about

Meet the Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference

Click here to view the most up-to-date list of clergy and laity delegates in order of election. 

General Conference

Carmen FS Vianese (First Elect, Head of Delegation)

Local church: Nunda UMC
Spiritual home: The swing-set behind my parents house - where I would swing and sing and talk with God for hours and hours....
Favorite ice cream flavor: Choc. Peanut Butter
Preferred morning beverage: Coffee = Hot - 1/2 Reg & 1/2 Decaf with Cream
Little known fact: I won an "all paid tuition" to the NYC School of Music for Vocals & Theater - but turned it down so that I could spend my senior year of high school at home with my classmates @ KCS in Nunda.
Guiding scripture: Micah 6:8 ,  Jeremiah 29: 11 - 13 & Philippians 4 : 4 - 9
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: Paragraph 166 = VII. Our Social Creed
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: My heart is pulled in two directions = Lay Servant Ministries & Mission/Justice work through United Women in Faith (UMF) & Global Ministries
Call to serve as a delegate: There is much work to be done and I am hopeful that we have a chance to be the United Methodist Church we have the potential of becoming! A church that’s doctrine and discipline truly supports their moto of “open hearts and open doors” for ALL of God’s beloved children.

Rev. Bill Mudge (First Elect)

Local church: Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church
Spiritual home: In silence and solitude
Favorite ice cream flavor: Vanilla - all others are additives
Preferred morning beverage: Buckets of Hot Dark Black Coffee
Little known fact: I can whistle louder than you!
Guiding scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: paragraph 120
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: I love to preach.
Call to serve as a delegate: We are on the edge of the most important decisions of the UMC in this generation. I offered myself for service, and I am honored to serve my family in the United Methodist Church.

Ian Urriola

Local church: Asbury First UMC
Spiritual home: The Kay Spiritual Life Center at American University
Favorite ice cream flavor: Abbott's Chocolate Almond Frozen Custard
Preferred morning beverage: Coffee. Strong, black coffee.
Little known fact: My first job was a little league umpire.
Guiding scripture: Philippians 2:4-8
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: "228.2c: The pastor, along with other adult workers with youth and young adults in the local church and beyond (634.4c[4]), shall disseminate information about United Methodist-related Campus Ministry to college/university students or potential college/university students who are baptized members, professing members, or other constituents of the congregation. They shall also nurture, counsel and guide young people as they explore United Methodist and non-United Methodist colleges and universities and non-college vocation options in light of their faith."
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Ministry with young people
Call to serve as a delegate: Reflect the light and love of Jesus Christ so that disciples are made and the world may be transformed, same as my call to everything else.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II

Local church: Asbury First UMC
Spiritual home: During camps and on trips with youth.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Preferred morning beverage: Water
Little known fact: I can sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" backwards.
Guiding scripture: John 10:10b
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: 166
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Church renewal
Call to serve as a delegate: Everything lastingly good in my life has come from the Methodist church-my sense of hope, my sense of call, my sense of justice, my sense of humor (such as it is). Virtually none of my peers can say the same thing, largely (though not exclusively) because they have been turned off by the treatment of our LGBTQ+ siblings.  This next General Conference will shape the future of the Methodist movement and I want to help ensure a Church where all are welcome and more are able to hear the good news of God’s grace.

Marthalyn Sweet

Local church: Gouverneur First UMC
Spiritual home: Sky Lake
Favorite ice cream flavor: Glampfire S'mores by Ben and Jerry
Preferred morning beverage: Coffee with a generous amount of cream
Little known fact: I only write in cursive.
Guiding scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-10, Micah 6:8
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: ¶1114 Stewardship and ¶166 The Social Creed
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Camping ministry and community building
Call to serve as a delegate: I feel called to serve because we are capable of being a church that is more just than our current reality. We are called to make ourselves and our Methodist intuition more perfect by reflecting the love of Christ, seeking justice, and being in ministry with all peoples. I don’t think it’s uncommon for God to move faster than us, but I for one would like to make up some ground.

Rev. Beckie Sweet

Local church: Ithaca: St. Paul's UMC 
Spiritual home: St. Lawrence River and Sky Lake
Favorite ice cream flavor: Perry's Cinnamon Stick and Maple Walnut
Preferred morning beverage: Coffee with sweet cream
Little known fact: I have a cuddly  English Angora Rabbit named Gabriel!
Guiding scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: The conclusion of Paragraph 102.
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Developing the "culture of the call," and helping all believers to develop to their created potential as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Call to serve as a delegate: I am called to help the UMC develop a more just ministry of welcoming and nurture that offers full and equitable opportunities for ministry to and with all persons, particularly our LGBTQIA siblings. 

Samuel Smith

Local church: First UMC Delmar
Spiritual home: Downtown Albany
Favorite ice cream flavor: Stewart’s Mint Cookie Crumble
Preferred morning beverage: Iced chai latte with oat milk
Little known fact: In high school, I served two terms as president of the Biology Club.
Guiding scripture: Matthew 25:40
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: 
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: I love to preach and teach, but anything that brings people together in authentic, intentional community gives my soul purpose.
Call to serve as a delegate: My call to serve as a delegate is rooted in a desire to build a church that is fully inclusive and to reclaim our roots as Methodists. In the midst of growing polarization, a crisis of loneliness, and world yearning to be set free, the Methodist movement can and must carry out the work that builds the Kingdom of God. Serving as a delegate is one way in which I take part in this work.

Rev. Rachel Dupont

Local church: Asbury First UMC
Spiritual home: Wherever I'm called to be!
Favorite ice cream flavor: Coffee
Preferred morning beverage: Coffee (all day, coffee)
Little known fact: I helped lead our seminary intramural volleyball team (the Union Heretics) to the championship title for the Columbia Grad-School league.
Guiding scripture: Isaiah 40
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: 163, The Economic Community
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Any way we can work together to live in a way that reflects our values and faith in Christ. This happens a lot with administration, worship leadership, and spiritual direction. Moving on to perfection!
Call to serve as a delegate: I hope to use the gifts that I have been given and the skills I have developed to be a useful and helpful delegate.

Melysa Acevedo-Torres 

Local church: Christ Church Troy
Spiritual home: Sunsets with a view
Favorite ice cream flavor: Ben and Jerry's Half-Baked
Preferred morning beverage: Coffee, light and sweet
Little known fact: I love to race go-karts but I can't drive a real car.
Guiding scripture: Micah 6:8
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: 131: The Unity of Ministry in Christ
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: I think it's crucial to make theology and ethics accessible to everyone- I love engaging people and helping them learn something new.
Call to serve as a delegate: I want to exercise my ability to approach strangers and participate in community with them, even if we don't see eye-to-eye on everything. I want to experience Christian community on a larger scale than I ever have before, and I hope I can help other people do the same.

Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost 

Local church: Asbury First UMC
Spiritual home: My faith has always grown the most in community. My grandmother's church first taught me what it was to have and to be in a family of faith (in the best sense). I feel most connected to God through other people.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Mint chocolate chip, though a black cherry/chocolate chunk in a vanilla base has my attention this summer.
Preferred morning beverage: My chai (tea) latte
Little known fact: My bucket list dream is to own and pilot a hot air balloon.
Guiding scripture: Acts 2, the story of the birth of the church
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: It's such an odd question. I'd say any paragraph that affirms inclusion and embrace of all persons; likely that means (most of) the Social Principles paragraphs.
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Building community; matching people's gifts and graces with their passions and the needs of the world; connecting persons across the Connection; helping people discover a relationship with God.
Call to serve as a delegate: My call is as it has been for General Conference: to seek the best the UMC can be, realizing the potential God has placed in God's people, even through an institution. My place in that is to remind us of the power of the Holy Spirit to heal hearts and change outcomes while disrupting institutional comfort, moribund structure, and the notion that we are personally helpless to do anything.

Jurisdictional Conference

Rachel Giso 

Local church: First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush
Spiritual home: Wherever I am I feel connected to God, but my very early years at Avon UMC formed my faith. Those days at Potsdam UMC sustained my faith, while my short time at Mary Taylor Memorial UMC reformed my faith. The Devine intervention in the desert of Arizona brought me back to the path, and all the time in the Adirondacks provides me the freedom to connect with God in the most natural way. It is the many years at FUMC East Greenbush where my leadership skills have developed, and it is my desire to continue to refine those skills in The United Methodist Church.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Peanut Butter Cup
Preferred morning beverage: Coffee is a must for me, but always after a glass of water.
Little known fact: I am a member of the Adirondack 46er club.
Guiding scripture: Proverbs 22: 6 & Mark 12: 30 & 31
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: Paragraph 124: Our Mission in the World
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: As a teacher, a former Youth Group advisor and director of Vacation Bible School, I am very passionate about children and youth ministries. I also feel called to be an advocate for young adults by serving as a bridge for all generations.
Call to serve as a delegate: Much like the message our bishop shared at Annual Conference 2019, I reacted at first to this call as the child on the grocery store floor with arms crossed, answering with a defiant "No!" Even when my pastor, playing the role of the well-intended bystander trying to help the caregiver, urged me to complete the nomination process, I still resisted. It was the story of a fellow church member, who served as a delegate years ago, that coaxed me to step out of the boat. Confidant in Jesus and trusting in the plans God has for our church, knowing the Holy Spirit is with us for every step, I am honored to be a part of this team serving as an alternate with my prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.

Rev. Drew Sperry

Local church: Calvary UMC in Latham
Spiritual home: Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and Cream
Preferred morning beverage: COFFEE!
Little known fact: I do not like chocolate.
Guiding scripture: 1 John 4:19 "We love because God first loved us."
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: Paragraph #102
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: I am most passionate about sharing God's love and connecting people with Christ, whether it be through preaching, teaching, visiting, or serving. I believe by helping others discover a relationship with Christ that their lives are transformed by God's love, and witnessing this transformation is the most fulfilling aspect of ministry.
Call to serve as a delegate: Throughout my life I have felt God's call into different forms of service, most recently I felt a calling to serve UNYAC as a delegate in 2020. I hope for the work done in 2020 to help lead our church into the future, together, so that we can fully express the love of God with our world. And to ensure that God's church as expressed in the uniqueness of United Methodist traditions continues, and evolves to better reflect the inclusive love of Christ for all people.

Kenneth Guilfoyle

Local church: Assigned as CLM and serving United Church of Canastota & Stockbridge UMC in the Oneonta District 
Spiritual home: Oneida First UMC in the Mohawk District 
Favorite ice cream flavor: Maple Walnut
Preferred morning beverage: Orange juice/coffee
Little known fact: I own a Classic 1992 Red Mustang Convertible.
Guiding scripture: Joshua 1:9  
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: Para 266: 2
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Mission Centered Evangelism on a daily basis
Call to serve as a delegate: I felt a need to step outside my comfort zone and advocate for my beliefs as an active member of the United Methodist laity.

Rev. Rebecca Laird

Local church: Asbury First UMC
Spiritual home: Casowasco
Favorite ice cream flavor: Bittersweet Symphony
Preferred morning beverage: Iced decaf coffee with cream
Little known fact: I played accordion when I was in elementary school.
Guiding scripture: Micah 6:8
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: I do not have one.
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Meeting people where they are/gather outside of the church walls.
Call to serve as a delegate: “Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, belonging is having that voice be heard” ~ Anonymous. My call to serve as a delegate in 2020 is summed up in that quote. It’s a call to help make room at the table for a truly diverse body of Christ and to help us move from just diversity and tokenism to inclusion and belonging.

Emma Scavo

Local Church: Center Brunswick UMC
Spiritual home: Casowasco
Favorite Ice cream: Chocolate Marshmallow  
Preferred Morning Beverage: Caramel Iced coffee
Little known fact: I can recite all 50 states in 30 seconds 
Guiding Scripture: John 16:33
Favorite paragraph of discipline: I don't have one yet
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: Youth/ camp ministries 
Call to serve as a delegate: I feel called to serve as a delegate because I want young adults to have welcoming experiences entering the UMC. I believe representation is important, especially to those who may feel as though their voice would not be heard. I am called to this because I can help the younger generation know that there is a place for them where they can both gain insight and be seen for who they are. 

Rev. Dr. Bill Allen (clergy reserve delegate)

Local church: Canandaigua UMC
Spiritual home: Houghton Wesleyan Church
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate Panda Paws
Preferred morning beverage: Orange Juice
Little known fact: I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 1990.
Guiding scripture: Luke 9:23 - Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2 Timothy 2:2 - And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: ¶ 120. The Mission—The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches and extension ministries of the Church provide the most significant arenas through which disciple-making occurs.
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: I am passionate about inspiring the local church to embrace fully its core task of discipleship. Because the Kingdom of God (the rule and reign of God) is of ultimate importance, we are called to help people enter that Kingdom by starting a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are also called to apprentice these new Christians until they become mature in their faith and are trained, motivated, and empowered to reach out and apprentice more people into this justifying and sanctifying relationship with God.
Call to serve as a delegate: I am called to be a peacemaker between various theological camps. All voices must be heard and respected. I will work hard to listen and share with dignity and grace. I will also do all I can to promote a healthy, biblical future for the UMC.

Rev. Harold Wheat 

Local church: Serving Nimmonsburg UMC in Binghamton
Spiritual home: United Methodist Mission Intern Program (GBGM)
Favorite ice cream flavor: Vanilla Peanut Butter (Soy)
Preferred morning beverage: Tea, Earl Grey
Little known fact: The first canoe I built sunk like a stone. 
Guiding scripture: Mark 12:30-31
Favorite paragraph of the discipline: Paragraph 105 "Our theological task is both critical and constructive."
Area of ministry that is most fulfilling: It is a privilege to witness people wrestling with the big questions of faith and growing in maturity. Accompanying people in Bible Study, worship, and mission is helps me feel a sense that I am fulfilling my own call to ministry.
Call to serve as a delegate: I experienced a nagging sense of spiritual unease whenever I distanced myself from the intention to put my name forward. Having been elected to serve as an alternate for the Jurisdictional Conference team, I feel that God is calling me to be present in the conversations and to focus on prayer for the team and the conference.