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ABOUT US

The Upper New York Conference is part of the Susquehanna & Upper New York Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church. In 2026, the Upper New York Annual Conference adopted a Spirit-led Strategic Visioning and Planning Process, establishing a shared framework to guide the conference's ministries, priorities, and faithful witness in the years ahead.

OVER

100K

LAITY MEMBERS
 

OVER

900

CLERGY MEMBERS

OVER

620

LOCAL CHURCHES
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OUR BISHOP

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez has been serving as resident bishop for United Methodists of Upper New York since January 1, 2023. He is the first Hispanic-Latino bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdiction and the first Puerto Rican bishop in The United Methodist Church.​

The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who empowered by the Holy Spirit: 

LOVE
BOLDLY

Passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life. (Inspired by Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35)

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SERVE
JOYFULLY

With a Christ-like heart, journey alongside the most vulnerable, offering care and compassion with joy. (Inspired by Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, John 13:14-15 and 1 Peter 4:10)

​

LEAD
COURAGEOUSLY

Follow Jesus’ example by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice and reconciliation. (Inspired by Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10)

Visioning Taskforce

MISSION & VISION STRATEGY OVERVIEW

The Strategic Missional Path Forward was affirmed by the 2026 Upper New York Annual Conference to help guide the church into the future. These four initiatives respond to the changing needs of congregations and communities while keeping the conference’s mission at the center. They offer a clear direction while encouraging creativity, experimentation, and learning along the way.

  • Support networks of congregations that share leadership, resources, ministry, and mission through Collaborative Parish Development.

  • Support faithful transitions, mergers, adaptive reuse, and new models of ministry through Congregational Sustainability.

  • Help congregations become places where neighbors experience belonging and meaningful connection through Community Engagement & Partnerships.

  • Cultivate and equip emerging leaders, lay ministers, young adults, and bi-vocational clergy through Next Generation Leadership Development.

Visioning Taskforce

THE MINISTRY ACTION PLAN WILL INCLUDE:

  • Vision statement

  • Core values

  • Cultural shifts needed

  • Structural adaptations needed

  • Missional strategic direction with appropriate goals, objectives, and actionable strategies for the next three to five years.

  • Ensure alignment with the mission, vision, doctrine, and polity of The United Methodist Church.

VISIONING TASK FORCE TEAM

Serving on behalf of the Conference Leadership Team, this group is listening deeply to the voices across the conference and to the movement of the Holy Spirit. 

Jessica White

Laity

Tara Barnes

Laity

Robyn Vernon

Laity 

Valarie Clark

Laity 

Rev. Teressa Sivers

Clergy 

Dr. Scott Johnson

Clergy 

Rev. Matthew French

Clergy 

Rev. Casey Bradley

Clergy 

Rev. Jongdeok Park

Clergy 

Rev. Andrew Sperry

Clergy 

Rev. Richelle Goff

Clergy 

Weekly Digest

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

The Weekly Digest is sent electronically every Wednesday and  contains a round-up of conference news, information, and resources. It features articles and/or videos highlighting different churches and ministries, announcements, including any new appointments, resources, and information from around the connection.

UNY Newsletter

SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL NOTES

UNY Notes are simple text-based emails that immediately alert you to important news and events of the Upper New York Conference. UNY Notes are targeted email blasts. You can receive emails from all categories or just those that interest you. 

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