2023 UNY Pre-Conference Workbook

Letter from Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

Letter from Upper New York Conference Lay Leader

Hello to all my siblings in Christ,

May the grace and peace of God be with you as we prepare to gather for the Fourteenth Session of the Upper New York Annual Conference.

Together, Living the Gospel, Being God’s Love is the theme this year. What a great theme to live out. We are together for the first time since 2019. It is truly a blessing to see all of you this year, in person.

And we are all called to live the Gospel and to be God’s love in all places. It reminds me of what the Book of Discipline (¶127) says of the Ministry of Laity. It is a reminder that lay members of the United Methodist Church, and as Christians, have a calling to carry out the Great Commission of making disciples in the name of Jesus Christ. We, the laity, are to share our faith experiences of the Gospel, be witnesses for Christ, be missional, and spread God’s love, allowing others to come to know Christ.

We see the laity of the Upper New York Annual Conference living out this mission daily. Celebrate this work of being the hands and feet of Christ. May God be the Glory!! Continue to be open to the Holy Spirit to fill you and use you as the avenue to show God’s love to the world.

I look forward to being with you all in June 2023.

In Christ, Jessica White Conference Lay Leader Upper New York Area The United Methodist Church

Guidelines for Holy Conferencing: What God Expects of Us

from https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/guidelines-for-holy-conferencing-what-god-expects-of-us 1

“As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, 3 and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other;

just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which

binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which

indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly … And

whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the

Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-16a,17)

• Every person is a child of God. Always speak respectfully. One can disagree without being

disagreeable.

• As you patiently listen and observe the behavior of others, be open to the possibility that God

can change the views of any or all parties in the discussion.

• Listen patiently before formulating responses.

• Strive to understand the experience out of which others have arrived at their views.

• Be careful in how you express personal offense at differing opinions. Otherwise, dialogue may

be inhibited.

• Accurately reflect the views of others when speaking. This is especially important when you

disagree with a position.

• Avoid using inflammatory words, derogatory names, or an excited and angry voice.

• Avoid generalizing about individuals and groups. Make your point with specific evidence and

examples.

• Make use of facilitators and mediators.

• Remember that people are defined, ultimately, by their relationship with God not by the

flaws we discover, or think we discover, in their views and actions.

We believe Christians can discuss important issues without the acrimonious debate and parliamentary

maneuvering that can divide a group into contending factions. We see too many examples of that in

secular society. We believe the Holy Spirit leads in all things, especially as we make decisions. We want to

avoid making decisions in a fashion that leaves some feeling like winners and others like losers.

We can change the world through honest conversation on matters about which we are passionate.

NOTE: We offer our thanks to the participants at The Global Young People's Convocation and Legislative

Assembly, sponsored by the Division on Ministries with Young People, through the Discipleship Ministries,

held in January 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa, for inspiring the framework of these guidelines. They

adopted similar guidelines for Christian Conferencing at the convocation. This work is based on guidelines

for "Holy Conferencing" that emerged from the United Methodist "Dialogue on Theological Diversity" in

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of

Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by

Organizational Motion

1. This is the fourteenth session of the Upper New York Annual Conference held on June 1-3, 2023, at 1 Onondaga Community College SRC Arena, Syracuse, NY.

2. Holy Conferencing affirms our covenant with God and one another. At any time during the 4 proceedings, the bishop may call for a moment of discernment and prayer before a vote is taken.

3. The roll call of attendance shall be taken from credential cards presented at the time of registration. 9 Upon registration, members shall receive a name badge which shall state name and church or 10 position, with a lanyard that indicates voting rights.

4. Lay members are those specified by the 2016 Book of Discipline, ¶32, Article I, and ¶602.4. The 13 election of lay equalization members, as required in ¶32, Article I, and ¶602.4 (i.e., “the annual

conference shall, by its own formula, provide for the election of additional lay members to equalize

lay and clergy membership of the annual conference”) was determined according to the Rules for

Determining and Selecting Lay Members to the Annual Conference, approved by the Annual 17 Conference May 31, 2012. The list of potential nominees to serve as Equalization Lay Members is

published and distributed with other pre-conference materials, shall be duly nominated, and elected

as a first order of business of the Annual Conference.

BUSINESS PROCEDURES

5. The session shall be governed by the rules of General Conference of The United Methodist Church

and the Conference Rules of the Upper New York Annual Conference (2022). Roberts Rules of Order,

11th edition, shall govern all procedural questions where the rules of General Conference cannot be

applied.

6. Clergy entitled to vote are those specified by the 2016 Book of Discipline, ¶602, subject to the

limitations contained in the same paragraph.

7. The voting area of the Conference (“bar of the Conference”) shall be within the exercise track on the

floor area of the arena. Guests and non-members may be seated in the designated visitor seating

area. Persons standing or seated outside the bar of the Conference shall have no voice or vote on

legislative matters.

8. Securing the Floor: Clergy and Lay members wishing to speak to the Conference shall raise their

colored placard at their seat and wait to be recognized by the bishop. When recognized, they shall

move to the nearest microphone, state their name, race, gender, clergy or laity status, church (laity)

or appointment (clergy), and district, before addressing the body.

9. To ensure the accuracy of the minutes and faithfulness to the intention of the mover, motions and

amendments from the floor must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Conference on

a triplicate form provided for this purpose. A copy of the written motion or amendment will be

provided by the author to the secretary upon moving the amendment. No motion or amendment

will be voted on unless it is provided in writing. Forms will be available at each table. The 1 documented motion or amendment will be taken to the Conference Secretary by a Conference staff

or volunteer. The author will retain one of the copies.

10. No person shall speak more than once upon the same question and shall be limited to not more than

three minutes, except the maker of the resolution or the chairperson of the agency submitting the

resolution, who shall have up to five minutes to open and three minutes to close debate.

11. Voting shall be by voice vote and/or show of hands, or by standing count (provided that in such a

count those who cannot stand may vote by raising hands), or by ballot, or by electronic device, at

the discretion of the bishop as Presiding Officer, unless otherwise ordered by the Conference. It shall

be in order for any member to call for a vote by count on any question before the Conference, and,

if the call is sustained by one-third (1/3) of the members present and voting, a vote shall be taken as

called for.

12. The published agenda available on the Conference website shall be the official agenda for the Annual

Conference. Questions about the agenda may be directed to the assistant to the bishop.

13. All reports without recommendations shall be placed on the consent calendar. The Bishop’s Address

to the Conference, the Report of the Conference Lay Leader, and the Superintendents’ report are

automatically exempt from this rule. Further, upon proper motion from the floor, any report may be

lifted from the consent calendar and placed on the agenda by a one-third (1/3) vote of the

Conference body.

14. The Director of Communications shall be responsible for reporting to the general periodicals of The

United Methodist Church and secular news media. All references for printing by the Conference

official publication shall be subject to editing and condensing by the editor.

15. No material may be distributed within the bar of the Annual Conference sessions without prior

review of the Agenda Committee of the UNY Sessions team: Rev. Mike Weeden (Dean of Cabinet),

Jessica White (Conference Lay Leader), and Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding (Assistant to the Bishop).

16. The Journal Editor shall have sole authority to edit, condense, organize, and print the Upper New

York Conference Journal/Yearbook. All material from this session must be submitted in writing no

later than July 15, 2023.

17. The Daily Proceedings from this 14th Session of Annual Conference will appear in the Upper New York

Conference Journal/Yearbook, that will be published following the October 14, 2023, Special Session

of Annual Conference.

How to Understand Parliamentary Procedures

Annual Conference Agenda - Draft AGENDA

Bishop’s Dinner with Retirees and Ordinands (By invitation only)

**7:30 pm Plenary if necessary**

7:30 pm Ordination Rehearsal (after plenary if necessary)

-

pm Shuttle runs (last pick-up at OCC is 10:30 pm)

2023 Annual Conference Transportation Information

There will be a shuttle between the SRC Arena and hotels

during the following times:

Thursday, June 1

8:30 am - 10 am and 7 am - 11 pm (10:30 pm is the last run)

Friday, June 2

7 am - 8:30 am and 7 pm - 11 pm (10:30 pm is the last run).

There will be no shuttle service on June 3.

**Shuttles will be running from certain Syracuse hotels, including the Crowne Plaza, Collegian Hotel, 12 Marriott, and Sheraton.

Board of Pension and Health Benefits (BoPHB) Recommendations

Action Item #1 1

The Board recommends the adoption of the Housing/Rental Exclusion Resolution.

Resolutions

Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired, Disabled or Former Clergy persons of

the Upper New York Annual Conference

The Upper New York Annual Conference (the “Conference”) adopts the following resolutions relating to

for retired, terminated or disabled clergy persons of the Conference:

The Upper New York Conference adopts the Housing/Rental Exclusion Resolution which designates 100%

of United Methodist pension, severance, or disability income as housing exclusion in accordance

with IRS Code section 107 is approved for the year Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2024 as follows:

Whereas the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church (the “Church”), of which

this Conference is a part, has in the past functioned and continues to function through Ministers of the

Gospel (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 107) who were or are duly ordained,

commissioned, or licensed ministers of the Church (“Clergy persons”); and,

Whereas the practice of the Church and of this Conference was and is to provide active Clergy persons

with a parsonage or a rental/housing allowance as part of their gross compensation; and,

Whereas pensions or other amounts paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled Clergy persons are

considered to be deferred compensation and are paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled Clergy

persons in consideration of previous active service; and,

Whereas the Internal Revenue Service has recognized the Conference (or its predecessors) as an

appropriate organization to designate a rental/housing allowance for Clergy persons who are or were

members of this Conference and are eligible to receive such deferred compensation.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved:

1. That an amount equal to 100% of the pension, severance, or disability payments received from plans

authorized under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (the “Discipline”), which

includes all such payments from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (“GBOPHB”), during

the period Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2024, by each active, retired, terminated, or disabled Clergy

person who is or was a member of the Conference, or its predecessors, be and is hereby designated as

a rental/housing allowance for each such Clergy person; and

2. That the pension, severance, or disability payments to which this rental/housing allowance

designation applies shall be any pension, severance, or disability payments from plans, annuities, or

funds authorized under the Discipline, including such payments from the GBOPHB and from a

commercial annuity company contracted by the GBOPHB to provide an annuity arising from benefits

accrued under a GBOPHB plan, annuity, or fund authorized under the Discipline, that result from any

service a Clergy person rendered to this Conference or that an active, a retired, a terminated, or a 1 disabled Clergy person of this Conference rendered to any local church, annual conference of the Church,

general agency of the Church, other institution of the Church, former denomination that is now a part

of the Church, or any other employer that employed the Clergy person to perform services related to

the ministry of the Church, or its predecessors, and that elected to make contributions to, or accrue a

benefit under, such a plan, annuity, or fund for such an active, a retired, a terminated, or a disabled

Clergy person’s pension, severance, or disability plan benefit as part of his or her gross compensation.

NOTE: The rental/housing allowance that may be excluded from a Clergyperson’s gross income in

any year for federal (and, in most cases, state) income tax purposes is limited under Internal

Revenue Code section 107(2), and regulations thereunder, to the lesser of: 1) the amount of the

rental/housing allowance designated by the Clergyperson's employer or other appropriate body of

the Church (such as this Conference in the foregoing resolutions) for such year; 2) the amount

actually expended by the Clergyperson to rent or provide a home in such year; or, 3) the fair rental

value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances (such as a garage), plus the cost of

utilities in such year. Each Clergyperson or former Clergyperson is urged to consult with his or her

own tax advisor to determine what deferred compensation is eligible to be claimed as a housing

allowance exclusion.

Action Item #2

The Board recommends the following increase to the Past Service Rate.

Pre-82 Past Service Rate (PSR)

The UNYAC BoPHB has worked very diligently to ensure that our Pre-82 remains in a fully funded status.

We are pleased to recommend a larger increase in the Past Service Rate (PSR) this year. It is the Board's

recommendation that the PSR in the Pre-1982 Plan be increased by 5% for 2024 from $ $658 to $691 Only

service prior to 1982, whose Pre-82 monthly benefit amount is less than $658, are impacted

by

The History of Past Service Rate (PSR):

• 2015: $600

• 2016: $612 (2% increase from 2015)

• 2017: $625 (2% increase from 2016)

• 2018: $638 (2% increase from 2017)

• 2019: $645 (1% increase from 2018)

• 2020: $645 (0% increase from 2019)

• 2021: $645 (0% increase from 2020)

• 2022: $651 (1% increase from 2021)

• 2023: $658 (1% increase from 2022)

Recommendation from Commission on Equitable Compensation (CEC)

The purpose of the Commission on Equitable Compensation is to support full-time clergy serving as 1 pastors in the charge of the annual conference by: 2 3

(a) Recommending conference standards for pastoral support; 4

(b) Administering funds to be used in base compensation supplementation; 5

(c) Providing counsel and advisory material on pastoral support to district superintendents and 6 committees on pastor-parish relations;

(d) Submitting an arrearage policy to be adapted by the annual conference.

This is accomplished by bringing to the Annual Conference recommendations for a Minimum 10 Compensation Base Salary, an increment for years of service, and any other measures that would ensure 11 that our full-time clergy are fairly supported in their work.

We also help struggling local churches regain sound financial footing, so they can build leadership

capacity, make disciples, and transform the world. The Commission on Equitable Compensation

administers funds used to support clergy salaries for churches with pastors appointed full time where

those churches are temporarily unable to meet minimum compensation standards.

It is our policy to support churches that demonstrate the potential for moving back to being fully self-

sufficient in their funding. The Equitable Compensation Grant is the primary grant used to provide this

assistance. The grant runs in six-month cycles, one available in the spring and one available in the fall. In

the Spring of 2022 (January - June), we provided Equitable Compensation Grant support for two churches

totaling $7500. In the Fall of 2022 (July - December), we provided Equitable Compensation Grant support

for two churches totaling $7500. All churches receiving Equitable Compensation Grants are participating

in the Vital Signs Dashboard program. Additional assistance provided from the UNYAC CEC budget and

administered by the UNYAC Cabinet in 2022 included: $22,100 support for Missional Grants, $6,190 for

Sustentation

and $12,000 for Appointment Grants.

RECOMMENDATIONS (2023-2024 Appointment Year)

This year the Commission on Equitable Compensation brings the following recommendations for

approval:

The Minimum Base Compensation for full-time pastors in the UNYAC shall be increased

by 3.5%. Prior to 2022, our Minimum Base Compensation was last increased in January

of 2017. In 2022 the UNYAC voted to increase the Minimum Base Compensation by

2.5% making the Minimum Base Compensation salaries of our pastors in UNYAC the

fourth lowest in the country As a point of reference, during this period from 2017-

2023, the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments have increased by 22.3% with the

2023 SSI COLA being 8.7%.

We recommend that the increment amount for years of service continue as 1% of the minimum base

compensation, and the amount for a multiple pastoral charge not change this year.

1. We recommend that the Minimum Base Compensation that was established for the Upper New York 1 Annual Conference effective Jan. 1, 2022 shall be increased by 3.5%. Those minimum base salaries are set 2 according to credential level, for all full-time clergy persons as noted below:

Base

Full connection (elders & deacons): $42,418.44

Provisional (elders & deacons): $40,903.20

Associate: $40,145.58

FT Local Pastor completed Course of Study or MDiv: $39.387.96

FT Local Pastor: $37,873.76

(Less than full time appointments shall receive a base salary pro-rated according to the

appointment.)

2. We recommend that the yearly increment amount that was established for the Upper New York Annual 7 Conference effective January 2020, which was equal to 1% of the minimum base compensation, stays the 8 same. These increments are based on full-time employment for service up to 25 years.

Increment

Full connection (Elders and Deacons): $424

Provisional (Elders and Deacons): $409

Associate: $401

FT Local Pastor completed Course of Study or MDiv: $394

FT Local Pastor: $379

3. We recommend that an additional $500 for each additional church on the pastoral charge (over one),

not adjusted for part-time appointments, remain in place. (Unchanged)

4. We recommend that no pastor’s salary can be decreased because of this policy if they retain their

current appointment. (Unchanged)

5. All churches are encouraged to offer a salary increase of no less than 3.5%. We encourage you to

consider that inflation is 6% at the time of this report and the 2023 Social Security Cost of Living

was 8.5%.

Churches are encouraged to consider further raises based on exceptional service.

There are no changes to the Clergy Housing Policy for 2023.

There are no changes to the Accountable Reimbursement Plan policy for 2023.

The Commission currently has other matters under consideration and will report them as appropriate at

the 2023 Upper New York Annual Conference.

The members of the Commission on Equitable Compensation for 2022-2023: Teddi Urriola and Rev. Rich

Weihing (Co-Chairs); Rev. Penny Brink; Pastor John Buddle; Rev. Jefferson Niles; Rev. Cindy Schulte;

Ex-Officio Members: Bob Flask, Conference Treasurer; Rev. William Gottschalk-Fielding, Assistant to the

Bishop; Susan Latessa, Director of H.R. and Benefits; Cabinet Representative: Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, D.S.;

Conference Advance Specials 2024 – Recommendation

Whereas the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church in ¶655 authorizes annual 1 conferences to approve certain programs/ministries for the purpose of fundraising from the churches

of the Conference by the status of Conference Advance Specials,

Therefore, be it resolved that the following ministries be approved as Conference Advance Specials 5 for 2024.

• Africa University Endowed Scholarships

• Anti-Poverty Initiative (University UMC: Syracuse)

• Beechwood Continuing Care/Pastoral Care

• Brown Memorial UMC: Syracuse

• Buffalo 10 Scholarship

• Campership Fund

• Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, Inc. 14

• The Children’s Center for the Common Good 15

• Children’s Home 16

• Gary Bergh Scholarship (Task Force on Peace with Justice in Palestine and Israel) 17

• Haiti Partnership 18

• Mission Central UNY HUB 19

• Native American Mission, Onondaga Nation UMC

• Native American Outreach/Transportation Program

• The Neighborhood Center, Inc.

• New Places for New People (New Faith Communities)

• Protestant Cooperative Ministry at Cornell

• Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE)

• Seneca Street UMC: Buffalo

• Southern Sudan Health

• UMCOR

Naming Scholarships for Africa University - Recommendation

Whereas since Africa University was established in 1985 there have been three endowed scholarships 1 named for members of our predecessor conferences – Rev. Warren Covell, Rev. Robert and Bertha 2 Holmes, and Rev. Carl and Shirley (Drake) Byers.

Whereas in 2011, under the leadership of Bishop Marcus Matthews, a goal was set for the new Upper 5 New York Conference to raise one million dollars to permanently endow eight additional scholarships at

Africa University.

Whereas communication from the Africa University Development Office indicates the fund has grown to

million dollars.

Whereas only the first four endowed scholarships have been named so far for:

• Bishop and Mrs. Marcus Matthews

• Dr. and Mrs. Julius A. Archibald, Jr.

• Rev. Ann Stanton Blair

• Ms. Virgia B. Phoenix

Therefore, be it resolved that the remaining four scholarships be named for:

• Dr. Roger G. and Claudia Ellis Family Scholarship

• Rev. Robert F. and Sandra A. Long and Family Memorial Scholarship

• Drs. Marvin and Sylvia Reimer Scholarship

• Rev. Robert and Alice Trost Family Scholarship

Closure of a Local Church

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church Endicott: First United Methodist Church

Whereas Endicott: First United Methodist Church was organized in 1902, and faithfully served its 1 community in ministry for over 121 years; 2 3

Whereas on Feb. 2, 2023, Resident Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez and the District Superintendents of

the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared

Endicott: First United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a

place of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated;

Whereas the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the 10 immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and 11 12

Whereas immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, 13 tangible and intangible, property of the Endicott: First United Methodist Church vested in the Annual

Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its

sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and

Whereas the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of 18 the Endicott: First United Methodist Church from Feb 28, 2023, until this session of the Upper New York

Annual Conference; it hereby

Resolved, that Endicott: First United Methodist Church is closed, pursuant to the provisions of The Book

of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further

Resolved, that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration of

Feb. 2, 2023, are affirmed; and it is further

Resolved, that the balance of the assets formerly of the Endicott: First United Methodist Church, including

the net sale proceeds, after administration by the Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees, be

allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and polices of the Upper New York

Conference Board of Trustees with respect to closed churches; and it is further

Resolved, that the membership of the Endicott: First United Methodist Church be transferred to Endicott:

Central UMC or to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church Franklin United Methodist Church

Whereas Franklin United Methodist Church was organized in 1853, and faithfully served its community in 1 ministry for over 170 years; 2 3

Whereas on Jan. 12, 2023, Resident Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez and the District Superintendents of

the Upper New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared

Franklin United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place

of

served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and

Whereas the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the 9 immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and 10 11

Whereas immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, 12 tangible and intangible, property of the Franklin United Methodist Church vested in the Annual

Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its

sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and

Whereas the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of 17 the Franklin United Methodist Church from Jan. 31, 2023, until this session of the Upper New York Annual

Conference; it hereby

Resolved, that Franklin United Methodist Church is closed, pursuant to the provisions of The Book of 21 Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further

Resolved, that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration of

Jan. 12, 2023, are affirmed; and it is further

Resolved, that the balance of the assets formerly of the Franklin United Methodist Church, including the

net sale proceeds, after administration by the Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees, be allocated

and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and polices of the Upper New York

Conference Board of Trustees with respect to closed churches; and it is further

Resolved, that the membership of the Franklin United Methodist Church be transferred to Otego UMC or

to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church Short Tract United Methodist Church

Whereas Short Tract United Methodist Church was organized in 1843, and faithfully served its community 1 in ministry for over 180 years; 2 3

Whereas on Nov. 15, 2022, Resident Bishop Mark Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper 4 New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared Short

Tract United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of

divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and

8

Whereas the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the 9 immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and 10 11

Whereas immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, 12 tangible and intangible, property of the Short Tract United Methodist Church vested in the Annual 13 Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its

sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and 15

Whereas the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of 17 the Short Tract United Methodist Church from Jan. 31, 2023, until this session of the Upper New York 18 Annual Conference; it hereby

Resolved, that Short Tract United Methodist Church is closed, pursuant to the provisions of The Book of 21 Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further

Resolved, that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration of

Nov. 15, 2022, are affirmed; and it is further

Resolved, that the balance of the assets formerly of the Short Tract United Methodist Church, including

the net sale proceeds, after administration by the Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees, be

allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and polices of the Upper New York

Conference Board of Trustees with respect to closed churches; and it is further

Resolved, that the membership of the Short Tract United Methodist Church be transferred to Swain UMC,

Northern KonXions UMC, or to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church South Dayton United Methodist Church

Whereas South Dayton United Methodist Church was organized in 1860, and faithfully served its 1 community in ministry for over 162 years; 2 3

Whereas on Nov. 15, 2022, Resident Bishop Mark Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper 4 New York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared South

Dayton United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place

of divine worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and

Whereas the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the 9 immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and 10 11

Whereas immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, 12 tangible and intangible, property of the South Dayton United Methodist Church vested in the Annual 13 Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its

sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and

Whereas the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of 17 the South Dayton United Methodist Church from Dec 31, 2022, until this session of the Upper New York

Annual Conference; it hereby

Resolved, that South Dayton United Methodist Church is closed, pursuant to the provisions of The Book

of Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further

Resolved, that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration of

Nov. 15, 2022, are affirmed; and it is further

Resolved, that the balance of the assets formerly of the South Dayton United Methodist Church, including

the net sale proceeds, after administration by the Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees, be

allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and polices of the Upper New York

Conference Board of Trustees with respect to closed churches; and it is further

Resolved, that the membership of the South Dayton United Methodist Church be transferred to other

United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Annual Conference Resolution for the Closure of a Local Church

Sullivanville United Methodist Church

Whereas Sullivanville United Methodist Church was organized in 1853, and faithfully served its 1 community in ministry for over 169 years; 2 3

Whereas on Dec. 6, 2022, Resident Bishop Mark Webb and the District Superintendents of the Upper New 4 York Annual Conference Cabinet met and, upon full and deliberate consideration, declared Sullivanville

United Methodist Church was no longer used, kept, or maintained by its membership as a place of divine

worship and no longer served the purpose for which it was organized and/or incorporated; and

8

Whereas the Cabinet further determined and declared that exigent circumstances existed requiring the 9 immediate protection of the local church's property for the benefit of the denomination; and 10 11

Whereas immediately upon the Cabinet's declaration of exigent circumstances, all real and personal, 12 tangible and intangible, property of the Sullivanville United Methodist Church vested in the Annual 13 Conference's Board of Trustees, with denominational authority to hold and dispose of the property in its

sole discretion subject to the standing rules of the Annual Conference; and 15

Whereas the Board of Trustees faithfully and diligently administered the real and personal property of 17 the Sullivanville United Methodist Church from Dec. 31, 2022, until this session of the Upper New York

Annual Conference; it hereby

Resolved, that Sullivanville United Methodist Church is closed, pursuant to the provisions of The Book of 21 Discipline of The United Methodist Church; and it is further

Resolved, that all actions taken by the Annual Conference Trustees following the Cabinet's declaration of

Dec. 6, 2022, are affirmed; and it is further

Resolved, that the balance of the assets formerly of the Sullivanville United Methodist Church, including

the net sale proceeds, after administration by the Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees, be

allocated and transferred in accordance with the standing resolutions and polices of the Upper New York

Conference Board of Trustees with respect to closed churches; and it is further

Resolved, that the membership of the Sullivanville United Methodist Church be transferred to Erin UMC

or to other United Methodist churches as the individual members select.

UNYAC2023.1 - Supporting the Removal of Discriminatory Policies

Book of Discipline (¶): n/a 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a 2

3

Conference Committee/Agency affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: n/a

Financial Implications: None 4 5

Brief Rationale: 6

This resolution calls on the Upper New York Annual Conference to support and amplify the voices of queer 7 delegates, affirming their call for justice and empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ community. It implores the 8 Conference to protect LGBTQIA+ clergy from discrimination and become a Church that uplifts and affirms 9 LGBTQIA+

Whereas in a groundswell response to the passage of harmful legislation at the 2019 Special Session of 12 General Conference, Annual Conferences elected queer clergy and lay persons to be General and 13 Jurisdictional Delegates in record numbers, for the first time empowering queer delegates to speak and 14 act from our diverse experiences; and 15

16

Whereas the 2019 Special Session of the United Methodist General Conference passed the Traditional 17 Plan, which increased penalties for United Methodist clergy who are LGBTQIA+ and for clergy who support 18 the LGBTQIA+ community through officiating their weddings; and 19 20

Whereas in an attempt to address the divide within The United Methodist Church, an abeyance or 21 moratorium was proposed to the General Conference, referenced below, by the authors of the Protocol

of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation; and

Whereas we understand our call and responsibility as United Methodists to do good, do no harm, and 25 stay in love with God; and

Whereas we call straight and cisgender allies to do good by using their voice and vote to support,

empower, and amplify the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community in The United Methodist Church; and

Whereas forty-six queer General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates from across all five jurisdictions

wrote the original version of this resolution which was historically adopted at all five jurisdictional

conferences in November 2022.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church:

1. Supports and amplifies the queer delegates’ call to justice and empowerment for the LGBTQIA+

community throughout the Upper New York Annual Conference, within and beyond our local

churches, districts, departments, centers, and committees.

2. Affirms the spirit of the abeyance or moratorium as proposed to the General Conference, as

referenced above, until changes can be made in The United Methodist Book of Discipline

3. Implores our Annual Conference to not pursue, to hold in abeyance, or to resolve in a timely

fashion through a process of just resolution any complaints against clergy regarding their sexual

orientation, gender identity, or the officiating of weddings of LGBTQIA+ persons.

4. Aspires to become a United Methodist Church in which LGBTQIA+ people will be protected, 1 affirmed, and empowered throughout our life, mission, and ministry together.

Date of Submission: March 15, 2023

Submitted by: Karyn Langguth McCloskey

Mailing address: 1058 Garner Ave, Schenectady, NY 12309

Phone number: 518-429-7289

Email address: KLMcCloskey@verizon.net

UNY local church/charge membership: First UMC - Schenectady

Additional Information:

The queer delegates who wrote the original version of this resolution, submitted to and adopted by all

five Jurisdictions of the UMC, chose to describe themselves using the umbrella term “queer,” but refer to

the broader community of persons with the LGBTQIA+ acronym.

Moratorium and Abeyance Information:

“Effective immediately upon adjournment of the 2020 General Conference, no complaint proceedings

(including, without limitation, a bishop’s supervisory response, suspension proceedings, attempts to

achieve a just resolution, or referral of a complaint) shall be initiated, and all current or pending complaint

proceedings shall be suspended, insofar as the alleged Book of Discipline violation asserted in the

complaint is that the respondent is a ‘self-avowed practicing homosexual’ (however that term may be

defined, including, without limitation, living in a same-gender marriage, domestic partnership or civil

union); that the respondent has conducted, officiated, performed, celebrated, or blessed a same-gender

wedding or other same-gender union; that the respondent has certified, licensed, commissioned,

ordained, consecrated, or appointed a ‘self-avowed practicing homosexual’; that the respondent has

provided ‘funds to any gay caucus or group’ or used funds ‘to promote the acceptance of homosexuality’;

or that the respondent has otherwise engaged in conduct that The Book of Discipline of The United

Methodist Church currently states is ‘incompatible with Christian teaching’ as it pertains to LGBTQ

relationships. This moratorium on all new and pending complaint proceedings concerning human

sexuality provisions applies not only to charges that are explicitly based on ¶ 2702.1b, but also to any

charge that the same alleged underlying conduct constitutes a chargeable offense under any other

provision of the Discipline, including (without limitation) ‘immorality’ under ¶ 2702.1a; ‘disobedience to

the order and discipline of The United Methodist Church’ under ¶ 2702.1d; and ‘dissemination of

doctrines contrary to the established standards of doctrine of The United Methodist Church’ under ¶

2702.1e. This moratorium is inclusive of charges related to the following paragraphs: ¶ 161, ¶ 304.3, ¶

310.2, ¶ 341.6, ¶ 613.19, ¶ 806.9, and ¶ 2702.1b. This moratorium does not apply to charges under any

of these provisions in which the underlying alleged actions address a different subject matter, including

but not limited to sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. This moratorium shall remain

in effect until the close of the first General Conference of The United Methodist Church after other

denominations separate. Any complaints pertaining to this paragraph filed during this period shall be held

in abeyance, and no time limits shall commence until the above-referenced General Conference has

concluded.” -From the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation

Advance Daily Christian Advocate, Volume 2, Section 2:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/general-conference/2020/documents/ADCA-English-

UNYAC2023.2 - In Support of Creating a U.S. Regional Conference

Book of Discipline (¶): n/a 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a 2

Conference Committee/Agency that would be affected if passed: Conference Secretary

Financial Implications: None

Brief Rationale:

This resolution acknowledges the value of diverse structures and styles suited to different contexts,

including those beyond the US. This approach creates more equity in the Church, respecting and honoring

the unique needs and perspectives of different regions while challenging historical power imbalances in

the

Whereas the seven Central Conferences and five U.S. Jurisdictions of The United Methodist Church

engage in mission together in 136 countries; and

Whereas the connectional ties between the Church in the United States and the Central Conferences are 15 significant and vital to the continued mission and ministry of the worldwide United Methodist Church;

and 17 18

Whereas the existing structure of The United Methodist Church at the general church level has historically

impeded each region from effectively tailoring its ministry to its specific contexts; and

Whereas the existing structure of The United Methodist Church at the General Church level diminishes

our ability to be a vital and effective Church and needs to be re-envisioned to achieve fairer and more

equitable Church governance; and

Whereas the Apostle Paul offered a beautiful example making clear the value of a church established in

diverse places with shared beliefs, alongside local and regional differences in structure, worship, and style

best suited to particular contexts; and

Whereas the creation of a U.S. Regional Conference and the conversion of the Central Conferences to

Regional Conferences, as outlined in the Christmas Covenant, developed by Central Conference leaders

in Africa and the Philippines, would establish structural parity throughout the worldwide church; and

Whereas the creation of a U.S. Regional Conference, as outlined in legislation put forward by the

Connectional Table will establish the governance necessary to allow each region to design ministry for its

particular contexts, and thus more effectively make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the

world; and

Whereas the Upper New York Annual Conference aspires to vital, thriving, multicultural, and diverse

ministries that are open to all people and can be a beacon of hope for the worldwide United Methodist

Church, and

Whereas in November of 2022, and in historic fashion, a resolution in support of a U.S. Regional

Conference was adopted at all five Jurisdictional Conferences.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference supports the expressed intents of 1 the Christmas Covenant and Connectional Table legislation, including the creation of Regional 2 Conferences in Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and the U.S., respectively; and 3

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference recognizes and supports the 4 leadership of our Central Conferences in the creation and furtherance of the Christmas Covenant as well 5 the Connectional Table’s future visioning on behalf of our worldwide fellowship; and 6 7

Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference urges the Council of 8 Bishops to expedite the process of voting on the constitutional amendments necessary to enact the 9 regional conferences legislation, calling special sessions of annual conferences where necessary; and 10 11

Therefore, be it further resolved that in line with the intent of the non-disciplinary petition submitted by

the Connectional Table, the Upper New York Annual Conference requests the Council of Bishops

immediately appoint a 20-25 member Interim Committee on Organization for a US Regional Conference

to develop and propose to the 2024 general conference the structure and organization of a US Regional

Conference. In line with the Connectional Table’s legislation, this body would organize and plan for the

establishment and functioning of a new United States Regional Conference comprising the five

jurisdictions of the United States. Committee membership should have a minimum of three members of

each US jurisdiction, three central conference members and shall meet standards of racial and gender

diversity. The Committee should recommend a structure for the US Regional Conference including

considerations such as its membership, committee structure, meeting time, agency, and function; and

Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference secretary shall send copies

of this resolution to all delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences, including alternates, to the

Commission on the General Conference, and to the Council of Bishops

March 15, 2023

https://www.christmascovenant.com/pagecc

https://mcusercontent.com/f98d87d6b18d56820e5ef20ad/files/7375a848-06e9-4788-a50d-

1f1ae7a92a6e/USRC_NarrativeBooklet_min.pdf

UNYAC2023.3 - Supporting the Removal of Discriminatory Language

Book of Discipline (¶): n/a 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a 2

Conference Committee/Agency affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference

None

Brief Rationale:

This resolution supports removing discriminatory language and policies related to sexual orientation from

the Book of Discipline. A more inclusive UMC reflects God's love and enables full participation in the

Church's mission. Specific petitions are suggested to reduce barriers at the next General Conference.

Whereas a more diverse and fully welcoming UMC is a testament to a more complete image of God, which

includes persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and

Whereas a more diverse and fully welcoming UMC allows all United Methodists to offer their prayers, 15 presence, gifts, service, and witness, as followers of Jesus, to further Christ’s mission, and 16 17

Whereas by the power of the Holy Spirit, God calls and includes all persons into the life and leadership of

the Church, transcending the limitations of human categorization, and

Whereas the current language in the Book of Discipline places limits on Christ’s teaching and example of

God’s universal love, and

Whereas the current language in the Book of Discipline falls short of embodying the spirit of John Wesley’s

simple rules to do no harm, do all the good we can, and love God, and

Whereas legislative changes to the Book of Discipline would reduce barriers and allow movement toward

wider diversity and inclusion in our United Methodist Church.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference supports the removal of all

discriminatory policies and harmful language related to sexual orientation, and urges delegates to adopt

the following petitions: petitions already submitted and that will be before the voting body of the next

General Conference:

● Petition No: 20730-CB-¶161-G;

Entitled: Revised Social Principles-161 and 162

ADCA Vol 2, Sec 1, Page 208

Summary: Removes the statement that affirms marriage as only between “one man and one

woman.” Removes the statement that only affirms “heterosexual” marriage. Removes, “The UMC

does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with

● Petition No: 20177-FO-¶304.3

Entitled: A Simple Plan #3

ADCA Vol 2, Sec 2, Page 624

Summary: Removes ¶304.3 which states, “self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be

certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist

Church.” Also removes the corresponding footnote stating that “self-avowed practicing 1 homosexual is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district

superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, or clergy

session that the person is a practicing homosexual; or is living in a same-sex marriage, domestic

partnership or civil union, or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual.”

• Petition No: 20469-OM-¶341.6

Entitled: A Simple Plan #5

ADCA Vol 2, Sec 2, Page 1041

Summary: Removes ¶341.6, which states (under unauthorized conduct), “ceremonies that

celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted

in our churches.”

● Petition No: 20181-FA-¶613-G

Entitled: A Fully Inclusive Way Forward-Part 6 of 8

ADCA Vol 2, Sec 1, Page 504

Summary: Removes ¶613.19, which prohibits annual conferences from giving “United Methodist

funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of

homosexuality... “

● Petition No: 20190-FA-¶806-G

Entitled: A Fully Inclusive Way Forward-Part 7 of 8

ADCA Vol 2, Sec 1, Page 508

Summary: Removes ¶806.9, which tasks GCFA with “ensuring that no board, agency, committee,

commission, or council gives United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group . . . “

● Petition No: 20304-HS-¶415.6-G

Entitled: Next Generation UMC #11 Amend Episcopal Responsibilities

ADCA Vol 2, Sec 2, Page 977

Summary: Removes statements prohibiting bishops from commissioning, ordaining, or

consecrating persons determined to be “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.”

● Petition No: 20387-JA-¶2711.3-G

Entitled: Next Generation UMC #22 Penalties

ADCA Vol 2, Sec 2, Page 933

Summary: Removes predetermined, mandatory minimum penalties for clergy who officiate same

sex weddings.

● Petition Number: 20365-JA-¶2702.1-G

Entitled: Next Generation UMC #21 - Chargeable Offenses

Vol 2, Sec 2, Page 924

Summary: Removes chargeable offenses that target “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” and

clergy who conduct same-sex weddings.

● Petition No: 20420-OM-¶310.2d-G

Entitled: A Simple Plan #4

ADCA Vol 2, Sec 2, Page 1022

Summary: Removes statements from Footnote 3 that repeat phrases being removed from other

Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference secretary shall send copies

of this resolution to: all General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates and alternates, the Commission

on General Conference; and the Council of Bishops.

518-429-7289

KLMcCloskey@verizon.net

1:https://s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/general-conference/2020/documents/ADCA-

English-Vol-2-Sec-1.pdf

https://s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/general-conference/2020/documents/ADCA-English-

Vol-2-Sec-2.pdf

UNYAC2023.4 - Encouraging Leadership with Integrity

Book of Discipline (¶): n/a 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a 2

Conference Committee/Agency affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Nominations, 3 Trustees

Financial Implications: None

Brief Rationale: 7

As we move forward in the UNY Conference of the United Methodist Church, it is vital that we do so with

leadership who authentically seek the faithfulness and success of the future of the UMC.

Whereas the vibrant future of The United Methodist Church requires deep commitment and loyal

leadership at every level, and

Whereas grounded in a sense of duty and loyalty to the mission of the church, leaders are counted on and

expected to make decisions about the future of The United Methodist Church with the absolute best

interest of Christ’s church at heart, and

Whereas the selection, election, and appointment of clergy and lay leaders throughout The United

Methodist Church includes the implicit understanding that leaders will ethically serve in each of their

leadership roles with the utmost integrity, and

Whereas leaders who do not intend to remain in The United Methodist Church entangle themselves in a

significant conflict of interest, and

Whereas the service of a leader whose call to discipleship is aligned with The United Methodist Church is

prevented by the continued leadership of an individual who has made a private decision and/or public

declaration to leave The United Methodist Church, and

Whereas in November of 2022, and in historic fashion, a resolution in support of leading with

integrity was adopted at all five Jurisdictional Conferences.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference expresses both respect and

gratitude to those who have voluntarily stepped away from positions of leadership as they journey away

from membership in The United Methodist Church.

Therefore, be it further resolved that, as we continue this period of transition, the Upper New York

Annual Conference calls upon every United Methodist, as a disciple of Jesus the Christ, to move forward

in fairness and with integrity.

Therefore, be it further resolved that the Upper New York Annual Conference asks all lay and clergy

members who intend to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church to recuse themselves from

leadership roles in all areas of the church, including the local church, District, Conference, Jurisdictional,

and General Church level committees, boards, agencies, delegations, and episcopal leaders.

Therefore, be it further resolved that we encourage the Upper New York Conference Board of Trustees

to develop codes of conduct to manage conflicts of interest that may arise around discussions of

disaffiliation

UNYAC2023.5 - Local Congregation Seminary Grants and Scholarships

Book of Discipline (¶): N/A 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): N/A 2

Conference Committee/Agency affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Board of 3 Ordained Ministry, District Committees on Ordained Ministry

None

With the ever-increasing cost of higher education and the hindrance it causes to candidates for ministry,

having a comprehensive list of scholarships and grants available through local congregations would help

to offset the financial hardship of attending seminary.

Whereas The United Methodist Church is suffering from a lack of trained and qualified clergy and 12 seminary is becoming more and more expensive; and 13 14

Whereas not all seminary students are eligible to receive Board of Ordained Ministry grants due to 15 candidacy status; and 16 17

Whereas as United Methodist clergy we are supposed to be responsible for our debt load, however many

may not be aware of financial opportunities; and

Whereas many local congregations have scholarship and grant offerings that are unpublished.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Board of Ordained Ministry, in conjunction with the

District Committees on Ordained Ministry, collate and publish the available scholarships and grants

offered by a local congregation to persons outside the membership of the congregation and regardless of

candidacy status; and

Therefore, be it further resolved that any specific demographic requirements of scholarships and grants

be included in the publication; and

Therefore, be it further resolved that this publication will be made publicly available through the Board

of Ordained Ministry page on the Conference website by Jan. 1, 2024, and available in hard copy format

to all District Committees on Ordained Ministry by the same date.

Submitted by: Rev. Brett Johnson

address: 43 Court St, Canton, NY 13617

number: (607)-684-4599

address: pastor.brett.johnson@gmail.com

membership: Canton UMC

Hattie Taylor

315-265-7474

Email address: pastortaylor@potsdamumc.org

Name: Cori Louden

187 Main Street Massena NY 13662

Phone number: 585-354-1367

Email address: pastorcorilouden@yahoo.com

Name: Jennifer Stamm

Mailing address: 6905 Bear Ridge Rd, Pendleton, NY 14120

Phone number: 716-603-4470

Email address: jenniferstamm@pcumc.org

UNY local church/charge membership: Pendleton Center UMC

Name: Benjamin Lalka

Mailing address: 32 Barnes Street, Gouverneur, NY 13642

Phone number: 518-779-5991

Email address: pastorbenlalka@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Gouverneur and North Gouverneur UMC

UNYAC2023.6 - Beginning the Work of Reparations

Book of Discipline (¶): 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): Reference 3066 2 Conference Committee/Agency affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: new task force

in consultation with the UNYAC Commission on Religion and Race

None

Whereas Resolution 3066 of the 2016 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church states that the

General Conference acknowledges and profoundly regrets the massive human suffering and the tragic

plight of millions of men, women, and children caused by slavery and the transatlantic slave trade; and

Whereas (Resolution 3066 continues) at the conclusion of the Civil War, the plan for the economic 13 redistribution of land and resources on behalf of the former slaves of the Confederacy was never enacted; 14 and 15

Whereas (Resolution 3066 continues) the failure to distribute land prevented newly freed Blacks from 16 achieving true autonomy and made their civil and political rights all but meaningless; and 17

Whereas (Resolution 3066 continues) conditions comparable to “economic depression” continue for 18 millions of African Americans in communities where unemployment often exceeds 50 percent; and 19

Whereas (Resolution 3066 continues) justice requires that African American descendants of the

transatlantic slave trade be assured of having access to effective and appropriate protection and

remedies, including the right to seek just and adequate reparation or satisfaction for the legacy of

damages, consequent structures of racism and racial discrimination suffered as a result of the slave trade;

and 24

Whereas (Resolution 3066 continues) Isaiah 61:1-3 provides a model for reparations: “He has sent me …

to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for the captives, … to proclaim the year of the Lord’s

favor, … to provide for Zion’s mourners, to give them a crown in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of

mourning, and a mantle of praise in place of discouragement”; and,

Whereas HR-40 was reintroduced in 2023 by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to the House of Representatives,

calling for the establishment of the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans,

“acknowledging the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery in the United

States from 1619 to the present day,” for the purpose of submitting a report to Congress for further action

and consideration with respect to slavery’s effects on African American lives, economics, and politics;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church establish

a taskforce to explore reparations for African Americans in Black churches in the Annual Conference. This

taskforce will be selected by the Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) and be comprised

of two (2) members of CCORR, two (2) members of the Conference Board of Trustees, two (2) members

of the Cabinet, and two (2) at-large members. It is recommended this taskforce be comprised of at least

1/3 clergy; 1/3 laity; 1/3 women; and 1/3 men; and

Therefore, be it further resolved that the taskforce track H.R. 40 and when released, study and 1 disseminate the conclusions of its report to local churches; and 2

Therefore, be it further resolved that the Task Force, in collaboration with the Conference Board of 3 Trustees, report to the regular 2024 session of Annual Conference on the feasibility of directing the Annual 4 Conference to designate a share of the net proceeds from the sale of properties as a result of closure of

local churches for the ministries of Black churches in the Annual Conference.

Date

Submission: March 15, 2023

Submitted by: Rev. George F. Nicholas

Mailing address: 641 Masten Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209

Phone number: 716-364-4476

Email address: gfnicholas1@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Lincoln Memorial

Other signees:

Name: Rev. Vivian Ruth Waltz, Deacon

Mailing address: 641 Masten Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209

Phone number: 716-982-6501

Email address: rev.vivianruth@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Lincoln Memorial

- Toward Equitable Compensation

Book of Discipline (¶): ¶625.2(a), ¶625.3, ¶602

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a

Committee/Agency affected if passed: Commission on Equitable Compensation

Whereas it is a mandate of the Upper New York Commission on Equitable Compensation to support clergy

serving as pastors in the charges of the Annual Conference by recommending conference standards for 9 pastoral support (¶625.2(a), 2016 Discipline),

Whereas the Commission is charged with annually recommending to the Annual Conference a schedule

of minimum base compensation for all full-time pastors or those clergy members of the annual conference

appointed less than full-time to a local church, subject to such rules and regulations as the Conference

may adopt (¶625.3, 2016 Discipline). Clergy is defined by the 2016 Book of Discipline (¶602) as consisting

“of deacons and elders in full connection, probationary members, associate members, affiliate members,

and local pastors,”

Whereas, the Commission seeks to address the financial needs of clergy and recognize the economic

difficulties encountered by churches, while including the COLA (Cost of living adjustment) established by

the Social Security Administration,

Whereas the estimated Cost of Living adjustment increase according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for

2023 is 8.7%,

Whereas if the yearly change in salary matches the 8.7% Cost of Living increase, there is no actual increase

in available dollars for the pastor’s cost of living. Conversely if the yearly change in salary is less than the

Cost-of-Living increase there is an actual reduction in available dollars for the pastor's livelihood,

Whereas financial health is a key indicator identified by the UNY Clergy Wellness Team and clergy’s holistic

wellness is notably negatively impacted by low compensation rates. In 2020 the Clergy Wellness Team

advocated, “UNYAC can help local churches and clergy develop strategies to promote healthy

environments and lifestyles for UNYAC clergy by developing a 5–7-year plan to increase UNYAC

Compensation rates to align UNY with the Denominational Average Compensation rate,”

Whereas at the 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference, the Rev. Weihing, co-chair of the Commission

on Equitable Compensation shared, “As of September 20, inflation is at 9 percent, and our minimum base

salary for full time pastors has not been increased in our Conference since 2017. Our minimum base salary

for pastors is the fourth lowest in the United States,”

Whereas for example the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference approved a 5% increase in minimum 1 compensation for 2023, 2 3

Whereas it is the practice in other Annual Conferences to calculate Minimum Compensation by an 4 established % of the Denominational Average Compensation (DAC) as calculated annually by the General 5 Board of Pension and Health Benefits,

Whereas the minimum wage of full-time work in Upstate New York is currently $29,536 annually

($14.20/hr.) and will increase to $31,200 annually ($15/hr.),

Whereas the Minimum Compensation salaries for the 2022-2023 Appointment year were as follows:

Therefore, be it resolved, that beginning in the 2024-2025 Appointment year, and for future years, the

Minimum Compensation be established by the Upper New York Commission on Equitable Compensation

by calculating the following percentages of the most recently available DAC:

Therefore, be it further resolved, that the % used for calculation will increase for each clergy status .5%

each year until 60% of DAC is reached for those in Full Connection in approximately 2032/2033.

Submitted by: Rev. Abigail Browka

number: 315-636-0225

address: PastorAbigail1@gmail.com

and New Faith Community Everyday

Mailing Address: 20 Maplewood Parkway, South Glens Falls, NY 12803

number: 518-793-1152

Name: Dorothy Jayne Smith, member of the Commission on Equitable Compensation

address: 128 Adams Place, Delmar, NY 12504

number: 518-334-0142

Email address: jsmit114@plattsburgh.edu

Name: Rev. Heather Williams, Co-Chair Order of Elders

address: 8 Bog Meadow Run, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

number: 315-391-3500

Email address: Pastorheather@saratogaumc.org

Name: Rev. Steven Smith, Co-Chair Order of Elders

Mailing address: 128 Adams Pl., Delmar, NY 12054

Phone number: 518-322-7746

Email address: boston.redsoxfan@hotmail.com

Name: Rev. William A. Mudge

address: 8380 Morgan Road, Clay NY 13041

number: 315-292-0850

Dr. John Brueggemann, Department Chair and Professor of Sociology, member Clergy Wellness Team

Mailing address: State St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Phone number: 518-584-7506

Email address: jbruegge@skidmore.edu

UNY local church/charge membership: Saratoga Springs UMC

Name: Rev. Sara E. Baron

Mailing address: 1435 Parkwood Blvd, Schenectady, NY 12308

Phone number: 607-435-2201

Email address: s.baron@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: First UMC Schenectady

Name: Laura LeCours, MD

Mailing address: 21 Hearthstone Dr, Gansevoort NY 12831

Phone number: 518-366-2994

Email address: Alecours1@hotmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Lay Leader, Saratoga Springs UMC

Name: Marthalynn Sweet, Certified PA, laity

Mailing address: 239 W Fayette St Apt 302, Syracuse, NY 13202

Phone number: 570-470-6354

Email address: Mmmk.sweet@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Gouverneur First UMC

Name: Rev. Kristen Roth Allen

Mailing address: 166 Main St., Penn Yan, NY 14527 4

Phone number: 315-536-6711 5

Email address: PastorPYUMC@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Penn Yan UMC 7

UNYAC2023.8 - Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Awareness

Book of Discipline (¶): 161.H 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a 2

Conference Committee/Agency affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: Conference

None

Rationale:

Since the last publication of the Book of Resolutions and Book of Discipline, the United States’ Center for

Disease Control has released information through their publication “The National Intimate Partner and 9 Sexual Violence Survey: 2016/2017 Report on Intimate Partner Violence1” indicating that almost one in 10 two women (47.3% or 59 million) in the United States and more than 40 percent (44.2% or 52.1 million) 11 of U.S. men reported contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization by an

intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. 13 14

On a global scale, for the year ending March 2022, the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 15 1.7 million women and 699,000 men aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the last year.

16 This is a prevalence rate of approximately seven in 100 women and three in 100 men for that single year.2 17

In addition, while numbers are not equally reported with the same statistical standards across various 18 cultures and communities, the World Health Organization has stated that slightly less than 1 in 3 women 19 (30%) have experienced sexual violence.3 It can be inferred that this issue is global in nature and should

be addressed more thoroughly by our Book of Resolutions and our Book of Discipline.

Whereas The United Methodist Church is already on record as stating: “We recognize that family violence

and abuse in all its forms verbal, psychological, physical, sexual is detrimental to the covenant of the

human community.” (2016 Book of Discipline ¶ 161.II.H)

Whereas The United Methodist Church is already on record naming sexual violence and abuse as sins and

pledging to work for their eradication (“Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse,” 2000 Book of Resolutions; 28 “Violence Against Women and Children,” 2008 Book of Resolutions).

Whereas The United Methodist Church is called to express itself both carefully and clearly in matters that

affect all people of sacred worth which includes both those who experience and perpetrate acts of contact

sexual violence, physical violence, and or/stalking victimization. (2016 Book of Discipline ¶ 161.II.H)

Whereas it is statistically probable that whenever any given United Methodist Church within the United

States gathers more than 40% of people in that community may have experienced (or may experience in

the future) contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization regardless of their

gender, sexual, and/or cultural identities. It is also statistically probable that whenever a congregation of

The United Methodist Church gathers around our world, around 30% of the women gathered within our

communities may have potentially experienced gendered violence.

1 https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf

2https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/domesticabusevictimcharacte risticsenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2022#sex

3 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women

Whereas there may be cultural norms and mores that allow certain aspects of these actions to go 1 unreported or unspoken due to the gender, sexual, or cultural expectations placed on individuals of sacred 2 worth by forces outside of those individuals both within and without church communities.

Whereas there are places within our Church and cultural spaces where the silence is deafening, especially 5 when there are often comorbid conditions that can further complicate conversation (i.e., mental illness, 6 addiction, toxic expectations, etc.)

Whereas there should be places within our Church where individuals can find support, affirmation, and 9 resources from the church community during moments when abuse may be clouding the ability to

research church stances, affirmations, resolutions, and resources.

Whereas the Book of Discipline is one resource that touches every level of our connectional church and is

one place where our church looks for guidance when considering the nature of our ministry together as a

“Nurturing Community.” The Book of Discipline ¶161 on “The Nurturing Community” is one place where

we acknowledge that we are called to help people of sacred worth who may be facing the difficult and

Therefore, be it resolved that the General Conference insert the statement (underlined) into Book of

Discipline, ¶161.H:

“We recognize that family violence and abuse in all its forms verbal, psychological, physical, sexual is

detrimental to the covenant of the human community. We recognize that these forms of insidious

violence affect people of sacred worth of every gender, sexual, and cultural identity. These detrimental

acts are often overlooked, ignored, downplayed, or met with silence. We encourage the Church to provide

support for the victim and to work with the abuser to understand the

and to overcome such behaviors. Regardless of the cause or the abuse,

love of the Church. While we deplore the actions of the abuser,

- Encouraging the Use of Educational Materials relate to Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Book of Discipline (¶): 161.H / 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a

Conference Committee/Agency responsible for implementation if passed: Conference Secretary

Financial Implications: None

Rationale:

Since the last publication of the Book of Resolutions and Book of Discipline, the United States’ Center

for Disease Control has released information through their publication “The National Intimate Partner 8 and Sexual Violence Survey: 2016/2017 Report on Intimate Partner Violence4” indicating that almost 1 9 in 2 women (47.3% or 59 million) in the United States and more than 40 percent (44.2% or 52.1 million)

10 of U.S. men reported contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization by an 11 intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.

On a global scale, for the year ending March 2022, the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated

that 1.7 million women and 699,000 men aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the

last year. This is a prevalence rate of approximately seven in 100 women and three in 100 men for that 16 single year.5 In addition, while numbers are not equally reported with the same statistical standards 17 across various cultures and communities, the World Health Organization has stated that slightly less 18 than one in three women (30%) have experienced sexual violence.6 It can be inferred that this issue is

global in nature and should be addressed more thoroughly by our Book of Resolutions and our Book of

Whereas The United Methodist Church is already on record as stating: “We recognize that family

violence and abuse in all its forms verbal, psychological, physical, sexual is detrimental to the

covenant of the human community.” (2016 Book of Discipline ¶ 161.II.H)

Whereas The United Methodist Church is already on record naming sexual violence and abuse as sins

and pledging to work for their eradication (“Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse,” 2000 Book of

Resolutions; “Violence Against Women and Children,” 2008 Book of Resolutions).

Whereas The United Methodist Church is called to express itself both carefully and clearly in matters

that affect all people of sacred worth which includes both those who experience and perpetrate acts of

contact sexual violence, physical violence, and or/stalking victimization. (2016 Book of Discipline ¶

161.II.H)

Whereas it is statistically probable that whenever any given United Methodist Church within the United

States gathers more than 40% of people in that community may have experienced (or may experience

in the future) contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization regardless of their

gender, sexual, and/or cultural identities. It is also statistically probable that whenever a congregation

4 https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs/NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf

5https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/domesticabusevictimcharacte risticsenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2022#sex

6 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women

of The United Methodist Church gathers around our world, around 30% of the women gathered within 1 our communities may have potentially experienced gendered violence. 2

Whereas there may be cultural norms and mores that allow certain aspects of these actions to go 3 unreported or unspoken due to the gender, sexual, or cultural expectations placed on individuals of 4 sacred worth by forces outside of those individuals both within and without church communities. 5 6

Whereas there are places within our Church and cultural spaces where the silence is deafening, 7 especially when there are often comorbid conditions that can further complicate conversation (i.e., 8 mental illness, addiction, toxic expectations, etc.) 9 10

Whereas there should be places within our Church where individuals can find support, affirmation, and 11 resources from the church community during moments when abuse may be clouding the ability to 12 research church stances, affirmations, resolutions, and resources. 13 14

Therefore, be it resolved that the Upper New York Conference encourage the General Board of Higher 15 Education and Ministry provide resources to clergy and laity to educate individuals and interested

groups about the issues surrounding Intimate Partner Violence, Domestic Violence, and gendered

violence.

The resources would prepare those who use the resource to recognize signs that these issues may be

present within their ministry or community contexts. Furthermore, it would provide those individuals

with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely ways that they can support people in the

midst of these situations whether they are subjected to such experiences or perpetrating such

behaviors.

These resources would be prepared in such a way that individuals within both ministries and

communities can respond when such situations arise, both in the short term and over the long term.

outside of

those

trained that long term success is often greatly aided through referring individuals

church community, to trained individuals and support groups that are prepared to assist

or engaging in such acts as they recover and journey towards wholeness.

Be it also resolved, the Upper New York Conference encourage the General Board of Higher Education

and Ministry to invite church agencies, bishops, superintendents, senior pastors, and ministry team

leaders to encourage individuals under their supervision and care to learn about these resources as a

potential component for their ongoing continuing education.

- Upper New York Where Sanctuaries are Safe and Free from Firearms

Book of Discipline (¶): none 1

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): None 2

Conference Committee/Agency affected by/responsible for implementation if passed: All local churches

Financial Implications: None

Brief Rationale: 7

To follow the example and footsteps of Jesus and with the marked increase in gun violence, The United 8 Methodist Church needs to make a statement through our actions to ban the possible use of guns within

our

and Conference owned properties.

Whereas the number of gun violence deaths from Jan. 1 to March 6, 2023 total 7507 in the United States.1

Whereas the number of teenagers killed by gun violence since Jan. 1 to March 6, 2023 total 262 in the

United States.1

Whereas there have been 102 mass killings in the United States from Jan. 1 to March 6, 2023.1 17 18

Whereas we have been called to pray for and support the victims, the families, the friends, and even the

perpetrators of these crimes.

Whereas The Upper New York Annual Conference has been called to pray for the safety of the children

and people at risk who enter our sanctuaries, our buildings, and our programs and have been moved to

enact “Safe Sanctuary Policies” that all The United Methodist Churches and programs are compelled to

adhere to.

Whereas in 2016 The United Methodist Book of Resolutions, #3428 states that one way to prevent gun

violence is “7. For United Methodist congregations to display signs that prohibit carrying Guns onto

church property.”

Whereas we hear the call in Isaiah 2:4 “And God shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many

people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall

not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Whereas in Matthew’s Gospel chapter 26 verse 52 Jesus commands his followers to “put your sword back

in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Clearly denying the use of violence to

end violence or to defend from violence.

Whereas it is a purpose of The United Methodist to become once again a beacon to all people that, within

our buildings and on our properties, is a place and programs that are free from violence and free from

fear.

Whereas we have prayed to God for guidance and need to respond to God’s call and God’s answer to our

prayers to be a shining example of a people who chose to live by our faith and not by the threat of

returning violence for violence.

Whereas there is a need for The United Methodist Church to become better known as a haven, a safe 1 place from all gun violence for all people in all neighborhoods; wherever there are a people known as

United Methodist who refuse to rely on firearms for protection but who rather rely on their faith in God

as the only alternative.

Therefore, be it resolved that no firearms will be allowed within the sanctuaries, the buildings, or any of

the programs, or any of the lands owned by local churches or the Conference facilities, programs, or land.

With the exception of persons who are required by their vocation to carry weapons when on or off duty.

Therefore, be it further resolved that all churches and Conference sites shall post clear and visible signage

that firearms are strictly forbidden on any of our properties or programs.

Therefore, be it further resolved that each District of the Upper New York Annual Conference shall ensure

that all local congregations and programs within their Districts shall adhere to this resolution.

1 - Data drawn from the Gun Violence Archive based in Washington DC.

Submitted by unanimous vote of the Social Holiness Team on March 9, 2023.

(518) 390 0883

(COSROW) Status and Role of Women, Commission on the

Women now make up the majority of worshiping members in local congregations and an increasingly high 1 percentage of elders, deacons, local pastors, and local church leaders, yet women’s unique concerns are

not always adequately addressed. For this reason, COSROW is tasked with “[Functioning] as an advocate

with and on behalf of women individually and collectively within The United Methodist Church…to redress

iniquities of the past and to prevent further inequities against women” (¶2102). The UNY COSROW team 5 has developed a three-step plan to achieve this: reporting, advocating, and connecting. By researching 6 and reporting the realities of the present and past injustice, advocating for a more equitable, inclusive

7 and reconciled future, and connecting disciples who are women together in solidarity along the way, 8 COSROW empowers the women of Upper New York to live out their respective callings without historical 9 and present sexism and prejudicial barriers that keep women from their full capacities as Christ-following

leaders.

We can report that there were 842 registrants for our Annual Conference that was held virtually October

13 6 - 8, 2022. Of the registrants, 464 identified as female, 372 identified as male, and six identified as 14 nonbinary. As expected, the split of clergy to laity 15 was about 50/50 (Appendix A). A whopping 91% of registrants identified as white (Appendix B). While we do not ask speakers to identify their age when they speak on the floor of Annual Conference, it was a required field at registration. Only 28 young adults and one youth registered, meaning nearly 97% of registrants were older than 35 (Appendix C).

No demographics were provided by speakers during the clergy session, laity session, or ordination, so the remainder of this report will 27 discuss the plenary sessions. There were 91 unique speakers across the plenary sessions. Only 40% of

speakers provided their race, gender, and membership status in their introduction, and nearly 50% did

not provide any demographics (Appendix D). While more women registered for Annual Conference than

men, almost 10% more speakers identified as men than women. Speakers who identified as clergy or laity

were a relatively even split at 29% and 21%, respectively (Appendix E). In line with registration numbers,

speakers were overwhelmingly white with only seven speakers identifying as non-white (Appendix F).

Demographics were not collected during registration for Annual Conference in 2021, so no comparisons

can be made. Compared to Annual Conference in

2021, fewer speakers identified their

demographics last year. In 2021, 67% of speakers

provided their race, gender, and membership

status in their introduction, while only 40% of

speakers did in 2022. Proportionally fewer

women spoke during Annual Conference in 2022.

In 2021, 29% of speakers identified as female, and

only 20% of speakers identified as female in 2022.

There was a more even split between clergy and

lay speakers in 2022 compared to the 46% to 29%

ratio in 2021. While fewer speakers identified as white, there was less representation for speakers of color 1 as well.

Although, historically, UNY COSROW has been limited to reporting speaking breakdowns at Annual 4 Conference, our ministry has broadened and grown considerably over the past year. Our own research 5 found that women in UNY desired more opportunities for spiritual renewal, self-care, and sabbath-

keeping. To advocate for these concerns, COSROW created two new ministries. First, we created a care 7 package ministry which connects COSROW to women attending women’s retreats at our various 8 conference Camp and Retreat Centers. COSROW care packages are delivered to each woman in 9 attendance, and they include a postcard describing what COSROW is and what it can offer women of UNY, 10 gourmet chocolates, and encouraging, hand-written notes from our COSROW team members. The notes 11 remind the women how much they are loved by God and inform them that the COSROW team is praying

for them during their retreat. In the past year alone, we distributed packages to over 150 women and

each retreat organizer relayed to us how folks in attendance felt loved and cared for by our packages! 14 Many had never heard of COSROW before receiving our packages and were happy to make the

connection.

In 2022 we launched a second ministry: hosting our own women’s retreats. This past Fall, our first event

in a series of retreats called “Catch Your Breath” was brought together. Our first retreat was conducted 19 over Zoom over the course of two evenings and was attended by 43 women. The title was “Wisdom-

Seeking Women.” Bishop Susan Hassinger was our keynote speaker, and we were also blessed with

reflective moments led by Rev. Heather Williams; Rev. Theresa Eggleston; Rev. Nancy Dibelius; and

Carmen Vianese. Each equipped attendees with spiritual practices they could use in their everyday life to

find sabbath and spiritual renewal. Our primary goals were to give women a chance to experience retreat, 24 rest, and renewal and also to connect with one another. This is the start of our effort to create a network

of

ministry in Upper New York. We are now in the process of planning our next

Sept 29 and 30 from 6:30 pm - 9 pm For more information go to

One area of concern for UNY women, based on our research, is addressing sexual harassment in our

churches. COSROW has been in conversation with the UNY Communications Team, and together we are

developing ways to address and report the reality of sexual harassment in UNY. This will be a long-term

project

2023 and undoubtedly continue into the foreseeable future.

This year has been a year of transition and action for our Conference COSROW team. We believe in

women’s ministry and women’s equity at every level of ministry. We acknowledge that inequalities,

gender biases, and violence against women are still a reality, even in our Annual Conference. As we

broaden and deepen our commitment to a more just future, we ask that you join us in our efforts and find

ways to collaborate or integrate our work with your own on the Annual Conference level and in the local

church.

Finance and Administration, Conference Council on (CFA)

The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) continues working on the policies and

procedures with the finance staff, forming the budget and other Discipline mandated tasks of CFA.

This past year was another challenging year as we continued to cope with the after effects of the COVID

pandemic, church disaffiliations, and the costs related to the Child Victims Act. We are extremely thankful

to all the churches that paid their ministry shares in full for 2022 and to those that go the extra mile and

pay

And we rejoice with those churches who increased their giving in these challenging

times. We continue to work on our policies and practices regarding those churches that are not fully

paying their Ministry Shares. Our overall collection rate for 2022 was 78.48%. Our 2022 budget was based

on an 81% collection rate. This means that the work of the Conference was not fully funded by your

Ministry Shares and spending was required to be reduced throughout the year.

In proposing the 2024 Ministry Share Budget, we have worked diligently to control and reduce the

expenses within the Ministry Share budget. Faced with a reduction in the number of churches due to

disaffiliation, we strive to reduce the costs incurred within the Conference budget but also are looking to

other ways of funding the missions and ministries of the Upper New York Conference. Our work includes

working to reduce the financial obligations of the local churches as we work together to provide the

revenue and resources necessary for the financial support of the vital ministries of The United Methodist

Church here in the Upper New York Conference and around the world.

I offer thanks to the members of CFA (Rev. Naomi Annandale; Rev. Abigail Browka; Roger Cullen; Sue

Godshall; Rich Griffin; Rev. Noel John; Pastor Jenni Piatt; Rev. Gerald Piper; Rev. Grace Warren; Bob Flask;

Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood; Susan Ranous; and Rev. William Gottschalk-Fielding) for their service and ministry;

to the Finance Staff, Conference Treasurer and to the Boards of Trustees and Pensions and Health

Benefits, Conference Leadership Team, Executive Staff, and the Bishop for their continued support.

Submitted by Holly E Roush, Chairperson

Global Ministries Team

This past year the Global Ministries Team was reactivated and began working on three priorities: completing 1 the naming of the final Africa University Endowed Scholarships and celebrate the reaching of the one-million- 2 dollar goal, updating the information for all the Conference Advance Specials, and updating the list of 3 missionaries for our Conference members, and churches to support. 4 5

Since its founding in 1988 by UNYAC, our predecessor conferences have supported Africa University through 6 the general church apportionments, gifts, donations, and scholarships. In 2024 members of the Global 7 Ministries team are planning on taking a VIM team there with plans to meet with students supported by our 8 scholarships.

The list of Conference Advance Specials on the Conference website Conference Advance Specials|The Upper 11 NY Conference (unyumc.org) has been updated to include some pictures and the ability to donate online. This

year we will be setting up the guidelines and process to add new ones for next year.

We have also updated the list of current UMC missionaries Missionaries|The Upper NY Conference

(unyumc.org) for our congregations and individuals to support including a new one – our own Olga Gonzalez.

This year, after COVID isolation, we will once again have missionaries be able to come and itinerate to

sponsoring churches and be present with us during annual conference.

This year we will be intentional on helping with the call for people to become missionaries (paid and volunteer).

To learn more, go to the GBGM website MISSIONARIES - Global Ministries (umcmission.org) and come to the

Global Ministries table during Annual Conference.

In 2022, a total of $25,000 was secured for Disaster Response through the help of UMCOR and distributed to

assist communities and ministries impacted by a socio-economic or natural disaster. This included flooding at

Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center and aid to the Buffalo community after the racist mass shooting. This year,

unfortunately, began with another disaster: the Christmas Blizzard. To date, we have raised and dispersed

$15,400 to those impacted and deployed four ERT teams, totaling over 100 hours of service, to clean up

churches that experienced severe damage. The recovery has just begun, and we will walk alongside impacted

communities as neighbors and siblings in Christ through their journey of physical and spiritual recovery.

We praise God and celebrate the service of a VIM team from St Paul’s UMC in Ithaca, led by Nancy and George

Gull, that served in Agua Viva Serves, Los Chiles, Costa Rica from Jan 23 - March 2, 2023. In 2024, plans are

being made for a Conference-wide team(s) to go to Puerto Rico and Africa University.

Kristina Clark was named the Director of Missional Engagement and Director of the UNY Mission HUB in July

2022. Last year, churches around the Conference donated 20,490 items to ministry of the HUB and 24,266

items were dispersed to communities across Upstate NY to bring relief to socio-economic or natural disasters.

UMCOR discontinued the school kit in 2022. The HUB now assembles and distributes three relief kits: hygiene,

the cleaning, and Menstrual Hygiene Kits. The HUB launched its first grant, “The Everyday Disaster Grant,”

which gave a total of $30,400 to 32 churches that represent the HUB’s values of neighboring, justice,

collaboration, and diversity. We are excited to continue adding to the ministries of the HUB to meet the

relevant needs of our neighbors in the UNY Conference.

Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel, Task Force on

Our Vision: As disciples of Jesus, peacemaker, justice seeker, and liberator, the Task Force on Peace with 1 Justice in Palestine/Israel affirms the dignity and sacredness of all people, stands against oppression and 2 injustice, and works for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel.

Our Mission: With Jesus' commandment to love in our hearts and the Palestinians' “Cry for Hope” calling 5 us to action, we covenant to educate, equip, and mobilize the Upper New York Conference of The United 6 Methodist Church in all its entities - local congregations, regional districts – for bold, prophetic witness

7 and risk-taking advocacy toward the goal of a just and genuine peace in Palestine and Israel. Conducting

8 our work in partnership with our own Board of Global Ministries, and Board of Church and Society, as well 9 as the advocacy, and solidarity groups, we commit to engaging the “logic of Love” in pursuit of human and 10 civil rights, security, and self-determination for all who share this land that each of the Abrahamic faiths - 11 Islam, Judaism, Christianity - call “holy.”

We brought a petition to the Annual Conference entitled “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian 14 Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation.” 15 16

In lieu of our formerly held Palestinian dinners during Annual Conference, a Palestinian dinner (Imagined, 17 because we met virtually) was held in June 2022 to support the Gary Bergh Scholarship for “justice- 18 awareness” travel, and in honor of former Task Force co-chair, Leah Mae Carlisle, totaling $1,670.00. 19 20

Dianne was in Palestine (the West Bank) helping facilitate financial and medical support for Palestinian, Sabri, 21 who has visited the Task Force in the past. His American wife, Heather, living in the West Bank with him and 22 their children, authored part of February’s article from the Task Force in the UNY Conference Weekly Digest.

She and Dianne will be doing more first-hand articles on the situation in the West Bank.

Past articles have included Gary Doupe’s on the World Council of Churches statement on Israel and apartheid,

Linda Bergh’s articles on Conference response to the Palestinian “Cry for Hope” and on the Gary Bergh

Scholarship, and Karen Peterson’s article on justice-awareness trips to Palestine.

The Task Force is initiating conversation and planning with the Committee on Native American Ministries

(CONAM) on ways to educate local congregations about unjust theology - (e.g., Doctrine of Discovery, Christian

Zionism), awareness of need to inspire and involve young people, ordinands, young pastors, recent retirees in

the urgency of working for peace with justice in Palestine-and joining us in that effort-with openness to new

ideas on how to carry that out.

We are keeping people in Upper New York informed as to what Israel is doing to Palestinians; taking their land,

demolishing their schools and homes, destroying their olive crops, arresting their youth, and the unjust

treatment of Palestinians.

We had a Zoom call with Bishop Burgos, which was very productive. An important resource for our work is

United Methodist Kairos Response, an independent movement for Palestinian rights, growing in the grassroots

of The United Methodist Church

For more information, contact the leadership team:

Peace with Justice

The Conference Board of Church and Society or equivalent structure shall also name a Conference 1 Peace with Justice Coordinator who will be responsible for administering the conference Peace

2 with Justice Special Sunday Offering receipts and for coordinating peace with justice ministries. 3 (2016 Book of Discipline ¶629.2) 4 5

Each year, the Social Holiness Team considers applications for financial support of new and 6 emerging justice ministries considering the UM Social Principles as guidance for their work. In

2022, we received 3 applications. We were able to support each of the following ministries:

• Skaneateles UMC, The Skaneateles Storks Diaper Bank received $2,000 to help them 10 serve families in rural Onondaga and Cayuga county areas. The church seeks to promote 11 reconciliation, transformation, and the restoration of relationships as well as address the 12 root causes of poverty and promote self-development of communities. 13

• First UMC of Rome, NY, Five Loaves and Saturday’s Bounty Ministries received $2,000 to

help them expand their feeding ministry, providing meals to homeless and home-bound

folks in their community. The program seeks to address food injustice and increase access

to quality food for those with fewer resources.

• Faithful Citizen, Inc., In from the Cold: A Tale of Two Cities received $2,000 to produce a 18 documentary, focusing on issues of homelessness in Syracuse and Troy, NY. Watch for a

news article from the Conference announcing the completion of this 26-minute film to be

used in the local churches and other settings.

If you have questions about any of these ministries, I would be happy to share more information

or put you in touch with those in charge.

These grants are made possible by your continued support of the Peace with Justice Sunday

offering - one of the six Special Sunday Offerings listed in ¶824 of the UMBOD. It is my hope that

as we move into the future - be it as United Methodists or otherwise - each one of us will continue

to support - with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness - the justice and social action

ministries begun in the Upper NY area.

Looking forward, I hope to help renew our efforts around issues of gun violence and gambling as

well as provide opportunities to share and discuss the United Methodist Social Principles. I am

excited to attend the first in-person Peace with Justice Coordinators’ Gathering since before

COVID in September and to work with Bishop Héctor and the Cabinet to bring a message of God’s

to the Upper New York Conference.

Respectfully,

Pension and Health Benefits (BoPHB), Board of

The Board of Pension and Health Benefits works to care for those who serve and for those who have

served, while also attending to the needs of the churches they have served and are serving. We attend

to multiple retirement plans, healthcare for active and retired clergy and lay employees. We spend time

with financial reports, actuarial reports, funding projections, requests for special grants, requests for

exceptions, and concerns about the capacities of churches to fund ministry. In all that we do, we seek to

address

needs of our participants with sustainability and fairness. It requires paying attention to a

In all that we do, we seek to be faithful to God in our care for one another. Because of the nature of our 9 work, however, we are never fully successful. As with all other Christians and all other parts of the church,

we are “going on to perfection”, but we are not there yet. We are thankful for your grace as we continue

to work on your behalf. This is difficult, but important work.

Below is up to date information about the programs we offer, policies we have in place, a look ahead, a

look at this moment in time, and two action items for the Annual Conference to act on.

I love the work of the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, because our work is the work of the whole.

We serve the Annual Conference, seeking to do what we can to maximize fairness and justice while caring

for those who are vulnerable. I am thankful to the entire board and its officers, and to the staff of both

Upper New York and Wespath who inform us, support us, and implement our decisions.

The guidelines by which our health benefits program is administered are presented here for the sake of

clarity and understanding by all. Further information can be found on in the conference website:

https://www.unyumc.org/about/pastors-compensation , click on the link “Clergy Support Policies”

Health Benefits for Full-Time Active (under age 65) Clergy: We continue to offer the Healthflex

Exchange for eligible active clergy, which combines a blended rate for churches with multiple healthcare

options for participants. The blended rate in 2023 is $14,400. Participants receive a premium credit and

decide what plans work best for them. Participants are encouraged to elect a pre-tax flexible spending

account (HSA and/or FSA) to be deducted from their salary. The HSA and FSA are administered through

Health Equity. The purpose of the pre-tax benefit is to help participants pay for deductibles and other

eligible medical, dental and/or vision expenses.

The UNYAC BoPHB continues to support wellness incentives through the Virgin Pulse Health Miles

Program. Participants can earn monetary rewards each year for walking, exercising, and participating in

wellness activities and coaching.

Blended Rate (MED)—Since our health benefit plan covers all full-time clergy, our connectional

responsibility requires that every church served by a full-time pastor pay the Blended Rate. The Blended

Rate is NOT an insurance premium for the individual currently serving as the church’s pastor. It is each full-

time church’s equal [connectional] share of the total Conference premium that makes it possible for the 1 Conference to offer affordable health benefits to active clergy and their families throughout our diverse

conference.

The costs of health care are increasing everywhere, and we are no exception. There will be an increase in 5 the blended rate in 2024, and participants will also see increased costs. More information will be available

in the fall.

Retiree/Over age 65 Active Health Coverage through Via Benefits: The Conference will continue our 9 agreement with Via Benefits to provide a choice of Medicare Supplement, Part D prescription, dental,

vision, and/or MedicareAdvantageHealth insurance plans for the conferences current and future eligible 11 retirees who are already enrolled or will be enrolled in Medicare. These plans will continue to be

combined with an individual Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for each eligible retiree and spouse,

as applicable.

Retiree Health Eligibility: Retired clergy, age 65 or above, must be enrolled with the Social Security

Administration for coverage under Medicare Part A and Part B, before they can be enrolled in the Via

Benefits network.

A retired participant is eligible for the Via Benefits program if they were an active participant in the

Conference Healthflex Benefit Plan for at least five consecutive years immediately preceding their

retirement effective date. The retiree must have primary coverage at retirement through Medicare Part

A and Part

The formula for retiree HRA funding is based on 3.33% of “fully funded HRA amount” per full-time

equivalent years of service up to 30 years of service and the 5-year vesting rule. BoPHB determines the

fully funded HRA amount annually and is continuing work on balancing the needs of retirees, their

spouses, and our funding streams.

Clergy Who Retire Before Age 65: Clergy who retire before the age of 65 may continue their coverage in

HealthFlex until their 65th birthday, with a cost share. The Benefits Office will provide you with a calculation

of your premium amount once they are notified of your official intent to retire. If such early retired clergy

choose not to continue in the Conference HealthFlex program until they become eligible for Via Benefits

at age 65, (e.g., they drop HealthFlex to go onto a spouse's healthcare program) they will forfeit their

eligibility for Via Benefits and the retiree HRA. This decision is irrevocable.

UNYAC Healthflex Arrearage Policy: The Board of Pensions and Health Benefits is working with the UNY

Cabinet on a policy for responding to unpaid healthcare costs for active clergy.

Special Grants: UNYAC BoPHB has been providing assistance via special monthly grants, as established in

previous years and as provided for in The Book of Discipline.

The Board of Pension & Health Benefits will annually review previous and future pension grants to retirees

and widows/widowers but will not publish names, to protect their privacy and dignity.

The 2023 special grants include two retired clergy and two surviving spouses equaling a cumulative annual

payout of $13,730.28

Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) and Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) 75%-and-above 3 Appointments: We have not made changes to CRSP or CPP. CRSP pension benefits are for active clergy 4 serving 75%-timeappointments and above. Clergy who voluntarily contribute at least 1% of their total

compensation to their United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) account will receive a

matching 1% CRSP contribution through the program to their defined contribution CRSP account, as

prescribed

plan agreement, as long as their congregation pays their benefit obligation.

CRSP - To fund this plan, all congregations that have 75%-time-and-above appointments are billed a

percentage based on their pension-based compensation (salary plus housing). There is no change to the

13.8%

CPP – Churches with clergy in full connection, serving in 75% appointments as well as all full-time

appointed clergy, will continue to be billed 3% of the clergy’s pension-based compensation (salary plus

housing). CPP

term disability, and survivor benefits to clergy and their families.

Clergy Retirement Security Program Defined Benefits (CRSP-DB) and Ministerial Protection Plan (MPP)

Annuities: The current retirement plan for clergy is CRSP, which replaced MPP. CRSP has two parts: the

defined contribution portion and the defined benefit portion. The defined contribution portion creates an 20 account balance at Wespath that will be accessible to a participant after retirement. The defined benefit

portion is distributed as a monthly benefit based on Denominational Average Compensation and years of

The Board received the pension actuarial report from Wespath dated September 28, 2022, outlining the

components of UNYAC’s CRSP-DB, MPP Annuities as well as our conference specific Pre-82 report. For

end of year 2022, the UNYAC 2020 owed a CRSP-DB contribution in the amount of $1,536,187 which was

due by Dec. 31, 2022. Accordingly, the UNYAC BoPHB paid the 2022 CRSP-DB contribution in its entirety.

UNYAC’s CRSP is currently fully funded. The amount paid reflects current benefit accruals under CRSP-

DB.

According to the report, for year-end 2023, the UNYAC BoPHB is estimated to owe $1,380,339 to Wespath

for the CRSP-DB. For year-end 2024, the UNYAC BoPHB is estimated to owe $1,322,495 to Wespath for

the CRSP-DB.

Retirement: Julie Valeski, UNYAC’s Benefits Administrator, once again held a very successful retirement

seminar for clergy and spouses who are approaching retirement age. We will continue this program in

2023-2024.

Financial Planning: Wespath has partnered with EY (formerly Ernst and Young) to offer free financial

planning services to active participants, surviving spouses, and terminated and retired participants with

a pension account balance of at least $10,000. EY’s financial planners provide confidential, objective

guidance on making investment decisions, saving for retirement, managing debt, understanding tax

issues and evaluating insurance needs. This service has been significantly under-utilized. Retirement

planning can be a confusing and stressful activity. The professionals at EY can assist you at no cost. We

stronglyencourageyoutousethisamazingservice.You can get started by calling EY directly at 1-800-360-2539.

Investment Update : UNYAC’s Fossil Fuel divestment resolution has been implemented and we have 1 begun making quarterly changes in our investments to remove our financial support of fossil fuels. It will

2 be completed over a five-year period, at the end of 2026.

When General Conference convenes in 2024, they will consider legislation from Wespath to end the Clergy

Retirement Security Program (CRSP) and move to a new plan called Compass. The Compass plan would

still be a retirement plan, but its design is significantly different from past retirement programs that were

a combination of Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC).

The Compass plan would be made entirely of Defined Contribution (DC). It would be an account-based

plan, with three types of employer contributions:

• $140 per month flat dollar contribution*

• 3% contribution of pay

• $1 for $1 conference match on up to 4% of pay

*amount to be indexed for inflation.

Wespath has recommended these changes to the clergy retirement plan so we can continue to provide

reliable and sustainable retirement income to those who serve.

Pros:

• More support built into the Plan for lower paid clergy, and recent seminary graduates

• Lower cost to churches

• Increased sustainability by Conferences, ensuring reliable retirement benefits for future

generations of clergy

• Balanced affordability with income adequacy - strives to provide sufficient retirement income for

clergy, at a cost that is affordable to annual conferences

• Provides flexibility that allows benefit portability for clergy and allows clergy the ability to leave

account balances to their heirs

• Once retired, your annuity provides you a guaranteed income stream for life (or some period),

no matter how the stock market or the economy performs

Cons:

• A smaller amount of money will be put into clergy retirement accounts by their church(es) and

the annual conference(s) which could lead to insufficient funds in retirement if clergy do not elect

pre-tax contributions from their paychecks to save for retirement

• If a clergy person does not make their own pre-tax contributions in addition to the Conference

contribution made on their behalf, their retirement balance will be much smaller in retirement

• The Compass program moves more of the risk/reward to the clergy person as the markets

fluctuate, which means some clergy may need to revisit assumptions a little more often

It may be worth noting that if General Conference passes the legislation enabling the Compass plan in

2024, it will still take some time to implement. Under those conditions, it would likely come into effect in

2026. If the Compass plan passes, we will be working hard to keep everyone educated about the changes,

what they mean, and how to create the most secure possible retirements under this new plan.

Trustees, Board of

The activities of the Trustees for 2022 included the purchase, sale, and maintenance of Conference 1 properties. The Trustees also managed the Conference’s master insurance program. A brief explanation

of

for the past year follows:

The Board of Trustees is currently managing 35 closed churches, two land-only properties, 9 district 6 parsonages, one episcopal residence, one conference center, five camp and retreat centers, and seven 7 legacy-issue properties. Each property has two trustees assigned to oversee these properties and 8 buildings. The Trustees also work to market and sell the closed churches, land, and legacy properties. They 9 coordinate their parsonage work with district parsonage coordinators to maintain and address issues at 10 each parsonage. District boards of Church Location and Buildings work to support the Trustees on closed 11 church properties within their districts. Peter Abdella from Harter Secrest & Emery LLP serves as our

Conference Chancellor as we work to sell these properties. Working with municipalities (tax exempt

issues), private groups (cemetery associations, tenants), real estate brokers and others, we resolve issues

The Annual Conference Board of Trustees maintains an insurance subcommittee who helps to design,

implement, and monitor our Conference-wide insurance program. This program has been underwritten

by Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company since January 1, 2020. Our local representatives are American

Church Group of New York and agents from American Church Group have completed visits to all our local

churches in 2022 and have established accurate replacement costs for all our properties.

Trustee financial activity is accounted for and reported as a separate fund within the Conference. Net

Assets are categorized in accordance with Conference or donor designations as follows:

• Unrestricted Net Assets: Net assets that are not subject to donor-imposed restrictions.

• Designated Unrestricted Net Assets: Net assets that are internally designated for a specific

purpose or activity by the Conference.

• Temporarily Restricted Net Assets: Net assets subject to donor-imposed stipulations that may or

will be met either by actions of the Conference and/or the passage of time. Also includes camp

and retreat centers, the Conference center and district parsonages.

• Permanently Restricted Net Assets: Net assets subject to donor-imposed stipulations that may be

maintained permanently by the Conference. Generally, the donors of these assets permits the

Conference to use all, or part of the income earned on related investments for program

operations.

There are three-member churches with loan guarantees provided by the Conference with an outstanding

loan balance of approximately $620,000 as of 12/31/22.

Disaffiliations 1

In 2022, The Upper NY Conference endured our first round of disaffiliating churches. Last year we had

eight churches approved for disaffiliation. The trustees have continued to work diligently to keep track of

disaffiliation applications and have made efforts to acknowledge each church's wishes. Information

needed from District Superintendents and Churches has been fine-tuned to make sure we are adhering

to the Discipline and making the process equitable for all churches.

The Trustees continue to work with our legal team and other Conference boards to monitor the lawsuits 9 brought against the Conference. With the guidance of our legal team and the boards involved, we will

continue to review cases as they move forward. We will continue to update the Annual Conference and

will have further information at the Annual Conference 2023. 12 13

Faithfully, 14

Rev. Pamela Klotzbach, Trustee President

United Women in

Faith (UWF - formally known as UMW)

Since my last report, the UNY Conference UWF Leadership Team has worked on intentional connection

with the District Leadership Teams, with the local units, through our partnership with the Board of

Directors, and with those who work for us at the National Office. We have continued to provide

opportunities for spiritual growth through online bible studies, book studies, Mission U events and

chats to engage our ladies with up-to-date information on immediate needs, justice

education/information and ministry.

Another highlight of

past year is our living into our “new branding” for the UMW organization, which

highlights our focus on including women from all denominations to join us in our mission and justice work.

Local units, District leadership teams and the UNY Conference leadership team are steadily working to

switch our legal

and bank accounts over to “United Women in Faith,” so that our spiritual growth,

work will continue forward as it always has

I am pleased to share that the UNY UWF plan to host our annual “Mission U” retreat this coming summer

in person from Thursday – August 17th through Saturday – August 19, 2023, at the Fayetteville UMC.

Registration forms will be available May 1, 2023. Please look for details about reservations,

accommodations, learning topics, and cost on our UNY UWF official website: 17 https://unyumw.wixsite.com/website or you can email your questions to UNYMissionu@gmail.com with

any questions.

I am so pleased that our ability to meet the needs of our neighbors across the UNY Connection has

continued through the UNY UWF Conference Project grants funding for a variety of out-reach ministries

via an application process. These grants have given 51 ministries (totaling $53,710.00) across our UNY

connection, funding to continue their work in 2022 and we are again providing an opportunity to apply

for grant funding for 2023. Applications are online at our UNY UWF website:

https://unyumw.wixsite.com/website. You can e-mail all completed forms on or before May 23, 2023, to:

unyumw.conference.projects@gmail.com or USPS mail them to: 22 Kneeland Ave Apt 1, Binghamton NY

13905. *Submit questions or concerns to the email address above or call Tammy Nist at 607-235-1102.

Please contact your District or Conference UWF executive teams for support. As I personally Thank each

of you for every relationship you build, every mission opportunity you support and every justice issue that

is impacted by your dedication, voice, and presence!

Serving Because of Jesus: Carmen FS Vianese, UNY UWF President

Carmenfsvianese2@twc.com - (585)-468-5935

“Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this Ministry,

we shall not lose heart!!” (2 Corinthians 4:1)

Africa University

United Methodists worldwide celebrated an ‘Ebenezer’ moment in the ministry of Africa University in 2022, 1 marking 30 years of faithfulness, generosity, growth, and impact within and beyond The United Methodist

Church.

God’s presence in the life of Africa University is evident, thanks to the prayers and generous support of the 5 Upper New York Conference. Thank you! In 2022, the Upper New York Conference provided 86.25 percent of

its share of general church giving to support the day-to-day operations of Africa University.

Supported by Upper New York United Methodists and others, Africa University embraced new opportunities 9 as it emerged from pandemic-related restrictions in 2022.

• Enrollment: Africa University achieved a total enrollment at 2,791 students in August 2022. Female

students comprised 58 percent of the student population and 23 African nations were represented.

• Academic Growth: Africa University launched its first new academic unit in almost twenty years The 14 School of Law with a pioneer cohort of 20 students pursuing the Bachelor of Laws (Honors) (LL.B.)

degree program. Five new undergraduate and graduate programs are being implemented with the 16 approval of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE), the national accreditation and

quality assurance agency.

• Infrastructure expansion: A new residence hall for female students at Africa University is under

construction, funded by the East Ohio Conference’s $1.5 million Teach * Reach * Bless campaign. Once

completed, the facility will boost the available on campus housing for students to around 1200 beds.

• Outcomes: 712 graduates from 18 African countries became Africa University alumni in June 2022.

Africa University’s nearly 11,000 graduates to date are making vital contributions as clergy, educators,

agriculturalists, health professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Faculty and students are

undertaking and sharing research to reduce deaths from malaria and tuberculosis, protect the rights

of children, and increase food security in African communities.

Africa University’s year-long 30th anniversary program culminated in October 2022 with a gathering of more

than 3,000 people at its main campus in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Amidst the commemoration and joyful

thanksgiving livestreamed to the world, the Rev. Dr. Peter Mageto was formally installed as the fifth vice

chancellor (president) of the institution.

Mageto, a Kenyan and academician specializing in theological ethics, echoed the gratitude of the students,

faculty, staff, trustees, and alumni of Africa University for the many answered prayers represented in the Africa

University story. His inaugural address highlighted the optimism and commitment to purpose that drive the

university’s unfolding vision.

“Today, Africa University turns thirty. The number 30 is a blessed figure. Thirty was the age of our Lord Jesus

Christ when he commenced his ministry here on earth. It gives us great faith to be walking resolutely towards

the fourth decade,” Mageto said.

Thank you, Upper New York Conference, for nurturing change leaders and building an enduring legacy through

the ministry of Africa University. Let us continue to journey together learning, leading, and serving God, all

the time, everywhere.

James H. Salley, President and Chief Executive Officer, Africa University (Tennessee) Inc.

& Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, Africa University

Drew University Theological School

Drew educates and mentors pastors, preachers, deacons, activists, teachers, thought leaders, and change

1 agents. In Fall 2022 Drew welcomed 77 new students, and as of February 2023 Drew has a total enrollment

of 408 students. Many Drew students are just beginning their ministry, while others come to graduate

theological education with substantial ministry experience. The latter reflects a growing trend among all

theological schools in the United States and Canada.

During 2022, Drew classes met on campus in Madison, New Jersey, but also some classes met exclusively

online, while others met in hybrid fashion, i.e., partially online, partially in-person. This was also the case 8 with chapel worship. This reflects both our ongoing emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, 9 but also Drew leaning into what it means to be a global school with a global student population. With 35%

of students coming from 28 different countries Drew Theological School is truly global and diverse in

theology, vocations, age, as well as racial, ethnic, national, and international identities

Drew’s interdisciplinary degree programs foster out-of-the-box thinking, provide real-world

apprenticeships, promotes adaptive leadership skills, and encourages innovation through a team-taught

core courses reflecting the integration of the theological disciplines and practices characteristic of the life

of faith. The faculty articulated shared values are infused across the teaching and learning at Drew: a

commitment to anti-racism; gender and sexual-identity equality; eco-sustainability and environmental

The Theological School has seen an increase in United Methodist students. Moreover, Drew has many

United Methodist Global Fellows who chose to pursue education for ministry at Drew. UMC graduates are

serving in conferences across the United States as well as in our regional conferences in Greater New

Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and New York Annual Conference.

Submitted by Edwin David Aponte, Dean

Duke Divinity School

Duke Divinity School has been blessed to be part of the fresh work of the Holy Spirit this year and to 1 participate in “little Pentecost's” signs and foretastes of the hope we profess and the calling we follow. 2 In his Opening Convocations sermon, Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric said: “If Duke Divinity School is to keep

on its Pentecost journey, it needs to devote itself to being guided by the marker of mercy. Our motto of

Eruditio et Religio only makes sense when we add mercy. … How we care for the needy is the measure for 5 the apostolicity of our studies, the holiness of our communion, and the power of our prayers.”

The school has continued in its commitment to form ministers of the gospel who will seek God’s justice 8 and mercy. Our faculty have been leaders in the Duke Climate Initiative participating with colleagues from 9 the Nicholas School for the Environment in the event “Pastoral Care for Climate Change: Weaving

Together Science and Theology for Justice,” at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C. Divinity 11 faculty have also co-taught a university course titled “Let’s Talk about Climate Change,” and welcomed 30

young faith leaders from various religious traditions and places worldwide to understand better how to 13 engage their faith communities in the fight for our climate.

The Office of Black Church Studies, which has been commemorating its 50th anniversary year, hosted

16 “Justice Ministry Reimagined: Reentry Simulation” for pastors, students, and lay leaders to learn more

17 about how to support people reentering the community after incarceration. We launched the Prison 18 Engagement Initiative with the Kenan Institute for Ethics. Divinity faculty taught a “Trauma Engaged Duke” 19 seminar and led the project team Developing Best Practices for Trauma-Informed Teaching and Learning.

These programs and events complement the ongoing work of field education and ministerial formation

that puts Duke Divinity students in contexts ranging from rural churches to hospital chaplaincy to farm

ministry, and many more.

This fall, we welcomed 226 entering students from 35 different states and eight other countries, including

Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, and South Korea. The Master of Divinity

program gained 130 new students, with 88 residential students and 42 in the hybrid program. The Master

of Arts in Christian Practice enrolled 13 new students; the Doctor of Ministry, 28; Master of Theology, six;

Master of Theological Studies, 22; the Doctor of Theology welcomed six new students to campus, and one

special student has enrolled. The Certificate in Theology and Health Care welcomed four residential

students to campus and 16 in the hybrid program. Across all degree programs at the Divinity School, 30

percent of the incoming class identified as a race or ethnicity other than white. Black students made up

18 percent of all students; Latinx students, six percent; Asian students, five percent; and American Indian

students, one percent Fifty-seven percent of students in the incoming class are female.

There were 33 denominations represented in the M.Div. entering class, with 30 percent affiliated with the

United Methodist Church. Baptists made up 17 percent of the incoming students; Anglican-Episcopal

students, 12 percent; and nondenominational students, 12 percent. Dean Colón-Emeric said: “It is with

the guidance of the acts of the apostles, their communal praxis, that the Divinity School continues to build

that most delicate and often discredited of structures: an ecumenical community, a community that boldly

professes the Apostles’ creed, a community where Christians from estranged churches study together, a

community of generous, joyful Pentecost orthodoxy.”

The school continued to build on its rich tradition of ecumenical engagement, with Dean Colón-Emeric

participating in the Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission Dialogue meeting with Pope

Francis at the Vatican. Student Eliza Love, M.Div.’23, was awarded the $10,000 Bossey Institute

scholarship from the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops to attend the World Council of Church 1 Ecumenical Institute. The Houses of Study at Duke Divinity School Methodist House, Anglican Episcopal 2 House, Presbyterian/Reformed House, Baptist House, Office of Black Church Studies, Asian House, and 3 Hispanic House all enrich the Duke Divinity community through theological formation, student support, 4 dynamic lectures, and robust programming. 5

6

The school has also welcomed new leaders who bring their gifts to the work of advancing the mission to 7 serve Christ and the church. Three new associate deans have accepted appointments: Daniel Castelo, 8 William Kellon Quick Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies, as associate dean for Academic 9 Formation; Jung Choi, a consulting professor and director of the Asian House of Studies, as associate dean 10 for Global and Intercultural Formation; and Sangwoo Kim, a consulting professor and senior director of 11 the Methodist House of Studies and the Wesleyan Formation Initiatives, as associate dean for Vocational

Formation. Linda Coley, who earned an M.Div. from Duke Divinity along with M.S., M.B.A., and Ph.D.

degrees, has also joined as the executive director for the Ormond Center.

Several new programs demonstrate Duke’s sustained commitment to connecting with churches and 16 ministers. The Ormond Center launched the Community Craft Collaborative to create resources for 17 equipping lay and congregational leaders. The Certificate in Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation

(CCTR), facilitated by leading scholars and practitioners in the fields of conflict transformation and

reconciliation from Duke University and other institutions, provides a timely learning opportunity for

pastors and other church leaders seeking theological and practical skills to foster reconciliation in their

congregations and surrounding communities. We celebrate the expansion of our connection to UMC

colleges through a partnership with Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga., to enable qualified undergraduates

to take master’s level course through the Duke Accelerated Pastoral Formation Program. The Clergy

Health Initiative supports healthy practices for vibrant ministry. The research and programming from

other Duke Divinity initiatives, including Theology, Medicine, and Culture; Duke Initiatives in Theology and 26 the Arts; Leadership Education at Duke Divinity; and Thriving Rural Communities, continue to provide

numerous opportunities to bear witness to God’s creativity, compassion, and care for communities and

congregations.

Our Convocation & Pastors' School (CPS) returned to an in-person format for the first time since the start

of the pandemic with the theme, Creativity & Courage: From Trauma to Tough Hope. The presenters

professional dancers, visual artists, musicians, and scholars guided participants in facing brokenness and

sin honestly, as they offered glimpses of "the beauty of holiness." NY Times Best Selling Author & Associate

Professor of Christian History, Kate Bowler led a live taping of her Everything Happens podcast to kick off

CPS with over 1000 registered participants.

Duke Divinity School continues to be grateful for our ongoing participation in The United Methodist

Church and partnership with this annual conference. We look forward to our ongoing work with you as

we join the leading of God’s Spirit in the task of preparing men and women for Christian ministry. To learn

more about Duke Divinity School, please visit our website at www.divinity.duke.edu.

Respectfully submitted by Edgardo Colón-Emeric

Dean of Duke Divinity School

Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO)

was pleased to host the four-day international Institute on Theology and Disability in June 2022.

Founded in 2010, the institute celebrates, explores, and investigates the ways that disability impacts many

dimensions of

life; theology and practice mutually inform and support one another; and diverse

MTSO and WomanPreach! share $1 million Lilly Endowment grant 9 Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded MTSO a grant of $1 million to support prophetic preaching through a 10 partnership with WomanPreach! Inc. The grant period extends from Nov. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2027.

WomanPreach! was founded 12 years ago by MTSO Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Rev.

Valerie Bridgeman, Ph.D., who serves as the organization’s CEO. It provides practical training and

nurturing community spaces that empower preachers across the country. Begun to train women,

WomanPreach! has since grown to include programming for people of all genders. Its numerous programs 15 include the biennial Jarena Lee Preaching Academy, a week-long intensive academy that equips women 16 of the African Diaspora to speak in their own prophetic voices; Sophie’s Table: A Conversation Among 17 Siblings, an all-genders program that amplifies voices of people of marginalized genders, women and 18 children; and Chloe’s Circle, which gathers women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds to sharpen

preaching that reflects a commitment to justice based in God’s call through Jesus.

Mount Union joins MTSO to offer 3+2 program

The University of Mount Union and MTSO have begun offering incoming college students a 3+2 program,

leading to a Master of Arts in Social Justice degree in five years of study rather than the six years typically

required. Students will begin the program at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. After

completing the program’s requirements at Mount Union, they are eligible to begin two years of study at

MTSO, where they will finish requirements for a Mount Union bachelor’s degree and earn an MA in Social

Justice degree from MTSO. Students in the 3+2 program are eligible for MTSO’s exceptional scholarships.

New York State Council of Churches

The New York State Council of Churches, founded in the late 19th Century, represents 7,500 congregations 1 across the State of New York. We are comprised of nine partner denominations including American 2 Baptist Churches USA, Empire Baptist Missionary Convention (National Baptist Convention), The 3 Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church USA, The Reformed

Church in America, The Religious Society of Friends, United Church of Christ, and The United Methodist

Church.

Jan. of 2023, the Council was blessed to hire Rashida Tyler as a full time Deputy Executive

Director and Manager of our Housing Pre-Development program. Ms. Tyler has extensive community

organizing experience and holds master’s degrees in African American Women’s Studies and Public

Policy. She is an active laywoman in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

The New York State Council of Churches:

Certifies and supports Protestant chaplains in Department of Corrections and Community Supervision,

Office of Mental Health, and Office of Children and Family Services as they seek to offer love and hope

to so many who feel hopeless and have had little experience of being loved unconditionally. We urge

fully ordained pastors, including those who may be serving as parish ministers, to consider applying for

certification. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is in particular need of

candidates to fill a number of openings. In October, we hold our annual chaplain’s conference to which

Equips faith leaders to advocate for laws and policies, consistent with our denominational partner’s

social principles, which address structural racism, economic inequality, and environmental

degradation

Leading up our advocacy day on March 20, we held 10 seminars covering all the major policy areas. During

advocacy day, we focused on passing a comprehensive housing package which included the Housing

Compact requiring municipalities to alter restrictive race-based zoning rules which would make possible

an increase in housing production. We also sought a variety of tenant protections. As of this writing, few

housing provisions appear headed for passage except for a housing access voucher program and rental

relief for public housing residents. In addition, we embraced our denominational partners historic

commitment to immigration reform by promoting a suite of state-based immigration policies including

increased assistance for asylum seekers, access to representation in deportation proceedings and health

insurance and housing access vouchers accessible to undocumented people. We also worked hard to

prevent changes to bail and discovery laws while advocating for a variety of environmental laws and

funding to move New York towards a clean energy future. We are currently working on passage of a bill,

in conjunction with Jubilee USA and most of our denominational partners, to compel private New York

creditors to offer the same debt relief to struggling countries as public entities. We will also continue our

efforts to stop one billion dollars in annual wage theft and to promote a variety of criminal justice reforms

including calling on the legislature to recommend to voters an amendment to the New York Constitution

to eliminate low wage, slave labor practices in our penal system. In the wake of the Buffalo Tops Shooting,

the Council has advocated for gun control legislation and restorative measures in East Buffalo. At our

annual awards dinner we recognized many Buffalo community leaders advocating for the end of violence

and social investment.

On a federal level, we participated in National Ecumenical Advocacy Days in April 2023 which is supported

by most of our denominational partners. This year the focus will be on the reallocation of resources spent

on the military to social programs. The Council will ardently work with our denominations and many 1 coalitions to preserve and strengthen SNAP, TANF, affordable housing and many other social programs

2 and oppose any cuts as a pre-condition for raising the debt ceiling. 3

All of our policy asks to reflect our commitment to reverse structural racism.

Promotes mission consistent development of church property. The Council and three other partners 6 Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing, Interfaith Affordable Housing Collaborative, and

Bricks and Mortals received a generous grant from Trinity Church Wall Street to help us consult with

congregations in New York City about repurposing their property to build affordable housing but also

consider non-housing uses of their property. In addition, the Council offers assessments and, in some

cases access to grants, to congregations outside of New York City seeking to develop their property for

affordable housing. Our predevelopment process is carefully detailed at WWW.IAHCNY.org We continue

to offer consultation with our partner, Crauderueff Associates, to congregations across the state to help

them solarize and save money while sharing the financial benefits with their parishioners and the

community at large. We will continue to offer Who is My Neighbor Seminars which offer expert guidance

on property development and solar. Seminars can be found at WWW.NYSCOC.ORG.

The Council strongly encourages all congregations to advocate for the homeless and precariously housed 18 in their community including the construction and preservation of affordable housing.

We are committed to ecumenical and interfaith work and see building relationships across secular and

religious lines as central to our mission. In the past year, we continue to advocate for religious freedom

and human rights in India and Israel/Palestine. Our ecumenical work is complemented by our

participation in the National Council of Churches, the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, the

India Working Group, and the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America.

We are increasingly working with the National Council of Churches to embrace their position against

Christian

while helping them to shape policies on other forms of religious nationalism to be

We thank our denominational partners for their support. You can view and learn about all of our

programs on our website. WWW.NYSCOC.ORG We are next to the Capital in Albany at 85 Chestnut

Street, Albany, NY 12210. Office email is nyscocalbany@gmail.com phone is 518-436-9319. The

Peter Cook

Executive Director and can be reached at pcook@nyscoc.org or 508-380-8289.

Director and can be reached at Rtyler@nyscoc.org or 845-282-

Saint Paul School of Theology

Educating tomorrow's leaders by offering on-campus, online, and hybrid learning courses at a Flexible 1 schedule, Saint Paul School of Theology is a seminary serving a diverse community committed to the 2 formation of people for innovative, creative ministry through rigorous academic life. Grounded in the 3 academic study of faith and ministry, theology is practiced in a traditional classroom and in remote spaces. 4 Our contextual curriculum features Ministry Collaboration Groups, Practicums, Spiritual Formation

Retreats, and Seminars. Students learn from dedicated faculty, experienced pastors, and community

leaders about best ministry practices leaving our graduates with the tools and first-hand experience

necessary

We continue to implement the changes the last few years have integrated into our daily lives. Our weekly 10 chapel service utilizes a hybrid format, where participants may join in-person or online, allowing staff and

students to come together as one institution where all are invited to create a sacred atmosphere from

wherever they are. In addition, Saint Paul offers weekly Spiritual Formation allowing students to engage

in spiritual practices led by Rev. Jen Logsdon-Kellogg. Some practices will take us outdoors or to other

Saint Paul welcomed over 30 new students for the 2022-2023 academic year. Enrollment remained solid

17 for the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree program with promising growth on our Oklahoma campus. With

COVID-19 restrictions lifted yet monitored, prospective students returned to in-person visits on both 19 campuses, experiencing community meals, worship, and the newly implemented "Hammock ministry" on

the Oklahoma campus. The Admissions team continues to expand travel to meet new students, including

the Carolinas, Washington, D.C., and various parts of Texas.

This year we have focused on strengthening the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry by creating two

specializations: Women, Society, and Church; and Social Justice and Advocacy. In each case, the student

takes 22 hours of MACM required courses, and then the remaining 12 hours of the degree are comprised

of courses focusing upon the specialization. The two existing specializations, Prophetic Witness and

Service; and Deacon Ministries, will continue to be offered as well. The Women, Society, and Church

Studies specialization is also available in the MDiv program, as is a specialization in Wesleyan Studies.

Saint Paul staff and faculty continue contributing to the academy, church, and society. This year, we

welcomed Rev. Dr. Sharon Betsworth as our new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and

Professor of New Testament. The faculty of Saint Paul School of Theology maintains high standards of

scholarship, research, publication, and engagement. Over the past year, their many activities and

publications have been so numerous that space permits only sharing selected highlights.

• Rev. Dr. Sharon Betsworth co-authored a journal article with Julie Faith Parker, "'Where Have All

the Young Girls Gone?' Discovering the Girls of the Bible through Childist Analysis of Exodus 2 and

Mark 5–7," in Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion 38, no. 2 (Fall 2022).

• Dr. Casey Sigmon, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship and Director of Contextual

Education, was the keynote speaker for the United Methodist Church Missouri Preaching

Academy "Offering the Word to a Digital World." She published "Failure to Discern the

Online/Hybrid Body: A Captivity of the Eucharist" for the special issue of Currents in Theology and

Mission: Eucharist and Online Worship: Toward Extended Theological Reflection, vol. 50, no. 1

(2023) and published the chapter "Liturgical Authority and the Table in the Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)" in Liturgical Authority in Free Church Traditions, edited by Sarah Johnson and 1 Andrew Wymer, Calvin Worship and Witness Series.

• Dr. Joshua Bartholomew, Assistant Professor of Ethics, Church, and Society led a "Race, Liberation, 3 and Political Economics" series at Second Presbyterian. He also spoke at The Open Table KC on

"Race, Liberation, and Economics."

• Dr. Amy Oden, Adjunct Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality, was a guest speaker at

numerous events around the country this year, including at a Five-Day Academy for Spiritual

In October, Saint Paul hosted a forum on "Innovative, Creative Ministry" featuring alumni Matt Austin '18,

Fabian Gonzalez '20, Bo Ireland '18, Matt Patrick '18, & Abby Peper '22, with each sharing their personal

stories of innovation in ministry. In November, Saint Paul Evangelical Society, led by Dr. Israel

Kamudzandu, hosted a forum given by Rev. Mike Slaughter, former lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church,

on "Spiritual Awakening: the here and the not yet." Later in the year, the Evangelical Society hosted a

lecture featuring Dr. Cheryl Bridges Johns, Visiting Professor of Pentecostal Studies and Director of the

Global Pentecostal House of Study at United Theological Seminary. And on May 12, Saint Paul again held

a hybrid commencement celebration via Zoom, allowing graduates to come together from both campuses

with attendees viewing from around the country. During the ceremony, we honored the 2023

Distinguished Graduate Award Winner and Commencement Speaker Bishop Delores J. "Dee" Williamston.

Saint Paul Board of Trustees changed leadership this year as long-time faculty and board member Rev. Dr.

Tex Sample concluded his term as chair of the Board. Dr. Amy Hogan, Professor of Education and Dean of

the School of Education at Ottawa University, has succeeded him as chair. Dr. Hogan possesses a deep

reservoir of experience in teaching, research, and accreditation. In response to President Neil Blair's

announcement that he will retire on Dec. 31, 2023, Dr. Hogan appointed a search committee composed

of faculty,

committee

trustees charged with identifying Saint Paul's next president. The search

with Saint Paul's constituent groups to prepare the position prospectus describing

In September 2022, Saint Paul School of Theology hosted a review team from the Higher Learning

Commission (HLC), one of Saint Paul's primary accreditation agencies, as part of the Seminary's regular

reaffirmation cycle. On Nov. 18, 2022, the Higher Learning Commission notified Saint Paul that the

Commission "continued the accreditation of Saint Paul School of Theology with the next Reaffirmation of

Accreditation in 2028-2029." The Seminary's Board of Trustees also devoted considerable time to

improving its governance capacity. For example, in April 2022, trustees invested a significant portion of

their meeting in a facilitated Emotional Intelligence and Trust-Building workshop. The workshop was led

by Gail Parker, a noted management consultant who has worked with clients such as KPMG, Goldman

Sachs, and Disney, among many others. In Oct 2022, former executive director of the Association of

Theological Schools, Dan Aleshire, offered an overview of demographic and enrollment trends in the

nation's seminaries, focusing on how those trends affect institutions' diversity, equity, and inclusion

initiatives. As these activities suggest, the Board remains deeply committed to enhancing its capabilities

to guide Saint Paul effectively and knowledgeably.

We are happy to report that Saint Paul School of Theology is financially sound. We operate with a balanced

budget, no debt, and an endowment 9-10 times the size of our annual expenses. As always, we continue

to be grateful for donations from the community that provide technology, scholarships, and evolving

academic programs to students. As of the close of 2022, over one hundred alumni and friends of Saint

Paul contributed more than $60,000 to create the Tex and Peggy Sample Endowed Scholarship Fund

honoring the life and work of Tex and Peggy Sample. Sustainability has been our focus over the past five 1 years, and we have achieved our goal. Investments in our future bring exciting new opportunities for our 2 students, staff, and faculty. Our significant technological investments have allowed us to maintain a hybrid 3 educational delivery model providing a flexible working arrangement for our students.

We are continuing to enhance our partnership with Zoom and Neat. Late last Spring, in conjunction with 7 our Neat Board electronic whiteboards and Neat Bars, we implemented Neat's newest product, their Neat

8 Bar Pros, in our large classrooms. These new bars are designed to offer superior video and audio

9 experience in large spaces and the ability to output to multiple large screens to enhance the overall 10 classroom experience significantly. We have rolled out additional Zoom Room Neat Boards in numerous

11 common areas to encourage ad-hoc use of the technology for breakout groups and other miscellaneous 12 meetings between our two campuses and remote students. One of the best features of this technology is 13 its ability to receive automatic real-time over-the-air features upgrades. Several significant enhancements 14 have rolled out this past year, including improved voice cancellation, Zoom Room Breakout Groups, real-

time Closed Captions with transcripts, and updated use of AI to split each in-classroom student into their

16 individual zoomed-in Zoom window. In addition, our Neat equipment continuously monitors several 17 environmental factors within our classrooms; air quality, temperature, humidity, VOC, and CO2, as well 18 as being able to tell if the classrooms are occupied and how many individuals are in the room. We can also

19 monitor the audio/video quality and network connectivity in each of our classrooms and the connection 20 quality for all remote students attending the class. We are excited about the additional enhancements

that will come to our classrooms from Neat and Zoom over this next year and look forward to our

continued partnership with Neat and Zoom on this groundbreaking technology.

Saint Paul School of Theology is blessed to be your partner in ministry and help those seeking to discover

more and answer the call. We are grateful for your support of our students and our seminary. May we

continue to live into the call of Jesus Christ to be faithful witnesses for generations to come.

President Neil Blair, Saint Paul trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and students thank you for your prayers and

support.

United Theological Seminary (UTS)

United Theological Seminary celebrated rising enrollment in the 2022-2023 academic year. In the previous 1 year, 464 students were enrolled at United; in 2022-2023, the seminary is serving 541 students, a 17% 2 increase. A diverse community of many denominations, races, and nationalities, United welcomed 3 students from 36 states, 21 countries, and 43 denominations, with 42% of students identifying as United 4 Methodist.* The Seminary prepared 103 Course of Study students** and served 10 students through the 5 Hispanic Christian Academy, a 3-year online course of ministry program for Hispanic/Latino lay pastors 6 and leaders serving United Methodist congregations. 7 8

9

Houses of Study

In large part, this enrollment growth is a result of the seminary’s House of Study initiative, which is 10 supported by a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. As of 2022-

2023, the Seminary has established five Houses of Study that are equipping master’s students for the

unique ministry needs of the communities, movements, and denominations in which they serve:

• Fresh Expressions, directed by Dr. Michael Beck; 15

• Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, directed by Bishop Lisa Weah; 16

• Global Methodist, directed by Rev. Gregory Stover; 17

• Global Pentecostal, directed by Dr. Cheryl Bridges Johns; 18

• and Hispanic, directed by Dr. Jorge Ochoa.

The largest of these communities is the Hispanic House of Study (Casa de Estudios Hispana), which is

meeting a need for Hispanic/Latino pastors and church leaders ready to pursue a Master of Divinity in

their native language. Nearly 50 students from across the United States and Latin America, including

students from Mexico, Cuba, Columbia, and Peru, started in the online program in the 2022-2023

academic year.

As United continues to expand its offerings to support church leaders, it is preparing to launch three new

Houses of Study in the 2023-2024 academic year: a Korean House of Study, taught 100% in Korean for

Korean-speaking students, led by Dr. Seok Jae Jeon; an African Methodist Episcopal Zion House of Study

led by Bishop Eric Leake; and a Global Lutheran House of Study led by Dr. Richard Blue, Dr. Tom Thorstad

and Dr. Dan Landin.

Doctor of Ministry

The Seminary is also seeing growth in its Doctor of Ministry program. In 2022-2023, the Doctor of Ministry

program has grown to 250 students, an increase of 32% over the past five years.* Doctoral students at

United are actively engaged in ministry and seeking to become more effective leaders for the Church

through a Doctor of Ministry degree. Students identify a need within their congregations or communities,

and, with the support of a peer group, mentor, and United faculty, they develop a model of ministry to

address the challenge.

Launched in Fall 2021, the Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center, directed by Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey, is

connecting with pastors, ministry leaders, and congregational members hungry to bring God’s renewal to

their faith communities. In the past year, the Innovation Center has engaged over 1,000 participants

through over 40 live webinars, training events, and courses. The Innovation Center has also partnered

with The Center for Spiritual Formation, a connectional ministry of the Susquehanna Conference of The

United Methodist Church, to offer a two-year online training course for those called to the ministry of 1 spiritual direction. In addition, the Center is partnering with two United Methodist conferences to provide 2 its Breakthrough Prayer Initiative training for all clergy in these conferences. Through these and other new 3 opportunities, the Innovation Center seeks to set the stage for the increased vitality of leaders and

congregations everywhere.

* Student data represent 2022-2023 headcount enrollment, as of March 1, 2023. Denominational figures

represent

** Course of Study figures represent the most recent four terms.