news stories Tagged “Missional Engagement”
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
Answered Prayer: Rush UMC’s journey of compassion and connection
July 28, 2025 / By Erma Perkins, Rush UMC
On May 29, 2025, Rush United Methodist Church commissioned a missionary team to Empangeni, South Africa, continuing a partnership that has spanned more than two decades with Zululand Hospice and MusaweNkosi Orphanage. This year’s mission once again deepened relationships and offered lasting hope to all who participated. Erma Perkins, who has faithfully led the team for most of those years, described the experience as “a true moment of answered …more
From the Desk of Bishop Héctor: Devastating Flooding in Central Texas
July 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 Thursday, July 10, 2025 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez about the flooding across Central Texas and New Mexico. Beloved Family of God, Our hearts are heavy as we witness the devastation caused by the catastrophic floods across Central Texas. Lives have been tragically lost, families uprooted, …more
Help UMCOR restock cleaning buckets
October 21, 2024 / By Kristina Clark, Director of Missional Engagement / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida before moving north, releasing 30 trillion gallons of water across western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and western Virginia, leading to catastrophic flooding. Just weeks later, Hurricane Milton struck Florida again, further devastating homes and communities. The UMCOR Relief Supply Network has distributed thousands of cleaning buckets to those affected, but it has left warehouses depleted. UMCOR is asking for our help to restock. The Neighborhood …more
Hurricane Helene disaster response
October 2, 2024 / By Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Editor's note: The following letter was emailed to United Methodists of Upper New York on Wednesday, October 2 about disaster response following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene on behalf of Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence, Disaster Response Coordinator. Dear United Methodists of Upper New York, We are heartbroken to witness the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene to communities across our United Methodist Connection. We’re …more
Missional Excellence and staffing
July 25, 2024 / By Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Missional Excellence / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Nearly eighteen months ago, I was invited to serve as the Director of Missional Excellence for United Methodists of Upper New York. In that time, some have asked what it means to be Director of Missional Excellence, or more specifically what is Missional Excellence? In short, Missional Excellence is about equipping leaders and congregations so they can make a missional impact in their communities and around the world. Missional …more
From the desk of Bishop Héctor: Summer storm response
July 18, 2024 / 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 from Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez on July 18, 2024 in response to the recent storms that have significantly impacted several Upper New York communities. “If one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it…” 1 Corinthians 12:26 …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
What to expect as we prepare for AC24
February 7, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Planning is underway for the 2024 Upper New York Annual Conference session, to be held May 30-June 1 at the SRC Arena, on the campus of Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. Administrative team leaders met virtually last week to iron out details regarding the upcoming session. Participants included chairpersons from the Board of Pension and Health Benefits, Conference Finance and Administration, Commission on Equitable Compensation, Nominations, and Trustees working in conjunction …more
Transforming lives through compassion in Uganda
January 31, 2024 / By Kevin Miller, Multimedia Content Creator / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and …more