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Documentary shares story of Orangeburg Massacre which Bishop Matthews experienced personally

The Rev. Dr. Marcus Matthews, Resident Bishop of the New York West Area (North Central and Western New York Conferences) of The United Methodist Church and soon to be Resident Bishop of the entire Upper New York Area, was a senior at South Carolina State University, a predominantly black college in Orangeburg, S.C., when the Orangeburg Massacre featured in this documentary happened. “That night is seared into my memory as well, but for a different reason. On the evening of Feb. 8, 1968, I lay on the ground on campus, fearing for

WNY Board of Laity schedules series of listening sessions The Western New York Board of Laity invites all laity in leadership roles to be a part of "Stirring up the Gift." “As all of our brothers and sisters have a part to play in fulfilling God's mission, we seek to be in conversation with all laity in leadership about how the new conference can help you achieve those goals,” Conference Lay Leader Scott Johnson notes. &ldq... more >>		Pre-conference briefings set for Upper New York The new annual conference of the Upper New York Area celebrates its uniting conference June 19, 2010 at the OnCenter in Syracuse, NY. The day will conclude with the Service of Commissioning and Ordination at 4 pm. In preparation for this significant day in the life of our new annual conference, 5 Upper New York pre-conference briefings are scheduled with Bishop Matthews presiding. T... more >>
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Summer Camping Staff sought Applications are now being accepted for Summer staff for Camp Asbury and Camp Findley. Interested persons should contact the individual camp to obtain information. Asbury Retreat & Ministry Center Rev. Lawrence Wiliford, Executive Director PO Box 218 Silver Lake, NY 14549 Phone: (585) 237-5262 Fax: (585) 237-6863 ccrmexecdirector@wnyumc.org Findley Lake Retreat &am... more >>		Letter received from Methodists in Haiti Bishop Joel N. Martinez, Interim, General Secretary, Board of Global Ministries and Bishop Janice R. Huie, Chairperson of Health & Relief, UMCOR are sharing a letter they recently received from the Rev. Gesner Paul, President of the Methodist Church of Haiti. It expresses thanksgiving from the Church in Haiti for the response UMCOR is leading after the devastation of the earthquake. ... more >>
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Bishop Marcus Matthews addresses Upper New York leadership About 150 key leaders of the Upper New York Area gathered in Liverpool New York on January 23 to hear updates and discuss development of our new conference. Video of Bishop Matthews and other presenters available at Upper New York Channel ... more >>		UMCOR begins pilot aid project in Haiti By Kathy L. Gilbert* 12:15 PM EST Jan. 29, 2010 \| PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (UMNS) Six young Haitian Methodists spent an afternoon dividing 55-pound bags of rice and 100-pound bags of beans into family-sized portions to feed more than 160 families who have had little assistance since the Jan. 12 earthquake. “This is meeting their first need,” said Val Keteline, 24. “The people wil... more >>
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Congregations invited to be part of Family Album The Communications Task Force of the new conference in the Upper New York Area is inviting congregations to help create a "family album" Send us a “family photo” of the life of your congregation – be creative! Include as many people as possible, in an activity or setting that expresses something about your shared life and ministry! If possible ple... more >>		Procedure released regarding ministries seeking Conference Advance Special status Applications due March 1, 2010 A process and procedure for ministries wanting to become a Conference Advance Special in the New Conference in upper New York was released last week. People with mission projects are encouraged to apply before the March 1, 2010 deadline. Agencies and Ministries requesting Conference Advance Special status for the new Annual Conference are asked to have a cle... more >>
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Best way to respond to Haiti disaster remains giving to UMCOR Bishop Joel N. Martinez, Interim General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries is urging United Methodists to continue to respond to needs following the Haiti Earthquake with gifts to UMCOR. Bishop Martinez emphasized that the time is not right for sending volunteer teams, or even individual volunteers, into Haiti for post-earthquake service. “We know that the church seek... more >>		Appeal made for Health Kits for Haiti Appeal made for Health Kits for Haiti An appeal for Health Kits has been added to the request for donations of funds to the Haiti Emergency Relief Advance # 418325. Western New York Disaster Coordinator, the Rev. Carl Chamberlain is working on having a collection location in the WNY Conference. Collection sites in the WNY Conference will include Springville UMC, 474 E. Main St.,... more >>
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United Methodists will air message on CNN and CNN.com This spot will begin airing Saturday on CNN and CNN.com.... more >>		Worship and Music resources available for Haiti Earthquake The General Board of Discipleship's current, but still growing list of Worship and Music Resources for Haiti Earthquake are available at http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?loc_id=739,1112,1198&act=nav_loc... more >>
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2010 Annual Conference session will bridge two days Although the 2010 Western New York Annual Conference session will have a one-day agenda, all members are encouraged to plan to spend two days together at Asbury First UMC, Rochester, New York. The last Clergy session will be held on Friday, June 4 followed by a Memorial Service Friday evening. The Laity session may be scheduled Friday as well, however details are still being worked ou... more >>		Name proposed for new Annual Conference The Upper New York Annual Conference is the proposed name for the new Annual Conference which will come into being in 2010. Name suggestions for the new Conference – which brings together United Methodists in the New York State portions of Troy and Wyoming Conferences and North Central New York and Western New York Conferences – were solicited in email blasts, on Confere... more >>
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Interim Leadership team looking for nominations for the following positions in the new conference As we begin our new work together we are staffing the necessary positions to help get us started on this joyous new venture with new energy, new style, and new commitment based on the traditions and wisdom of our joint committees of the past. Knowing we are on a new path we want to hear from as many people as we can, to lead us into the future. Does that mean that if you have never ... more >>		Bulletin insert available to provide information on responding to Haiti disaster A Bulletin insert is now available describing ways to respond to the Haiti disaster. Please use in as many ways as possible. Please see uppernewyork.org and umc.org for more updates and information.... more >>
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UMCOR Responds to the Earthquake in Haiti January 13, 2010 -- A major earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti yesterday, causing widespread destruction. Millions of people are affected and thousands are feared dead. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has close ties with the Methodist Church in Haiti and is responding to the devastating earthquake with funding, material resources and prayers. UMCOR executive, Melissa Cr... more >>		Bishop Marcus Matthews calls for response to disaster in Haiti The Rev. Dr. Marcus Matthews, Resident Bishop of the New York West Area, has asked United Methodists to consider receiving a special offering, tithing an upcoming fund-raiser, or hosting an event in the coming weeks where the proceeds can be dedicated to Haiti Rescue and Recovery, following the devastating earthquake on January 12. Gifts for relief efforts can be given through any local U... more >>
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Bishop Matthews announces appointments Bishop Marcus Matthews announces the following appointments: Finger Lakes District Mark Flandreau to Burdett UMC, part time, effective October 5, 2009 Genesee Valley District Barbara Mosher to Gainesville UMC, coordinating pastor, effective September 1, 2009 David Lubba to Avon UMC, full time, effective November 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 Wilson Jones to Perry UMC, full ti... more >>		2009 Journals available online Both the Western New York and North Central New York Conference 2009 Journals are now available online. The WNY Conference 2009 Journal is now available on-line. Download the WNY Journal here. The NCNY Conference 2009 Journal is available here. North Central New York printed journals, directories and CD’s are at the NCNY Conference Office. If you&rsqu... more >>
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Leadership Council develops accountability process The Western New York Leadership Council has developed a Spiritual Leadership. Accountability Process to use to open meetings. This model was developed by the Leadership Ministry Team for use at the beginning of each of their meetings as a spiritual exercise and means of being accountable to our spiritual life. The Covenant Council is sharing it with each ministry team ... more >>		Photos of doors needed Beginning in August, the WNY SPECTRUM and NCNY CONNECTIONS will be combined into a New York West Area publication. In line with �Rethink Church� we are looking for photos of doors of United Methodist Churches throughout the New York West Area to use in the new publication. Email photos to marilyn@wnyumc.org as soon as possible for inclusion. Doors will be added and or rotated in future issues, ... more >>
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UMCOR responds to three emergencies October 1, 2009—The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to people affected in the Philippines, Samoa and Indonesia following three disasters this week. UMCOR’s top executive, Sam Dixon, says, “Our prayers are with the people who are hurting as a result of this devastation. UMCOR is committed to addressing their needs and especially reaching out to those who... more >>		Bishop Matthews shares vision at gathering on new Conference By Maidstone Mulenga WNY Communication Team Chairman New York West Area Resident Bishop Rev. Dr. Marcus Matthews has assured congregations in the area that there were no plans to close or consolidate any churches as part of the birthing of the new conference. The still-to-be named conference in the new Upper New York Area will officially come into existence on July 1, 2010. Answering questio... more >>
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Only essential structure planned as new conference comes together As a new Conference emerges next year, only basic, essential structure will be in place. Trimming back to only those items required by the Discipline and those discerned necessary to begin to fulfill its vision and purpose, will give the new Conference an opportunity to rethink how to be the church together and create something new. The New Area Conference Team continued to receive r... more >>

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