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From the Desk of Bishop Héctor: Input Sought for New Superintendent

October 23, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editors note: The following letter was sent to United Methodist of Upper New York on October 23 in response to the recent announceent regarding the end of District Superintendent Debbie Earthrowls tenure.

Dear Upper New York clergy community,  

Grace and peace from Christ be with you.  

On Tuesday, I shared with the Conference that the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl will conclude her tenure in the cabinet on June 30, 2026.  

Recognizing the significance of this opening, I am starting the discernment process for the superintendent who will join the cabinet on July 1, 2026. Your involvement and support in this process are crucial. I invite UNY clergy in good standing to share the names of elders you believe could thrive in the superintendent role this season.  

A Superintendent is the spiritual leader and chief missional strategist for the district(s) assigned in collaboration with the resident bishop and cabinet. In partnership with the cabinet, clergy, and laity, superintendents develop strategies and lead the district(s) and conference to form disciples who empowered by the Holy Spirit: love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously, so that live, communities are transformed through the healing love of Jesus Christ, the United Methodist way. 

The core qualities and competencies for this role include, 

• A Holy Spirit-led disciple of Jesus Christ who models faithful servant leadership, healthy boundaries, and holistic self-care. 
• Committed to gracefully ministering to and journeying alongside people from different walks of life and theological perspectives with a heart at peace.  
• Continuously growing in intercultural competence. 
• Builds and maintains honesty, integrity, and honors confidentiality in all relationships. 
• Leads and works within a team-based ministry to engage in adaptive work and produce creative and innovative solutions to complex challenges and opportunities. 
• Communicates clearly and accurately, in writing and orally, with unifying messages that motivate action. 
• Inspires and influences people to achieve challenging goals and positive results. 
• Manages the performance of team members, setting clear and measurable goals. 
• Understanding complex systems and organizations can lead people well through change, disruption, differences, and conflict. 
• Willingness and ability to support the vision, mission, and core values of the United Methodist Church and the Upper New York Conference. 
• Proven record in engaging congregations and communities in faithful collaborative ministry. 
   

The superintendents' core responsibilities are in the Book of Discipline, paragraphs 414-419. The following description clarifies, contextualizes, or amplifies the responsibilities in the Book of Discipline but does not eliminate or alter what is outlined. 

In collaboration with their regional team and Superintendency Associates, Superintendents: 

• Connect and engage clergy and local church leaders to learn and understand what is occurring in congregations and communities so that district strategy is contextually adaptive. 
• Deepen the biblical and theological understanding of the UNY mission and vision the Wesleyan way within the district and region so that clergy and laity are aligned with UNY’s vision, mission, primary task, and strategic priorities and mobilized for transformational witness and ministry in the community. 
• Identify what is critical, urgent, and essential to the UNY mission within the district(s) and region and focus on these items so that the district increases its leadership capacity and missional impact. UNY’s goals are accomplished within the district(s). 
• Set missional goals for the district(s) that support UNY’s goals. 
• Assess and evaluate the gifts and skills of clergy, congregations, and communities' missional needs to collaborate with the cabinet to make appointments to grow missional impact in the congregation and community.  
• Oversee the ministry of appointed clergy and congregations. 
• Supervise and coordinate the work of Superintendency Associates.  
• In collaboration with the Missional Excellence team and Superintendency Associates, resource clergy and congregational leaders with principles, tools, processes, and practices for impactful witness and ministry. 
• Nurture a planting culture and strategies in the district(s) to start sustainable new faith communities and other collaborative ministries and mission forms in collaboration with the Missional Excellence team. 
• Support recruitment, credentialing, and accountability systems for mission and ministry in partnership with DCOM and BOM and in collaboration with the cabinet. 
• Increase generosity, shared ministry, and billable giving within the district(s) to finance and adequately accomplish the UNY mission. 

Please use the online form found here to share the names of elders you believe could thrive in this role by October 31.  

Thank you in advance for participating in the survey. Please keep the cabinet and me in prayer as we discern the next person for this critical missional role.

Together in the journey, 

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
Susquehanna & Upper New York Area
The United Methodist Church