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RISE UP! Following through on the work of Annual Conference 2026

UNY Communications
7 hours ago
3 min read

By UNY Communications | Email


When the 2026 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference gathered in May under the theme RISE UP! Love Boldly | Transform the World, we did more than worship, learn, and conduct the business of the conference. Together, we made decisions and approved actions that continue to shape the ministry of United Methodists of Upper New York.


As we move into the fall, work is underway on a number of the actions approved during the 2026 session. Some items have been completed, while others are in progress and will require continued work in the months ahead. You can view petitions, resolutions,  recommendations, and addendums here.


Here’s a look at some of the work that's happened since we last gathered at Annual Conference:


UNYAC2026.3: Exploring Health Benefit Expansion for LLPs: Provisional and Ordained Deacons and Elders, Who Currently Have No Employer- Sponsored Benefits

  • COMPLETED: Sent a letter on June 2, 2026 to Governor Kathy Hochul.


UNYAC2026.4: Support for our Immigrant Siblings

  • COMPLETED: Sent a letter on June 2, 2026 to Governor Kathy Hochul.


UNYAC2026.6: Digital Justice for New Yorkers

  • COMPLETED: Sent letters on June 2, 2026 to New York State Office of Attorney General, Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection Chair, and Committee on Consumer Protection Chair.

  • COMPLETED:  Digital Justice: A Study and Action Guide, by the World Council of Churches and the World Association for Christian Communication resource, was shared in the Weekly Digest on August 12, 2026 and posted on the conference website as an approved annual conference resource here. 


UNYAC2026.7: New York State Prison Reform 

  • COMPLETED: Sent a letter on June 2, 2026 to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Andrea Stewart-Collins, Assemblymember Carl E. Heastie, Senator Julia Salazar, and Honorable Erik Martin Dilan.


UNYAC2026.1: Reclaiming Our Methodist Musical Heritage

  • IN PROGRESS: The Sessions and AC Worship Team are being mindful of song selection that blends traditional and contemporary hymns of The United Methodist Church.


UNYAC2026.2: Africa University Dormitory

  • IN PROGRESS: Team has been convened and is working on a fundraising campaign to raise $1.5 million dollars in partnership with the Susquehanna Conference to build a new dormitory on campus for female students at Africa University.


UNYAC2026.3: Exploring Health Benefit Expansion for LLPs: Provisional and Ordained Deacons and Elders, Who Currently Have No Employer-Sponsored Benefits

  • IN PROGRESS: Chair of the Board of Pension and Health Benefits is working with the petition’s authors as well as the Commission on Equitable Compensation to identify individuals to serve on a task force to explore expanding health care benefits to all appointed clergy and their families, with research and recommendations presented at the 2027 Annual Conference. 


UNYAC2026.5: Children of Immigrants Deserve Education

  • IN PROGRESS: The Social Holiness Team was reminded by Missional Excellence in August 2026 to monitor relevant state legislation and communicate opportunities for advocacy to congregations and forward resolution to the UM General Board of Church and Society and to ecumenical and interfaith partners in New York State.  


UNYAC2026.8: Equip and Resource Local Church Trustees for Carbon Neutral Evaluation and Planning

  • IN PROGRESS: Creation Justice Team is working to identify and publish carbon-reduction resources, develop a standardized carbon-footprint assessment tool for local churches, integrate it into annual reporting, and provide an update at the 2027 Annual Conference.


UNYAC2026.10: Reporting and Study of Clergy Compensation Data

  • IN PROGRESS: Chair of the Board of Pension and Health Benefits has twice convened the task force and is beginning to address the work outlined in the adopted petition.  


Annual Conference is not simply a multi-day gathering. It is an ongoing connectional ministry, and the work approved by the body becomes part of that shared ministry. As these initiatives move forward, we will continue to provide updates and invite churches, clergy, and laity to participate where appropriate. 


Thank you to everyone who has helped move this work forward. Through our shared commitment and connection, we continue to RISE UP!—loving boldly and transforming the world together.

 

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