news stories Tagged “Clergy Wellness”

Preaching with Purpose: Inside the Rest. Work. Play. cohort experience

June 25, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

On Tuesday, June 24, the Rev. Abigail Browka and Pastor Bekah Solar, both serving as Associate Directors of Missional Excellence, hosted a Preachers: Rest. Work. Play virtual open house to discuss the Compelling Preaching Initiative.   This four-year initiative is designed to help preachers cultivate healthy rhythms of rest, work, and play through a ten-month cohort experience. Why just ten months? Because preachers are busy—the program is intentionally …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

Clergy Care Fund: A lifeline for clergy in crisis

April 8, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The demands of ministry are many—and sometimes, life’s unexpected financial burdens can make it difficult for clergy to be fully present to both their appointment and their families. That’s where the Clergy Care Fund steps in.  This fund exists to assist active clergy under appointment who are experiencing an unforeseen financial crisis. The Upper New York Board of Ordained Ministry’s (BOM) …more

Preachers find time to rest and play while on renewal trip to Belize

January 28, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

In the early morning hours of January 14, eleven Upper New York clergy boarded a plane from Syracuse, NY to Central America. They traded in their winter jackets, boots, and freezing cold temperatures for sandals, sunscreen, and a chance to embark on a journey that promised to be full of rest and renewal. This was the first renewal trip planned for preachers serving United Methodists of Upper New York, designed solely …more

New resource from Missional Excellence: Healthy Church Academy

August 20, 2024 / By Missional Excellence Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

United Methodists of Upper New York have been investing time, energy, other resources in growing the wellness of our leaders, clergy and laity. Until now much of the focus has been on walking with clergy so that together we can grow in our wellness. It takes healthy clergy to lead churches to a healthy place.    We also know it takes a partnership between clergy and lay leaders …more

Lilly Endowment grant taking shape in Upper New York

March 4, 2024 / By Rev. Abigail Browka, Associate Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Upper New York (UNY) Conference was granted $1,250,000 from the Lilly Endowment Inc. Compelling Preaching Initiative in October 2023.  The Compelling Preaching Initiative is part of UNY's clergy leadership development focus called "Thrive," designed to support and enhance the preaching practices of pastors in Upper New York. The initiative will provide pastors with immersive experiences, curated workshops, and intentional space for rest, work, and play. These activities, set in …more