news stories
Casowasco Update: From discernment to action
May 7, 2025 / By Casowasco Discernment Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Casowasco Discernment Team continues to discern the next right step for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. During the Lenten season, they spent time in prayer and discernment and invited others into the conversation through an electronic form. Thank you to everyone who completed the form. Your responses offered helpful insights, full of passion and openness. After reviewing the input from the forms and reflecting on their own …more
2024 CVA Allocation Update: A testament to stewardship and faith
May 6, 2025 / By Bob Flask, Conference Treasurer / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
At the 2024 Upper New York Annual Conference (UNY) session, conference members passed a resolution to allocate $7.8 million from the Child Victims Act (CVA) costs to the reserved fund for the UNY Board of Pension and Health. At that time, UNY was conducting the 2023 annual audit, leading auditors to allocate this cost to the operating year of 2023 based on incurred expenses and completed settlements. Initially, concerns arose about allocating such …more
From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: A new vision for The United Methodist Church
May 6, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following statement was sent to the United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on Tuesday, May 6. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. …more
Certificates of Insurance
April 28, 2025 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Manager / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
If your church is seeking certificates of insurance for disability insurance coverage (DB 120.1) and/or workers’ compensation insurance coverage (C105.2), the following information will be helpful to you. Requests for DB 120.1 Certificates of insurance for disability insurance coverage (DB 102.1) are issued by the disability insurance carrier, Guardian. The following information will be needed from you to request the certificate of insurance. You can email …more
Rest. Work. Play. How we’re shaping a healthier future for preachers
April 22, 2025 / By Rev. Abigail Browka, Associate Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
What do you get when you ask a group of preachers to slow down? You get revelation. That’s exactly what happened when our first cohort of Preachers: Rest. Work. Play. gathered for their Opening Renewal Trip in Belize earlier this year. Click here to read about the experience and click here to watch a video documenting it. What many thought would be a quiet week of …more
From Upper New York to Costa Rica: A shared call to serve
April 21, 2025 / By Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” – Ephesians 3:20 In The United Methodist Church, the Spirit moves through our connection—quietly weaving lives together in awe-inspiring and unexpected ways. This winter, two mission teams from the Upper New York Conference—living just over an hour apart …more
New security measures in place at Oncenter
April 21, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The last time United Methodists gathered at the Oncenter in Downtown Syracuse for Annual Conference was in 2019. Next month when onsite, you’ll notice some significant changes. There are new meeting rooms upstairs, a revamped ballroom downstairs, and new security measures. The Oncenter is now equipped with EVOLV security systems at all entrances. This non-invasive, walk-through technology is designed to detect weapons efficiently and discreetly. This shouldn&rsquo …more
Passing of Pope Francis
April 21, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following message was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on Monday, April 21, 2025 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez about the passing of Pope Francis. Dear Siblings in Christ, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. It is with hearts heavy yet full of hope that we …more
From the Desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: Easter 2025 video message
April 20, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Click here to download the extended version of the video. Click here to download the short version of the video. Click here to download a printable transcript. 2025 Easter Message: Christ Is Our Hope Greetings in the name and love of the Risen Christ! Celebrating Easter, as followers of Christ and United Methodists, is a sacred and profound experience. Easter lies at the very heart of our Wesleyan heritage: …more
Steve Ranous receives national UMM award
April 14, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Steve Ranous, a regular attendee of the national gathering of United Methodist Men (UMM), made his way to Myrtle Beach this March for the annual event—just as he always does. As the current Treasurer of the United Methodist Men Foundation, his attendance was a priority. What he didn’t expect was to be honored for his outstanding work, witness, and leadership within the organization. “I …more