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From the Desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: New Dean of Cabinet, Renewal Leaves, Disaffiliations
June 18, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following note was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on Tuesday, June 18 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez.
Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,
I thank God for the spirit of hope and joy that permeated the 2024 session of the UNY Annual Conference, held from May 30 to June 1 in Syracuse, NY. United Methodists of Upper New York boldly affirmed that we are moving forward, embracing God’s future with hope and joy. You can find a comprehensive recap of the Annual Conference, including videos of plenary sessions, worship services, and reports here.
I want to share some important updates as we enter the summer season.
New Dean of the UNY Cabinet
I joyfully announce that the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood will begin serving as the new dean of the UNY appointive cabinet, effective July 1, 2024. Rev. Rood is a gifted leader with deep faith and vision and a strategic thinker. I am deeply grateful for the Rev. Mike Weeden's leadership as dean. His grace-filled pastoral leadership and strategic mind have been instrumental in the cabinet's work. Rev. Weeden will continue serving as superintendent for the Northern Flow and Mohawk districts for the 2024-25 appointment year.
Please join me in praying for Rev. Dr. Rood and Rev. Weeden during this transition.
Renewal Leave
In other cabinet news, the Rev. Carlos M. Rosa-Laguer, superintendent for the Niagara Frontier and Cornerstone Districts, will be on Renewal Leave beginning July 1, 2024, until August 30, 2024. This is a set time for reflection, study, rest, and renewal. Our Book of Discipline encourages District Superintendents to benefit from one renewal leave during their term (par.420). Coverage for the districts during Rev. Rosa's renewal leave will be provided by Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell in July and Rev. Weeden in August. Clergy and congregational leaders from the Niagara Frontier and Cornerstone districts needing support from a superintended in July and August should request it through their district office.
Disaffiliations, Same-Gender Weddings, and Appointments of LGBTQ Pastors
In a statement released on June 11, 2024, the College of Bishops of the Northeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church announced that it will uphold the decisions made by the delegates at the postponed 2020 General Conference to discontinue any disaffiliation process and not support any more disaffiliations. The United Methodist Church is moving forward as a church that embraces theological diversity.
I want to reiterate that, contrary to what you may have read or heard from the GMC and other non-UMC groups and individuals, as we move forward, no United Methodist clergy will be asked to perform same-gender weddings. No congregations will be required to permit same-gender weddings in their facilities. The General Conference passed legislation that prevents district superintendents and bishops from penalizing pastors and churches that refuse to perform or allow a same-gender wedding on their property. Clergy and congregations are now entrusted to make these decisions gracefully, considering their ministry context based on their beliefs and attitudes regarding ministry with and by LGBTQ persons.
The College of Bishops will commission a small theologically diverse team to create a resource to assist congregations understand the scope of the changes made by the General Conference regarding human sexuality and discern how they will covenant around appointments and weddings. This resource is intended to provide a healthy process to (re)build relationships, listen to learn, and reflect theologically on this matter from our distinctive Wesleyan perspective so congregations can discern how to move forward gracefully as a theologically diverse community. The goal is to make the resource available by September 1, 2024.
You can read the entire statement from the College of Bishops here.
We Are Moving Forward
The United Methodist Church is moving forward as a grace-filled and diverse worldwide Christian community that welcomes people from all walks of life. Our faith and hope are solidly grounded in Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our shared mission and faith journey (discipleship) is anchored in Scripture and guided by our distinctive Wesleyan heritage, doctrine, and polity. We desire to see all persons grow to their God-given potential, honoring our cultural, ethnic, and theological diversity.
We strive to be good stewards of God’s creation. Although we may not always agree on certain specific issues, we are united in our love of Christ and our desire to live the gospel, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible and embodying God's love with our neighbors in all places through concrete acts of love, mercy, and justice – all for the glory of God.
I pray God’s blessings over your lives and ministries and hope you all have a fun-filled summer.
Together in the journey,
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
The United Methodist Church
Serving United Methodist of Upper New York