news stories
From refugee to homeowner: The power of mission work
July 17, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: Walt Mathias, member of Honeoye Falls UMC; Leon Perkins, member of Rush UMC; and Peter Baldwin and Jim Kanaleyof Iona UMC received a $2,500 Everyday Disaster grant from the United Methodists of Upper New York Missional Engagement Ministry Area for their carpentry work in the homes of refugees in the Rochester area. Ahmad Ibrahimi is one of the refugees they have helped. His …more
Human Resources legal updates
July 7, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist
Pregnant worker fairness The federal government has passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), went into effect on June 27, 2023. This law requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to workers for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, absent an undue hardship to the employer. Although the language of the Act is similar to that of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations under the PWFA are available to pregnant workers …more
From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez - 2023 Church Conference Season
July 6, 2023 / By Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
Editor's Note: The following letter was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on July 6, 2023 Dear United Methodists of Upper New York, Grace and peace from our Savior and Friend, Jesus Christ, be with you. I thank God for the warmer temperatures and longer days as we enter summer. I also thank congregations for hosting children and youth through their summer programs (VBS, Movie Nights, …more
Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo engages AC2023 in a conversation about intercultural discipleship
July 5, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On June 3, at the 2023 Annual Conference for United Methodists of Upper New York, held at Onondaga Community College‘s SRC Arena in Syracuse, the Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, the General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR), led a thought-provoking and engaging learning session on intercultural discipleship. Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, explained the role of …more
Oswego: Trinity UMC hosts youth cyclists traveling from Indiana to Maine
July 1, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Rev. Steven Eddy, pastor of Oswego: Trinity UMC, received an email earlier this year that was sent to a large group of pastors. It was from Norm Houze, founder, tour director, and on-road supervisor for deCycles, an ecumenical youth and young adult cycling ministry. Rev. Eddy said, “Norm was seeking places for his cyclists to stay on their 1,500-mile bike trip this summer." I thought, "Our church is …more
From the Desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez - Affirmative Action
June 30, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following email was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on June 30, 2023. “Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out.” Isaiah 1:17a (MSG) Dear siblings in Christ, As United Methodists, we are called to work for peace and justice for God’s children. The construct of …more
Monitoring report at AC2023
June 30, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At each Annual Conference in Upper New York, the speakers on the floor are asked to state their name, race/ethnic identification, gender identification, whether they are laity or clergy, what church they represent, and their district. This information allows the Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) to report back to United Methodists of Upper New York as well as the General Conference, the dynamics of …more
Expecting the unexpected guest
June 28, 2023 / By Daniel J. Bradley, Pastor at Faith Journey UMC
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so, we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that bit did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that …more
District contact information beginning July 1
June 27, 2023 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Beginning July 1, United Methodists of Upper New York will begin a new structure for District Superintendents and Administrative Assistants. Six District Superintendents (DS) will serve two districts and each will have a Superintendency Administrative Assistant (SAA). You can read about the structure previously announced here. Use the following information to contact your DS or SAA beginning July 1. Click here to print a copy. Adirondack and Albany Districts DS: Rev. …more
The importance of Advance Specials
June 26, 2023 / By The Rev. Jeff Childs
Each year at the United Methodists of Upper New York Annual Conference we vote on a list of the Conference Advance Specials. What are they? There are three different types of Advance Specials in the Book of Discipline for the General Church, Annual Conferences, and Districts. Currently we do not have any District Advance Specials but hope to encourage and develop some this coming year; we have 21 Conference Advance Specials …more