news article
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 gave those gifts to prepare God’s holy people for serving.God gave those gifts to make the body of Christ stronger.” Ephesians 4:11-12 (ICB)
Dear siblings in Christ,
Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ during this Advent Season!
Earlier this fall, I announced the upcoming cabinet openings as the Rev. Suzanne Block and the Rev. Mike Weeden prepare to conclude their faithful service in the cabinet and retire from pastoral ministry on June 30, 2025.
Superintendents serve as spiritual leaders, chief missional strategists, and overseers for their assigned districts. Alongside the cabinet and the resident bishop, superintendents develop strategies and guide clergy and laity in their districts to nurture passionate disciples of Jesus Christ and servant leaders for impactful ministry in the community.
After a process that included gathering input from UNY clergy, consulting with the Appointive Cabinet, and engaging in deep prayerful discernment, I am pleased to announce the appointments of two Christ-like transformational leaders to the role of Superintendents. The Rev. Richelle Duchano-Goff and the Rev. Yohang Chun will serve as Superintendents in the Upper New York Conference, effective July 1, 2025.
Rev. Duchano-Goff and Rev. Chun bring experience, passion, and vision to their new roles, ensuring dynamic and faithful leadership for our conference.
Rev. Richelle Duchano-Goff will serve as superintendent of the Genesee Valley and Mountain View Districts. Rev. Duchano-Goff has been in full-time pastoral ministry now for 19 years. She currently serves Fairport UMC. Richelle has been married to her spouse, Mike, for 13 years, and they have two daughters, Karis and Zoe. As a family, they love animals of all kinds and have many pets including chickens, dogs, parakeets, a bunny, and a bearded dragon. Richelle enjoys cooking, photography, and being near the water. Rev. Duchano-Goff has served churches in the Upper New York Conference since 2005, including Oswego: Trinity/Martville and Auburn.
Richelle is a leader who is relational, collaborative, and seeks to build bridges. She is passionate about justice for all people and creation. She has served the Annual Conference as a candidacy mentor, member of the Finger Lakes DCOM, and the UNY Board of Ordained Ministry.
Rev. Duchano-Goff graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.S. and earned a Master of Divinity from The Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
Rev. Yohang Chun will serve as superintendent of the Northern Flow and Mohawk Districts. Rev. Chun was born and raised in South Korea. From an early age, he felt a call to pastoral ministry. After marrying his spouse, Joyce, with whom he shares two children, Melissa and Joshua, they moved to the US to pursue graduate theological education. Rev. Chun brings 22 years of fruitful experience in pastoral leadership in the local church including: Alplaus, Saratoga Springs, as associate pastor, First Oswego, and Aldersgate UMC in Rochester. He has also served in various conference teams including a district committee on ministry and the UNY Board of Ordained Ministry. As a Korean American pastor, Yohang, possess extensive multicultural experiences and accumulated insights and wisdom on how to relate and lead in diverse communities and across differences. In his servant leadership, Rev. Chun integrates the best of his journey as a Christian disciple in Korea with the rich Wesleyan heritage of The United Methodist Church.
Rev. Chun holds a Bachelor of Arts and a master's degree from the Methodist Theological School in Seoul, South Korean; and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey.
These appointments embody our shared commitment to fostering vibrant, strategic, and diverse leadership at all levels within the conference. Rev. Duchano-Goff and Rev. Chun both demonstrate a deep passion for serving diverse communities, encouraging connections, promoting innovation, and inspiring faith-filled action.
Please join me in celebrating these exceptional leaders as they begin their new roles as Conference Superintendents. Their unique talents and dedication will surely enhance and strengthen the mission of the Upper New York Conference. Let us keep them, their families, and their congregations in our prayers as they enter this season of transition.
May the love of the Prince of Peace fill your hearts this Christmas and guide us all into a future brimming with God’s hope and new possibilities as we seek to be agents of transformation through the healing and liberating love of Jesus Christ.
Together in mission,
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
Serving the Susquehanna & Upper New York Area
The United Methodist Church