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Your United Methodist church is a connectional church. This means that the local church is a part of something much larger that magnifies our ministries on a national and global scale. Through this structure, United Methodists work together to advance common goals, respond to needs, and make a broader impact for Christ in the world. 

Staying Informed 

This month, I will review several ways you can receive news from the larger United Methodist church—including newsletters, online platforms, and regional updates—to help you stay informed about what your church is accomplishing both locally and globally. Staying connected to these sources not only keeps you up to date but, also empowers us to work together more effectively in creating disciples and fulfilling our shared mission. 

How can I stay informed? 

The United Methodist church has plenty of newsletters that you can get via email or website. I will highlight a few of the most important. These include: 

  • The United Methodists of Upper New York Newsletter – News from churches around the state
  • The Niagara Frontier District Newsletter – Information from churches around the WNY region
  • The UM News Digest – International news from The United Methodist Churches
  • The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society – Current events and information to help United Methodists stay informed on issues regarding social justice. 

The United Methodists of Upper New York Conference Newsletter 

This newsletter communicates the great things our churches are doing across upper New York State. There are approximately 600 churches in the Upper New York Conference. 

  1. Go to the official Upper New York Conference Communications page: https://www.unyumc.org/news/weekly-digest
  2. Locate the subscription link: On the communications page, look for a section or button that says “Click Here” to subscribe 
  3. Click the subscription link: This will take you to a form where you can enter your email address and other information to receive the weekly news. 
  4. Fill out the form: Enter your email address and any other required information. 

The Niagara Frontier District Newsletter 

This newsletter provides information on the events that are happening at the various lo cal churches around the WNY region and is a great way to publicize church activities. You can contact our district administrative assistant Lyn Moon to be put on the mailing list 

Phone Number: (716) 276-8631 email: lynmoon@unyumc.org 

  1. Either call or email Lyn Moon 
  2. In the email, request that you be added to the district email distribution list.
  3. Submit the form by clicking “Submit” or “Sign Up.” You should receive a confirmation email shortly. 

The UM News Digest 

The UMNews gives you tons of information on what is happening worldwide in the church. To read or subscribe to the UM News Digest, visit the United Methodist News Service (UMNews.org) 

Step-by-Step Instructions (UMNews.org): 

  1. Go to the Subscription Page: Open your web browser and navigate to https://www.UMNews.org to read the news online, or type this in your browser, 

https://www.umnews.org/en/landing-pages/subscription-management/umnews-weekly-subscribe 

  1. Fill in Your Details: Enter your First Name, Last Name, and Email Address in the respective fields. 
  2. Check: The box saying I am not a robot 
  3. Submit: Click the subscribe button 

General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church

The Gen Board of Church and Society handles all of the social justice issues, such as communicating the UM church’s beliefs to congress. Open your browser and navigate to https://www.umcjustice.org 

  1. To subscribe, go to the official UMC Justice page: https://www.umcjustice.org
  2. Scroll down and look for a section or button near the bottom of the page labeled “Subscribe” or “Sign up for email updates.” 
  3. Fill out the form by entering your email address and zip code