereas ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church names the need for “positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large,” and identifies that “most criminal justice systems around the world are retributive.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church identifies that “Systems of retribution breed only violence and isolation,” leading to “misinformed and biased public perceptions of racial and ethnic minorities,” that “justify excessively punitive policies.”; and Whereas Resolution 5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church urges police departments to “publicly establish standards of police conduct and policies for promotion that incorporate training in peacekeeping, life-protecting, other service roles, and law enforcement,” and that these “standards must include strict limits on the deadly use of force.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church states, “Overpolicing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls on Annual Conferences to “Engage with churches and local communities in speaking out publicly for police accountability regarding racial profiling, misconduct, abuse, and killings.”; and Whereas Resolution 3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church calls on local governments to “stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of ‘wars’ being

ϱϵ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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waged against these communities” and to “make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.”; and Whereas the 2016 Session of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference unanimously affirmed a call to eradicate systemic racism in the Church and in the world; and Whereas police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy; and Whereas on March 23, 2020, seven officers of the Rochester Police Department restrained Daniel Prude, an unarmed Black man experiencing a mental health crisis, using a mesh hood, commonly called a “spit hood” in the process; and Whereas this interaction with law enforcement resulted in Daniel Prude being hospitalized; and Whereas on March 30, 2020, Daniel Prude succumbed to his injuries after being taken off of life support; and Whereas the Monroe County medical examiner ruled Daniel Prudes death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint; and Whereas on February 23, 2021, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced that the empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester Police Officers involved in the case on criminal charges; and Whereas the events surrounding Daniel Prude’s interaction with the Rochester Police directly contributed to his death at their hands; and Whereas had more compassionate and appropriate care been provided in that moment, Daniel would not have ended up lying naked in the street with a spit hood over his head on a freezing winter night; and Whereas on Jan. 29, 2021, officers of the Rochester Police Department used pepper spray against a nineyear-old Black girl experiencing a mental health crisis in their attempt to detain her; and Whereas police departments lack the capacity and training to properly and safely respond to mental health and substance abuse crises; and Whereas Bill S.4814/A.4697, also known as Daniel’s Law, will promote the public health, safety, and welfare of all citizens by broadly ensuring a public health-based response to anyone in New York experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis; and Whereas Daniel’s Law will offer and ensure the most appropriate response to, treatment of, and transport of individuals experiencing crisis due to mental health conditions or substance use; and Whereas Daniel’s Law will de-escalate crisis situations so that as few New Yorkers as possible experience nonconsensual transport, use of force, or criminal consequences as a result of mental health or substance abuse crises; and Whereas police reform is a non-partisan issue; and

ϲϬ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Whereas the 2021 legislative session for New York State legislature ended on June 10, 2021, prior to the convening of the 2021 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and Whereas Appendix B of this resolution is a memorandum of support that faithfully articulates the position of the Upper New York Annual Conference should Daniel’s Law be passed prior to the convening of the 2021 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and Whereas Appendix C of this resolution is a memorandum of support that faithfully articulates the position of the Upper New York Annual Conference should Daniel’s Law fail to pass or is not voted on during the 2021 session of the New York State legislature.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, representing over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York, heartily and emphatically supports, as a matter of faith and conscious, New York Senate Bill S.4814 and Assembly Bill A.4697, also known as Daniel’s Law; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference calls on faithful United Methodists in the State of New York to relentlessly petition their State Senators and Assembly Members in support of the passage of anti-racist legislation that will eradicate police brutality across New York State, akin to Daniel’s Law; and Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference directs the Annual Conference Secretary to mail one of the attached memoranda of support for Daniel’s Law, depending on the status of Daniel’s Law at the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference and affixed with the seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference, to the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Majority Leader of the Assembly, Majority Whip of the Assembly, Minority Leader of the Assembly, Minority Whip of the Assembly, President Pro Tempore of the New York State Senate, Majority Whip of the State Senate, Minority Leader of the State Senate, Minority Whip of the State Senate, and the Governor of New York State (contact information attached) no later than fifteen (15) days after the adjourning of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference.

Date of Submission: March 15, 2021 Submitted by: Ian Carlos Urriola 140 Surrey Club Ln Stephens City, VA 22655 (585) 705-9334 i.urriola@yahoo.com Asbury First - Rochester

ϲϭ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Appendix A: Contact information for New York State legislative leaders and Governor The Honorable Carl E. Heastie Speaker of the New York State Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 932 Albany, NY 12248

32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59

The Honorable Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes Majority Leader of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 926 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable William Colton Majority Whip of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 733 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable William A. Barclay Minority Leader of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building Room 933 Albany, NY 12248 The Honorable Michael Montesano Minority Whip of the NYS Assembly Legislative Office Building, Room 437 Albany, NY 12248

31

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The Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousin President Pro Tempore of the NYS Senate 188 State Street Legislative Office Building Room 907 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Kevin S. Parker Majority Whip of the New York State Senate 172 State Street Room 504, Capitol Building Room 504C Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Robert G. Ortt Minority Leader of the New York State Senate Capitol Building, Room 315 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Patrick M. Gallivan Minority Whip of the New York State Senate Legislative Office Building Room 311 Albany, NY 12247 The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Appendix B: Memorandum of Support for Daniel’s Law to send to state lawmakers in the event of Daniel’s Law being passed prior to the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference Memorandum of Support Daniel’s Law The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is made up of over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York. Our mission is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” Racism in any form is an impediment to that mission, and therefore, we cannot remain silent.

We heartily and emphatically support, as a matter of faith and conscious, S.4814/A.4697, also known as Daniel’s Law, which creates statewide mental health councils that would respond to people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, and we are immensely grateful to leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly for prioritizing its passage during the 2021 legislative session.

As a people of faith, we were outraged by news of the murder of Daniel Prude at the hands of the Rochester Police Department last year.41 Mr. Prude, an unarmed Black man, was experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call, and, in their attempts to restrain him, used a mesh face covering commonly known as a spit hood. Mr. Prude was hospitalized as a result of this encounter and died seven days later. The Monroe County medical examiner ruled his death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint. In spite of this, in February of this year, an empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester Police Department officers on criminal charges for the murder of Daniel Prude.42 Had more compassionate and appropriate care been provided in that moment Daniel would not have ended up lying naked in the street with a spit hood over his head on a freezing winter night. And yet, while even one instance of police brutality is too much, we grieve that this is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call of a nine-year-old Black girl experiencing a mental health crisis.43 In their attempts to subdue her, they used pepper spray on this child.

It is clear that our law enforcement agencies are not equipped to properly and safely respond to mental health and substance abuse crises.

Police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy. The United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin.44 As United Methodists, we know that there is a deep need for positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large.45 Over-policing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy, and so our denomination calls on local governments to stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of “wars” being waged against these 41

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/nyregion/rochester-daniel-prude.html https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/ny-attorney-general-to-reveal-daniel-prude-deathgrand-jury-decision/6021044/ 43 https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/12/rochester-police-9-year-old/ 44 ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, https://www.umc.org/en/content/social-principles-the-social-community 45 ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church https://www.umc.org/en/content/social-principles-the-political-community 42

ϲϯ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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communities and to make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.46 The laws of the state of New York must reflect the reality that law enforcement officers, especially those who are trained in the “warrior cop”47 mentality paradigm of our retributive criminal justice system, are ill-equipped and not prepared to respond to mental health and substance abuse crises. This is not a problem that can be fixed with more training or courses on mental health and substance abuse. Daniel’s Law changes this paradigm by empowering the health department to create a statewide mental health response council and local mental health response units. These new mental health response units will offer a more comprehensive and secure way to answer the mental health and substance abuse crises in our communities with safety, care and compassion. It will promote the public health, safety, and welfare of all citizens by broadly ensuring a public health-based response to anyone in New York experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis and will offer and ensure the most appropriate response to, treatment of, and transport of individuals experiencing such crises. Armed police officers responding to these crises is a relic of a retributive criminal justice system that breeds only violence and isolation. 48 Therefore, we are exceedingly grateful to the New York Legislature and the Governor for the passage of Daniel’s Law, which enables mental health professionals to respond to these crisis calls instead. [seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference goes here] Appendix C: Memorandum of Support for Daniel’s Law to send to state lawmakers in the event of Daniel’s Law not being passed prior to the convening of the 2021 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference Memorandum of Support Daniel’s Law The Upper New York Annual Conference (UNYAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is made up of over 144,000 members in 956 faith communities across 49 counties in the state of New York. Our mission is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.” Racism in any form is an impediment to that mission, and therefore, we cannot remain silent.

We heartily and emphatically support, as a matter of faith and conscious, S.4814/A.4697, also known as Daniel’s Law, which will create statewide mental health councils that would respond to people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. We are disappointed in the leadership of the New York State Senate and Assembly for failing to make the passage of Daniel’s Law a priority during the most recent legislative session of the New York State legislature, and we call on them to make the passage of this bill a top legislative priority at the start of the next legislative session.

As a people of faith, we were outraged by news of the murder of Daniel Prude at the hands of the Rochester Police Department last year.49 Mr. Prude, an unarmed Black man, was experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call, and, in their attempts to restrain him, used a mesh face covering commonly known as a spit hood. Mr. Prude was hospitalized as a 46

¶3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/stop-criminalizingcommunities-of-color-in-the-united-states-3379 47 https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/06/warrior-cop-trainings-industry.html 48 ¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/humanizing-criminal-justice5031 49 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/nyregion/rochester-daniel-prude.html ϲϰ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

result of this encounter and died seven days later. The Monroe County medical examiner ruled his death to be a homicide caused by complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint. In spite of this, in February of this year, an empaneled grand jury declined to indict the seven Rochester Police Department officers on criminal charges for the murder of Daniel Prude.50 Had more compassionate and appropriate care been provided in that moment Daniel would not have ended up lying naked in the street with a spit hood over his head on a freezing winter night. And yet, while even one instance of police brutality is too much, we grieve that this is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, officers of the Rochester Police Department responded to the call of a nine-year-old Black girl experiencing a mental health crisis.51 In their attempts to subdue her, they used pepper spray on this child.

It is clear that our law enforcement agencies are not equipped to properly and safely respond to mental health and substance abuse crises.

Police brutality, especially perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color and including the extrajudicial killing of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement officials, is a symptom of systemic racism that upholds white supremacy. The United Methodist Church names racism and the ways it manifests in both personal and institutional forms as sin.52 As United Methodists, we know that there is a deep need for positive interaction between law enforcement officials and members of the community at large.53 Over-policing erodes community trust in law enforcement and sends a clear message to police that not all Americans are equal under law, as people in targeted communities do not have the same constitutional protections other Americans enjoy, and so our denomination calls on local governments to stop the criminalization of communities of color and the cacophony of “wars” being waged against these communities and to make the enforcement and protection of international human rights law central to criminal justice and immigration policy.54 The laws of the state of New York must reflect the reality that law enforcement officers, especially those who are trained in the “warrior cop”55 mentality paradigm of our retributive criminal justice system, are ill-equipped and not prepared to respond to mental health and substance abuse crises. This is not a problem that can be fixed with more training or courses on mental health and substance abuse. Daniel’s Law changes this paradigm by empowering the health department to create a statewide mental health response council and local mental health response units. These new mental health response units will offer a more comprehensive and secure way to answer the mental health and substance abuse crises in our communities with safety, care, and compassion. It will promote the public health, safety, and welfare of all citizens by broadly ensuring a public health-based response to anyone in New York experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis and will offer and ensure the most appropriate response to, treatment of, and transport of individuals experiencing such crises. Armed police officers responding to

50

https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/ny-attorney-general-to-reveal-daniel-prude-deathgrand-jury-decision/6021044/ 51 https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/12/rochester-police-9-year-old/ 52 ¶162A of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, https://www.umc.org/en/content/social-principles-the-social-community 53 ¶164H of the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church https://www.umc.org/en/content/social-principles-the-political-community 54 ¶3379 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/stop-criminalizingcommunities-of-color-in-the-united-states-3379 55 https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/06/warrior-cop-trainings-industry.html ϲϱ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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these crises is a relic of a retributive criminal justice system that breeds only violence and isolation. 56 Therefore, we respectfully urge the New York Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign Daniel’s Law, which would enable mental health professionals to respond to these crisis calls instead, at the start of the next legislative session. [seal of the Upper New York Annual Conference goes here]

56

¶5031 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/humanizing-criminal-justice5031 ϲϲ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Reports (Conference Teams)

ϲϳ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

ϲϴ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Accessibility Concerns Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

The Accessibility Concerns Team has been hard at work reorganizing after leadership/team changes. We continue our endeavors to assist in making our yearly Annual Conference a place where everyone is included and valued. We have shown some marked improvements over the last few years and will keep working towards full inclusion!

Thank you to our volunteers who help make it possible and to everyone who is looking out for others during AC. This year we also worked on updating our page on the annual conference’s website, continued to monitor for grant applications, and discussed further resources-https://www.unyumc.org/resources/accessibility.

We continue our work toward greater social media presence such as our Facebook page. The grant application remains available. Please remember that you must have celebrated Accessibility Sunday and must have taken an offering for the grant in order to be eligible to apply since it is a self-funding grant (visit the above link for more information).

We continue to collect accessibility survey data each church completed over the past few years. We completed analysis of 2017 data previously and plan to analyze 2019 and forward data as we move through transitions both as a team and more broadly from the pandemic.

Our mission statement remains as follows: We believe that all people are created in the image of God and have sacred worth.

We also believe that it is vital to the body of Christ to celebrate the spiritual gifts of people with all abilities so that we can best witness the beauty and diversity that God has created in our communities.

We are here to support, train and assist local churches of the Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church to best serve those with accessibility concerns.

Our goal is to make the community of Christ accessible to all people.

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We continue to seek what tools/resources our local churches need in order to make their communities more welcoming for those with disabilities and share those resources as we continue our work for Annual Conference.

We look forward to hearing more from the churches, districts, and conference to help us discover what accessibility challenges need to be met throughout the Conference (at Annual Conference, district days, or church services) and offer suggestions on how to meet those challenges as we are able.

Please join us in helping transform the world by becoming the most accessible church possible.

ϲϵ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Archives and History, Commission on 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

2020 UNYCAH Highlights The Northeastern Jurisdiction of the Commission on Archive and History (NEJCAH) Conference meeting that was to be hosted by UNYCAH in Auburn, NY, on May 19-21, 2020 for the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving the right to vote to women, was postponed because of COVID-19 to 2021 and then again to May 10 – 12, 2022.

With the encouragement of UNYCAH members, work was started by the Harkness UMC in the Adirondack District, of which Georgia Harkness was a member, to prepare the needed paperwork and documentation for designation of the church as a United Methodist Church Historic Site. This needs approval by Upper New York Conference before forwarding to national.

Adam Barnes’ researched database on pastor burials of Upper New York and predecessor conferences was turned over to CAH. Karen Staulters volunteered to take over the updating of the database and to seek to make it accessible.

In the UNY archives, sorting and organizing the massive collection brought from the four former Conferences and records from closed churches, when gained (a continuing problem), has been challenging; however, our one day a week Archives Assistant has been able to process most records for recently closed churches only. The massive collection still needs to have other conference records reviewed and organized and a detailed index of our holdings created. Our Archives have been closed and volunteer work has been stopped due to the UNY Conference Center being closed to visitors and volunteers. It takes a lot of time to do the sorting and creating computer records, which is beyond what could be done by the staff available in 2020. It is hoped that we can again obtain an intern from Syracuse University.

CAH set deaccession and accession policy as well as procedures for the conference archives, with implementation to start once archives are open to volunteers and the public again.

The associated Upper New York United Methodist Historical Society did not hold its normal June and September in-person meetings because of COVID-19. However, it offered a public virtual meeting via Zoom on Oct. 27 with an illustrated program on A Century of Women’s Suffrage (Still Seeking Equality), presented by Nancy Rutenber. The Society will present another Zoom meeting in June 2021 on upstate Civil War chaplains. UNY-UMHS continues to communicate news and pictures, historical articles, and tips and policy through its quarterly e-newsletter and its public Facebook site: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/UNYUnitedMethodistHistoricalSociety/).

Elected members of the UNY Commission on Archives and History for all or most of 2020: Ken Jones (Chair), Nancy Rutenber (Secretary), Karen Staulters (VP), Loreen Jorgensen, Rev. Cathy Lee, Rev. Betsye Mowry, Tom Place, Susan Slenker, Richard Ward; Joined Oct. 2020: Rev. James Barnes, Rev. Nancy Hale

ϳϬ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Communications Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

To say the last year presented unique challenges is an understatement. As we were preparing this report in early 2020, we had no idea what would come, but in spite of all the unique challenges the year presented, Conference Communications stepped up to support our local churches and other ministries as they were forced to find new ways to do ministry.

As the Communications Team saw the pandemic becoming a reality, they gathered, and scenario planned a response for both the short and longer term likely impacts. This included elements like a help line, onetime grants, resource pages, training sessions, and more all focused around doing ministry in new ways through communication technology. The team was aware that there would be a period that they’d be functioning in a disaster context and have to be reactionary, but they created a timeline to move toward proactive approaches. This work was branded the UNY COVID-19 response as has been recognized by the United Methodist Association of Communicators as Best in Class (the best in the United Methodist Church).

In time, the Communications Team worked with the Conference Leadership Team and the Conference Operational Team to take the COVID-19 response to the next level. It was clear that many churches had made great gains in communicating in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and it was important not to lose those gains once churches could begin to function as they had pre-COVID. A ‘’both/and” approach was needed, and this new focus brought about the digital discipleship movement in the form or resources, training, shared stories, and more. This work will continue well past the end of the pandemic and is vital to the future of ministry in Upper New York.

The pandemic also required different thinking about Annual Conference. Annual Conference was initially postponed, but it eventually became obvious that it would have to be held digitally. This was something that had never been done before, but, while it wasn’t perfect, the Annual Conference Session took place in October, with secure voting and generally small technical issues. A lot was learned in this first Digital Annual Conference, and the expectation is that the 2021 Digital Annual Conference Session will be an even greater success.

Throughout these challenges, all regular Conference communication channels remained uninterrupted, including: x x x x x x x

The Advocate The Weekly Digest UNY Notes The Bridge The Conference Website Conference Social Media interactions Various as needed communications

It speaks to the dedications and work ethic of the Communications Team that while they had to take on so many extra responsibilities in this time, a step was never missed with regular communication channels.

While it has been an extremely challenging year, the Communication Team rose to the occasion and provided much needed support to local churches as they developed new and exciting ways of doing ministry. There are signs of hope, now, as the vaccine roles out and numbers of positive COVID-19 cases are dropping again. However, the Communications Team is aware that this is not the end of the journey.

It’s the beginning of the next part of the journey.

ϳϭ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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The team has already laid the groundwork for some of what is next through the digital discipleship work, but there is much more coming. In the future, ministry won’t look like it looked before the pandemic and it certainly won’t look like it looked during the pandemic. Whatever it does look like, the Communications Team will be there to help local churches and all ministries of the Upper New York Conference be ready to share our great story and make disciples.

Submitted by Stephen Hustedt, Dir. of Communications

ϳϮ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Episcopacy, Committee on 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

The Upper New York Committee on the Episcopacy (COE) is elected at the beginning of a quadrennium and then serves for the entirety of the quadrennium. Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the current quadrennium has continued longer than the normal four-year period. The current Upper New York COE was elected in 2016 and is continuing in its duties until the 2016 quadrennium is completed. We are grateful to have been able to support Bishop Webb and his family here in Upper New York.

The UNY COE is made up of the following people: x Rev. Dr. Bill Allen – Chairperson x Mr. Greg Forrester – Vice-Chairperson x Pastor Abigail Browka x Mrs. Kelli Farrell x Pastor Olga Gonzalez-Santiago x Mrs. Susan Hardy – former UNY Conference Lay Leader x Pastor Dr. Scott Johnson x Rev. Dr. Sung Ho Lee x Mrs. Pat VanVleck The chair and vice-chair of the COE are determined by the result of their order of election to the General Conference delegation from Upper New York. The rest of the COE members are chosen by the bishop.

In 2020, the Upper New York COE continued its pattern of meeting at least twice a year with Bishop Webb.

We met via conference calls on Zoom. It is important to recognize that confidentiality is a fundamental element of the COE. The COE serves as a type of S/PPRC for the Bishop. Therefore, we have made a solemn covenant with Bishop Webb to share neither specific content nor tone of COE meetings. This environment creates a space for grace, trust, and honesty in all our interactions.

The role of the COE is to support the Bishop by praying for him and his family, by ensuring that the episcopal residence meets the needs of the family, by blessing the family with encouragement and hospitality throughout the year, by providing a listening ear for the Bishop, and by assisting the Bishop in receiving evaluative feedback concerning his leadership. Typically, some members of the COE will meet at least once at the episcopal residence to make sure all is well. However, we were unable to do this in 2020.

We are unsure as to when the next Jurisdictional Conference will occur. When that JC is complete, a new COE will be formed to support and encourage the UNY bishop and her/his family through the new quadrennium. We ask that the laity and clergy of the Upper New York Conference take seriously our privilege and responsibility of holding up the Upper New York Bishop and her/his family in our prayers.

We also ask that you keep the new COE in your prayers as they seek to do their duties faithfully.

Respectfully submitted, Rev. Dr. Bill Allen Chairperson – UNYCOE – 2016-2021

ϳϯ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Laity and Conference Lay Leaders, Board of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

The laity in Upper New York continue to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ in a variety of creative ways while adapting to the ever-changing landscape of challenges in the time that God has called them to leadership.

These disciples serve the churches of the Upper New York Conference in a variety of ministries giving generously of both their time and talents. In seeking ways to identify and equip new leaders for the church they add to God’s kingdom. They serve tirelessly in their local churches, they serve on district and regional ministry teams, and they serve this Annual Conference.

In February, the Conference Lay Leader and the Associate Conference Lay Leader attended The Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders 2021 Convocation, hosted by Discipleship Ministries. Held virtually this year, lay leaders from around the global connection gathered to share about local ministries and receive valuable training on anti-racism initiatives.

With a shortened schedule due to the postponed 2020 Annual Conference, the board has only met 2 times in 2021. We look forward to a more normal schedule following Annual Conference 2021.

We give thanks and praise to God for them and their service. The members of this board include: Drew Griffin Grace Lynn Besse Ellen Mall-John Avary Halliday Richard Preston Robert Mueller Darlene Dennis Shafeegh Habeeb Jennie Young-Walczyk

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Peter Lagueras Mark Adsit Anna Welch Wood Hap Skellen Jessica White Brenda Shelmidine Anna Buell Linda Barszykowski Steve Ranous

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Carmen Vianese Avary Halliday Sam Lasher Elyse Muder JJ Warren Blenda Smith Deborah Clyde Aaron Bouwens

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Lay Servant Ministries 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

Lay Servant Ministries is the premier lay leadership development program available within the United Methodist connection. Lay Servants grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, who then go and make other disciples through their leadership and witness.

Lay Servants serve within their local church and beyond in ways that inspire other laity to deepen their commitment to Christ and yield more effective discipleship, including the interpretation of scripture, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the church. They lead, assist, and support the programs of the church; assume leadership roles; lead prayer meetings; facilitate small groups and Bible studies; teach Sunday School; conduct congregational and community life; and foster caregiving ministries. They are leaders who serve through leading, caring, and communicating ministries in their local church and beyond.

As we move forward in 2021, we look back at the challenges of 2020 and witness the hand of our awesome God through it all. With “in-person” classes not a possibility, the number of courses offered in 2020 was down. But one positive result of the closure caused by this pandemic was that districts began offering Lay Servant courses via Zoom to lay servants and others throughout our entire Conference. It has been a wonderful experience! Many folks participated in courses that were held 200 miles from home! We also had participants from other conferences attend. It truly has been a wonderful way to connect with people in our Conference (and beyond) – people that we may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.

Now THAT is what I call “UNITED” Methodist! When the time comes to safely resume “in-person” courses, we will continue to offer courses via Zoom, as well. God is Good!

As of Jan. 31, 2021, Upper New York Annual Conference has over 600 active Lay Servants, 46 Lay Speakers and 95 Certified Lay Ministers. Among these numbers are newly affirmed Lay Speakers: Adirondack District: Barbara Hurley, June Decoteau x Albany District: Bruce France and Theodore Vickery, Jr. x Binghamton District: Christine Woodcock x Oneonta District: Georgia Baker We also affirmed 5 new Certified Lay Ministers: x Adirondack District: Donna Heichel and Melissa Weatherwax x Mohawk District: Henry Toner and Dorothy Spear x Northern Flow District: Jeff Burghdurf In 2020 there were approximately 40 courses offered across our Conference with over 260 Lay Servants in attendance. These Lay Servants are equipped and empowered to serve as disciples of Jesus Christ through a myriad of ministries including: VIM, small group leaders, trustees, SPRC members, Sunday school teachers, visitation coordinators, prayer leaders, pulpit fill … and the list goes on.

The UNY Conference Lay Servant Ministry Team also approved 4 new alternate advanced courses that may be used as credit for 10-hour advanced courses. They are: x Imagine No Racism x Campus Ministry – Empowering Congregations to Support Students at Colleges and Universities by Rev. Colleen Hallagan Preuninger x The Grand Sweep: Genesis through Revelation in 365 Days x Puppet Ministry Pizzazz

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

We are dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ committed to serving in whatever ways we are called in the Upper New York Conference. Praise be to God! District Directors: x Adirondack – Bruce Hazard x Albany – Nancy Goddard x At-Large Member – Ernest Warren x Binghamton – Mel Patterson x Cornerstone – Cora Martin and Warren Vandewark x Crossroads – Darlene Dennis and Robert Mueller x Finger Lakes – Jennie Young-Walczyk x Genesee Valley – Deb Clyde x Mohawk – Ken Guilfoyle x Mountain View – Sue Silhan x Niagara Frontier – Tracy Hagler x Northern Flow – Donna Fitchett x Oneonta – Cathy Honrath I assumed the duties of Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries when Lucina Hallagan stepped down after faithfully serving for four years. Heartfelt thanks to Lucina for all her hard work and faithful devotion to this ministry and thanks to the team members for their support during this transition!

When thinking about the virus and the lockdown, I can’t help but think, “This too shall pass,” and we will be able to get together in person again! I look forward to that time when I can meet you in person and get to know you better. I covet your prayers as I navigate this new adventure God has called and led me to.

May God continue to inspire the Laity in our Conference.

May God continue to show you God’s love and sovereignty during the difficult times still ahead.

May God fill you with peace and comfort as we continue to move forward to healing.

May God be with us all as we continue in ministry together.

Respectfully Submitted, Linda M. Barczykowski Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Native American Ministries, Committee on (CONAM) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

The Committee has continued to meet on Zoom regularly with nearly 100% attendance. We have focused our ministry on our connection with the three Native American Churches. Each is struggling in their own way, both due to the pandemic and in-house concerns.

Each traditional community has been hit hard with the pandemic and the congregation members need spiritual support at this time. We along with the pastors are praying for every Native family in their time of need.

We continue to ask the Conference and local churches to be aware of the Native Peoples in your area, your neighbors, your co-workers. Continue to develop the understanding that we are a unique population that has a history of trying to trust the major society which has continually broken its promises to us.

Native people in our three NA UMCs are looking to not only their pastors and district superintendents, but also surrounding UMCs to continue to build that trust and strengthen relationships through understanding and honest accounting for the position and challenges history has created for us.

CONAM continues to be active with the Northeastern Jurisdiction Native American Committee. Our focus is to be in ministry with the effort to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls #MMIWG. Check out our table at AC 2022. We will have information as well as many, many red dresses (called the Red Dress Project) to commemorate the many Native women lost to their communities.

Submitted by: Kae Wilbert, Chair

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

New Faith Communities (NFC) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

The pandemic has had a profound impact on every aspect of life in the church, including the New Faith Community planting movement in the Upper New York Conference. Like everyone else, the people called to plant new places for new people have had to adapt. But this does not mean the movement has stalled!

We have simply had to change our approaches for discovering, developing, and deploying new planters!

In February 2020, we had 40+ people representing 14 new NFC projects attend our last in-person Launchpad. This was a record number. But this large group greatly stretched the limits of in-person Launchpad. There simply was not enough time for each group to share and have focused learning. Little did we know that God would use the pandemic to help us discover a better way!

By June 2020, we had identified four new projects that needed training. So, from July through September, we experimented with a Zoom based Launchpad cohort that met one evening a week for 6 sessions over 7 weeks, for two hours. This split the material into six manageable chunks and allowed the leaders and their teams to process their learning between meetings. Four NFC leaders and their teams participated fully in the learning, and by the end, each group had a strong 6-12 strategic plan in place. Instead of experiencing the Launchpad materials like drinking from a firehouse over two really long days, the teams had lots of time to apply their learning to their vision and context. By the end of the experience, we realized we were on to something that we would continue using into the future, even after the pandemic was over. Since then, we have held a second online Launchpad with four additional teams (over the winter), with similar results. A third online Launchpad will be held beginning in April 2021 and, the plan is to hold two or three such cohorts each year into the future!

In the midst of this year, the Director of New Faith Communities, Rev. David Masland, decided it was time to retire from full time ministry. The pandemic (and the need for childcare for his grandchildren) were major determining factors in this discernment. So as not to leave the NFC movement and Conference without leadership, Rev. Masland did offer to stay on (at least for one year, Jan.-Dec. 2021) as a part time leader of the NFC movement. In many ways, this was a natural progression. In conjunction with the Conference’s direction toward regional leadership and training, Rev. Masland had already been recruiting and equipping Regional NFC Teams. Rev Masland’s move from full-time to part-time has forced a more rapid shift to empowering these NFC teams to take the lead in leading the NFC movement forward.

As of this report in March 2021, there are six persons (two from each region) meeting monthly to strengthen the NFC movement. Together they have developed new “Greenhouse Groups” which are L3based learning cohorts for people the year or two after Launchpad, as they launch their NFCs. The NFC team has also started a Facebook group for planters who are actively planting to learn and discuss planting work together. When the pandemic finally lets go of its grip, and groups can begin to gather in person again, they will offer regular “innovation parties” in each Region, where church leaders can come to play an innovation game to practice community based ministry building, and then apply their learnings to their own context. The Annual Conference will learn more about these opportunities in the near future.

The pandemic did, sadly, shut down some NFC’s. However, our latest counts show that there is still 85+ groups of people actively planting NFCs in their community. Most of these have made a huge shift towards stronger online presence. Many have made a shift to all online, at least for this season.

What is clear is this one thing: God is still putting dreams in the hearts of new people to plant new places!

The NFC Team is ready and willing to talk to anyone who feels God tugging on their heart in this way. Call us today! We’d love to hear what God is asking you to consider and, we’d love to come alongside you as you listen, discern, and plan!

Submitted by Rev. Dave Masland

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Peace with Justice Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

This year has been a challenge for us all. I dare say that those involved in justice ministries have been truly struggling with the need to address COVID (the toll it’s taking on people in poverty, separated by access to healthcare, and the language used to describe the origins of the virus); the divisive language around race that has been spewed from the highest office in the land; the Black Lives Matter movement; the need for police reform; the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol; and now the accentuated Asian-American hate. In nearly every corner of our country tensions are high and do not look to be easing up anytime soon. As we have witnessed recently, gun violence is not going away.

I am intentionally not including a report this year about our participation in the annual Peace with Justice Special Sunday Offering. I have spent a lot of energy over the past several years trying to increase awareness of this offering and the projects it funds. My pleas and offers to speak with small groups or congregations have been met with indifference and both clergy and laity are still not concerned with these ministries.

As the person responsible for coordinating peace with justice ministries in our Conference, I have been negligent in pushing for our churches to study the issues around the church’s response to gun violence.

Not anymore.

I am answering God’s call to strongly recommend that each congregation download and use the General Board of Church and Society’s resource Kingdom Dreams, Violent Realities with at least one small group.

This Bible study on gun violence prevention is a three-session study that can be used in your congregation, small group, or by yourself. Based on Micah 4:1-4, it addresses gun violence as a spiritual and moral issue.

I will be surveying each congregation over the next year to gage how this process is being received and hope to be able to report to next year’s Conference session that at least half of the churches in the Upper New York Conference have held at least one session of this important Bible study.

The 48-page study can be found online at: https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/37 Respectfully, Heather Smith Peace with Justice Coordinator, Upper NY Conference

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, Task Force on 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

“How long, O Lord?” prayed the Rev. Charlie Marks as he prayed for Palestinian justice and human rights at a United Methodist Palestinian Dinner at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, downtown Syracuse, in the early 2000's. Perhaps God is asking us, in 2021, “How long, O my people, before you respond to the needs of your Palestinian brothers and sisters?”

A plea has come from committed Christians in Palestine and around the world, a Cry for Hope: A Call to Decisive Action (July 1, 2020), saying “We cannot serve God and the oppression of the Palestinians.” We in the Task Force are responding, by offering our Resolution on Because We Care to members of the Annual Conference, with inclusion of the Cry for Hope document reference and recommendations for actions to be taken by congregations and individuals.

The UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel's purpose is (and has been for 30 years) to educate, network, and advocate for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel. The Task Force also connects with the national advocacy group formed in 2010 United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR). The hope is to include all fellow believers in whatever actions of prayer and witness for Palestinian justice they can do.

Currently, the Task Force meets monthly by Zoom, the second Tuesday, at 9:30 a.m. Join the meetings or receive informational e-mails by contacting one of the three co-chairs: Karen Peterson at dpeterson1@stny.rr.com, Leah Mae Carlisle at leahtomc@gmail.com, or Linda Bergh at lindagarybergh@gmail.com.

In lieu of 26 years of Conference-time Task Force Palestinian Dinners (9 as Upper New York), the pandemic has allowed the Task Force to work in new ways such as: A. Participation in webinars and Zoom Conferences on various issues: 1. Christian Zionism - a use of theology to justify Israel as a Jewish-only state in the land which was historic Palestine as a prerequisite for Jesus' return.

2. Apartheid - the current reality as seen with the Israeli government controlling not only that which is designated as Israel, but also the Palestinian Territories, while denying human rights to Palestinians overall (within and outside Israel proper); i.e.- (distribution of COVID vaccines to Jewish Israelis and not to Palestinians—recently being slowly rectified after outside pressure Task Force members contacted PBS’ News hour).

3. Violence by illegal settlement members and increased Israeli confiscation of Palestinian land.

4. Anti-Semitism definition - the need to assert that this should not include the criticism of the Israeli government or its policies.

5. BDS - Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions as a legitimate, nonviolent, effective way to confront injustice (as in South African apartheid, Birmingham bus boycott).

B. Keeping current regarding bills in Congress offered by Rep. Betty McCollum regarding Palestinian children, as in No Way to Treat a Child.

C. Actions and resources for UNY Annual Conference:

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

1. Resolution/Recommendation AC 2021, Because We Care submitted.

2. Development of a basic resource list with a Task Force contact person named to help congregations and persons with education, programs, and actions for Palestinian human rights.

3. Brochure to be produced as print and online, giving the purpose, work, contacts, and mission of the UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine and Israel—to be distributed to congregations, teams, and any interested persons.

4. Vision for when travel is again possible—promotion and use of the Gary Bergh Scholarship to send two or three young adults on “justice-seeking” trips to the Holy Land (i.e. - “Witness for Palestine” tours).

One more quote from Cry for Hope: “In 2017, in the Open Letter to the World Council of Churches and the ecumenical movement, the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine wrote: ‘Things are beyond urgent. We are on the verge of a catastrophic collapse. This is no time for shallow diplomacy, Christians!’

Contact us through the co-chairs listed above. Also-see UM Kairos Response: https://www.Kairos Response.org/ Submitted by: Linda Bergh

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Religion and Race, Conference Commission on (CCORR) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

The Conference Commission on Religion and Race is excited to share some of our progress—and the challenges we face—since Annual Conference 2020. There's a lot to celebrate.

CCORR welcomed four new members to the group: Rev. LaVerne Ampadu, Rev. Jong Deok Park, Rev. Holly Strickland, and Rev. Ruth Rosa Warner. Scott Johnson and Georgia Whitney are now CCORR's coconveners. Former convener Blenda Smith, who's been active in CCORR for more than 10 years, is still actively involved in our work.

At least nine new Imagine No Racism (INR) groups—some live, some on Zoom—have experienced the curriculum in the last six months. Clergy who complete all sessions are qualified to receive one CEU; Lay Servant Ministers may receive advanced course credit. Anyone who completes all sessions can receive a special certificate. We're pleased to say that participants experiencing INR see it as not a “box to be checked as accomplished” but rather the beginning of a life-long journey.

Many INR graduates are looking forward to becoming facilitators. We expect to offer facilitator training periodically as it's needed throughout the year. Highlights from the INR groups: The Northern Flow District sponsored an INR Zoom experience with 24 participants. Offering the course district-wide benefitted a large geographic area, and small-group breakout sessions facilitated in-depth conversations on challenging topics.

Camp and Retreat Ministries leaders experienced the INR curriculum on Zoom. Facilitators reported that the group was very engaged in the work and has covenanted to continue antiracism work in their programs.

One INR group was so excited by the curriculum that they requested an extra session, wanting to take a deeper dive into session six. This session helps participants use what they’ve learned to begin concrete steps for anti-racism ministries in their communities. Another church has begun to use specially trained INR coaches to deepen their anti-racism work.

CCORR continues to offer training to pastors and laity who have not yet experienced INR. This includes a plan for commissioned clergy to complete INR through the Board of Ordained Ministry.

Of the six Districts that have responded so far to charge conference and 1:1 questions regarding Imagine No Racism, we see many churches doing anti-racism work. They engage in discussions of all kinds: formal and informal, in groups and 1:1. Some groups are done on Zoom and may include the wider community.

Movie and video discussions are especially popular.

In addition, churches study anti-racism books and coursework, including the INR curriculum. Special sermons and prayers are popular too, as are bible studies and adult Sunday school classes that have an anti-racism focus. Some churches publish newsletter articles and send emails to their congregation on anti-racism topics. Other churches participate in or support anti-racism demonstrations and rallies or become involved in regional diversity initiatives. They may bring in outside speakers to discuss racism. Still other churches are building relationships with African American congregations in their area.

Marcellus UMC believes that building a healthy multi-ethnic church is a biblical mandate and has created an action plan to embrace diversity. Last December, after delivering two sermons on Imagine No Racism, the pastor invited the congregation to sign the INR covenant. So far, 32 adult congregants and three children signed, then posted the covenants on a church bulletin board.

And after a complaint about the anti-racism sermons, the S/PPRC decided to begin small group studies to talk more about racism. The church is working to promote a spirit of inclusion, develop cross-cultural relationships, and empower diverse church leaders. ϴϮ

ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Since teaching the INR curriculum, Baldwinsville UMC has followed up with sermons and reflection groups that focused on racism. Some congregants also took part in an area college initiative—a 30-day self-paced journey to grow as an anti-racist. The church continues to engage in conversations that explore racism more deeply.

Since INR was launched in 2018, Oneonta UMC has sponsored six INR groups with a total of 52 participants, including one comprised of enthusiastic licensed local pastors and lay ministers who are committed to this important work. Two more classes are scheduled for later this spring.

Carlton UMC, in the hamlet of Waterport, NY, and their pastor, Jim Heiler, developed a relationship with an all-black church, doing joint services, and a pulpit exchange. Heiler said, "For us, the open door was asking them to help us grow. We exposed ourselves to their passionate worship, not the "white privilege way" of always "helping" them but embracing what we could learn and appreciate about the way they serve God. We have yet to receive reports from six Districts, and of the reports we received, some Conference churches fail to see the need for understanding racism and white privilege.

The CCORR team has embraced the need to keep learning about anti-racism and has committed to reading current anti-racist literature. In the past four months, our group has read three books, with more to come.

Communications has become increasingly important to us in the last six months: Team members made substantial contributions to issue 4 of the 2020 Advocate, which focused on dismantling racism as it affects African Americans.

CCORR's writing team has created other articles and reflections which have been published in the Weekly Digest and Bridges. We will continue to write more articles throughout the year.

CCORR responds to current events as well, recently issuing a statement in support of our Asian brothers and sisters experiencing racism.

In 2020, the CCORR team made substantial changes to the INR curriculum. This year we re-edited these documents for clarity and added information to enhance the existing content.

CCORR wants to ensure that our efforts to dismantle racism extend to all groups who experience it. We're building relationships with Korean and Hispanic pastors, and the conference's three Native American churches. We want to support them in any way we can.

As United Methodists, our tradition is one of peace and hope. We are called to love our neighbors in the presence of evil in the world. We believe that we have a moral obligation to be vocally and visibly outraged by the sin of racism in all its forms. This is hard work that's done over a lifetime, and CCORR is committed to continuing it, confronting racism, and dismantling it!

37

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Safe Sanctuaries® Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

The Safe Sanctuaries Team (SST) addresses policy making issues, training, and accountability related to Safe Sanctuaries. The SST establishes minimum standards and procedures provides training programs, and assists local churches and Conference ministry programs in reducing the risk of abuse to children, youth, and vulnerable adults (2011 AC Safe Sanctuaries Resolution). We believe that reducing the risk of abuse in churches and ministries is essential. We believe there will be no vital congregations or new faith communities without leaders who are diligent in reducing abuse risks.

The minimum standards are reviewed as questions and concerns arise. During the past several years, there have been questions about who needs training and how often. Refer to The minimum standards plus other resources that are posted on the Conference website for clarification.

The standardized Safe Sanctuaries Training program of the UNYAC is a large part of the SST's work. The training consistently receives very positive evaluations from participants. The training is led by facilitators who have completed six hours of training – the three-hour basic course and a three-hour Training of Trainers (TOT). They are recertified annually. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we could only host one Training of Trainers opportunity; the SST thanks the Webster UMC for hosting. In this one training, fourteen individuals were prepared to facilitate the standard, three-hour Safe Sanctuaries training.

Currently, there are over 100 certified trainers across the conference. We are prepared to hold a virtual TOT training in 2021.

As we all know, the Covid-19 pandemic has made many of our ministries look differently. The SST has been working diligently in completing a 3-hour basic training via Zoom during the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. As the content of the training has not changed, the delivery has. By utilizing Zoom's technology, we can conduct more extensive training hosting up to 90 people from across the conference with Ten SS Trainers. The SST had to make the difficult decision to halt all in-person training due to the CDC and NYS guidelines. We did not feel it was safe to hold in-person training because of the training's hands-on nature.

The team assists local churches in a variety of ways. Conference staff and team members address numerous questions during the year using email, phone calls, and face-to-face Zoom conversations. Many questions relate to the interpretation and implementation of the 2016 minimum standards. We recommend all clergy and laity take the training once unless their church Safe Sanctuaries® policies state otherwise. The minimum standards are just that, the minimum that the UNY Conference Safe Sanctuaries® team recommends; each church is encouraged to begin with the minimum standards and create their policy around protecting and reducing the risk of all children, youth, and vulnerable adults in their church.

In 2020 the SST welcomed two new co-chairs who had no idea that the world would take the turn it did. Please help us welcome co-chairs Pastor Christine Mitchell and Certified Lay Minister Arlene Schmidt.

Both are working hard with the new Zoom curriculum for the basic training and the Training of Trainers curriculum. The team has also welcomed two new members, Bonnie Hall and Summer Wolcott. We are always looking for new members to help move us forward in keeping our children, youth, vulnerable adults, and Churches safe.

Submitted by: Christine Mitchell & Arlene Schmidt

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Social Holiness Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

The Social Holiness Team is comprised of members of different committees and teams of the Upper New York Annual conference and members of the Social Holiness Team themselves. The teams and committees represented include: x x x x x

Religion and Race Peace with Justice in Palestine and Israel Immigration Task Force United Methodist Women Church and Society

We have met monthly via Zoom and while some members have been seated at the Annual Conference table, the full team is represented only though the Director of Connectional Ministries and we have no direct link. This became evident when we asked the districts to share a release by the Reverend Doctor Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of the Board of Church and Society, and there was no opportunity for discussion by our team with the Conference Leadership and some districts decided not to share the release by the General Secretary or our team.

At a time in the life of our world, our country, and the United Methodist Church, it is felt by this chair that we need to share with others inside and outside the United Methodist Church, that we support some issues and strongly condemn the stances of some on other issues that are contrary to the life and teachings of Christ. The deafening sound of silence from the leadership of our Annual Conference on issues of Asian hate and the violence that emanates from it, continued inequality of income, housing, and medical care based upon a person’s color or origin, a lack of discussion outside of our walls concerning systematic racism, the pay disparity we witness within our own denomination between those serving local churches and those in administrative positions, and the list continues.

When we have not built ways for us to listen to the needs and history of people but seemingly only study the history, we do little to change our church or society. When we chose to preach on issues before listening and feeling what those we preach to and about our words become hollow and empty. The void this creates gives people outside our walls only to assume that the United Methodist Church only is concerned is about LGBT issues within our own denomination.

The history of our denomination and the Christian Church should show us that when we become focused only on growing in numbers and funding, we actually become less and less. It is often the churches that reach out to the neighborhoods where they are that experience growth in spirit and a truer sense of the purpose of being the Church. As a people of God called to service within the United Methodist Church, we urge each and every individual church and the leadership of our Annual Conference to begin the practice of looking for need around and trying to understand the need and helping to meet the need.

If we are to be relevant to the society we are a part of and relevant to the people we seek to be in ministry to and with, then we need to establish ways to hear the voices, hear the pain, and hear the call of God to be about becoming the healers and menders we have been called to be.

Respectively Submitted, Rev. Alan D. Kinney, Chair of the Social Holiness Team

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Trustees, Board of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

The activities of the trustees for 2020 include the purchase, sale, and maintenance of Conference properties. The trustees also manage the Conference’s master insurance program. A brief explanation of the trustees’ activities for the past year follows: Properties The Board of Trustees is currently managing 30 closed churches, two land-only properties, 11 district parsonages, one episcopal residence, one conference center, five camp and retreat centers, and seven legacy-issue properties. Each property has two trustees assigned to oversee these properties and buildings. The trustees also work to market and sell the closed churches, land, and legacy properties. They coordinate their parsonage work with district parsonage coordinators to maintain and address issues at each parsonage. District boards of church location and building work to support the trustees on closed church properties within their districts. Peter Abdella from Harter Secrest & Emery LLP serves as our Conference chancellor as we work to sell these properties. Working with municipalities (tax exempt issues), private groups (cemetery associations, tenants), real estate brokers and others, we resolve the issues associated with these properties.

Insurance The Conference Board of Trustees has an insurance subcommittee to monitor our Conference-wide insurance program. The subcommittee has met with our carrier to continue refining the insurance plan.

They understand the many different needs to protect our churches. American Church Group will be taking the next 3 years to visit each church and make sure the information for each church is accurate. They can also meet with any church that would like to talk about their individual needs.

Financial Report Trustee financial activity is accounted for and reported as a separate fund in the Conference. Net Assets: Net assets are categorized in accordance with Conference or donor designations as follows: • Unrestricted Net Assets: Net assets that are not subject to donor-imposed restrictions.

• Designated Unrestricted Net Assets: Net assets that are internally designated for a specific purpose or activity by the Conference.

• Temporarily Restricted Net Assets: Net assets subject to donor-imposed stipulations that may or will be met either by actions of the Conference and/or the passage of time. Also includes camp and retreat centers, the Conference center and district parsonages.

• Permanently Restricted Net Assets: Net assets subject to donor-imposed stipulations that may be maintained permanently by the Conference. Generally, the donors of these assets permit the Conference to use all or part of the income earned on related investments for program operations. The unaudited total net asset position of funds under trustee responsibility incurred a slight decrease for 2020 over 2019. The decrease is due primarily to lower market value of investments held. We also completed the work on the Stecher Fund which was part of the loss for the year.

Commitments There are currently three member churches with loan guarantees provided by the Conference with an outstanding loan balance of approximately $875,000.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Child Victims Act The Trustees are continuing to work with our legal team, multiple Conference boards to monitor the lawsuits that have been brought against the Conference. With the guidance of our legal team and the boards involved, we will review these cases as they move forward. There will be a joint report given at Annual Conference 2021 to explain where we are at that time.

Submitted by: Richard C Barling, chair of the Board of Trustees The 2016 Book of Discipline,¶2512.6 provides: “The board shall make to each session of the annual conference a full, true, and faithful report of its doings, of all funds, monies, securities, and property held in trust by it, and of its receipts and disbursements during the conference year.”

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

United Methodist Men (UMM) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62

“Creating - Capturing - Sustaining Men’s Ministry” The Upper New York Conference United Methodist Men are “All In - for Jesus!” To pray, to give hope, to serve, and to share the gospel throughout this Conference.

Our current Leadership is as follows: President – Mark Jones 475 Shortlots Rd, Frankfort, NY 13440 (315) 749-3700; msiwelshman@yahoo.com Vice President - Buddy Heit 2374 Bixby Rd, Savannah, NY 13146-9677 (315) 945-4388; agapefeast15@gmail.com Vice President - Steve Ranous 201 Candee Ave, Syracuse, NY 13224 (315) 427-3515; ummsteve@twcny.rr.com Men’s Ministry Specialist/Sec. - George Ramseyer 17 West Genesee St, Baldwinsville, NY 13027; (315) 720-6184; ramseyerg@gmail.cm

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Treasurer - Dave Greer 2432 Bigelow Lane, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 (315) 720-4840; daveranda221@gmail.com Website Manager- Mike DeZotell (315) 534-2903; mdezotell@firstumconline.org Conference Prayer Advocate Ken Summers, 418 Firth St, Endicott NY, 13760 (607) 725-7709; kensummers28@gmail.com Hunger Relief Advocate/Society of St Andrew Coordinator - Dean Burdick 5463 Orangeport Rd, Unit 203, Brewerton, NY 13029 (315) 420-9859; hungerrelief@unyumm.org

Additional positions to complete our executive board leadership team as outlined in our UNYUMM bylaws and constitution are filled at the discretion of the president.

This leadership of the UNYUMM is committed to reaching all parts of our Conference to disciple men and young men into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer and mission. We have adapted a hybrid model for ministry to men that includes virtual and/or in person ministry outreach to all men seeking Christ. The UNYUMM are all in – for Jesus! Connecting the men of our conference through prayer, service to God, and fostering God-centered relationships through weekly small group participation.

The UNYUMM are committed to “Sharing the gospel” throughout the Upper New York Conference! Our 2021-22 goal is to move from a focus on recruitment to one of discipleship through personal relationships and sharing life together. Our “New Generation to Men” ministry model adopted in January is an outreach mission of the UNYUMM. On Jan. 23, 2021 our Conference board decided to create a new way of doing men’s ministry here in the Upper New York Conference. The “New Generation to Men’s” ministry platform was approved, and with it, a new vision and a new mission. It is designed to “create, capture, and sustain” men’s ministry that is vibrant, alive, and most importantly, spirit-filled!

Our Mission Statement: Our mission is to strengthen relationships between all men and God, while sharing the Gospel of Jesus to all; witnessing to His life-changing love for all of us.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Our Vision Statement: To light the fire of God in the hearts of all men of all ages and, by extension, to their families and their loved ones and in their communities.

Our Core Values: x To help other men to start and grow in their personal relationship with Jesus. x To overcome barriers in telling others of God’s healing and peace through our love of Jesus that can only be achieved through salvation, through His son Jesus Christ x To help meet the basic needs of God’s people in churches and communities by using our hands to provide food, shelter, and clothing to those in need Our Core Values are collectively and individually the solid rock foundation on which our way of doing men’s ministry is being built!

Missionary Samuel Morris is quoted as saying “The greatest leadership is that which creates other leaders. Christianity depends for its preservation upon the capacity to pass on the torch of leadership from one generation to another.”

UNYUMM leadership participated in men’s ministry trainings throughout the months of December 2020 and January, February, and March 2021. The Zoom trainings were titled “Understanding Men’s Ministry,” and offered by trainers from the General Commission of the United Methodist Men, the Northeastern Jurisdictional UMM, the Man in the Mirror Ministries, and lastly the Promise Keepers. Future men’s ministry trainings on how to create, capture, and sustain men’s ministry will be offered in the Fall 2021 for all future men’s ministry leaders here in the Upper New York Conference. Times and dates will be posted on our www.unyumm.org website, on the Men-Connect event page.

We can be successful here in Upper New York in creating, capturing, and sustaining men’s ministry in our churches. Currently there are 38 Man inthe Mirror Men’s Ministry Specialists in our nation; and we are blessed to have one of them right here in the Upper NY Conference in George Ramseyer (Baldwinsville First UMC). George is authorized and certified to teach and train men in the “No Man Left Behind” model for discipleship, by creating, capturing, and sustaining a vibrant, spiritually healthy men’s ministry in our districts and local churches.

The UNYUMM have been greatly involved with hunger relief efforts within our Conference over the past 20 years. Thanks to our Hunger Relief Advocate, Dean Burdick and the Society of St. Andrew, we held successful potato drop efforts in 3 locations – Rose UMC, Endwell UMC, and W. Schuyler UMC. By following the Covid-19 regulations, we safely distributed 135,000 pounds of potatoes to those in need.

According to the records, that put us fourth nationwide in fundraising and potato distribution! During the Fall 2021, we have scheduled 4 potato drops. We continue to work with the Society of St. Andrew in “service to God” to provide fresh produce to those in need in our communities and churches.

In Nov. 2019 we launched a blessing box mission initiative throughout Upper New York. We came together at our Conference mission HUB and worked together to build blessing boxes. A blessing box is made of plywood, stands 4 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and is self-standing. Boxes are filled with non-perishable foods. The wooden box serves as a self-serve food pantry that is placed outside your church for those in need of an emergency food source 24 hours a day, 7 days week, and 365 days a year. Eleven blessing boxes were constructed on that mission HUB day and they have been sponsored by churches in the Rochester, Utica, Albany, and Binghamton areas. We do have several more boxes ready to go for those churches willing to feed those in their own communities (for a small fee). To participate, please contact Vice President, Buddy Heit at 315-945-4388.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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During 2020, we held no in-person men’s retreats or men’s gatherings due to state-regulated Covid-19 restrictions. We are committed to bringing a new chapter of ministry to men here in the Upper New York Conference through the UNYUMM, a chapter that will invite all men, district by district and church by church to be “All in - for Jesus”. To pray, to give hope, to serve, and to share the gospel. “There is a better way and that way is Jesus” Respectfully submitted, Mark Jones, President, UNYUMM

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

United Methodist Women (UMW) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

The past year has been a challenge in ways we would have never guessed prior to this journey. Yet, the United Methodist Women (UMW) at every level, from the National Office to the local units across this conference as well as across the US Connection, have not lost sight of our call to mission and justice work for all people in all places.

Since my last report, the UNY Conference UMW Leadership Team has worked on intentional connection with the District Leadership Teams, with the local units, and through our partnership with the Board of Directors, as well as with those who work for us at the National Office. We continue to provide opportunities for spiritual growth through online Bible studies, book studies, and learning seminars/live chats to engage our ladies with up-to-date information on immediate needs, justice issues, outreach efforts, and long-term goals for education/information and ministry.

The National Office was successful in its ability to host and complete the Jurisdictional UMW gatherings (inclusive with voting) which produced our new Board of Directors and PAG members for the next quadrennium (2021 – 2024). As a Conference, we could not be more excited over the election of our very own Valerie Clark as one of the new 25 UMW Board of Directors!

The UNY UMW did not get to host our annual “Mission u” Retreat this past summer, as the ability to provide it virtually by the scheduled time was not possible. However, by the time our district and Conference annual meetings were planned, we were better equipped. Several districts hosted their meetings as well. The Conference UMW Annual Meeting was hosted virtually with a keynote speaker from our National Mission Institution in Utica NY, the Utica Center.

I am pleased that our ability to meet the needs of our neighbors across the UNY Connection was not hindered, as some may have feared. The UNY UMW Conference Project grants funding every year for a variety of out-reach ministries via an application process continued; since our last Annual Conference report, the UMW Conference Project committee has offered two additional grant giving opportunities specific to COVID-19 outreach and ministry needs, which produced a giving (through the three different granting opportunities) of $75,000.00 across our Conference. This amount of funding was a huge blessing for every unit and ministry that was supported and funded.

Heading into 2021, we continue to plan for this year’s Mission u Retreat (that will likely be conducted differently than years past), our Annual Meetings in the Fall of 2021, and a variety of spiritual growth opportunities throughout the districts, the NEJ Connection, and National Office. Please know that we will continue to strive to eliminate injustice at all levels, walk with our neighbors in need, and nurture personal relationships with God through spiritual growth.

Serving Because of Jesus, Carmen FS Vianese, UNY UMW President Carmenfsvianese2@twc.com #(585)-468-5935

“Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this Ministry, we shall not lose heart!!” (2 Corinthians 4:1)

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Vital Congregations 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

At the outset of 2020 few people had any idea what the year would be like. Most people have not experienced a year like we have just journeyed through. As this report is being finalized the world is eclipsing one year of COVID-19 pandemic, and the signs of hope are beginning to gain. During this season the Vital Congregations ministries of the Upper New York Conference have continued to work with leaders around the Conference. While it seems everything around us has changed, the mission of the church has remained, to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Further, the Conference has remained focused on living into this mission by discovering, developing, and deploying Christ following transformational leaders so that local congregations can move toward greater vitality.

The ministry of Vital Congregations does not happen in isolation as many partners are needed to engage this work. Significant time was spent in relationship with, the Conference Operational Team, Conference Leadership Team, the UNY Cabinet, Board of Ordained Ministry, the three Regions, and all 12 districts.

Through these partnerships, we have been able to hear the needs of congregations and leaders around the Conference, as well as develop strategies to come alongside leaders in a greater way. Part of the work resulted in the affirmation of some definitions to guide the ministry we share. Following are the definitions used as investment is made to help congregations find greater vitality: A Disciple of Jesus Christ is a person who: x Confesses faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. x Is continually transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. x Seeks accountability to grow spiritually and missionally. x Boldly connects with the world around them while dismantling all forms of oppression and building up marginalized communities. x Proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ, x Participates with God to Make other disciples.

A Transformational Leader is a disciple of Jesus Christ who leads transformation by: x Fostering a culture for people to be open and available to the work of the Holy Spirit x Understanding the gifts and needs of their ministry setting x Equipping a disciple-making culture. x Discovering, developing, deploying, and leading new and existing leaders x Inspiring and equipping others for works of evangelism, justice, and mercy x Building a culture of transformation that will outlast the leader x Creating, leading, and empowering a system of accountability to the mission Definition of a vital congregation: x Inwardly transformed and outwardly focused x Spirit-filled, forward leaning communities of disciples x Grow, both numerically and spiritually over time x Welcome all people (Galatians 3.28) x Serve the world radically like Christ, through life-changing ministry and mission that build up the community of faith and transform lives and social conditions in the community and world (Micah 6:8 and Luke 4:17-21). x Joins God in the work that God is already doing. x Have powerful stories, measurable fruitfulness, and life changing ministries.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Markers of a Vital Congregation x Inviting and inspiring worship x New and growing Disciples x Small Group ministries x Engaged Disciples in mission and outreach x Generous giving.

Working with those definitions the programmatic strategies and experiments moved forward. By midyear there was the completion of four leadership incubators to walk alongside pastoral leaders. Three of the incubators were engaged through the ministry of Spiritual Leadership Inc. (SLI), while one was done in conjunction with New Faith Communities. Part of being a vital congregation is living out discipleship through the work of justice and mercy. This past year saw a cohort of pastoral leaders go through a cohort with the Mosaix Network to be equipped to develop multi-ethnic congregations. This was done in partnership with the Crossroads District and with support from the Cady Grant of the UNY Conference.

Just as 2021 was beginning, a new cohort emerged that is working with the General Board of Global Ministries to learn more about community development and how congregations can live their discipleship by addressing challenges in their community.

Along the way work with individual congregations and districts continues. This has meant coaching, consulting, and being a resource as congregations navigate their next faithful steps toward greater vitality.

In some situations, this has involved completing a ministry audit. The audit is a process by which the congregation is assisted by an outside team to do a health check-up. Through the process, recommendations are developed, and congregations are given the opportunity to choose the next step for them.

Not to be forgotten is the work of the Associate Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life. Through her work, Nancy Dibelius has offered the gift of a video series of spiritual practices and disciplines. During this time, the ministry of Tending the Soul has continued, albeit in an adapted form. Nancy has also worked on various projects for Districts and the Conference.

Looking forward, the ministry will continue to work to come alongside congregations and leaders to live into the mission. We will continue to develop leaders so that the local congregations can be vital and thrive. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve God and the church in this way.

In Christ, Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Vital Congregations

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Highlights Volunteers in Mission as UMCOR ERT trainers offered two Early Response Team (ERT Basic) trainings early in 2020. Trainers and volunteers were subsequently motivated to explore, design and incorporate online communication and training opportunities when the pandemic restrictions eliminated in-person training and meetings. The coordinators redesigned the recertification class for training by Zoom and with another trainer, Brian Greenwald, tested the registration and steps required. All 7 UNY trainers participated in the April offering. With their feedback, the process and course were improved for a May offering. The results and feedback for these online ERT Recertification courses were shared with UMCOR. UMCOR subsequently redesigned the national course based in part on the UNY model.

All certified UNY trainers attended a train-the-trainer course offered by UMCOR to prepare to teach the new course. That ERT Recertification Training is scheduled for April 11, 2021. Two of the seven conference trainers have decided to not train via Zoom. A total of 113 volunteers were trained or recertified for Early Response Teams. UMCOR requires ERT Basic courses be in-person training with a minimum of 12 persons.

Until vaccines are readily available and training spaces are available, in-person training is on hold.

UMCOR offered a series of modules for VIM and Disaster Response coordinators that were attended by the VIM Coordinators and the Conference Disaster response coordinator, Mike Block. The VIM coordinators and Mike Block, as well as a few volunteers in mission, participated in various modules of the virtual Northeastern Jurisdiction Academy. In addition, timely webinars on Black Lives Matter, leadership, and being in mission remotely were attended.

Mohawk Valley area was impacted by 2019 Halloween flooding. A total of 87 volunteers worked in the county in 2020 prior to March 13. Volunteers-in-Mission rebuild project associated with Halloween 2019 flood are hampered by safe housing and safe working conditions in the pandemic. Couple and colleague teams have addressed some of the issues. Our disaster coordinator has connected with local Mennonite and Baptist teams to keep projects moving. Five house rehabs are completed.

The UNY Mission Central HUB has needed to put operations on hold as state regulations associated with the pandemic put building occupancy on hold. UMCOR kit collection and creation are impacted. The shortage of N95 masks at the beginning of the pandemic led the HUB staff to remove masks from prepared disaster cleanup buckets to donate to local medical and frontline workers. The HUB staff created opportunities for churches and individuals to donate materials even as the conference center remained closed. Collaborating with community groups, the HUB has addressed needs for wheelchair ramps while adhering to CDC guidelines. Mike Block and VIM Coordinators keep in communication with and collaborate as disaster situations warrant with Peter Gudaitis, Executive Director, NY Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), President, National Disaster Interfaith Network (NDIN), Chair, NY Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NYVOAD). Working with the United Way, we feed information into their project management system.

Across the conference, VIM continue leading or participating in feeding programs. Writing grants, working with community bulk food outlets, revamping protocols, increasing frequencies, etc. the church is stepping into the need. Many sites report an uptick in the number of families and the frequency of need.

There continues to be an increased need for communities to address hunger through ongoing coordination of government, private, business, and church-based programs. An outstanding example is the Lansing UMC efforts to support individuals living at Rescue Missions. Parishioners donate individual servings of meals, snacks, etc. These are delivered weekly to the mission.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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VIM continue to facilitate remote learning and worship, discussion groups, and other methods of connecting. Volunteers are engaged in creating and redesigning ministries and conducting drive-thru fundraising events. A Newark furniture maker (Hallagan Furniture), in collaboration with community seamstresses, received the New York State Senate Empire Award in recognition of extraordinary efforts to support local hospitals and health care workers with 28,000 masks. Newark UMC leaders own the company and made the decision to redirect the operations toward this mission. Many individual and church group efforts continue to address the needs of communities across the conference. Sodus UMC supported a modified farmer’s market – with mask and social distancing protocols in place. Many churches were able to modify fundraising to online. Drive thru dinners and food distribution adhered to safety protocols while engaging hundreds of volunteers across the conference.

Additional VIM Teams The HUB contacted UNY Camp and Retreat Ministries to arrange for VIM teams to repair and refurbish camp facilities in summer 2020. Upper New York Conference curtailed most teams based on COVID-19 safety protocols. Out-of-state teams were prohibited by state regulations. Responding to local community needs became the locations where volunteers could serve in mission.

Jurisdictional Merge The Northeastern Jurisdiction of VIM began the process of merging with other jurisdictions in 2019. The merge includes consolidation of leadership, standardization of operation, leverage to negotiate travel insurance, and a reduction of costs. One web site has been created and maintained with materials pertinent to all jurisdictions posted centrally while jurisdiction specific materials are presented by jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction retains a VIM Coordinator and two representatives on the National VIM Board. A VIM team leader, Ray McCabe of Niagara Frontier, Upper New York is serving as one NEJ representative. His expertise as an attorney provides needed guidance for the merge. The new organization renegotiated domestic and international travel insurance for VIM teams. When the merge is complete, positions repeated in each jurisdiction such as the treasurer position held by Roger Cullen for NEJ, will be carried out in the national organization. The right sizing provides both economy of scale and standardization moving forward.

UNYVIM Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UpperNewYorkVolunteersInMission continues as a connection. Opportunities to serve are updated regularly.

Submitted by: Roger and Donna Cullen, UNY Volunteers in Mission Coordinators

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Young Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Like other conference groups, 2020 was a struggle for the young people of this conference. We started off the year strong. Plans for Bible study, comradery, and mission.

At the beginning of 2020 Zoom was already a big part of the young adult action of this conference. With being so spread out in New York and sometimes out of state, this was a great tool for us to use. We knew we wanted to begin planning for a mission within The United States.

We planned with the NEJ to have a journey to Blackfeet Mission in Montana for July 2021. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 it was not safe for us to travel.

During the pandemic we have met as a group simply to debrief. Say hello. Say what is on our hearts. It has been an incredible hardship for the young adults to stay positive, but we are not losing faith.

We are planning to get our mission grant application to the conference to give young adults funds for the future. Funds to create more disciples of God. The young adults appreciate the support from the conference and ask that you keep us in your prayers.

Many of us have missed graduations, family events, and lost loved ones in 2020. We continue to believe that being disciples of Christ will keep our hearts full. God bless this conference.

Respectfully, JJ Warren and Elyse Muder

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Youth Ministries, Conference Council on (CCYM) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

The 2020-2021 CCYM is pleased to report a successful and productive year full of joy, connection, and spiritual enlightenment. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we were not able to hold our usual large spring event and smaller fall events, but we still kept in contact throughout the year and were able to safely put together fall events at some of our camp and retreat centers. We held gatherings at the following camps, Skye Farm, Asbury, and Casowasco. All of these events were very successful, we held worship services, played socially distant games, and volunteered in a variety of tasks to help out each respective camp.

After receiving positive feedback on the fall events, we decided to host similar events at the camp and retreat centers this spring. Our spring clean-up events included a variety of tasks and socially distant games that insured a productive and enjoyable event for all attendees. Our spring event also included an overnight for members of CCYM. This year CCYM ventured into uncharted territories and we adapted to the circumstances and hosted very successful spring and fall events. As we hope to go back to our traditional event schedule, we may continue to keep these events on our agenda due to the positive feedback from all attendees.

Participants: Avary Halliday, Charley Miller, Kevin Clark, Emily Clark, Payton McGeough-Gamache, Hannah Schermerhorn, Leia Herrington, Danvass Gekonge, Kristian Snyder, Gavin Rhinehart, Macy Benz, Kathryn Helms, Anneliese Leinenbach, Kayla Way, Gavin Infante, Cesar Emmanuel Galarza-Arzola, Ethan Stierheim, Noah Stierheim, Arabella Hefti, Sam Lasher, Grace Dunham, Christian Valentine, Victor Giso, and Laura Woodruff.

Respectfully submitted, Avary Halliday and Sam Lasher Co-Chairs

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Reports (Connected Organizations)

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

Africa University 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

It is truly a joy to update and thank the members of the Upper New York Conference as partners in ministry with Africa University.

Africa University is deeply grateful to the local churches of the Upper New York Conference for investing 100 percent of the asking to the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2020. Thank you for supporting the ministry of Africa University with such faithfulness and generosity. By consistently sharing your blessings, even in difficult times, Upper New York United Methodist congregations are a source of inspiration and strength.

The multilayered impact of COVID-19 and the measures instituted to control the public health crisis it engendered have brought about profound and lasting adjustments in how we live, work, serve, and connect. For Africa University, these include: x A shift to online-only teaching and learning from late March through December 2020. Online teaching and remote work required more equipment and training for faculty and staff as well as creative actions to ensure consistent internet access for the students, regardless of location. As the only university in Zimbabwe accredited to offer online degrees, Africa University had the infrastructure and expertise to transition smoothly and break new ground with competencybased student assessment tools. x Gifts totaling more than $300,000 from across the United Methodist connection for COVID-19 relief efforts. These second-mile gifts enabled Africa University to care for around 300 international students who were stranded on its campus between March and late July 2020. x Excellent student retention and modest enrollment growth, with a more than 99% uptake of online learning by students. Due to Africa University’s highly proactive approach and adherence to shared governance, more than 3,000 students enrolled for the 2020-2021 academic year—16% more than the previous year—with 2,395 studying full-time. Fifty-seven percent of full-time students were female and 24% were international. x Innovation, outreach, and service through: o The development and distribution of masks and hand sanitizer (of its own design/formulation), that have now been certified and cleared for commercial production. o The launch, via a web application of farm to household delivery of fresh produce, meat, and poultry products by the Africa University Dream Farm Trust. o Two student-led initiatives—Feed a Family and Ben Hill UMC Women’s Residence Girl Child Support Program—that provided medical care, food, and school fees assistance to vulnerable families in the wider community. Campus-based and home-based students raised resources, procured supplies, and organized safe distribution to families. x The successful completion of two new buildings—the Highland Park UMC-funded student union facility and a dormitory for female students. A new solar farm powers the Highland Park women’s dormitory.

Africa University’s online campus is here to stay, thanks to infrastructure enhancements and the lesson learned while staying focused on its mission in 2020. Africa’s business, philanthropic, and higher education sectors are taking notice of Africa University’s boldness and adaptability in unprecedented times. Africa

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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University is currently ranked #1 in Zimbabwe and moved up 59 places in 2020, from 98th to 39th among the top 200 universities on the continent of Africa. Africa University continues to grow its pan-African presence and impact through new programs, partnerships, and blended learning options.

Thank you, Upper New York United Methodists, for helping to prepare young leaders to be “an aroma that brings life” to a world that is crying out for justice, compassion, healing, and wholeness (2 Cor. 2:1416). Through your prayers and gifts, you participate with the students, lecturers, and administrators in disciple-making by example.

In journeying alongside Africa University in ministry and mission, Upper New York United Methodists are the church in the world—seeding hope and sharing the love of Christ. You affirm that when we are all in it together, God’s grace is indeed sufficient. To God be the glory.

Submitted by: James H. Salley, Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement Africa University Development Office

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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Candler School of Theology Since our founding in 1914, Candler School of Theology at Emory University has educated more than 10,000 students, shaping thoughtful, principled, and courageous leaders dedicated to transforming the world in the name of Jesus Christ. We continued our work even through this most difficult year, with the coronavirus continuing its march around the world, a reckoning for racial injustice rolling across our nation, and a toxic, divisive political atmosphere challenging our civic life. Perhaps there has been no better year than this to underscore the importance of faithful and creative leaders for the church’s ministries throughout the world—the type of leaders we form at Candler.

Though our mission remains unchanged, the pandemic has necessitated many changes in how we undertake that mission: We have shifted classes online, redesigned syllabi to support optimal online learning, developed new ways to worship and experience community together in the virtual sphere, and discerned which new habits and modalities have promise for enriching our work even after the pandemic ends. Through these efforts, we and our students have gained deep experience in being flexible, adaptable, and creative as we respond to the demands of ever-changing contexts—experience that not only serves us well now, but will continue to serve us and our ministries far into the future.

Candler is one of 13 official seminaries of The United Methodist Church, yet true to the Methodist tradition of ecumenical openness, we enthusiastically welcome students from 44 denominations, with 46% of MDiv students coming from the Wesleyan tradition. Our student body reflects the diversity and breadth of the Christian faithful, with an enrollment of 483 from 12 countries and 37 states, 44 percent persons of color (U.S.), and a median age of 27 among MDivs. This diversity is a rich blessing, and this year we created a new staff position of assistant director of student life for diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster understanding and ensure we are responsive to the needs of our diverse student body.

We offer six single degrees (MDiv, MTS, MRL MRPL, ThM, DMin) and ten dual degrees. Our Doctor of Ministry degree is 90 percent online, so students can remain in their places of ministry while completing their degrees. Our new Chaplaincy concentration is now among our most popular, and our Teaching Parish program enables students to serve as student pastors in local churches throughout the southeast, learning firsthand about shepherding a congregation; this year, there were 36 participants.

Alleviating student debt through generous financial aid remains among our top priorities. In 2019-2020, we awarded nearly $6.6 million in financial aid, with 100% of MDiv and 98% of all students receiving support. All MDiv students who are certified candidates for ordained ministry in the UMC receive fulltuition scholarships, and all MDiv, MTS, and master of religious leadership students who are enrolled parttime or more receive a scholarship covering at least 50% of tuition for the length of their program.

The demands of the pandemic did not diminish Candler’s robust schedule of events. Candler’s Black Church Studies program celebrated its 30th anniversary with a yearlong slate of online lectures and panel discussions, now available at vimeo.com/candler. We also launched The Candler Foundry to make theological education accessible to all, through short and semester-length courses taught by Candler faculty, videos and discussion guides to spark conversation in groups or one-on-one, and Facebook Live panel discussions connecting theology with current issues in the world. View the latest offerings at candlerfoundry.emory.edu.

Candler’s ability to fulfill our mission of educating faithful and creative leaders for the church’s ministries throughout the world depends upon your prayers, partnership, and support. Thank you for the countless ways you advance this vital ministry in the life of our denomination. We invite you to visit us online at candler.emory.edu.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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—Jan Love Mary Lee Hardin Willard Dean and Professor of Christianity and World Politics Candler School of Theology, Emory University

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Drew University Theological School 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

As with most other schools in the northeast of the U.S., Drew University evacuated its campus in early spring 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drew Theological School faculty and staff adapted to this challenge with resilience, compassion, and creativity. The Theological School faculty put their courses all online, led development workshops for faculty across the university, and, in order to accommodate our many international admits who would not be able to enter the United States for fall 2020, designed an asynchronous Master of Divinity program.

As a result of this work, the Theological School welcomed 147 new students, its largest entering class in a decade, with an enrollment of 380 for the current academic year. Our chapel team has also led the way in creating online worship experiences that connect the Drew community now across the globe. All degree programs at the Theological School include interdisciplinary courses that demand out-of-the-box thinking, apprenticeship training that addresses real-world issues, and modes of learning that promote adaptability and innovation.

Our MDiv and MATM degrees include a required gateway year, vocational pathways, and experiential learning that develops and deepens adaptive leadership skills. The curriculum features a team-designed and taught interdisciplinary sequence of core courses reflecting the integration of the theological disciplines and practices characteristic of the life of faith. The faculty have also articulated shared values that are infused across the teaching and learning at Drew: a commitment to anti-racism; gender and sexual-identity equality; eco-sustainability and environmental justice; and interfaith understanding and cooperation.

Drew cultivates pastors, preachers, deacons, activists, teachers, and thought leaders who go all over the world to take their place as the next generation of faith leaders and change agents.

Submitted by: Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, Interim Dean

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Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

MTSO preserves learning and community despite COVID-19 Confronted by the challenges of a pandemic, MTSO’s students, faculty, and staff joined together to preserve a learning environment and a sense of community. In March 2020, the school announced that Spring semester and summer classes would all move online. A virtual commencement was held for the class of 2020, featuring submitted video of individual graduates, as well as faculty members in full regalia.

Addressing the graduates, President Jay Rundell said, “The pandemic has prepared you in ways that you might not realize. There will be surprises in the future. You now know how to adapt.”

Fall 2020 classes began in a “hyflex” format, blending online learning and optional campus-based classes.

As the virus became more widespread in mid-October, the school pivoted to all-online learning, extending the online-only format through the 2021 Spring semester. During all COVID-related adaptations, MTSO’s tradition of Tuesday chapel services continued – in person and distanced when possible, online when necessary. In addition, the dining hall staff offered free Thanksgiving dinners for pickup to students and employees and continued to provide to-go lunches on a regular basis. Student organizations and study groups have continued to meet virtually. Most recently, plans were made to hold the 2021 commencement virtually.

Full-tuition scholarships extended to those pursuing United Methodist candidacy MTSO and the school’s generous donors pledged to extend a full-tuition pledge to all prospective students who are pursuing United Methodist elder or deacon candidacy. The MTSO admissions staff is happy to answer questions at 800-333-6876 or admissions@mtso.edu. $1 million Lilly Endowment grant will promote thriving in ministry In December 2020, MTSO received a grant of $995,731 to help establish “Spaces for Thriving: Cultivating Authentic Pastors for Small Membership Churches and Communities of Color.” The project is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving in Ministry, is an initiative that supports a variety of religious organizations across the nation as they create or strengthen programs that help pastors build relationships with experienced clergy and who can serve as mentors and guide them through key leadership challenges in congregational ministry. The central goals of MTSO’s project are to improve pastoral thriving through attention to well-being, authenticity in vocation, and connections to fellow pastors.

Respectfully submitted, Danny Russell, director of communications

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

New York State Council of Churches 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

The New York State Council of Churches, founded in the late 19th century, represents 7,000 congregations across the State of New York. We are comprised of eight partner denominations including American Baptist Churches USA, The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church USA, The Reformed Church in America, The Religious Society of Friends, United Church of Christ, and The United Methodist Church.

The New York State Council of Churches: Certifies and supports Protestant chaplains in Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Children and Family Services as they seek to offer love and hope to so many who feel hopeless and have had little experience of being loved unconditionally. We urge fully ordained pastors, including those who may be serving as parish ministers, to consider applying for certification. The Departments of Corrections, after a state hiring freeze, will resume interviews of candidates to fill at least 12 chaplain openings.

In October, we held our annual chaplain’s conference virtually which can be viewed at WWW.NYSCOC.org Advocates for laws and policies, consistent with our denominational partner’s social principles, which address structural racism, economic inequality, and environmental degradation x With the advent of the pandemic, the Council sought to synthesize all of the public health guidance for congregations. We also engaged in rigorous advocacy for the state and Federal governments to address the economic impact and racial disparities. Our guidance appeared on the New York State website. We now continue to advocate for just distribution of the vaccine. Central to our efforts have been to consistently call on the very wealthiest New Yorkers to contribute more to address severe state underinvestment in social services before and during the pandemic including cuts to drug and alcohol programs, home care, Medicaid, education and infrastructure budgets. We also advocated for increased Federal aid. x Our Statewide Ecumenical Advocacy Day took place virtually on February 25. We focused on raising additional revenue for the state budget, support for the Climate and Community Investment Act, expansion of funding for affordable housing, prevention of cuts to long term care, and multiple reforms to ease the process for people re-entering society from prison. The full description of our 2021 legislative asks and video of all the presentations can be found at WWW.Nyscoc.org.

Promotes mission consistent development of church property. The Council and three other partners--Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing, Interfaith Affordable Housing Collaborative and Bricks and Mortals-received a generous grant from Trinity Church Wall Street to help us consult with congregations in New York City about repurposing their property to build affordable housing. We also offer grants and assessments to congregations outside of New York City seeking to develop their property. Our Who is My Neighbor Seminars offer expert guidance. Seminars can be found at WWW.Nyscoc.org.

We partner with the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations to champion religious freedom and human rights in India. Our advocacy work has been complemented with monthly webinars. We continue to strengthen bonds with our partner, the Church of South India.

We thank our denominational partners for their support. You can view our virtual fundraising event which tells the full story of the Council on our website. WWW.Nyscoc.org. Our new offices are near the capitol at Westminster Presbyterian Church - 85 Chestnut Street, Albany, New York, 12210. Office email is nyscocalbany@gmail.com; phone is 518-436-9319.

The Reverend Peter Cook is Executive Director and can be reached at pcook@nyscoc.org or 508-380-8289.

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

United Theological Seminary 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19 It appears God is doing some new things at United Theological Seminary, even in the midst of health, racial, and political crises.

God is doing a new thing at United financially. United continues to make progress toward its goal of becoming debt-free by the Seminary’s 150th anniversary on October 11, 2021. Thanks to the faithfulness and generosity of alumni/ae and donors, less than $1 million remains of the original $4 million mortgage debt. After the mortgage is paid in full, the Seminary plans to convert those mortgage payments into money for student scholarships.

God is doing a new thing in enrollment. Over the last five years, United’s Doctor of Ministry program has grown by 48%, from 170 students in the 2016-17 academic year to 251 in 2020-21. In Fall 2021, Dr. Elvin Sadler, General Secretary of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, will become the Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies, upon the retirement of Dr. Harold Hudson who has been a vital leader at the Seminary for 17 years.

God is doing a new thing with partners in church renewal. In the 2020-21 academic year, United has partnered with Fresh Expressions US and the Mosaix Global Network to introduce two new Houses of Study. These houses oversee specialized tracks in the Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity programs.

Rev. Dr. Michael Beck is director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies, and Dr. Harry Li is Director of the Mosaix House of Studies.

In collaboration with the Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church, United also introduced Rooted/Enraizados, a certificate program for coaches and mentors of Hispanic/Latino church planters. In 2020-21, the program served students from more than five annual conferences.

God is doing a new thing with the establishment of The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center. Beginning in 2021, the Innovation Center honors the ministry of Bishop Bruce Ough by providing a hub of learning for church leaders seeking the framework, support, and courage to introduce the Gospel of Jesus Christ in new and creative ways. Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey joins United as the inaugural Director of the Innovation Center.

United’s prayer is that United Methodists will perceive the new things that God is doing in our communities, congregations, and ministries as we strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Grace and peace, Dr. Kent Millard, President

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ϭϮƚŚ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hƉƉĞƌ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ŶŶƵĂů ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ :ƵŶĞ ϭϳͲϭϵ͕ ϮϬϮϭ Ͳ sŽů͘ /

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