news stories
2026 Annual Conference MEM Grant and RELC Grants available
March 6, 2026 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The General Board of Global Ministries Annual Conference Multiethnic Ministries Grant and the Racial/Ethnic Local Church Grant applications are open until March 31. This year, all grant applications are online. Annual Conference Multiethnic Ministries Grant ($20,000) – Up to 5 Grants Available Multiethnic Ministries (MEM) grants are provided to assist annual conferences with conference-wide programs focusing on racial/ethnic leadership development and racial/ethnic church growth and development. The MEM …more
From the Desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez: Permanent Closing of Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
March 5, 2026 / 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 Thursday, March 5 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez about the permanent closing of Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. “For everything there is a season…” Ecclesiastes 3:1 Dear United Methodists in Upper New York, Grace and peace to you in the name of …more
United Methodist Bishops Call for Prayer and Peace in the New Middle East War
March 3, 2026 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The Council of Bishops President, Bishop Tracy S. Malone, releaesed a statement on March 1, 2026 calling for prayer and peace in the Middle East. We know that our hearts are heavy as we witness the mounting loss of life from the ongoing military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, and from retaliatory strikes by Iran. Families are grieving the loss …more
Faithful Resistance Across the Northeast: United Methodists mobilize in prayer, witness, and action for immigrant justice
March 2, 2026 / By NEJ Communicators / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As hundreds of United Methodists and partners gathered in Washington, D.C., for Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice, a powerful, parallel movement unfolded across the Northeastern Jurisdiction (NEJ). From New England to Upper New York, Western Pennsylvania, and the Baltimore-Washington & Peninsula-Delaware Area, congregations and communities joined in coordinated acts of prayer, worship, hospitality, and public witness demonstrating that faithful discipleship is both local and connectional. …more
Belize mission journey: a week of gentle grace
March 2, 2026 / By the Rev. Dr. Robin Blair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
From February 8–14, 2026, nine volunteer missioners from the Upper New York Annual Conference traveled to Corozal, Belize, where we were warmly welcomed by missionary Rev. Charles Mulemena, pastor, and Volunteers in Mission (VIM) coordinator, missionary Sandy Raasch. Belize is home to numerous Methodist congregations and schools, and we were received with extraordinary hospitality. Our time together reflected the deep joy of connectional ministry — visiting, serving, and praising God …more
Apply for the 2026 Cady Grant
February 27, 2026 / By Dr. Blenda Smith, Cady Grant Committee Chair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It is with joy that we announce the time to apply for Cady Grants is here. Continuing the memory and legacy of Ercil Cady, an annual granting of up to $5,000 is open in Upper New York. The Cady Grant is an opportunity to benefit those in the Upper New York Conference. Ercil Cady’s vision was for “the benefit …more
United Methodists from across the connection join together in a Faithful Resistance
February 27, 2026 / By NEJ Communicators / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Faith calls people not only to believe, but to act. On Wednesday, February 25, United Methodists and faith partners gathered in Washington, D.C., for Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice, a day of worship, prayer, and advocacy calling for compassion and due process for immigrants. Among them were United Methodists from across the Northeast Jurisdiction who traveled hours by bus, car, train, and plane, to …more
Be a part of UNY’s Faithful Resistance for Immigration Justice on February 25
February 19, 2026 / By Rev. Alan Kinney, Chair of the UNY Social Holiness Team and Immigration Taskforce / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Wednesday, February 25, United Methodists from across the connection will join ecumenical and interfaith leaders in Washington, D.C. for a day of public witness for immigration justice. Click here to register to watch the national livestream. In conjunction with the national gathering, the Upper New York Social Holiness Team and Immigration Task Force are working with clergy across the conference to host similar …more
New York and New England Foundations Joint Path Forward
February 17, 2026 / By UNY Communications
Editor's Note: The following message was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on February 17 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez about a new partnership between two United Methodist foundations. “I thank my God… because of your partnership in the gospel.” - Philippians 1:3–5 Dear partners in ministry, I am pleased to share an important development …more
Auburn UMC paying it forward
February 17, 2026 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Beginning this year, Auburn UMC will sponsor one student at Africa University (AU) each year through a fully endowed scholarship. The church will not select the recipient; instead, AU will choose the student annually based on its own criteria. The endowment is funded through the Starbucks Foundation—unrelated to the coffee company—which awarded Auburn UMC money to use not for …more