Jun 17, 2008 — One of the oldest and most established churches in the North Country is facing a major shake-up. The Troy Conference of Methodists, based in Saratoga, has roughly 50,000 members in northeastern New York and Vermont. Faced with shrinking congregations, Methodists will decide next month whether to merge with three other conferences in upstate New York. Dozens of churches in Vermont are also expected to break away and join the New England Conference. Brian Mann spoke with Reverend Janice Palm, who chaired the committee that developed the plan.