news stories Tagged “Communications”
Learning Session Recap: Reaching the next generation
May 23, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Friday, May 23, 2025, during the Upper New York Annual Conference, the Rev. Kris Sledge and the Rev. Rachel Gilmore led a compelling learning session on why younger generations are distancing themselves from the church. Drawing from their new book, Followers Under 40, the session explored the trends behind this shift and offered insights into how faith communities can be reimagined to meet Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha where they are. …more
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez inspires hope and vision at 2025 Upper New York Annual Conference
May 23, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On day two of the 2025 Upper New York Annual Conference, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez delivered a passionate and visionary Episcopal Address, inspiring clergy and laity alike to deepen relationships, embrace change, and boldly live into God’s call. Speaking to a room filled with United Methodists from across the region, Bishop Burgos Núñez expressed gratitude, celebrated progress, and outlined a …more
Together in Diversity: Empowering laity for culturally aware ministry
May 13, 2025 / By Jessica White, Conference Lay Leader / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On behalf of the Board of Laity, I want to express how excited we are to see you all at this year’s Laity Session. We are especially pleased to announce that our teaching session will feature a special guest speaker and focus on intercultural competency training for the laity. This session promises to be an invaluable opportunity for attendees, equipping lay leaders to engage in more inclusive …more
2028 General Conference headed to Minneapolis
May 12, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Mark your calendars. General Conference (GC) is headed to Minneapolis May 8-18, 2028. The Commission on the General Conference made the announcement after the conclusion of the Commission's spring virtual meeting. General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, which meets once every four years. The three-week event will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. “The selection of Minneapolis as a General Conference …more
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
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
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
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