news stories Tagged “Communications”
What are Ministry Shares?
February 12, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Do you know the strength in the United Methodist Connection? When several Upper New York churches were severely damaged after the “Blizzard of the Century” in December 2022, a church in Cape Cod, Massachusetts collected $30,000 and split it evenly among three churches in the Buffalo-area to help with the clean-up efforts. This church is not part of the Upper New York Conference, but members felt compelled to help. This …more
Fighting for food justice: A Methodist call to action
February 11, 2025 / By Deaconess Susan Silhan, Healing and Wholeness Ministry / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This past Sunday on February 9, 2025, Home Missioner Robert Pessolissi, Director of the Interfaith Public Health Network (IPHN), shared a powerful message “Holiness and Wholeness: Looking at Public Health through a Methodist Lens” at Odessa-Catharine UMC in the Mountain View District. Bob is a native of Syracuse but resides in Poughkeepsie and is commissioned to the IPHN in the New York Conference. His message reminded those in attendance …more
Conference Office closed on February 6, 2025
February 6, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Due to the inclement weather, the Conference Office in Liverpool is closed today, February 6. It is scheduled to reopen on Friday, February 7. …more
Cady Grants applications now being accepted
February 3, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Could you or your ministry qualify for a Cady Grant? The Cady Grant is a valuable funding opportunity available to local United Methodist churches, individual United Methodists, and district or conference ministry teams within the Upper New York Conference. This grant supports educational initiatives that foster growth, learning, and leadership development within the church and community. Cady Grants have supplemented, supported, and financed many creative projects. In the …more
Susquehanna and Upper New York Cabinets come together for missional collaboration
January 29, 2025 / By Matt Shineman, Susquehanna Conference Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Susquehanna and Upper New York Conferences of The United Methodist Church have entered an exciting new chapter of shared leadership and mission. Following the decision made by the 2024 General Conference to reduce the allocation of bishops available for assignment for the Northeastern Jurisdiction (NEJ), the two conferences are now under the leadership of one bishop. This restructuring marks a significant opportunity for deeper collaboration and alignment in the ministry. …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
United Women in Faith offer grants that support women, children, and youth
January 24, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Conference United Women in Faith is dedicated to fostering positive change in communities by offering annual grants to non-profit and church-based organizations. These grants aim to uphold the teachings of Jesus Christ by directly addressing the needs of women, children, and youth within the Conference boundaries. The grant program, running from July 1 to June 30 each year, provides vital support for projects that promote well-being, equality, …more
Special Message from Bishop Héctor: The ongoing California wildfires
January 10, 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 behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on Friday, January 10, 2025 in response to the ongoing wildfires in California. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” - Romans 12:15 (ESV) Dear siblings in Christ, As United Methodists, we are called to love and …more
Answering the call: Serving during Hurricane Helene and beyond
January 9, 2025 / By Jan Rothfuss, Aldersgate United Methodist Church / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It was a Friday in September 2024, and I was visiting my son and his family, who live near Raleigh, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene was heading through our area, and schools were closed. We found safe places for the three grandchildren, my son went to work, and I stayed at the house, watching the weather reports. Luckily, we had three inches of rain with high winds but no property damage or …more
Moving forward from the Laity Session to empower churches and communities
January 7, 2025 / By Jessica White, Conference Lay Leader / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hello to the United Methodists of Upper New York Laity (and Clergy), I wanted to thank all the laity who participated in the Laity Session on May 30, 2024, in Syracuse, NY. We used that time to discuss the hopes, dreams, and challenges faced by various districts within our conference. We found that there is a lot of commonality in the issues we are experiencing. It was a blessing to have everyone …more