news article

Judy Campany hired as Administrative Assistant to Connectional Ministries

December 13, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Judy Campany joins the UNY Conference as Administrative Assistant to Connectional Ministries.  This position opening resulted from budget-neutral staffing changes that included Vicki Swanson’s imminent retirement, Susan Latessa becoming the Director of Human Resources and Benefits, Cherish McGowan becoming the Office/Connectional Ministries Manager, and Karen Campolieto’s position changing to Media Resources Coordinator and Archives Assistant. Cherish will be supervising Judy.

Judy not only brings administrative expertise to her new position, but she also brings a strong passion for ministry and helping people. Judy’s talents mirror her college education—she was initially going to major in Psychology, but decided to switch to Business Administration. After decades of administrative roles in businesses and corporations, Judy was hired by the Oswego County Department of Social Services in April of 2015. While her role began as an administrative role, she soon became a child support caseworker. She loved helping the children, most who were impoverished. She said, “When I was visiting a foster child once, his caregiver said to me ‘You hold him and hug him and give him love—I have never seen a case worker be so caring.’”

Judy went above and beyond with her role as a child support case worker. She noticed that many families received government assistance that helped with food, but not with hygiene supplies so she started ministries at several churches to receive donations of hygiene supplies that she could bring to families in need.

While Judy enjoyed her work as a case worker, she felt ready for a change. A simple search on a job search engine for “ministry jobs” brought her to the position opening at the UNY Conference. She interviewed for the position and when offered the job, she was excited!

Judy has been with the Conference for just over a week and is thrilled about the tasks she will be working on.. Judy said, “I love that my tasks are varied and leaves room for my creative input. It’s second-nature for me to see where ministry can be strengthened.”

Cherish McGowen is happy to have Judy on board. She said, “We are very excited for Judy to join the UNY Conference staff. She brings many gifts and talents to her role as Connectional Ministries Administrative Assistant, among them, her creativity, and has already proven herself to be an asset in the few short days that she has been with us.”

Director of Vital Congregations, Aaron Bouwens, who Judy provides support for, shares Cherish’s excitement; he said, “I am excited to have Judy be a part of the Vital Congregations ministry. She brings a servant’s heart and a willingness to join in the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Judy lives in CNY with Maggie, her 10-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She has two sons ages 26 and 27 and a grandson who is 18-months old who also reside in the CNY area. Growing up in Lewis County contributed to her love of the outdoors including hiking, kayaking, and flyfishing. Judy also loves photography—her photography includes landscape as well the outside architecture of churches and trying to capture the holiness felt while inside churches.