Conference Leadership Team takes next step in Africa University partnership
By Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications | Email
The Conference Leadership Team (CLT) met virtually on Thursday, August 20. During the meeting, the CLT addressed and voted on several important matters.
Immediate Funding Approved for Africa University Dorm Project
During the 2026 Upper New York Annual Conference session, the body approved a petition, in partnership with the Susquehanna Conference, to support construction of a new 92-bed women’s residence hall at Africa University. To allow construction to move forward without waiting several years for fundraising, the Upper New York Conference’s Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) made a proposal to the Conference Leadership Team to advance $750,000 from current operating reserves toward UNY’s share of the project, which addresses a critical need for safe, stable housing for female students, who make up 57-percent of the university’s enrollment.
The Susquehanna Conference had previously approved a matching $750,000 contribution, bringing the two conferences’ combined commitment to $1.5 million. The Susquehanna Conference also approved the advancement of their portion immediately to fulfill a dire need and avoid rising construction costs. Funds advanced by Upper New York will be replenished through contributions raised as part of the conference’s fundraising effort, which is set to begin in Fall 2026.
The need for the new residence hall was highlighted during a Summer 2025 visit to Africa University by Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez and laity and clergy across Upper New York. University leaders shared that students without on-campus housing can face more than a two-hour walk to off-campus accommodations.
The partnership will allow Africa University to move forward with the dormitory project while the conferences continue raising funds for the initiative.
"CFA is excited that CLT approved the pre-fundraising payment proposal to fund construction of a dormitory that will address Africa University students’ critical housing needs. After reviewing our operating reserves, CFA determined that the conference can provide the funds in advance. The conference’s strong financial position reflects UNY churches’ faithful commitment to ministry shares, and CFA is confident that local churches will respond generously to the capital campaign. This plan, strengthened by our partnership with the Susquehanna Conference, demonstrates the connectionalism on which our denomination was built," expressed Roger Cullen, Chair of the Upper New York Council on Finance and Administration.
Strategic Adaptive Initiative Teams
The Conference Leadership Team finalized the four Strategic Adaptive Initiative teams related to the Missional Path Forward as approved during the 2026 Upper New York Annual Conference session. The four teams require six to eight people within the conference and were populated based on the responses to the summer questionnaire and conversations with staff and other leaders. The teams are as follow: Collaborative Parish Development, New and Innovative Faith Communities, Shared Leadership Model, and Community Mission Catalysts.
Teams will meet beginning this month.
Nomination Accepted
The Conference Leadership Team accepted the nomination of Nancy Bridges to the Commission on Archives & History. Nancy, a member at Manlius UMC, was appointed to the commission after serving faithfully as a volunteer in the conference archives.
The Conference Leadership Team will meet again in late September.
