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2026 Open Churches

During the regular appointment season (January to May), the cabinet will post a list of open churches under consideration on Wednesdays on the Conference website.

Clergy interested in being considered for one of these churches are to inform the episcopal office exclusively via email at bishopsoffice@unyumc.org by Thursday at 3 p.m. and share why you believe you would serve the congregation well. The appointive cabinet will prayerfully consider these requests during their discernment process.

Clergy communicating their interest in a church actively being considered by the cabinet,

Must understand that requesting to be considered for an appointment is strictly advisory and does not guarantee you will be considered or appointed to the open church.
Cannot, in any way, communicate with the members or the pastor of the open church to advocate on their behalf.
Can be assured that their request to the cabinet will remain confidential, will not affect their current appointment, and will not be shared with your current church’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC).
Clergy from other conferences must notify their resident bishop and district superintendent before inquiring or expressing interest in an open church.

Reconsiderations

Pastors and congregations may ask for reconsideration of an introduced appointment for missional reasons (serious concerns about the pastor’s or congregation’s ability to contextually spread personal and social holiness and lead the congregation in nurturing the five core ministries of worship, evangelism, faith formation, hands-on missions, and generosity). The following will not be considered: race, ethnic origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, age, or educational achievement of a pastor or congregation, as well as the location and size of a congregation.

A pastor may request reconsideration by emailing their superintendent within 24 hours of being notified of the new appointment. A Staff Parish Relations Committee may request reconsideration by expressing their concerns at the introduction of the new pastor and then sending an email to their superintendent within 24 hours following the SPRC's introductory meeting with the new pastor. The email must identify the perceived missional reasons the appointment will inhibit the spreading of personal and social holiness and nurturing of new disciples in the community for the transformation of the world. Based on the pastor's reflections and prayer, the staff parish relations committee, and the superintendents, the bishop will decide on a request for reconsideration no later than 10 days after receiving it.

The UNY Appointive Cabinet is currently considering part time appointments for the following churches:

Adirondack District

Albany District

Cornerstone District

Crossroads District

Finger Lakes District

Genesee Valley District

Mohawk District

Mountain View District

Niagara Frontier District

Northern Flow District

Oneonta District

The UNY Appointive Cabinet is currently considering full time appointments for the following churches: