news stories
Conference Office closed on February 14, 2025
February 14, 2025 / By
Due to inclement weather, the Conference Office in Liverpool will be closed today, February 14, with staff working remotely. The office will also be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents' Day and will reopen on Tuesday, February 18. …more
United Methodists join suit against Trump policy
February 12, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
United Methodists have joined over two dozen Christian and Jewish organizations in a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The suit challenges a Trump administration policy permitting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct raids in "sensitive locations," including houses of worship. The plaintiffs argue that this policy infringes upon their religious freedom and hinders their mission to care for migrants. United Methodists …more
What are Ministry Shares?
February 12, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Do you know the strength in the United Methodist Connection? When several Upper New York churches were severely damaged after the “Blizzard of the Century” in December 2022, a church in Cape Cod, Massachusetts collected $30,000 and split it evenly among three churches in the Buffalo-area to help with the clean-up efforts. This church is not part of the Upper New York Conference, but members felt compelled to help. This …more
UNY Conference Leadership Team focuses on innovation and sustainability
February 11, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In early February, the UNY Conference Leadership Team (CLT) gathered to continue its meaningful work on behalf of United Methodists of Upper New York. The meeting included strategic updates from the Executive Staff Team and Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez. Also, the CLT continued its discussions on the net asset project, which is steadily progressing. This project aims to create alternative, permanent sources of …more
Fighting for food justice: A Methodist call to action
February 11, 2025 / By Deaconess Susan Silhan, Healing and Wholeness Ministry / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This past Sunday on February 9, 2025, Home Missioner Robert Pessolissi, Director of the Interfaith Public Health Network (IPHN), shared a powerful message “Holiness and Wholeness: Looking at Public Health through a Methodist Lens” at Odessa-Catharine UMC in the Mountain View District. Bob is a native of Syracuse but resides in Poughkeepsie and is commissioned to the IPHN in the New York Conference. His message reminded those in attendance …more
CCORR offers prayer sessions
February 11, 2025 / By Georgia Whitney, CCORR Co-Convener / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The work of confronting racism can be bruising for the soul. Knowing this, your Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) seeks to offer inspiration, a listening ear, and the opportunity to come together in prayer on a regular basis. Beginning Tuesday, February 18, members of CCORR will open a Zoom meeting room at 12 p.m. using this link. In these 15-minute sessions, we’ll offer a short prepared …more
Conference Office closed on February 6, 2025
February 6, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Due to the inclement weather, the Conference Office in Liverpool is closed today, February 6. It is scheduled to reopen on Friday, February 7. …more
Cady Grants applications now being accepted
February 3, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Could you or your ministry qualify for a Cady Grant? The Cady Grant is a valuable funding opportunity available to local United Methodist churches, individual United Methodists, and district or conference ministry teams within the Upper New York Conference. This grant supports educational initiatives that foster growth, learning, and leadership development within the church and community. Cady Grants have supplemented, supported, and financed many creative projects. In the …more
From the Desk of Bishop Héctor: A pastoral response to the current immigration crisis in the US
January 30, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following message was sent to United Methodist clergy in Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on Thursday, January 30, 2025 about how to respond to the current immigration crisis in the U.S. as a pastor. "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me." – Matthew 25:35 Ver versión en español abajo. …more
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and United Methodists
January 29, 2025 / By Rev. Natalie Bowerman, Rev. Jee-Hae Song, and Georgia Whitney / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. - 1 Corinthians 12:12, 26 As children of God, and disciples of Jesus Christ, this scripture reminds us that we share in the joys and sufferings …more