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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news stories Tagged “Districts”

    Beyond the Pews: Church on the porch

    October 6, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    For Pastor J Lanni, ministry doesn’t end at the doors of Middlesex United Methodist Church or Vine Valley UMC. It stretches well beyond the pulpit, pews, and stained-glass windows. This summer, that ministry found a new home—on a front porch in the middle of a neighborhood—where an honest conversation about life and faith began.  It started when Matt, a man wrestling with questions …more

    Equitable Compensation Grant applications for January to June 2026 are now available

    September 30, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Equitable Compensation Grant applications for January to June 2026 are now available. The deadline to submit a completed application is October 31.  The Commission on Equitable Compensation has created a new fillable application process online for churches looking to request an equitable compensation grant for their pastor. This new application and guidelines for salary grants to local churches is available to churches as authorized in The Book of Discipline. To apply …more

    From the Desk of Bishop Héctor: Jesus’s life is not an Option

    September 23, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Editor's Note: The following pastoral letter was sent on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez to United Methodists of Upper New York and Susquehanna on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.    Dear Beloved Family of God,  In the past week, I have received many requests for statements about the pressing issues confronting our nation and world. Your desire for clarity, courage, and leadership is …more

    Back to Church Sunday celebrates faith, friendship, and community

    September 22, 2025 / By Gayle Denning, Akron First United Methodist Church

    This past Sunday, Akron First United Methodist Church joined thousands of congregations across the country in celebrating National Back to Church Sunday, a movement designed to reconnect people with their faith communities and welcome new faces into the life of the church. At a time when our nation and community have faced heartbreaking tragedies and uncertainty, the invitation to gather, pray, and walk together has never been more important. …more

    Building Unity and Vision: SUS and UNY Missional Cabinets Gather for Joint Retreat

    September 22, 2025 / By Shelby Winchell, Upper New York Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    Missional Cabinets from both the Susquehanna (SUS) and Upper New York (UNY) Conferences gathered in Corning, NY, in early September for a multi-day retreat. Over four days, leaders from both conferences engaged in worship, learning, and collaboration with a focus on team building and moving forward together. The last time the Missional Cabinets from both conferences met was January 2025. You can read about that collaborative missional meeting here.   …more

    From Prayer to Action: UNY ministry leaders unite around love and mission 

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

    On Saturday, September 6, ministry leaders from across the Upper New York Conference gathered at Liverpool First UMC for a fall leadership summit - a day marked by prayer, reflection, and forward-thinking collaboration. The summit created sacred space to reconnect with God and one another while discerning next steps in ministry.  Organized by the Office of Missional Excellence, the gathering brought together more than 40 leaders representing a wide range of …more

    CLT gathers for prayerful leadership and strategic actions 

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

    The Conference Leadership Team (CLT) of United Methodists of Upper New York convened on Friday evening, September 5, 2025, at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool. As the executive body of the Annual Conference, the CLT gathered for a focused time of prayerful conversation, strategic decision-making, and updates on vital areas of ministry and administration.  2026 Conference Benefit Funding Plan Approved  During the two-hour meeting, the CLT reviewed and approved the 2026 …more

    How the Rev. Dr. Michael Beck and Greenhouse Days helped SPARK ignite a new way of being church

    August 25, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    In a time when many churches are navigating declining membership and cultural shifts, a new kind of community is quietly growing within the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church—not through buildings or bulletins, but through belonging.   SPARK has emerged as a vibrant fresh expression of faith, rooted in radical inclusion, community, and spiritual creativity at Kenmore United Methodist Church. While its origins began …more

    Immigration Justice Cohort: Equipping justice-centered leaders in Upper New York

    August 19, 2025 / By Georgia Whitney and Kristina Clark / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    United Methodists of Upper New York were awarded a $9,000 Action Fund Grant from the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) to launch an Immigration Justice Cohort. This grant is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of United Methodist congregations around the world who faithfully participate in our shared giving. The Immigration Justice Cohort is an initiative of Missional Excellence. It is a ten-month journey that will prepare six regional …more

    Casowasco Discern & Design Summit update

    August 5, 2025 / By Casowasco Discernment Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    On July 18-19, a group of leaders, alumni, and supporters gathered at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center for a Discern & Design Summit. Guided by consultants Scott Pontier and Heather Kenny from Ministry Incubators, the goal wasn’t to solve every problem—but to listen and imagine what a renewed future for Casowasco could look like.   The summit was designed to celebrate Casowasco’s legacy, …more



    United Methodists of Upper New York is comprised of a vibrant network of more than 600 local churches and active new faith communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."