news stories
UNY Leadership Summit
September 17, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Nearly 50 lay and clergy leaders from around the conference gathered at the United Methodist Center for a leadership summit on Saturday, September 14. This specific group was identified as people who were called to carry out servant leadership in Upper New York to move the mission of the annual conference together. Cabinet members, executive staff, along with members from different ministry teams including the Board of Ordained Ministry, Board of Laity, …more
Equitable Compensation Grant applications for January to June 2025 are now available
September 17, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period January to June 2025. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full time appointment. To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the …more
Creating a visible offering of healing and wholeness
September 16, 2024 / By The Rev. Nancy Dibelius / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As part of worship at the Bishop’s Retreat in January, individuals were invited to trace their hand on a piece of colored paper, cut it out and then, prayerfully consider a single word, a single gift that they believed they possessed and could offer for the well-being and healing of another and write it on their hand. They were then invited to offer their hand to the table …more
Announcing AC2025
September 11, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The 2025 annual session of the Upper New York Conference will be held May 22-May 24, 2025, at the OnCenter in downtown Syracuse. In July, the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference assigned Bishop Héctor to serve at two conferences, Upper New York and Susquehanna, effective September 1. In that role, he will preside over two annual conference sessions. Anticipating this change, both conferences postponed setting dates for their respective 2025 annual conference …more
BeLoVeD is moving to Liverpool UMC
September 10, 2024 / By BeLoVeD Core Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Starting Sunday, September 15 from 6-8 p.m., BeLoVeD is moving to a new home at Liverpool First United Methodist Church, located at 604 Oswego St. in Liverpool and continuing under the leadership of the Rev. Bill Mudge. BeLoVeD is a New Faith Community serving United Methodists of Upper New York. Whether you’re already part of a church or just curious about faith, you’re invited to be …more
From New York’s North Country to Zambia: Stories from a mission trip
September 9, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dr. Donald and Glenda Schuessler are no strangers to helping others and being the hands and feet of Jesus. Dr. Schuessler is a longtime North Country pediatrician who has been treating patients for more than four decades. Outside the office, the Schuesslers are active members of First UMC in Gouverneur. Together, they’ve visited, participated, and led mission trips local and abroad to places like India; the …more
UMC bishops call for Leadership Gathering instead of Special Session in 2026
September 5, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following press release was sent by the Coucil of Bishops of The United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 5, 2024 regarding a Leadership Gathering in place of a Special Session in 2026. The Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church (UMC) is announcing a Leadership Gathering for 2026 that will advance the positive momentum of the 2020/24 General Conference and prepare the denomination for the 2028 General Conference. The …more
Change in Chairs on the Board of Ordained Ministry
September 3, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Every quadrennium, the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) nominates and elects new Chairs for the Order of Elders, Order of Deacons, and Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members. The new chairs are as follows: Chair of the Order of Elders is Rev. Anna Blinn Cole Chair of the Order of Deacons is Rev. Becky Naber President of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members is …more
Pastor takes the plunge to raise funds for mission of youths’ choice
August 29, 2024 / By Mary Dalglish / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The sounds of splashing and cheers of children can be heard for blocks at First United Methodist Church of Mexico. Here, the phrase “together in mission” rings throughout its congregation and projects loudly through their youth. The mission–raising funds for a local organization of the kids’ choice. This year, they chose Victor Transformation, a men’s homeless shelter in Oswego County, and raised over $200 …more
UNY to launch new Charge Conference Forms Platform on September 3
August 28, 2024 / By Bill Gottschalk-Fielding / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Though the annual charge conference is required by The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline, it is more than an administrative requirement. It allows a church to share and celebrate its story, align its work with God’s vision, and remain accountable to commitments members have made to each other and to God. Starting September 3, United Methodist clergy and congregational leaders of Upper New York …more