News Stories from February 2024

Beyond Borders: Watertown First UMC’s Mission of Hope in Zimbabwe

February 29, 2024 / By Kevin Miller, Multimedia Content Creator / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

In Zimbabwe, the life of a young boy named Edward Dingadade took a transformative turn, fueled by the kindness of a community thousands of miles away. This story, woven with threads of empathy and global unity, originates not directly from Edward, but from the compassionate individuals at the Watertown First United Methodist Church. Touched by the struggles faced by AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, they made a commitment to fund the …more

District Days shed hope on the future

February 27, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

There is nothing like being able to gather to worship, engage in meaningful conversations, and enjoy fellowship with other Christians.  This winter, United Methodists of Upper New York have had the chance to connect beyond their local churches through District Days. Since the beginning of February, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez has been traveling throughout Upper New York, meeting with both clergy and laity, …more

From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: Three District Superintendent appointments extended

February 26, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editor's Note: The following was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor on Feb. 26, 2024. Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,  I am pleased to announce the extension of three District Superintendents appointments for 2024-25.   The Reverend Mike Weeden is being extended to an eighth year as Conference Superintendent assigned to the Northern Flow and Mohawk Districts.  …more

UNY Archives Hires Archives Assistant

February 22, 2024 / By Tara Barnes, UNY Commission on Archives and History member / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Upper New York Commission on Archives and History (UNYCAH) is excited to welcome Reilly Callahan as Archives Assistant to help with the important work of keeping the historical records of our churches. Reilly graduated summa cum laude in May 2023 from Syracuse University with a master’s degree in information studies. She worked as an archives intern at the university’s Special Collections Research Center and is a …more

From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: True Fasting During Lent

February 20, 2024 / 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 Tuesday, Feb. 20.  "…this is the kind of fast I choose...” Isaiah 58:5a  Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,  Lent is a time for followers of Christ to engage in self-examination, repentance, and deepening our …more

From the Desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: Local Church 2023 Year End Statistics – Important!

February 14, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editor’s note: The following electronic note was sent on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez to active pastors, current local church lay leaders, SPRC chairs, admin council chairs, and treasurers via email on Feb. 13.                            …more

Commentary: Peace with Justice resources

February 12, 2024 / By Rev. Gary Doupe, Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine-Israel / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Rev. Gary Doupe is a member of the Upper New York Task Force for Peace with Justice in Palestine-Israel. He wrote the following article to inform pastors and members of Upper New York congregations about materials recently placed on our task force web site, hoping to encourage and facilitate local church discussion programs on the crucial issues relating to peace in the Holy Land.    Images of …more

What to expect as we prepare for AC24

February 7, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Planning is underway for the 2024 Upper New York Annual Conference session, to be held May 30-June 1 at the SRC Arena, on the campus of Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.  Administrative team leaders met virtually last week to iron out details regarding the upcoming session. Participants included chairpersons from the Board of Pension and Health Benefits, Conference Finance and Administration, Commission on Equitable Compensation, Nominations, and Trustees working in conjunction …more

Address Racial Inequities through CCORR’s Ministry Action Teams

February 6, 2024 / By Georgia Whitney, CCORR Co-Convener / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Have you completed the Conference Commission on Religion and Race’s (CCORR) Imagine No Racism curriculum in the last few years? Have you wanted to be part of a team that is focused on engaging in direct action to address specific racial inequities in your community? If you’re committed to producing policy and/or community change, CCORR wants to help you achieve that goal.  Maybe you …more

Reflections on 2023 Cady Grants and new applications being accepted

February 2, 2024 / By Dr. Blenda Smith, Chair of the Cady Grant Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Each year, Cady Grants are awarded to projects and programs that seek to be used for the “benefit or education of minority groups, preferably black or American Indians,” as directed by Ercil Cady, the originator of the Ercil Cady Grant.  The committee is pleased to share an update on how the grants were used by the 2023 recipients:  Church in the Wild: As this New Faith …more