ministries

Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM)

Conference Council on Youth Ministries

The Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) is a team comprised of youth from throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. With the support and guidance of adult coordinators, youth work with a team to design and lead events that bring together youth from UNY and other surrounding areas. Youth often grow in their faith, learn to be leaders, and guide other youth through their personal spiritual journey. 

This group of young people in grades 7-12 have the opportunity to express themselves, make new friends, and talk openly about God's love. They are welcomed with open arms, accepted, and loved. Not only are they a leadership team, but a family joined by the everlasting bonds of friendship.

Vision and Mission of the UNY CCYM – Collaborating with youth to experience and share God’s unconditional love.

Purpose of the UNY CCYM – To grow in our relationship with God by following Jesus; equipping, engaging and empowering youth in ministries; encouraging and developing youth leadership built upon the vision of Christ and building relationships with all our neighbors in the global community.

Adults working with the UNY CCYM –

You can connect with all of the adult co-coordinators by emailing youth@unyumc.org or email them individually at the addresses below. 

Rev. Gregg Stierheim: pastorgreggumc@gmail.com                   
Rev. Tony Hipes: tjhipes@gmail.com                           
Laura Clark: llc129@yahoo.com

To apply for a position on CCYM, scan the QR code which will take you to our online application. 

The UNY CCYM is a diverse community of youth and adults. We are currently looking for youth representation from all of our districts. Adults looking to work with the UNY CCYM should contact one of the adults above.

Upcoming Event: Change the World weekend

Change the World weekend is an event organized by CCYM in order to increase connectivity and youth involvement in missions. If you are interested in participating you can join us at Skye Farm or Asbury Retreat Center on May 17th at 9 a.m. There will be CCYM representatives at both sites to lead all attendees in a morning devotion and a closing worship! If attending Skye Farm, churches will be required to provide their own lunches, if attending Asbury, lunch will be provided for participants. To register contact lclark@fumceg.org or tjhipes@gmail.com. Please register by Monday, May 12. If your church is not able to attend either camp, the youth in your church can plan a mission to be done in your community. If you plan your own mission please share your stories by emailing them to lclark@fumceg.org or tjhipes@gmail.com.

Upcoming Event |  Salt of the Earth Missions: Walk on Water

Salt of the Earth Missions: Walk on Water
July 31, 2025 — August 3, 2025
Location: Watertown: First UMC
Contact: saltofearthmissions@gmail.com  
More Information and Registration: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/CCYM/event/walkonwater/
Cost: $100/youth and $75/adult leader

Salt of the Earth Missions: Walk on Water is an exciting opportunity for youth, who have completed grades 6-12, to spend intentional time together this summer serving, learning, and growing in their relationship with God and others. 

Adult chaperones for each group are fully responsible for the youth they are bringing to the event. This includes behavior, maintaining your church's Safe Sanctuary policies, supervision, and transportation throughout the weekend. All programmatic elements - service opportunities, food, fun, worship, and sleeping arrangements - will be provided by CCYM and Upper New York Missional Engagement.