http://www.nyac.com/newsnothing provideden-usSat, 25 May 2013 09:00:00 ESTSat, 25 May 2013 09:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=561http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=561 Beloved NYAC Family, The paradox that sometimes unfolds in nature has resulted in a tornado that has brought devastation to the state of Oklahoma. In the aftermath of the recent tornado, we are called to pray for the victims, the first responders and for the city of Moore, Oklahoma. In the New York area we have experienced similar natural catastrophes and we can testify that prayer is helpful. I invite you to pray. News accounts reveal the loss of the lives of children and adults and a critiWed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=557http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=557 May 2, 2013 DearPastor: I am grateful for the accomplishments of your confirmands! This preparation is just the beginning of their Christian journey. I pray that they will continue to experience the joy of the journey as they deepen their commitment to Jesus Christ. As you know, this yearrsquo;s Annual Conference will be held June 5 to June 8 at Hofstra University. I am inviting all confirmands to be my special guests on Saturday, June 8. Details are listed below: What to expect on SaturdaThu, 2 May 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=560http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=560This yearrsquo;s Peace with Justice Sunday Special Offering (PwJ) will be officially observed on May 26. However, congregations are encouraged to celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday on whatever date works best for them. The PwJ offering supports programs that address burning social advocacy concerns at home and around the world. While PwJ Sunday was designated primarily as a day to take the special offering, the Board of Church and Society (CBCS) encourages local churches to use this as an oppoWed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=559http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=559By Linda Bloom, Reported on UMConnections.org Bishop John Schol joins Bishop Hope Morgan Ward at the Board of Global Ministries meeting. Schol updated board directors on the Greater New Jersey Conferencersquo;s Hurricane Sandy recovery plans. UMNS Photos by Cassandra Zampini. United Methodists in New York were counting on the regional shipments of 15,000 flood buckets that they distributed to Hurricane Sandy survivors last fall. But they didnrsquo;t expect the more than 11,000 blanketTue, 7 May 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=558http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=558 May 6, 2013 Beloved New York Annual Conference: Many of you may have read the recently published article in The New York Times that centered on same sex marriage and The United Methodist Church. The confidentiality requirements of the complaint process prevent me from discussing the case in detail. However, as is the case on many issues confronting the church today, there are multiple perspectives associated with human sexuality. There is also a multiplicity of other concerns that we are coMon, 6 May 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=556http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=556Twenty-seven annual conferences paid 100 percent of their 2012 asking for Africa University; four of them exceeded their goal. Your support of The Africa University Fundhelps defray the overhead costs at Africa University. Wisconsin Conference paid a whopping 169.31 percent and Greater New Jersey Conference paid 104.69 percent. Iowa Conference paid 100.57 percent and Louisiana Conference paid 100.03 percent. Other conferences paying 100 percent to Africa University are East Ohio, Illinois GreMon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=552http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=552A UMNS Report By Heather Hahn* The Texas Annual (regional) Conference has proposed changing its minimum standards for clergy to discourage people over 45 from becoming candidates for ordained ministry. The conferencersquo;s board of ordained ministry is seeking feedback through September this year and does not plan to make any final decision on its standards until October. A UMNS photo illustration by Kathleen Barry. But the possible changes have already sparked debate across the United MeFri, 26 Apr 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=555http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=555In 1987, Congress designated the month of March that year as ldquo;Womenrsquo;s History Month.rdquo; The annual observance continues to this day. United Methodist News Service invited several women, both lay and clergy, in The United Methodist Church to share their stories. Here is the response from West Virginia Area Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, elected to the episcopacy in 2012. Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, then a clergy delegate from the Peninsula-Delaware Annual (regional) Conference, holdsWed, 24 Apr 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=554http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=554By Kathy Gilbert* The Rev. Bob Edgar. Photo courtesy of Common Cause. The Rev. Bob Edgar, a United Methodist pastor and a ldquo;tireless defender of the poor and an advocate for justice,rdquo; died unexpectedly April 23 of a heart attack at his home in the Washington area. He was 69. Edgar, who was top executive of Common Cause, is the former top executive of the National Council of Churches and a former six-term member of Congress from Pennsylvania. He was president of United Methodist-relTue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=553http://nysite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?PKValue=553by Vance Morton* ldquo;When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.rdquo; The words of the Horatio G. Spaffords great hymn ldquo;It Is Well with My Soulrdquo; (No.377 in your United Methodist Hymnal if yoursquo;re playing along at home) have been sung countless times by countless worshipers in countless churches over the years. There is little doubt, however, that the worMon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST