news stories
Eighteen churches disaffiliate at the March 2023 Special Session of the UNY Annual Conference
March 29, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The first 2023 Special Session of the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference was held virtually on Saturday, March 25. This was the first time that Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez presided over a Conference. GNTV was the audio-visual provider. This Special Session included a brief worship service followed by voting on the agenda, equalization members, organizational motion, and local church disaffiliations. …more
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez calls for change after Nashville school shooting
March 29, 2023 / By Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
Editor's Note: After the March 27 mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennesee, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, sent the strong message below to United Methodists of Upper New York on March 29, urging them to take action. Dear siblings in Christ, My heart aches as senseless violence once again claimed the lives of innocent individuals, three of …more
The Upper New York Committee on Native American Ministries asks Gov. Hochul to sign Senate bill S630
March 28, 2023 / By CONAM
On March 24, 2023, the Upper New York Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) sent a letter to NY State Governor, Kathy Hochul, regarding her veto of The Unmarked Burial Site Protection Act on Dec. 30, 2022. This bill had been approved unanimously. CONAM explained that if she does not sign it, or opts to veto it again, they urge both the NY State Assembly and NY State Senate to override her veto and …more
UNY Camp & Retreat sites seeking volunteers
March 28, 2023 / By UNY Communications
All Upper New York (UNY) Camp & Retreat sites have scheduled workdays this Spring. In addition to Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center’s April 1 and April 15 scheduled workdays (most work to be done outdoors), they could also use some extra hands in the dining room and with linen laundering. Volunteers are needed in the dining room for serving meals and helping to clean up (vacuum after meals, wipe …more
Launchpad Spring 2023 starts April 19 on Zoom
March 28, 2023 / By UNY Communications
If you have a team of people interested in planting a church, the Launchpad course is for you. Over six weeks, you will learn how to engage new people outside of your church, how to clarify vision, and contextualize your discipleship, how to create a six-month plan with one year of monthly support from Upper New York’s New Faith Communities, and how to gather support for your new …more
Sessions Team eagerly plans in-person Annual Conference
March 27, 2023 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It’s been four years since United Methodists in Upper New York have been able to safely gather in-person for Annual Conference. With the availability of vaccines and more milder strains of the coronavirus, the Sessions Team feels this may be the year we can finally gather safely to enjoy fellowship, break bread, worship, and engage in holy conferencing together. The last in-person gathering was held in June 2019 at …more
Staying Connected Part I—Being a community of disciples
March 23, 2023 / By Pastor Daniel J. Bradley, Faith Journey United Methodist Church
As United Methodist’s we talk a lot about the “Connection,” and I believe there is power in that spirit. However, it is the Pentecost power of the Holy Spirit that binds the Church together in grace and hope for the future. Some will say that hope is a dangerous word. I argue that hope is what we must hold onto in this world. …more
Winnie Daughen turns 100
March 22, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference has a new centenarian! Winnifred (Winnie) Daughen turned 100 on March 20. And nobody would ever guess Winnie is 100. As her son-in-law, the Rev. Brad Hunt said, “She is as sharp as can be!” Winnie has made amazing contributions to our Conference. Winnie’s 100-year birthday party On Saturday, March 18, Winnie had a small birthday celebration at her home in La Fargeville with family …more
Laity inspired at Bishop Héctor’s final Regional Gathering this season
March 20, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On March 9, 2023, Upper New York Area Resident, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez held his final clergy and laity Regional Gathering of this winter at Central UMC in the Southern Tier Region. When the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, District Superintendent of the Mountain View District, introduced Bishop Héctor at the laity session, she said, “Be prepared to be blessed.” And blessed …more
How a Cape Cod church connected with Buffalo-storm-impacted churches
March 20, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: If this article inspires you to help Buffalo churches, you can give to the blizzard response by clicking here. And you can give to the Buffalo 10 Scholarship by clicking here. The United Methodist #BeUMC campaign highlights ways in which United Methodist congregations across the Connection continue to live into the mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” despite tension, …more