The death of Kim, Jung-il of North Korea is of momentous importance to our world. Just how it will impact the future of North Korea or the dream of eventual reunification with South Korea is unknown.

I am writing to inform you that the Rev. Dr. Dennis Winkleblack, Assistant to the Bishop, will retire from this position effective December 31, 2011.

I am writing to let you know that Rev. Jeannette Bassinger-Ishii will begin serving as Assistant to the Bishop, effective January 1, 2012

I am writing to share with you that I have been assigned by the Council of Bishops to serve as the first presiding bishop of the Mongolian Mission of The United Methodist Church. As you may know, bishops of our church, in addition to the residential responsibilities, share in oversight of our work within the United States and around the world.

I am writing to inform you of the retirement at the end of December of a dear friend of the New York Annual Conference, Bishop Ernest S. Lyght, who is presently serving the West Virginia Annual Conference.  Bishop Lyght has battled ongoing health issues since February and has concluded that even though he was scheduled to retire this coming summer he would retire earlier.  Retired Bishop William Boyd Grove, who served the West Virginia Conference from 1980-1992, will serve again in the interim until a new episcopal leader is assigned by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in September.
 

Hurricane Irene has come and gone and left in its wake massive damage to many communities, our churches and parsonages. You may have seen some of the towns of our churches which were inundated by floods on national news reports. Especially hard hit were our coastal areas and the usual flood prone places. More than 10 inches of rain fell in the Catskill Hudson District. 

As presently forecast, our area is about to be hit by a storm that could be one of the most devastating natural disasters of our time. To be sure, this is a time to put our trust and hope in God as our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. I would like our pastors and congregations to know that you are in my dearest thoughts and prayers for safety and strength. As a community of faith, we need to lift each other up in prayer and be ready to offer whatever help is necessary. Especially I urge our pastors and church leaders to look out for the most vulnerable among us. Read more>>

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you."
(Psalm 33:22)

August 23, 2011

Dear United Methodists of the New York Annual Conference:

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer, the Prince of shalom, Healer of our brokenness, and Hope of the world!

As we observe the 10th anniversary of 9/11, our hearts go out to the grieving families and loved ones of the innocent victims for their suffering. They are in our prayers for comfort, strength, and healing. The world shall never forget what happened on that beautiful Tuesday morning. Indeed, the world was dealt not only a diabolical blow but a monumental challenge. Since then, the world has radically changed.

We have learned much in ten years. Some have learned better how to love their neighbor. Some have learned how to hate. In the main, however, ignorance and fear still abound and we seem more divided than ever as a nation and as a world. To be very sure, our hope is not in political strategies alone. Rather, our hope is in God who is working to redeem and repair a lost and broken world until all creation is reconciled and abounds in love, respect and harmony.

The world-changing events of 9/11 were an expression of unalloyed hatred which brought about destruction and despair beyond description. As Christians, however, let us be reminded that there was another kind of world-changing event some 2,000 years ago on the Mount of Calvary. It was an expression of God's love which brought light and life to the world. For this, human destiny would no longer be the same. To be very sure, God is not quitting on us. We can be assured of God's love for the world that triumphs over the powers of death and darkness. So let us join our loving God as agents of God's vision for a just peace for all.

This year September 11 falls on a Sunday. Accordingly, let us mark this day with prayers of remembrance, prayers for healing, and prayers for peace. Our God who desires that we "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8) is able. And in this we ground our hope and take our refuge.

In Christ,

Jeremiah Park
 

Last Friday Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York signed a bill that will make same-sex marriage legal in New York effective July 24th. Because same-sex marriage is already legal in the state of Connecticut, same-sex marriage will soon be legal within the boundary of the New York Annual Conference. (Click title to read more)
 

In less than a month, we will gather together as the New York Annual Conference to give witness that "We Are Heart-warmed United Methodists in Mission." Can you imagine the thrill and the joy upon seeing hundreds of churches each represented by its people and each flying a banner high processing into the Hofstra Arena on Saturday, June 11 for the Celebration of Mission!

We have been stunned as a nation by this spring's natural disasters that have taken the lives of hundreds. In particular, the large number of tornados that left a path of death and destruction in the southeast has left us all terribly saddened. Some are saying that the number of tornados reported on Wednesday, April 27 was among the largest one-day total in history. (Click title to read more)
 

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan that occurred a few days ago was of historic proportion and has resulted in the death of thousands of persons with thousands more missing. The numbers are sure to rise. Unknown as yet is the full impact that this calamity will have on the amount of radiation emitted into the atmosphere from nuclear power plants. Truly, our hearts are heavy with sorrow and grief. Accordingly, I call upon all New York Conference United Methodists to pray fervently for the people of Japan, for those most directly affected, and for those who are part of the efforts to bring relief to this suffering country. (Click on title to read more)