Bishop Webb tours entire Conference

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1 Upper New York ADVOCATE Our vision: To live the gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God s love with our neighbors in all places A PUBLICATION OF THE UPPER NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Volume 4, Issue 11 - NOVEMBER 2012 Bishop Webb tours entire Conference Episcopal leader makes 14 stops in 12 districts in 1 month By Maidstone Mulenga Advocate editor Holy God, have your way with your church, And if anything gets in the way, If I get in the way, move me, change me. For your glory, For the building of your Kingdom, Amen. That is how Bishop Mark J. Webb ended each of his 14 stops on his month-long, 12-district tour of the Upper New York Annual Conference, the conference that has been placed under his care by The United Methodist Church (UMC). Bishop Webb, who was elected to the episcopacy in July and assigned to the Upper New York Area in September, spent most of October traveling through the conference that comprises more than 920 UMC congregations, spread over 49 of the 62 counties in New York. He clocked nearly 2,000 miles. His listening tour took him to Shenendehowa UMC in Clifton Park in the Albany District; Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid and Queensbury UMC in the Adirondack District; Cobleskill UMC in Cobleskill in the Oneonta District; Chenango Bridge UMC in the Binghamton District; Trinity UMC in Whitesboro in the Mohawk District; Potsdam UMC in Potsdam and Asbury UMC in Watertown in the Northern Flow District; Liverpool UMC in the Crossroads District; Auburn UMC in the Finger Lakes District; Rush UMC in Rush in the Genesee Valley District; Bath s Centenary UMC in Mountain View District; Christ First UMC in Jamestown in the Cornerstone District; and Pendleton Center UMC in the Niagara Frontier District. Bishop Webb told the hundreds of lay and clergy members that he was eager to hear from the Conference and gave out his address: bishopwebb@ unyumc.org. He promised to read each sent to him, but cautioned: There are 181,000 of you and only one of me, and I may not respond immediately. He described what he d like his inbox to look like: I get a lot of s; most of those are not Let me tell you the good things God is doing..., he said. I would love to have 90 percent be You ve got to hear this... Let me tell you what God did through our church this week. Bishop Webb spent time talking about his call to ministry and how he had planned to become a hospital administrator then pursue a political career with the goal of becoming governor of Pennsylvania. Obviously, God had other plans, he added to the chuckles. Continued on page 10 Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb spent the month of October touring the 12 districts of the Conference. The bishop celebrated Communion at each church he visited. See photos from the tour on pages 4-9 and online on our Facebook page. Video clips from the bishop s tour will also be available online. Photo by Maidstone Mulenga. Invite Bishop Webb to preach During his tour of the districts, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb announced that he is accepting invitations to preach at local churches throughout See details on how to invite the bishop to your church on page 2. Bishop Webb accepting invitations to preach at local churches Page 2 Bishop Webb s Thanksgiving Letter Page 3 Photos from Bishop Webb s tour of the Conference Pages 4-9 Inside Share your ministries through video Page 10 CCYM Fall Gathering, Mission Possible Page 11 Also Briefs, remembrances, Conference calendar Page 12 Changes planned for AC Session By Maidstone Mulenga Advocate editor The 2013 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference will be held from Thursday, May 30, to Saturday, June 1, at the Onondaga County Convention Center (the OnCenter) in Syracuse. The session is scheduled to open at 9:30 a.m. on May 30 with the Clergy/Laity Sessions, and end with the Ordination Service at 2 p.m. on June 1. At its meeting on Oct. 15, the Conference Committee on Sessions approved the plan for the 4th Session of the Annual Conference, the first one to be presided over by Bishop Mark J. Webb, who was assigned as episcopal leader for the Area on Sept. 1. Bishop Webb told the committee that he hopes the tone and purpose of the 2013 Session will be a time of spiritual renewal and revival, an opportunity to celebrate our shared ministry and mission in an environment likened to a pep rally with some important conversations held and business accomplished. Worship will be the foundation of everything we do, he said. Prominent during the Session will be the celebration of the ministries and missions of the local churches through videos. (See a story about submitting videos on page 6.) Among the changes will be workshops for both laity and clergy scheduled over lunch to Continued on page 2 REMINDER: ITEMS SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION ARE DUE ON THE 5TH OF EACH MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH S ISSUE.

2 Page 2 November 2012 The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate How to Reach Us Bishop s office Upper New York Area Episcopal Office of The United Methodist Church 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse, NY Phone: (315) Fax: (315) Adirondack District Superintendent William Mudge 396 Louden Road Saratoga Springs, NY (518) x11 Fax: (518) AdirondackDistrict@unyumc.org Albany District Superintendent Richard Weihing 396 Louden Road Saratoga Springs, NY (518) x10 Fax: (518) AlbanyDistrict@unyumc.org Binghamton District Superintendent David Masland 53 McKinley Ave. Endicott, NY (607) Fax: (607) binghamtondistrict@unyumc.org Cornerstone District Superintendent Sherri Rood 663 Lakeview Ave. Jamestown, NY (716) Fax: (716) cornerstonedistrict@unyumc.org DISTRICTS Crossroads District Superintendent Darryl R. Barrow 324 University Ave. 3rd Floor Syracuse, NY Phone: (315) x312 Fax: (315) ; toll free: (855) Crossroadsdistrict@unyumc.org Finger Lakes District Superintendent Richard Barton 1 Franklin Sq., Suite 301, Geneva NY (315) Fax: (315) fingerlakesdistrict@unyumc.org Genesee Valley District Superintendent Theodore Anderson 1100 South Goodman St. Rochester, NY (585) Fax: (585) geneseevalleyumc@crcds.edu Mohawk District Superintendent Sung Ho Lee 105 Genesee St. New Hartford, NY (315) Fax: (315) mohawkdistrict@unyumc.org Conference office Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse, NY Phone: (315) ; toll free: (855) Fax: (315) MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER 53 McKinley Ave., Endicott, NY Diane Alexander, media resource center coordinator (607) dianealexander@unyumc.org. Mountain View District Superintendent Cathy Stengel 65 E. First St. Corning, NY (607) Fax: (607) mountainviewdistrict@unyumc.org Niagara Frontier District Superintendent Wayne Butler 247 Cayuga Road, Suite 70 Cheektowaga, NY (716) Fax: (716) niagarafrontier@unyumc.org Northern Flow District Superintendent Rebekah Sweet 95 E. Main St. Gouverneur, NY (315) Fax: (315) northernflowdistrict@unyumc.org Oneonta District Superintendent Jan Rowell 66 Chestnut St. Oneonta, NY (607) Fax: (607) oneontadistrict@unyumc.org Bishop Webb accepting invitations to preach Bishop Webb Continued from cover allow for more community building and learning during the time folks are gathered for the Session. The workshops will be voluntary and on a variety of topics. Another major change will be the holding of separate services for the ordination and commissioning ceremonies. The commissioning of provisional members will be part of the Celebration of Ministry on Friday evening, while the ordination ceremony will be on Saturday afternoon. Changes planned for the 2013 AC Session In addition to the commissioning, Friday s Celebration of Ministry will include honoring of those who are retiring, a blessing for those who are Sivers Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is accepting invitations to preach at local churches from January 2013 through January I am now establishing my preaching schedule... and will consult with the Cabinet to prioritize my response to any requests for me to be in the churches of our Conference, Bishop Webb said. Churches that wish to extend an invitation for the bishop to preach are asked to contact Mary Bradley, the bishop s administrative assistant, by at bishopsoffice@unyumc.org or by mail to Upper New York Area Episcopal Office, 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor, Syracuse, newly licensed, completed licensing school or completed Course of Study, as well as, honoring the work of NY Churches that are inviting the bishop to mark a special occasion in the life of their church are asked to make a note of that in their request. Churches are also urged to offer some flexibility in terms of dates in order to give the bishop a better opportunity to honor their request. Churches are asked to make their requests no later than Dec. 15, extension ministers and laity. The Conference Committee on Sessions serves as the chief planning committee for the Annual Conference sessions. It is chaired by the Rev. Teressa Sivers, pastor at First Oneonta UMC. Committee members serve by virtue of their offices and other responsibilities. These include the Resident Bishop, the Executive Assistant to the Bishop, the Director of Connectional Ministries, the Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services, the Benefits Officer, the Director of Communications, the Conference Lay Leader, the Conference Secretary, the Coordinator of the Ordination Service, the Chairs of the Worship Team, the Dean of the Cabinet, the Host District Superintendent, the Host District Lay Leader, the Chair of the Committee on Rules, the Chair of the Committee on Resolutions and Petitions, the Conference President of United Methodist Women, the Conference President of United Methodist Men, and the Presidents of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries. ADVOCATE STAFF EDITOR/PUBLISHER Rev. Maidstone Mulenga Director of Communications (315) x307 maidstonemulenga@ unyumc.org DEPUTY EDITOR Beth DiCocco Conference writer/editor (315) x319 bethdicocco@ unyumc.org DESIGNER/WRITER Christian Vischi Communications associate (315) x313 christianvischi@ unyumc.org E-ADVOCATE/WEB Ashley VanSickle Multimedia/ web coordinator (315) x320 ashleyvansickle@ unyumc.org ADMIN. ASST. to the director Karen Campolieto (315) x304 karencampolieto@ unyumc.org IT MANAGER Clyde Wolford (315) x322 clydewolford@ unyumc.org STORY IDEAS The Advocate is always looking for news and story ideas. story ideas to: unyadvocate@ unyumc.org. Please include a phone number so that we can follow up. Or you can call Beth DiCocco, Advocate deputy editor, at (315) ext Photos can also be sent via . Please send hi-res versions, at least 300 dpi at full size. UPPER NEW YORK UNITED METHODIST ADVOCATE RESIDENT BISHOP Mark J. Webb EDITOR/PUBLISHER Maidstone Mulenga Upper New York United Methodist Advocate is a monthly newspaper of the Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, whose mission is to be God s love with all our neighbors in all places. Materials in the Advocate may not be reproduced unless the item is accompanied by a copyright notation. Subscriptions $15 per year paid in advance. 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor Syracuse, NY Call (855) or visit ~ PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID ~ SYRACUSE, NEW YORK USPS POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO Upper New York United Methodist ADVOCATE 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor Syracuse, NY We reserve the right to edit or decline any items submitted for publication.

3 The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate November 2012 Page 3

4 Page 4 November 2012 The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate Bishop Webb tours the Conference Photos by Maidstone Mulenga OCT. 5 albany district OCT. 6 adirondack district In the Albany District, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb visited Shenendehowa United Methodist Church in Clifton Park. ABOVE: Oneonta District Superintendent Jan Rowell, who was filling in for the Albany District superintendent, talks with the bishop s wife, Jodi. Rev. Richard Weihing was named Albany District superintendent on Oct. 15. ABOVE Adirondack District Superintendent Bill Mudge (left) and Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb serve Communion during the bishop s visit to the district. He made stops at Adirondack United Methodist Church in Lake Placid and Queensbury United Methodist Church. RIGHT: Roger Ellis, co-lay leader of the Adirondack District, presents a gift to the bishop.

5 The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate November 2012 Page 5 OCT. 7 ONEONTA district Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb spent much of October on the road touring the 12 districts of the Conference. These are photos from his meeting with folks at the Cobleskill United Methodist Church in the Oneonta District. Photos courtesy of the Oneonta District. OCT. 7 BINGHAMTON district Want to see even more photos? Check out the albums on the Upper New York Annual Conference Facebook page. ABOVE: Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb celebrates Communion during his visit to the Chenango Bridge United Methodist Church in the Binghamton District. LEFT: Bishop Webb and Binghamton District Superintendent David Masland serve Communion. OCT. 6 adirondack district Here Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb celebrates Communion he did in each district he visited.

6 FA and Ar ist Va UM Page 6 November 2012 The Upper New York Un Bishop Webb tours Upper New OCT. 12 mohawk district Photos by Maidstone Mulenga OCT. 14 northern flow district ABOVE: Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb celebrates Communion during his visit to the Northern Flow District. RIGHT: Northern Flow District Superintendent Rebekah Sweet. BELOW: The choir at Potsdam UMC. Bishop Webb also visited Asbury UMC in Watertown during his tour of Northern Flow. Want to see even more photos? Check out the albums on the Upper New York Annual Conference Facebook page. OCT. 23 finger lak

7 ited Methodist Advocate York OCT. 15 crossroads district November 2012 Page 7 R LEFT: Mohawk District Superintendent Sung Ho Lee Mark Adsit, district lay leader, welcome Upper New York ea Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb to Trinity Unied Method- Church in Whitesboro by presenting him with a Mohawk lley specialty: tomato pie. ABOVE: Communion at Trinity C. LEFT: A message for the bishop from the district. ABOVE: During his visit to the Crossroads District, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb is presented with a gift basket. Handing him the basket is district administrative assistant Anne Hutchins and Superintendent Darryl Barrow. LEFT: Bishop Webb talks with Rev. Aaron Bouwens and his family. Rev. Bouwens is associate director for vital congregations for the Conference and pastor at First United Methodist Church in Liverpool, where the bishop made his visit. BELOW: Bishop Webb and the Rev. John Fulton, pastor of Rockefeller UMC in Syracuse. es district RIGHT: Bishop Mark J. Webb holds a Finger Lakes sweatshirf presented to him at Auburn UMC during his visit to the district. BELOW: Bishop Webb and Finger Lakes District Superintendent Dick Barton serve Communion. LEFT: Bishop Webb greets some of the younger members; the bishop made a point of talking with young people during his tour.

8 Page 8 November 2012 The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate Bishop Webb tours the Conference OCT. 26 genesee valley district ABOVE, BELOW RIGHT: Rush United Methodist Church was the site of Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb s visit to the Genesee Valley District. ABOVE RIGHT: The bishop asked Duncan McGinnis, here with his mother the Rev. Heidi Miller- McGinnis, pastor of Dalton UMC, what he likes about church. The bishop posed that question to youth throughout the Conference during his tour. Genesee Valley District photos by Maidstone Mulenga. Want to see even more photos? Check out the albums on the Upper New York Annual Conference Facebook page. OCT. 28 niagara frontier district ABOVE: Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb made a point of talking to children during his district visits. During his stop at Pendleton Center United Methodist Church in North Tawnawanda in the Niagara Frontier District, he spoke with Abigail Roy, 14, and Priscilla Roy, 9. BELOW: Bishop Webb greets the Rev. David Phelps, retired, and his wife, Alice Mary. Along with discussing his background and his vision for the Conference, Bishop Webb took questions from members. Niagara Frontier photos by Beth DiCocco.

9 The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate November 2012 Page 9 OCT. 27 mountain view district ABOVE: Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb stopped at Centenary United Methodist Church in Bath during his visit to the Mountain View District. LEFT: Bishop Webb celebrates Communion as he did during each stop on his 12-district tour. Photos by Maidstone Mulenga Video clips from Bishop Webb s tour will also be made available online. OCT. 27 cornerstone district Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb stopped at Chirst First United Methodist Church in Jamestown during his visit to the Cornerstone District. ABOVE: The bishop asked those attending to break into small groups to discuss the questions he posed to them during his visit, including: What are the top three things we need to change about our Annual Conference? RIGHT: The bishop receives gifts from Cornerstone District Lay Leader Gordon Post.

10 Page 10 November 2012 Bishop tours UNYAC Continued from cover Bishop Webb challenged the Conference to grapple with several questions: What are the things you are most excited about within your local congregation and district? What do you believe God s yearning for us? What do you need from OUR Annual Conference to assist you in living the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? What are the top three things that need to change about OUR Annual Conference and why? What do you most hope I do? And the replies came: Visit us. The bishop plans to preach at local churches times between January 2013 and January 2014; see page 2 for details. Be more pastoral, help us unify. As you visit churches, visit churches of all sizes. To the last, Bishop Webb replied: You should know I am committed to urban ministry, I am committed to suburban ministry, and I am committed to rural ministry. You re in luck, we have all that, said someone in the audience. Then he asked: What do you most hope I don t do? Among the answers were: Be a figurehead. Hide in your office. Play things close to the vest. Talking to youth At each stop, the bishop took time to chat with the youth and the children in the audience, asking them what they like and don t like about church. Those are voices we need to hear, Bishop Webb said. That s not the future of our Church, that s our Church; and, he said, it s a voice that s been unintentionally silenced. At one stop, the youth told him they don t like anything about the church. At another, they said the church music was boring. One poignant moment was at Genesee Valley District when Bishop Webb asked a boy sitting next to his mother what he likes about the church. Duncan McGinnis paused awhile, looked to his mother, the Rev. Heidi Miller-McGinnis of Dalton UMC, and said: The church is like a family to me, especially after my dad died three weeks ago. His father, Charles P. Peter McGinnis died Oct. 3. He was 57. Bishop Webb thanked Duncan for being such a brave man and assured him that his father continues to live through him. He then offered a prayer of comfort and support for the McGinnis family. Throughout the tour, Bishop Webb emphasized that he has a firm conviction that ministry happens at the local level and that s where disciples are made but also reminded the audience about the importance and relevance of the Annual Conference s role. When you say the Annual Conference, that s faceless. Sound like it s an entity that no one owns or understands or wants to claim, the bishop said. Sisters and brothers, here s the truth: We are the Annual Conference. The Annual Conference is us, he said. So when we celebrate the Annual Conference, we re celebrating ourselves and the person sitting next to us, behind or in front of us, the bishop said, and When we are whining and complaining, we are whining and complaining about ourselves. The point, the bishop said, is that as United Methodists we re in this together. God has called you to be the Church in the Upper New York Area. I can t do it alone; and you can t do it alone. But together, oh my, there is so much power, so much possibility. Bishop Webb heard some exciting news about ministries in the Upper New York Area. Churches were still baptizing more youths, engaging in more afterschool ministries, offering grief support groups, ministering to and helping feed the hungry in the community. He also learned that more churches are conducting Bible studies by combining resources, reaching out to the community, and using different types of music and languages in worship. He also heard about the need for a good explanation about why churches are expected to participate in shared ministries. Churches also called for more resources for local churches, including a database of skilled persons who could be called upon to equip the local churches to meet their needs; more cross-cultural/ ethnic ministry and pulpit exchanges were requested as well. Bishop Webb sent a letter to all the districts thanking them for welcoming him and for the gifts given to him, noting that each gift is a reminder of the wonderful offerings present through God s people of the Upper New York Area. I want to thank you for your spirit of hospitality and your willingness to engage in the important conversations that we have begun to share together. My prayer is that we will continue to share with one another the great things God is doing in our midst and where we believe God is leading us in the days ahead. Beth DiCocco, Advocate writer, contributed to this report. Bishop s Retreat RIGHT TOP: Bishop Mark J. Webb talks with the Rev. Dr. Wendy Deichmann, president of United Theological Seminary in Ohio and a member of the Upper New York Annual Conference, during the three-day retreat for Conference clergy that took place Oct at the Honor s Haven Resort in Ellenville. BELOW: The Rev. Mike Slaughter was facilitator at the retreat. He spoke about Growing a Missional Movement among other topics. RIGHT: Bishop Webb talks with, from left, Rev. Slaughter and Rev. Christopher Kinnell, pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Sherrill (Mohawk District). RIGHT, BOTTOM: The Rev. Nola Anderson, pastor at West Avenue and Grace UMCs in Rochester, and her husband, the Rev. Andy Anderson, pastor at Seneca UMC in Irondequoit (Genesee Valley District). Photos by Maidstone Mulenga. You pumped gas, offering a discount as a form of outreach. Your entire Sunday school participated in a river clean-up. You have served your 50th meal to a family battling cancer. The Upper New York Annual Conference wants to celebrate these and all of our churches missions and ministries. The 2013 Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference in Syracuse, which takes place from May 30 to June 1, we will be playing videos that highlight the missions and ministries of the local churches and districts of the Conference. This is your opportunity to showcase what your church is doing, in front of nearly 2,000 members and guests of the Conference. Your work may even inspire other congregations to pick up the torch. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make a 30- to 90-second video of your mission project. It can be firstperson interview, third-person narrative, even animation if that best speaks about your mission project. The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate Churches, tell us about your mission, ministry via video If you already have a video of a mission project or ministry that was made in 2010 or later, you are welcome to send that. There is no limit on how many submissions a church can make, so you do not have to choose between beloved missions projects. These videos can be sent on DVD or a flashdrive to the Conference Office: UNYAC Communications Department, 324 University Ave. 3rd Floor, Syracuse, NY If there are individuals under the age of 19 on the video, a photo release should signed by their parent or guardian and on file at the church. Questions about submitting videos can be ed to us at news@unyumc.org. Need advice on making a video? Visit the Conference website and the online version of this story includes a link to a video feature: Five Tips for Shooting Compelling Video created by United Methodist Communications. The online version of the story also includes a link to sample photo release forms.

11 The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate November 2012 Page 11 Lots to explore at fall events By Chelsea Whittemore Mission Possible The most important thing in life is the recognition that you are a child of God. At Mission Possible you can learn how to serve, how to play, how to pray and learn our name in your religious life. This year s Mission Possible, at the Middleburgh UMC starts at 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9 and only costs $35 per person. Be prepared for hands-on activities and bring the proper attire for working outdoors on Saturday, including boots, coats, work gloves etc. More than a year after the flooding there is still so much to do! Our work day will end by 4 p.m. Don t forget your sleeping bag and pillow for overnight! The Barefoot Band will lead us in the gathering music. Along with the prayer chapel, the YSF tables will be open and selling shirts and sweatpants based on this year s theme as well as snacks and other merchandise. Worship will be touching on aspects of Paul s story and the Woman at the Well. We hope to see you there! Fall Gathering What does it mean to you to be a child of God? At the Fall Gathering this year you can discover how Hello my name is, and I am a child of God connects to your life. This year s gathering will feature the Barefoot Band as a warm-up to worship. The band will be getting us ready to hear Cardboard Testimonies and the story of Zacchaeus from Pastor Greg Stierheim. There will be workshops, including Mission of Peace, Hello my name is In the Movies, Hello my name is Witness, and others. You will be able to mix with other youth during family groups and have fun at the Late Nite options (Wacky Olympics and 4Square will be back, along with other fun stuff!). We hope to see you there. Look for photos from the CCYM fall events on the Conference Facebook page and website. CCYM seeking adult leader The Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) has three adult co-coordinators: Genesee Valley District Superintendent Ted Anderson, the Rev. Tony Hipes, and the Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd. A selection process for an adult co-coordinator leadership position will begin in Each co-coordinator will serve a three-year term. Terms will be staggered so that each year only one adult co-coordinator position will be open. The next opening begins April 27, Applications are due by Jan. 3, Send your application to: CCYM, 1100 S. Goodman St., Rochester, NY Applicant interviews, conducted by the youth of CCYM, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at Immanuel UMC, 303 Kasson Road, Camillus. More information and a copy of a letter from CCYM, and the application form can be found on the Conference website UNY CONAM elects officers, awards grants The Upper New York Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) elected officers during its September meeting in Hamburg, NY. Kae Wilbert will begin as team leader in January 2013; Tamara Gates continues as secretary and Richard Nephew will serve as treasurer. This team educates about and brings awareness of Native People and issues that affect them, and advocates for Natives and Indigenous People locally and globally, said the Rev. Sue Shields, current team leader. As team leader, I am following a strong person, and she has assured me she ll be at my right elbow helping and giving me her judgment, Wilbert said. Wilbert served as CONAM chair for six years in the former Western New York Annual Conference. The meeting included discussion of the Act of Repentance at General Conference, the development of training materials for church leaders and members, organization of sub committees, distribution of Native American Ministry funds, and goals for the coming year. There are three Native American United Methodist churches in the Conference: Four Corners United Methodist Church in Versailles, Niagara Frontier District; Onondaga Nation UMC in Syracuse, Crossroads District, and Hogansburg UMC (Akwesane) in the Northern Flow District. Right now, Wilbert said, the committee is compiling names to create a database of liaisons from local churches to CONAM. Wilbert described the liaisons as people who can generate excitement about CONAM s work and spark interest in incorporating native voices in prayers, songs, readings, and perhaps hosting guest speakers as well as offer information about Native American Sunday and ministry resources. Grants awarded CONAM is helping to support three projects through Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS) grants. A grant of $1, was awarded to The Seneca Hymn Singers CD Project to support the recording of the hymns and songs from the Hymns in Seneca song book. The CD project is expected to be completed this summer. This work will help preserve the Seneca language and make it possible for people to worship in their native language. A second grant, totaling $4,500, was awarded to provide repairs to the home of an elder in the Seneca community. CONAM member Sharon Schmit said working on the home will reinforce the Four Corners UMC s role in community outreach. Our focus is on working in the community and meeting needs, Schmit said of CONAM. This is more than fixing a house; it s groups coming together in their own community. A third grant supported leadership training by helping to fund the attendance of nine Upper New York CONAM members at the Oct meeting of the Northeastern Jurisdiction Native American Ministries Committee in Carlisle, Pa. Schmit said the Conference s committee has many new members and this will be an opportunity for them to learn more about how things work on the jurisdictional level; there they will help develop a plan of action for the next quadrennium. Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS) grants are made possible through the contributions of churches through Native American Ministries Sunday, which generally is the second Sunday after Easter, but can be celebrated at any time throughout the year. By Beth DiCocco with some information provided by Sharon Schmidt, CONAM member.

12 Page 12 November 2012 Conference mourns Jarrett The Upper New York Annual Conference regrets to announce the passing of Rev. Jarrett, 71, who died on Oct. 20, He served as pastor of Little Utica and Warners United Methodist churches (Crossroads District). Rev. Jarrett began his ministry in 1966, and served a number of churches including Mottville/Skaneateles, Coopers Plains/Presho, Montour Falls, Remsen/ Jarrett Students, learn to be peacemakers Prospect and Geneva. He was a graduate of Syracuse University and High school students are invited to take a trip to the United Nations to learn about how they can be peacemakers in their own communities. During what is February break for most schools, (Feb , 2013) the New York State Council of Churches will host its Annual Youth Leadership Forum, a trip to the UN in New York City. On this ecumenical trip, students will visit the United Methodist Seminar Office for a two-day interactive seminar titled War Abroad & Violence at Home: Peacemakers Needed. Leading the trip is the Rev. Brooke Newell, director of Public Policy Advocacy for the Council. Rev. Newell is also pastor at Wilmington-Whiteface Community Church (Adirondack District). It s the favorite thing on my calendar each year, said Rev. Newell. Rev. Newell said calling it a seminar is somewhat misleading; it s very interactive and experiential, she said. She referred to it as a learning lab, from which the students can create action plans for how to be peacemakers at home, in their schools and in their community. They learn about using their own voice to be agents of change, Rev. Newell said. The trip is open to 25 students in grades The cost is $325, which includes transportation, housing, seminar costs and three group meals. attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Rev. Jarrett was also president of the Board of Directors for Watson Homestead Conference and Retreat Center. In his obituary, Rev. Jarrett is described as someone who loved to read and study. He had an enthusiasm for new ideas. He would research the history of every community he served. Surviving are his wife of 17 years, Bonnie Jarrett; his daughter Elizabeth (Brian) Sugar of Solvay, his son Matthew Jarrett of New York City; two stepsons David (Debbie) Cole of Poughkeepsie and Jeffrey (Cynthia) Cole of North Carolina; seven grandchildren; his brother David (Connie) Jarrett of Baldwinsville; and an aunt, Elizabeth Jarrett of Camillus; as well as many cousins and friends. He was predeceased by an infant daughter. Rev. Jarrett was buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Warners. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Bonnie, at 9100 Prine Road, Baldwinsville, NY Troy Conference s first female DS dies The first woman to be named a district superintendent in the former Troy Annual Conference has died. The Rev. Marcheta Townsend, retired, died unexpectedly Oct. 22, 2012 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt. She was 69. In 1989, Rev. Townsend was the first female district superintendent in the former Troy Annual Conference; she served the Green Mountain District until The Rev. Arthur Hagy Jr., retired, served on the Cabinet with Rev. Townsend for five years; and "knew her long before that." Asked if he thought it was difficult for her to break the gender barrier, he said: "She understood this was a ground-breaking role for her. She was certainly very capable of carrying that mantle, and doing it with grace as well as a great deal of ability and talent." After serving churches in Vermont for some 40 years, she retired in 2006 to focus on volunteer work. Rev. Townsend is survived by her husband, Lindsay. Notes of condolence can be sent to him at P.O. Box 197, Fairfax, Vt The 2013 New York State Council of Churches Annual Youth Leadership Forum is titled War Abroad & Violence at Home: Peacemakers Needed, and will include a trip to the United Nations in New York City. This photo from the 2009 trip was taken just inside the entrance to the UN. Photo by Caspar Green. The seminar will include a guided tour of the U.N. Participants are asked to register by Dec. 24. For more information, contact the Rev. Brooke Newell, director of Public Policy Advocacy for the NY State Council of Churches at (518) or brooke@ cjgreen.net. These young people are very smart, but sometimes they have not learned about what the Church does in the world and what our Christian obligation as disciples in the world means, Rev. Newell said. Seeing that click for them is so rewarding. Beth DiCocco, Advocate writer The Upper New York United Methodist Advocate Remembrances Nathan Willis, 28, died Sept. 30, He was the son of Maxine and Will Willis. Maxine Willis is the Adirondack District Lay Speaking coordinator. Condolences can be sent to 312 County Route10, Whitehall, NY Kathryn Saxton Kingsley Wunder, 77, died Oct. 2, She was the step-mother of the Rev. Tom Wunder, pastor of the Friend and Yatesville UMCs in Penn Yan (Finger Lakes District). Charles P. Peter McGinnis, 57, died Oct. 3, He was the husband of the Rev. Heidi R. McGinnis, pastor of Dalton United Methodist Church (Genesee Valley). Condolences may be sent to Rev. McGinnis at Dalton UMC, State St., Dalton, NY Dorothy Byham, 94, died Oct. 4, She was the wife of the late Rev. Wayne Byham who served St. James UMC in the Niagara Frontier District for several years in the 1970s. Viola S. Deckard, 96, died on Oct. 19, She was the mother of the Rev. Steve Deckard, pastor at New Hartford United Methodist Church. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Deckard, at New Hartford UMC, 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY The Rev. William C. Pettibon, 78, retired, died Oct. 17, He served a number of Upper New York churches, most recently Pleasant Valley UMC in Sinclairville and Magnolia UMC in Stow (Cornerstone District). Ministry shares due Jan. 15 The final due date for remittance of ministry shares and direct-billed amounts to be credited to the 2012 calendar year is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, All amounts must be in the hands of the Finance staff Conference calendar For more details and the most up-to-date information, visit our website poverty war terrorism hunger the economy unemployment abuse addiction healthcare depression violence racism Where sexism isolation do bankruptcy crime war terrorism poverty hunger the you economy see racism unemployment abuse addiction healthcare sexism violence racism isolation reality? bankruptcy crime poverty war terrorism hunger the economy unemployment abuse addiction healthcare depression violence racism sexism isolation bankruptcy crime The women and men who enroll in the Master of Divinity program at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School come from diverse faith traditions and communities. However, they share the belief that Christ s greatest calling is to engage the real world as it is in order to transform it. Engage reality. Call Visit facebook.com/crcds in the Syracuse office to be considered received. Amounts received after this time will reduce a church s outstanding amount owed, but will not be used for statistical or reporting purposes for the 2012 year.