news stories Tagged “Missional Excellence”
Clergy Days Apart offer space for rest, renewal, and reconnection
January 6, 2026 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Clergy Days Apart are being offered across the Upper New York Conference in early 2026, inviting pastoral leaders to step away from the regular rhythms of ministry and rest in the unhurried rhythms of grace. These days are designed to provide sacred time and space for reflection, renewal, and reconnection with one’s spiritual center. Participants will draw deeply from the Wellspring of Love and return to ministry refreshed and …more
Joint Deacon retreat: A spring gathering for connection, calling, and collaboration
January 5, 2026 / By UNY Communiations
This spring, the Orders of Deacons of the Susquehanna and Upper New York Conferences invite all who share the distinctive call of the Deacon to gather for a time of renewal, fellowship, and purposeful conversation. Whether you are discerning your call, newly commissioned, in Full Connection, or retired, this retreat is designed to strengthen our shared ministry through connection, reflection, and practical learning. Save the Dates: March 13–14, 2026 Location: Liverpool …more
Growing in Faith, Giving in Love: Middleburgh UMC’s Transformative Journey
November 18, 2025 / By UNY's Missional Excellence Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Since 2023, Middleburg UMC under the leadership of Pastor Maryellen Moore has been engaging Upper New York’s New Faith Communities initiative to build more collaboration and intention in their ministry. Middleburg UMC is a rural church, averaging 10-20 people in worship, with 3,500 people in the immediate community—who through their Mission Store shared thousands of dollars and lots of valuable secondhand items with their community in 2025. …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
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
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
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