news article

Special Message from Bishop Héctor: The 2025 appointment season

January 28, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Editor's Note: The following message was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on Tuesday, January 18, 2025 about the 2025-26 appointment season.

“Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so God’s people are equipped to serve, and the Body of Christ would grow strong.” -Ephesians 4:11-12 PAR

Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,

Starting next week, the appointive cabinet will embark on the sacred work of pastoral appointment discernment for 2025-26. Rooted in our Wesleyan tradition, we prayerfully strive to nurture passionate disciples of Jesus Christ who embody love, mercy, and justice, transforming the world through their faithful witness.

Appointment Making

As we undertake this holy responsibility, the cabinet will diligently review all pastoral assignments throughout the appointment season. These values guide our discernment process:

•     Pursuing God’s vision for congregations and their communities.
•     Matching gifts, graces, and strengths, irrespective of credentials.
•     Honoring our multi-faceted diversity.
•     Connectionalism.
•     Equity.

You can read more about our appointment-making values and principles here.

Retirements

On behalf of the cabinet, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our 2025 retirees for their faithful servant leadership in the Upper New York Conference and The United Methodist Church. Their dedicated service has profoundly and positively impacted countless lives in our local communities and beyond. You can see a list of pastoral leaders requesting retirement status in 2025 here.

Open Churches

During the regular appointment season (January to May), the cabinet will post a list of churches being considered for new appointments on Wednesdays on the conference website. Clergy who prayerfully discern a call to be considered for an open church should inform the episcopal office exclusively via email at bishopsoffice@unyumc.org by Thursday at 3 p.m. For more information and a list of churches open, click here.

Call to Prayer

Please keep the appointive cabinet and me in your prayers as we seek the Holy Spirit's vision, clarity, and wisdom in this sacred task. We aim to empower leaders and congregations to live the gospel and be God’s love with their neighbors. Also, please surround in prayer the pastors and congregations that will experience change and transition this year.

Thank you for all you do to make the healing and liberating love of Jesus Christ visible in your communities and everywhere you go.

Together in mission,

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez
Serving the Susquehanna & Upper New York Area
Of the United Methodist Church