September 22nd, 2022 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 4 PM for Thursday publication, to: [email protected]
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When mailing items to the office PLEASE use the information listed below.
Oneonta District Office UMC
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
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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 Thru Sunday
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DS Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell's Installation Service This Sunday
Date - Sun. September 25th, 2022
Location - Founders Lodge at Sky Lake
Time - 3:00 pm
The installation service for the Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell will be a combined service for the Binghamton and Oneonta Districts, held at Founder’s Lodge at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m.
Clergy are invited to robe for the procession and Elders and Deacons are invited to wear red stoles. There will be a short refreshment reception held after the service.
For those who are unable to attend the service click here for the Facebook livestream link.
To watch the service at a future date, click here for the YouTube link.
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IMPORTANT Reminder:
Pastors / Churches - is your church information correct?
· Is the service time correct?
· Is the address and phone number correct?
· Is the contact information correct?
· Has the chair of your committees changed since CC?
Please let the district office know of any updates you would like made to this listing.
Click on the link below to see the information the conference has on your church.
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2022-2023 Church/Charge Conference and Annual Forms are now available
IMPORTANT UPDATE -9/22/22
2022-2023 Pastor Compensation forms now available
The 2022-2023 Pastor Compensation forms are now available. Information can be found by clicking here. On this page, you can read a letter from Susan Latessa, Director of HR/Benefits, view the Pastor’s Compensation Guide, and more.
The Church/Charge Conference website can be found by clicking here and has a section devoted to Clergy Compensation that gives you access to important spreadsheets, including the Clergy Housing Exclusion Resolution.
Any questions should be directed to your District Superintendent or the Benefits Office of the Upper New York Conference at (315) 898-2000.
*NOTE: - IMPORTANT – NEW this year, there are 2 different Compensation forms. Please be sure to use the correct form or it will be sent back to you.
Form 5. 2023 Clergy Compensation Form (requires Microsoft Excel 2003 or later)- This form is to be used for all Licensed Pastors and appointed Elders
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DS. Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell sent out a letter regarding Forms and Church conference preparation on Wednesday Aug. 24th.
Click here to read & download the letter in PDF form.
Click here to download the 2022-23 Annual Report Form Checklist.
If you need help getting forms please contact Teresa at the district office.
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Dates for Oneonta district Annual Church Conferences announced:
We hope to see you there!
Churches are asked to meet with the Superintendent annually to celebrate and take stock of ministry, as well as conduct necessary business of the church--the Annual Church Conference. These in-person meetings will take place in Fall 2022 at central locations around the district.
All who have membership in the local church are welcome to vote.
The Theme this year is: “Keeping the Mission the Mission”.
Much of the required business we will do will have been considered by the appropriate teams in the congregation before we gather for formal approval at the Church Conference.
The schedule has already been shared with your pastor or other leader of your congregation. I hope as many as possible will be able to attend.
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2022 UNY Annual Conference News |
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The 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference session, scheduled to be held virtually October 6-8.
Clergy that need to be excused from Annual Conference, click here and complete the form.
Several offerings will be collected this year, including the Clergy Care Fund, Helping Hands Fund, UNY Mission Central HUB, Mission of Peace, and New Faith Communities. To learn more about these offerings and to make a donation, click here.
If you have any questions, call (315) 898-2000
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UNY 2023 Ministry Share budget posted
The Upper New York Conference 2023 Ministry Share budget, is now available. The budget will be voted on at the 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference, which is scheduled to be held Oct. 6-8 and will virtual.
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Bishop Webb will be the speaker for AC 2022
Service of Commissioning and Ordination
On Oct. 8, the 2022 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference ends with the Service of Commissioning and Ordination at 3 p.m. at Liverpool First United Methodist Church. This service will also be livestreamed and can be accessed via the Conference website. This year, one person will be Commissioned for the Work of Elder, and seven individuals will be Ordained to the Order of Elder.
UNY Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, will deliver the message at this service. His message title is “Instructions for the Journey” and he will be using Proverbs 3.1-8, Isaiah 40.28-31, Matthew 10.1-8 to encourage and remind ordinands and those attending the service of God’s call to be disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders within the church and God’s promise to equip us with all that we need to live out the call. "
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Rev. Rhonda Kouterick to give the message at the AC 2022 Memorial Service
The Memorial Service for clergy and clergy spouses of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference who have died since the 2021 Annual Conference will be held during this year’s Annual Conference at the Liverpool First United Methodist Church on Friday evening, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. This service will be livestreamed—the link will be available on the UNY Conference website.
The Rev. Rhonda L. Kouterick will deliver the message using Jeremiah 8:22 and John 14. Jeremiah asks, "Is there no balm in Gilead, no physician, no healing for the wounds of my people?" And the familiar passages of scripture, especially in the words of Jesus found in John 14, will offer comfort and healing in this time of grief and remembrance.
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The Rev. Dr. Kimberly D. Reisman to be this year’s
Annual Conference Study Leader
The Rev. Dr. Kimberly D. Reisman will be the study leader at this year’s Annual Conference next month. Dr. Reisman is the Executive Director of World Methodist Evangelism. She is an author, pastor, and teacher, focusing on the areas of evangelism, spiritual formation, leadership development, and the intersection between faith and culture. She is the author of several books; her most recent is Embrace: Showing and Sharing the Love of Jesus.
At the Upper New York Annual Conference, Dr. Reisman will be educating some of the key points of her latest book to help people share their faith with boldness, confidence, and grace.
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2022 UNY Journal Vol. I available for download or purchase
The 2022 Upper New York Conference Journal, Vol. I is now available for download as a free PDF and for purchase through online publisher Lulu.com. This comprehensive book provides all the details of Annual Conference for the year of 2022.
Click here for options to either view an online version or download a copy from Issuu or to purchase it for $5.06 (plus shipping and applicable sales tax) from Lulu.com.
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Oct. 2 is World Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday is one of The United Methodist Church (UMC) Special Sundays. It is held every year on the first Sunday of October.
Your donations support racial and ethnic students in achieving their educational goals and transforming communities. In 2021, World Communion Sunday offerings awarded 242 scholarships and grants. Your generosity continues to provide scholarships, grants, mentoring and training for leadership development. The needs exceed what we can fund and your gifts can further growth and success. Learn more about the racial and ethnic scholarships and grants here.
Click here to read stories about the impact you are making with your gifts.
The UMC has great resources for World Communion Sunday. Click here for everything you need to inspire and empower your congregation to give generously.
Do you need more information about World Communion Sunday? Click here for “Did you know?” videos about our rich and long history of generosity. Learn more about the work we accomplish together through the ministry we call connectional giving.
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A Day of Truth and Repentance of our Children
Long before and since the release of the Department of Interior’s initial report on boarding schools, there has been much focus on the devastating impacts of the Indian boarding school policies that tore away generations of Native American children from their families and communities. A National Day of Remembrance is celebrated on Sept. 30.
The Upper New York Committee on Native American Ministries has chosen to support the Native American International Caucus of the United Methodist Church to recognize Oct. 6, or the nearest Sunday, as a day of “Truth and Repentance for Our Children.” This is the same day churches are asked to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.
Click here to read more about A Day of Truth and Repentance of our Children and to find links to helpful resources.
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Virtual Wisdom-Seeking Women retreat slotted for Oct. 21-22
The Upper New York Conference Commission on the Role and Status of Women (COSROW) has spent the last year planning a wonderful retreat.
It's for any woman, clergy, or lay. It’s open to all women regardless of Conference or District. The retreat is called “Wisdom-Seeking Women,” which is a title they came up with based on conversations had with the keynote speaker, Bishop Susan Hassinger, about the two messages she will deliver. Nancy Dibelius will be leading spiritual/creative activities. And of course, it's all over Zoom. It's two nights, Oct. 21, and Oct. 22. from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. each night. The goal is to give women a chance to "Catch Your Breath.”
People can get .5 cpu for attending the whole event. It’s important for people to attend both nights because the activities and lessons on Oct. 22 follow what was discussed and learned on Oct. 21. It’s not conducive to “dropping in.” COSROW will be mailing out boxes of materials to participants if they register by Oct. 14. It's $25 and a portion of the cost will go to End the Backlog, which is an organization that advocates for transparency and reform in the backlog of rape kits nationwide. If the cost is unaffordable to you, COSROW will take care of it.
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Opportunities to disaffiliate from the Upper New York Conference
During the upcoming session of the Upper New York Annual Conference (October 6-8), the Conference will receive its first requests from local churches to disaffiliate from the Conference under ¶2553 of the Book of Discipline. To be eligible to disaffiliate, a church must deposit with the Conference treasurer, all fees stipulated in the disaffiliation agreement at least one week prior to the start of Annual Conference. A complete listing of churches who have met this requirement will be posted on the Conference website on Oct 3.
During Annual Conference, members will be asked to ratify each disaffiliation request by a simple majority of members present and voting. This will be a simple up or down vote with no provision for amendment (see Judicial Council Decision 1379 and ¶ 2529.1_b_ (3)).
In addition to this year’s Annual Conference, there will be three other opportunities for local churches to request disaffiliation. These include next year’s regularly scheduled Annual Conference session in June as well as two special sessions – March 25, 2023, and Oct. 14, 2023.
Click here to learn more and to find needed forms for disaffiliation.
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The Rev. Dr. Pam Harris hired as Interim Executive Director of UNY CRM
For the past two-and-a-half years, the Rev, Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, Upper New York (UNY) Director of Connectional Ministries and Executive Assistant to the Bishop, has also served as acting director of the UNY Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM).
Throughout this time and for many years prior, the Rev. Dr. Pam Harris, co-founder and co-director of Run River Enterprises, has resourced UNY CRM as well as the CRM in UNY’s predecessor Conferences. She was also the executive director of CRM in the North Central New York Conference in the 1990s.
While the CRM Committee explores the type of leadership UNY needs moving forward, Pam has been hired as the full-time Interim Executive Director of UNY CRM starting Sept. 12, 2022, and will serve in this position for 12-18 months.
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Steve Hustedt to leave role as Director of Communications
After serving as the Upper New York (UNY) Director of Communications for more than nine years, Steve Hustedt will be leaving his role to become the top communicator for the College of Science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Steve became the Upper New York’s Director of Communications in 2013 after having served as the Director of Communications in the Desert Southwest Conference for seven years. Prior to that he served as Writer/Editor in the Illinios Great Rivers Conference.
Steve has built a strong communications team in UNY and will continue to support the UNY Conference as a coach/consultant at least through Annual Conference.
We congratulate Steve on his new position—he will be missed!
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Upcoming communication schedule
Please note that the Upper New York (UNY) Conference communication schedule for the month of October will have the following changes due to Annual Conference:
There will be no Weekly Digest the week of Oct. 2-8 and the week of Oct. 9-15.
· There will only be one publication of the Bridge and that will be published the week prior to the third Sunday of October.
· There will be up-to-date news coverage of the Oct. 6-8 virtual UNY Annual Conference on the Conference website.
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Save the date: Bishop Webb’s farewell gathering
You are invited to Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb’s farewell/retirement gathering on Saturday Nov. 19 from 1-4 p.m. at the Upper New York Conference Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd. in Liverpool. Join others throughout the Conference to celebrate Bishop Webb’s 10 years of ministry as Bishop of the UNY Conference. More details will be released once they become available.
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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month at your church
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
During National Hispanic Heritage Month—and throughout the year—The United Methodist Church is called to incorporate and listen to Hispanic voices and speak out in support of them to be heard. The church must structure itself in such a way that it is able to include Hispanics/Latinos at the table, dialogue with them and include them in the mainstream of church life. United Methodists also must be in solidarity with them as they struggle to have a voice in the public forum.
Click here for resources to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month in your church.
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Attention Clergy -Register now for pre-retirement workshop this fall
All clergy looking to retire in the next year are encouraged to attend a pre-retirement workshop. The next workshop is scheduled to be held in-person on Friday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool, NY. It may be moved to a virtual format if there is a rise in COVID positivity rates.
Join Upper New York Benefits Administrator Julie Valeski and Wespath representatives Robert Christophel and Todd Creviston for this workshop that highlights and explains the benefits available through The United Methodist Church to retiring clergy. They’ll discuss the current pension plan, health insurance options, Social Security, and any moving assistance available.
Registration is open through Oct. 28, 2022. If you are seeking to have a private consultation with a benefits educator, you can indicate that on the registration page.
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Equitable Compensation Application for Jan.-June 2023 available
The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period Jan. to June 2023. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full-time appointment.
To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the directions provided. Completed applications should be submitted to your District Superintendent by the Oct. 14, 2022 deadline.
Click here for more information and the application.
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NOTE: Unadilla UMC will be a drop-off site in our Oneonta district. -
The Unadilla UMC is open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 9 -11 for drop-off.
Please contact Barb Rothenberg at
email:[email protected] , (H) 607-988-0192 or (C) 607-267-3015 to make other arrangements to drop off items.
The trip is planned for Nov. 28 with the packing of the trucks on Saturday, Nov. 26.
The need for shoe-boxes filled with personal hygiene supplies, backpacks, new blankets and sheet sets, and diapers are in great need this year. The need for used clothing is not a critical need at this time as their warehouse is full. The planning team will still take new clothes as they can be used at the Community Outreach Center for distribution.
Your help in this project is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, David Alexander can be reached by email, or you can call 607-743-8955.
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Local District News & Happenings |
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This Friday - First UMC Of Unadilla NY invites YOU, your FAMILY, your FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS to our THIRD Christian Coffeehouse:
“MUSIC ON MAIN STREET”
Featuring: “SONSHINE”
Friday, September 23rd
6:30 pm in our Church Dining Room
FREE Event will be catered with your favorite beverages & light dessert refreshments
SONSHINE started in December of 1975, as a worship band at Pierce Creek Gospel Chapel in Binghamton. Playing at churches of many different denominations soon followed. While the band disbanded in 1985, they now, 35+ years later will re-unite from several areas of the US for our event and a one-time awesome concert 9/24 at 9:00AM for the Apple Fest in Greene, NY. DO NOT miss our incredible & historic event!
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Drop Bible study weekly every Wednesday
Richmondville UMC at 10am
Worcester UMC at 6pm
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NEW- The Smyrna UMC has 2…. 3 ft by 20 in. kid’s tables and roughly 18 kids chairs,they would like to donate to a church. If anyone could use them you can call Ada at 607-627-6774.
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Morris UMC has 5 banners that they no longer need. They are about 30 inches wide and about 4 feet long. We are glad for anyone to come and get them. If you are interested, you can contact Penny Harrington at 607-215-4900 to arrange for picking them up. (see pictures below)
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UMY Mission Central Hub News |
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NOTICE: Please direct all questions regarding the Mission Central HUB to:
Kristina Clark
Director of Missional Engagement
Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
Direct Line: 315.898.2066
Cell: 570.267.5711
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NEW- UNY Menstrual Hygiene Kit drive
The Upper New York’s Mission Central HUB is partnering with Pastor Theresa Eggleston to advocate and care for women’s health needs. Theresa is a commissioned Deacon and as part of her ordination process, she will be collecting Menstrual Hygiene Kits to distribute to local organizations working with refugees. Menstrual Hygiene Kits were recently introduced by UMCOR as part of the kit ministries. Read more about the kits here and review the supply list here.
According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, over one-third of low-income women report missing work, school, or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies. A quarter of all minority women strongly agree that they’ve struggled to afford period products in the past year. Our prayer is this supply drive will not only help local women, but also raise awareness of this public health crisis.
The kit drive will take place from Sept. 25 – Oct. 16 and we invite individuals and congregations across the Conference to participate by either collecting supplies in person or purchasing items from our Amazon Wishlist that will then be delivered directly to the HUB. You can review and purchase from the wishlist here.
If you or your church is interested in participating in the drive or have questions, please contact Theresa Eggleston at [email protected] or Director of Missional Engagement, Kristina Clark, at [email protected].
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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Zoom book study open to all
Facilitators in the Mountain View District are offering a seven-week book study on “A Disciple’s Path: Deepening your relationship with Christ and the Church,” will be offered through ZOOM on Thursdays, beginning Sept. 15. Click here for details.
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Safe Sanctuaries 3.5 hour basic training
(this training is for all Clergy, and anyone working with children, youth or vulnerable adults)
Saturday, November 5, 2022
9:00 am - 12:30pm
Registration Opens October 5, 2022 @ Midnight
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Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers -TOT
(this training is for anyone who would like to become a church or district Safe Sanctuaries trainer
in the Upper New York Conference.
Must have completed 3.5 hour basic Training prior to taking the TOT Training.)
Saturday, October 22, 2022
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Registration Opens September 22, 2022 @ Midnight
For more information regarding Safe Sanctuaries please visit our website:
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Register Now- Oneonta District Lay Servant Courses Planned
We have dates and courses scheduled for the Fall.
Save the dates: Sat. Oct. 15th & 22nd at Elm Park UMC in Oneonta.
The courses offered will be:
(These are abbreviated titles)
Join us for some fellowship and training. It's been a long time since we've been together and we look forward to seeing you all! And please let others know about Lay Servant training opportunities.
Cathy Honrath (Oneonta District Lay Servant Ministry Chair)
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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.
Click here for a complete catalogue of recorded courses.
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Camp and Retreat Ministry (CRM) NEWS |
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Fall Retreats at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center
Autumn is the perfect time to retreat to the woods.
Reserve your spot today!
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Soul Escape: Oct. 14th-16th
Come away from all your obligations and embrace nature’s pace. We’ll offer a few optional activities with spaces for solitude and connection. More info & to register: https://churchinthewild.org/oct22/
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The following job openings are posted on the Upper New York website...
1) Reservations Specialist for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
2) Seasonal Camp Staff
If you are interested in applying, please apply online through our website. Please contact Tracy Rickett with any questions. Thank you.
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NEW- Laity Sunday resources
Laity Sunday is observed each year on the third Sunday in October — Oct. 16 this year. The United Methodist Church celebrates the ministry and witness of laypersons everywhere through a special service. The Greater New Jersey Conference's Breakthrough Worship ministry is offering a Laity Sunday sermon series, complete with worship and preaching suggestions as well as graphics for social media. The theme is Rise up and Testify to God’s Grace.
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NEW- Recognizing Indigenous People’s Day
An Act of Repentance & Healing of Relationships with Indigenous Persons was held as part of the 2015 Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference. In the words adopted by the delegates present “be it resolved that ‘Columbus Day’ will no longer be recognized by the people of The Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.” This change has occurred throughout the country as individuals, organizations, and governments move away from honoring Christopher Columbus, who treated Native Peoples cruelly and inhumanely, and move to a place of honoring Native Peoples.
Click here for more information as to why this recognition is important and for a liturgy to be used at your Oct. 9 (the Sunday prior to Indigenous People’s Day).
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NEW- The spiritual practice Lectio Divina, revisited
Throughout 2022, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius is offering opportunities to engage in spiritual practices each month with video discussion and instruction. These videos invite you into ways of exploring, engaging, and nurturing your relationship with God.
This week, Rev. Dibelius revisits the spiritual practice Lectio Divina. This spiritual practice has the following steps: read a Bible scripture out loud, slowly, several times; prayerfully reflect or meditate on a particular phrase in the passage that spoke to you; pray to God about the phrase; sit and be contemplative, and give thanks for the opportunity to be present with God.
This practice is not about analyzing a Bible scripture; it’s about God’s invitation to you this day.
Click here to watch the video of this practice, which uses Psalm 139:1-5.
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Local Church Record Retention handbook
Click here for a document titled "Guidelines for Managing Records of the Local Church." It is a handbook on record retention.
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Handbook of spiritual practices
Click here for a handbook of spiritual practices, written by the Rev. Nancy Dibelius.
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Download the #BeUMC discussion guide
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FAQs from “Ask The UMC”
Ask The UMC has been answering an increasing number of questions from congregations wondering about the future of The United Methodist Church and whether they should consider disaffiliating from it. Among these have been some recurrent questions that reflect misperceptions or misinformation that some congregations are receiving as they are discerning their next steps.
Click here to learn more from the first article that Ask the UMC has published in what will become part of a series.
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Dismantling Racism Resource: Daily prayers for anti-racism
Click here to learn more, read some of the payers, and subscribe.
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Start the day with Debbie
The Adirondack and Albany District Superintendent, Debbie Earthrowl shares a devotion via Facebook Live at 7:30 AM every Monday through Saturday. The devotions are also posted on her Facebook page and the Adirondack District Facebook page, so you can tune in at any time. I personally find this an inspirational way to start the day. I trust you will, as well. To view, click here: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.earthrowl
or
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Mission Insite free to churches
A reminder that 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.
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Learn from the comfort of your couch!
Click here to find upcoming as well as archived webinars.
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United Methodist Communications Offering Free Resources for Fall Outreach
Click here to view the resources and order using coupon code UMCFA22 for $300 worth of free resources!
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New church Trustees and SPRC resources
Click here to watch these helpful recordings and access the useful resources.
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GCFA Offers Clergy Housing Allowance Explained
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Scriptural reflections for mental health
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Crash courses in youth ministry
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Focusing on discipleship
The mission of the United Methodist Church is creating disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. So, what is a disciple?
The Upper New York Conference has updated our website to better highlight the focus of our Conference—the tab for “our focus” is on our homepage— https://www.unyumc.org. In this section we list six characteristics that define a disciple of Jesus Christ. Click here to read “Our Focus.”
Another great resource to learn more about creating disciples is the See all the People website, which is a movement to “stop fixing our church and start seeing all the people Christ calls us to reach.” #Seealllthepeople has dozens of resources on creating intentional discipleship systems and methods of building relationships.
Click here to learn more about the #SeeallthePeople movement and watch their four-minute video that defines a “disciple.”
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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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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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The September 2022 Media Resource Center newsletter
The Media Resource Center is a free lending library supported through your Ministry Share dollars. There are a multitude of DVD studies, curriculum, and support materials for your use. Resources are available to help with small group studies, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, church-wide studies, and special events. Click here for the online ordering catalog. Please allow for a timely response as the Resource Center is staffed on a part-time basis.
Each month, the Media Resource Center publishes a newsletter with updates and study suggestions. Click here to access the September newsletter.
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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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Disaffiliation Information-From Wespath
Understanding Pension Liabilities-For Local Churches Considering Disaffiliation
Watch this video for easy-to-understand answers to complex questions related to pension plan funding and the withdrawal liability payment required for local churches that disaffiliate from the UMC.
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Disaffiliating from the UNY Conference and the UMC
During the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference held virtually in June of 2021, the body passed Resolution UNYAC2021.7 which created a Study Commission to examine the readiness in the UNYUMC for the Implementation of the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.
Last fall, the UNY Study Commission issued surveys to clergy and congregations in the UNY Conference about the Protocol. Despite there only being a 30 percent response rate, some congregations and clergy did report that if the Protocol passes, they will leave the United Methodist Church. Click here to read the survey report.
Earlier this month, the Global Methodist Church announced that it will launch on May 1, 2022. Click here to read the announcement.
Given these changes, the Conference Board of Trustees anticipated there would be congregations who might now desire to explore disaffiliation.
Click here to read an article that outlines the disaffiliation process.
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Reminder: Sexual Harassment training mandatory
New York State required sexual harassment annual training prevention reminder
New York State Law requires that employers who have at least one or more employees must conduct sexual harassment prevention training for all employees on a yearly basis. The timing of when to hold the yearly training is up to the employer as long as it is completed annually. A notice of the employer’s sexual harassment policy must be provided to all employees during this time and the employer should maintain records of the training for audit purposes.
Safe Sanctuaries training does not exempt churches from the New York State sexual harassment prevention training requirements.
Click here to learn more about what’s required in the training, how to create a sexual harassment policy if you haven’t already, and free training opportunities offered by New York City that satisfy the state’s requirements.
If you have questions, you can contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist in the Conference Office at (315) 898-2017 or via email at [email protected]
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Don't Wait, Get Your Federal Tax Exemption Letter!
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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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On the Conference calendar
Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 25: The Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell installation service - DETAILS
Sept. 30: Mustard Seed Migration Grant application deadline - DETAILS
Oct. 2: The Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood installation service - DETAILS
Oct. 2: World Communion Sunday - DETAILS
Oct. 6-8: Virtual Annual Conference - DETAILS
Oct. 12: Indigenous People’s Day
Oct. 14: Equitable Compensation Application Deadline - DETAILS
Oct. 16: Laity Sunday
Nov. 11: Pre-retirement Workshop 10-3 p.m. - DETAILS
Nov. 19: Bishop Webb Farewell Gathering 1- 4p.m.
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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
Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell- District Superintendent
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(Physical address) Oneonta District Office 64 Chestnut St. Oneonta, NY 13820
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