February 10th, 2022 Oneonta District UMC News for you
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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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Attention Please- IMPORTANT Notice Re: Oneonta District Office UMC Mailing Address
Our P.O. Box 668 has been discontinued.
This is temporary!
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For now- please mail all (snail mail) correspondence to the following Address:
Oneonta District Office UMC
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
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Prayer Request:
Please hold the Rev. Jim Bowen and family in prayer, as they mourn the loss of Jim's wife Ann, 84, who passed away on Feb. 3. Rev. Bowen served Cobleskill UMC from 1999 and retired in 2003. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. at McKownville UMC, located at 1565 Western Ave. in Albany. Condolences can be sent to Rev. Bowen at P.O. Box 845, Guilderland, NY 12084. Click here to read Ann’s full obituary.
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NEW- UMC Bishops rebuke hatred and racism
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has condemned the recent hatred and racist attacks on houses of worships and institutions of learning in the United States.
In a statement released yesterday, Feb. 8, the Council of Bishops referred to the recent attack on a synagogue in Texas and bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities.
“We want our Jewish sisters and brothers to know that we are appalled by this senseless violence and stand with them,” the statement said. “Soon after the antisemitic attack in Colleyville, Texas, a series of bomb threats were received at Historic Black Colleges and Universities across the United States. At the beginning of Black History Month, no less! This begs the question, ‘when will these acts of hate end?’”
The statement calls on United Methodists not to remain silent and not to only pray but also add voices and actions to the prayers. Click here to read more and to access the full statement.
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Because We Care: Opposing Anti-Semitism
“Because We Care,” a resolution passed at the 2021 Annual Conference, asked churches across the Upper New York Conference to engage in study and discussion of the “Cry for Hope,” a document from Palestinian Christians asking the world to relieve their suffering.
A detailed report by Amnesty International released on Feb. 1, 2022, stated, “Whether they live in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, or Israel itself, Palestinians are treated as an inferior racial group and systematically deprived of their rights.”
AI’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard stated that Israel’s “policies of segregation, dispossession and exclusion” toward Palestinians means that “the international community has a responsibility to act.”
In their most recent article, The UNY Peace with Justice Task Force on Israel/ Palestine affirms that United Methodists need to keep their long-standing opposition to anti-Semitism, and any devaluing of our sisters and brothers of Jewish faith and culture, as they stand also with Palestinians who are devalued
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Featured Church: Church in the Wild
Church in the Wild is located at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Windsor, NY. Their worship services are on Sundays at 4 p.m. From spring through fall, they worshipped outdoors along the lake. For January and February, they are hosting their worship services on Zoom.
Even when it’s cold, Church in the Wild still finds ways to enjoy the outdoors. This past Sunday, they decided to host Sunday Sledding at Chenango Valley State Park for the whole community to enjoy. Click here to watch the news story.
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#BeUMC
You are invited to be a part of a meaningful campaign by including the #BeUMC hashtag in your social media posts. The hope is that as many United Methodists as possible will share their personal experiences, values, hopes, and heritage through photos, videos, and written reflections of why they continue to #BeUMC.
Click here to see dozens of inspiring examples of how United Methodists across the Connection have been sharing their #BeUMC posts!
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NEW- Dismantling racism: James Lawson reflects on life, nonviolence, civil rights, and MLK
United Methodist pastor and activist, the Rev. James M. Lawson is known as the "architect of the nonviolence movement" in America. Rev. Lawson was a close ally to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and trained the young people whose peaceful witness at lunch counters in the South sought to end racial discrimination in businesses and public places. In 2016, at age 88, he looked back at the pivotal moments that shaped his life and ministry.
Click here to read more and watch a video of Rev. Lawson describing the importance of nonviolence.
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Kept those reports coming! 2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms- Due Dates
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
February 28th 2022
March 15th 2022
2021 Local Annual Financial Audit
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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EZRA Site is now opened!
Statistics for 2021- The Ezra site opened Saturday January 1, 2022 to enter the church statistical data. This year Ezra will still be on the same Ezra site as previous years. Nothing has changed other than the submission date. The new submission date is February 28, 2022.
The 2021 stat reports will be used for the 2023 Ministry Share calculations.
If you need your sign-in information, contact Teresa in the District Office, [email protected] or call (607) 441- 5102
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All 2021-2022 Charge Conference forms are available to download at: https://uny.umconline.org/ or by clicking here.
*Please note when trying to download Charge Conference Forms to use Firefox Browser.*
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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Upper NY LPLS (local pastors licensing school)
click the link below to read more and to register:
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Stewardship Academy starts April 23 on Zoom
Upper New York ordained deacon and Director of Christian Stewardship, the Rev. Susan Ranous, is offering a Stewardship Academy via Zoom over four sessions (April 23, May 21, June 18, July 16). Rev. Ranous will share all concepts of stewardship including self, time, talents, money, and more.
This is an opportunity to read and learn about stewardship and all that it entails. The Academy qualifies clergy for CEU.
Click here for a brochure about the Stewardship Academy. For more information, contact Rev. Ranous at 315-427-3668 or [email protected].
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New- Basic Lay Servant Course
Led by Rev. Anne Canfield
A Basic Lay Servant Course is being offered via Zoom by
Rev. Anne Canfield.
It will be held on February 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and February 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a short break for lunch then resume and go until 4:00 p.m..
Participants will be required to purchase 2 books prior to the beginning of the course. There will not be any other charges.
1. Lay Servant Ministries (Basic Course) Participant's Guide by Sandy Jackson - on Amazon HERE
2. Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen - on Amazon HERE
If you would like more information or to register please contact
The Adirondack District Lay Servant Ministries is offering Lay Servant Courses: (Open to All)
The Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has begun work on courses we will be offering in 2022. We plan to continue offering the 7 courses required for Lay Speaker Certification, and are excited to be offering some new advanced courses to support you in your continuing faith journey.
Here are new courses. Look for information on more courses soon to be announced:
Advanced Course: For The Common Good (Spiritual Gifts)
Thursdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31
Times: all 6-9 pm
Zoom: Fee $ 15
Facilitators: Jacqueline Kim & Arlene Schmidt
Advanced Course: Afire with God
Monday: April 18 & April 25: 10 am-2:30 pm
Thursday: April 21 & April 28: 10 am-2:30 pm
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitators: Bruce Hazard & Arlene Schmidt
If you are interested in taking any of these courses, contact registrar Arlene Schmidt at [email protected]
Albany District Advanced Lay Servant Course Offering
Public Prayer (Required Lay Speaker Course)
Wednesdays, March 9, 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 2022 via Zoom
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Rev. Nancy Dibelius
Course Fee: $10.00
Crossroads District ZOOM Lay Servant classes open to all
Leading Public Prayer, Beginning Sunday, February 27
Classes will run for 5 weeks, via Zoom, beginning
Sunday, February 27, 2022, from 3 pm to 5pm.
As a church leader, you may find yourself leading prayer at meetings, in worship
services and other settings. We generally learn to pray by listening to others pray. The
prayers we -hear have a large influence on our own prayer life. It is important,
then, that you are knowledgeable and lead well in prayer. This course will help you
overcome your fear of praying in public because prayer is something we learn, and it
can be taught.
This course will challenge some of your beliefs, test some of your preconceived ideas,
stretch your thinking and enrich your prayer life. The aim is to present you with an
opportunity to grow in the discipline of leading prayer and developing a
healthy prayer life. The primary objective for this course is to enable you to effectively
prepare and lead various prayer forms, at meetings, during worship and other settings.
Book: Let the Whole Church Say Amen! by Laurence Hull Stookey (Abingdon
Press, 2001).
Instructor: Rev. Nola M. Anderson, 315-506-2838 (cell);
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Living our Christian Beliefs (Wesleyan Heritage), ZOOM, Beginning March 11
We will discover the place of doctrine in relation to the missional movement known as Methodism. An understanding of Wesleyan theology will be developed and its influence on the practical structure and disciplines for the first Methodists will be determined. A knowledge of Methodist History and the formation of other Methodist denominations will be studied. The Wesleyan understanding of grace and how grace leads to the holiness of the heart and life will be explored.
Book: Living Our Beliefs, The United Methodist Way, 2nd Edition, Kenneth L Carder, 2009
Schedule: This is a 5-week Zoom Class beginning Friday, March 11, 2022, from 7 - 9 pm.
Instructor: George Ramseyer, 315-638-8177 (Home) 315-720-6184 (Cell)
More courses via ZOOM:
Spiritual Gifts, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., April 9 and 16. Hybrid (In-person AND Zoom) Delta UMC, Rome, NY. For details or to register, Ken Guilfoyle, CLM, [email protected] or 315 254 6673.
Exploring Healing Prayer, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Thursdays, March 10-April 6, via Zoom, courtesy of the Mountain View District. Click here for info and registration.
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Course of Study Information
If you are registering for a COS class at GBHEM – you will need to list the name and email of your COS registrar.
That information is as follows:
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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.
Creating a Connection Between the Church and the Community, 11 a.m. to Noon, Mar. 2, Dan Pezet, cost $25. Registration, click here.
BRAND NEW! More Ways to Communicate Effectively with Your Church, 3 to 4 p.m., Mar. 22, Kevin Slimp, cost $25. Registration, click here.
Missional Accountability: Focusing on What God Desires, 11 a.m. to Noon, Mar. 31, Jaye Johnson, cost $25. Registration, click here.
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The following job openings are posted on the Upper New York website...
1) District Administrative Assistant - For Finger Lakes district
2) Director of Missional Engagement
3) Maintenance Manager for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
4) Reservations Specialist for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
5) Seasonal Camp Staff -
If you have any referrals for these positions, or are interested in applying, please apply online through our website. Please contact Tracy Rickett with any questions. Thank you.
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Preserving Black history
Did you know that the African American Methodist Heritage Center preserves the history of Black Methodists? The center does not have a physical office but catalogs documents and artifacts at Drew University, using the expertise of United Methodist Archives and History.
This center places United Methodist African Americans at the foreground and ensures that their histories, faiths, and contributions are collected, preserved, and promoted.
Click here to learn more about the African American Heritage Center and the financial predicament they are facing due in part to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Do you have questions? United Methodist Communications has answers.
Can I be confirmed online? Is it ever appropriate to place the Advent Wreath on the Lord’s Table? What's the United Methodist position on rebaptism? Can a lay servant wear a robe in the pulpit? What countries have United Methodist churches? Do apportionments help pay for church camps? How do you get to heaven?
These are only a handful of the thousands of questions received by Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, the information service for all things United Methodist.
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Are you struggling with mental health?
You are not alone!
The Neighborhood Center, an official NY Project Hope provider agency, is offering free, confidential and anonymous counseling for community members who need to talk to someone or learn about resources in their community regarding COVID-19.
NY Project Hope, a program of the NYS Office of Mental Health and funded by FEMA, provides emotional support through conversation, stress management techniques and helpful community resources.
To talk to someone who hears what you say and can help you understand what you're feeling about the challenges of life during COVID-19, call 1-844-863-9314 from 8 am-10 pm, any day to talk with a trained Crisis Counselor.
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New- Mental Health First Aid
Wespath is offering virtual seminars on mental health first aid March 10 or March 17 and March 23 or March 24. Learn how to reach out to others and get them help as well as accept and understand your own mental health needs. The free events are led by Chris White. Be sure to register for two sessions.
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Tending the Soul new cohort to begin Nov. 2022
Tending the Soul, a training program in Missional Spiritual Direction and Congregational Formation will be starting a new cohort in November 2022. The program is designed for lay and clergy. Perhaps more than any other time in our recent past, the ability to listen deeply for God, to remain centered and non-anxious, and to hold sacred space for others is an essential tool in ministry (both within your local congregation and the greater community).
Click here for more information and a brochure with all details on the program and how to apply. Any questions can be directed to the Rev. Nancy Dibelius ([email protected]).
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Retiree 2021 tax, benefit, and grant information
Upper New York Conference retirees, their spouses, surviving spouses, and clergy on medical leave of the Upper New York Conference can learn about tax information, benefits, and grants that may pertain to them. The Human Resources and Benefits Ministry Area has prepared a helpful packet with this information.
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UMCOR / Mission Central Hub
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UMCOR is collecting for tornado relief through its domestic disaster fund. Click on the link below.
Note: Churches please send directly to UMCOR using the Advance # 901670.
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The UNYAC Media Resource Center is operating on a limited basis for Resource orders. We have a small committee who are dedicating their time and talents to help maintain this valuable resource. We need your help! Click here to read about our changes and how you can help us help you.
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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 interim appointments and four retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
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2022 Cady Grant applications now available
Application forms are now available for the Upper New York Conference Cady Grant. Cady Grants are awarded annually to fund ministries, education, programs, or experiences that provide benefit or education to preferably, but not exclusively, African Americans and/or Native Americans. Priority will be given to proposals that have not recently been funded by the Cady Grant. Salaries and stipends will not be awarded from this grant. Awards may be up to $8,000.
Cady Grants are available to individual United Methodists, local churches, District, or Conference ministry teams within Upper New York.
Application deadline is March 15. Awardees will be notified by April 30.
Click here to learn more, review the procedures, and to apply.
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NYS HERO Act Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plans should remain in place.
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New- Governor Hochul Lifts New York State Indoor Mask Mandate
On February 9, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the statewide indoor mask mandate will expire on February 10, 2022. Governor Hochul noted that while the statewide mandate has been lifted, counties, cities, and individual business can elect to continue to voluntarily enforce the mandate or put in place their own masking or other COVID-19 requirements.
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Expansion of NYS Whistleblower Protection Law includes posting requirement
On January 26, 2022, New York State’s “whistleblower” protection law significantly expands the scope of New York Labor Law Section 740 (NYLL 740). Employees and independent contractors will be protected for reporting employer activity that they reasonably believe violates any law.
Starting today, employers are required to post notice of employees’ rights under the law in conspicuous places customarily frequented by employees and applicants for employment. As of the issuance of this news article, NYS has not issued a model poster. In the meantime, you should post the notice of the expanded whistleblower protection law.
If you have questions on the Whistleblower Protection Law, please contact either Susan Latessa, Director of HR/Benefits, at (315) 898-2000 or [email protected] or Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at (315) 898-2017 or [email protected].
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Don't Wait, Get Your Federal Tax Exemption Letter!
Did you know that, as a United Methodist ministry, it is easy to get a letter proving your tax-exempt status – without applying directly to the Internal Revenue Service? The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), and sister agency to (GBHEM), United Methodist Women, and others, have received a “group ruling” designation from the IRS.
Basically, an umbrella or central organization (GCFA) takes over some of the administrative functions that would normally fall to a backlogged IRS, so that subordinate organizations, like United Methodist camps, churches, and other ministries can apply to the central organization for inclusion in their group. What that means for you is that, rather than applying directly to the IRS, you can apply online easily and quickly through GCFA. GCFA, rather than the IRS, will check your documentation and issue a letter of inclusion – meaning that you are included in the overall United Methodist group ruling for tax exemption.
Don't wait. Recently the IRS issued notice that it may change the group ruling policy. While we don’t know when those changes may take place, it is quick and easy to get a letter of inclusion in the denominational group ruling currently, so act quickly, before any changes take place.
There are a couple of important things to note: The online form is very straightforward for local United Methodist churches and the local church can quickly get its letter at the below link. For ministries that are affiliated as United Methodist organizations, such as a church, child care program, or a summer camp, the organization must have its own EIN, board, and organizing documents. Also, this tax exemption verifies your federal status and does not affect any state tax ruling.
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If you have a question about COVID-19 and how it affects your church or need assistance, please send a message to the COVID-19 response team at (315) 898-2012 or [email protected].
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NY Paid Family leave changes for 2022
New York State Paid Family Leave provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job protected, paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or to assist loved ones when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service. This time can be taken all at once, or in increments of full days.
Paid Family Leave may also be available in some situations when an employee or their minor, dependent child is under an order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19.
Click here for all the details you need to know about 2022 Paid Family Leave in UNY.
If you have additional questions on the New York State Paid Family Leave benefit, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at (315) 898-2017 or [email protected]. You may also contact Guardian directly at 1-800-268-2525.
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Continue to watch out for phishing emails
Please note that phishing-scheme emails are still frequently arriving in the Upper New York (UNY) Conference inboxes. Do not open any links in these emails.
These emails may look like they are coming from someone you know with a unyumc.org email, but carefully look at the email address—a lot of time it’s NOT the person you know—it’s a phishing email (the email extension will be “yahoo.com,” “gmail.com,” or some other email extension and not unyumc.org).
These emails will often have a subject line that say “urgent” and the email will often involve a request for financial help.
There was an email like this that many of you may have received over the holidays appearing as though it was from Bishop Webb; some even included his photo. This was a phishing scheme.
Delete these emails. Mark them as junk. And do not respond to them!
If you have any questions or concerns about this phishing scheme, contact Doug Thomas, UNY IT Manager, at [email protected].
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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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Subscribe to the GCFA "Collaborator" for Finance & Administration resources for your Ministry. A Support newsletter from GCFA - Click here
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February: Black History Month
Feb. 21: Presidents' Day- District & Conference Office Closed
Feb. 28: Final date to update statistics in Ezra - DETAILS
March 1: Deadline for petitions, resolutions, and reports - DETAILS
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UNYAC Contact Information
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UNY 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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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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Oneonta District Contact Information
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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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(Physical address) Oneonta District Office 64 Chestnut St. Oneonta, NY 13820
(mailing address-until further notice)
Oneonta District Office
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St. Oneonta, NY 13820
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