News Stories from December 2024
Council of Bishops’ pastoral letter addressing the plight of migrants, immigrants, and refugees
December 31, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The Council of Bishops released the following Pastoral Letter on immigration on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, to be shared on Epiphany Sunday, January 5, 2025. The letter invites United Methodist congregations to reflect on the challenges faced by migrants, immigrants, and refugees and reaffirms the Church’s commitment to embody love and resist injustice. This message is available in four languages—English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese&mdash …more
Christmas message from Bishop Héctor
December 23, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following Christmas message was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on Monday, December 23, 2024 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" Luke 2:10 Dear siblings in Christ, The birth of Jesus is the ultimate reason for joy, …more
Council of Bishops seek prayer following violence in Nigeria aimed at UMC
December 17, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The Council of Bishops released the following statement on Monday, December 16, 2024 in response to violence in Nigeria targeting the Bwoi United Methodist Church. Click here to download a PDF of the statement. To the people of the United Methodist Church: Grace and Peace from Jesus Christ, God's only begotten, our savior and Prince of Peace. In this season of Advent, The Council of …more
Upper New York Early Response Team deployed to serve in Hurricane Helene clean-up
December 16, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
With the sound of chainsaws ripping through fallen trees and broken tree limbs, an Early Response Team (ERT) can be seen clearing brush and debris from homes affected by Hurricane Helene in Augusta, Georgia. “There’s a lot of work to do so let’s get to it!,” exclaimed Mark Stengel, volunteer from the Cal-PAC Conference. At the start of Advent, a team of six volunteers …more
From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: Announcement of new district superintendents
December 15, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following message was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on Sunday, December 15, 2024. “…Christ gave gifts to some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God’s people. Christ …more
Council of Bishops’ 2024 Advent and Christmas Message
December 13, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following message was published on Friday, December 13 on behalf of Bishop Tracy S. Malone, Council of Bishops President of The United Methodist Church. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a …more
Commentary: Caring for creation while tackling food inflation
December 13, 2024 / By Dr. Andrew Hartley, UNY Creation Justice Chair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following commentary was written by Dr. Andrew Hartley on behalf of the UNY Creation Care Ministry. The views expressed in this article are of the UNY Creation Care Ministry, and not of Bishop Burgos Núñez or any Upper New York staff member. Before Thanksgiving, as our congregation’s team began packing food bags for a local food pantry, our Deacon, the Rev. …more
Upper New York helps bring Christmas miracles to Red Bird Mission
December 10, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Every Christmas season, Red Bird Mission in Kentucky becomes a center of generosity and compassion, uniting people from across the country to bring holiday cheer to families in need. Volunteers and church groups, including those from Upper New York, work tirelessly to provide gifts, food, and a message of hope that embodies the spirit of the season. Their collective efforts create lasting moments of joy for children and their families, …more
From the desk of Bishop Héctor: Advent Message: The Path to Peace
December 10, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following Advent message was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. “Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” Isaiah 2:5 Dear siblings in Christ, During the Advent season, we are given a special time to reflect on the …more
A harvest of riches at Ithaca St. Paul’s UMC
December 9, 2024 / By Karen Kaufmann, member at Ithaca St. Paul UMC / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At the heart of the harvest season and the end of the liturgical year, Ithaca St. Paul’s UMC welcomed a new-member cohort of eleven gifted and generous souls—the largest membership cohort our congregation has received in at least five years. The group ranges in ages, stages, church background, and life experience—from high-schoolers to retirees, from longtime United Methodists and transfers from …more