October 21st, 2021 Oneonta District UMC News for you
* Please share this newsletter with your friends and congregation members.
District E-newsletters
To subscribe to the Oneonta district E-newsletter, send us your email address.
To submit news for this publication, send it no later than Wed. by 12 Noon for Thursday publication, to: [email protected]
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The District Office is open by appointment only.
Please Call ahead to make an appointment.
Office hours vary Mon. – Thurs.
the office is CLOSED Friday- Sunday
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Important -2021 Fall Church Conference Schedule- Oneonta District
See below for our 2021 Church Conference Schedule. Be watching for more updates.
Please email all forms to the Oneonta District office:[email protected] by no later than 10 days prior to your scheduled Church Conference.
Or Fax to: (607) 353-1034
OR Snail Mail to:
Oneonta District Office
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard Street
Oneonta NY 13820
NOTE: If you plan to snail mail forms please take into account delivery time to insure the forms are received 10 days prior to you CC Date.
October 31, 2021 Regions: Sidney & Norwich (Paperwork is due at the district office TODAY Oct. 21st.)
Norwich Region -Includes the following Churches: Edmeston, Morris, New Berlin, Norwich-Broad St.,North Norwich, Preston, Smyrna, Sherburne
* NEW NOTE*- Westford UMC will be joining for CC this day
Location: Broad Street UMC
Time: 2:00 pm
Coordinator: Rev. Mary Rublee
Presiding Elder: Rev. Paul Winkelman
Sidney Region - Includes the following Churches:Afton, Bainbridge, Guilford, Franklin/Treadwell, Mount Upton, North Afton, Sidney, Unadilla, Unadilla Center,Sand Hill
Location: Sidney UMC
Time 5:00 pm
Coordinator: Rev. Paul Winkelman
Presiding Elder: Rev. Marti Swords-Horrell
November 7, 2021 Regions: Oneonta & Cooperstown (Paperwork is due at the district office no later than Oct. 28th.)
Cooperstown Region- Includes the following Churches:Cooperstown, East Worcester, Fly Creek/Schuyler Lake, Milford, Roseboom, Westford, West Exeter
Location: Milford UMC
Time: 2:00 pm
Coordinator: Rev. Deokryeol Bak
Presiding Elder: Rev. Jongdeok Park
Oneonta Region - Includes the following Churches: Davenport/Portlandville, Elm Park/Otego, Emmons/Cooperstown Junction, First Oneonta, Schenevus, West Davenport
Location: Elm Park UMC
Time: 4:30 pm
Coordinator: Rev. John Buddle
Presiding Elder: Rev. Mary Rublee
November 14, 2021 Region: Schoharie (Paperwork is due at the district office no later than Nov. 4th.)
Schoharie Region - Includes the following Churches: Barnersville, Central Bridge/Ames Sprout-brook, Cobleskill, Delanson, Esperance-Sloansville & Gallupville, Huntersland, Middleburgh/ Grosv.Corners, Sharon Springs, Richmondville, Worcester, Warnerville
Location: Cobleskill UMC
Time 3:00 p.m.
Coordinator: Rev. Anna Blinn Cole
Presiding Elder: Rev. Dana Horrell
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2021-2022 Charge Conference forms are now available at to download.All information can be found at: https://uny.umconline.org/ or by clicking here.
On this page, you will find links to various reports, including Report of Pastor, the Safe Sanctuary Compliance Report, the 2022 Clergy Compensation Form, and more. If you have any issues accessing this page, please click here for help.
As mentioned in previous correspondence to pastors and SPRC chairs, the 2022 clergy compensation information can be found here: 2022 Pastor Compensation.
*Please note when trying to download Charge Conference Forms to use Firefox Browser.*
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Lay Servants/**Certified Lay Ministers and
Lay Speakers Report
Each year, lay servants, Certified Lay Ministers and lay speakers are asked to report to the annual church conference. Please use the reports below. Make sure your Pastor has a copy of this to submit with Church Conference reports.
Certified Lay Servant Report - for those who have taken the Basic Lay Servant Course and an additional Advanced Lay Servant Course every three years. Click here.
Certified Lay Minister Report - for those who have become Certified Lay Servants, taken the four module Certified Lay Minister curriculum and continue with Advanced Courses every two years. Click here.
Lay Speaker Report - for those who have taken the Basic Lay Servant Course and all six of the core Advanced Courses, including:
· Leading Prayer
· Leading Worship
· Preaching
· United Methodist Heritage
· Discovering Spiritual Gifts
· United Methodist Polity
as well as additional Advanced Lay Servant Courses every three years. Click here.
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2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms
Due Dates
November 1st:
Complete online and print and mail signed copy to District Office
*Pastor's Appointment Advisory Form
*S/PPRC Appointment Advisory Form
*Pastor-S/PPRC Covenant Form
December 1st:
*Church Profile
*Pastor's Profile
February 15th 2022
mail completed & signed copy to District Office
Report of Trustees
Report of Finance Committee
2021 Year End Financial Report - your church format
2022 Church Budget - your church format
March 15th 2022
If you need help with any of the forms or have forgotten your login information, please contact the District Office for assistance.
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Happenings & Local Church News |
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NEW- Rev. Dana Horrell gets national news coverage
Last month, an article about Cooperstown UMC pastor, the Rev. Dana Horrell, was featured on the Upper New York (UNY) Conference website. Rev. Horrell has written a handbook to help congregations reach the unvaccinated.
Rev. Horrell’s story was also covered by umcnews. Click here to read the full story.
Click here to download a free copy of the “Mobilize Vaccine Turnout!”
The "Mobilize Vaccine Turnout" Zoom webinar will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, 2-3:30 p.m. EST.
Click here to register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Breathing Room: An Advent Day Apart
Space to breathe, explore, and prepare for the season
For Clergy: Thursday, November 4, 10am-3pm
For Laity: Saturday, December 4, 10am-3pm
Advent is a season of high expectations - our own, our family's, our congregation's. In reality, it can be a time of both joy and sorrow, peace and stress. Take time out at the beginning of this season to step away, be with what is, and clarify your intentions for the season.
Come as you are, take a breath and let God meet you where you are. Gather at Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center in Windsor, New York for a time of worship, individual and group reflection and conversation, and sharing of a hot meal.
For Clergy: The retreat will also include a take-home packet of a complete Advent worship series called Grace Upon Grace based on John 1:16. It will have scriptures, hymns, sermon starters, prayers/liturgy and Advent wreath liturgies for each Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. (If you cannot attend but would like the Advent series, contact us at [email protected] .
Cost is $30 (hot meal included)
Covid Safety - Sky Lake requires everyone must show proof of vaccination or negative results from a professional COVID test within 36 hours of their arrival to the retreat. Masking will also be required at all times (aside from eating) while in shared indoor spaces.
For questions and accessibility requests -OR- to reserve a room to stay at Sky Lake the night before or after the retreat! contact the Sky Lake office at 607-467-2750.
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Tired. Frustrated. Wondering. What Now?
If you have found yourself in any of these categories over the past 18 months then the New Faith Communities Team of UNYAC has an opportunity for you! We are offering a series of FREE Zoom webinars to help us all dream of ways to reconnect in a church changed by pandemic. The series is an opportunity to breath fresh air into current ministries and to dream of ministry opportunities yet to come. Each session will feature a topic presentation by a ministry expert followed by time for conversation to spur creativity. Even better, if you attend all three sessions, you can receive 1 CEU for your participation.
Session #2: How Are They Doing? Reimagining Relationships during an Epidemic of Loneliness
Wednesday, October 27, 7-8 pm via Zoom
Featuring Speaker Paul Gomez, Manager of Hispanic/Latino Seeker Communications at United Methodist Communications. Paul will unpack how to create meaningful encounters with visitors and members online.
Session #3: What Will Bring Us Together? Gathering Together When Everything Has Changed
Wednesday, November 3, 7-8 pm via Zoom
Featuring Speaker Rachel Gilmore, who most recently served as the Director of Recruiting, Training and Assessing for lay and clergy church planters in the United Methodist Church. Author of Expanding the Expedition Reach with Missional Communities, currently planting Phoenix, AZ. Rachel will unpack how to meaningfully gather and connect in a church changed by pandemic.
Registration is due Sunday, October 17. Once registered you will receive Zoom link via email. You can attend as many or as few sessions as you would like. Each Session includes time with our featured Speaker with group discussion to follow. These sessions are for local church leaders, pastors, planters.
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Red bird shoebox ministry news
In December of 2020, two volunteers from Upper New York drove a 26-foot truck to the mission in Kentucky. They transported over 2800 shoeboxes, more than 100 sheet sets and bedspreads, as well as numerous books, school supplies, and cleaning supplies. This year, the need is even greater. The goal in 2021 is to transport at least 3,600 shoeboxes and other supplies the first week of December.
The Red Bird Mission Team needs your help. This year, they need to rent a vehicle for their pick-ups, which is an added expense for this mission. We encourage churches to bring their shoeboxes and other items to one of the locations listed here by the November deadlines listed.
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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Lay Servant Ministry
Note* - Because of COVID, the Conference Team of Lay Servant Ministries is extending a year of grace to everyone who needed to take an Advanced Lay Servant Course in 2020 so you now have through 2021 to take a course to keep your certification up-to-date
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Basic Class Needs Students
We are looking to fill a Basic Lay Servant class. If we don't get enough participants, we'll have to hold off until January. The class is scheduled for:
Wednesdays, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10, and 17, 6-9 p.m.
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
Facilitators: Jamiee Ross & Blessed Sikhosana
Adirondack registrar, Please respond by today, Oct. 20.
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For information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks,
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UMC Clergy Education Offering Courses for Credit
ClergyEducation.com is a resource for clergy and church leaders, offering CEUs accepted by most United Methodist annual conferences.
Nov. 11th, -2-3 pm -Teaching, Meeting, Preaching and Me. Time Management for the Church Leader, Ken Willard, cost $25. Click here to Registration.
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The following job openings are posted on the Upper New York website...
1) Information Technology Support Specialist
2) Administrative/Accounting Services Specialist
3) Director of Missional Engagement
4) Skye Farm Site Director
If you have any referrals for this position, or are interested in applying, please apply online through our website. Please contact Tracy Rickett with any questions. Thank you.
Tracy Rickett, PHR, SHRM-CP, CCWS
Human Resources Generalist
Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
Direct Line: (315) 898-2017
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The spiritual discipline of confession part II
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Upper New York Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, has been providing videos of helpful spiritual practices to help deepen people’s relationship to God during this difficult time.
For 2021, Rev. Dibelius is zeroing in on spiritual disciplines. She explains that spiritual disciplines are a way to get away with Jesus, walk with Jesus, and learn from Jesus.
Earlier this month, Rev. Dibelius published video one of two on the spiritual discipline of confession; click here to watch the first video in this series.
This week, Rev. Dibelius delves deeper in the spiritual discipline of confession; click here to watch this video.
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NEW- Dismantling racism: Loving like Jesus
The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The UNY Conference Communications team will regularly share worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
This week, we look at the injustices faced in migrant communities.
Each day is a waiting game at encampments along the U.S.-Mexico border. Hoping for a chance to have their asylum cases heard in the U.S., migrants wait for food and water provided by faith groups. They wait in lines for showers, toilets, and clothing. They wait to receive medical care and their children wait for any diversion from the maze of tents, tarps, and concrete that has become their playground.
A UM News team accompanied faith leaders from The United Methodist Church and the Methodist Church of Mexico in September 2021 on visits to growing migrant communities in multiple border towns. While policymakers in Washington struggle to find solutions, the response from faith leaders has been simple: They are welcoming the strangers, as Jesus instructed.
Click here to read more and see vibrant photos of UMC faith leaders’ visit to migrant communities.
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NEW- Technology tips for churches on a budget
The Rev. David Johnson, associate pastor from Beaumont, Texas, says that many resources, such as apps and software products, are available to help clergy. He also says that there are ways to use technology without breaking the bank.
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NEW- Faith and mental health
This year has been tough. Covid-19 heightened depression, anxiety, substance use, and isolation. The mixed emotions of grief come and go. There is fear, and there are people who have lost loved ones. The pandemic has made it more difficult to find a safe place in this virtual world.
Mental health comes in many forms for many different people. There are times when we must reach out for professional help and seek guidance from a licensed professional.
In an article about faith and mental health, writer Alan Whitley describes his personal mental health struggles and explains how faith communities should be a “safe place” to have conversations about mental health.
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NEW- Love beyond borders: an interfaith movement to end the pandemic
Global Ministries is launching a new initiative and joining interfaith partners in an effort to increase the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine around the world. Funds donated to a new Advance giving project will support “Love Beyond Borders: The Interfaith Movement to End the Pandemic” campaign supporting UNICEF’s global vaccine distribution efforts.
Proposed to Global Ministries by First United Methodist Church of Boise, Idaho’s, missions’ team, “Love Beyond Borders: The Interfaith Movement to End the Pandemic” seeks to engage The United Methodist Church in supporting UNICEF’s global COVID-19 response, including distributing safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility, diagnostics, and treatments.
Through this initiative, members of The United Methodist Church will contribute to UNICEF’s historic efforts in leading the procurement and supply of 1.4 billion COVID-19 vaccines to approximately 196 participating COVAX countries and economies by the end of 2021.
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Step by step process for developing an Intentional Discipleship Plan
The Northern Flow District has created training resources for congregations and persons to walk through a “step-by-step” process for developing an Intentional Discipleship Plan.
Click here for steps 1 and 2 of the training; follow the guidance of the video trainers, use the provided PowerPoints and the resources (links) to enable your church and team to develop and implement your congregation’s Intentional Discipleship Plan.
Additional training steps will be provided over time. Imagine what God will do as more and more churches develop their process for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World!
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NEW- Free shareable social graphics
United Methodist Communications offers free shareable images for use in inspiring and informing your members year round.
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UMCOR / Mission Central Hub
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The UNY Conference needs individuals and teams who can help in times of emergency. Please sign up to help with Marybeth Ingalls, UNY Mission Volunteer Coordinator, 315-898-2064, 315-372-0285, [email protected]
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The HUB at UNY Conference Center
Contacts:
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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce 17 ad interim appointments and four retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
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NYS Minimum wage increase
Effective Dec. 31, 2021, New York State (NYS) minimum wage will increase to $13.20/hour.
Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employees minimum wage. Future increases will be determined by the NYS Director of Budget in consultation with the NYS Commissioner of Labor and will be announced on or before Oct. 1 each year.
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NY Hero Act extended to Oct. 31 and additional details about COVID-19 in NY State
On Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, Governor Hochul announced that the New York Department of Health designated COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease.”
The NY HERO Act plan (a law signed by Governor Cuomo in May 5), mandates extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the NY HERO Act is to protect employees against exposure and disease during a future airborne infectious disease outbreak.
Initially, the NYS Hero Act was effective through the end of September 2021. The Hero Act has now been extended to Oct. 31, 2021 because COVID-19 continues to be a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health in New York State.
Employers now must follow the requirements of their plans, as well as conduct mandatory training for employees on the plan and the law. Upper New York churches are responsible for the mandatory training for their staff.
Click here to learn why asking for vaccination status is not a violation of HIPAA.
Click here to learn paid-leave requirements related to COVID-19 in New York State.
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Revised CDC guidelines affecting local churches
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued revised guidelines for indoor gatherings due to the rising number of coronavirus cases as a result of the Delta variant.
The CDC is recommending masks be worn indoors by all individuals regardless of vaccination status in areas of high concentration.
Click here to read the UNY Church COVID guidelines and to determine your county’s level of transmission.
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Bishop's Retreat Postponed
The Bishop’s Retreat has been postponed until Sept. 27-29, 2022. It will have the same theme, “Sharing our Faith Boldly,” and will still be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning. Registration for the 2022 Bishop’s Retreat will open after the completion of the 2022 Annual Conference.
Click here for more information as it becomes available.
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IMPORTANT REMINDER - All appointed Clergy, Certified Lay Ministers(CLMs) and Supply pastors are REQUIRED to complete the NY State Sexual Harassment Training. After completing the training you will get a certificate of completion from NY State. Please be sure to send a copy of you certificate of completion to the Oneonta district office. If you have not already completed this training please go to the following link to read more about training options available. https://www.unyumc.org/news/article/new-york-state-required-annual-training-for-sexual-harassment-prevention
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UNY United Methodist Center is now open
Upper New York (UNY) Conference staff members have been working at the UNY United Methodist Center in Liverpool, NY, throughout the pandemic following CDC guidelines. Now that the CDC and New York State have issued guidelines allowing indoor gatherings for vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals (so long as they wear masks and social distance), the UNY Conference executive staff team made the decision to open the UNY United Methodist Center to the public following the attached protocols,
The protocols are in place to ensure that everyone will be safe when using the UNY Methodist Center.
The office will be equipped for hybrid meetings via Zoom for those unable to attend in-person.
Click here to register for a meeting with your team at the UNY United Methodist Center.
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Phishing scheme alert
Please note that there is a new type of phishing-scheme email that has been received in multiple inboxes throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. The email will look as though it is from someone you know in the UNY Conference and will show their actual email address. The text will ask you to link to a DocuSign document. DO NOT OPEN THIS DOCUMENT! It contains a virus. It is not truly from the person in the “From” address.
If you have any questions or concerns about this phishing scheme, contact Doug Thomas, UNY IT Manager, at [email protected].
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Tool for the Local Church: Mission Insite
Mission Insite is free to churches
Mission Insite is a web-based demographics provider for local church use. In planning ministry, it is important to know the context.
Mission Insite provides demographic data that is updated on a regular basis and the reports are user friendly to the novice or experienced demographer.
The reports are free to the local church because the Annual Conferences is under contract with Mission Insite. But in order to access the website you will need to register your local church. Click here for Details
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Stay Informed, Up-To-Date Through These Links:
UNY Notes -Include notices From the Desk of Bishop Webb; Alerts; Announcements; Prayer requests; Death Notices; Camp & Retreat info
Weekly Digest - Sent every Wednesday. It will include a listing of all of the new information available.
This will help reduce the amount of e-news announcements coming to your computers.
Another great resource is the UMCOM newsletter. To subscribe, click here
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Oct. 15: Equitable Compensation Application Deadline - DETAILS
Oct. 17: Laity Sunday
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District & Conference Office Closed
Thanksgiving Nov. 25th and 26th
Christmas Eve Dec. 24th
Christmas Day (Observed) Dec. 27th
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How to get help from UNY Conference for...
Regular needs or questions, contact the Conference (315) 898-2000 or email: [email protected] and leave a message including what assistance
you are seeking and it will be given to the right person to respond to you.
Technical or creative needs such as online Bible studies/meetings,
live streaming worship, or online giving
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Conference Office Address:
The Upper New York Conference
United Methodist Center
7481 Henry Clay Blvd
Liverpool, N.Y. 13088
Phone: 315-898-2000 Toll Free: (same) 1-855-424-7878
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"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."
Your Partners in Ministry at the Oneonta District Office
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How to Contact the Oneonta District Office
Phone: (607) 441-5102
Fax: (607) 353-1034
(physical address)
Oneonta District Office
64 Chestnut St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
(mailing address)
Oneonta District Office
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
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News from the past
(Then scroll to bottom of page.)
Don't miss out on news articles that have run in the past. There are many resources you may be interested in.
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UNY Conference Quick Links
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