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Youth inspire and impress at Annual Conference

June 17, 2025 / By Tara Barnes

“Hallelujah!” 

From reports to a display table to proposing legislative amendments, youth made their presence known at the 16th session of the Upper New York Annual Conference May 22-24 in Syracuse, New York. 

They even inspired a roomful of hundreds to shout in praise and thanksgiving, when one “Hallelujah!” from a table of youth became many, an overture Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez continued to encourage throughout the gathering. 

Part of the meeting from day one, president of the Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM), Grace Stierheim, offered a report on the group’s activities during the laity session and shared her experience in Puerto Rico as part of the Northeastern Jurisdiction’s Mission of Peace.  

Her faith was nurtured by the time spent with those she met in Puerto Rico and with the youth from the other conferences in the Northeastern Jurisdiction, she said. 

The Rev. Tony Hipes, longtime advisor for Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM), shared that the group is designed for youth in grades 7-12.  

“They meet four times a year for fellowship, to grow spiritually, and to build unity,” he said, including at annual conference where they take part in plenary session and meet to debrief and review the day together each night. Youth also serve as ushers, tellers, and volunteers.  

This year the group hosted an information and fundraising table. Showing their annual conference savvy, the youth sold branded fleece blankets to help attendees keep warm in the often-cool meeting space. In a moment of personal privilege, Stierheim along with YSF board members Ella Hinklin and Mattie Stamm presented Bishop Héctor with his own red blanket during a plenary gathering. 

Stierheim also read the Gospel scripture in the Service for Commissioning and Ordination.  

“I’ve come to annual conference since I was a little girl, just because my parents are both clergy,” Stierheim said. “But then as a youth I got involved in CCYM, and that’s where I fell in love with the validation and chance to meet people. Annual conference is an awesome time to represent the youth and what we stand for.” 

Kylee O’Connell, 17, also participates in CCYM.  

“I attend annual conference because it helps me grow in my faith, and I get to connect with young people who also worship Jesus, and it’s just really good bonding experience,” she said.  

O’Connell attends Mt. Upton United Methodist Church, where she especially enjoys being part of the “Sauce and Cross” spaghetti dinner the church offers its members and community. She not only answered questions for this story but raised a point of inquiry during plenary discussion and debate.  

“I just want everybody to know that Jesus loves them and that no matter who they are, they are loved,” she said. 

Youth asked questions, offered speeches for and against legislative petitions, and even proposed an amendment on which the annual conference voted.  

While working at the CCYM and Youth Service Fund table, Sebastian Maricle shared why he attends annual conference.  

“Well, for starters, it is like the light of the world,” he said, “because you get to see more options and what's going on instead of staying at home where you don't know what's going on sometimes.” 

The youth offered a “shout hallelujah” sale on their t-shirts as the conference came to a close. 

The next CCYM gathering will be a mission weekend called “Salt of the Earth” in July in Watertown. 

Michael Miller shared that annual conference is “a really interesting experience” to “see how it all works. 

“It’s a really wonderful place to be.” 

Tara Barnes is director of denominational relations for United Women in Faith and lay leader for the Binghamton District.