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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.

                                                                                 “…diligence brings wealth.” Proverbs 10:4b 

Dear partners in ministry,

Grace and peace from Christ be with you as we begin the Lent season.

Currently, 368 (54%) Upper New York (UNY) congregations have not yet submitted their 2023 Year-End statistics through the ACStats portal.  

If your local church has already submitted your 2023 Year-End statistics, THANK YOU!  

If your local church has not yet submitted its Year-End statistics for 2023, we have extended the timeline to submit them to March 15, 2024. There will not be any more extensions.  

Accurate and timely church statistics are very important for the mission. 

1. They help local churches’ mission – accurate statistics allow local churches to keep a record of their ministry activities and see trends of growth, progress, or decline. This information is critical for planning and addressing challenges and opportunities in your ministry.  
 

2. They impact local churches’ finances:

• Apportionments – The General Council on Finance uses key factors from local churches’ statistics to calculate each congregation's shared ministries allocation to support the ministries and missions of The United Methodist Church in UNY and worldwide.  
   
• Health and Property Insurance – UNY’s Council on Finance and Administration and the Board of Trustees use key factors from local churches’ statistics to assess risk factors and negotiate group plans with vendors on your behalf.  
   
• Workers Compensation and Medicare Liability and Compliance – UNY administrative staff uses key factors from local churches’ statistics to report to the State of New York, which impact workers’ compensation, disability, and paid family leaves. 

Note: Inaccurate or outdated statistical data may result in higher apportionments and insurance premiums. Churches that do not submit all reports during the charge conference season and their year-end statistics cannot appeal or ask for reconsiderations in these areas.  

3. They help UNY’s mission – The data reported by local churches is a critical tool for the conference leadership, staff, cabinet, and the bishop to plan, oversee, and evaluate our shared ministry in the region, see trends, identify risks and opportunities, discern appointments, and to identify and prioritize areas to resource congregations for more impactful ministry.  

You can find information on how to submit your year-end statistics on the UNY website here. You may also contact your district office if you have questions.  

I thank all congregations for your faithful ministry and witness as, together, we live the gospel and embody God’s love with our neighbors in all places.  

Together in mission, 

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez 
The United Methodist Church 
Serving United Methodist of Upper New York