news stories
Campfires, cleanup, and connection: Aldersgate Rally ignites hearts
June 17, 2025 / By Pastor Kevin Kitto, Lowville UMC
The Aldersgate Regional Rally Day was an incredible success, filled with joy, connection, and inspiration! Over the weekend, we witnessed the power of community as participants came together to celebrate, learn, and make a lasting impact on the lives of our youth. Nearly 60 volunteers from a handful of local churches, including Lowville, Carthage, Champion, Natural Bridge, Beaver Falls, Turin, Martinsburg, and Constableville, pitched in to help get Aldersgate …more
Youth inspire and impress at Annual Conference
June 17, 2025 / By Tara Barnes
“Hallelujah!” From reports to a display table to proposing legislative amendments, youth made their presence known at the 16th session of the Upper New York Annual Conference May 22-24 in Syracuse, New York. They even inspired a roomful of hundreds to shout in praise and thanksgiving, when one “Hallelujah!” from a table of youth became many, an overture Bishop Héctor A. Burgos …more
Creation Care: Doing it God’s way
June 17, 2025 / By Dr. Andrew Hartley, Creation Care Chair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s Note: The following commentary was written by Dr. Andrew Hartley, Chair of the UNY Creation Care Team. The views expressed in this article are of the author and team, and not of Bishop Burgos Núñez or any Upper New York staff member. If you are familiar with the Bible’s book of Genesis, you know that God gave the …more
A Palestine Journey
June 16, 2025 / By Rev. Gary Doupe / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following commentary was written by the Rev. Gary Doupe on behalf of the UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel (Equal Justice for Palestine-Israel). The views expressed in this article are of the UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, and not of Bishop Burgos Núñez or any Upper New York staff member. In early May 2025, I joined …more
AC2025: Survey reflects a joyful Annual Conference experience across Upper New York
June 12, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor’s Note: This article is based on feedback from the 2025 Annual Conference survey conducted by the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church. Nearly half of those in attendance provided feedback anonymously through a post-event survey. The 2025 Upper New York Annual Conference (AC2025) left a lasting impression on United Methodists across the region, according to survey feedback from both clergy and laity. Held on May 2 …more
Tiny Jesus: One figurine’s journey of faith, comfort, and connection
June 12, 2025 / By Rev. George Gallandorm, Oneonta Superintendency Associate
My Tiny Jesus story began nearly nine months ago. I was blessed to be asked to be the spiritual director on a men’s Walk to Emmaus. During a pre-walk team meeting, one of the laity, during his talk preview, told a touching story on how his wife led him to Jesus several years earlier. He spoke about what an exciting time in his life it was and how …more
Upper New York Conference welcomes Shelby Manchester
June 10, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
United Methodists of Upper New York are pleased to welcome Shelby Manchester as the new Conference Archivist. Shelby will play a key role in preserving and promoting the rich Methodist heritage across the conference. In this role, she will manage historical records, provide research services, and lead digital preservation efforts – ensuring our past remains connected to our present and future ministry. Born and raised in …more
Bridges of Faith: Finding Peace and Persistence in the Holy Land
June 10, 2025 / By Merle Showers and Arlene Lundquest, UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The following commentary was written by Merle Showers and Arlene Lundquest on behalf of the UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel. The views expressed in this article are of the UNY Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, and not of Bishop Burgos Núñez or any Upper New York staff member. As a member of the Upper New York …more
United Methodists travel to learn, listen, and lead in Immigration Ministry
June 10, 2025 / By Kristina Clark and Georgia Whitney / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Since January 2025, The United Methodist Church and the Upper New York Conference have become increasingly aware of the growing fear and uncertainty facing migrants, immigrants, refugees, and BIPOC individuals in our communities. Government policies have led to the separation of families, the detention of individuals, racial profiling, and the erosion of human dignity. In a letter written that month, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez …more
UNY donates $20,000 to continued tornado recovery in Rome
June 10, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
PRESS RELEASE: United Methodists of Upper New York donate $20,000 to Connected Community Schools for Ongoing Tornado Recovery in Rome For Immediate Release Contact: Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications (shelbywinchell@unyumc.org) Liverpool, NY — The Upper New York Conference (UNY) of The United Methodist Church donated $20,000 to Connected Community Schools to support continued recovery efforts in Rome, NY, following the devastating EF-2 tornado that struck the …more