August 19th, 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: Oneontadistrict@unyumc.org
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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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Oneonta District -Fall Clergy Gathering
Sept. 9th from 6-8 pm
We will have light snacks available from 5:15 to 6:00 pm if you'd like to arrive early
All Clergy, Supply Pastors and Certified Lay Ministers are asked to attend. - Any church member that helps fill out Charge Conference forms is also invited to attend this gathering
Tentative Agenda:
A Time to Worship together
Charge Conference Forms Review (there are many changes to forms this year)
Fall Charge Conference Planning
All Clergy, Supply Pastors and Certified Lay Ministers are asked to attend
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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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Gathering Together This Fall:
Charge Conferences
Each year the local church body of the United Methodist connectional system, the charge conference/church conference meets to conduct the business of the local church. This fall it is the hope of the Superintendent that the churches will meet in person at regional locations for joint church conferences. A schedule of these meetings is not yet available. Keep watching for updates.
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Happenings & Local Church News |
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Summer Updates from the Mosaic!
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Only 10 seats left
Bus Trip To see Queen Esther at Sight and Sound Theatre
When: Saturday, September 25
Cost: $160
Deadline for reservation: August 13
Contact: Claudia Jenkins. 607-563-7713
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Summer Saunters*
Join Pastor Sharon of the Fly Creek and Schuyler Lake UMC’s
in walks along the trails of Otsego County.
Pastor Sharon’s Summer Saunter plan: All saunters are scheduled on Fridays at 10am.
August 20 - Fortin Park
August 27 - Betty & Wilbur Davis State Park, Andy’s Trail
September 3 - Arnold Lake State Forest
For questions you can contact Pastor Sharon Rankins-Burd at
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Unadilla UMC is interested in having other partners join them to sponsor this, including doing short musical or dramatic acts. Interested people can contact Rick Fisher from First UMC of Unadilla at rfish69@gmail.com
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Save the Date for the next Bishop’s Retreat
Due to the coronavirus, the 2020 Bishop's Retreat, originally scheduled for October 20-22, 2020, at the Radisson Hotel in Corning, NY is being postponed until September 27-29, 2022.
It will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning. The theme is, “Sharing Our Faith Boldly”. Registration will open following the completion of the 2022 Annual Conference session.
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Save the Date and plan to attend via ZOOM
How Does Stewardship Relate to Discipleship?
September 1, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
September 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
We use the word discipleship when we talk about people and we use the word stewardship when we talk about money, but we seldom use the two words together. This “shortchanges” both discipleship and stewardship. When we become a discipleship, we are choosing to actively follow Jesus Christ and walk with Jesus Christ, but that choice also makes us stewards of God’s gifts! Discipleship cannot happen without good stewardship. Good stewardship cannot happen without discipleship.
Please join Rev. Susan Ranous, Director of Stewardship for the Upper New York Conference. She is an Ordained Deacon and a Certified Public Accountant. This workshop will discuss how discipleship and stewardship relate to each other and how this understanding will deepen the faith of you, your congregation and your community. You can join the session that best suits your schedule. Topics covered will be similar, but questions discussed may differ.
Susan Ranous is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: How Does Stewardship Relate to Discipleship - Morning Session
Time: Sept. 1, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 985 4745 8820
Passcode: 209439
Susan Ranous is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: How Does Stewardship Relate to Discipleship - Evening Session
Time: Sept. 1, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 932 3115 8778
Passcode: 827747
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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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NEW- Basic Lay Servant Course
Led by Pastor Rachael Jordan
Are you interested in Church Leadership and Service? No, I don't mean in committees, but in the transformative leadership of Jesus, who calls us in our giftedness to serve the church and the world! The Basic Lay Servant Course is an opportunity to reflect on your discipleship journey, your gifts as a Christian leader, and where God may be calling you next in your ministry. There will be two different opportunities to join this course:
1. Saturday, October 2nd and 9th from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in person at Gouverneur First UMC - We will have snacks but bring a bag lunch
OR
2. Tuesday nights, October 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, and November 2nd, from 7:15-9:00 p.m. by ZOOM
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 - $11 on Amazon HERE
2. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections of Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen - $13.49 on Amazon HERE
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IMPORTANT - Lay Servant Retreat postponed
Due to coronavirus concerns, the retreat planned for Saturday at the Avoca UMC has been postponed. If you have registered, contact Larry Crandell at: lac14903@outlook.com
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Lay Servant Ministry Classes Open to All
Click on links below for details on LSM Courses being offered
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Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM training: Two Opportunities to attend
The Upper New York Annual Conference Team will host a standard Basic Safe Sanctuaries training via ZOOM from
9 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday, August 21 OR September 25.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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For information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks,
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UMC Clergy Education Offering Courses for Credit
Sept. 21 - Charles Maynard: A Storyteller Looks at the Parables - Click here to register and for more information
Sept. 28 - Olu Brown: Leading Your Congregation in New Directions -Click here to register and for more information
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Pre-retirement seminar scheduled for Oct. 1
There will be an in-person pre-retirement seminar held in October to highlight and explain the benefits available through The United Methodist Church to retiring clergy. This seminar is intended to assist persons in their later years of ministry understand the current pension plan, health insurance options, Social Security, and moving assistance available.
Online registration is required, as we will provide clergy-specific retirement projections, and also schedule personal consultations.
The seminar will be held at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool on Friday, Oct. 1 from 9:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. Click here for more information and to register. The deadline to register is Sept. 17.
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Transforming Church Conflict & Creating Space
for Authentic Community
A 2-Retreat Series on Transforming Conflict for United Methodist Clergy and Servant Leaders of the Upper New York Conference to be held at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center.
Session One – October 6&7, 2021 (W/Th)
Session Two – October 27 & 28, 2021 (W/Th)
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NEW- Dismantling racism resource: Image of God—unity and diversity
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 share a video of the Rev. Stephen Handy sharing insight on being made in God's image, and the implications it carries for how we relate to one another. Click here to watch the video.
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New- The spiritual discipline of spiritual guidance 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 introduced the discipline of spiritual guidance; click here to watch this video.
This week, Rev. Dibelius delves deeper into the discipline of spiritual guidance; click here to watch this video.
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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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Sharing faith with children
A theology degree isn’t necessary when it comes to showing the children you love how to have a relationship with God. Click here to check out great tips that you can implement into your daily routines
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Moving the church forward
Multiple workshops led by communications professionals will help you deliver effective messaging in this time of continual change. You’ll learn about tools, resources, best practices and much more.
Topics include welcoming members back into the church, digital community building, and social media for the church.
10:30 AM to 2:30 PM Tuesday, Aug. 24 and Wednesday, Aug. 25. Cost: $50To
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Camp & Retreat Ministries |
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CRM Welcomes YOU Home!
CRM is excited to see:
~ Campers (still registering – click HERE to search the program list!!)
~ Staff (critical need for health professionals, counselors and kitchen staff)
~ Volunteers (small and large projects, an hour or a week+)
Questions? Call the site or the CRM Central Office at 315-898-2026.
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UMCOR / Mission Central Hub
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The HUB at UNY Conference Center
Contacts:
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Revised CDC guidelines affecting local churches
The CDC has recently issued revised guidelines for in person gatherings due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. These revised guidelines include the recommendation that vaccinated and unvaccinated persons in areas with substantial or high infection rates wear masks when gathering indoors. Because this recommendation would apply to worship and other church gatherings, churches are advised to consult their county listing on the CDC webpage. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
On Aug. 19th,
Broome County - High level of community transmission. recommend masking by all people indoors.
Chenango County - High level of community transmission. recommend masking by all people indoors.
Delaware County - High level of community transmission. recommend masking by all people indoors.
Otsego County - High level of community transmission.
Schoharie County - High level of community transmission.
High transmission is more than 100 cases per 100,000 people or a positivity rate of higher than 10% over the last seven days.
If you have any questions involving these guidelines, feel free to contact the COVID-19 response team of the UNY Conference via phone at (315) 898-2012 and email at covid-19response@unyumc.org.
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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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NY Hero Act and how it pertains to New York State employers
On May 5, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act) into law. The law mandates extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for ALL New York State employers. The purpose of the NY HERO Act is to protect employees against exposure and disease during a future airborne infectious disease outbreak.
Under this new law, the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL), in consultation with the NYS Department of Health, has developed a new Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard, a Model Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan, and various industry-specific model plans for the prevention of airborne infectious disease. Employers can choose to adopt the applicable policy template/plan provided by NYS DOL or establish an alternative plan that meets or exceeds the standard’s minimum requirements.
By Aug. 5, 2021, employers are required adopt a model prevention plan and conduct a “verbal review” of the policy, employee rights and the overall prevention plan.
By Sept. 4, 2021, employers must provide copy of the adopted plan to all employees in their primary language within 30 days of adoption, or by Sept. 4, 2021.
Click here for more information including the details of this law and templates you can use.
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Bishop Announces Clergy Appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb and the Upper New York Conference announce appointments and retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
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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 dougthomas@unyumc.org.
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How can the UNY Board of Trustees Assist your Church?
If your church has questions on the following:
Contacts
Billing
Claims
Certificates of Insurance
Auto Insurance
Background Checks
Boiler Inspections
Water Sensor Program
On-Line Payment
Workers Compensations, Short term Disability and family Leave
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What's FREE for your ministry this fall?
Our own United Methodist Communications is offering a free $150 of church tools for your fall ministry with the promo code. There are postcards, signs, banners and Facebook ads with beautiful pictures and modern graphic designs to enhance your outreach.
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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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Sept. 6: Labor Day (Conference office closed)
Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage month
Oct. 2: Bishop Yeakel’s Memorial Service - DETAILS
Oct. 3: World Communion Sunday - DETAILS
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2021 Holidays
District Office Closed
Labor Day Sept. 6th
Thanksgiving Nov. 25th and 26th
Christmas Eve Dec. 24th
Christmas Day (Observed) Dec. 27th
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PLEASE NOTE: UNY Conference Center summer hours
Please note that the Upper New York Conference Center summer hours have begun. The office will be closing on Fridays at 12 p.m. through Friday Sept. 3rd, 2021
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How to get help from UNY Conference for...
Regular needs or questions, contact the Conference (315) 898-2000 or email: info@unyumc.org 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
Rev. Nancy Adams - District Superintendent
Teresa Wood, - Minister of Administration
Rev. George Gallandorm- District Associate
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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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All past District Newsletters can also be found at:
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UNY Conference Quick Links
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