News Stories from March 2026

From the Desk of Bishop Burgos: Clarifying the Decision Regarding Casowasco

March 12, 2026 / 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 Thursday, March 12 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez following up on last week's announcement regarding the closure of Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. Since the announcement of the closure of Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center on March 5, we have heard from …more

Apply now for the Lottie Brown Scholarship

March 11, 2026 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Each year, the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference College Scholarships Committee offers Lottie Brown Scholarships to undergraduate students who are intending to enter a career in Christian service. The scholarship enables young people to fulfill the path God is calling them to take. Applicants must be an active, full member of a United Methodist Church within the UNY Conference for at least one year prior to applying, must be …more

A Call to Prayer, Reflection, and Faithful Witness

March 10, 2026 / By Rev. Alan Kinney, UNY Social Holiness Team Chair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

As United Methodists, we share a long and faithful tradition of witnessing to the presence of God in our midst and responding to Christ’s call to work for peace and justice in the world. At times, this witness calls us toprayer, reflection, and action in moments that are complex and difficult.  Recent acts of war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran remind us of the …more

2026 Annual Conference MEM Grant and RELC Grants available

March 6, 2026 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The General Board of Global Ministries Annual Conference Multiethnic Ministries Grant and the Racial/Ethnic Local Church Grant applications are open until March 31. This year, all grant applications are online.   Annual Conference Multiethnic Ministries Grant ($20,000) – Up to 5 Grants Available   Multiethnic Ministries (MEM) grants are provided to assist annual conferences with conference-wide programs focusing on racial/ethnic leadership development and racial/ethnic church growth and development. The MEM …more

From the Desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez: Permanent Closing of Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center

March 5, 2026 / 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 Thursday, March 5 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez about the permanent closing of Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center.   “For everything there is a season…” Ecclesiastes 3:1  Dear United Methodists in Upper New York,  Grace and peace to you in the name of …more

United Methodist Bishops Call for Prayer and Peace in the New Middle East War

March 3, 2026 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editor's Note: The Council of Bishops President, Bishop Tracy S. Malone, releaesed a statement on March 1, 2026 calling for prayer and peace in the Middle East.  We know that our hearts are heavy as we witness the mounting loss of life from the ongoing military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, and from retaliatory strikes by Iran. Families are grieving the loss …more

Faithful Resistance Across the Northeast: United Methodists mobilize in prayer, witness, and action for immigrant justice


March 2, 2026 / By NEJ Communicators / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

As hundreds of United Methodists and partners gathered in Washington, D.C., for Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice, a powerful, parallel movement unfolded across the Northeastern Jurisdiction (NEJ). From New England to Upper New York, Western Pennsylvania, and the Baltimore-Washington & Peninsula-Delaware Area, congregations and communities joined in coordinated acts of prayer, worship, hospitality, and public witness demonstrating that faithful discipleship is both local and connectional.  …more

Belize mission journey: a week of gentle grace

March 2, 2026 / By the Rev. Dr. Robin Blair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

From February 8–14, 2026, nine volunteer missioners from the Upper New York Annual Conference traveled to Corozal, Belize, where we were warmly welcomed by missionary Rev. Charles Mulemena, pastor, and Volunteers in Mission (VIM) coordinator, missionary Sandy Raasch.  Belize is home to numerous Methodist congregations and schools, and we were received with extraordinary hospitality. Our time together reflected the deep joy of connectional ministry — visiting, serving, and praising God …more