news stories
Bishop’s response to Rev. Dr. Phil Phaneuf coming out as transgender
December 3, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
PRESS RELEASE: Bishop’s response to Rev. Dr. Phil Phaneuf coming out as transgender For Immediate Release Contact: Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications shelbywinchell@unyumc.org On November 23, 2025, Rev. Dr. Phil Phaneuf announced to the congregation at North Chili United Methodist Church outside of Rochester, NY that she is transgender and beginning her transition. “I …more
Bishop Héctor A.Burgos Núñez’s Advent Message
December 2, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following Advent message was shared with United Methodists in Susquehanna and Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A.Burgos Núñez. Greetings in the name and with the love of our Savior and Friend, Jesus Christ. I am Héctor Burgos Núñez, resident bishop for United Methodists in the Susquehanna and Upper New York …more
From the Desk of Bishop Héctor: Casowasco Reopening Plan
November 18, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Dear Partners in Ministry, Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Camp and Retreat Ministries (CRM) have long been sacred spaces where disciples of Jesus Christ are formed. Over generations, these ministries have sparked faith journeys, deepened spiritual …more
Growing in Faith, Giving in Love: Middleburgh UMC’s Transformative Journey
November 18, 2025 / By UNY's Missional Excellence Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Since 2023, Middleburg UMC under the leadership of Pastor Maryellen Moore has been engaging Upper New York’s New Faith Communities initiative to build more collaboration and intention in their ministry. Middleburg UMC is a rural church, averaging 10-20 people in worship, with 3,500 people in the immediate community—who through their Mission Store shared thousands of dollars and lots of valuable secondhand items with their community in 2025. …more
Celebrating identity, building connection: Insights from the CR/CC Summit
November 18, 2025 / By Kevin Miller, Multimedia Content Creator / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural (CR/CC) Summit at Cicero United Methodist Church brought BIPOC leaders, CR/CC clergy, and allies from across Upper New York together for a day of storytelling, honest reflection, and celebration. The gathering, led by the Rev. Jee Hae Song, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, focused on building community and learning from one another—especially those serving in cross-racial …more
Beyond the Pews: House Churches—Faith, Connection, and Transformation in Everyday Spaces
November 17, 2025 / By The Rev. Andrew Sperry / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When the world shut down in 2020, Calvary United Methodist Church in Latham, NY, found itself asking the same question many congregations did: How do we stay connected when we can’t gather in the sanctuary? Out of that longing for connection, a new kind of community began to form—one that has not only endured but thrived. Born in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Calvary UMC …more
Strategic Visioning Task Force advances work toward a shared future
November 11, 2025 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On November 3, members of the Strategic Visioning Task Force gathered in Corning, NY, to continue the vital visioning work the Upper New York Conference committed to earlier this year. Click here to learn more. This joint meeting brought together the Susquehanna and Upper New York Conference teams and consultants Mike Bonem, Daniel White, and Tod Bolsinger. The day opened with a powerful learning session led by Tod Bolsinger, who deepened …more
Exploring AI in Ministry: Training with Jason Moore
November 7, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Pastors, church leaders, and Upper New York Conference staff came together on Wednesday, November 5, at the United Methodist Center to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance and support ministry. Nationally recognized digital ministry expert Jason Moore led the training, explaining the fundamentals of AI, demonstrating its potential benefits in planning and ministry work, exploring different forms of AI, and reflecting on the ethical and spiritual discernment needed to …more
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 …more
UMC Bishops finish canvassing of amendments; all four are ratified
November 5, 2025 / By UNY Communications
Editor’s note: The following statement from The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church was released on November 5 regarding the canvassing of votes of annual conferences on the four constitutional amendments approved by the 2024 General Conference. The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has completed canvassing the votes of annual conferences on the four constitutional amendments that were approved by the 2024 General Conference. …more