News Stories from April 2023
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
Laity invited to self-nominate for two lay vacancies for the 2024 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference
April 25, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York (UNY) Conference elects delegates for the Northeastern Jurisdictional (NEJ) Conference and the General Conference the year prior to each General Conference, which ordinarily takes place every four years. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 General Conference was postponed twice and is now slotted for 2024. Due to the unprecedented length between General Conferences, the United Methodist Judicial Council will be allowing conferences to fill delegate vacancies. …more
New District Superintendent structure for Upper New York
April 25, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez previously announced, the UNY Conference will switch from nine District Superintendents to six District Superintendents (DS) effective July 1, 2023. On June 30, 2023, the current Crossroads and Finger Lakes District Superintendent, the Rev. Nola Anderson; Mohawk District Superintendent, the Rev. Abel Roy; and the Rev. Ted Anderson, who has been serving as Interim District Superintendent …more
2023 Annual Conference registration extended to April 30, 2023
April 25, 2023 / By Bishop Hector A. Burgos Nunez
Editor's Note: On April 25, 2023, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, sent the following letter to the Upper New York Conference. Dear clergy and laity members of UNY, Grace and peace from our Savior and friend, Jesus Christ, be with you. United Methodists of Upper New York will gather in person for the 2023 Annual Conference session in just over a …more
The Rev. Nola Anderson will be this year’s Memorial Service speaker
April 25, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
We are thrilled to announce that the Rev. Nola Anderson, District Superintendent of the Crossroads and Finger Lakes districts will be the speaker for the Memorial Service at the 2023 Annual Conference Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. on June 2, 2023, at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse, NY.At each Annual Conference, the Memorial Service honors clergy and clergy spouses, as well as Upper New York members who have …more
Speakers announced for the 2023 Annual Conference
April 18, 2023 / By UNY Communications
The 2023 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference will be held June 1-3 at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse. In addition to the business of Annual Conference, there will be uplifting times of worship and great learning sessions! On June 1, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, will deliver the Opening Worship message at 10:30 a.m. and the …more
Blueprint for Wellness screenings at UNY Annual Conference
April 18, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Wespath Benefits and Investments have again teamed up with Quest Diagnostics to offer "Blueprint for Wellness," a free health screening program for eligible participants* in the Upper New York Conference. Quest Diagnostics will be at the Upper New York Annual Conference event at Onondaga Community College (SRC Arena/Allyn Hall Room A182) on Thursday, June 1, 2023, and Friday, June 2, 2023, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The Blueprint for Wellness (BFW) …more
What is the Doctrine of Discovery: an anti-Christian theology of “chosenness”
April 17, 2023 / By UNY Taskforce for Palestine-Israel
The Papal Bull "Inter Caetera," issued by Pope Alexander VI on May 4, 1493, played a central role in the Spanish conquest of the New World. The Bull stated that any land not inhabited by Christians was available to be "discovered," claimed, and exploited by Christian rulers and declared that "the Catholic faith and the Christian religion be exalted and be everywhere increased and spread, that the health of souls be cared …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