Report from the 2025 Upper New York Annual Conference
In May, we had the privilege of attending another Annual Conference for United Methodists of Upper New York at the On-Center in Syracuse, NY. We opened with a welcoming from Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding. Our Conference Lay Leader, Jessica White, then acknowledged the land of the Onondaga Nation on which the conference was held.
We then had a Spirit-filled opening worship led by Bishop Hector A. Burgos Núñez. Bishop Hector focused on John 11:1-45 and Philippians 4:13. The theme of Conference was BELIEVE! We all need to step forward in faith and BELIEVE! We need to speak God’s truth in power.
After worship, we broke into clergy and laity sessions. Of course, we can’t speak to the clergy session, but during the Laity Session, we heard reports from your Conference Youth (including an entertaining skit with Mattie Stamm!), our General Conference head of the delegation (Carmen Vianese), and United Women in Faith. We then had a wonderful interactive learning session about intercultural competency led by Deacon April Casperson from the Methodist Theological Seminary of Ohio.
Our plenary, or business, sessions included discussing the Conference budget, hearing reports from various Conference ministries, and discussing and voting on the petitions and resolutions brought to the conference. This is the time when people can speak for or against the items brought before us. There is always a time of amendments, also. The chance to make changes to the items brought before the body.
The items we voted on this year were:
UNYAC2025.1: Making the Stranger Feel Welcome
UNYAC2025.2: Designation of a “Historic Site” to Harkness UMC
UNYAC2025.3: Sound Level at AC
UNYAC2025.4: Identifying and Opposing Apartheid in the Holy Land
UNYAC2025.5: Embracing the Fullness of Lay Ministry
UNYAC2025.6: Encouraging United Methodist Institutions with Endowment to Utilize Wespath Institutional Investing (This was amended to include another agency)
UNYAC2025.7: Inviting All to Experience the Love of Christ
UNYAC2025.8: Endorse NYS Poor People’s Campaign and Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS Statement.
We also voted on the proposed constitutional amendments from General Conference. They were:
Ballot 1: Worldwide Regionalization
Ballot 2: Paragraph 4, Article 4 Ratification
Ballot 3: Article V: Racial Justice
Ballot 4: Educational requirements for clergy members
The results of these ballots will not be known until all conferences around the globe have voted on them. We should have the results sometime in the fall.
Admittedly, the saddest part of Annual Conference is voting to approve the closure of churches. This year’s closures included Royalton UMC and Cleveland Hill UMC.The highlight of Annual Conference for us this year was the Commissioning and Ordination Ceremony on Friday night.
Rev. Suzanne Block was recognized as she is set to retire at the end of June. Many of you remember PSQ with fondness. She was a vital part of our church for many years. She went on to serve Homer UMC and Christ UMC in Olean before becoming a District Superintendent. CONGRATULATIONS to Pastor Suzanne on her retirement!
Next up was Pastor Jennifer Stamm (now Reverend!) being Commissioned to do the work of an Elder in the United Methodist Church. Before coming to Pendleton Center, Jennifer was assigned to serve Orchard Park UMC. When Pastor Jennifer joined the pastoral staff at Pendleton Center, she was still a Certified Lay Minister working towards local pastor. The fact that she has gone from CLM to Local Pastor to graduating Seminary with her Master of Divinity (WITH HONORS) and being commissioned in 4 years is nothing short of AMAZING! Pastor Jennifer is currently serving First UMC of Watertown and, beginning July 1, will also be appointed to Sulpher Springs UMC, both in the Northern Flow District. CONGRATULATIONS, Pastor Jennifer! Your hard work has paid off!
And last but not least. Near and dear to our hearts, Rev. Sherry Mahar, was ordained as a FULL ELDER in the United Methodist Church! Many of you remember Pastor Sherry as our Worship Director. We all (Sherry, Louie, Naomi, and Linda B.) became CLMs together. Sherry heard God’s call to go further and followed. When Pastor Sherry left Pendleton Center, she moved to Rome, NY, to serve Delta UMC and First UMC: Rome in the Mohawk District. As of July 1, she will be appointed to Jamestown: Christ First UMC in the Cornerstone District. Pastor Sherry, we know you will wear that stole well!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your accomplishments!
May God Bless and be with them all in the next chapters of their lives!
One thing we would like to see at Annual Conference is the opportunity to share our connections, joys, and ministries within our church with others across the conference. Maybe we can work on that for our next Laity Session!
If you want to know more about Annual Conference and what was done, or see the videos of the services or sessions, visit the Conference website at https://www.unyumc.org/events/2025-annual-conference
In Christ’s Service,
Linda Barczykowski, Louie Bobsein, and Naomi Laskey
