From Bishop Burgos: Next Steps for Missional Path Forward

By UNY Communications | Email

Editor's Note: The following message was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Dear siblings in Christ, 

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus.

At the 2026 Annual Conference, we affirmed a Missional Path Forward for the Upper New York Conference—the fruit of a yearlong, Spirit-led labor by the Visioning Taskforce approved in the 2025 session. Now, the moment has come to move beyond words on a page and step boldly into action, living the vision with courage, collaboration, and trust in God’s unfolding future.

Adaptive Initiatives Teams

The first action step is the formation of four teams to engage the strategic adaptive initiatives affirmed by the Conference, 

• Collaborative Parish Development 

• New and Innovative Congregations 

• Shared Leadership Models 

• Community Mission Catalysts 
  

Why this Matters

Experimentation will be the primary way these teams’ work. Made up of laity and clergy willing to lead as practitioners of missional experiments, the teams will identify experiments to try, learn from each attempt, share insights with others, and set up the next round of experiments. This requires leaders connected to congregations willing to try new things—some of which may not go as planned, and some may fail. That willingness is essential. 

We Need your Help 

To help the Conference Leadership Team discern potential members, we are gathering a pool of candidates through a brief questionnaire. Your responses will help shape teams positioned for the greatest missional impact. Please take time to pray before completing it—this work will require real time, energy, and commitment alongside your current ministry. Each team will include only 6–8 members, so not all who volunteer will be invited at this stage. Because this is long‑term work, additional opportunities will emerge, and the questionnaire will help us build a ready pool of leaders for future phases.

Call to Action and Next Steps 

Please complete the questionnaire by August 19, 2026, here.  

Invitations for the teams will be sent by August 23, 2026. The teams will launch together on October 3, 2026, at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool, with consultant Mike Bonem guiding the startup. Afterward, teams will meet regularly via Zoom, and team leaders will join additional Zoom gatherings to ensure alignment across the shared ministry. Contact Rev. Dr. Aaron Bouwens, Director of Missional Excellence, aaronbouwens@unyumc.org with questions.

The Missional Path Forward is more than a plan—it is an invitation to trust that God is already shaping a future filled with possibility, renewal, and courageous love. As we step into this next season, may we do so with hearts open to the Spirit’s leading and hands ready for the work ahead.

Together in Christ’s mission,

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez

The United Methodist Church   

Serving the Susquehanna and Upper New York Episcopal Area