2016 Journal Vol. I

7th Session of the Upper New York Conference June 2‐4: Journal Vol. 1

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Table of Contents

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

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Pre‐Conference Worship: ............................................................................................................................. 4

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Holy Conferencing Principles ........................................................................................................................ 6

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Organizational Motion .................................................................................................................................. 7

6

Consent Calendar .......................................................................................................................................... 9

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Annual Conference Session agenda ............................................................................................................ 10

8

Endorsement of Episcopal Nominees by the Upper New York Conference ............................................... 11

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Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................... 13

10

Proposed 2017 Ministry Shares Budget .................................................................................................. 14

11

Recommendation of the Global Ministries – Conference Advance Specials .......................................... 20

12

Recommendation of the Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits ............................................ 22

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Recommendation of the Commission on Equitable Compensation ....................................................... 24

14

Recommendation of the Older Adult Ministry Team ............................................................................. 26

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Discontinuation of a Local Church – Andover UMC ................................................................................ 30

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Discontinuation of a Local Church – Dorloo UMC .................................................................................. 31

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Discontinuation of a Local Church – Hyndsville UMC ............................................................................. 32

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Discontinuation of a Local Church – Mineral Spring UMC ...................................................................... 33

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Discontinuation of a Local Church – Talcottville UMC ............................................................................ 34

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Discontinuation of a Local Church – Watkins Glen UMC ........................................................................ 35

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Resolutions and Petitions ........................................................................................................................... 36

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UNYAC2016.1 – Local Church Right to Choose Insurance Provider ........................................................ 38

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UNYAC2016.2 – Change District Names ................................................................................................. 39

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UNYAC2016.3 – Restoration of Funding for Campus Ministries ............................................................. 40

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UNYAC2016.4 – Ensuring Support for All Ministries ............................................................................... 42

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UNYAC2016.5 – Restoration of Funding of the New York State Council of Churches ............................ 43

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UNYAC2016.6 ‐ A Call for Budget Transparency ..................................................................................... 45

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UNYAC2016.7 – The Many Shades of God’s Hands ................................................................................ 47

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UNYAC2016.8 – A Resolution to Study and Consider Endorsing Carbon Pricing .................................... 50

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UNYAC2016.9 – UNYUMC Responds To Gun Violence ........................................................................... 55

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Reports ‐ Conference Teams ....................................................................................................................... 58

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Africa 360 ................................................................................................................................................ 60

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Archives and History, Commission on..................................................................................................... 61 1

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Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) ......................................................................................................... 63

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Camp and Retreat Ministries (CRM) ....................................................................................................... 65

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Communications Report ......................................................................................................................... 69

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CORR – Conference Commission on Race and Religion .......................................................................... 71

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Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) ................................................................... 72

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Disaster Response ................................................................................................................................... 73

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Episcopacy Committee ............................................................................................................................ 74

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Finance and Administration, Council on ................................................................................................. 75

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Lay Servant Ministries ............................................................................................................................. 81

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Mission Oversight Team, Reaching Our Neighbors (RONMOT) .............................................................. 82

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Ministry Oversight Team, Spiritual Leadership ....................................................................................... 83

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Native American Ministries (CONAM), Committee on ........................................................................... 84

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New Faith Communities .......................................................................................................................... 85

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Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, UNY Task Force on ..................................................................... 87

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Peace with Justice Grants ....................................................................................................................... 89

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Pension & Health Benefits, Board of ...................................................................................................... 90

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Sexual Ethics Committee/Safe Sanctuaries Team................................................................................... 93

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Social Holiness ......................................................................................................................................... 95

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Trustees, Board of ................................................................................................................................... 97

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United Methodist Men ........................................................................................................................... 99

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Vital Congregations ............................................................................................................................... 102

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Violet’s Garden Advance # 3075 (Garden for Young Disciples) ............................................................ 105

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Volunteers‐in‐Mission (UMVIM) ........................................................................................................... 107

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Youth Ministries (CCYM), Council on .................................................................................................... 109

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Reports – Connections Organizations ....................................................................................................... 110

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Albany United Methodist Society ......................................................................................................... 112

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Boston University School of Theology .................................................................................................. 113

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Drew University Theological School ...................................................................................................... 115

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Iliff School of Theology .......................................................................................................................... 117

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Methodist Theological School in Ohio .................................................................................................. 118

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New York Council of Churches .............................................................................................................. 119

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

Dear sisters and brothers of the Upper New York Area,

Greetings to you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ! Soon we will gather together to give thanks as we celebrate God’s amazing work of grace in our lives, and the lives of those whom God has called us to offer the good news of Jesus Christ!

Our Annual Conference session is a time for us to proclaim in a fresh way our identity as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a time for us to celebrate and commit in a renewed way to our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, so that we might see more people living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being God’s love with neighbors in all places.

Annual Conference session 2016 will be filled with times of worship, study, mission, fellowship, and, of course, some vital times of discernment, conversation, and decision. The days we spend together will allow us to grab hold of who we are in relation to God, one another, and the world around us, as we fully understand the awesome privilege and responsibility we have to boldly be the Church in the 21st century!

Our theme this year is Planting God’s Future in Hearts and Neighbors – Called to Give Thanks. Through all we do during our time together, we will be guided by the truth and promise that we have been invited by God to accept and proclaim in a fresh, bold way the transforming work of God’s amazing grace in our lives and in the lives of others.

We will be blessed to have the Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., with us for three 90‐minute teaching sessions that will inspire as well as challenge us to increase our capacity in leadership and in mission.

We will officially end our Africa 360 campaign, a $2 million‐commitment to provide eight endowed scholarships at Africa University and join the global effort to end malaria. My hope is that each congregation will respond to the Africa 360 challenge by bringing its gift of at least $1,000 to be presented during our gathering in Syracuse. In addition, we will have the opportunity to receive offerings during various worship services that will support our “Clergy Care Fund” (financial assistance for clergy and families), our “Helping Hands Fund” (financial assistance for laity of our congregations), and the NEJ Mission of Peace.

Finally, what would the Annual Conference session be without some reports, resolutions, and recommendations to read, surround in holy conversation, and act upon. The pages in this first volume of the “Journal” will prepare you to engage fully in all that we will consider when we gather. I hope you will take the time to read each report and every page. I urge you to participate in one of the Pre‐Conference Briefings that have been scheduled.

I am grateful to be a part of this place called Upper New York, and to share a journey of ministry with each of you.

God is accomplishing amazing things in us and through us − there is much reason to Give Thanks! I know we are ready to allow God to use us in ways we have not yet dreamed or imagined. So, come prepared for an amazing experience of faith, community, and celebration, as we gather June 2‐4, 2016 at the OnCenter in Syracuse.

I look forward to greeting you, worshipping with you, and claiming what God is promising!

Bishop Mark J. Webb

Resident Bishop, Upper New York Area

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Pre‐Conference Worship:

Called to Give Thanks: Setting the Table

WELCOME AND PRAYER

Setting the Table Be present in our time here, Lord Be here and everywhere adored These creatures bless and grant that we May commune and celebrate with thee. AMEN.

Adapted from John Wesley’s Teapot Table Blessing

OPENING MUSIC

Give Thanks (The Faith We Sing)

#2036

GATHERING

Gather in small discussion groups of up to five people and share:

Name, local church you represent, why you will be attending Annual Conference session

Psalm 100

The Message

SCRIPTURE READING

In your groups, share how this passage relates to your local church by answering one or two of the following questions:

What has God done for you in the past year that deserves thanks?

How does your local church show gratitude to God?

How does your church share what Jesus has done/is doing for us?

What ways do you personally show gratitude to God?

What does “called to give thanks: setting the table” mean to you?

CLOSING IN PRAYER

We thank thee Lord for this meal

But more because of Jesus’ love.

Let manna to our Souls be given

The bread of Life sent down from heaven. Amen.

− John Wesley’s Teapot Table Prayer for thanks after the meal

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Psalm 100 (The Message) A Thanksgiving Psalm

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On your feet now − applaud God!

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Bring a gift of laughter,

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sing yourselves into His presence.

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Know this: God is God, and God, God.

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He made us; we didn’t make Him.

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We’re His people, His well‐tended sheep.

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Enter with the password: “Thank you!”

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Make yourselves at home, talking praise.

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Thank Him. Worship Him.

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For God is sheer beauty,

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all‐generous in love,

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loyal always and ever.

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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.”

• 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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Organizational Motion

1. This is the seventh session of the Upper New York Annual Conference held June 2‐4, 2016 at the OnCenter, Syracuse.

2. 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 when the rules of General Conference cannot be applied.

3. 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.

4. The published agenda available on the Conference website shall be the official agenda for the Annual Conference session. Questions about the agenda may be directed to the executive assistant to the bishop.

5. All reports without recommendations shall be placed on the consent calendar. The bishop’s address to the Conference, the report of the Conference lay leader and the superintendents’ report are exempt from this rule. Further, upon proper motion from the floor, any report may be removed from the consent calendar and placed on the agenda by a one‐third vote of the Conference body.

6. The roll call of attendance shall be taken from credential cards presented at the time of registration.

7. Lay members are those specified by “The 2012 Book of Discipline,” ¶32, Article I. Selection of Lay Equalization Members, as required in ¶32, Article I. was determined according to the Rules for Determining and Selecting Lay members to the Conference, adopted by the Committee on Sessions on Feb. 14, 2011.

8. Clergy entitled to vote are those specified by “The 2012 Book of Discipline,” ¶602, subject to the limitations contained in the same paragraph.

9. The voting area of the Conference [“bar of the Conference”] shall be the floor area of the convention center. Guest and non‐members may be seated in the designated visitor seating area. Persons standing or seated outside the bar of the Conference shall have no voice on legislative matters or balloting.

10. Securing the floor: Conference members wishing to speak to the Conference shall raise their colored placard at their seat and wait to be recognized by the bishop. When recognized, they shall move to the nearest microphone. Please state your name and your church (laity) or appointment (clergy).

11. In order to ensure the accuracy of the minutes and faithfulness to the intention of the mover, motions and amendments from the floor must be submitted in writing to the secretary of the Conference on a form provided for this purpose. A copy of the written motion or amendment 7

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will be provided by the author to the secretary after the amendment has been made. No motion or amendment will be voted on unless it is provided in writing. In order to facilitate this as a motion or amendment is made, members of the Conference staff or volunteers will provide the speaker with the proper form documenting the motion or amendment. The documented motion or amendment will be taken to the Conference secretary by the Conference staff or volunteer. A copy will be provided to the author as soon as possible.

12. 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 resolution or the chairperson of the agency submitting the resolution, who shall have up to five minutes to open and three minutes to close debate.

13. 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 than July 1, 2016.

14. 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.

15. No material may be distributed within the bar of the Annual Conference session without prior review of the agenda committee of the UNY Sessions team: Vicki Putney and the Rev. Bill Gottschalk‐Fielding.

16. Votes on all motions, resolutions, and petitions that refer to human sexuality will be taken by ballot.

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Consent Calendar

2

Africa 360 Report

3

Archives and History, Commission on

4

Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM)

5

Camp and Retreat Ministries (CRM)

6

Communications Report

7

Conference on Race and Religion (CORR)

8

Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW)

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Disaster Response

10

Episcopacy Committee

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Finance and Administration, Council on

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Lay Servant Ministries

13

Mission Oversight Team, Reaching Our Neighbors (RONMOT)

14

Ministry Oversight Team, Spiritual Leadership

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Native American Ministries (CONAM), Committee on

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New Faith Communities

17

Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, UNY Task Force on

18

Peace with Justice Grants

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Pension & Health Benefits, Board of

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Sexual Ethics Committee/Safe Sanctuaries Team

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Social Holiness

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United Methodist Men

23

Vital Congregations

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Violet’s Garden Advance #3075 (Garden for Young Disciples)

25

Albany United Methodist Society

26

Boston University School of Theology

27

Drew University Theological School

28

Iliff School of Theology

29

Methodist Theological School in Ohio

30

New York Council of Churches

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Annual Conference Session agenda

Thursday, June 2, 2016 7:30 a.m.

Registration

8:15 a.m.

Blessing of the Space 9:15 a.m.

Clergy session (Clergy Care Fund Offering)

Laity session (Helping Hands Fund Offering)

11:30 a.m.

Lunch

Extension Ministry luncheon (by invitation only)

1:30 p.m.

Opening worship, Bishop Mark J. Webb preaching (Africa 360 offering)

Short break 3 p.m.

Plenary

5:45 p.m.

Dinner

Memorial dinner (by invitation only)

7:15 p.m.

Memorial Service

8:30 p.m.

Plenary (if necessary)

Friday, June 3, 2016

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8:15 a.m.

10 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

12:30 p.m.

2:15 p.m.

4 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

9 p.m.

Study leader: The Rev. Adam Hamilton

Short break Plenary

Lunch

Study leader: The Rev. Adam Hamilton Short break Plenary

Study leader: The Rev. Adam Hamilton Dinner

Board of Ordained Ministry dinner for retirees and ordinands (by invitation only) Celebration of Ministry (Mission of Peace offering)

Plenary (if necessary)

Ordination rehearsal

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Saturday, June 4, 2016

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8:15 a.m.

9 a.m.

Noon 2 p.m.

Worship led by Young People

Plenary

Fixing of appointments

Lunch

Ordination and Commissioning, Bishop Mark J. Webb preaching

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Endorsement of Episcopal Nominees by the Upper New York Conference

Total Number of Pages: 3

Book of Discipline: ¶¶ 46, 402, 403,405, 408 Conference committee/agency that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: 2016 General Conference and Jurisdictional delegates

Financial Implications: Minimal

Rationale: Every four years, the five jurisdictions in the United States meet at the same time in July to elect bishops to fill vacated positions. In July 2016, the Northeastern Jurisdiction will be meeting in Lancaster, Pa., to fill two possible episcopacy vacancies – one due to retirement and one due to death.

Whereas, in accordance with the constitution and The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (¶¶46 and 405), the responsibility for electing persons to the United Methodist Council of Bishops and the respective jurisdictional Colleges of Bishops rests with the jurisdictional conferences.

The respective conferences may nominate candidates for election to the episcopacy by their jurisdictional conferences. The purpose of this appendix is to establish a procedure whereby the members of the Upper New York Conference, and the Conference itself, may participate in the process of nominating candidates to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference. The Book of Discipline (¶405) specifically prohibits the binding of any delegate to vote for any specific candidate seeking election to the episcopacy; and

Whereas, during the year preceding the convening of the Jurisdictional Conference, the most recently elected delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference shall serve as a “nominating committee” for the nomination of candidates to the UNY Conference for nomination by the UNY Conference to the Jurisdictional Conference. The jurisdictional delegation shall solicit the membership of the UNY Conference – including the members of the delegation itself – for recommendations and self‐ recommendations of persons eligible for election to and service on the episcopacy (¶¶402, 408). The delegation, guided by The Book of Discipline (¶403) and using procedures of its own design, shall discern the gifts and graces of each and every person so recommended and shall recommend to the Annual Conference session immediately preceding the convening of the Jurisdictional Conference the nomination of persons discerned by the delegation to have the gifts and graces for episcopal service.

The Conference may nominate none, any, and all of these persons recommended by the delegation; and

Whereas, on Nov. 6, 2015, a letter was sent by the chairperson of the delegation to solicit recommendations from the membership of the Conference for nominees for the episcopacy. That letter included the specific nature of the materials to be included (i.e., contact information, academic preparation, pastoral appointments, a listing of past and present church responsibilities (both denominational and ecumenical), and reasons for the recommendation). There shall also be included a brief statement of less than 200 words as to why the person being recommended feels that he/she will, in his/her own words, bring the kind of episcopal leadership that the Church needs at this point in time; and

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Whereas, those persons recommended were then invited to submit formal documentation either rejecting or accepting their nomination and any pertinent information needed to continue the process; and

Whereas, from Jan. 15‐16, 2016 the delegation met in Auburn and at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia to determine guidelines for the election of nominees and to interview those persons who had accepted their nominations (guidelines are available upon request); and

Whereas, on the above dates four persons were interviewed and the committee recommended putting forward two names.

Therefore, be it resolved that the 2016 jurisdictional delegates recommend the following elders of the Upper New York Conference, the Rev. Dr. Cathy Hall Stengel and the Rev. Rebekah Sweet, be forwarded to the Northeastern Jurisdiction as endorsed candidates for the episcopacy.

Dated: March 10, 2016

Submitted by: Rev. Dr. William Allen, NEJ Delegation Chair Electronic Signature: Bill Allen Address:

4954 Bemus‐Ellery Road Bemus Point, N.Y. 14712 Phone number: (716) 338‐5484 billallen@bpumc.org Email address: Clergy in full connection of Upper New York Conference serving the Bemus Point United Methodist Church

Dr. Scott Johnson, NEJ Delegation Vice‐chair Electronic Signature: Scott Johnson Address:

310 Baynes St. Buffalo, N.Y. 14213 Phone number: (716) 440‐7354 Email address: scottphd@gmail.com Confirmed Member of First UMC, Buffalo

Hudda Aswad, NEJ Delegation Secretary Electronic Signature: Hudda Aswad Address:

17 Sunset Ave. Binghamton, N.Y. 13904 Phone number: (607) 724‐2568 Email address: haswad@stny.rr.com Confirmed Member of First UMC, Chenango Bridge

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Recommendations

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Proposed 2017 Ministry Shares Budget

The Upper New York Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) is proud to present our proposed 2017 Ministry Shares budget for consideration and adoption by the Conference. The preparation of the budget began in the fall of 2015 with the distribution of budget worksheets and compensation information to the various Conference ministry teams. Each team drafted and submitted a preliminary budget request for its area. Conference staff worked with the teams to compile the requests for review by Conference CF&A and executive staff. CF&A met with several team leaders to review requests and ensure our plan for 2017 was clear and in alignment with the Conference mission and strategies to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by equipping our local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church.

CF&A and the Conference Finance Ministry Area would like to acknowledge and thank all our team leaders and staff for their dedicated efforts to create our 2017 Ministry Shares plan. Our 2017 Ministry Shares budget represents our primary operating plan for Conference ministry activities and participation in the global initiatives of The United Methodist Church. The 2017 budget totals $10,078,432 compared to the 2016 budget of $10,079,236, a decrease of $804. The actual expenditures under the plan are dependent on the level of Ministry Share payments by churches throughout the year.

Our priority for the 2017 plan was to focus Conference efforts to support and develop clergy and lay leaders throughout the Conference. The total initial requests by teams for 2017 was significantly higher than the final proposed 2017 budget. CF&A and Conference staff worked with Conference teams to review priorities and revise initial requests to better align our work and reduce the financial impact on our churches. Costs were lowered by re‐aligning and reducing staff, reducing Conference grants, and cutting discretionary costs. Approximately 58 percent of the proposed 2017 budget covers our fixed costs, such as building operations, insurance premiums, staffing, and legal fees. The balance of the proposed budget funds a variety of Conference ministries and benevolences as well as General Church apportionments. Actual expenditures in these areas will depend on actual receipts of Ministry Share payments. The budget does assume the relocation of the Conference Center with commensurate costs.

As in past years, the Conference will develop a spending plan to monitor and control expenditures as 2017 unfolds.

General Connectional Ministries represent the Conference’s financial commitment to fund the broader initiatives of the denomination as determined by the General Conference. Our Conference’s ability to fulfill these commitments is directly dependent on the level of Ministry Share payments made by our churches. The General Church apportionments increased $28,273 compared to 2016. These apportionments are approximately 22 percent of our 2017 budget.

Connectional Ministries support the work of staff and team volunteers seeking to:

 Identify, train, deploy, and support leaders throughout the Conference.  Empower, resource, support, build, and connect our congregations and members.  Connect, support, and aid our neighbors in the Conference in need.

Ministerial Support’s primary focus is to identify, recruit, train, credential, deploy, and support clergy serving our nearly 900 local churches. The work of the Episcopal Office, the Cabinet, and our district offices is also funded through Ministerial Support.

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Administrative Ministries include the Conference‐level activities to manage the operations of the Conference to enable and support the work of our staff and teams as they carry out our mission and strategies. These costs decreased by $24,168 compared to 2016.

General budget explanations and descriptions:

 The Conference staffing level in 2017 is expected to remain at the same level as in 2016.  Staff will receive no pay increase in 2017.  Medical insurance costs are anticipated to increase 5 percent above 2016 rates.  Payroll taxes and employee benefits are commensurate with compensation levels.  Lease and property costs are budgeted consistent with current levels except for Conference office costs in 2016. The shift from a lease to a building ownership arrangement will increase costs approximately $60,000 in 2017. However, the new building represents a multi‐million dollar asset to the Conference.

Line item budget explanations and descriptions as labeled:

A. General Church apportionments are based on the actual amounts assessed for 2017. The 2017 assessment increased 1.3 percent from 2016.

B. The Congregational Revitalization budget was increased to provide higher levels of support by our existing staff directly to our churches. Additional funds were allocated for travel, revitalization resources, and meeting costs.

C. The 2017 travel and meeting cost budgets were increased to provide for regional team meetings.

D. Relocation of the Resource Center to the new Conference Center will eliminate rent costs.

E. Represents a reallocation of Conference‐level funding to the district level by the elimination of the MOTs.

F. Funding for the Conference Disaster Response Team has been reduced based on previous spending levels.

G. The Board of Ordained Ministry budget was reduced to recognize non‐Ministry Share revenue sources for fees, events, and donations to offset costs.

H. Cabinet meeting expense and legal cost budget lines were increased to reflect recent cost trends.

The reduction in district operations represents a variety of small budget adjustments to reflect actual expense levels.

I. The overall Administrative Ministry budget decreased by a net amount of $18,168. Payroll costs were reduced by approximately $38,000 including the elimination of a finance staff position and changing pay level of the computer services supervisor from director level to manager. Payroll savings were somewhat offset by projected increases in benefit costs to reflect actual benefit levels for existing staff.

J. The increase represents funding for district parsonage repairs and maintenance costs.

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7th Session of the Upper New York Conference June 2‐4: Journal Vol. 1 Salaried staff compensation and benefits by position for 2017:

Position

Salary & Housing allowance per position

Director of Connectional Ministries / Assistant to the Bishop District Superintendent (12 individuals) Treasurer Benefits Officer Director of Communications Director of Camp & Retreat Ministries Director of New Faith Communities Director of Vital Congregations Camp Directors (four full‐time)

Benefits including health insurance, pension, workers compensation, disability, life insurance, and FICA

$ 104,244

$ 36,823

97,638 104,244 104,244 94,647 86,585 97,638 79,988 $ 49,678 to 40,000

36,185 to 17,173 19,129 26,844 17,263 19,464 33,715 37,715 $ 36,185 to 17,173

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Recommendation of the Global Ministries – Conference Advance Specials

Whereas it is the responsibility of the 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 2016‐2017 list of Conference Advance Specials be approved.

Upper New York Conference 2016‐17 Conference Advance Specials

Albany United Methodist Society (AUMS)

Anti‐Poverty Initiative (University UMC: Syracuse)

Beechwood Continuing Care/Pastoral Care

Brown Memorial UMC: Syracuse

Buffalo/Niagara Network of Religious Communities

Campership Fund

Campus Church ConneXion Buffalo

Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, Inc.

The Children’s Center for the Common Good

Children’s Home

Emmanuel Faith Community

Emmaus Refugee and Immigrant Family Support Services

Epworth Hall

Faithful Citizen

Folts Center Inc.

Friends of Zimbabwe

Gary Bergh Scholarship (Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel)

Gateway‐Longview, Inc.

Genesee Area Campus Ministries 20

Code #3120 Code #3118 Code #3124 Code #3109 Code #3125 Code #3705 Code #3126 Code #3130 Code #3114 Code #3132 Code #3138 Code #3134 Code #3136 Code #3128 Code #3412 Code #3142 Code #3144 Code #3111 Code #3146

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Geneseo Wesley Foundation

Haiti Partnership

Interfaith Caregivers, Inc.

InterFaith Works of Central New York

Kamina Friends

Lao United Methodist Church & Mission

Mutambara Mission Centre Water Project

Native American Mission, Onondaga Nation UMC

Native American Outreach/Transportation Program

The Neighborhood Center, Inc.

New York State Council of Churches

Niagara Frontier City Missions

Protestant Cooperative Ministry at Cornell

Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center

Seneca Street UMC: Buffalo

Southern Sudan Health Projects

UMCOR Kits Shipment Dollars

United Methodist Homes’ Chaplaincy Program

Violet’s Garden: (The Bishop Violet Fisher Grants for Children’s and Youth Ministries)

VIVE La Casa, Inc.

Volunteers‐In‐Mission – Northeastern Jurisdiction

Volunteers‐In‐Mission Scholarship Fund

Watertown Urban Mission

Wesley Gardens

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Recommendation of the Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits

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1. The board recommends the 2017 Past Service Annuity Rate for pension payment to retired clergy of the Upper New York Conference be set at $625 per qualified service year prior to 1982. This is an increase of 2 percent over the 2016 rate in accordance with the board’s long‐term funding plan.

2. The board recommends adopting the Housing/Rental Exclusion Resolution which designates 100 percent 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, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2017 as follows:

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Whereas the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church (The “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,

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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,

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Whereas pensions or other amounts paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled clergypersons are considered to be deferred compensation and are paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled clergypersons in consideration of previous active service; and,

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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;

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Therefore, be it resolved:

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1. That an amount equal to 100 percent of the pension, severance, or disability payments received from plans authorized under “The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church” (the “Discipline”), which includes all such payments from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (“GBOPHB”), during the period Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2017, 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

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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, 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 22

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predecessors, and that elected to make contributions to, or accrue a benefit under, such a plan, annuity, or fund 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.

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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 there under, 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 actually 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.

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3. The board is recommending a change in the eligibility rules for the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP). Because CRSP combines a Defined Benefit (DB) component and a Defined Contribution (DC) component, it is expensive to fund, requiring higher annual contributions than most retirement plans offered in the United States. DC plans are the norm and financial analysts indicate that generous plans provide an employer contribution of 6‐10 percent. The UNY Conference offers a DC plan through the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) to part‐time and full‐time lay employees of the Conference at an employer contribution rate of 9 percent of compensation. Changing to UMPIP for certain part‐time clergy (see below) would save their local churches $875 per year on average. The advantage to clergy is that all pension contributions are deposited into an individual’s account (providing greater flexibility), versus CRSP where currently 10.5 percent of the church contribution is held at the General Board to fund a defined benefit (years x rate annuity) upon retirement. The disadvantage is that CRSP‐DB converts to a lifetime annuity at retirement while the participant bears the risk of managing their funds in retirement with UMPIP. The board felt there were more advantages than disadvantages to making the proposed change.

Therefore, the board recommends a change in the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) eligibility rules effective Jan. 1, 2017 to include only those licensed, commissioned or ordained clergy persons appointed 75 percent to 100 percent at local churches or as Conference staff. Those clergy that would lose eligibility for CRSP (appointed 50 percent to 74 percent) will be offered enrollment in the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) for church contributions at a rate of nine percent of compensation, in addition to optional personal contributions. Church contributions would not be dependent upon personal contributions (non‐matching). Eligible clergy may enroll or waive this benefit and if waived, no pension contribution will be expected from the local church.

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Recommendation of the Commission on Equitable Compensation

The mission of the Commission on Equitable Compensation (CEC) is to help equip struggling local churches to grow in their ability to establish sound financial footing, build leadership capacity, make disciples, and transform the world. The CEC administers funds used to support clergy salaries for churches with pastors appointed full‐time where the churches are unable to meet minimum compensation standards.

It is our vision to see a shift in the use of this funding away from the support of declining churches and toward providing salary support for pastors involved in high potential new ministry development. The CEC works with the Upper New York Cabinet to encourage right‐sizing appointments and other local church staffing in order to prevent the need for Conference support. It is our policy to support churches that demonstrate the potential for moving back to full self‐funding. The exception to this is in our support of mission locations, where unique demographics mitigate against such positive trends, but where the Conference goal of reaching the underprivileged has potential.

In 2015 the CEC worked to improve the grant application process. We are responsible to bring to the Annual Conference session: a recommendation with respect to the Minimum Compensation Base, the incremental increase for years of service, and other recommendations to insure that our clergy are adequately supported in their work.

Commission on Equitable Compensation – Recommendations for 2017

Minimum Base Compensation – A standardized minimum base compensation is established for the Upper New York Conference effective Jan. 1, 2017 as follows:

A. A minimum base salary, set according to credential level, for all full‐time clergy persons as noted below. This represents a 2 percent increase.

Base Full connection (elders and deacons): $39,984 Provisional (elders and deacons):

$38,556 Associate:

$37,842 FT LP completed Course of Study or M.Div. $37,128 FT Local Pastor:

$35,700 (Less than full‐time appointments shall receive a base salary pro‐rated according to the appointment.)

B. Plus an additional amount per full‐time equivalent year of service based on credentials as follows: FTLP w/MDiv or Per Yr. FTE Full Provisional Associate COS FTLP service up to $311 $305 $302 $299 $290 21 years

C. Plus an additional $500 for each additional church on the pastoral charge (over one), not adjusted for part‐time appointments.

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D. No pastor’s salary can be decreased as a result of this policy, as long as they retain their current appointment.

E. All churches are encouraged to offer a salary increase of no less than the 10‐year average increase in the Consumer Price Index (2 percent for 2017) in order to account for increases in the costs of living. Churches are encouraged to consider further raises based on exceptional service.

Accountable Reimbursement Plans Recommendations related to Accountable Reimbursement Plans:

A. All pastors appointed within the Upper New York Conference are entitled to an Accountable Reimbursement Plan (ARP) for professional expenses incurred while performing pastoral duties.

B. A minimum annual ARP budget for a full‐time pastor shall be $3,500 for a single church appointment and $4,500 for a multi‐church appointment.

C. Within the ARP there shall be a designated amount for the pastor’s continuing education. If the amount is not fully used in the current fiscal year, a pastor may request to roll over the remainder of the ARP Continuing Education amount with a PSPRC approved plan for the use of the funds. This plan and specific amount is to be reported to the local church/charge conference at year’s end. No more than three successive years of funding or $2,000 (whichever is less) can be rolled over in this manner. This maximum dollar amount should relate to full‐ time clergy. The amount for part‐time clergy shall be prorated. In the event of pastoral change, the roll over amount will be a part of the appointment conversation among the pastor, the churches, and district superintendent(s) involved.

D. Pastoral appointments of three quarter‐time, half‐time, or quarter‐time shall budget and pay an ARP proportionally to the standard for full‐time appointments as noted above.

E. Congregations are encouraged to budget ARP above the required minimum in consideration of location‐specific mileage needs and other factors.

F. ARP resolution form is available at: www.unyumc.org/resources/forms

The members of the CEC for 2015 have included the Rev. Lauren Swanson (chair), Al Kidd,the Rev. Bill Pattison, the Rev. Carmen Perry, Lynne Blake, Mitchell Smith, the Rev. Patience Kisakye, Paula Kuempel, the Rev. Peggi Eller, the Rev. Ray Noell, the Rev. Rich Weihing, Terry Wilbert, Ex Officio: Vicki Putney, Julie Valeski, and Kevin Domanico.

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Recommendation of the Older Adult Ministry Team

New approach for equipping local churches for Older Adult Ministry The next decade will witness the greatest increase of older adults in the history of the United States. As baby boomers begin to turn 70, this massive and influential cohort will be responsible for the growth of the older adult population from 35 million to more than 75 million people by 2022. The Older Adult Ministry Area of the Upper New York Conference (OAM‐UNYC) has shifted its focus toward developing and training leaders for the support of local churches to make disciples for Jesus Christ amongst this very significant grouping, including those who claim to be “spiritual but not religious.”

New leadership for the OAM Team: The mantle of OAM leadership was passed from retiring chair Dr. Tom DeLoughry to the Rev. Rebecca Naber. She is a deacon in the Upper New York Conference, coming to the OAM‐UNYC Team with 17 years of experience in pastoral care‐giving, including palliative care chaplaincy at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, serving as a Stephen Minister and Leader, and author and teacher of “Sharing Your Hope: Visitation Ministry for the Local Church.” She is currently appointed as Pastor of Congregational Care at Baker Memorial UMC in East Aurora.

“We sought to build upon the good works of our two previous chairs, Winona Stonebraker followed by Tom DeLoughry,” said Rev. Naber, “and reshape our charter and activities for the incredible opportunity The UMC has for reaching out to retiring boomers. Thus, our goal is to identify and equip OAM leaders to engage this enormous cohort of aging boomers in meaningful programs and ministry with older adults with the intent of making disciples for Jesus Christ.”

New mission and goals: Our first task was to form an OAM Executive Council. In September 2015, OAM leaders from across the Conference gathered at Rush UMC for a “Revisioning Day.” The Rev. Bill Gottschalk‐Fielding reviewed the Conference’s objectives for Connectional Ministries. Suggestions were made on how the OAM team could better utilize the Conference’s resources to reach OAM leaders across the districts to support older adult/intergenerational ministries in the local churches. Upon re‐visioning our methods and message, a mission statement, goals, and action plans were drawn up to reflect the team’s new approach for the upcoming 2016‐2017 seasons:

Mission: The Older Adult Ministry Area of the Upper New York Conference will train leaders to enhance the mind/body/spirit of older adults through Christ‐centered ministries.

Goals: Our goals towards accomplishing our mission in the next years (2015‐2017) are:

 To identify potential OAM champions within each district across the Conference to communicate and support the local churches in the development of intergenerational/older adult ministries.  To educate and inspire these champions in three or more best practices of older adult ministry.  To utilize Conference communication channels to promote OAM opportunities, and programs.

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Successful retreat leads to new district champions and best practices: Thirty‐two OAM leaders from across the Conference’s 12 districts and 900 local churches met in November 2015 for a two‐day retreat at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia. Based on participant feedback we can report that:

 We have recruited or re‐energized more than 32 OAM champions who will assist local churches in eight districts. ● Of these champions, 85 percent said they are likely or very likely to use some elements from each of our “best practice programs” in their local church or community.

These best practices, endorsed by the OAM champions who attended include: ■ “Why Older Adult Ministry? Why Now?” by Barbara Bruce ■ “Respite Care for the Memory Impaired” by Lisa Rood ■ “Sharing Your Hope: Visitation in the Local Church” by Rev. Naber ■ “The Gift of Peace of Mind for You and Your Family” by Rev. Dr. Don Weaver ■ “Living Well: Help for Three Generations” by DeLoughry

● In addition, 50 percent of our participants said they would be likely or very likely to use some elements from one additional presentation: Aging LGBT in The UMC by Jamie Breedlove‐ Crouch, who serves on the UNYUMC Task Force on Human Sexuality.

A new OAM team presence to support local church ministries Leveraging the Conference’s connectionalism is the key to disseminating relevant, time‐sensitive, and best practices information to our OAM champions and their respective local churches. The challenge is to provide both online and personal communication that is consistently available for local churches as they seek to engage retiring boomers (both within and outside the church) in ministries with older adults. The OAM‐UNY Conference Team proposes the following approaches/actions for 2017:

A. Newly designed online presence: A new Older Adult Ministry website is underway to rapidly disseminate information, services, and training for local clergy and the members of their church. In collaborating with the Conference’s Communications and Information Technology staff, a new web presence will include videos, PowerPoint presentations, and free downloadable print materials to stimulate the adoption of our one or more of our six Best Practices programs.

B. Older adult champions – More than 30 people attended the retreat in November at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center, all of which shared their passion for older adult ministry. To further their personal promotion of OAM in the local churches and at district meetings, they will be provided with a standardized “Why OAM; Why Now” presentation designed by “Successful Aging” advocate and educator, Barbara Bruce.

C. Regional meetings – Personal connection and relationships foster networking and leadership building. They also allow for consistency and organization toward reaching goals. The overriding majority of new OAM champions have requested four one‐day regionally‐based meetings across the UNY Conference toward attaining our goals for 2016 and 2017. These would replace one Conference‐ wide retreat at Casowasco.

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website along with the manner by which a district or local church can engage them for consulting, teaching, or speaking.

E. Grants – An OAM‐UNYC grants sub‐committee has been formed to develop a formalized process for requesting proposals, evaluating applications, and follow‐up on their implementation. Focus will be upon innovative proposals that integrate community volunteers for intergenerational ministries.

F. Enhanced connection with UMC Discipleship Ministries – The OAM Team seeks to disseminate the plethora of older adult/intergenerational ministry information available from the UMC Discipleship Ministries, including webinars, conferences, and worship and Bible study resources. In addition, Barbara Bruce, Northeastern Jurisdiction representative to the UMC Discipleship Ministries Board of Aging and Older Adult Ministry and chair of the Intergenerational Task Force, will continue to provide leadership to the OAM‐UNY Team.

G. OAM certification at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) – OAM‐UNYC Executive Council members Barbara Bruce and the Rev. Rebecca Naber are serving as liaisons with Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) and UMC Discipleship Ministries in their new older adult ministry alliance. Working with UMC Discipleship Ministries, CRCDS has announced its new Certification program in OAM to foster older adult/intergenerational ministry across Upstate New York. Bruce and Rev. Naber have been enlisted as OAM instructors for the introductory class in this certification (through GBHEM) for the fall of 2016.

H. Cross‐denominational partnerships – Our partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will continue through a liaison with Patsy Glista, Assistant to the Bishop for Operations in the Upstate New York Synod. Tom DeLoughry is serving as the OAM‐UNYC ambassador.

2016/2017 PRIORITIES: ● OAM Champion support – personal spiritual growth and leadership development to promote OAM/intergenerational ministry in the local churches through webinars, newsletters, conferences, and/or workshops. ● Website design and development ● Four regional OAM meetings across the Conference ● Best practices promotion – the OAM Team will promote these practices on our website and at retreats/meetings/workshops. It is our belief that these practices should be self‐sustaining and self‐funded by the topic expert as far as mileage, travel, and materials are concerned. ● Grants – to foster new best practices in older adult/intergenerational ministries across the UNY Conference, including development of a bi‐annual grant application process. ● Volunteer recruitment, development and support of ministers, lay servants, and others who express interest in any of the above topics so they can be guided to use – and improve – any of the resource materials associated with the above topics. ● Increased integration with resources available through The UMC’s General Board of Discipleship

The 2015/2016 Older Adult Ministry Executive Council includes: Chair the Rev. Rebecca Naber, Barbara Bruce, Dr. Tom DeLoughry, Becky Guthrie, Cassandra Jordan, Rev. Cathy Lee, Lisa Rood, and Barbara Saltarella.

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The 2015/2016 OAM‐UNY Conference Team includes: Pastor Denise Gisotti, Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Don Weaver, Kathy Thiel, Rhea Kapprodt, Kathy Stewart, Sandy Houck, Lorraine Fusare, Joni Lincoln, Dewey Lincoln, Marilyn Wood, Pat Hubman, the Rev. Denise Bowen, Trish Johnson, Sandi Perl, Terry Finger, and Jamie Breedlove‐Crouch.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Rebecca Naber Chair, Older Adult Ministry Area of the Upper New York Conference

2016 Annual Conference Resolution Proposal We propose that annual statistics collected from local churches should include a count of how many older adults reside in our congregations. We would ask for a tally based on the United Nation’s resolution 35/129 that categorizes older adults as:

Young Old: 65 to 74 Middle Old: 75 to 84 Old Old: 85‐plus

Supporting Arguments:

1. Build greater awareness of older adults both within the local churches and across the Conference to better support their needs and outreach efforts.

2. Highlight the potential to engage the young old (mostly boomers) both within and outside The Church in ministries/community programs with their older cohorts, thus seizing upon this incredible opportunity to make disciples for Jesus Christ.

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Upper New York Annual Conference Session Resolutions Relating to the Discontinuation of a Local Church – Andover UMC

Whereas, the Andover United Methodist Church was organized in 1849, and faithfully served its community in ministry for more than 166 years;

Whereas, the Rev. Nancy Adams, the Mountain View District Superintendent, comprehensively assessed the Andover UMC’s past, present, and potential ministry, after prayerfully and extensively meeting with, listening to, and guiding the congregation;

Whereas, the district superintendent determined that the Andover UMC no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized and recommended that it be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of “The Book of Discipline” of The UMC;

Whereas, in relation to the proposed discontinuation, the district superintendent recommended that control and possession of all real and personal property of the Andover UMC vest in the Annual Conference Board of Trustees, and that the membership of the Andover UMC be transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select; and

Whereas, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, a majority of the district superintendents, and the Mountain View District Board of Church Location and Building received and consented to the district superintendent’s discontinuation recommendations;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Andover UMC is discontinued; and

Be it further resolved, that control and possession of all real and personal property formerly held in trust by the Andover UMC is hereby vested in the Conference Board of Trustees, and that the Conference Board of Trustees is authorized to sell and convey the real estate in accordance with market conditions; and

Be it further resolved, that following the sale of the real estate, the balance of the assets formerly of the Andover UMC, including the net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Conference; and

Be it further resolved, that the membership of the Andover UMC is hereby transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Session Resolutions Relating to the Discontinuation of a Local Church – Dorloo UMC

Whereas, the Dorloo United Methodist Church was organized in 1928, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 87 years;

Whereas, the Rev. Jan Rowell, the Oneonta District Superintendent, comprehensively assessed the Dorloo UMC’s past, present, and potential ministry, after prayerfully and extensively meeting with, listening to, and guiding the congregation;

Whereas, the district superintendent determined that the Dorloo UMC no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized and recommended that it be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of “The Book of Discipline” of The UMC;

Whereas, in relation to the proposed discontinuation, the district superintendent recommended that control and possession of all real and personal property of the Dorloo UMC vest in the Annual Conference Board of Trustees, and that the membership of the Dorloo UMC be transferred to the Richmondville UMC or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select; and

Whereas, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, a majority of the district superintendents, and the Oneonta District Board of Church Location and Building received and consented to the district superintendent’s discontinuation recommendations;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Dorloo UMC is discontinued; and

Be it further resolved, that control and possession of all real and personal property formerly held in trust by the Dorloo UMC is hereby vested in the Conference Board of Trustees, and that the Conference Board of Trustees is authorized to sell and convey the real estate in accordance with market conditions; and

Be it further resolved, that following the sale of the real estate, the balance of the assets formerly of the Dorloo UMC, including the net sale proceeds up to $100,000 be designated to, and administered in accordance with, the Schoharie Region Ministry Plan; and

Be it further resolved, that any funds relating to the former Dorloo UMC remaining in the Schoharie Region Ministry Plan as of Dec. 31, 2019 shall be transferred to, and administered in accordance with, the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and

Be it further resolved, that the membership of the Dorloo UMC is hereby transferred to the Richmondville UMC, or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Session Resolutions Relating to the Discontinuation of a Local Church – Hyndsville UMC

Whereas, the Hyndsville United Methodist Church was organized in 1928, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 87 years;

Whereas, the Rev. Jan Rowell, the Oneonta District Superintendent, comprehensively assessed the Hyndsville UMC’s past, present, and potential ministry, after prayerfully and extensively meeting with, listening to, and guiding the congregation;

Whereas, the district superintendent determined that the Hyndsville UMC no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized and recommended that it be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of “The Book of Discipline” of The UMC;

Whereas, in relation to the proposed discontinuation, the district superintendent recommended that control and possession of all real and personal property of the Hyndsville UMC vest in the Annual Conference Board of Trustees, and that the membership of the Hyndsville UMC be transferred to the Richmondville UMC or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select; and

Whereas, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, a majority of the district superintendents, and the Oneonta District Board of Church Location and Building received and consented to the district superintendent’s discontinuation recommendations;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Hyndsville UMC is discontinued; and

Be it further resolved, that control and possession of all real and personal property formerly held in trust by the Hyndsville UMC is hereby vested in the Conference Board of Trustees, and that the Conference Board of Trustees is authorized to sell and convey the real estate in accordance with market conditions; and

Be it further resolved, that following the sale of the real estate, the balance of the assets formerly of the Hyndsville UMC, including the net sale proceeds up to $100,000 be designated to, and administered in accordance with, the Schoharie Region Ministry Plan; and

Be it further resolved, that any funds relating to the former Hyndsville UMC remaining in the Schoharie Region Ministry Plan as of Dec. 31, 2019 shall be transferred to, and administered in accordance with, the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and

Be it further resolved, that the membership of the Hyndsville UMC is hereby transferred to the Richmondville UMC, or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Session Resolutions Relating to the Discontinuation of a Local Church – Mineral Spring UMC

Whereas, the Mineral Spring United Methodist Church was organized in 1845, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 170 years;

Whereas, the Rev. Jan Rowell, the Oneonta District Superintendent, comprehensively assessed the Mineral Spring UMC’s past, present, and potential ministry, after prayerfully and extensively meeting with, listening to, and guiding the congregation;

Whereas, the district superintendent determined that the Mineral Spring UMC no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized and recommended that it be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of “The Book of Discipline” of The UMC;

Whereas, in relation to the proposed discontinuation, the district superintendent recommended that control and possession of all real and personal property of the Mineral Spring UMC vest in the Conference Board of Trustees, and that the membership of the Mineral Spring UMC be transferred to the Barnerville UMC or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select; and

Whereas, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, a majority of the district superintendents, and the Oneonta District Board of Church Location and Building received and consented to the district superintendent’s discontinuation recommendations;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Mineral Spring UMC is discontinued; and

Be it further resolved, that control and possession of all real and personal property formerly held in trust by the Mineral Spring UMC is hereby vested in the Annual Conference Board of Trustees, and that the Annual Conference Board of Trustees is authorized to sell and convey the real estate in accordance with market conditions; and

Be it further resolved, that following the sale of the real estate, the balance of the assets formerly of the Mineral Spring UMC, including the net sale proceeds up to $100,000 be designated to, and administered in accordance with, the Schoharie Region Ministry Plan; and

Be it further resolved, that any funds relating to the former Mineral Springs UMC remaining in the Schoharie Region Ministry Plan as of Dec. 31, 2019 shall be transferred to, and administered in accordance with, the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and

Be it further resolved, that the membership of the Mineral Spring UMC is hereby transferred to the Barnerville UMC, or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Session Resolutions Relating to the Discontinuation of a Local Church – Talcottville UMC

Whereas, the Talcottville United Methodist Church was organized in 1872, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 143 years;

Whereas, the Rev. Abel Roy, the Mohawk District Superintendent, comprehensively assessed the Talcottville UMC’s past, present, and potential ministry, after prayerfully and extensively meeting with, listening to, and guiding the congregation;

Whereas, the district superintendent determined that the Talcottville UMC no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized and recommended that it be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of “The Book of Discipline” of The UMC;

Whereas, in relation to the proposed discontinuation, the district superintendent recommended that control and possession of all real and personal property of the Talcottville UMC vest in the Conference Board of Trustees, and that the membership of the Talcottville UMC be transferred to the Boonville UMC or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select; and

Whereas, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, a majority of the district superintendents, and the Mohawk District Board of Church Location and Building received and consented to the district superintendent’s discontinuation recommendations;

Therefore be it resolved, that the Talcottville UMC is discontinued; and

Be it further resolved, that control and possession of all real and personal property formerly held in trust by the Talcottville UMC is hereby vested in the Annual Conference Board of Trustees, and that the Annual Conference Board of Trustees is authorized to sell and convey the real estate in accordance with market conditions; and

Be it further resolved, that following the sale of the real estate, the balance of the assets formerly of the Talcottville UMC, including the net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and

Be it further resolved, that the membership of the Talcottville UMC is hereby transferred to the Boonville UMC, or other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Session Resolutions Relating to the Discontinuation of a Local Church – Watkins Glen UMC

Whereas, the Watkins Glen United Methodist Church was organized in 1843, and faithfully served its community in ministry for over 172 years;

Whereas, the Rev. Nancy Adams, the Mountain View District Superintendent, comprehensively assessed the Watkins Glen UMC’s past, present, and potential ministry, after prayerfully and extensively meeting with, listening to, and guiding the congregation;

Whereas, the district superintendent determined that the Watkins Glen UMC no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized and recommended that it be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of “The Book of Discipline” of The United Methodist Church;

Whereas, in relation to the proposed discontinuation, the district superintendent recommended that control and possession of all real and personal property of the Watkins Glen UMC vest in the Conference Board of Trustees, and that the membership of the Watkins Glen UMC be transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select; and

Whereas, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, a majority of the district superintendents, and the Mountain View District Board of Church Location and Building received and consented to the district superintendent’s discontinuation recommendations;

Therefore, be is resolved, that the Watkins Glen UMC is discontinued; and

Be it further resolved, that control and possession of all real and personal property formerly held in trust by the Watkins Glen UMC is hereby vested in the Annual Conference Board of Trustees, and that the Annual Conference Board of Trustees is authorized to sell and convey the real estate in accordance with market conditions; and

Be it further resolved, that following the sale of the real estate, the balance of the assets formerly of the Watkins Glen UMC, including the net sale proceeds, shall be transferred to and administered in accordance with the New Beginnings Fund of the Upper New York Annual Conference; and

Be it further resolved, that the membership of the Watkins Glen UMC is hereby transferred to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

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Resolutions and Petitions

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UNYAC2016.1 – Local Church Right to Choose Insurance Provider Total Number of Pages: 1

“Book of Discipline”: ¶2533.2

Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Board of Trustees, Local Church Board of Trustees

Financial Implications: Conference Board of Trustees and staff will incur costs to review, verify, and track insurance coverage and risk management for those churches seeking insurance outside the Conference Insurance Program. The amount of additional costs will depend on the number of churches seeking other insurance.

Whereas, “The Book of Discipline” (¶2533.2) gives the Board of Trustees at the local church level the responsibility each year to review “the adequacy of the property, liability, and crime insurance coverage on church‐owned property, buildings, and equipment. The board of trustees shall also review annually the adequacy of personnel insurance. The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the church, its properties, and its personnel are properly protected against risks. The board shall include in its report to the charge conference (¶2550.7) the results of its review and any recommendations it deems necessary”; and

Whereas, each local church is able to assess its insurance needs more accurately in a geographically diverse conference; and

Whereas, the risk assumption by one insurance company for an entire conference influences its ability to provide just resolutions to claims; and

Whereas, each local church may be able to receive better customer service, timely response to claims, and realize savings on insurance premiums.

Therefore, be it resolved that each local church within the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church be given the opportunity to seek and contract with its own insurance provider with the provision that coverage recommendations be provided by the Conference Board of Trustees at each district’s charge conference orientation or that each local church may use its current policy as a guide for adequate coverage should they decide to insure with a company of their own choosing.

Dated: Feb. 9, 2016

Submitted by: The Rev. Gregory Stierheim The Rev. Heather Stierheim

187 Main St. Mailing Address: 187 Main St.

Massena, NY 13662

Massena, NY 13662 Electronic Signature: Phone:

(315) 705‐6104

(315) 705‐6104 Email Address: pastorgreggumc@gmail.com hstierheim@pts.edu

Clergy in full connection of Upper New York Conference serving the Norfolk/Brasher Falls and Massena: First/Massena: Grace United Methodist Churches respectively.

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UNYAC2016.2 – Change District Names Total Number of Pages: 1

“Book of Discipline”: ¶none

Conference Committee/Agency that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: The Upper New York Cabinet and the six newly named districts listed below.

Financial Implications: Minimal

Whereas, since the merger into the Upper New York Conference, it has been challenging for clergy and laity to fully understand the geographical boundaries of the districts within our Conference; and

Whereas, any new pastor, district superintendent, and even new bishop must accept a learning curve to discern which district names belong with individual geographical areas; and

Whereas, it would bring clarity to the district boundaries if they were associated primarily with the larger county seats in their district and/or the geographical description of their region.

Therefore, be it resolved that effective July 1, 2016 or deferred to the Cabinet to determine the appropriate change date the following name changes occur:

Cornerstone becomes the Jamestown/Olean District Crossroads becomes the Syracuse District Genesee Valley becomes the Rochester District Mountain View becomes the Corning/Elmira District Niagara Frontier becomes the Buffalo/Niagara District Northern Flow becomes the Watertown District; and

Be it further resolved that the following districts remain as currently named: Adirondack, Albany, Binghamton, Finger Lakes, Mohawk, Oneonta since they already describe their geographic locale.

Dated: Feb. 16, 2016

Submitted by: The Rev. Rick LaDue Electronic Signature: Richard A. LaDue Address:

169 E. Main St. Webster, NY 14580 (585) 265‐9720 Phone number: Email address: rladue@umcwebster.org Clergy in full connection of Upper New York Conference serving the Webster United Methodist Church.

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UNYAC2016.3 – Restoration of Funding for Campus Ministries Total Number of Pages: 2

“Book of Discipline”:

Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Treasurer, Conference Council of Finance and Administration

Financial Implications:

Whereas, the United Methodist Church has long had a presence to minister with and to the students at many college and university campuses; and

Whereas, the FACT Report calls for a return to our Wesleyan ethos, and in an age when young adults are turning away from the church and finding other ways to connect to their spirituality; and

Whereas, funding for many of our college chaplain ministries has become non‐existent for many campuses as a means of balancing the Annual Conference budget; and

Whereas, in the past few years, Campus Ministry support has been reduced from $125,000 in 2011 to $72,800 in 2016, with even deeper cuts announced recently; and

Whereas, the spiritual formation for the next generation of United Methodist laity, clergy, missionaries, and educators has been left unfunded and can be interpreted as unimportant to the Upper New York Annual Conference.

Therefore, be it resolved that in response to this grave situation we call upon the Upper New York Conference to increase the budget for campus ministries beginning in 2018. We request that the 2018 budget include $80,000, restoration of the chaplain position at Syracuse University, and that this amount be increased by $15,000 each of the following three budget years, to more fully fund other campus ministries. We call on the Council of Finance & Administration to incorporate these funds to be listed as “must pay” expenses; and

Be it further resolved that the Conference Board of Higher Education clarify and develop a process by which colleges and universities would apply to receive these funds and to advertise and promote said process.

Dated: Feb. 16, 2016

Submitted by: Heather Smith, Peace with Justice Coordinator Electronic Signature: Heather Smith Mailing Address: 10 Arthur Road

Newtonville, NY 12110 Phone number: (518) 785‐7383

peacewithjustice@unyumc.org Confirmed Member of Newtonville UMC, Newtonville

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and

Electronic Signature: Mailing Address:

Phone Number:

The Rev. Alan D. Kinney, Social Holiness Committee Alan D. Kinney 877 Cunningham Court Schenectady, NY 12309 (518) 390‐0883 akinney3@twcny.rr.com Clergy in full connection of Upper New York Annual Conference serving the Schenectady: Eastern Parkway UMC.

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UNYAC2016.4 – Ensuring Support for All Ministries Total Number of Pages: 1

“Book of Discipline”: ¶

Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Treasurer, Conference Council of Finance & Administration

Financial Implications:

Whereas, we are called to minister to and with people both within our own denomination and outside our denomination; and

Whereas, we, as a denomination, call for the local churches to reach out to their neighbors and be in ministry beyond their own walls; and

Whereas, we are called to feed the hungry and house the homeless no matter under what name or denomination; and

Whereas, leadership models the examples we hope others will see and follow; and

Whereas, the Upper New York Conference has reduced, suspended, or eliminated support for ministries that do not bear our name or are not under our Conference in order to balance our own budget.

Therefore, be it resolved that when a budget item includes a salary for persons involved in such ministry is approved by the Conference the amount of the salary support be placed in the “must pay” portion of the budget of the Upper New York Annual conference.

Dated: Feb. 16, 2016

Submitted by: Heather Smith, Peace with Justice Coordinator Electronic Signature: Heather Smith Mailing Address: 10 Arthur Road

Newtonville, NY 12110 (518) 785‐7383

Phone number:

peacewithjustice@unyumc.rorg Confirmed Member of Newtonville UMC, Newtonville

and

The Rev. Alan D. Kinney, Social Holiness Committee Electronic Signature: Alan D. Kinney Mailing Address: 877 Cunningham Court

Schenectady, NY 12309 Phone Number: (518) 390–0883 akinney3@twcny.rr.com Clergy in full connection of Upper New York Annual Conference serving the Schenectady: Eastern Parkway UMC.

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UNYAC2016.5 – Restoration of Funding of the New York State Council of Churches Total Number of Pages: 2

“Book of Discipline”: ¶

Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Treasurer, Conference Council of Finance & Administration

Financial Implications:

Whereas, the former North Central, Troy, Western, and Wyoming annual conferences had always strongly supported the ministries of the New York State Council Churches in spirit and financially; and

Whereas, the Upper New York Conference has historically supported and participated in the ministries of the New York State Council of Churches financially, in prayer, and in participation; and

Whereas, as a church of Jesus Christ we are called to minister and support not only those within our singular denomination but also those who have common concerns and share similar Biblical values; and

Whereas, prior to 2015 the Upper New York Conference had pledged approximately $31,000 to New York State Council of Churches which this roughly the total that the four former annual conferences had previously pledged. However, the Conference only paid approximately $18,000 of this commitment and did not send an explanation to the council; and

Whereas, at present all financial support has been eliminated from our operating budget to balance our own financial needs.

Therefore, be it resolved that while we realize that work on the 2017 budget has been completed, we call on the Upper New York Conference to renew its financial support of New York State Council of Churches by making a minimal commitment of $10,000 to be taken by a special conference‐wide offering; and

Be it further resolved that we call on the Upper New York Conference to make a pledge of $20,000 for 2018 and increasing this amount by $2,750 each of the following four budget years in an effort to return to our previous level of giving; and

Be it further resolved that we call on the Council of Finance & Administration to incorporate these funds into the budget in a “must‐pay” category.

Dated: Feb. 16, 2016

Submitted by: Heather Smith, Peace with Justice Coordinator Electronic Signature: Heather Smith Mailing Address: 10 Arthur Road

Newtonville, NY 12110 Phone number: (518) 785‐7383

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peacewithjustice@unyumc.org Confirmed Member of Newtonville UMC, Newtonville, NY

and

The Rev. Alan D. Kinney

Social Holiness Committee Electronic Signature: Alan D. Kinney Mailing Address: 877 Cunningham Court

Schenectady, NY 12309 Phone Number: (518) 390–0883 akinney3@twcny.rr.com Clergy in full connection of Upper New York Conference serving the Schenectady: Eastern Parkway UMC.

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UNYAC2016.6 ‐ A Call for Budget Transparency Total Number of Pages: 2

“Book of Discipline”: ¶

Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Treasurer, Conference Council of Finance and Administration

Financial Implications: none

Whereas, we are dependent upon the faithful support of the laity and clergy in mind, body, spirit, and finances to support and further the ministries of the Upper New York Conference; and

Whereas, the support of ministry is often dependent upon the faithful communication between all parties involved in planning, supporting, and executing said ministries; and

Whereas, trust is often dependent upon clear and concise communications; and

Whereas, the FACT Report called for greater transparency in order to elicit more trust in the Upper New York Conference.

Therefore, be it resolved that beginning with the 2018 budget proposal we call on the Conference Council on Finance & Administration to provide the Conference members with a detailed accounting of the proposed budget. We call for the pay and benefits packages of each salaried employee,* to be listed individually and separately from other operating costs; and

Be it further resolved that we call for all “must pay” items to be marked as such and all “second tier” commitments to be noted.

*Salaried employees to include the Directors of Connectional Ministries, Vital Congregations, Camping and Retreat Ministries, Communications, New Faith Communities, Human Resources & Benefits, Technology, District Superintendents, Executive Directors of each camp, and the Treasurer.

Dated: Feb. 16, 2016

Submitted by: Heather Smith, Peace with Justice Coordinator Electronic Signature: Heather Smith Mailing Address: 10 Arthur Road

Newtonville, NY 12110 (518) 785‐7383

Phone number:

peacewithjustice@unyumc.org Confirmed Member of Newtonville UMC, Newtonville

and

The Rev. Alan D. Kinney

Social Holiness Committee Electronic Signature: Alan D. Kinney Mailing Address: 877 Cunningham Court 45

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Phone Number:

Schenectady, NY 12309 (518) 390–0883 akinney3@twcny.rr.com Clergy in full connection of Upper New York Conference serving the Schenectady: Eastern Parkway UMC.

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UNYAC2016.7 – The Many Shades of God’s Hands Total Number of Pages: 3

“Book of Discipline”: ¶649.2

Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Treasurer, Conference Council of Finance & Administration, Conference Council on Youth Ministry

Financial Implications: There will be expenses for the year of 2016‐2017 for meetings and trainings.

Some of these expenses may be able to be covered by grants, but the Conference will need to invest its own money in the future of its youth ministry program.

Rationale: The makeup of the membership of the Upper New York Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) does not represent the broad scope of ethic groupings that exist within its borders and worship within its congregations as called for by “The Discipline” despite efforts to increase its diversity. This petition requests the creation a task force to develop a five‐year plan to increase the diversity in district and Conference youth ministries so that our church reflects our current world and our future reality by creating culturally competent disciples of Christ.

Whereas, “The Discipline” in ¶649.2 regarding membership of the CCYM states, “It is recommended that the council be composed of 50 percent racial and ethnic group members.”; and

Whereas, the Upper New York Conference currently has youth of color attending many local churches, and these churches are located in culturally and racially diverse neighborhoods where additional youth of color could be reached; and

Whereas, the CCYM is an active and vital ministry of the Conference, and while it serves in conjunction with local church, district ministries and the camping program, it provides the major programming for youth of the Conference; and

Whereas, the CCYM provides an effective platform from which youth can be in ministry advocating for the free expression of the convictions of youth on vital issues, and be leaders within the Church of today as well as of tomorrow; and

Whereas, the world we live in is rapidly becoming more diverse; and

Whereas, the youth leadership of the Conference needs to reflect the diversity of its congregants and the field in which its ministry reaches out thus allowing all stakeholders to have a voice in the future of youth and young adult ministry within the Conference; and

Whereas, the CCYM does not reflect the recommended diversity of being at least 50 percent members who are racial and ethnic group members; and

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Whereas, it is important to be intentional about becoming culturally competent and being deliberate, but wise regarding any change so that good intentions do not do more harm than good; and

Whereas, God calls us to not simply be passive in an unjust world but serve as God’s hands for transformation, and acknowledging that it is the desire of the people of the Conference for those hands to be of all ages and shades of skin; and

Whereas, the Conference has historically struggled to achieve diversity to the extent as recommended by “The Discipline.”

Therefore, be it resolved that the Conference shall form a task force to develop a five‐year plan for youth ministry in the Conference to reach or surpass the recommendations of “The Discipline;” and

Be it further resolved that the plan shall include a process to ensure that all races and cultural backgrounds within the Conference are represented and involved in youth ministry at the Conference and district levels; and

Be it further resolved that the task force shall identify problem areas and obstacles in achieving these goals; and

Be it further resolved that all members of the task force shall:  commit to a period of at least two years: one year to develop the plan and a second year to begin implementation; and  commit to increasing their cultural competency by participating in training, reading books, being in prayerful meditation, and listening to others; and

Be it further resolved that the membership of the task force shall meet the following guidelines:

At least three‐quarters shall be people of color

At least one‐third of membership shall be youth

At least one‐quarter shall be young adults; and

Be it further resolved that there shall be representation from the following: CCYM, Commission on Religion and Race, Committee on Native American Ministry, any existing ethnic caucuses, Camp and Retreat Ministries, Campus Ministries, youth of color from a local church not on CCYM but active in local or district ministry; and

Be it further resolvedthat it is recommended that as many groups be represented including, but not limited to, youth, young adults or adults who work with youth who represent Native American, Black or African American, White or European American, Hispanic, Asian, Pakistani, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Burmese, Karen and other races or cultures within the Conference. Additionally, considerations should be given to immigrant, urban, suburban, and rural youth; and

Be it further resolved that the task force not contain so many people that it become too large to function. The size must reflect a serious attempt at a solution and provide a safe place to experience God’s presence; and

Be it further resolved that the first meeting of the task force shall be no later than October 2016; and 48

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Be it further resolved that the task force shall work with Eric Law and the Kaleidoscope Institute, the Committee on Religion and Race, and use other consultants as needed for both guidance and accountability; and

Be it further resolved that the membership of the task force shall be nominated by the representatives from the Cabinet, two representatives from the Commission on Religion and Race, one of the youth co‐ coordinators of CCYM, CCYM youth chair or vice chair, two representatives from Committee of Native American Ministries, two pastors of color, two laity of color and two youth of color. (This is not the task force but the nominating committee.) The nominating committee shall meet immediately after the approval of this petition to nominate and invite task force members. Whoever is on the nominating committee should have the availability to meet at Annual Conference or shortly thereafter. The nominators can meet without the full group, provided more than 50 percent are people of color and a person of color is to lead the nominations process; and

Be it further resolved that people interested in being on the task force can self‐nominate to be considered at Annual Conference; and

Be it further resolved that the nominating committee is free to look beyond the above description to include others such as people outside The UMC who may have valuable input to the process; and

Be it further resolved that the task force shall report back to the 2017 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference with a proposed five‐year plan for creating a culturally competent vital youth ministry program in our Conference composed of at least 50 percent youth of color in leadership and transformational programming for all youth celebrating God’s gift of diversity and creating culturally competent disciples of Christ.

Dated: Feb. 16, 2016

Submitted by: Sandra Allen Electronic Signature: Mailing Address PO Box 8381 Albany, NY 12208 Phone Number: (518) 496‐4543 E‐mail Address: sandraallenesq@yahoo.com Confirmed Member of Calvary UMC, Latham, attending Emmaus UMC of Albany

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UNYAC2016.8 – A Resolution to Study and Consider Endorsing Carbon Pricing Total Number of Pages: 5

“Book of Discipline”: ¶649.2

Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed:

Financial Implications: None known

Brief Rationale:

A Biblical Call for Climate Action In the book of Genesis 1:1, the Lord God created the heavens and the earth. In the books of Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:29, and Luke 10:27, our Savior Jesus commands us to love the Lord God with all our heart and soul and mind and spirit. Then who, but all of God’s Creation, is our neighbor? In Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:38; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27, 10:29 and 10:37; and 1 John 4:20‐ 21 our Savior Jesus commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

A Resolution to Study and Consider Endorsing Carbon Pricing Whereas, global warming is causing calamitous change to our climate and the life inhabiting our planet, and;

Whereas, a task force, formed by action of the Cal‐Nevada 2014 Annual Conference session, recommended that The United Methodist Church take action on behalf of current and future victims of climate change1, and;

Whereas, in order to arrest the alarming rate of global warming and climate change, urgent action is needed to smoothly and rapidly move away from artificially cheap fossil fuels whose prices do not include the environmental and health costs of their use²; and

Whereas, all people around the world, but particularly those unable to protect themselves from the negative effects of climate change, will benefit if the United States quickly moves away from fossil fuels use; and

Whereas, divestment from fossil fuels is a morally appropriate and courageous action consistent with our spiritual values³; and

Whereas, divestment alone will not have a strong enough and quick enough impact on fossil fuel extraction and use to prevent a catastrophic accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere⁴; and

Whereas, to allow our economy to “freely” and smoothly withdraw from fossil fuels, economists advocate putting a price on carbon pollution (CO2e emissions) in a predictable, structured way. This is done one of two ways. First, the quantity of emissions allowed can be restricted, and emissions allowances can be auctioned to fossil fuels suppliers. In this case, the price paid at auction, for an “allowance” (right to emit a ton of CO2e) is the “price on carbon.” Second, a fee or tax can be assessed on fossil fuels as they are imported, extracted, or drilled. This option is favored by most economists because it is simple, transparent, and easier to administer. In this case, the “price on carbon” is the fee 50

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or tax. Suppliers of fossil fuels will adjust prices to incorporate some or all of the fee. Producers of fossil fuel‐intensive goods will adjust prices to incorporate some or all of their increased costs. Consumers will adjust their purchasing decisions as they confront higher prices for fossil fuels and fossil fuels‐intensive goods; and

Whereas, without pricing carbon pollution, suppliers and consumers of fossil fuels are able to pollute and send carbon into the atmosphere without financial consequences. Shouldn’t our choices to consume fossil fuels and fossil fuels‐intensive products be met with a fee that reflects the cost of our fuel use to our health and our planet?; and

Whereas, economists recommend a carbon price be set at a modest level during the first year and increase at a brisk, predictable pace in following years⁵; and

Whereas, persons of low income will suffer disproportionately from increased costs arising from an effective carbon price. Economists recommend a portion of revenues from pricing carbon be used to “offset unfair burdens on lower income households”⁶; and

Whereas, economists recommend the removal of subsidies that “reward” fossil fuels extraction⁷; and

Whereas, as imperfect human beings, it is natural that our highest expression of love for creation is our love for our children.

Therefore, be it resolved for the sake of our children and our Creator, to study within our congregations and our Conference, the issue of carbon pricing and to consider endorsing, at the 2017 session of Annual Conference, carbon pricing within the United States that is implemented in a structured, predictable way, in a manner that does not hurt persons of low income, and in conjunction with removal of fossil fuels subsidies.

Dated: Feb. 17, 2016 Revised: March 3, 2016

Submitted by: Katherine Barnum Skura Mailing address: 405 state Route 38

Dryden, NY 13053 Electronic Signature: Katherine Barnum Skura Phone number: (607) 330‐0645 Email:

katherinebarnum@gmail.com Confirmed member at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Ithaca

Submitted by: Sara Culotta Mailing address 802 N. Tioga St.

Ithaca, NY 14850 Electronic Signature: Phone number: (607) 229‐4439 Email:

sara.culotta@gmail.com UNY membership: Member at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Ithaca

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Submitted by: Mailing address:

Electronic Signature: Phone number: Email:

Patricia Sipman 306 E. Yates Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Patricia Sipman (607) 227‐8818 Plsipman@twcny.rr.com

UNY membership: Church Council Chair, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Ithaca

¹Recommendation to Petition 2016 General Conference to Amend UMC Book of Resolutions, 4071 Investment Strategies, p. 47. Prepared by the Natural World Interagency Task Force as required by action of Cal‐Nevada Annual Conference, June 2014. ² Ackerman, Frank, Kenneth J. Arrow, Jim Barrett, Alan S. Blinder, Dallas Burtraw, Steven Chu, Richard N. Cooper, Robert H. Frank, Shi‐Ling Hsu, Charles Komanoff, N. Gregory Mankiw, Donald B. Marron, Jr., Aparna Mathur, Warwick McKibbon, Gilbert Metcalf, Adele C. Morris, Robert Reich, John Reilly, Mark Reynolds, Alice M. Rivlin, James Rydge, Thomas C. Schelling, Robert Shapiro, George P. Shultz, Joseph Stiglitz, Steven Stoft, Chad Stone, Jerry Taylor, Richard Thaler, Eric Toder, Martin Weitzman, Gary Yohe, “A Call to Paris Negotiators: Tax Carbon.” 11 29 2015. carbontax.org. 8 2 2016. ³United States. Congressional Budget Office. Microeconomic Studies Division. Offsetting a Carbon Tax’s Costs on Low‐Income Households. By Terry Dinan. Washington, D.C.: CBO, November, 2012. Print. Working Paper 2012‐16; On‐line at: https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/11‐13LowIncomeOptions.pdf ⁴Williams, Robert C., III, Hal Gordon, Dallas Burtraw, Jared C. Carbone, and Richard D. Morgenstern. The Initial Incidence of a Carbon Tax across Income Groups. Publication no. RFF DP 14‐24. Washington, D.C.: Resources for the Future, 2014. Print. ⁵Nystrom, Scott, and Patrick Luckow. The Economic, Climate, Fiscal, Power, and Demographic Impact of a National Fee‐and‐Dividend Carbon Tax: p. 2. Rep. Washington, D.C.: Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI), 2012.

Cambridge, MA: Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. (Synapse) Print. Prepared for Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), Coronado, CA. On‐line at: http://citizensclimatelobby.org/wp‐content/uploads/2014/06/REMI‐carbon‐tax‐report‐ 62141.pdf ⁶Ibid., p. 51. ⁷Tollefson, Jeff. “Fossil‐fuel Divestment Campaign Hits Resistance.” Nature 521.5 (2015): 16‐17. Print.

1 Ibid., Ackerman, “Call to Paris Negotiators”, p. 1 1 Ibid.

1 Ibid.

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327 Sage Hall Ithaca, New York 14850 607‐255‐8501 www.robert‐h‐frank.com

Feb. 26, 2016

Ms. Hudda Aswad, Chair, Committee on Petitions and Resolutions Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church 324 University Ave., 3rd Floor Syracuse, N.Y. 13210

Dear Ms. Aswad,

I enthusiastically support the above Resolution to Study and Consider Endorsing Carbon Pricing. Carbon pricing – explicitly using prices within existing markets to shift investment and behavior across all sectors – offers greater potential to combat global warming than any other policy, with minimal regulatory and enforcement costs.

All good wishes,

Dr. Robert H. Frank H. J. Louis Professor of Management and Professor of Economics Johnson Graduate School of Management Cornell University

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Links to Supporting Documents, for Study

http://e2e.haas.berkeley.edu/pdf/Christopher%20Knittel%20MA%20Legislature.pdf Statement of Christopher Knittel, William Barton Rogers Professor of Energy Economics, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology & Director, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy on S 1747, “An Act Combatting Climate Change”

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/19/opinion/proof‐that‐a‐price‐on‐carbon‐works.html?_r=0 New York Times editorial board endorsement of carbon pricing

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTSDNET/Resources/carbon‐pricing‐supporters‐list‐UPDATED‐ 110614.pdf “Seventy‐four countries, 23 subnational jurisdictions, and more than 1,000 companies and investors expressed support for a price on carbon ahead of the UN Secretary‐General’s Climate Summit” [Updated 11/06/2014]

http://www.sfbos.org/ftp/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/resolutions14/r0336‐14.pdf City and County of San Francisco Resolution urging the United States Congress to enact a revenue‐neutral carbon tax.

https://citizensclimatelobby.org/wp‐content/uploads/2014/10/Carbon‐Fee‐and‐Dividend‐July‐ 2015.pdf July 2015 Citizens Climate Lobby’s Carbon Fee and Dividend legislative proposal

http://citizensclimatelobby.org/wp‐content/uploads/2014/06/REMI‐carbon‐tax‐report‐62141.pdf In‐ depth regional and national report on estimated economic, climate, and health effects of CCL’s Carbon Fee and Dividend legislative proposal.

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A08372&term=2015&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Me mo=Y&Text=Y Text of NYS Carbon Tax Bill A08372/S06037 (Be sure to include “Text=Y”)

http://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce‐ authors/u1997/Carbon%20Pricing%20Fact%20Sheet%209.8.15.pdf Massachusetts Sierra Club Chapter fact sheet on carbon pricing

https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/11‐13LowIncomeOptions.pdf “Offsetting a Carbon Tax’s Costs on Low‐Income Households”

http://www.carbontax.org/blogarchives/2015/11/29/a‐call‐to‐paris‐climate‐negotiators‐tax‐carbon/ & http://www.carbontax.org/wp‐ content/uploads/2015/11/CTC_carbon_tax_sign_on_letter_28_Nov_2015_posted.pdf 31 of the world’s most respected economists jointly endorse pricing carbon, and set forth four principles a carbon tax should incorporate: (1) upstream, (2) structured and predictable, (3) portion of revenues used to mitigate the disproportionate cost burden on low income households (from pass‐through of the CO2e fee), (4) subsidies on fossil fuels should be removed.

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UNYAC2016.9 – UNYUMC Responds To Gun Violence Total Number of Pages: 3

“Book of Resolutions”: #3426 (revised and readopted in 2008)

Conference Committee/Agency, et al. that would be affected by/responsible for implementation if passed:

Financial Implications: none

Rationale: United Methodists across the Upper New York Conference seek to follow the Spirit of Jesus who cares about the wellbeing of communities and all of their members. Therefore, we are deeply concerned about the suffering and human loss caused by reliance on violence to solve conflicts and the minimally regulated availability of fire arms. As faithful Christians we take action, both individual and sociopolitical, to immerse ourselves and our culture in Jesus’ compassionate way.

Whereas, “Violence, and more particularly violence to children and youths, is a primary concern of United Methodists. We recognize and deplore violence which kills and injures children and youths. In the name of Christ, who came ‘and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near’ (Ephesians 2:17) and challenged all his disciples to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), we call upon the church to affirm its faith through vigorous efforts to curb and eliminate gun violence.” (Resolution #3426, Gun Violence, Adopted 2000, Revised and Readopted in 2008); and

Whereas, there is manifest documentation of the breadth and scope of individual, family, and community disaster caused by the use of small arms provided by reports of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Law Center for Prevention of Gun Violence, Small Arms Survey, The World Health Organization, The UN Studies of Small Arms Violence and similar agencies, as well as our personal experience, supporting the significantly high incidence of death and severe injury in places where guns are readily available compared to places where guns are not readily available; and

Whereas, by word and example, Jesus embraced non‐violence as a way of life. He took up a cross rather than a sword. He admonished His disciples to put away their swords. He embraced the practice of hospitality and a creative love of one’s enemies.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church lift up in each congregation a vision of “a more excellent way” by calling on appropriate bodies within the church to recall and adhere to resolution #3426 [or its successors] from “The Book of Resolutions” which states, “reflecting that the traditional role of The United Methodist Church has been one of safety and sanctuary, every United Methodist Church is officially declared a weapon‐free zone,” [no matter what local legislation may provide to the contrary] (see also ¶162, “Social Principles”); and

Be it further resolved that the Upper New York Conference begin in 2016 to provide materials for local congregations to prayerfully and actively make preventing gun violence a regular part of congregational worship, conversation and prayer times. Jesus’ compassionate love calls for gun violence to be worshipfully and theologically reflected on, and we encourage congregations to frame conversations theologically by utilizing resources such as “Kingdom Dreams, Violent Realities: Reflections on Gun 55

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Violence from Micah 4:1‐4” produced by the General Board of Church and Society; and

Be it further resolved that the Upper New York Conference provide guidance for local congregations to assist those affected by gun violence through prayer, pastoral care, creating space, encouraging survivors to share their stories as they are ready, financial assistance, and through identifying other resources in their communities as victims of gun violence and their families walk through the process of grieving and healing; and

Be it further resolved that the Upper New York Conference encourage all congregations within its boundaries to annually participate in the National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend; and

Be it further resolved that the Upper New York Conference Social Holiness Team provide material and personnel leadership and guidance to local congregations to begin to implement the following:  For individual United Methodists who own guns to safely and securely use and store their guns and to teach the importance of practicing gun safety;  For United Methodists who have not experienced gun violence to form ecumenical and interfaith partnerships with faith communities that have experienced gun violence in order to support them and to learn from their experiences;  For United Methodist congregations to lead or join in ecumenical and interfaith gatherings for public prayer, and actions of solidarity, at sites where gun violence has occurred;  For United Methodist congregations to partner with local law enforcement agencies and community groups to identify gun retailers who engage in retail practices designed to circumvent laws on gun sales and ownership; and  For United Methodist congregations to advocate at the local, state, and national level for laws that prevent or reduce gun violence. Some of these measures include: o Universal background checks on all gun purchases o Ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty o Ensuring all guns are sold through licensed gun retailers o Prohibiting persons convicted of violent crimes from purchasing a gun for a fixed time period o Prohibiting all individuals under restraining order due to threat of violence from purchasing a gun o Prohibiting persons with serious mental illness, who pose a danger to themselves and their communities, from purchasing a gun o Ensuring greater access to services for those suffering from mental illness o Establishing a minimum age of 21 years for a gun purchase or possession o Banning large capacity ammunition magazines and weapons designed to fire multiple rounds each time the trigger is pulled o Promotion of new technologies to aid law‐enforcement agencies to trace crime guns and promote public safety; and

Be it further resolved that the secretary of the Upper New York Conference send a copy of this resolution to United States senators representing its boundaries and all United States Congress people whose districts reside within the bounds of the Upper New York Conference.

Submitted by: The Rev. Robert Long, Albany District Coordinator of Global Ministries Electronic Signature: Robert Long Mailing Address: 833 Oregon Ave. Niskayuna, NY 12309‐6423 56

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Phone Number: (516) 372‐1083 Email:

bikealong2@nycap.rr.com UNY local church membership: Retired member of UNY, located at First UMC, Schenectady

Additional Sponsors: Heather Smith, Peace with Justice Coordinator, UNYUMC

Electronic Signature: Heather Smith Mailing Address: 10 Arthur Road Newtonville, NY 12110 Phone number: (518) 785‐7383

beezermcgee@yahoo.com

Confirmed Member of Newtonville UMC, Newtonville

The Rev. Steven C. Clunn Electronic Signature: Steven C. Clunn Mailing address: 307 Yoakum Parkway #225 Alexandria, VA 22304 (518) 878‐6737 Phone number: Email address: sclunn@yahoo.com UNY local church membership: Extension Ministry appointment to the Methodist Federation for Social Action

Shirley Readdean, Albany District UYNUMC Lay Leader Electronic Signature: Shirley Readdean Mailing Address: 2232 Turner Ave.

Schenectady, NY 12306 Phone number: (518) 372‐7065 Email:

whirly@earthlink.net Confirmed Member of First UMC Schenectady, Schenectady

James Troy, Chair, Church Council Electronic Signature: James Troy Mailing Address:

Schenectady, NY 12306 Phone number: (518) 356‐2687 Email:

jtroy@nycap.rr.com Confirmed Member of First UMC Schenectady, Schenectady

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Reports ‐ Conference Teams

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Africa 360

After the 2014 Annual Conference session, the Africa 360 initiative kicked into high gear with another bold challenge from Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb: For each church to raise $1,000. Thus, the Africa 360 Challenge 2.0 was born.

Much of the summer was spent pulling together new resources for churches that combined the information about Imagine No Malaria and Africa University into one cohesive narrative about working toward health and education for our sisters and brothers in Africa. An online portal was created for churches to electronically request brochures, bookmarks, envelopes, and more; videos, printable liturgy, and children’s resources were created through collaboration with churches all across the Conference.

The Africa 360 Steering Team has been hard at work this year staying connected to local churches and being a resource in their home districts. The team has worked as prayer partners across the Conference, been a wellspring of creative ideas, and helped give vision and direction to Africa 360.

A few major undertakings have come together this past year that should be noted. An unprecedented Lenten Devotional was written by clergy and laity across the Conference, bringing together faith, Scripture, and mission with stories about Africa and missionary work. Africa 360 Sunday was celebrated by churches all across the Conference on April 17, sharing in prayer and celebration leading up to the Annual Conference session. There have also been designated Africa University scholarships created to honor several persons in the Conference; for more information on those, please contact Africa 360 Field Coordinator Laurel O’Connor by emailing Africa360@unyumc.org.

Since the Upper New York Conference decided to bring together the stories of Imagine No Malaria and Africa University, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Churches from across the Conference have been creative in discerning how they might participate and bring the story of Africa 360 out of their church walls and into the community. Africa 360 is a great way to show the community what the Church is doing in the world: saving lives and educating new generations of leaders.

The work The United Methodist Church is doing is making a huge difference, with the Upper New York Conference as an important piece of the initiative. Just in the past year, the World Health Organization has reported that the death rate from malaria has been once again cut in half: One child dies every two minutes from malaria, a statistic that was every 30 seconds only years ago. Malaria is beatable in this lifetime and working across the United Methodist connection has made that possibility all the more real.

The scholarships that go to Africa University educate the next generation of peacemakers, theologians, nurses, administrators, and entrepreneurs that have built bridges across nations. Without the graduates of Africa University, many of the health boards of Imagine No Malaria would not have the support and infrastructure they need to save lives. The stories are connected, and Africa 360 creates a holistic picture of what health and education can do in the world.

Submitted by Laurel O’Connor, Africa 360 field coordinator

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Archives and History, Commission on

The Conference Commission on Archives and History continues to maintain three archival locations. One in Buffalo – which holds records from the former Western New York Conference, one in Syracuse – which hold records from the former North Central New York Conference, and one in Saratoga Springs – which holds the New York portions of the former Troy and Wyoming conferences. We anxiously await the renovation of the new Conference Center Building at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool. All three archival locations will be moved to this location and will be all under one roof. This will be a great thing for researchers and other Conference personnel to have all the materials in one location. The commission is very much looking forward to the move. It is also noted that all three archival locations have received many boxes of records over the past year from recently closed churches.

The pastor grave marking program is running smoothly. Each district office has a supply of three markers that are replenished as needed. Ken Summers was able to secure a foundry in Pennsylvania that will make our markers for us. The commission is looking for some creative ways to continue funding this program. It is noted that Summers has recently resigned from this commission and was made an emeritus member.

As the Rev. James Barnes was appointed to serve in Clarence, he is handling research requests for the Western New York archive location. Rev. Barnes has an almost complete set of journals for the former North Central New York Conference and its predecessor conferences – back to the 1880s – and the Black River memoirs dating to the early 19th century. He can assist with many of the NCNY research questions.

The Rev. Marcia Wickert is handling those for the former North Central New York Conference and Karen Staulters continues to handle requests for the former Troy and Wyoming conferences.

Eight members of the commission attended the annual NEJ Commission on Archives and History meeting located in Westport, Conn., hosted by the New York Annual Conference. This was held May 12‐ 14, 2015. The theme was “Telling Our Stories.”

A resolution was presented at the 2015 Annual Conference session for the formation of the Upper New York Conference Historical Society. The resolution was passed, and the commission is in the process of getting this up and running.

The 2015 Annual Conference session display featured pictures and history of the “oldest, still being used for Methodist/EUB worship, churches” in each district within the UNY Conference. It was prepared by the Rev. Barnes and Adam Barnes, who have prepared the past five Annual Conference session displays.

In November 2015, Rev. Barnes, Adam Barnes, Rev. Wickert, James Lesch, and Karen Staulters met at the Syracuse archival location to pick up, sort, and tidy the location, as many boxes from closed churches have accumulated there over the past several years. There is a sense of order there now so research can be done as needed.

We are looking forward to preparing and moving the archival materials to the new Conference Center after the renovation is done. Once all is moved and organized, we can work on getting the whole collection catalogued. The former Troy Conference materials are already done, and they are in an electronic format. The hope is to be able to get the entire collection catalogued electronically to make researching easier for all.

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It is noted that we have had some resignations from our commission: Ken Summers, the Rev. Jacob Denny, and Marcia Focht. At the end of the year, we examined from which districts the rest of our members were from as we felt that each district should be represented on the commission.

Members of the commission: Rev. James Barnes, Karen Staulters, Rev. Marcia Wickert, Ken Summers (Emeritus), Adam Barnes, Merle and Catharine Doud (Emeritus), Joyce Ellis, Margaret and Lee Flanders, Jim Lesch, Rev. Betsye Mowry, Nancy Rutenber, Richard Ward, Ray Leonard (Emeritus), and Gilbert Smith (Emeritus).

Respectfully submitted by: Rev. James Barnes II

Co‐Chair of the Commission on Archives and History

Karen Staulters Co‐ Chair of the Commission on Archives and History

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Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM)

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The Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) is privileged to have the ministry of caring for the clergy of the Upper New York Conference from the first perception of a call through retirement. We work through the 12 district Committees on Ordained Ministry (dCOMs) and in close partnership with the appointive Cabinet. The board is the credentialing body for clergy seeking commissioning and ordination in the Upper New York Conference. The BOM has a wide scope of responsibilities in cultivating and supporting excellent clergy leadership; these tasks are outlined in ¶635 of the 2012 Book of Discipline.

The board’s members (clergy and at least 20 percent laypersons, appointed by the Bishop) work in six broad areas: standards and qualifications (of ordination candidates); clergy status; clergy effectiveness; dCOM support and direction; recruitment/enlistment; and oversight of the provisional members program.

The co‐chairs of the BOM serve overlapping four‐year terms (e.g. 2012‐16 and 2014‐18). Currently, the co‐chairs are the Rev. Holly Nye, whose term is ending this year, and the Rev. Matthew Stengel, who will continue. Elections will be held for another co‐chair and other officers when the new class is appointed at the Annual Conference session. The Rev. Alice Priset has served as vice‐chair, and the Rev. David Cooke as secretary. The Rev. Michelle Bogue‐Trost has served as our registrar and has been working with the Rev. Tom Pullyblank to succeed her. The Rev. Eleanor Collinsworth has assisted the registrar in preparing the BOM section of the “Business of Annual Conference” which is the official record of the status of every clergy person in the Conference and is published annually in the Conference’s Journal.

Leading the board’s division this year are: the Rev. Sue Russell, standards and qualifications; the Rev. Carmen Perry, clergy status; the Rev. Rhonda Kouterick, clergy effectiveness; the Rev. Tom Pullyblank, dCOM; the Rev. Brooke Newell, provisional program; and the Rev. Mike Smith, recruitment.

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Much of our work during the year builds toward the February‐March retreat, when we interview candidates, and engage in discerning God’s movement and guidance in raising up future leaders for our Church. As we write this in February, board members are hard at work reading candidate materials, watching sermon videos, and praying for the candidates and the board. Those who are approved by the BOM for commissioning, associate membership, and ordination as deacons and elders are recommended to the full members of the Conference for approval. The culmination of each Annual Conference session is the Service of Commissioning and Ordination through the laying on of hands by the Bishop and other full members of the Conference.

34 35 36 37 38 39 40

In September and January, the provisional division offers a retreat for those on the path to full ordination. This past August, we were able to offer an extended retreat in New York City. Provisional members and BOM members stayed at the historic Alma Matthews House, a mission residence of the United Methodist Women. While there, they were able to visit ministries of the General UMC: the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the headquarters of the UMW, the General Board of Church and Society’s mission to the United Nations, and a guided tour of the United Nations. They were led by the seminar program of the Board of Church and Society.

41 42

BOM members participated in the “See, Know, Love” Conference in October in Hershey, Pa. Special sessions were held for BOM officers and conference cabinets.

43 44 45

In November, board members accompany district superintendents to visit students at seminaries across the connection. This is part of the work of the recruitment division, supporting and enlisting excellent candidates for ministry in our Conference.

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The board executive committee meets with the Cabinet at least twice a year. This is an excellent way to build community and communication as we work in our different, yet complementary, ministry areas. In the spring, we work with the Cabinet to prepare the “Business of Annual Conference.” This task is handled ably and cooperatively between the board registrar and the Bishop’s office. Many thanks are due to Episcopal Office Manager Mary Bradley who is a tremendous help to both the BOM and the Cabinet.

7 8 9

The Rev. Matthew Stengel participates as the representative of UNY Conference in the Northeastern Jurisdiction Board of Ordained Ministry. This body shares best practices of the nine conferences’ BOMs and approaches to common struggles.

10 11 12 13

During the past year, the BOM provided boundaries training for all persons under appointment by the Bishop or serving as a lay supply. These were held in nine sessions in eight sites across the Conference, north, south, west, east, and central. Participation was at high levels. Those who did not attend are being held accountable by their district superintendents.

14 15 16

In the coming year, officers of the BOM will attend the quadrennial training provided by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, highlighting the changes that may have been made to the “BOD” at General Conference this May.

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We, the co‐chairs, are immensely grateful for the time, energy, prayer, and faithful service given by every member of the board. It is holy and humbling work that we share, and it is only possibly through the loving effort of many faithful people working together. Thanks be to God!

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Holly Nye and Matthew Stengel, UNYAC Board of Ordained Ministry Co‐Chairs UNY Board of Ordained Ministry members, as of February 2016: Kristen Allen, Nola Anderson, Marilyn Baissa, Bill Barber, Michelle Bogue‐Trost, Lee Carlson, Yohang Chun, Anne Cole, Eleanor Collinsworth, David Cooke, Jennifer Delahoy, Greg DeSalvatore, Christine Doran, Brian Ethington, Brian Fellows, Vonda Fossitt, Bill Gottschalk‐Fielding, Keith Grinnell, Youngjae Jee, Noel John, Ann Kemper, David Kofahl, Bob Kolvik‐Campbell, Rhonda Kouterick, , Jeff Losey, Crystal Martin, Pam Mikel‐Hayes, Wayne Mort, Brooke Newell, Holly Nye, Carmen Perry, Colleen Preuninger, Sheila Price, Alice Priset, Tom Pullyblank, Sherri Rood, Sue Russell, Sundar Samuel, Jane Sautter, Lynn Shipe, Michael Smith, Steven Smith, Matthew Stengel, Beckie Sweet, Michael Terrell, Leon VanWie, Denise Walling, Heather Williams.

29

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Camp and Retreat Ministries (CRM)

My friends,

There are times when it becomes much more important to hear what we need to hear than what we might want to hear. I offer the following Committee on Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM) Annual Report in that spirit.

During the course of the past year, Camp and Retreat Ministries successfully led a great many people to Christ, through providing both the space and the experiences they needed to connect to God in meaningful and powerful ways. We continued to work efficiently in the face of decreased resources.

CRM worked collaboratively and cooperatively to unify ourselves and our outlook, as we strove to offer a new generation of participants experiences that are relevant and attractive. We also addressed a number of serious and complex challenges.

Now that our financial condition has been more clearly identified, we have worked hard to address deficits. Staff positions were reorganized and the number of staff decreased. Those remaining were asked to do more, and we fear for their long‐term ability to operate at such a pace and range of demands. They are to be commended for their herculean effort, while providing a clarion call as to the need for our wise assignment of resources toward the making of disciples. Fundamental programmatic decisions and decisions relating to the future of properties are being made within a constricting financial environment. Long‐term goals are currently ceding to short‐term financial realities.

The strategic plan forms the basis of many decisions this year. It was a monumental undertaking that will inform decisions well into our future. Decisions about program and land use needed to be made prior to its publication. We are heartened that we now have its benefit in those types of decisions. The process of creating the strategic plan was inclusive and comprehensive: It was also protracted, which at times forced us to act on information on hand at the time. Given the issues facing this ministry, undergoing the strategic planning process and having the benefit of external evaluation was absolutely necessary for sound decision making. The combination of having a clearer financial picture and a strategic plan allows CRM to face our challenges from an informed perspective.

During this year, we also completed a comprehensive forest management plan. As each of our sites has a varying level of forest resources, CRM needed to know:

A. What was the value and potential use of the forest at each location?

B. What was required for sound stewardship of those resources?

C. What degree of those resources might be utilized to provide revenue for the support of CRM?

The report was extremely professionally presented and thorough. It documented types and number of trees in computer generated plots at each site. Each of those stands can now be managed according to what is ecologically required for healthy growth and harvested for optimal revenue. The final result should be a healthier resource for the next generation, with some degree of revenue to support programs and facilities. However, the report was clear in stating that stewardship would require recycling the lion’s share of revenue generated from harvesting back into forest and property management. What awaits CRM’s decision (and a recommendation to the trustees) is a plan for how we intend to harvest and how we intend to use the revenue generated from that effort.

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I have alluded to the significant fiscal decisions confronting this vital ministry, and this report would be remiss if it failed to elaborate. Specifically, since the unification of the former conferences, three of the six sites have essentially ceased their summer camp programs. One has been converted to a full‐time retreat center and, as such, is very successfully rebuilding its outreach. It is a success story on how we need sound and innovative decisions to meet a new generation’s needs. One facility holds summer camp for a week and a half during the summer and is seeking partnerships with other organizations to offer Christian hospitality to their camp programs. Another facility is in the process of being evaluated for sale or lease. Regularly addressing significant challenges and changes is a circumstance and a trend that cannot be ignored.

Fiscal analysis by Conference staff has revealed a structural deficit in the CRM of the six sites. Sites were formerly subsidized by their conference in varying degrees, leaving structural deficits embedded in the current financial plan. CRM, working with Conference staff, has decreased this deficit by hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, the effort has left a skeleton crew of CRM staff to perform the needed work to support the ministry, and the current staff is hard pressed to build a new and relevant program were support levels to continue to decrease.

There is a fundamental challenge facing the UNY Conference: We have to utilize the facilities and resources owned by the Conference to create a powerful and transformative movement to make disciples of Christ. That effort requires programs and facilities that are regularly improved so they are relevant, meaningful, and attractive to all ages. It cannot be undertaken utilizing only efficiencies gained through centralized administration and methods. We must walk the tightrope of honoring traditions of volunteers and participants, while building something entirely exciting and new. Today’s potential participant in all likelihood comes without previous camping experience and perhaps without a cultural reference point for such an activity. Participation may come with a degree of trepidation for both the activity and the providers. When they come, their needs and expectations will be different than those of previous generations of campers and retreat participants.

CRM needs to harness this generation’s enthusiasm for outdoor activities and merge those activities with the message of the Spirit’s liberation. Imagine coming home from a camp or retreat not only having engaged in rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, and horseback riding (to name only a few), but also to have a deep and personal interaction with the Maker of the environment you used for those activities? More than ever, CRM has the opportunity to transform lives for Christ, and local churches desperately need members who have had those experiences and use that inspiration for the work of their church in their local community.

When put in the context of today’s potential participants (and given our fiscal resources) it can be difficult to see the growth of that vision into some of our existing programs. Despite the well‐meaning and seemingly tireless work of those involved, a drastic reimagining awaits. The strategic plan is helpful in that regard, but additional hard choices will need to be made. For example, it may well be that the Findley Camp & Retreat Center is best suited to host a fitness‐oriented ministry or a recreational vehicle family outreach program. It may be that Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center should partner with the outdoor adventure, horseback riding, and boating opportunities adjacent to the property to create a dynamic new attraction for young Christians and potential Christians, etc. Each site has the ability to deliver programs that are viscerally attractive to today’s camp and retreat participant. Each of our sites provides us the property and most structures to create a vibrant new effort for Christ.

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If we are to reach our potential and avoid the alternative of slow demise, together, we must determine our course and marshal our resources to support that transformation.

CRM is looking at two scenarios:

1. Developing each site based on its unique strengths and ability to deliver “missionally‐effective,” sustainable programs. This requires continued, or increased, Conference support, timber harvesting, potential sale of properties (unused church buildings and perhaps camp sites), bequests, and other donations. The sites must be transformed into impressive outdoor recreational opportunities for youth, young adults, and adults. There must be comfortable, affordable, and inspirational opportunities for older adults, too. Careful stewardship of resources, as well as development and marketing of these programs and facilities will allow the UNY Conference to lead the way in linking a new generation of people to a more regular and meaningful relationship to their local church and, more importantly, their Lord.

2. Alternatively, if support decreases, we run the risk of registrations steadily declining, a diminishing cadre of volunteers, and facility decline. The relationship between existing programs and potential participants becomes increasingly attenuated. Secular attractive opportunities and obligations may siphon off traditional participants. Declining enrollment in our churches and declining population in the areas surrounding our current sites may lead to declining participation and a decreasing ability of the UNY Conference to subsidize the administration and marketing of existing programs. Ultimately, lack of support leads to a level of participation that creates a financial condition that is unrecoverable.

Either scenario will have a dramatic – perhaps life‐altering – impact on the Conference as a whole. While events to date would suggest that, despite best efforts, we may be pointed toward the latter scenario, we have the structure, the information, and the faith to create the former. This report could provide a compendium of accomplishments, focus on praising our success, and inspiring general support, but instead, it is this seminal decision that most demands your awareness. I could describe the many wonderful programs and ways in which we engage participants at present, but the fact remains that awe‐inspiring as they are, in total the camp and retreat centers are no longer, and perhaps never were, financially self‐sustaining under our current approach.

The question, my friends, is what will we decide to do? It is heart‐wrenching to learn that what you came to love and value as a child, the path that may well have led you personally to Christ, no longer attracts people in sufficient numbers to remain financially viable. It hurts to recognize that prior support from smaller conferences cannot be carried over to the new, larger administrative structure and that collectively, we cannot do what we were once able to do individually. Perhaps most disturbing is the realization that having discerned the level of financial deficit and responded with dramatic reductions in spending, it is not enough to support what has always been. Simply put, we believe that our collective resources must be marshalled to support a new and different undertaking that is operated more leanly and that provides experiences that are attuned to today’s population. Only then can we build a bridge between their current existence and the love that awaits them.

In the coming year, CRM will review the entire strategic plan, assess the strengths and potential of each site, and recommend new, timely, and relevant programs. I ask for your prayerful, intellectually directed, creatively‐inspired help in designing the future of Camp and Retreat Ministries in the Upper New York Conference. Thousands of souls that will either know Christ or live their lives without 67

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knowledge of His grace, hinge on the result. I believe that we must listen for His voice and then be His hands.

Yours in Christ,

David A. Little, Chair

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Communications Report

The past year has seen continued improvement in the way we share our story in Upper New York.

Leading up to the Annual Conference session in 2015, several new and revamped communications channels were launched, including the new Conference website, the Bridge bi‐monthly bulletin insert, and a new incarnation of the Advocate as a ministry magazine. These new communications channels, along with some strategic planning and decision‐making, greatly increased our capacity to tell the story.

One key decision made was to replace a full‐time writer/editor position with two part‐time positions of writer/editor and a video specialist. The video specialist position enabled video ministry in Upper New York to move to an unprecedented level. Videos such as the story of Buffalo’s Seneca Street UMC have been used throughout the Conference to tell the story of the United Methodist connection.

Furthermore, strategically creating opportunities for video ministry to support and enhance other communications channels has greatly increased the impact and effectiveness of those channels.

The Advocate is a great example of how video ministry can be used to enhance another communication channel. With the revamp of the Advocate, the audience that it targets has also changed. Rather than being a tool for people “in the know” to stay informed, the new audience is “people in local churches who want to go deeper into The UMC connection.” This could be first‐time visitors to a church or people who have been there for a long time, but need to be re‐inspired or excited.

While video and print may not seem like a natural match, they provides two opportunities to pique the interest of individuals – first through the print Advocate and then taking the story to the next level through a video. This approach – of the same story being told in different ways though different mediums – was undertaken many times over the past year.

Of course, those stories were also shared through the Conference website and through other mediums.

The end goal is to let people get the story in the way they want to absorb it, not the way we want them to.

Over the past year, some initial bugs that persisted following the launch of the new website have been fixed, and the website has grown both as a means of sharing our story – as shared above – and as a ready source of tools and resources for local churches.

One of the most useful resources on the website is the Ministry Shares Toolbox. Accessible from the front page of the website, this area of the website hosts a growing number of resources for local churches that details what Ministry Shares are and why they are important.

While many Conference communications channels were only tweaked over the past year, there was one that was completely revamped. The Weekly Digest continues to be sent though Constant Contact, but the layout has changed significantly in terms of better readability, and the look has been adjusted to reflect the Conference website.

The Conference also did a soft launch of a new logo over the past year to come in line with the branding standards set by the General Church. This change is slowly being reflected in all Conference media.

One more change comes to the Conference Journal itself, in which you are reading this report. To avoid double‐printing reports and information, the former Pre‐Conference Workbook has been renamed Vol. 1 69

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of the Journal. This is not only a change in name, it also means that reports and other information published in Vol. 1 of the Journal that do not change during the Annual Conference session will not be reprinted in Vol. 2, which will be published later in the year. Individuals will have the option of getting Vol. 2 as a standalone addendum to Vol. 1 they used for the Annual Conference session, or getting Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 of the Journal as a package once Vol. 2 has been completed. This change will yield cost savings as well as require less printed resources.

Overall, it has been a good year for telling our story in Upper New York. The communications channels and tools are all starting to fall into place and information is flowing nicely. The coming year is likely to see more tweaks, and there will be a renewed focus on using social media to promote conversation and dialog amongst the people of Upper New York. The future is bright!

Submitted by the Rev. Phillip Phaneuf, Chair of the Communications Commission, and Stephen J. Hustedt, Conference Director of Communications

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CORR – Conference Commission on Race and Religion

The Conference Commission on Religion & Race (CCORR) has many responsibilities stated in The Book of Discipline, including “supporting and providing programs of education in areas of cultural competency, racial justice, and reconciliation at every level of the Conference.” (¶643, 3 i). Therefore, CCORR continues its relationship with the Rev. Eric Law, Executive Director at the Kaleidoscope Institute, for “competent leadership in a diverse, changing world.” Through phone consultations with Rev. Law and his staff, we strive to finalize ways of continuing the journey of anti‐racism and inclusion awareness training within our Conference. Our goal is continued learning for our leaders and eventually members of all local churches. Valued books by Rev. Law will be available at Cokesbury’s book sale. Please check out the Kaleidoscope Institute web page at www.kscopeinstitute.org.

CCORR was pleased to be represented by two of its members at the Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) Conference 2015. The Holy Spirit and a strong sense of community blessed all those who attended. The work of BMCR includes sharing diversity interests, challenges, and solutions for The United Methodist Church.

Finally, CCORR coordinated the monitoring and reporting of diversity in the Annual Conference 2015 conversations. This year, we are requesting diversity statistics in advance for those attending the 2016 Annual Conference session so that we may give a clearer picture of ratios for majority/minority speakers at microphones.

CCORR members are: Blenda Smith, Convener of CCORR, Sandra Allen, Julius and Anola Archibald, Desiree Chaires, the Rev. David Heise, Barbara Heise, Linda Hughes, Mildred Mason, Shirley Readdean, and the Rev. Evelyn Woodring.

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Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW)

Jesus said, “Whatever you do to one of these, you have done to me.” These words remind us that although the mandate of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) is to “educate, advocate, and monitor for the full participation of women in the life of the Church,” it is neither possible nor desirable to separate women, or anyone, from their life in the workplace. The policies, attitudes, and practices of the workplace are very much the business of the Church. It matters to God how women are thought of or given no thought, addressed or dismissed, listened to or ignored, fairly compensated or cheated, respected or infantilized, given opportunities or passed over, believed or doubted, or have their autonomy recognized or challenged. If it matters to God, it should matter to us.

In addition to monitoring at the Annual Conference session, COSROW’s thrust this past year has been designing and planning a Conference‐wide education event, with the working title, “Strategies for Recognizing and Countering Sexism in the Workplace.” Several notices placed in “The Voice” requested that people contact us if they were considering attending. To our disappointment, there were no responses. As a result, we decided that it might be too great an expectation to assume that busy people would be eager to travel and give up a day. We agreed, instead, to give input through occasional short pieces in “The Voice.”

As we look to the work of 2016, we are concerned about reports that General Conference is proposing that COSROW be joined with the Commission on Religion and Race to form a new Committee on Inclusiveness. Our concern is two‐fold:

1. Women make up the majority of the Church and, in this Conference, have been represented in both the superintendency and the episcopacy. On the other hand, racial and ethnic minorities, especially in the Upper New York Conference, make up a minority and have not been well represented in the superintendency and episcopacy. Thus, issues of gender inclusiveness might well be eclipsed by those of racial and ethnic minorities.

2. Our second concern is that both COSROW and CCORR are commissions, mandated by “The Book of Discipline,” not committees. The proposed new entity is for a committee, a definite downgrade.

We live amid a culture where it is necessary to remind people that women’s rights are human rights; that women, equally with men, are created in the image of God; that a woman’s place is wherever God’s Holy Spirit calls her to be; that the most basic fundamental human right is the right over one’s own body; and that God expects women, equally with men, to use their God‐given talents to better human life. Now, more than ever, COSROW is needed.

I would like to express my appreciation for the time and dedication of the members of COSROW. Together we are so much more than any of us is alone.

In Christ’s Service, Rev. Judith Johnson‐Siebold, Ph.D., Chair Tom Blake, Rev. Carl Chamberlain, Ellen Koch, Mary Jane Russell, Rev. Deborah O’Connor‐Slater

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Disaster Response

VISION: To be the heart, ears, eyes, hands, and feet of Christ evident to those in need at time of crisis.

In 2015, our Conference experienced new, along with continuing, disasters to our communities. There had been ongoing disaster relief to the July 2014 Yates County flood and the July 2013 Oneida, Herkimer, Fort Plain, New York flood as we began the year. Then came June and July of 2015, when we had two additional disasters to respond to.

The Yates County flood disaster recovery project has been completed through the efforts of many people, both paid and volunteers. Financially, the Conference and UMCOR participated in bringing people’s lives back to normal. With more than 220 households reached and more than 4,000 volunteer hours given, that community was helped.

Currently, the Oneida, Herkimer, Fort Plain, New York recovery is still in progress, with the hopes of completing the work by June 2016.

In June 2015, the Southern Finger Lakes area of Upper New York was struck with a flash flood. The Rev. Mike Kelly at the Newfield UMC came forward to help that community recover. With the assistance of an UMCOR grant of $10,000, 14 families were assisted in putting their lives back together after the flood.

In July 2015, there was a flood in Chautauqua County. We were fortunate to have the Rev. Matthew Golibersuch of the Westfield UMC give permission to use the church as a staging area and the Rev. Molly Golando step up to assist in the immediate response to this flood. Currently, this disaster is close to the end of the response, with many volunteer’s help and assistance.

We are in the process of putting together response teams from each district. They will be trained to interact with the local churches and communities along with the Conference. There is an UMCOR training coming out in spring 2016 that will help local churches to prepare for disasters. Once we have this in hand, we will set up training for the churches.

The Rev. Joseph H. Auslander Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church

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Episcopacy Committee

The Conference Committee on Episcopacy (COE) over the course of this Conference year has worked with the Episcopacy Residence Committee to ensure the upkeep of the episcopal residence. We have met with Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, and we have worked to support his ministry in the Upper New York Conference and his commitments in the General Church. We have continued to perfect the new evaluation process the Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy (NEJ COE) has required all conferences in the NEJ to use as a tool to evaluate the ministry of its assigned bishop. The committee has worked with Bishop Webb, the NEJ COE, and our Communications Department to help make the process as effective as possible. We are still making changes as we live into this new process to help perfect it in a way that it will be as useful as possible to Bishop Webb, the COE, and the NEJ COE. We have used this process and a survey of the entire voting body of the Conference to fill out the final evaluation that was submitted to the NEJ COE. This final evaluation helps the Jurisdictional Committee prepare for its work at Jurisdictional Conference. This process has involved receiving information from leadership across the Conference who work directly with Bishop Webb; it has required the committee to meet quarterly to assess the information we have received and involves working with the Appointive Cabinet and other bishops to evaluate those areas of Bishop Webb’s ministry that only they would be able to speak to. Throughout the year, we have also helped to show hospitality and care to Bishop Webb and his family on behalf of our Conference.

In the year to come, we plan to support Bishop Webb and his continued ministry in the Upper New York Conference, the General Church, and fulfill our responsibilities as explained in the 2012 Book of Discipline. We will continue to work with the NEJ COE evaluation process and continue to work to perfect the process in consultation with the NEJ COE. We ask that you would join us in holding our Bishop, Mark Webb, and his family in prayer throughout the coming Conference year, as we join in ministry together.

Respectfully Submitted by, The Rev. Rebecca L. Laird, Chair, Upper New York Episcopacy Committee

Members of UNY Committee on Episcopacy: Peter Abdella, Katie Allen, Rev. Alan Delamater, Rev. Bill Gottschalk‐Fielding (NEJ COE member), Stephanie Henry (NEJ COE member), Scott Johnson (Conference Lay Leader), Rev. Rebecca Laird, Rev. Sung Ho Lee, Joyce Miller, David Morales, Paul Patinka, and Blenda Smith.

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Finance and Administration, Council on First, I would like to offer a sincere and gracious “thank you” to all the members of the Upper New York Conference Council on Finance & Administration (CF&A) for their service and ministry, and to Conference Treasurer Kevin Domanico and the Conference Financial staff for their continued excellent work for the Upper New York Conference.

Over the past year, CF&A has embraced a broader role beyond that of developing fiscally responsible financial policies for the Ministry Shares budget and other finances of the Conference to include developing new ways to tell the story behind Ministry Shares and living into CF&A’s vision of building stronger collaborative relationships with other leadership teams of the Conference.

We continue to break down silos, as opportunities to work together are identified that strengthen the connections that bind us into one body in Christ. Part of this work has begun through sub‐teams, whose members work closely with the Conference Board of Trustees, the FACT Team, Human Resources and Benefits, Communications, Operations, Camp and Retreat Ministries, Leadership Team, Executive Staff, and Cabinet to coordinate efforts across the Conference.

We have been steadily improving our financial reporting tools to aid in monitoring receipts and disbursements of Ministry Share funds on a monthly basis. This allows for real‐time assessment of how adequately our ministries are being funded.

CF&A, in appreciation of your efforts, conveys blessings and “well done” to all churches that faithfully participated in our connectional ministry through 100 percent payment of their Ministry Shares. CF&A also conveys blessings and sincere appreciation to the many churches that had to make difficult financial decisions over the past year and supported their Ministry Shares to the best of their ability. Thanks be to God for all you have done.

Report on 2015 Ministry Shares Our total 2015 Ministry Shares request was $10,340,438. Approximately 67 percent of our churches paid their Ministry Shares in full. That’s 602 churches out of 896. While we are extremely thankful, we are aware there is more stewardship work to be done across the connection. Nearly 178 of our churches paid little or no Ministry Shares for 2015. The total Ministry Shares received for 2015 amounted to $7,872,681. The Conference was only able to pay 65 percent of its General Church apportionments.

Unfortunately, this meant that after fixed costs and General Church Apportionments, many ministries had to limit their work and spending to 44 percent of the funds approved in their 2015 budget lines.

We understand that sometimes circumstances prevent 100 percent participation. We also believe that lack of clear understanding of what is funded by your Ministry Shares may lead to less than 100 percent participation. We firmly believe that when the people of God see and understand the needs they respond.

Our goal is to provide transparency and clarity of what your Ministry Shares support. In turn, we hope this will illuminate the importance of your Ministry Shares and how they allow us all to live out our purpose as United Methodist Christians. CF&A and Conference staff recently expanded our efforts at the district level to assist local church congregations to address financial stewardship with assessment, training, and support. We will work with congregations to develop ministry plans to allow our churches to pay 100 percent of their Ministry Shares.

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2017 Ministry Shares Budget CF&A has worked hard to be good stewards of the financial resources of the Upper New York Conference. Many hours of prayerful consideration and collaborative cost‐controlling efforts with Conference ministry teams and Conference staff have resulted in a proposed 2017 Conference Ministry Shares budget of $10,078,432. This represents a decrease from the 2016 budget of $804.

In an effort to reflect the Conference’s developing priorities, the 2017 budget categorized funds into fixed costs, General Church apportionments, variable/discretionary costs, and contingent costs. A spending plan will be developed based on these categories and historical Ministry Share payment levels.

 Fixed costs primarily represent operating costs of $5,839,000 or 58 percent of the budget  General Church apportionments were set at approximately 75 percent of what was apportioned

by General Conference, for a total of $1,765,000  Variable/discretionary costs of $1,280,000 would be funded after fixed and GC apportionment goals were met Contingent costs represent ministries that are important but generally have less direct impact on local church ministry. These budgeted costs of $1,203,000 would only be paid after the first three budget categories are adequately funded.

Spending Plans for 2017 and 2016 Our actual expenditures will depend on the levels of Ministry Shares actually paid by our churches.

Ministry Share payments received in 2015 were $7,872,681; in 2014 they were $7,921,437. As good stewards, CF&A is estimating Ministry Share collections for 2016 at $7,800,000.

At this level of receipts, our 2016 budget of $10,079,236 will be limited to spending as follows:

Fixed costs General Church apportionments Variable/discretionary Contingent costs Total

27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

$ 5,652,154 1,644,199 503,648 0 $ 7,800,000

100 percent of budget 70 percent of budget 34 percent of budget 0

Ministry Share collection levels for 2017 have been conservatively estimated at $7,800,000. A spending plan based on this level of collections would have a significant and serious impact on the Conference’s ability to carry out its mission and purpose. The hope and plan is that our current efforts to work with congregations will bear fruit with Ministry Share payments exceeding the $7,800,000 estimate.

Additional collections of between $200,000 and $300,000 in 2017 would allow the Conference to work close to the minimal levels in 2016 and 2015. These additional collections represent a small part of the nearly $2,500,000 unpaid Ministry Shares in 2015.

Conference Fiscal Realities Our challenge continues to be how to bridge the gap between the ministries and activities we agree to support and provide and our available resources. The following information sheet, titled “The Challenge in the Upper New York Conference” is provided for your review. The information included describes our current realities, steps undertaken thus far, and our plans for moving forward.

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The Challenge in the Upper New York Conference Since its formation in 2010, the Upper New York Conference has struggled to fully fund its Connectional Ministries through the Ministry Share giving of its local churches. Each year, more than $2 million is left uncollected, forcing the Conference to scale back ministry plans and underpay its commitments to the General Church and other ministry partners. The Conference continues to explore and implement strategies to address this challenge by reducing conference spending and increasing local church giving. The graph at right illustrates this challenge:

How has the Conference reduced spending? The Conference has sought to do this in three ways:

1. Staffing: The largest Conference expenditure is for staffing (salaries and benefits). Since 2013, the Conference has reduced staffing by 13 full‐time equivalents – a 17 percent reduction

33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

2. Spending Plan: The Conference has controlled expenditures in other areas by limiting or suspending spending by teams and programs:

 Since 2013 the Conference Executive Staff Team and District Superintendents have only received 1 pay increase. Additionally, there will not be an increase in 2017.  Ministry Share allocations to Camp & Retreat Ministries were reduced by $75,000 for 2016 and will be reduced by $86,000 in 2017 through the realignment of summer camp programs

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and reducing staff at multiple sites. Actual spending by Camp & Retreat Ministries decreased by $130,000 in 2015.  Conference team spending has been capped at approximately 35‐40 percent of budgeted amounts since 2013.  Equitable Compensation grants to assist struggling churches to meet minimum clergy salary requirements have decreased since 2013, from $425,000 to $225,000 in 2016.  Spending in 2016 will be reduced by $448,000 by suspending funding to Conference support of campus ministries, ministry oversight team grants and the New York State Council of Churches. New ways to continue these ministries are being explored.  Utilizing the new District Leadership Team structure, district grants in the amount of $10,000 per district are now being used to support ministry at the local church level.  General Church Apportionment payment levels are set annually to reflect expected Ministry Share collection levels. Payments were set at 70 percent for 2016 and 65 percent for 2015 resulting in reduced payments of apportioned amounts by $582,000 in 2016 and $676,000 in 2015. That has resulted in the Upper New York Conference not meeting its commitment to the General Church.

3. Ministry Share Budget: The Conference Ministry Share budget has also decreased by $639,970 or 6 percent since 2013:

Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017, proposed

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Ministry Share Budget $10,718,402 10,323,781 10,340,348 10,079,236 10,078,432

$ difference from previous year

‐$394,621 +16,567 ‐261,112 ‐804

% change

‐3.68% 0.16% ‐2.53% 0%

Why are we buying and renovating a Conference Center when we can’t afford to fund the ministries we agreed to support?

The funds that are being used to buy and renovate the new Conference Center in Liverpool are designated funds resulting from the sale of buildings from Upper New York’s predecessor Conferences.

These funds cannot be used towards the Ministry Shares budget, and over time this new Conference Center will realize a cost‐savings for the Conference versus the other options explored.

What does the revenue picture look like? Since 2010, the Conference has received between 76 percent and 78 percent of the Ministry Shares apportioned to local churches. Below are the results for 2015:

Ministry Share Ask $5,869,670

Paid

Balance Due

100% Paid or More

# of Churches 602

$5,906,160

($36,490)

Paid 99% to 50%

116

$2,111,736

$1,454,139

$657,597

Paid 49% to 25%

68

$1,120,488

$399,024

$721,464

Paid 24% to 1% Did Not Make a Payment Totals

59

$750,216

$113,359

$636,857

51

$488,328

–

$488,328

896

$10,340,438

$7,872,681

$2,467,757

% Ministry Shares Paid

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What is being done to increase local church giving?  District Superintendents have undertaken group and one‐on‐one meetings with church leaders to explore ways to support and advise congregations to promote, sustain, and improve Ministry Share giving.  CF&A, Board of Pensions, and Trustee Teams have directed special attention to understand and develop strategies to improve the financial health of our churches.  The Ministry Shares Toolbox, available at www.unyumc.org/resources/ministry‐shares‐toolbox, continues to be improved and expanded to help local churches share the story of ministry done though connectional giving.  Every congregation not paying 100 percent of its ministry share will develop a one‐ to three‐year plan to pay 100 percent.  Conference staff are available to assist churches in their understanding and questions that may arise.  Efforts are being made toward better use of our statistical information to understand how churches are prioritizing their financial resources.

What can local churches do to restore ministry funding?

The most important initiative churches can undertake is to fulfill 100 percent of their Ministry Share benevolence. The ministries reduced or cut in the spending plan are still in the budget. The funds are just not there to support them. If your church can even make a modest percent increase, it makes a real difference when combined with other churches doing the same.

 If those churches that paid less than 100 percent in 2015 can improve their giving by a minimum of 10 percent this year, which would yield a minimum of $505,897 in additional dollars.  If those churches that faithfully gave 100 percent can increase their giving between 3‐10 percent, which would yield between $152,000 and $506,389 in additional dollars.

In closing The ministry of CF&A across the Conference is to faithfully and prayerfully strengthen our financial resources through fervent prayer, good policy, and faithful stewardship practices to provide for the financial support of our ministries here in the Upper New York Conference and around the world. These ministry opportunities are the future of our church locally and at large. Our work will not be easy, but we do not labor alone. We are connected as United Methodists and as Christians. Together, we seek to discern the word of hope God speaks to us as Christ’s Church and God’s beloved children. May we all be strengthened in the knowledge that the Lord will provide.

Yours in Christ’s service, Rev. Lawrence G. Lake, President Council on Finance and Administration

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Hispanic/Latino Committee

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The Upper New York Conference Hispanic/Latino Committee has been working hard to keep the mandate of making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Hispanic/Latino Committee consists of several pastors and laity of the Conference. We also work closely with the Episcopal office, director of New Faith Communities, director of Vital Congregations, and the director of Connectional Ministries to plant vital Hispanic/Latino churches in the Conference. We are aligned with the General Commission on Religion and Race in keeping with the mandate to continue to stand for racial justice in our Church.

We stand in solidarity with the racial/ethnic groups who face inequalities and injustices in the Church and throughout the world. We have been challenged by our Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb to make disciples wherever we are. We want to celebrate the work that has been accomplished by the committee during 2015. The committee representing the Conference met and continued working and planning towards meeting the goals as described in our strategic plan.

We have worked on and completed:  The positions of the New Hispanic Faith Community coordinators were named and appointed: The Rev. Carlos M. Rosa‐Laguer (Rochester: Emmanuel) and Jose L. Rodriguez (Casa de Dios, Syracuse).  Training for new planters is under way this year.  Two faith communities have been started: one in Buffalo and one in Utica.  Evangelistic and holistic trainings are been offered and well‐attended.  Four pastors have been trained as coaches for new faith community church planter.  Once a month, workshops are conducted for planters and future planters.  Once a month meetings are held for accountability.  Outreach/fed/supplied Thanksgiving dinners to 40 Mexican families who are farm workers in Batavia.

South Park UMC in Buffalo (Pastor Evelyn Woodring) and a New Faith Community plant (Pastor Luis Rivera) are working together with a fresh vision to reach the unchurched.  Two other cities are opening new faith communities.  In addition, the Hispanic faith community at Rochester: Aldersgate (Pastor Hector Rivera) and Rochester: Aldersgate United Methodist Church (the Rev. Anne O’Connor) continues to work closely and successfully together as one church in reaching their neighbors and making disciples.

We have planned for 2016 and carried out evangelistic and holistic training events for the Hispanic/Latino churches during 2015. We have plans to initiate the opening of at least two new faith communities in Amsterdam and Dunkirk, targeting the Hispanic/Latino population. We are determined to continue planting churches and targeting the highest growing ethnic group in the United States. We need, as a Conference, to take seriously the mission and vision of The Church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, and these disciples include members of the Hispanic/Latino cultural groups. As a Conference, we need to understand that we are “better together.”

Clergy members: Pastor Mariana Rodriguez, Pastor Jose Rodriguez, Rev. Carlos Rosa‐Laguer, Pastor Hector Rivera, Pastor Jose Cotto, Pastor Giovanna Cotto, Pastor Olga Gonzalez‐Santiago, Pastor Geraldine Rapino, Laity members: Ben Matta, Juanita Matta, Carmen Lanzot, Andres Gonzalez, David Rodriguez, Marta Roas, Maria S. Rivera.

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Many blessings, Rev. Dr. Alberto Lanzot For Peace and Justice

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Lay Servant Ministries

Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) is the laity‐led and Discipline‐supported lay ministry program of The United Methodist Church. It offers all laity the opportunity to search out, discern, and further their personal understanding as well as grow through educational courses on specific topics of interest that ultimately help lead laity into deeper and stronger service within their called ministry.

The LSM program is designed to raise up, support, educate, and inspire laity of The United Methodist Church to discern their specific ministry gifts of leading, teaching, caring, and communicating.

The Conference LSM director and all 12 district directors/co‐director teams are dedicated to serving the laity members of the Upper New York Conference as they go out in ministry across our Conference and throughout the world. Each and every lay member is valued, and their ministries are vital to the mission of Jesus Christ. Our hope is to enable all lay people to use their gifts in service.

As we have moved forward into 2016, we are pleased to share with you that we have more than 852 active lay servants throughout the Conference. They are laity leaders who have chosen to intentionally take courses that further their own spiritual growth, while building personal skills in the caring and leading ministries, so they more effectively further the work of the Church and God’s mission in their communities and around the world.

We are also pleased to share that there has been a noted increase in the understanding of the process and requirements for being a certified lay servant, along with the specifics regarding the extra entitlement of lay speaker. In fact, for the 2016 year, the Conference LSM team was able to “affirm” nine new certified lay servant‐lay speakers of the Upper New York Conference: Darlene Suto, Judith M. Davis, Jill C. Erhardt, Shirley M. Jay, David Wadd, Marcial Reyes, and Alden “Audie” Miller from the Albany District, Susan Hardy from the Cornerstone District, and Della Ludwig from the Finger Lakes District. We know there are others currently in the process of completing the requirements, and we look forward to affirming more servants called to that specific branch of ministry in the coming year. The laity of our Conference continue to inspire me. Your commitment to Christ‐like service is palpable and refreshing.

As we all continue to grow together within the lay servant ministries, do not hesitate to contact your district LSM directors, their teams, your district superintendent, or me, your Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries, with questions, concerns, ideas, and assistance. It is will take all of us to move forward and make a difference in Jesus’ name.

I am honored to serve with each and every one of you as we all answer our individual calls of service and ministry.

Blessings always: Carmen FS Vianese, UNY Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries vianese4@frontiernet.net or 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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Mission Oversight Team, Reaching Our Neighbors (RONMOT)

The Reaching Our Neighbors Mission Oversight Team has six active members: Chair Susan G. Hardy, Secretary Phyllis Doane, and the Rev. Sara Baron, the Rev. Robert Sherburne, the Rev. Thomas Fassett, and Jan Witter.

This team’s role is to align Conference resources with ministries designed to work with neighbors in poverty. Poverty is viewed in diverse ways, such as financial constraints, prejudices, isolation, food scarcity, etc. RONMOT is also designed to coordinate with Mission Action Teams, such as Global Ministries, Disaster Response, Volunteers‐in‐Mission, and Social Holiness. These connections support the mission and purpose of the Upper New York Conference in two ways: Funded ministries exercise active discipleship practices of local church members, and when leadership capacities of both neighbors being served and those serving their neighbors are increased.

In 2015, RONMOT discovered that more than half of the successful grant applications received between July and August had been written by someone who attended a grant writing event led by the Rev. Jeffrey Hodge. This suggested that both Rev. Hodge and Conference funds represented resources able to grow leadership capacities for both clergy and laity. Therefore, RONMOT chose to fund a grant writing event on Nov. 14, 2015 at the University UMC in Buffalo. That event was attended by 28 persons.

As an annual and routine practice, RONMOT strives to balance Conference grant resources amongst both larger city ministries and small, rural ministries. From funding a second summer mobile lunch ministry for Schenectady Inner City Ministry in the Albany District to supporting lay leaders working with children at the Seneca Street Community Development Corporation in the Niagara Frontier District and resourcing food pantries, after school programs, thrift stores, pastoral mentoring, backpack projects in tiny communities in the Northern Flow, Cornerstone, Crossroads, Mohawk, and Finger Lakes Districts, RONMOT grants represented the open hands of Jesus Christ for our Conference.

At each on‐site evaluation by a RONMOT member, active discipleship practices and leadership shared by laity and clergy were witnessed. Those who pack food into backpacks for hungry children, those who supervise homework, those who offer safe places before and after school, those who train community members for leadership roles, those who write and receive grant funds, everyone ministering to neighbors is alive to Christ and the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings and thanks to those who have served this team with their gifts.

Grace and peace be with you always, Susan G. Hardy

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Ministry Oversight Team, Spiritual Leadership

The Spiritual Leadership Ministry Oversight Team (MOT) met regularly during 2015. Our initial focus was to review and revise the grant request form that the team had previously used. We sought to provide greater clarity with regard to the specific work of this MOT, the expectations of a grant that would address this work, and some sense of accountability for those who would be awarded grant monies. In the spring, we prepared an announcement about the grant request process with deadlines for submitting those grants. As we began to discuss the criteria for evaluating the grants, it became clear that it was likely some of the grant requests would cross into the arenas of the other two MOTs. We began a discussion with the conveners of the other two MOTs as to how we might work together as we began to review and evaluate the requests that we received.

Following the deadline for the grant requests, we met to review and evaluate those requests. We received five grant requests; two of the grants were awarded funding with the understanding that the funds would be matched in some way by the requesting organization. Two of the grants were partially funded and then referred to the other two MOTs since both of them clearly addressed the stated goals of all three MOTs to some degree. One grant did not address the intent of spiritual leadership, and they were referred to the appropriate MOT. We also spent considerable time determining accountability guidelines so we would have a clear understanding of how the funds had been used and some ability to evaluate the success of the grant.

The team had intended to offer an opportunity to submit grant requests in the fall, but we were unable to do so due to budget constraints. Since the level of Ministry Shares paid to the Conference was at a lower level than anticipated, our budget was reduced. Given a relatively small amount of money available, we discussed how we might have the most impact with those funds. It was decided to offer scholarships for Lay Servant Ministry fall training programs. The scholarships would be for $100 each and intended for individuals participating in training programs that required an overnight stay at a retreat center. We provided scholarships to 23 individuals.

We spent time reviewing our purpose as defined by the Conference Leadership Team and continued to be in conversation about how we might best live into the vision for the Ministry Oversight Teams. We began to explore how we might best support and nurture the existing Conference Ministry Action Teams (CMATs) under the auspices of Spiritual Leadership as well as discussing how we might encourage the formation of new CMATs. One of the areas under consideration was an action team that would focus on training for districts and local congregations that would be specific to the area of spiritual formation and leadership development.

As 2015 came to a close, the team was made aware of the decision to eliminate Ministry Oversight Teams as part of the overall Conference structure.

Submitted by, Nancy E. Dibelius, Convener Ann Chatfield (laity) Barbara Heise (laity) Pastor Larry Russell (clergy) Rev. Natalie Scholl (clergy)

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Native American Ministries (CONAM), Committee on

The Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) was deeply moved by the Act of Repentance that the Upper New York Conference experienced in May 2015. The Rev. Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett’s comprehensive message – warm, funny, poignant, and educational – spoke not only to the hearts of all CONAM members, but also to all present. The Seneca Hymn Singers, Sharon Schmit’s story “Echo,” joining waters from all across Upper New York into one pool as a symbol of coming together, all were moving testimonies to the importance of turning in new directions through repentance.

Thanks to Upper New York’s generous giving to Native American Ministries Sunday, CONAM was able to give many grants: Mohawk Language Immersion weekend; Native American healing through the arts administered by the Native American Cultural Center; support of the Ganienkeh Territorial School; sharing language and cultural knowledge at Kanatsiohareke. We also gifted the three Native American churches in Upper New York with $1,000 each to sustain their winter heat expenses and allow for gathering in their houses of worship to continue through the cold months. Onondaga Nation continues its van ministry to transport those in need to doctor appointments and the pharmacy with support from the county and CONAM.

To begin awareness and follow up of the UNY Resolution “Ending the Observance of Columbus Day,” CONAM developed a bulletin insert and liturgy for moving away from honoring Christopher Columbus.

A task force of CONAM, the Advocacy for Peace and Justice Team, visited with three Native communities. At Kanatsiohareke, the team attended the strawberry festival and spoke with Tom Porter, who expressed appreciation for the CONAM grant. VIM members with Jan and Pete Huston and a team of 18 people, including three CONAM members, worked to replace an old, narrow entrance ramp with a wide, sturdy one for the Hogansburg UMC on the St. Regis Reservation. Numerous members visited the Ganienkeh Territory; they were treated to warm hospitality, good food, and a tour of the new hydroelectric facility. The community expressed appreciation for the Conference resolution and the CONAM grant.

CONAM was well represented at the Northeastern Jurisdiction Native American Ministries Conference.

The conference was very interested to hear about Upper New York’s experience of the Act of Repentance service. We led worship the last day, and many wanted copies of that service.

Exciting developments around the country include the development of Native American local pastor licensing schools and lay servant ministry classes. We celebrated the United States Senate voting unanimously to confirm Diane Humetewa, Hopi, to become a judge for the U.S. District Court for Arizona.

The Committee on Native American Ministries continues to advocate, teach, and support members of the Conference in this lifelong journey of building relationships and honoring Native Americans. CONAM

will continue to watch for fruits worthy of repentance.

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New Faith Communities

God continues to do amazing things among us in our efforts to plant new faith communities in the Upper New York Conference! All across the Conference, people are imagining new ways of reaching new people and experimenting in their own unique context. God’s Spirit continues to bring energy and growth in all kinds of places.

As of March 1, we had 52 groups of people actively planting and developing new places for new people!

Each of them is reaching out, connecting with loads of new people, casting their vision for a different kind of church, inviting new people to come and see Jesus, and helping anyone who will join as they seek to follow Jesus as a disciple in the world!

In addition, we have 16 other groups who are working on plans to launch a new faith community sometime in the future. So, many new things are on the horizon!

Our new churches take many shapes and are being planted by a variety of people. The majority of our NFCs are being planted by existing churches as they add more services, start new ministries in public spaces, or create a new worshipping congregation at a second or third site. Others are being planted by small groups of friends who are working in partnership with other churches.

A best practice for every NFC is to choose a focused target group, a demographic that is largely unreached in their community or a group that aligns with their affinities. Seven of our active new faith communities seek to reach Hispanic/Latino neighbors. Six others are aimed at reaching people of various Asian cultures. Three of our NFCs are connecting specifically with African immigrants. Five are intentionally multi‐ethnic, trying to match the ethnic diversity of their neighborhood. The good news is through the efforts of our new faith communities, our Conference is becoming more diverse in every way!

Of our 52 active NFCs, more than 30 are designed to make disciples (worship, discipleship development, and service in the world) through small groups and seek to grow by adding new small groups. There are 21 others that are designed to become more traditional churches and are working towards worshipping in groups greater than 50 in number. In fact, 10 of them have already grown to this point and are worshipping at 50‐plus. Praise God!

As of March 1, we had collected statistics from all of our new faith communities.

Since we, as a Conference, started the work of planting in earnest more than three years ago, eight new faith communities – in addition to the 52 that are now active – were started and have since ended their work. Some ended because they tried a new approach for a time and found that it was not fruitful.

Some stopped because their key visionary had to step away due to health concerns. One came to an end because a gym they used was no longer available, and a primary target demographic was no longer present. None of these endings is seen as a failure in any sense. All of them were learning experiences for the planters and for the Conference.

As we look to the future, we anticipate a continued increase in energy and activity in the area of planting. We expect more and more healthy DNA churches to catch the vision of planting additional sites in neighboring communities. We anticipate that God will continue to raise up uniquely gifted 85

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people for starting new missional communities in public spaces. We expect continued expansion of our planting among Hispanic/Latino people, as the Hispanic Team continues to grow their movement. We are constantly on the lookout for uniquely gifted people to be the next planters in the communities where our UM presence is weak. Each district now has “Leadership Teams,” that are joining their superintendents in imagining what new things God is calling them to do together to reach new people with the good news of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.

We continue to say as loudly and clearly as we can, “We want everyone to feel freed up to plant a new faith community in their neighborhoods!” The Conference’s role and commitment is to provide a system to support each planter as they discern their call, sharpen and cast their vision, gather new people, build their teams, launch their new churches, and grow their disciple‐making systems.

All of us are working for one thing: transformed lives and neighborhoods as new people come to know, love and follow Jesus Christ! Will you join the movement?

Submitted by the Rev. David Masland, Director of the Upper New York New Faith Communities

New Faith Community Teams ‐ 2016‐17 Hispanic/Latino Planting Team: Jose and Gio Cotto, Alexis and Olga Gonzalez, Rev. Alberto Lanzot, Ben and Juanita Matta, David Morales, Rev. Geraldine Rapino, Hector Rivera, Jose Rodriguez, Marianna Rodriguez, and Rev. Carlos Rosa‐Laguer Coaching Network Team: Rev. Debbie Earthrowl, Rev. Alan Howe, Rev. Pam Klotzbach, Rev. Alberto Lanzot, Rev. Rebekah Sweet, and Rev. Chris Wylie Grant Processing Team: Laverne Ampadu, Rev. Darryl Barrow, Rev. Peggi Eller, and Dion Marquit NFC Event Planning Team: Lynnette Cole, Patrick DuPont, Rev. Debbie Earthrowl, Rev. Nancy Raca, Rev. Jan Rowell, and Alicia Wood Planter Retreat Groups Team: Rev. Rachel Morse, Bianca Podesta, and Rev. Natalie Scholl Fund‐Raising Team: Darryl Forsythe, Kevin Domanico Balcony Team: Bishop Mark. J. Webb, Rev. Bill Gottshalk‐Fielding, and the Appointive Cabinet Story‐Telling Team: Conference Communications Staff

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Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, UNY Task Force on

It is time! Kairos is a time when we are called to express our faith by joining in God’s “kingdom activity.”

That is the hope of Palestinian Christians who authored the “Kairos Palestine” document in 2009, declaring “a moment of truth” when “a word of faith and hope” must be spoken “from the heart of Palestinian suffering” and heard by the Church.1 In solidarity with this call, the Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel follows its purpose to educate, advocate, and support efforts for peace and justice in Palestine/Israel.

Activities/outreach during Annual Conference 2015: The fifth annual Palestinian Dinner (with a 20‐plus year history) was attended by 150 persons and featured Jewish Voice for Peace speaker Ariel Gold. She shared her month‐long experience in the West Bank with her young children and their experience of living with and attending school alongside Palestinians. Gold’s son said a noon‐time Hebrew prayer at the 2015 Annual Conference session.

A workshop showed “Where Should the Birds Fly?,” a documentary by a Palestinian woman from Gaza about the 2008‐2009 Israeli “Operation Cast Led” that followed the life of a 9‐year‐old Palestinian girl caught in the conflict. The child’s witness of the killing of many family members and her mourning and resiliency in the aftermath were caught in the filmmaker’s interviews; this is available from the task force or online. Attendance was approximately 50‐60 people.

A special mission offering for the children of Gaza, the “Gaza Backpack” program, sponsored by Rebuilding Alliance, yielded $500 and resulted in shared sponsorship of 3,888 backpacks delivered to Gazan children.

Two resolutions offered for vote and affirmed by the Conference by written ballot in August 2015:

1. Requesting the General Board of Pensions (GBOPHB) to “Divest from Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Hewlett Packard after years of corporate engagement” 2. Asking for “Establishing a screen to remove and avoid investments in illegal settlements on occupied land.”

These were submitted to General Conference for consideration and vote.

Further efforts: Itineration of Alex Awad, newly‐retired UM missionary, who was a Palestinian Baptist pastor in Jerusalem and a dean at Bethlehem Bible College. He and his wife, Brenda, spoke at the Saratoga Springs UMC and the surrounding area as well as visited with Conference staff in Syracuse.

The Rev. Gary and Sarah Kubitz from the Binghamton District, Gary Bergh Scholarship recipients, along with Elaine Cichowski, traveled to the Holy Land with the InterFaith Peace Builders’ Olive Harvest delegation in October 2015 and are available as speakers about their “justice‐seeking” trip.

General Conference members the Rev. John Martin and Carmen Vianese traveled with Janet Lahr Lewis, General Board of Global Ministries Advocacy Coordinator for the Middle East, on a February 2016 Holy Land Study tour.

1

Paraphrased summary ‐ Presbyterian resource ‐ Kairos Palestine: a moment of truth (three‐week study plan) ‐ p. 1

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This was at the invitation of the task force and funded by a Peace with Justice grant, plus Gary Bergh Scholarship funds.

CCYM UP!WORD workshop participation as part of Social Holiness presenting peace with justice concerns in Palestine/Israel. Task force members Dianne Roe and Karen Peterson introduced the topic, showed “Detaining Dreams: Palestinian Children in Israeli Detention,” and led discussion of “What Can We Do?” in keeping with the “Do Something” theme.

Ongoing efforts to reach out to Conference members to “do something” for Palestinian justice, with ongoing support for the General Church’s call to boycott products of illegal Israeli settlements and the reminder to practice responsible Holy Land travel per the Book of Resolutions. Networking continues with United Methodist Kairos Response (UMKR).

Please visit: Task force (UM‐palestine‐israel‐tf.org) UMKR (www.kairosresponse.org)

Respectfully submitted, Linda Bergh, Co‐Chair, UNY Task Force on Peace w/Justice in Palestine/Israel

ANNOUNCEMENT: 2016 Palestinian Dinner post session on Friday, June 3, at Plymouth Congregational

Church, Syracuse.

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Peace with Justice Grants

I’d like to thank all the congregations who took the 2015 Peace with Justice Sunday offering! While our participation rate has not increased significantly, I am confident that the word is getting out there.

Please let me know if you’d like me to speak with your congregation, or if I can help get your church interested in another way. I hope that we can all see Peace with Justice Sunday as a giving opportunity in the years to come.

As I hope you are aware, 50 percent of the Peace with Justice offering stays right here in the Upper New York Conference to support justice ministries and programs. This year, the Social Holiness Team approved six Peace with Justice Grants to help fund a wide variety of ministries, including:

 Albany United Methodist Society to enhance and expand inner‐city youth programming  Emmaus United Methodist Church to support International Reconciliation Conference  Pastor Dion Marquit to develop a workshop to help congregations understand transgender issues  Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel to send two General Conference delegates to see the situation firsthand  Aldersgate UMC Hispanic Ministry to support church‐based English as a second language class and outreach ministry  Faithful Citizen, Inc. to fund seven workshops across the Conference about ministry with the marginalized

I hope you will explore the possibilities in your area for a new ministry and apply for a Conference Peace with Justice Grant. The application can be found on the Conference website or contact me.

It is also my pleasure to remind you of the other Special Sunday offerings and make sure you are aware of the resources available to you for free. Church‐wide Special Sundays with offerings enable United Methodists like you to offer refuge in times of disaster, promote peace and justice, provide scholarships and student loans, reach out to the community, teach skills to encourage self‐sufficiency, and share the love of Jesus Christ with God’s people everywhere. This information is from UMC.org.

Human Relations Day (Sunday before the national observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday) strengthens United Methodist outreach to communities in the United States and Puerto Rico, encouraging social justice and work with at‐risk youth.

One Great Hour Of Sharing (fourth Sunday in Lent) enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to reach out through worldwide ministries of food, shelter, health, and peace.

Native American Ministries Sunday (third Sunday of Easter) nurtures mission with Native Americans and provides scholarships for United Methodist Native American seminarians.

Peace With Justice Sunday (first Sunday after Pentecost) enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs.

World Communion Sunday (first Sunday of October) provides scholarships for U.S. racial‐ and ethnic‐ minority students and international students, on both undergraduate and graduate levels.

United Methodist Student Day (last Sunday of November) furnishes scholarships and loans for students attending United Methodist‐related and other accredited colleges and universities.

Working together, we can change the world.

Heather Smith, Peace with Justice Coordinator, peacewithjustice@unyumc.org 89

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Pension & Health Benefits, Board of This report will highlight the main areas of the work of the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits during the 2015 year.

Our board worked with the Conference Board of Trustees to identify and consolidate the funds that have been designated by the donors and the Conference – both present and previous – for support of health and pension. We continue to work to clarify pooled funds from the former conferences that are the responsibility of the Board of Pensions & Health Benefits. The board’s authority and responsibility is stated in The Book of Discipline; our investment policy follows the fiduciary responsibility given in The Book of Discipline and is modeled on the best practices of conferences across the country.

The board followed up on the 2015 Annual Conference resolution on health insurance. A survey was made available to all local church clergy on the Clergy Compensation Report Form, which is to be filled out annually. The survey results are included below. Of the 628 reports received, 338 made no response to the survey, and 36 part‐time clergy provided health insurance cost information ranging from $300 to $8,000 as the church’s contribution to cover the premium.

HealthFlex will allow us to adopt eligibility rules that allow half‐time clergy in the plan. Hypothetically, if part‐time clergy were enrolled, the churches of those clergy would be billed $1,000 per month for coverage. As of Jan. 1 of this year, we have a deficit in payment by local churches of 2015 health insurance premiums of $171,600. This amount is typical year‐to‐year, thus creating an arrearage of approximately $900,000 since 2010, paid by reserve funds that are decreasing annually. Given that our full‐time churches are in arrears, it is the conclusion of the board that our Conference and churches – despite our desire to do so – cannot afford to increase the potential for non‐payment of benefits by changing our eligibility rules.

Full‐Time Pastors Surveyed

258

Part‐Time Pastors Surveyed

370

TOTAL 628 No Response

338

Spouse’s Plan

79

Other Employer Plan

7

NYS Exchange

18

Medicare

14

Medicare + a supplemental plan

50

Medicaid HealthFlex (full time only) 27 28

6 139

(Please note that more than one option could be selected.)

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The board met with representatives from Wespath, the investment management division of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church. Topics included: overview of accounts, fund specifics, and market observations.

The board also contracted with OneGroup, Inc., an independent benefits consulting group, to research and provide education and feedback to us on health care options for the Conference. They explored these potential paths: 1) Bidding a plan similar to our current offerings through a local insurer, 2) continuing to insure through HealthFlex, 3) bidding a “richer” benefit plan through a local insurer, 4) inclusion of part‐time clergy, and 5) discontinuing the group health plan to allow clergy to secure their own coverage.

OneGroup presented its report at the February meeting of the board, and the executive summary can be found on the benefits web page at www.unyumc.org/about/health‐and‐wellness‐benefits. In brief, it was stated that, “Given the size of the group and the rates reflected in the stand‐alone option and the exchange options, we believe the current scenario of using HealthFlex is the most prudent approach, not only in the immediate term but also in the long‐term as well.” The board subsequently determined to continue with HealthFlex.

The board regularly handles the following matters, and others, on behalf of the Upper New York Conference:

 Health Insurance – for active members, the Medicare eligible group, and retirees:  rates, quality of service, and availability across the Conference, additional coverage such as eye care and dental  Pension – for retirees and eligible family members  CRSP‐CPP, recommend changes to the pre‐82 PSR (Past Service Rate). Funding of the Pre‐82 Plan, Annual CPP policy and premium.  Review of policies for lay, clergy, and dependents for all aspects related to current and future benefits  Recommend annual budgets for these ministries of the Conference  Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan, as required by the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, is reviewed, approved and submitted annually.  Pension service requests  Retirement moves  Provide board members with orientation and training for fiduciary duties of the Conference board. These duties relate to retirement, welfare, and health plans. This includes periodic review and updates on new regulations and information.  Review and implement best practices for CBOBHP workflow related to the work of the board and the functions of the benefits’ staff roles and duties.

Finally, let me summarize, the board spends time in discussion of the quality and availability of health insurance and in making wise decisions related to the long‐term sustainability of pensions and health insurance.

The most important topic I need to share with the churches and pastors of the Conference is: The pastors and churches are not funding health and pensions in full – not paying 100 percent for these benefits. The consequence of this lack of 100 percent funding means that each year significant funds are 91

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withdrawn from investments designated for providing these future benefits. The Board of Pensions and Health Benefits carries this responsibility on behalf of the Conference. The Upper New York Conference – you, me, all the churches, and members – has legal and fiduciary responsibilities to the employees and clergy: past, present, and future.

We have communicated, educated, and studied the arrearages and non‐payment from churches. We have worked with the Cabinet to develop arrearage communications in 2015, along with a brochure on what is funded by direct billed benefits; these communications will continue in 2016. In 2015 alone, there was a shortfall of $95,000 in pension payments, $171,000 in health insurance payments, and $58,000 in the local churches’ retiree premium payments.

This board, other Conference leadership, and the Conference must pray and work to solve this annual financial loss. The shortfall is in both pension and health insurance, with the major loss in lack of funding by our churches for health insurance provided to employees, clergy, and their dependents.

In conclusion, the board has respectfully submitted three recommendations for action by the Conference, which can be found elsewhere in this volume of the Journal.

Membership of the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits Mr. Edward Bartholomew

Mrs. Becky Keating Rev. Ann Blair

Mrs. Kathy King‐Griswold Rev. Steve Deckard

Dr. Grace Holmes Mr. Dennis Hill

Mr. Michael Turner Rev. John Hill

Mr. Michael Virgil Ms. Tracy Jackson‐Adams

Rev. Kenneth Wood Ex‐Officio: Ms. Vicki Putney, Benefits Officer

Mr. Kevin Domanico, Conference Treasurer

Rev. William Gottschalk‐Fielding, Executive Assistant to the Bishop/DCM

Rev. Nancy Adams, Cabinet Representative

Rev. Lauren Swanson, Equitable Compensation Liaison

Mrs. Debi Marshall, Human Resources Generalist

Mr. Ronald Coleman, General Board Conference Liaison

Respectfully submitted, Steve Deckard, Chair

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Sexual Ethics Committee/Safe Sanctuaries Team

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Safe Sanctuaries began in 1996, when the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of child sexual abuse in the Church. Today, these efforts include reducing the risk of all types of abuse and as related to children, youth, and vulnerable adults.

In 2015, it was determined that a name change for the Sexual Ethics Committee was appropriate. The 2011 Safe Sanctuaries Resolution established the Sexual Ethics Committee (SEC) with three responsibilities: Sexual Ethics, Safe Sanctuaries, and Crisis Response. Sexual Ethics is now being cared for by the Board of Ordained Ministries. Crisis Response is now being cared for by the Bishop’s Office. Safe Sanctuaries is the responsibility that remains with the Sexual Ethics Committee. At the SEC’s November 2015 meeting, it was agreed that Safe Sanctuaries Team (SST) is a more accurate name for this team – hence, the name has changed.

The focus of the Safe Sanctuaries Team addresses issues of policy‐making, training, and accountability as related to Safe Sanctuaries. The SST establishes the 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)

The definition of vulnerable adults has been reviewed and is now stated as follows: A vulnerable adult is someone age 18 and above, who due to age, illness, or a mental or physical condition is less able to take care of himself/herself or less able to protect himself/herself against harm or exploitation, including but not limited to physical and sexual abuse, neglect by self or other, financial or material exploitation, and emotional or psychological mistreatment. Vulnerable adults are also those adults who work with children and youth who can be in a position where accusations of abuse could mistakenly arise or adults who have been abused either as a child or an adult.

The work done in 2015 that has the greatest impact was the review and revision of “The Minimum Standards” that were presented in 2011. Some revisions are for clarification. Best practices for including sex offenders in a church’s ministry have been added. The current mandate from The UMC’s Discipleship Ministries is that all adults working with children and youth be screened with background checks every two years. The UNY Conference’s standards now include this. An addition of information related to use of technology has been added. The “2016 Minimum Standards” are on the Conference website at www.unyumc.org/images/uploads/SS_Minimum_Standards_03152016.pdf.

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Efforts have been made to increase visibility and understanding of Safe Sanctuaries in Upper New York.

A team member was able to meet with newly appointed district superintendents and district administrative assistants. The team’s display at the 2015 AC session was more accessible than in the past and included a banner, door prizes, and resources.

The Safe Sanctuaries Compliance Reports submitted at Charge Conferences in 2014 were reviewed by the team. It is alarming that some churches still did not have up‐to‐date policies on file in their respective district offices. (These were due December 2012.)

One area where we saw the need to provide more resources was ministries with older adults. In cooperation with Church Mutual, the book Safe Sanctuaries – The Church Responds to Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Older Adults by Joy Thornburg Melton was made available as a door prize at the 93

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2015 Annual Conference session. Want to Know about Safe Sanctuaries and Ministries with Older Adults? was researched and developed. “The Minimum Standards” are especially important in reducing the risks to all of God’s children – no matter their age. Several activities in the Conference’s standardized Safe Sanctuaries Training have been revised to include information on ministries with older adults.

Resources were made available for situations where a sex offender wishes to participate in a church. A covenant between the offender and the church is imperative. These documents can be found on the Conference website at www.unyumc.org/resources/safe‐sanctuaries.

The Conference’s standardized Safe Sanctuaries Training program is a significant part of the SST’s work.

While the goal is to have a five‐ to six‐member training team in each district and four district‐wide training opportunities each year, this varies across the districts. Three Training of Trainers opportunities were available in 2015, and there will be opportunities in 2016 as well.

The Conference was represented at The United Methodist Church’s sexual ethics summit, “Do No Harm 2015: Best Practices for Health, Accountability and Wholeness” by Carol Barnes, the Rev. Robert Kolvik‐ Campbell, the Rev. Cathy Hall‐Stengel, and Glenda Schuessler.

The Safe Sanctuaries Teams initiatives for 2016 include but are not limited to the following:  Increase Safe Sanctuaries visibility in the Conference by updating resources and presence on the Conference website and communications  Increase the number of districts that have active training teams  Continue to explore online training possibilities  Make available resources on the safe use of social media in ministry  Have representatives attend and have representation at the national Safe Sanctuaries Gathering  Search for a volunteer training coordinator  Inclusion of Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers as an advanced lay servants course

Committee members: Carol Barnes (chair), Carol Doucette, Jack Keating, Glenda Schuessler, Matthew Williams, Charles Syms Ex‐officio: Rev. William Gottschalk‐Fielding, DCOM, and Rev. Janice McClary Rowell, Cabinet Representative.

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Social Holiness

Social Holiness is a grouping of seven committees of the Upper New York Conference who meet monthly to share the work their area is involved in and to support and provide varied insights into the ministries.

These committees include the Committee on Religion and Race, Committee on Native American Ministries, the New York State Council of Churches, Peace with Justice for Peace in Palestine/Israel, the United Methodist Women’s Committee on Social Action, and representatives of the General Board of Church and Society. Together, we have provided support and varied perspectives to the ministries and have formed a common foundation from which we can grow. This foundation is not to be taken lightly or to be assumed to exist. When the new Conference came into existence few of us knew all the other members. Through the monthly meetings and the shared interests in ministries that are often outside the walls of our local churches, we have developed what I feel is a more cohesive and positive team that helps bring the ministries of God through Christ to the people not only within the area of the Upper New York Conference, but also throughout the world. We have shared in the times of joy and have been supportive in times of struggle and despair.

When the Upper New York Conference was founded there was a good amount of excitement and energy in the area of what we call “social ministries.” These are ministries that reach out to people who may or may not be members of United Methodist churches, but whose life conditions may benefit from the ministries we’ve planned to offer. This was built upon the very words Jesus is quoted to have read directly after his time in the wilderness and as he started his public ministry when handed a scroll in the temple. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4: 17‐21). Many feel this was how he defined his ministry from the beginning. I feel that this needs to be the heart and very soul of the ministries found under the umbrella of Social Holiness and needs to be the core for our ministries of the Conference.

In recent years, we have struggled with a decline in the support of the ministries that are not directly related to the structure of the Conference. There has been not only a decrease in the Conference budget to certain areas, but also the elimination of financial support for the New York Council of Churches, a striking decrease to the chaplaincies on college campuses, and a decline of financial support in all the areas that are in the arena of social ministries. In the local church, when the financial support is in decline, we too often see what has been called a “survival approach to ministry.” This means the local church often will “circle the wagons” and focus only on the ministries that are familiar and within its own walls. Have we, as a Conference, adopted a survival mentality by drastically reducing our support for social ministries and eliminating our support for other ministries found in Social Holiness? Have we considered the difficult questions of the effects this may have? By eliminating our chaplaincies have we asked, “Who will care for our college students and the next generation of United Methodists?” How many laity and clergy have benefited because of the ministry of a college chaplain who was there at a critical time in our lives?

People who work with local churches that are struggling often encourage the members of these struggling churches to look beyond their own walls and to become involved in ministries that will help change people’s lives in their neighborhood or town. Do we as a Conference plan to live into our mission statement? “To live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places.”

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found within the Conference structure? If the leadership of the Conference does not model the example of making disciples for Jesus Christ to change the world in their financial, social, and spiritual decisions, how are the local churches to follow? We find the spending plan enacted by the Conference Leadership Team and the Finance leaders to be unacceptable and the unbalanced reductions for spending for 2016 to be counterproductive to the ministries that help change lives and make disciples. The reductions are from the very ministries that may help reverse the downward spiral of support while much smaller reductions to the existing Conference structure that our local churches are not fully supporting have been put into place.

The new spending plan for 2016 shows a decrease of 23 percent in the total budget. Within this, there is a decrease of 21 percent in the area of administrative ministries and a decrease of 20 percent in the area of connectional ministries. This compares to a decrease of 84 percent in the area labeled “neighbors.” Within neighbors are Reaching Our Neighbors, Global Ministry Team, Disaster Response, Social Holiness, and Volunteers‐in‐Mission. The decreases in other social ministries include a decrease of 72 percent for college ministries, a decrease of 65 percent for Commission of Religion and Race, a decrease of 63 percent in the area of Commission on Status and Role of Women, and 64 percent of the Committee on Accessibilities. These cuts in our spending plan appear to maintain as much of the status quo as possible at the expense of the ministries that help make disciples and bring the good news to people outside our present walls.

In closing, we call upon the leadership of the Conference, the employees of the Conference, and all of our congregations that comprise the Upper New York Conference to be bold in our faith by living into the vision for ministry that God has called us to. This Conference was founded on a strong belief shared by all of the former conferences that this area of being present to the lost, the least, and the lonely needs to be a priority for our ministries. Let us not retreat in a sense of survival to supporting primarily the structure and not the ministries that are out in the communities that comprise our Conference. This will mean sacrifice and being bold in our support of ministries that will make new disciples. Let us move into the vision that this Conference was founded upon and restore funding to the ministries that are not found solely within the structure of the Conference but that reach out to people throughout New York state and beyond to bring the proclamation and demonstration of the new life God offers all people of all ages and all stations. In the words of John Wesley:

“Do you not know that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessities for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless; and, indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all mankind? How can you, how dare you, defraud the Lord, by applying it to any other purpose?”

Respectfully Submitted, Rev. Alan D. Kinney Social Holiness Chair

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Trustees, Board of

Your Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees works very hard for the Conference and many groups within our Conference. It has many responsibilities, from overseeing the buildings we use, own, or rent to the financial areas we have to balance while we continue to work hard at providing a safe and clean location for our teams to work in.

The team consists of 12 volunteers who work day after day to watch over many of our churches under our care. We have to make sure they are maintained and, depending on the work that is needed, oversee its progress. We also cover the insurance for the Conference and make sure it is the policy that we need to cover all of us.

Conference Center One of the biggest projects we are working on is the renovations of the Henry Clay building. We have completed the layout of the building and made sure that it has a very good working environment to help the teams complete the work we are asking them to do for each of us. It has been a special task and one that we have had to look at many times to make sure this becomes a center that will be beneficial to all of us. King + King Architects has been working on the design for us with the Build Out Team, and we are working on the next phase in the final details. At the time of this report, we are working to secure the general contractor who will do the actual work on the building. Our hope is to have the building in use by the end of this year, if possible. We will also make sure this is a building that we all can be proud of, and the work we do there will benefit the glory of God.

Property The trustees have a lot of work in this area, upkeep on the buildings, watching over the homes we have for the Bishop and our district superintendents. Each property has two trustees that are assigned to watch over it and take care of any legal work that needs to be done. We have found that this work takes up most of our time because each building has its own needs or work to be done. We are hoping to work with the district committees on location and building to help with each home.

We also have been working on many locations that after the review and recommendation of the Cabinet are turned over to the trustees. We are then put to the task of following the recommendation and completing the work on each building and property. We have 24 churches, 10 parsonages, three cemeteries, and three unimproved land parcels. We have sold 11 properties over the past year.

Insurance The insurance subcommittee of the trustees has met several times this past year, mainly focusing on the Church Mutual coverage and making sure that we have the right coverage for the churches, the Conference, and camp properties. At our meeting in January, representatives from Church Mutual’s offices in Tennessee and Wisconsin met with us to go over safety issues and our claims history since Church Mutual took over as our insurer in January 2014. Church Mutual is providing our insurance under a three‐year program.

Financial resources In the fall of 2015, the trustees voted to create and fill the position of trustee treasurer, an office that is provided for in The Book of Discipline (¶2512.2). The Rev. Wendy Deichmann was elected to fill this position through June 2016. Your trustees are charged with the oversight of a significant amount of both 97

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financial and property resources. This created a pressing need for a long‐term plan for financial sustainability for the ministries of the trustees in relationship with the ministries of the Conference. It includes a continuing stream of discontinued and/or abandoned church properties, a growing number of district parsonages, the addition of a new Conference Center, and the investment of dedicated resources needed to fund certain ministries of the Conference. Previously, the trustees engaged Upper New York Conference Treasurer Kevin Domanico to function as treasurer of the trustees, a practice that is also allowed in The Book of Discipline. The trustees continue to work closely with Domanico, and are grateful to him for the vital assistance he provides to our work.

CCRM The trustees work with Mike Huber, Conference Director of Camp & Retreat Ministries, and the camp committee on property and insurance issues for the camp properties. Two trustees are assigned to liaison with the Conference Camp & Retreat Ministries (CCRM) and Huber to provide support on these ongoing issues.

I would like to thank all the trustees that have been working so hard on all this work and would ask for not just your prayers for this team, but also to each of you for your help in each area of our work that you have been so helpful.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me at richard.barling@yahoo.com, and I will work to get back to you as soon as I can.

May God bless each of you in the work He has called you to minister to the people all over the world.

Submitted by, Richard C. Barling, President Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees

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United Methodist Men

The Upper New York United Methodist Men (UNYUMM) has undergone significant growth in leadership this past year. God has blessed us with men that love God and have a passion to serve Him through the United Methodist Men (UMM) ministry. Since the past annual report as of Jan. 1, 2016, we have added to our UNYUMM leadership team two at‐large executive board members, two district presidents, three district vice presidents, and two district prayer advocates!

Additional positions to complete our executive board leadership team as outlined in our UNYUMM by‐ laws 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 women into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer and mission. The UNYUMM is “men growing in Christ so others will know Him.” To date, we have eight district presidents and are in immediate need of four more to be able to provide each UNY district with leadership to oversee UMM’s ministry and mission.

We serve a vast area of New York state, and we are in need of committed men with a passion to spiritually lead other district men by their words and actions. The executive board is committed to putting our faith in action! We continue to focus on putting God first in all that we do! In the past year we have added more spiritual content to our Conference website at www.unyumm.org. Our opening page features a YouTube video of a personal witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ as described by Clayton Jennings. Please take the time to view this nine‐minute video testimony. It is both powerful and moving as he cries out to God to wake him up. And God listens! Special thanks to our Director of Communications Scott Stumpf for his creativity and computer skills in keeping our website updated and relevant for God’s use. The 2016 scheduled UMM Conference/district/local men’s group events can be found there. Please take time to visit our site. Witness the revival taking place within the UNYUMM!

“Men growing in Christ, so others will know Him”

The United Methodist Men, similar in organization to The United Methodist Church, is a connectional organization that depends on relationships to grow and prosper spiritually. The UNYUMM receive no centralized funds from the General Commission on United Methodist Men (GCUMM). Our budget comes from a share of the local church units’ memberships (charters), from a share of the individual men’s memberships (Every Man Shares – formerly evangelism – and Mission and Spiritual life), and from donations. Although stewardship is vital to growing as a disciple, our purpose is not as a fundraising unit, but instead to lead men to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through hands‐on mission and through discipleship. The UNYUMM is dedicated to helping men and women grow spiritually through a personal relationship with God. This is accomplished through strengthening our own Christian relationships with each other. Here are some examples from the past year:

The Crossroads District UMM partnered with churches in their district to obtain the funding needed to purchase – with the Disabled American Veterans’ charity – a patient transport vehicle for the Syracuse Veterans Hospital DAV branch. The 2015 Ford Flex with the United Methodist cross and flame logo and district name was dedicated at a Veteran’s Day ceremony at the New York State Fairgrounds, officiated

by Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb, Crossroads District Superintendent the Rev. Nola Anderson, and Fayetteville UMM President – and DAV/district originator – Scott Stumpf. Several other UMM board members attended as well. Thanks to all who contributed to this worthy cause!

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The UNYUMM have been involved in hunger relief in many ways. Thanks to Hunger Relief Advocate Dean Burdick’s leadership, the UNYUMM organized four Society of St. Andrew (SOSA)‐sponsored Potato Drops, where approximately 180,000 pounds of potatoes were distributed to food banks, pantries, and church kitchens over four consecutive Saturdays in the fall. We continue to work with the Society of St. Andrew to provide fresh produce to those in need in our communities and plan to have four similar events this fall. SOSA underwrites the majority of the expenses of the Potato Drops, so please consider a generous donation to SOSA at (800) 333‐4597 or www.endhunger.org.

The UNYUMM annual gathering was Sept. 18‐19, 2015 at Camp Hickory Hill in Varysburg. Thank you, Niagara Frontier District UMM team (President Doug Hendershott, Vice President Ron Mullen, and Prayer Advocate Jim McMoil) for hosting and organizing UMM from across the Conference!

The Mohawk District UMM partnered with their district churches in February for the third annual “Feed Our Vets” district‐wide food collection that benefited area veterans and their families. Thank you, Mohawk District churches!

The UNYUMM will gather May 6‐7 at the Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center in Greig for the 11th annual gathering sponsored by the Mohawk District UMM. Guest speaker Pastor Jack Ford will lead us in this year’s theme: “Give In, Give Up, or Give It All You’ve Got!” Pastor Ford will ask the men to put their faith into action, the musical act Northern Grace will perform, and there will be an all‐night prayer vigil, food, fellowship, and laughter.

The members of the UNYUMM continue to “Grow in Christ, so others will know Him” through our daily commitment to prayer, spending time with God, and putting Him first in our lives. We have district leadership in eight of the 12 districts. We have 25 UMM on our executive board from across the Conference. The UNYUMM are represented by 55 official chartered units and many more unofficial men’s groups. We are all committed to work in ministry and mission together for God’s glory, bringing men and women to Christ one heart at a time! “We love, because God loved us first.” 1 John 4:19

In Christ, Mark Jones, President, UNYUMM

Officers are as follows: Mark Jones, President 475 Shortlots Road Frankfort, N.Y. 13440 (315) 749‐3700 msjwelshman@yahoo.com

Buddy Heit, Vice President 2374 Bixby Road Savannah, N.Y. 13146‐9677 (315) 945‐4388 agapefeast@tds.net

Steve Ranous, Vice President 201 Candee Ave. Syracuse, N.Y. 13224 100

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(315) 427‐3515 ummsteve@twcny. rr.com George Ramseyer, Secretary 18 Edgewood Dr. Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 (315) 720‐6184 ramseyerg@gmail.com

Dave Greer, Treasurer/Disaster Relief Coord 221 Golfcrest Circle Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 (315) 720‐4840 daveranda221@verizon.net

Scott Stumpf, Director of Communications 123 Washington Blvd.

Fayetteville, N.Y. 13066 (315) 637‐5567 srstumpg@ieee.org

Mark Hediger, Prayer Advocate/Facebook & Twitter Manager 9817 Pronevitch Road Westernville, N.Y. 13486 (315) 571‐4467 UNYUMM@yahoo.com

Gary Bogner, Scouting Coordinator 2803 Brewerton Road Syracuse, N.Y. 13211 (315) 463‐0201 gary.bogner@scouting.org

Dean Burdick, Hunger Relief Advocate/Society of St Andrew Coordinator 1255 County Route 11 Central Square, N.Y. 13036 (315) 420‐9859

hungerrelief@umcchurches.org

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Vital Congregations

It has been another busy year for the Vital Congregations office. Many of the initiatives have continued to be shared with the Upper New York Conference as well as the development of additional strategies to come alongside local congregations and to develop Christ‐following leaders. Below are the various processes, programs, and resources currently being offered along with some that are in development.

Readiness 360: We have access to the readiness survey for a set fee of $169 per congregation, which is a great deal when we look at larger congregations. Readiness 360 is an assessment designed for new faith communities, however is very helpful in assessing a congregation’s readiness to enter into change.

Check out the website www.readiness360.org for more information. It is relatively easy to get this set up for a congregation, and there is staff support to help interpret the information as needed. The Readiness 360 survey is used as part of the Hand to Plow consultations and has proven to be helpful.

Lewis Pastoral Leadership Inventory: This 360‐degree survey helps pastors not only assess their own leadership understanding, but also allows for input from several people in the congregation. This tool is used as part of the Leadership Academy. Each person participating in the academy has taken the survey in the past month. In 18‐24 months, each person will use the survey again to measure change in leadership impact. This great assessment tool is available to anyone who would like to participate. Sign up can happen directly through the Lewis Center website, or the Vital Congregations office can assist.

Lewis Center’s website is www.lpli.org.

Tending the Fire: According to the Tending the Fire website, “Tending the Fire offers the perspective and tools to be a more focused, effective leader.” Using a family systems understanding, Christ‐following leaders are developed through a greater awareness of their own place in the multiple systems as well as through greater awareness of how systems impact the life of the leader and congregation. The Upper New York Conference will offer two opportunities to participate.

Opening Intensive Western New York, Oct. 2‐4, 2016 Eastern New York, Oct. 5‐7, 2016

Deepening Retreat

Western New York, Nov. 13‐15, 2016

Eastern New York, Nov. 16‐18, 2016

Sending Retreat

Western New York, Jan. 22‐24, 2017

Eastern New York, Jan. 25‐27, 2017

Watch for exact locations along with registration coming soon. For more information, visit the website at http://tending‐the‐fire.com.

Tending the Soul: This program is designed to train individuals in spiritual direction and formation and to provide skills for leadership within their local congregations as well as district‐ and Conference‐wide.

The Tending the Soul program will offer training in both one‐on‐one spiritual direction and group/congregational direction and formation. By the end of the first year, participants will be encouraged to discern the unique way in which they are being called to live out this ministry. The 102

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training will occur during six retreats, each four days in duration, spread over a two‐year period. The next opportunity for participation begins in October 2016 on the following dates:

1. Oct. 24‐27, 2016 2. Feb. 24‐27, 2017 3. May 19‐22, 2017 4. Oct. 23‐26, 2017 5. Feb. 23‐26, 2018 6. May 18‐21, 2018

All retreats are held at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center in Moravia. Applications are available through the brochure in the Annual Conference session packet, the Vital Congregations section of the website, or by contacting the Director of Vital Congregations.

EQ‐HR Workshops: Emotional Quotient is our ability to recognize our own emotions and the emotions of others in order to enhance social relationships and leadership capacity. The first workshop is a week‐ long experience that several in our Conference have engaged in. You can find more information on the website at www.eqhrcenter.org. Upper New York has entered into an agreement with the EQ‐HR Center to have the training in our area this fall, Nov. 14‐18 in Latham. Registration is currently open through the EQ‐HR Center, and it would be great to see more people share this journey of leadership development.

Coaching: Last year the Conference made a significant investment in training coaches to come alongside leaders to increase their effectiveness. Coaching is a great way to work with leaders to help create forward action. A coach fulfills a different role than a mentor, counselor, or spiritual director. All of the roles are needed, and a coach is often key to helping move the realizations of other disciples as they move toward concrete action steps. Currently, coaching is used in the Hand to Plow process, Leadership Academy, and on an arranged basis. If you would like to learn more about having a coach, or becoming a coach, contact the Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Vital Congregations at aaronabouwens@unyumc.org.

Vital Signs: The number remains small, however, we do have congregations that are tracking weekly on the Vital Signs website. Congregations can join in at any time, and it would be great to grow the number of congregations who are sharing in this tool. Congregations that would like to begin using the Vital Signs system should contact Rev. Bouwens at aaronbouwens@unyumc.org.

Compass Project: In partnership with the District Leadership Team of the Oneonta District, an adaptation of the Hand to Plow process has been developed. A small group‐style engagement has been developed to walk alongside teams of clergy and laity. Each group will spend an hour using “A Disciples Path” for spiritual growth and development. The second hour will be conversation based on a brief video clip and a series of provided questions. The first groups begin in spring 2016 through the ministry of the Oneonta District Leadership Team. In the future, the Compass Project will be available to all districts in conjunction with the District Leadership Teams.

Leadership Academy: The first group journeying through the Leadership Academy is about to have its third gathering. The first two have been very fruitful according to those participating. The first session began with a 24‐hour retreat to focus on the spiritual life of the leader and to develop a rule of life led

by Betsey Heavner, retired staff member from Discipleship Ministries. The second session had Dr. Scott Kisker as our guest faculty. His focus was our Wesleyan ethos and theology. Our third session will bring 103

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Barbara Lemmel to us for an introduction to family systems and leadership. In April, the group will travel to the Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church for two conferences and some time with various leaders.

The academy will conclude in June with a visit from Bob Farr. Along the way the group members have focused on the 16 competencies for their development as Christ‐following leaders. Additionally, each participant has employed the services of a coach to deepen their learning and move to a greater application of the content. Based on the feedback from the current cohort, plans are already underway for a 2016‐2017 cohort; watch for details, dates, and registration information in the coming weeks.

Illuminate Preaching Academy: Illuminate is offered as a way to help good preachers become great preachers. Past participants have shared how helpful the sessions have been in developing their ability to better communicate the good news of Jesus. One person commented, “I was expecting to be taught there was only one way to be a great preacher. What I found was there were better ways for me to claim my voice without having to copy another person’s style.” Moving forward, the way the Illuminate Preaching Academy has been adapted allows for easier engagement and better development of the preacher. The next cohort will begin fall 2016 with all the sessions at the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. The dates are:

 Oct. 11‐13, 2016  Nov. 8‐10, 2016  Jan. 17‐19, 2017  March 7‐9, 2017

Registration will be available soon, so watch for your opportunity to join the group.

It continues to be a great honor to serve the life of our Conference through the ministry of Vital Congregations. If there are questions about any of our existing opportunities or ideas about possible opportunities, please contact Rev. Bouwens by phone (315) 424‐7878 ext. 338 or by email at aaronbouwens@unyumc.org.

Grace and Peace, Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Bouwens

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Violet’s Garden Advance # 3075 (Garden for Young Disciples)

The Violet’s Garden grants were established in 2008 as an expression of appreciation for Bishop Violet L. Fisher’s compassion for children and youth. Initially, the fund totaled $17,000. Since then, every May and November, the task force has solicited and reviewed applications from local congregations looking for start‐up funding for new spiritual growth experiences for children and youth. Due to our limited level of funding available, the task force decided to put out a call for grant applications only in May during 2015. The task force is pleased to report the following local churches received grant funding during the 2015 fiscal year:

 Bergen UMC: “Youth New Believer’s Class and Children’s Worship Center” – $1,025  Bemus Point UMC: “Summer “E – Team (Evangelism) Ministry” – $1,000  Owls Head UMC: “Vacation Bible School Start‐up” – $300

The fund has been sustained over the years by donations made to the Advance #3075 by individuals and local churches. We will follow the same model for 2016, calling for applications only for the May 1 grant period. We appeal to every local congregation in our Conference that values and cherishes their ministries with children and youth to consider making a donation to Violet’s Garden.

The ministries that can happen due to the grants awarded this year showed a wide variety of ways to reach new children and youth with the Gospel and deepen the faith experience of the ministries’ participants.

Bemus Point UMC created an “E‐Team” ministry, which engaged middle school and high school youth in sharing their faith with others at local parks, engaging persons they met through skits, music, and one‐ on‐one discussion to consider a relationship with Jesus Christ. The participating youth deepened their own relationship with Christ through this process and through their time of preparation with adult and college aged‐mentors.

Over the summer, Bergen UMC prepared its building to greet the youth of its community in September with an afterschool ministry, including a “café area” of their very own and a “new believers” class. The youth of the congregation were excited to invite their friends from the community into this safe and welcoming setting and to invite these friends to participate in the new believer’s class. The congregation also created a more child‐ and youth‐friendly environment for their Sunday school opening worship experience.

Owls Head UMC held its first Vacation Bible School. Not only did the children from the congregation attend, but children from the community who had not experienced “church” before joined in the week of evening sessions of scripture, crafts, music, and fun!

These models of providing the means and opportunity for children and youth to get to know Jesus and to develop their faith only needed some seed money to blossom. And that is what Violet’s Garden has been able to provide over the past seven years. We would like to continue being a source of start‐up funding to facilitate new ministries of spiritual formation with children and youth, but can only do so if churches and individuals continue to donate to our Violet’s Garden Advance #3075. Faithful disciples who have invested their time and talents as well as their visions for these new ministries should turn to Violet’s Garden to help equip and advance these ministries on behalf of the Upper New York Conference 105

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as a whole. Our Conference’s emphasis on making disciples of Jesus Christ should not focus only on persons older than 18. Financial support is needed for the intentional spiritual formation of children and youth.

Please take the time to visit our display table along with the other advances and ministries of the Board of Global Ministries to see accounts of our local congregations inviting and engaging children and youth in meaningful relationships with Jesus Christ.

Respectfully submitted,

Rev. Joellyn Tuttle, Violet’s Garden Task Force Convener

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Volunteers‐in‐Mission (UMVIM)

Vision Encourage and enable local congregations and districts within the Upper New York Conference to effectively engage in the mission of being God’s love to our neighbors in all places.

VIM efforts Response to extensive flooding along the shore of Lake Erie is close to complete. Hurricane Sandy recovery continues with teams working in the New York, Greater New Jersey, and Peninsula‐Delaware conferences. Haiti Partnership (HP) trains and sends teams to partner villages within and outside the quake affected areas. HP teams of 36 adults and eight youth formed in 2015. Upper New York’s Early Response Teams (ERT) responded to flooding in West Virginia. A team formed out of the Albany District worked with the Hogansburg UMC to install a ramp at the church. The Findley Camp & Retreat Center hosted a VIM team that replaced a bathroom, installed showers, and patched and painted various building interiors. International efforts included teams to Costa Rica, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua, Haiti, Uganda, and Ireland.

Education  Team Leader Training (TLT) – We had 18 newly trained leaders in 2015. Teams led by trained leaders qualify for Northeastern Jurisdiction (NEJ) accident insurance and Conference funding  Early Response Training (ERT) – Training sessions resulted in 17 persons being UMCOR certified or recertified for early response  Connecting Neighbors – 22 people participated in this UMCOR training  ERT Train the Trainer – Two people completed the requirements to become ERT trainers  NEJ UMVIM/UMCOR Training Academy – 17 individuals from Upper New York have been trained  FEMA training on volunteer and donations management completed by five individuals  Safe Sanctuary Trainer certification and Mission u training completed by two people

The cumulative lists of trained volunteers are sent to the district representatives and to each district superintendent. Our aim is to provide local missions chairpersons this district‐based information to provide better connections among those active in mission.

UMVIM teams and outreach Analysis of the VIM reports reveals inconsistent interpretation of the forms. We revamped the 2015 form to improve the data collection. Half of the Conference – or six districts – provided reports for their churches. Reporting from 109 mission teams included 668/161 adults and 184/80 youth on sponsored/non‐sponsored teams. The amount of money spent on VIM projects has easily exceeded $200,000.

Grants and scholarships UNYVIM has provided two grants to 2015 teams. In addition, 15 individual, 13 international, and two domestic scholarships were given. Six of the grants were to Haiti Partnership. Requirements for receiving a grant include: having a VIM or equivalent trained team leader, having appropriate insurance for the team, being open to participation beyond the local church, and serving in a VIM‐approved project site (not necessarily UMC). Requirements for scholarships are the same, with preference given to youth or first‐time missioners. Team leaders are also eligible for support.

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Administration The 12 districts are represented on the steering committee. The committee has two team meetings annually held in late fall and just before Annual Conference session. The membership list is at www.unyumc.org/mission/vim‐steering‐committee.

The UNYVIM coordinators meet annually with the Northeastern Jurisdiction UMVIM Board and GBGM leadership, sharing insights and planning training. UNY’s Volunteers‐in‐Mission Co‐Coordinator Donna Cullen reviewed web management tools. With the resignation of the NEJ VIM coordinator, Donna manages the NEJ VIM Facebook and co‐manages the website, email, and Constant Contact. An overhaul of insurance‐related pages and forms resulted in more accurate applications and more timely payments.

With the NEJ coordinator resignation, we rewrote the NEJ VIM coordinator job description to align with the purpose of the position. Donna serves on the recruitment, interview, and hiring team, creating evaluation tools, interview questions, and procedures for the team. The goal is to have the coordinator in place for the NEJ UMVIM/UMCOR Training Academy in April 2016. The Upper New York VIM steering committee is serving as host for the academy. Additional NEJ website advisory work is planned for 2016.

Communications An invitation to the Bishop’s Retreat provided an opportunity to share Conference VIM efforts with clergy in the Conference. The VIM website is being kept up to date. Use the VIM page to find UMVIM projects requesting teams, register teams and file reports, apply for team grants and individual scholarships, obtain forms, and link to more information. The UNYVIM Facebook page is your connection to timely updates for upcoming teams and events as well as team reports, photos, and videos. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UpperNewYorkVolunteersInMission to stay connected.

Goals Our prayers for the future include teams serving and increased inclusion of trained team leaders and early response teams in responding to calls for assistance. We look forward to enhanced coordination with the Northeastern Jurisdiction and the Board of Global Ministries. The steering committee is looking to include VIM activities (training, depot) at the new Conference center. Honoring outreach efforts at the local church fosters inclusion of various age groups and skill sets in becoming the hands and feet of Christ. The goal is to make a wider demographic engage in mission.

Roger and Donna Cullen, Volunteers‐in‐Mission Coordinators

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Youth Ministries (CCYM), Council on

Hello Upper New York Conference, and happy Conference session!!

The Conference Council on Youth Ministries, comprised of youth from all the districts of the Upper New York Conference, had a year of change and excitement. With the theme, “Do Something: Disciples Edition,” our leadership team – made up of Maya Smith and Emily Allen (Co‐Chairs), Katie Shumway (Secretary, Power Point and Publicity), Elyse Muder (Gathering and Organization), Emily Lasher (Worship Team), and John Church (Youth Service Fund) – along with the rest of the CCYM, have been encouraging youth from all across the Conference to do something in the name of Christ. By branching out within their churches, reaching out within their communities and growing through experiences across the world, youth of the Conference have been directly involved in “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” James 2:20 states that, “faith without works is dead.” We truly believe that as Christians it is our duty to live out our faith and to take initiative to do something daily for Christ.

This year’s fall gatherings were hosted by Rochester’s Aldersgate UMC (West) and Schenectady UMC (East). Both the times of worship and the workshops, or disciple editions, centered on our theme by giving youth and adults who attended hands‐on ways to reach out to others and live out their faith. Our spring event, UP!WORD is always an amazing opportunity for youth to grow in their faith. This year, we are featuring some exciting ways to “Do Something: Disciples Edition,” including participating in a national day of awareness for those who make our clothes and praying for General Conference. The times of worship, workshops, and late‐night options will feature speakers and activities to help youth cultivate their faith and discover new ways to put that faith into action. The Casowasco Band InsideOut who appeared as the house band at last year’s UP!WORD will join us again. By connecting with and hearing from people their age who share the truth of the Gospel, youth will hopefully make a commitment to serve Christ and to do something in their own churches and communities.

CCYM’s goal has always been to empower youth to grow closer to God, and this year has been no exception. We have been putting a strong emphasis on outreach. Every CCYM member was encouraged to reach out to churches throughout their districts, sharing about our ministries and events and inviting them to join us. We, as the youth of the Upper New York Conference, thank you for our Conference’s consistent appreciation and dedication to our ministries and the voice of youth. Together we can do something by living out our faith and making disciples of Jesus Christ!

Blessings, Maya Smith and Emily Allen 2015‐2016 UNY CCYM Co‐Chairs

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Reports – Connections Organizations

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Albany United Methodist Society

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The Albany United Methodist Society (AUMS) serves the families of the West Hill neighborhood of Albany with numerous ministries, referrals, and partners with many interests throughout Albany to strengthen our effectiveness. Our home is at 340 First Family Community Center, whose impact in the community we continually seek to expand and improve. Our Albany District United Methodist family helps sustain our work, for which we are very grateful. Among our ministries are:

 AUMS afterschool enrichment program offers youth ages 5‐12 homework assistance, gym recreation, and a healthy snack 2:30‐5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year.

Student volunteers from SUNY Albany assist and workshop leaders join us weekly.  AUMS Summer Enrichment Camp spans five weeks in July and August and hosts 30 youth ages 6‐12 in workshops, games, presentations, and field trips to UM churches for outdoor recreation.

Twenty teens age 14‐18 enrolled in the Albany Summer Youth Program and serve 20 hours a week as counselors, receiving one day of in‐service training per week.  AUMS Food Pantry serves Albany’s West Hill neighborhood with monthly emergency food and benefits from UM volunteers’ weekly deliveries of food. AUMS holiday activities include providing Thanksgiving Baskets and Christmas toys. Youth are invited one evening to pick out gifts for their parents and caregivers. Many churches provide toys, as does the Marines Toys For Tots program.  AUMS Kindred Spirits United senior program meets for fellowship and choral rehearsal in preparation for performances in the region at churches, nursing homes, and competitions.  High School Equivalency (HSE) classes (formerly GED) are conducted in partnership with BOCES.  AUMS Neighborhood Garden provides hands‐on vegetable cultivation for neighbors and program youth, with guidance from area master gardeners and board members. The harvested bounty gets distributed through the food pantry.  Boys and girls AAU basketball programs occupy our gym during evenings and include home and away tournaments.  Team Infinity girls step dancing practice continues evenings in preparation for a busy performance schedule around town.  Men’s basketball programs access our gym weekdays during lunch hours.  AUMS has been active with the Albany District Urban Ministry Team developing an urban ministry curriculum for new clergy and lay leaders.

AUMS’ governing boards AUMS Board of Directors: Janet Foster, Rev. Jane Baker AUMS Core Urban Ministry Team: Ellen Foster, Chair, Rev. Joy Lowenthal, Marilyn Pendergast, Gerri Smalls, David Riegert, and Annie Dyess 340 First St. (Mailing: PO Box 6896), Albany, N.Y. 12206 / Phone: (518) 432‐0818, Fax: (518) 432‐0819 www.aumsny.org

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Boston University School of Theology

Dear Colleagues in the Upper New York Conference:

Greetings in the Spirit of Jesus Christ! The Boston University School of Theology (STH) walks with you on the journey of discipleship, seeking to love God and to love our neighbors with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Thank you for your prayers that inspire and support the STH mission to love God, build knowledge, and equip leaders for the church and society.

NEWS 

New faculty: This year, Boston University welcomed new faculty in ethics, psychology, theologies of spirituality, comparative theology, church renewal, Black church leadership, and mission studies. We welcomed: Nimi Wariboko (Walter G. Muelder Professor of Social Ethics); David Decosimo (Theology); Theodore Hickman‐Maynard (Evangelism and Church Renewal); Andrea Hollingsworth (Theology); Barbod Salimi (Psychology and Peace Studies); and Daryl Ireland (Associate Director of the Center for Global Christianity and Mission).  Spiritual life: STH continued to expand and deepen its spiritual life program, led by Charlene Zuill, Spiritual Life Coordinator and United Methodist elder. Bishop Susan Hassinger, Claire Wolfteich, and many others also offer a rich selection of courses in spirituality and leadership.  Chaplaincy track: STH added a chaplaincy track to the MDiv degree, preparing students for hospitals, prisons, and military settings.

Engaging in Dialogue: STH spent a large amount of energy this year in hard conversations on violence, racism and injustice, seeking to be honest, and vigorously open to change, while honoring the dignity of all persons.

 Power, Privilege and Prophetic Witness is the STH theme for 2015‐2017. We engaged the theme in classes, lectures, retreats, and workshops, seeking to stretch our capacities to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.  Examining the intersection of theology and race. The opportunities this year included: a brilliant new documentary about North Korea; a dialogical viewing of Selma; dialogues on racism with Thandeka and Andrew Sung Park; a retreat on building race relations; circle worship; a student‐led event Missing Voices, Daunting Choices: The Erasure of Black Women in Black American Movements; and events on interfaith understanding.

Caring for the Church through leadership and service.

 Serving The United Methodist Church. Students served local churches and church bodies as interns, staff, and volunteers. Faculty served with such bodies as: United Methodist Women, World Methodist Council, Ministry Study Commission, Women of Color Scholars and Mentors program, Pan Methodist Commission on Children in Poverty, and boards and agencies of the general church and annual conferences.  Empowering young Latino/leaders. Young leaders gathered with seasoned mentors to enhance their gifts and service as Christian leaders: Hispanic Youth Leadership Initiative (HYLA) and Raíces Latinas Leadership Institute.  Facilitating dialogues on church renewal. We launched a new initiative on evangelism and church renewal.

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Reflecting on worship. We contributed to a special issue of Worship Arts Magazine, edited and written by STH faculty, alumni/ae, and students, and published by the fellowship of United Methodists in music and worship arts.

Caring for the World

 Offering opportunities for engaged learning. Opportunities included the Doctor of Ministry program in Transformational Leadership; an urban ministry course; travel seminars to India, the Arizona‐Mexico border, Israel‐Palestine, Mexico, and Turkey (Ephesus); work with leaders in Ferguson, Mo.; and a travel seminar for UMC clergywomen to Cuba, co‐sponsored by GBHEM and STH.  Collaborating with the global church. Collaborations included sponsorship of the “Dictionary of African Christian Biography;” events and art exhibits on local and global ecology; and dialogues with global church leaders.

As we at STH seek to be faithful and to partner with you in ministry, we give thanks for your witness.

Thank you or your continuing inspiration and contributions to our shared journey.

Blessings and gratitude,

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Mary Elizabeth Moore Dean of Boston University School of Theology

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Drew University Theological School

A Cohering Vision: Curriculum, Community, Co‐Curricular Initiatives After much collaborative discussion, discernment, and evaluation of the current state of theological education, those of us who lead, teach, and support Drew Theological School have launched on an ambitious course. Nearly 150 years after our founding, we envision a future as bright as the best eras in our past. I am pleased to share with you here the concrete steps we have taken— and are taking— to bring this future to light.

First, our efforts have been attentive to the history of Drew, in particular its Methodist roots, its long commitment to the Church and its ministries, and draw from this wellspring for inspiration and direction. Also, we have honored our progress to achieve denominational, ethnic, gender, and racial diversity in our faculty and student body. This rich diversity has become both a hallmark of Drew and an expansion of our wellspring. Forces beyond our campus – notably, that the reasons for pursuing a theological education and expected outcomes are shifting dramatically – further press the need for us to align our vision and its supporting systems with our communal reality.

Given this imperative, we are focused on the three “Cs” of our cohering vision: redesigning our curriculum, strengthening our community of learning, and deepening training through revived co‐ curricular initiatives. These three aspect of a Drew Theological School education work together to enable us to empower creative thought and courageous action to advance justice, peace, and love of God, neighbor, and the earth as well as uniquely position us to lead evolving expressions of Christianity.

Designing distinct pathways from curriculum to vocation To remain meaningful and offer the greatest value to our students, each of the six degree paths that we offer must be as distinct as the ministry to which it leads. For example, our Master of Arts in Ministry program, which forms students for the broadest spectrum of theologically‐informed advocacy and ministry, or our DMin program, which has become the “new” terminal vocational degree, must be custom rebuilt for current and emerging student needs and outcomes. This also holds true for our Master of Arts, Master of Sacred Theology, PhD, and, most critically, our Master of Divinity programs.

We have achieved our roadmap for curricular change through a period of intentional discernment, which included discussion with consultants, and with colleagues at peer institutions, who led a curricular formation retreats with our faculty; through the discernment and guidance of our faculty, and with the generous financial support of the Jesse Ball duPont Fund. Our next steps include a comprehensive analysis of pedagogical and technological trends in theological education, enrollment, and outcomes.

Our redesigned curricular paths will be announced in the fall of 2017, concurrent with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Drew Theological School and the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

Student experiences rooted in community Despite the increase in students pursuing their education through evening classes and online enrollment, we remain committed to the on‐campus experience of community. This begins with a student‐centered educational experience that better attends to the scheduling needs of our students, offers broader course content and availability, and more intentionally integrates vocational or career aspirations with coursework.

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The successes of these efforts are inextricably linked to scholarship support. Only by removing the financial barriers for students pursuing vocations can we hope to attract and retain the most promising students and free them to learn and grow in community. Related to tuition support is the need for more affordable and modernized housing for those students who choose to live on campus. Together, scholarship support and housing relief will also unburden our students from unsustainable debt.

Fostering innovation in ministry and the work of spirit‐filled justice To round out changes in our curriculum and on‐campus learning experiences, we are also reviving co‐ curricular initiatives. The existing Center for Lifelong Learning will be recast as the new Center for Innovation and Leadership in Ministry and serve students, alumni, and others seeking to find creative and courageous approaches to revitalizing ministry. Here, programming will train pastoral leaders, in particular, for service in rapidly changing church environments, as well as position them to lead fearlessly and prophetically.

Our second co‐curricular center will be an expansion of the current Communities of Shalom. This initiative will focus on action, advocacy, and social justice work in both pastoral and lay environments.

Projects will range from student interns supporting the work of “A Future with Hope” in our home state of New Jersey, advancing social justice in non‐profit settings across the country and around the world, initiatives which seek to transform and end systemic poverty, expansion of our Partnership for Religion and Education in Prisons (PREP) program, and teaching residencies at Drew for prophetic leaders.

Success so far through our One and All Campaign As the 14th dean at Drew Theological School, I am deeply committed to continuing our long and distinguished legacy. To this end, our vision is innovative, forward‐looking, and grounded in the practical needs of our students – we hope, too, that it is an inspiration to the various constituencies we serve. I fully subscribe to the inimitable words of Antonio Machado, that “we make the road by walking.” The road to this bright future, we envision, will be made by the dedication, determination, and generosity of those who love Drew and believe in its future.

Our vision is coming to light, in part, because of the generosity of our many alumni donors and friends.

Our “One and All” fundraising campaign has raised more than $12 million to date for the Theological School and has seed‐funded many of our burgeoning efforts.

Also, I encourage our alumni to embrace your power of influence to help grow philanthropic support for Drew Theological School. Many of our largest gifts have come from the influence of alumni, particularly pastors who serve in our church communities.

Yes, the needs ahead are many, yet our hope is high for a bright future for Drew Theological School. The road is made by walking. Let’s walk it together.

The Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera Dean of the Theological School Professor of Pastoral Theology

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Iliff School of Theology

Greetings from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colo. We wish you blessings as together we share the work of strengthening The Church and offering a compassionate presence to the world.

The Iliff School of Theology’s commitment to the Wesleyan ethos of providing hopeful, intellectually alive and spiritually grounded theological education for each and every student over the course of their lifetime continues. Iliff’s identity is focused on educating leaders for three primary publics: the world, The Church, and the academy. At Iliff, we refuse to choose between being a training home only for ministerial candidates, a center only for activists and scholar‐activists, or a school only for academics.

We believe all three are inseparable and enhance one another as we deliberately situate ourselves in the world and critically operate out of the world’s complexities.

As such, we recognize that the world’s religious landscape is changing, and there is much at stake. Iliff recently completed its strategic plan, revised its curriculum, transformed its library, and initiated new relationships with other institutions. In collaboration with the people of Africa, we’ve started a discussion with Africa University (AU) to foster an educational alliance that will benefit Iliff and AU students. We have also joined a multi‐institutional collaboration facilitated by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the HANA Scholarship to create a pipeline for Hispanic students from United Methodist‐related secondary schools and historically black colleges leading to graduate level theological education.

Iliff’s enrollment continues to be strong with 365 students joining us this academic year, 60 percent female and 40 percent male, 35 percent Methodist – all actively engaged in a host of ministry contexts.

Their interest continues to be strong in Iliff’s online and hybrid classes. A concerted move by Iliff to reduce student debt and grow the ability of students to lead financially‐sound, engaged communities continues with many M.Div. students participating in the Spiritually‐Integrated Financial Resiliency Program, funded by a $250,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment.

Iliff’s numerous events for area clergy and supporters remains part of our foundation via forums and conferences on social justice, food justice, the role of faith in politics, environmental stewardship, theology and disability inclusion, and more. Campus speakers included Rev. Gerald Durley, nationally‐ known civil rights leader and this year’s Jameson Jones Preacher, Heather Jarvis, student debt reduction advocate, and more. Our efforts were duly noted by McCormick Theological Seminary’s Center for Faith and Service when we were named as one of the nation’s “seminaries that change the world” and our Master of Theology program was ranked seventh in the nation by OnlineColleges.net.

We welcomed two new scholars to our faculty this year, Rev. Dr. Jennifer Leath, assistant professor of religion and social justice and ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. Michelle Watkins‐Branch, Gerald L. Schlessman professor in Methodist studies, assistant professor of theology, and ordained in The United Methodist Church.

We continue to look forward with a courageous theological imagination. We are sincerely grateful for your support of theological education and the Ministerial Education Fund.

Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Thomas V. Wolfe, President and Chief Executive Officer www.iliff.edu 1‐800‐678‐3360 117

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Methodist Theological School in Ohio

Thank you for this opportunity to bring you an update from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

Keeping seminary affordable As part of MTSO’s continuing commitment to make theological education a financial reality for promising students, we announced the creation of the Bishop Judith Craig Scholarship Endowment.

Bishop Craig, who led conferences in the Michigan and Ohio West areas, is MTSO’s bishop‐in‐residence and visiting professor of church leadership. One in three full‐time MTSO master’s students receives a full‐tuition scholarship, and our average non‐load aid award is $8,600 per year.

Working for sustainable justice This year offered continuing evidence that social justice and the care of creation are core values for MTSO. We hosted “Faithful Justice: Confronting Mass Incarceration” in February and the Institute on Organizing and Preaching for Social Justice in April. A newly installed solar array began providing energy to Gault Hall, our main academic facility. And the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development identified Methodist Theological School in Ohio as one of 25 exceptional North American seminaries (out of 231 surveyed) for faith and ecology. MTSO courses addressing eco‐theology and sustainability include Ecological Religious Education; Food, Land, and Faith Formation; and Dialogues in Faith and Science.

Celebrating 30 years of educating counselors Over the past three decades, hundreds of men and women have earned graduate counseling degrees with unique depth from MTSO. Our Master of Arts in counseling ministries degree integrates psychological and behavioral sciences with wisdom from religious tradition. The second most popular MTSO degree, the MACM offers tracks in pastoral and professional counseling, pastoral care and counseling, and addiction counseling.

Respectfully submitted,

Danny Russell, Director of Communications

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New York Council of Churches

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1580 Central Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12205

www.nyscoc.org (518) 436‐9319 Fax (518) 427‐6705

E‐mail: nyscoc@aol.com

Report for 2016 Assemblies

After serving the council with care and distinction, the Rev. Dr. Paula Gravelle retired as Executive Director in August 2015 and moved to Tennessee. In January, I began my duties as the full‐time executive director. After serving as a local church pastor in the United Church of Christ for 25 years, I felt called to embrace the distinct mission of the council to help denominations and the local churches embrace the power and wonder of the ecumenical movement. I enthusiastically support the mission of the council to offer an organized voice on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised in the halls of power and in our state prison and mental health institutions. It is my view that, as local churches, our pastoral care must not just be about charity but about how we change laws and structures as a way to embrace the hope that the risen Christ offers to people in despair and in need of encouragement.

Since 1889, the New York State Council of Churches (NYSCC) has enabled Protestant denominations across the state to offer a distinct Christian voice in the public square and in some of the most forgotten places of our society. The eight founding bodies of the NYSCC (American Baptist Churches, The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Presbyterian Church (USA), New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, The Reformed Church in America, The United Church of Christ, and The United Methodist Church) as well as the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention (a member denomination), work together in areas of public policy, state institutional chaplaincy, education, worship, and witness.

I like to use the acronym “ACCE” to describe the four‐fold work of the Council:

ADVOCACY  Participated in Moral Mondays at the state capitol to support a just and moral budget for the people of New York state.  Participated in Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., with a focus on racism, class, and power.  In partnership with Faith for a Fair New York, sponsored a two‐day teach‐in in which participants looked at economic and social justice issues and had the opportunity to network with others from across state as we prepared to advocate for just laws for the 2016 legislative session.  We have been working systematically to advocate for a living wage of $15 for all New Yorkers.

The Council felt this was an unprecedented opportunity for us to work together to lift over two million workers out of poverty.  Adopted a statement in support of campaign finance reform including the repeal of Citizens United.

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CHAPLAINCY  Continued certifying chaplains for ministry in our state institutions.  In partnership with our chaplains, the Council organized a three‐day retreat for chaplains doing ministry in state and county prisons. A goal is to expand this retreat to include chaplains in any institutional ministry throughout the state.  Visited chaplains and preached in several prisons including the Good Friday service at Albion Correctional Facility.  Advocated for changes in our prison system including raising the age for criminal responsibility to 18. New York is one of only two states that still prosecutes 16‐ and 17‐year‐olds as adults. We also advocate for the lessening the use of solitary confinement, addressing injustices in parole boards and support for family of inmates.

EDUCATION AND WORSHIP  Coordinated a youth leadership forum at the United Nations for 25 senior high youth from across the state. They studied Christianity and race relations.  Increased effective communication through improved use of social media. We are revamping our website: www.nyscoc.org and made it possible for people to donate online. We invite you to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. We also reinstituted a newsletter, which will be published at least six times a year.

ECUMENICISM  On May 12, we plan to hold our first annual awards luncheon and fundraiser at First Lutheran Church in Albany.  Met with leaders of state councils of churches from across the United States to share best practices and better understand the obstacles and opportunities for people of faith desiring to have a voice in public policy – who yearn to do justice as part of their Christian calling.  We seek to be a resource for denominations and councils of churches to help them work ecumenically.

We give thanks for the financial support we receive from local churches and denominations and encourage all to give generously. We will continue to reach out to invite Christians throughout the state to join us in the work we are called to do as the body of Christ in this time and this place. If you would like to be in touch with the Council and how we can be supportive, feel free to call me at (508) 380‐8289 or Pcook@nyscoc.org.

Thank you for your partnership with us.

Sincerely,

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The Rev. Peter Cook Executive Director

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