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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news stories

    Nominations and Leadership Development team seeking nominations

    March 15, 2024 / By Ian Carlos Urriola, Nominations and Leadership Development Chair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    For three days, United Methodists of Upper New York gather for a time of prayer, worship, and holy conferencing to conduct the business of our Annual Conference. And yet, the work of our connectional ministry to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places is a 365—or, when it’s a leap year like 2024, 366—day affair. …more

    Statement from the Council of Bishops calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

    March 14, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor's note: This letter was published by The United Methodist Council of Bishops on March 13, 2023 and shared with United Methodists of Upper New York. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NLT) As bishops of The United Methodist Church, we call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza and pledge our prayers …more

    Traveling crosses for Lent

    March 11, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    It all started with a six-foot cross made by a church member who connected two wooden beams. At the time, Brandin Greco was the pastor at Lycoming United Methodist Church and was busy creating plans for both Lent and Easter. Then the pandemic hit.   “We had to quickly change our plans in order to stay connected with our church families,” explains Pastor Brandin.  He wasn …more

    Upper New York response to Netflix documentary, “The Program”

    March 9, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    United Methodists of Upper New York were made aware of a new Netflix documentary featuring audio clips of Thomas Nichols. In the docuseries “The Program,” Nichols is identified as the former Public Relations Coordinator for the Academy of Ivy Ridge, a boarding school in Northern New York that ceased operation in March 2009. The series details several allegations of abuse.   Nichols is currently associated with Galilee and …more

    Apply now for Lottie Brown Scholarship

    March 9, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Each year, the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference College Scholarships Committee offers Lottie Brown Scholarships to undergraduate students who are intending to enter a career in Christian service. The scholarship enables young people to fulfill the path God is calling them to take. Applicants must be an active, full member of a United Methodist Church within the UNY Conference for at least one year prior to applying, must be …more

    Commentary: The Ugly Truth

    March 7, 2024 / By Rev. Daniel J. Bradley, Pastor at Faith Journey UMC / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The Rev. Daniel J. Bradley is a pastor at Faith Journey UMC in Clay, NY. He wrote the following article to juxtapose the biblical story of Amos, a humble prophet, with his passion for the Buffalo Bills to highlight the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of challenges. Rev. Bradley emphasizes the need for Christians to actively work towards justice and compassion in society, …more

    Lilly Endowment grant taking shape in Upper New York

    March 4, 2024 / By Rev. Abigail Browka, Associate Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    The Upper New York (UNY) Conference was granted $1,250,000 from the Lilly Endowment Inc. Compelling Preaching Initiative in October 2023.  The Compelling Preaching Initiative is part of UNY's clergy leadership development focus called "Thrive," designed to support and enhance the preaching practices of pastors in Upper New York. The initiative will provide pastors with immersive experiences, curated workshops, and intentional space for rest, work, and play. These activities, set in …more

    Delegation accepting episcopal nominations

    March 4, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    When the 2024 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church meets next July in Pittsburgh, it may decide to hold an episcopal election. The decision to hold an election has not been made. To prepare for the possibility of an election, the rules of the Upper New York Conference (UNY) call for the Conference’s Jurisdictional Delegation to “serve as a ‘nominating committee’ of …more

    CVA Task Force update

    March 4, 2024 / By CVA Task Force

    In December, the Child Victims Act (CVA) Task Force asked you to join your prayers with ours as we began the weighty work of developing a plan for allocating Upper New York’s share of the payment of Child Victims Act case settlements and legal fees.   Understanding that these settlement costs represent only a token of recompense for the survivors of abuse, we considered the costs to …more

    Beyond Borders: Watertown First UMC’s Mission of Hope in Zimbabwe

    February 29, 2024 / By Kevin Miller, Multimedia Content Creator / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    In Zimbabwe, the life of a young boy named Edward Dingadade took a transformative turn, fueled by the kindness of a community thousands of miles away. This story, woven with threads of empathy and global unity, originates not directly from Edward, but from the compassionate individuals at the Watertown First United Methodist Church. Touched by the struggles faced by AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, they made a commitment to fund the …more



    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."