news article
UNY pastors reflect on renewal and learning at Facing the Future 2025
November 7, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Four Upper New York clergy serving in cross-racial and cross-cultural (CR/CC) ministries gathered to reflect on their experiences at Facing the Future 2025, a national conference hosted by the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR). The event, held in Los Angeles, brought together more than 200 pastors from across the denomination for worship, workshops, and connection centered on the realities of CR/CC ministry.
The Rev. Jee Hae Song, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, facilitated the discussion with the Rev. Jongdeok (JD) Park, serving Oswego: First UMC, the Rev. Tanya Spencer, serving Lockport: Emmanuel UMC, and Rev. Dr. Holly Strickland, serving Webb Mills UMC and New Beginnings UMC. Together, they reflected on how the experience strengthened their understanding of ministry in diverse contexts and how those lessons could be carried forward in Upper New York.
A Conference Rooted in Renewal
Facing the Future 2025 was designed to support clergy appointed to congregations whose racial or cultural backgrounds differ from their own. The gathering provided a space to name the unique challenges of cross-cultural ministry—such as feelings of isolation, cultural misunderstanding, and the need for deeper institutional support—while offering tools for renewal and resilience.
The conference theme was inspired by 1 Kings 19:9–18, where God meets the prophet Elijah in the quiet of a cave and renews his call to ministry. Participants were reminded that, like Elijah, pastors may experience exhaustion and uncertainty, yet God’s presence meets them in stillness and sends them forward with renewed purpose. The event’s three-day focus invited clergy to rejoice, recenter, and revive.
“I didn’t know exactly what to expect other than what the topic was,” said Rev. Dr. Strickland. “But what an amazing few days of interacting, realizing that we are not alone.” She said the story of Elijah reminded her “to come out of the cave and go back to where God has placed us for these appointments and know that we are not alone.”
Rev. Park added that the atmosphere itself provided encouragement. “They made a hard effort to provide us a safe place and comfortable environment to feel home and connected with one another,” he said.
Rev. Spencer shared similar feelings. “It was refreshing to see that there are others, many others in the same situation,” she said. “Being able to share stories and just really having that safe space to talk—that was key.”
Workshops That Equip and Encourage
In addition to times of worship and plenary sessions, participants engaged in smaller workshops that addressed specific ministry challenges.
Rev. Park said one of the most valuable sessions for him explored communication in multicultural settings. “The workshop helped me see how different communication styles can shape ministry,” he said. “As someone from South Korea, I’ve learned that what works in one culture may cause misunderstanding in another. It reminded me how important it is to listen, interpret, and communicate contextually with my congregation.”
For Rev. Spencer, the workshops offered encouragement and affirmation. “It gave me confirmation that what I was doing and where the Spirit was leading was the right direction,” she said. “Sometimes as we pastor congregations, you don’t feel like you’re doing it right or that you’re reaching the people. For me, it was confirmation that we’re on the right track.”
Rev. Dr. Strickland found new clarity in how she approaches diversity within the church. “These appointments are bigger than the church’s approval or acceptance because the focus is on God,” she said. “We are called to minister to diversity, not manage it.”
Building Connection and Support
The group emphasized that the spirit of the conference should continue within Upper New York. Rev. Spencer said creating safe spaces locally would help clergy share joys and challenges more openly.
Rev. Dr. Strickland agreed that authentic relationships are key. “Building safe and trusting spaces begins with relationships,” she said. “Getting a chance to know people on a more personal level makes a difference.”
Rev. Song affirmed the importance of peer connection and suggested forming covenant groups for clergy who share similar experiences. “My goal for the UNY CR/CC Summit in November is to provide that kind of space,” she said.
Strengthening Education and Resources
The pastors discussed expanding Conference-level support for clergy serving cross-cultural congregations. They noted how other conferences have invested in CR/CC ministry by sending large groups of pastors to events like Facing the Future and agreed that providing both emotional and practical support helps clergy stay encouraged and equipped.
They also underscored the need for continued education and resources—such as cultural guides, peer coaching, and ongoing training in cultural competency—to strengthen awareness and confidence in diverse ministry settings.
Looking Ahead: The CR/CC Summit
The meeting concluded with Rev. Song previewing the Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Summit, to be held Nov. 10 at Cicero United Methodist Church.
“The reason I planned that meeting is to provide the safe space that all of us just talked about,” she said. “To voice concerns and celebrate contributions to God’s kingdom.”
The inaugural event will feature morning conversations and an afternoon celebration of cultural diversity through worship. Rev. Song said she hopes it becomes a recurring event, “but the safe space is really why I started it.”
A Shared Call Forward
The pastors agreed that cross-cultural ministry calls for courage, humility, and community. Both Facing the Future 2025 and the upcoming CR/CC Summit remind clergy that they are not alone—that God continues to renew and strengthen them for ministry in the beautifully diverse body of Christ.