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


    news stories Tagged “Connectional Ministries”

    Inclusion isn’t a dirty word

    May 22, 2023 / By Pastor Daniel J. Bradley, Faith Journey United Methodist Church

    “When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas, son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.” Acts 1:13-14 Some …more

    Collections at the 2023 Upper New York Annual Conference

    May 17, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    At this year’s Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, held June 1-3, at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse, there will be three opportunities to give. During Opening Worship on June 1 at 10:30 a.m., there will be a collection for the UNY Mission Central HUB. The HUB is located at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool. It is a place for local churches to actively …more

    Faith and my mental health journey

    May 16, 2023 / By Rev. Tom LeBeau, pastor at Kidville Memorial and Mayville UMCs

    I’ve written this in recognition of May, Mental Health Awareness Month. Someone I trust, my spiritual director, told me I have a sacred wound. He encouraged me to write about it. It is a major depressive disorder. Shame, pride and fear of being judged for lacking faith have stopped me from writing about it until now. Despite working in the mental health field for 15 years prior to becoming …more

    Upper New York Conference welcomes Colleen Boyea

    May 2, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    In late January, Judy Campany left her role with Upper New York as Administrative Assistant for Connectional Ministries and Vital Congregations. Shortly after a search was engaged, applications gathered, and interviews shared. On May 1, Colleen Boyea joined the staff as Administrative Assistant for Missional Excellence. She will support the Director of Missional Excellence, the Director of Missional Engagement, Director of Spiritual Vitality, and the Director of New Faith Communities. Also …more

    Children learning how to love themselves and others at Watertown First UMC

    April 27, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor’s Note: A Little Child Will Lead Us is a recipient of a $2,500 Everyday Disaster grant from the Upper New York Conference’s Mission Central HUB. As one mother stated, this ministry has healed many children from underprivileged backgrounds and has helped them blossom. There are many theories as to why children are no longer in our churches, especially our smaller churches. Some say that kids are …more

    The means of grace through coming to the Lord’s table

    April 25, 2023 / By Pastor Daniel J. Bradley, Faith Journey United Methodist Church

    It’s inborn in our humanity—the need to connect with people, places, and things. We have the desire to be more than we are as human beings.  This can be a good thing or bad, depending on your perspective.  Bishop Al Wesley Goodwin said, “We are not human beings having a supernatural experience. We are supernatural beings having a human experience.” Let that …more

    Nueva Cosecha offers hope for immigrants

    April 17, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Jouse Gonzalez, who served as the translator for interviews needed for this article. Intense, passionate words of praise from Pastor Antonio Gonzalez echoed through the gymnasium of Utica’s Neighborhood Center on Palm Sunday, thanking Jesus for his love and grace, and hollering that love is always the answer. The 25 congregants applauded Pastor Gonzalez consistently throughout the service. They were inspired. The 10 …more

    Easter message from Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

    April 9, 2023 / By Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

    Editor's note: The following message was sent electronically on April 9, 2023 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez to United Methoidsts of Upper New York. “The angel said to the women, 'Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn't here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said …more

    Staying Connected Part II—Living our Baptismal Covenant

    March 30, 2023 / By Daniel J. Bradley, Pastor at Faith Journey UMC

    Editor’s Note: The following is the second part of an essay written by Pastor Daniel Bradley about why it is essential in this season of renewal to connect with Christ and the Church. Click here to read Part I. The Baptism vows that my parents took for me when I was an infant were confirmed when I made my public declaration of faith when I was 13. They have …more

    Being a church home, finding a church home

    March 29, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    This is a challenging season for the United Methodist Church (UMC)—some churches throughout the denomination are disaffiliating. In the Upper New York (UNY) Conference, 26 local churches have disaffiliated since October 2022 and dozens more are exploring the disaffiliation option. If you are a local church that is not disaffiliating, consider welcoming members from disaffiliating churches who would like to remain United Methodist. Here are some tips for welcoming new …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."