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From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: New Charge Conference season
August 8, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following message was sent to appointed clergy of United Methodists of Upper New York from Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on August 8, 2024 about the upcoming Charge Conference season.
Dear Upper New York clergy,
I greet you in the name and with the love of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Friend.
I am grateful to God for the opportunity to continue being in ministry alongside you as resident bishop for United Methodists of Upper New York for the next four years. Since arriving in UNY in 2022, I have been inspired by your faithful and resilient servant leadership during an extremely challenging season for our beloved denomination. In this new season, it is my privilege to lead alongside you as together we claim God’s future for our shared ministry as United Methodists with hope and joy.
2024 Charge Conference Season
The cabinet is preparing for the 2024 Charge Conference season. This year we will introduce a new online platform to fill in and submit all charge conference forms. The Superintendency Support team is in the final stages of beta testing the platform and forms. The goal is to go live with the new interface on September 3. Please stay tuned for detailed information and step-by-step instructions on how to access and use this new platform.
Clergy Profiles & One-on-One Supervisory Conversations
The purpose of the annual one-on-one conversation between pastor and district superintendent is to support the well-being and ministry of the pastor and to equip the district superintendent to provide effective and supportive supervision. The one-on-one conversation is grounded in the clergy covenant. It is both supervisory in nature and a spiritual practice and sacred duty. The desired outcome is thriving clergy and healthier congregations as we work together to fulfill the mission of the church of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
- As pastors and district superintendents prepare for this year’s one-on-one conversations, I want to clarify some bedrock presumptions undergirding it: The yearly completion of the Clergy Profile form and participation in the one-on-one conversation are job requirements for all clergy under appointment/assignment and foundational to remaining in good standing as a clergy person and being eligible for an episcopal appointment/ assignment in UNY. It is always hoped pastors will gain spiritual and emotional support from these activities, and it is also important to emphasize that their primary focus is supervisory. Clergy Profiles must be completed by October 1st. One-on-one conversations will be scheduled by Superintendents over the fall and winter months.
- The cabinet, as a team, is bound to confidentiality about information shared about clergy/congregations.
- While information shared in supervisory conversations/documents is confidential, it can be shared with the cabinet and bishop to help the team fulfill their oversight responsibilities of clergy and congregations.
- Personal and family needs shared in the Clergy Profile or during the one-on-one can be shared with the bishop as shepherd of the conference, in consultation with the individual.
- When sharing information, a healthy balance of grace and accountability is always the goal. No one is expected to violate their conscience or cede rights guaranteed by our polity or state/federal laws. At the same time, withholding important information can be an obstacle to building a culture of trust and healthy accountability.
The superintendents and I look forward to reviewing clergy profiles. Superintendents are eager to meet with clergy to provide space for mutual understanding, provide feedback on your 2024-25 Thrive goals, as well as strengthening our shared collegial relationship.
If you have questions regarding the annual completion of the Clergy Profile and one-on-one conversation, please contact your district superintendent or the episcopal office.
Thanks for the countless ways you are living the gospel and embodying the love of Christ through your servant leadership in the church and beyond. May God continue blessing and prospering your ministries – all for the glory of God.
Together in mission,
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
The United Methodist Church
Serving United Methodists of Upper New York