News Stories from May 2023
Bishop Héctor’s message to UNY as we prepare for AC2023
May 23, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez’s, latest video message to the Upper New York Conference, he explained that with the 2023 Annual Conference (AC2023) quickly approaching (June 1-3 at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse), United Methodists of Upper New York alike are called to engage in prayerful reflection, review essential materials, and prepare …more
Cady Grant Award recipients for 2023
May 23, 2023 / By Blenda Smith
Five Cady Grants have been awarded this year, totaling $20,000. Awardees have demonstrated creative ways to support, educate, and enhance the lives of African Americans and Native Americans and their unique cultural values. Music Educators Wind Ensemble is commissioning a Native American composer to write an original classical piece to honor and commemorate the International Wampum Exhibit at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, NY (March-September 2023). This exhibit is displaying 300-year-old …more
The Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo to lead a learning session at AC2023
May 22, 2023 / By UNY Communications
We are pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, the General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion & Race, will lead a learning session at the Upper New York 2023 Annual Conference being held on June 1-3 at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse. Rev. Dr. Arroyo’s session will take place at 9 a.m. on June 3. He will lead us in a conversation …more
Inclusion isn’t a dirty word
May 22, 2023 / By Pastor Daniel J. Bradley, Faith Journey United Methodist Church
“When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas, son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.” Acts 1:13-14 Some …more
Bishop Héctor meets with clergy discerning disaffiliation
May 22, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, via Zoom, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez met with over 50 clergy members seeking clarification about disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church (UMC). The purpose of the meeting was to provide information and support to clergy still discerning their next steps. The bishop emphasized that the meeting was not intended to be a theological debate and thanked …more
The Rev. Abigail Browka appointed as Director of New Faith Communities
May 17, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“New Faith Communities are the best way to reach new people in new places,” said Upper New York (UNY) Director of Missional Excellence, the Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens. The Rev. Dave Masland created a vibrant New Faith Communities (NFC) ministry area in Upper New York (UNY) beginning soon after the formation of the UNY Conference. He partially retired in December of 2020 and has been working “more than …more
Collections at the 2023 Upper New York Annual Conference
May 17, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At this year’s Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, held June 1-3, at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse, there will be three opportunities to give. During Opening Worship on June 1 at 10:30 a.m., there will be a collection for the UNY Mission Central HUB. The HUB is located at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool. It is a place for local churches to actively …more
Faith and my mental health journey
May 16, 2023 / By Rev. Tom LeBeau, pastor at Kidville Memorial and Mayville UMCs
I’ve written this in recognition of May, Mental Health Awareness Month. Someone I trust, my spiritual director, told me I have a sacred wound. He encouraged me to write about it. It is a major depressive disorder. Shame, pride and fear of being judged for lacking faith have stopped me from writing about it until now. Despite working in the mental health field for 15 years prior to becoming …more
2023 Annual Conference to offer onsite registration with a late fee
May 15, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Registration for the 2023 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference, to be held June 1-3, at Onondaga Community College’s SRC Arena in Syracuse, closed on April 30. There is a lot of work that happens behind-the scenes among the UNY staff to make the registration process smooth and easy-to-understand. For those who registered (over 900 of you), we thank you! Because the Book of Discipline ensures all voting members have the …more
New York releases revised Sexual Harassment Prevention Model policy and training
May 15, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist
The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), in consultation with the New York State Division of Human Rights, recently released a revised sexual harassment model policy. At the same time, the DOL released a revised model sexual harassment prevention training, which includes changes similar to those made to the policy. The Model Policy The updated model policy follows NYSDOL’s quadrennial obligation to evaluate the impact of the …more