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2023 Open Churches
This year, the Upper New York (UNY) Cabinet is introducing a new practice to the appointment process. Starting on Jan. 25, on Wednesdays, the Cabinet will post on the UNY website a list of the open churches that are currently being considered. Clergy who are interested in being considered for one of these churches are to let their superintendent know exclusively via email by Thursday at 3 p.m. and share why you believe you would serve the congregation well. The Cabinet will prayerfully consider these requests during their discernment process.
Clergy communicating their interest in an open church,
- Must understand that requesting to be considered for an appointment is advisory in nature and does not guarantee you will be appointed to the open church.
- Cannot, in any way, communicate with the members or the pastor of the open church to advocate on their behalf.
- Can be assured that their request to the cabinet will remain confidential, will not affect their current appointment, and will not be shared with your current church’s staff parish relations committee (SPRC).
The UNY Appointive Cabinet is currently considering the following churches:
Northeast Region
Adirondack
The following are part-time appointments:
- Salem UMC in Salem, NY
- Whitehall UMC in Whitehall, NY
Albany
The following are part-time appointments:
- Gloversville: North Main Street in Gloversville, NY
Mohawk
Richfield Springs United Church, Full Time
22 Church Street
Richfield Springs, NY 13439
Parsonage provided
Church of Christ Uniting is an ecumenically minded congregation with a strong Biblical foundation. Lay leadership is very important and works closely with the pastor in making decisions and serving the needs of the church. The administrative board and laity have a long history of working well with the pastor. The church's mission statement is to "show God's love by faithfully worshiping together, praying, studying God's word, caring for each other and reaching out to others with the Good News of Christ.” The congregation is friendly and active with a small-town atmosphere. The Richfield Springs community is very scenic with relatively inexpensive housing. There is an active community center and youth programs. The area boasts a large lake population and influx of tourists with Cooperstown, NY, nearby.
2021 Average Worship Attendance: 36
2021 Profession of Faith: 1
2021 Baptisms:1
2021 Ministry Expenses: $102,373
The following are part-time appointments:
- Broadalbin UMC in Broadalbin, NY
- East Schuyler UMC in East Schuyler, NY
- Middleville UMC in Middleville, NY
- Ohio UMC in Ohio, NY
- Perryville UMC in Perryville, NY/Peterboro UMC in Peterboro, NY
- Poolville UMC in Poolville, NY
Northern Flow
The following are part-time appointments:
- Sandy Creek UMC in Sandy Creek, NY
- Harrisville UMC in Harrisville, NY
- Woolworth Memorial UMC in Great Bend, NY
- Norfolk UMC in Norfolk, NY
- Martinsburg UMC in Martinsburg, NY
- Brainardsville UMC in Chateaugay, NY
- Chateaugay UMC in Chateaugay, NY
- Massena: Grace UMC in Massena, NY
- Lowville UMC in Lowville, NY
Lake Region
Crossroads
None
Finger Lakes
The following are part-time appointments:
- Scott UMC in Homer, NY
- Varna UMC in Ithaca, NY
Genesee Valley
None
Niagara Frontier
The following is a part-time appointment:
- Johnsonburg UMC in Johnsonburg, NY
- Orchard Park: Emmanuel UMC in Orchard Park, NY
- Royalton UMC in Royalton, NY
- Ransomville UMC in Ransomville, NY
Southern Tier Region
Binghamton
None
Cornerstone
None
Mountain View
The following are part-time appointments:
- Addison UMC in Addison, NY
- Burdett UMC in Burdett, NY
- Chemung UMC in Chemung, NY
- Greenwood UMC in Greenwood NY
- Litchfield UMC in Sayre, PA
- North Cohocton UMC in North Cohocton, NY
- South Canisteo UMC in Jasper, NY
- Wilawana UMC in Sayre, PA
Oneonta
The following are part-time appointments:
- Mount Upton UMC in Mount Upton, NY
- First UMC of Bainbridge, Bainbridge, NY
- First UMC in Unadilla, NY
- Huntersland UMC in Middleburgh, NY
- North Norwich UMC in North Norwich, NY
- Preston UMC in Oxford, NY
If information listed above needs to be corrected, please send an email to bishopsoffice@unyumc.org