Oneonta District Newsletter
October 2, 2017
"Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by... living the gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God's love with our neighbors in all places."
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Your prayers
for the people and volunteers in Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolina's,Texas and
Louisiana
during the tragic
aftermath of
Hurricanes Irma, Jose, Harvey and Maria.
Your prayers and support for all those who are ill
and pained in body, mind and heart.
Continued prayers for Pastor Carol Coltrain, her family and Huntersland
congregation.
Continued prayers for Mary Ann Linder.
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| Please note : Sharon Bassett will be helping out in office this week Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9 am - Noon |
 Wind Turbine meeting for Sky Lake Camp & Retreat property
Wednesday October 11 at 7 pm at Bainbridge UMC.
Dear friends - Below is the summary of the proposed Wind Farm at Sky Lake .
The presenters have asked us to gather questions from those who plan to attend on October 11 at Bainbridge UMC at 7:00.
Please return questions to us at [email protected] before October 4, and come on the 11th for the answers.
Also please share this announcement in your churches.
Summary of Proposed Wind Farm at Sky Lake
In New York's effort to expand renewable energy across the state a 10,000 acre wind farm has been proposed for the area surrounding Sky Lake Camp & Center in Windsor, New York. Four (4) turbines have been proposed to be placed on the approximately 950-acre Sky Lake property. On recommendation of the Committee on Camp and Retreat Ministries and in collaboration with the conference Trustees, with guidance from the Conference Chancellor, Mr. Scott Delconte, Esq, the Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries, Mike Huber, and Director of Sky Lake, Matt Williams, participated in a five-month landowners coalition represented by Mr. Scott Kurkoski, Esq of Levene, Gouldin and Thompson of Vestal, New York. Mr. Kurkoski negotiated with Bluestone, LLC for increased protections of the land as well as increased revenue for landowners. The conference Trustees, on recommendation from Camp and Retreat Ministries authorized the signing of a letter of intent. In order for our property to be included in the overall project it needed to be submitted by the state deadline. As members of the Oneonta and Binghamton Districts, which have the longest connection with Sky Lake, we take this opportunity before the final lease is signed to assure you that we have pursued due diligence in weighing the environmental impact of this project and the long-term stewardship of the resources in which God has entrusted us. We anticipate that the inclusion of wind turbines on the property will have minimal impact on the day-to-day ministry of Sky Lake and that they will actually provide a great opportunity to teach campers and guests about the value of renewable energy, while also providing financial resources for the long-term sustainability of the ministry itself.
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A big Thank you to Rev.George Gallandorm for your donation of a set of 
Faith We Sing UM Hymnal CDs, to the district office.
Anyone interested in borrowing these on loan from the district office, please contact us at [email protected] or call (607) 441-5102
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NEW - Seeking stories of excellent clergy-laity partnerships
The UNY Conference Communications Team is beginning work on the winter 2018 issue of the Advocate, which will feature the ministry of the laity. We are seeking stories about when the clergy-laity partnership has resulted in outstanding ministry in your church and community. Please send us your story in 100 words or less to
[email protected] by Friday, Oct. 6.
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Please Contact us here at the Oneonta District Office - if you know of a good inexpensive source of 5 Gallon buckets - for Flood buckets !
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Want to Volunteer for Disaster Relief? Get Trained!
Early Response Team (ERT) Training and ERT Recertification
Oct 28, 2017 - Upper New York Conference office, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd. Liverpool, NY, 8 AM - 5 PM (or 1-5 PM to recertify)
UMCOR's Early Response Team (ERT) training equips individuals to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster.
Click below:
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Click here to see Bishop Mark J. Webb's letter requesting prayer and support for Puerto Rico and all those impacted by Hurricane Maria and the other recent devastating storms.
UNY Funds for Disaster Relief
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Many thanks to all the churches who have taken a special collection for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the Mexico City earthquakes. So many of our district churches have been generous. (Editor's note: Forgive me if I've not mentioned your church, but please let me know. Many churches from the other districts have brought in their donations, and since your District Office is the first door they come to, I've been the undesignated receptor trying to keep track. Thanks, Anne.) Brewerton UMC
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Fulton State Street and Camillus Immanuel brought in flood Buckets. Skaneateles, Faith Journey and Fayetteville UMCs are filling theirs, while Mexico First UMC contributed 69 health kits and $140. 23 members from Bowens Corners UMC raised $300 dollars that first Sunday after Hurricane Harvey hit from 23 members attending that morning. They used it to put together and donate health kits. Marcia and Rev. Vernon Lee from the Fayetteville UMC brought in 92 school kits yesterday afternoon. Mike Block and his team have been working tirelessly since the first hurricane
struck organizing Mission Central at the Conference Center.
You may send contributions to the Finance Department at the United Methodist Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY, 13088. Please make checks payable to UNYAC and designate money to a fund or funds that have been established:
Hurricane Harvey - 481
Hurricane Irma - 482
Hurricane Maria- 483
Mexico City Earthquakes - 611
2017 Storms - 474
UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response - 692
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Finance Department, 855-424-7878, ext. 2004.
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| SAVE THESE DATES |
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Date
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Event
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Details
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Oct. 24th-26th
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Bishops Retreat - See below fore details
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See below for details
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Mon. Oct. 30th
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Bishop Webb on the District -
see below for details
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Location - Unadilla UMC
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| SAVE THESE DATES for "Can I get a Winess" |
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Event and Date
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"Can I get a witness ? "
Sun. - Oct. 8, Afton UMC, 1:30-4:30 pm
Sun. - Oct. 22, Cobleskill UMC, 1:30-4:30 pm
Sun. , Oct, 22, Schuyler Lake UMC, 6:00-9:00 pm
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To help us plan, please let the district office know by phone or email which of these your church team can attend.
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UMW News
It's time for the Annual Meeting of the Oneonta District
United Methodist Women
When: Saturday, October 21, 2017
Where: Elm Park United Methodist Church
401 Chestnut Street, Oneonta NY 13820
Theme: Who Is My Neighbor?
Registration & Gathering: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Worship, Program & Business Meeting: 9:30 - Noon
Soup & Sandwich Lunch will be provided at Noon; $6.00 donation suggested
Speaker: Tracey Martindale from "Community Connections",
A program at Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Co.
Come and Share with other Units in the Oneonta District
how the homeless & low income are served in your community.
Learn about this year's Mission u studies:
"Living as A Covenant Community" & "Missionary Conferences of the UMC"
Celebrate Candle Lighting with a Gift to Mission or a Gift in Memory -
Recognition of the 2016 "5 Star Units": Central Bridge, Cooperstown, Franklin,
Oneonta First, Richmondville, & Sharon Springs
What is the Legacy Fund ?
2018 National Assembly of UMW in Columbus, Ohio
COME ...At Least 2 from each Unit !!! That's our Challenge!
Make Reservations by Monday, October 16th to:
Joyce Miller, 607-432-8751 or by email: [email protected]
Include: Name(s)
Local church
Phone #
Email address
Special Dietary Concerns
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Regional Annual Church Conference Schedule
Sun. Nov. 5th 1-4 pm - Schoharie Regional Church Conferences
at Middleburgh UMC - Coordinator:Anna Blinn-Cole
Includes The Following Churches:
Cobleskill, Central Bridge, Delanson
Esperance-Sloansville & Gallupville
Huntersland, Middleburgh/Grosv.Corners/Barnerville
Sharon Springs, Richmondville, Warnerville
Sun. Nov. 5th , 5-8 pm -Cooperstown Regional Church Conferences
Cooperstown UMC - Coordinator: Tom LeBeau
Includes The Following Churches:
Cooperstown, East Worcester/Worcester
Fly Creek/Schuyler Lake,
Hartwick/Mt. Vision , Middlefield/Roseboom,
Schenuvus, Westville/Westford, West Exeter
Wed. Nov. 8th 6-9 pm - Oneonta Regional Church Conferences
Davenport UMC - Coordinator: Donna Taylor Martin
Includes The Following Churches:
Davenport, Elm Park Oneonta , Emmons/Cooperstown Junction
First Oneonta, Milford/Portlandville , Otego
West Davenport
Sun. Nov. 12, 1-4 pm - Sidney Regional Church Conferences
at Afton UMC - Coordinator : Cathy Honrath
Includes The Following Churches:
Afton/Bainbridge, Franklin/Treadwell
Guilford, North Afton, Unadilla, Sidney, Mount Upton
Unadilla Center/Sand Hill
Sun. Nov. 12, 5-8 pm- Norwich Regional Church Conferences
New Berlin UMC -Coordinator: George Gallandorm
Includes The Following Churches:
Broad St. Norwich, Morris/Edmeston
Smithville Center, New Berlin, Oxford/McDonough
Plymouth/Preston/ North Norwich , Sherburne/Smyrna
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In preparation for the upcoming Church/Charge Conferences, the following information is now available:
Charge Conference Forms are all located on the following page:
2017-18 Charge Conference Forms. There is a downloadable/printable forms check list to help ensure that each church is on track to completing the forms necessary for their Church/Charge Conference on time. Many of the forms need to be submitted to the District Office two weeks prior to your scheduled Charge Conference. Other forms, such as the annual audit, have later deadlines. Questions can be directed to your District Office or as noted on the forms page.
The 2018 Clergy Compensation Package information has been mailed to the Staff Parish Relations Committee chairs for those churches which have provided contact information. Pastors have been emailed the materials and local church treasurers have been advised where to obtain the basic information contained in the packet. The United Methodist Discipline directs the SPPRC to consult with pastor and staff regarding all aspects of compensation and to then recommend appropriate proposals to the Church Council on an annual basis.
Information and forms, including the Salary Report Form and benefit cost information for 2018, can be on the following page:
2018 Clergy Compensation Information. Questions about completing the compensation form can be directed either to your District Office or to the Benefits Office.
Thank you for your attention to these important administrative ministries of your local church!
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Time for Lay Servants to Complete *Annual Reports
*This report is required each year for a lay servant to continue
Here is what you do:
- Click here for a copy of the report. (Or find it at: http://www.unyumc.org/resources/forms under "Lay Servant Ministries".)
- Print it and fill it out
- Get it signed by your pastor and your church council chairperson
- Keep a copy for yourself and give the report to your pastor to hand in with Charge Conference reports and materials.
Note: Lay servants must complete the Basic Lay Servant Course and an Advanced Lay Servant Course, with an additional Advanced course every three years. If you have taken only the Basic course, don't fill out a report until you have completed an Advanced course.
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Please Save these Dates - and plan to attend
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Bishop's Retreat - October 24-26, 2017 
Join us for the 2017 Bishop's Retreat: October 24-26, 2017
Location: Double Tree Hotel in Binghamton, NY!
Keynote Speaker - Bishop Young Jin Cho. The theme will be "Leading through Prayer."-
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October 30th , 2017
Oneonta District Day Clergy and Laity gather with Bishop Webb
 Clergy...
When: Monday, October 30, 2017
12:00 PM-3:00 PM (with lunch provided)
Where: Unadilla UMC
Laity...When: Monday, October 30, 2017
6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Where: Unadilla UMC
NOTE:
We will be discussing the work of
Commission on the Way Forward, whose focus is matters of human
sexuality in the United Methodist Church. There will be ample time for discussion at both sessions. Pastors, you are expected to be there.
If you are unable to come to the afternoon session, please come to
the evening session. Pastors and Lay Leaders, I trust you have been
announcing this from the pulpit and putting the information in your bulletins and newsletters. Please continue to do so.
What to expect at the 2017-18 District Day
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb will be visiting each of the Districts in the Upper New York Conference during his 2017-2018 District Days tour. The theme of the tour will be "A Way Forward." Click here to learn more about the fellowship and conversations that will take place during the District Days and find out when and where your District's day will take place!
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| Local Church Events |
If your church has events that you would like advertised in this section please email Teresa at [email protected]
History of Country Music Dinner Dance
Sat. Oct 7 at First Oneonta UMC
Dinner 4:30 - 6:30 pm - Dancing 6-8:30 pm
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Elm Park UMC Annual Harvest Dinner is scheduled for Friday, October 13th from 4-6:30 pm
Dinner will be turkey with all the trimmings and
homemade pies.
Adults: $12, Children 5-12: $6, Under 5 Free
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The Otego United Methodist Church will have a Tag Sale and luncheon counter on Sat., October 14, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
in their Fellowship Hall at 10 Church St. in Otego.
Baked goods and coffee / beverages will be offered throughout the day.
The "a la carte" luncheon, from 11-2, will include a cup or bowl of chili or soup along with a roll,beverages and selection of pie slices.
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| S'mores Time at Sky Lake - Sat. Nov. 14 at 2:00 pm 
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"Walk to Emmaus" This Fall
 The Walk to Emmaus, a program created by The Upper Room, is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation that begins with a three-day short course in Christianity. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God's grace and love are revealed to you through other believers.
Pastor can earn 3 CEUs through the Upper Room for attending their initial Walk to Emmaus weekend. The cost is only $5 per CEU or $15.
Click on the document pages below to read instructions for requesting CEU credits
Page 1
Page 2
There are two Walks scheduled for this fall at Sky Lake. The men's Walk is October 26-29, 2017 and the Women's Walk is November 2-5, 2017.
Click here for registration form
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STILL TIME TO ENROLL FOR THE HOLY LAND TRIP HAPPENING IN JANUARY 2018!
There is still plenty of time to register for a wonderful spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Sharon and Everett will be hosting under Bishop Webb's Holy Land Journey. All you need to do is go to www.eo.travelwithus.com/ and enter Tour=HL18, Date=010918, Code+N, and ID=12303.
This is an outstanding tour and Educational Opportunities has been conducting these for many years. This time will be Everett's 7th and Sharon's 4th. This pilgrimage to the sites where Jesus walked will bring your faith to a deeper level and the Bible to life!
If you have any questions or need further information, please call Sharon at 315-430-6149.
CEU Credits- 2
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Route 122 - A Development Opportunity
- a gathering designed for those focused on increasing the vitality of existing congregations as Conference staff, District Superintendents, and pastors of local churches.
This coming November, Bishop Webb, Sherri Rood, and I will be presenting at the gathering. If there is a group that is interested in going we might be able to work out a group rate for airfare. I hope you will consider joining us. By the way it is in Las Vegas at the end of November.
Here is the link for information and registration:
https://dscumc.org/event/route-122/
Please contact Aaron Bouwens if you have any questions.
Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Bouwens -
Director of Vital Congregations
Upper New York Annual Conference
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
(o) 315-898-2014
(c) 607-591-5780
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CONAM - Committee on Native American Ministries -
Read about it - click here |
Shoe Boxes for Red Bird Mission 
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| Paid Family Leave ..Click to read |
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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb has announced new appointments and retirements.
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Vital Congregations Opportunities this fall
There is still time to register for the fall opportunities from Vital Congregations. In reaching toward our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, all of us will need to continue to grow in our capacity as leaders.
Click here to read about many opportunities to do so, including: Leadership Academy, Tending the Fire, Growing with God, and Tending the Soul, all of which begin this fall.
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PLEASE NOTE >>>Illuminate Preaching Academy.. has been cancelled due to low registration
A new program starting this fall entitled
Growing with God. The intent of the program is to equip participants to attend to their spiritual lives, attend to God's presence and movement in their lives, and offer tools with which they can better discern God's invitation for their lives and ministry.
Contact the District Office if you are interested in attending and are
willing to bring the information back to the district to share .
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Tending the Soul
Spiritual Direction & Congregational Formation
Please note that the start of Tending the Soul has been postponed until February 23, 2018. A new brochure and applications will be available on the website shortly. The start of Growing with God has been postponed until January 13, 2018.
A new registration form and dates will be available soon.
In a world that seems driven by division and enmity, a world that seems busy, chaotic, distracted, do you seek to live your life in a closer relationship with God? Have you wondered lately...
"How do I listen deeply for God's invitation for my life, my ministry?"
"How do I companion others as they seek to hear God's invitation for their
lives?"
"How do I find sacred spaces where I can hear God, where I can invite others
to hear God?"
Tending the Soul is a program designed to train individuals in Spiritual Direction and Formation. As well as provide skills for leadership within their local congregations as well as District and Conference wide. The program will offer training in both one-on-one spiritual direction and group/congregational direction and formation. By the end of the first year, participants will be encouraged to discern the unique way in which they are being called to live out this ministry. The training will occur during six retreats, each four days in duration, spread over a two-year period. The next opportunity for participation will begin in October 2016 with the following dates:
Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center, Moravia NY
May 18-21, 2018
October 22-25, 2018
February 22-25, 2019
May 17-20, 2019
All the retreats are held at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center. Applications are available through the brochure in the Annual Conference Session packet, the Vital Congregations section of the website, or by contacting the Director of Vital Congregations.
Click here
http://www.unyumc.org/ministries/tending-the-soul to download a brochure and to learn how to register or you can contact Nancy Dibelius [email protected] or
(518) 369-9147
CEU Credits 8 (24 month program)
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5 ways you can better equip Vital Congregations
and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
1. Being peacemakers in a world full of anxiety. Celebrate Christian Education Week/Sunday 2017 by using a planning resource from Discipleship Ministries that focuses on why we are called to be peacemakers. The leaflet, available in English and Korean, provides leaders in congregations an opportunity to consider how they are or could be peacemakers. To download the resource, go to
http://bit.ly/2wQEFRt.
2. Discover the potential of multiethnic ministries. Attend the
Pre-Conference Intensive at REACH Summit, Oct. 20-21 in Grand Rapids, Mich., hosted by the Michigan annual conferences. The pre-conference session, presented by New Church Starts (Path 1), will explore how ethnic and cultural diversity can transform existing churches and plant brand new ones. Olujimi (Olu) Brown, lead pastor of Impact Church, a multicultural faith community in Atlanta, will keynote the Summit event. For more information and to register, go to
http://www.reachsummit.org.
3. Help for leaders of youth and young adult ministries. Fall is always a busy time with groups starting again and training sessions for the coming year's volunteers. Ministry with Young People: Strategies and Methods for Leaders, a free resource from Young People's Ministries, can provide help with those efforts. The pamphlet's five brief sections include reflection questions for leaders to assess how their ministry involves diversity, multiple generations, service opportunities, social media use and the ability to welcome, connect and engage. Download it at
http://bit.ly/2f9nDoa.
4. Embracing children and families as part of the disciple-making process. Join Melanie Gordon of Discipleship Ministries for the monthly online series, "Tuesday Tea with Melanie," where experts discuss the enlivening questions at the center of children's faith formation: Will our children have faith? How do we help children grow in faith? All Tuesday Teas are accessible from the Discipleship Ministries webinar page at
http://bit.ly/2wglaxT.
5. Faith magazines just for children and teens. Help your youth in their faith journey with special publications just for them from The Upper Room. Pockets is for children ages 6-12, and devozine is for teens ages 14-19. Both magazines are designed to help develop or enhance the practice of spending time with God. Order in bulk for church groups or give an individual gift subscription. For Pockets, go to
http://pockets.upperroom.org, and for devozine visit
http://devozine.upperroom.org.
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Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM)
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"Building Community: Because It Doesn't Just Happen"
If, over a two day presentation, you could learn and practice skills and methods that could help you better understand your own strengths and those of others, help build a sense of community in your congregation, clarify the decision making process in committee meetings, clarify the lines of communication and get to the "real information" in tense situations, foster team building and help you feel more confident about dealing with difficult people as well as building collegiality among your peers, would you attend?
This two-day learning opportunity
will be provided on Tuesday, October 17 and Wednesday, October 18 from 9 AM to 5 PM each day by retired UMC pastors Ray Stees and Terrence O'Neill at the McKownville UMC, 1565 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203. (2 C.E.Us.) will be awarded
Registration deadline is October 2nd. A registration fee of $5.00
To register for the event please contact Ray Stees
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 2017 UNY Conference Journal Directory now available for purchase and download
The 2017 Upper New York Conference Journal Directory is now available. This directory contains up-to-date contact information of all UNY churches, clergy, members to Annual Conference, and surviving spouses for the 2017 Upper New York Annual Conference Session. There are two ways to receive the Journal Directory:
Click here to purchase a hard copy from online publisher Lulu.com OR
A free downloadable PDF version is available on our
Issuu page
If you order directly from Lulu.com, you can have it delivered to the address of your choice (Note: You will need a major credit card to place an order). A hard copy of the Journal Directory
costs $5.54 plus tax and shipping.
Vol. 2 of the Journal will be available later this fall. Vol. 1 of the Journal (published last spring), the Journal Directory, and Vol. 2 of the Journal will make up the entirety of the 2017 Journal
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UNYAC Job Postings
Current Job Openings at Upper New York
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Conference Offices Have Moved
The Upper New York Conference office has moved to the new: United Methodist Center
7481 Henry Clay Blvd
Liverpool, N.Y. 13088
NEW Phone: 315-898-2000 Toll Free: (same) 1-855-424-7878
For additional information, click here.
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| UNY Media Resource Center ...Click here Watch the Media Resource Center Video ...Click here Flyer |
Quick Links
The Oneonta District newsletter and calendar can be found
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| Please share this issue of the Oneonta District Newsletter with church members and staff, teams and organizations. If you wish to include news about your missions or disciple formation ministries, please send it on Mondays to be published - that week - email: [email protected] Also - If you have ideas for making our District Newsletter better - we would like to hear from you . |
Oneonta District Office
of the Upper New York Conference
of the United Methodist Church
"Living the gospel of Jesus Christ and Being God's love with our neighbors in all places."
Your Partners in Ministry at the Oneonta District Office
Rev. Everett Bassett
, District Superintendent
Teresa Wood, Administrative Assistant
64 Chestnut St. (GPS) / PO Box 668 (Mailing), Oneonta, NY 13820
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Resources &
Quick Links
