Conference News & Information | |
When Nature Calls podcast series, Episode 2: Asbury Retreat Center
On the Mission, Season 2: When Nature Calls focuses on the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries. This six-week series feature highlights from camp and retreat centers around the theme, "The Water of Life."
In Episode 2, learn all that Asbury Retreat Center has to offer from Asbury site director, the Rev. Sue Russell.
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Bishop Héctor visits with the soon-to-be commissioned, ordained, and recognized
On Thursday, April 20, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, held a retreat day at that Conference Center in Liverpool for the individuals coming to the 2023 Annual Conference for commissioning, ordination, and recognition of orders.
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Buffalo 10 Scholarship makes the news
The Buffalo 10 Scholarship is intended to improve educational opportunities in the zip codes adjacent to the Jefferson Avenue Tops Market (14208, 14211, 14214) where the May 14, 2022, mass murder took place. The scholarship was adopted at the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference.
Earlier this month, on April 12, Pastor Angela Stewart and the Rev. Tanya Spencer, both on the UNY Black Leadership Caucus, appeared on WIVB Channel 4 “Daytime Buffalo” to talk about the scholarship.
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Mohawk District United Women in Faith retreat
The United Women in Faith from the Mohawk District gathered at Oneida First United Methodist Church this past weekend. Pastor Carol Jubenville led the group in meaningful worship service; Kristina Clark spoke to the group about viewing mission through a lens of abundance; and the day finished out with the women assembling Menstrual Hygiene Kits for the UNY Mission Central HUB.
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Annual Conference registration extended to April 30
On April 25, 2023, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez sent a letter to the Upper New York Conference offering an extension to the Annual Conference registration and noting there won't be onsite registration this year. The final day to register is April 30.
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Laity invited to self-nominate for two lay vacancies for the 2024 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference
The Upper New York (UNY) Conference elects delegates for the Northeastern Jurisdictional (NEJ) Conference and the General Conference the year prior to each General Conference, which ordinarily takes place every four years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 General Conference was postponed twice and is now slotted for 2024.
Because of unprecedented length between General Conferences, the United Methodist Judicial Council will be allowing conferences to fill delegate vacancies. The UNY Conference currently has two lay vacancies for the NEJ delegation.
Laity members are invited to self-nominate for these vacancies by May 14. Voting voting will take place during laity session at Annual Conference in June.
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The Rev. Nola Anderson to deliver message at the 2023 Memorial Service
The 2023 Upper New York Conference Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. during the 2023 Annual Conference. This service honors all Upper New York (UNY) clergy and clergy spouses, as well as UNY Conference members who have passed away since the last Annual Conference. This year’s Memorial Service speaker is the Crossroads and Finger Lakes District Superintendent, the Rev. Nola Anderson.
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In his latest reflection, Pastor Daniel Bradley from Faith Journey UMC reflects on how communion is the ultimate means of grace.
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Announcements & Opportunities | |
New District Superintendent structure
As Upper New York (UNY) Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez previously announced, the UNY Conference will switch from nine to six District Superintendents effective July 1, 2023. On June 30, 2023, the current Crossroads and Finger Lakes District Superintendent, the Rev. Nola Anderson; Mohawk District Superintendent, the Rev. Abel Roy; and the Rev. Ted Anderson, who has been serving as Interim District Superintendent for the Genesee Valley District, will complete their terms. The six remaining District Superintendents will generally be serving two districts.
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Bishop Burgos Núñez announces clergy appointments
After the prayerful discernment of the Upper New York Cabinet, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez announces the following appointments. All appointments, unless otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2023.
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Training for laity offered
Four online courses to help laity understand God’s call in their lives and learn new leadership skills will be offered this year on April 29, July 29, Sept. 30, and Dec. 9. The courses are “Discover Your Spiritual Gifts,” “Soul Reset,” “Charter for Racial Justice” and “101 Leadership.” The 2023 Laity Leadership Institution is sponsored by Black Methodists for Church Renewal and the Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary. The courses are free, but students are encouraged to make a donation if they are able.
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Free #SeeAllthePeople course: Discipleship begins with relationship
This three-session video teaching series, featuring Rev. Junius B. Dotson and Rev. Jacob Armstrong, aims to communicate the basic principles behind See All The People, a movement to help us understand what discipleship and evangelism mean in the 21st century.
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Congregations invited to join the green church movement
The Rev. Bumshik Min, who serves Suncook (NH) UMC in the New England Conference, has started a green church movement, which offers practical steps churches can take and a forum for them to work together.
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Missionary remembered as a light for vulnerable children
Innocent P. Afful, a missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, is being remembered as an energetic servant of God and dedicated mentor for vulnerable children. Afful died April 17 in Kinshasa at age 49. The cause of his death is unknown.
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Phone: (315) 898-2000
Fax: (315) 898-2198
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