news stories Tagged “Communications”
From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: Holy Week
March 22, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following email was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on Friday, March 22, 2024. “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you.” John 13:34 Dear siblings in Christ, Starting on Sunday, next week, United Methodists of Upper New York, alongside Christians …more
Nominations and Leadership Development team seeking nominations
March 15, 2024 / By Ian Carlos Urriola, Nominations and Leadership Development Chair / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
For three days, United Methodists of Upper New York gather for a time of prayer, worship, and holy conferencing to conduct the business of our Annual Conference. And yet, the work of our connectional ministry to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places is a 365—or, when it’s a leap year like 2024, 366—day affair. …more
Statement from the Council of Bishops calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
March 14, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: This letter was published by The United Methodist Council of Bishops on March 13, 2023 and shared with United Methodists of Upper New York. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NLT) As bishops of The United Methodist Church, we call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza and pledge our prayers …more
Traveling crosses for Lent
March 11, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It all started with a six-foot cross made by a church member who connected two wooden beams. At the time, Brandin Greco was the pastor at Lycoming United Methodist Church and was busy creating plans for both Lent and Easter. Then the pandemic hit. “We had to quickly change our plans in order to stay connected with our church families,” explains Pastor Brandin. He wasn …more
Upper New York response to Netflix documentary, “The Program”
March 9, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
United Methodists of Upper New York were made aware of a new Netflix documentary featuring audio clips of Thomas Nichols. In the docuseries “The Program,” Nichols is identified as the former Public Relations Coordinator for the Academy of Ivy Ridge, a boarding school in Northern New York that ceased operation in March 2009. The series details several allegations of abuse. Nichols is currently associated with Galilee and …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
CVA Task Force update
March 4, 2024 / By CVA Task Force
In December, the Child Victims Act (CVA) Task Force asked you to join your prayers with ours as we began the weighty work of developing a plan for allocating Upper New York’s share of the payment of Child Victims Act case settlements and legal fees. Understanding that these settlement costs represent only a token of recompense for the survivors of abuse, we considered the costs to …more
Beyond Borders: Watertown First UMC’s Mission of Hope in Zimbabwe
February 29, 2024 / By Kevin Miller, Multimedia Content Creator / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In Zimbabwe, the life of a young boy named Edward Dingadade took a transformative turn, fueled by the kindness of a community thousands of miles away. This story, woven with threads of empathy and global unity, originates not directly from Edward, but from the compassionate individuals at the Watertown First United Methodist Church. Touched by the struggles faced by AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, they made a commitment to fund the …more
District Days shed hope on the future
February 27, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
There is nothing like being able to gather to worship, engage in meaningful conversations, and enjoy fellowship with other Christians. This winter, United Methodists of Upper New York have had the chance to connect beyond their local churches through District Days. Since the beginning of February, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez has been traveling throughout Upper New York, meeting with both clergy and laity, …more
From the desk of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez: Three District Superintendent appointments extended
February 26, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's Note: The following was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor on Feb. 26, 2024. Dear United Methodists of Upper New York, I am pleased to announce the extension of three District Superintendents appointments for 2024-25. The Reverend Mike Weeden is being extended to an eighth year as Conference Superintendent assigned to the Northern Flow and Mohawk Districts. …more