News Stories from July 2023

Updated Form I-9 effective August 1, 2023

July 28, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist

On Aug. 1, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will publish a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (PDF, 899.28 KB). Employers may continue to use the older Form I-9 (Rev. 10/21/19) through Oct. 31, 2023. After that date, employers will be subject to penalties if they use the older form. The new version will not be available for downloading until Aug. 1.   The U.S. Department …more

Operation: Home Repair, a success

July 27, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Seventy-three-year-old Shirley Slater has spent over half her life in what was once a humble one-room schoolhouse, nestled in Schoharie County. Despite the house showing signs of wear, Shirley cherishes her home and diligently searches for grants to support its upkeep. After three persistent attempts, her optimism paid off when she recently secured a New York State grant for weatherization. Last spring, during a fierce thunderstorm, one of Shirley's …more

Service Information for Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

July 21, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editor's Note: The following email was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on July 21, 2023. Since distribution of this email, we have learned the service will begin at 11 a.m. and will be livestreamed.  The following was sent on behalf of Bishop Devadhar's family on August 7, 2023: My family and I offer our …more

From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez - Notice of Passing - Bishop Devadhar

July 19, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editor's Note: The following email was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on July 19, 2023. The following was sent on behalf of Bishop Devadhar's family on August 7, 2023: My family and I offer our deepest thanks to you for your warm expressions of sympathy after the unexpected passing of Suda. The outpouring of …more

Help for churches and communities experiencing natural disasters

July 17, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

As you may have seen in recent news broadcasts, severe flooding has impacted much of the Northeast, including the Long Lake area in the Adirondack District. Last December, a brutal winter blizzard devastated Buffalo and churches in the Niagara Frontier District.   United Methodists of Upper New York can help when your church or community is impacted by a natural disaster! There is a simple protocol to follow in these …more

From refugee to homeowner: The power of mission work

July 17, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editor's Note: Walt Mathias,  member of Honeoye Falls UMC; Leon Perkins, member of Rush UMC; and Peter Baldwin and Jim Kanaleyof Iona UMC received a $2,500 Everyday Disaster grant from the United Methodists of Upper New York Missional Engagement Ministry Area for their carpentry work in the homes of refugees in the Rochester area. Ahmad Ibrahimi is one of the refugees they have helped. His …more

Human Resources legal updates

July 7, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist

Pregnant worker fairness The federal government has passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), went into effect on June 27, 2023. This law requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to workers for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, absent an undue hardship to the employer. Although the language of the Act is similar to that of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations under the PWFA are available to pregnant workers …more

From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez - 2023 Church Conference Season

July 6, 2023 / By Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

Editor's Note: The following letter was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on July 6, 2023 Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,  Grace and peace from our Savior and Friend, Jesus Christ, be with you.   I thank God for the warmer temperatures and longer days as we enter summer. I also thank congregations for hosting children and youth through their summer programs (VBS, Movie Nights, …more

Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo engages AC2023 in a conversation about intercultural discipleship

July 5, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

On June 3, at the 2023 Annual Conference for United Methodists of Upper New York, held at Onondaga Community College‘s SRC Arena in Syracuse, the Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, the General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), led a thought-provoking and engaging learning session on intercultural discipleship. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, explained the role of …more

Oswego: Trinity UMC hosts youth cyclists traveling from Indiana to Maine

July 1, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Rev. Steven Eddy, pastor of Oswego: Trinity UMC, received an email earlier this year that was sent to a large group of pastors. It was from Norm Houze, founder, tour director, and on-road supervisor for deCycles, an ecumenical youth and young adult cycling ministry. Rev. Eddy said, “Norm was seeking places for his cyclists to stay on their 1,500-mile bike trip this summer." I thought, "Our church is …more