Oneonta District 
 of the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church
January 19th, 2023 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]
Save the Date for Regional meetings with Bishop Héctor

As of January 1, 2023, Bishop Héctor Burgos, who prefers to be addressed as Bishop Héctor, is the new bishop of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. Bishop Héctor is eager to meet laity and clergy throughout the Conference and has scheduled dates for regional meetings.

The meetings will be as follows:
·    February 9, 2023 – Lakes Region–Leroy UMC
·    February 16, 2023 -Northeast Region–New Hartford
·    March 1, 2023 – Lakes Region–Auburn UMC
·    March 2, 2023 – Northeast Region–Plattsburgh UMC
·    March 15, 2023 – Southern Tier Region—Olean: Christ
·    March 16, 2023 – Southern Tier Region—Central Endicott
 
The clergy meetings will be from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
 
The laity meeting (and clergy unable to attend the earlier time) will be from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.
Request for EQ Members for Annual Conferences 2023
 
Please CLICK the link below to find the 2023 Oneonta District Equalization Member Application for Annual Conference. 
 
Please read the application carefully as it has changed from last year. This year there will be three (3) sessions that our EQ Members will need to attend. There will be two (2) virtual sessions - Saturday March 25th and Saturday October 14th - in addition to an IN PERSON session to be held June 1 - 3, 2023 at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.
 
Applications are to be received in the district office no later than
Wed. February 1st, 2023.
 
 Each session will have a separate registration process and cost associated with it. There will be NO COST for the March 25th session.
 
Thank you to all of you in advance for volunteering your time and energy in serving as an Oneonta District Lay Equalization Representative.
 
Any questions please contact the office.
Thanks
 
CLICK HERE for Application
Special Session, March 25th
via Zoom
The Upper New York Conference’s March 2023 Special Session of Annual Conference to consider disaffiliation requests will take place remotely on March 25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
 
Registration will open on Feb. 1, 2023, and close on March 10, 2023.
 
New! Notice to Equalization Members: Please know that if able, we hope you will continue to serve and participate in the Special Session. When registration opens please register as a district Equalization Member.
Important Reminders
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
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
2022-2023 Church/Charge Conference Annual Forms Due Dates
 
Past Due- deadline was Dec. 1st:
UPDATE ONLINE - DO NOT PRINT A COPY
Church Profile (https://uny.umcprofile.org
Pastor's Profile (https://uny.umcprofile.org)
 
Due by February. 15, 2023 (Mail completed & signed copy of each to the District Office) *
Report of Trustees
Report of Finance Committee
2022 Year End Financial Report
2023 Church Budget - Your church format

Due by March 15, 2023 (Mail completed copy of each to District Office)
2022 Statistical Report (complete online at http://stats.gcfa.org) *

The 2022-23 Church Conference forms are available to download from the UNY Conference website at: https://uny.umcprofile.org/

 Click here to download the 2022-23 Annual Report Form Checklist.

If you need help getting forms please contact Teresa at the district office. 
IMPORTANT NEWS-
Ezra is replaced by ACStats

Report your church year/end statistics on ACStats beginning Jan. 3, 2023. Please share this news with those in each church who work on statistical reporting.
 
Report your Church Statistics on ACStats
 
Annual Church Statistics (ACStats) is the one-stop location for United Methodist data that tracks membership, expenses, and income. It's designed to help churches submit year-end statistics to the Upper New York (UNY) Conference digitally in a way that's cost-effective.
 
This user-friendly platform replaces Ezra as the method of reporting your church statistics.
 
March 17, 2023, is the deadline to complete the 2022 statistical report for your church.
 
You can familiarize yourselves with the new ACStats platform by reviewing the user's guide for local churches. Translated reports are available in Spanish and Korean
 
Click here to learn more.
NEW NEWS
Employer legal updates for 2023
With the end of 2022 has come (and will come) significant legal changes. It’s hard to keep up-to-date on all the new workplace laws that are in effect. Tracy Rickett, the Upper New York Human Resources Generalist, has you covered!
 
Click here for laws related to posting requirements. Click here for three laws related to leave. Click here to learn the pay requirements for exempt employees and a new law requiring pay transparency. Click here to learn about the Human Rights Law update. Click here to learn about amendments to the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act.
 
With these many new requirements, now is a good time to dust off your handbooks and update them if you have not done so recently. Tracy Rickett is happy to draft or review any handbooks or other policies for legal compliance. You can contact her at [email protected] or (315) 898-2017.
‘Engage New People Grant’ available
  The Upper New York New Faith Communities' Team is excited to announce the “Engage New People Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working to Engage New People not already in their church/ministry. New Faith Communities Conference-wide purpose is to reach people outside the Church in new and contextual ways. 
Grants will be available up to $2,500 to help local churches and ministries. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis in 2023. Churches and ministries may apply for up to $2,500 during one calendar year. Please expect 60 days to review your application.
 
Click here to apply for the “Engage New People Grant.”
 
Upon completing the application, the New Faith Communities' team will reach out to the pastor/lead planter of the church and/or contact person listed to confirm your submission.
Applications now open for UMHEF scholarships
Paying for college can be stressful. For many families, affording higher education is the number one factor when deciding which school a student will attend.
 
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) scholarships help make it financially possible for qualifying students to obtain higher education, especially those attending United Methodist-related institutions. In rare cases, awards are also given to students attending other schools.
 
Click here to learn about the different types of scholarships available, eligibility requirements, and to apply. Most deadlines are around March 1.
Dr. Laura LeCours helps support pastors’ wellbeing
While congregants rely on pastors to help support their wellbeing, pastors are appreciative when members of their congregation look out for them and help them to take Sabbath, to take care of their physical, mental, and spiritual health.
 
Many congregations throughout the Upper New York Conference have members in their congregation who work in the medical field and because of their knowledge of what it takes to be healthy and well, they can be an excellent support for their pastors.
 
Dr. Laura LeCours is one of them; she has been a medical doctor for dozens of years. She is deeply rooted in her membership at Saratoga Springs UMC and intentionally supports their pastors and paves ways for them to restore their spirit.
 
Click here to read the full story, originally published in the 2022 Volume II edition of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness.
National Fund for Sacred Places now accepting applications
The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to more than $250,000 as well as wrap-around support services to congregations undertaking once-in-a-generation preservation projects. Click here to learn more or attend an introductory webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 12 p.m. EST to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your church would qualify for a grant. Click here to register for the webinar.
Featured Church: Jonesville United Methodist Church
There are 20 million people in the United States struggling with alcohol or drug addictions. There are another 20 million people living in recovery. Close to half of the U.S. population has a family member who is addicted to drugs and alcohol.
 
There are ministries in Upper New York that bring about an awareness of addiction. In addition, many offer support to those in recovery as well as those affected by a loved one’s addiction.
 
Jonesville United Methodist Church’s Stigma Takes Away Hope and Life (STAHL) ministry and its Alcoholism and Addiction Family Recovery Resource Center is an amazing example of such a ministry.
 
On Thursday Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., Jonesville will host a “Recovery Speakers Night." Dr. Bill will speak about the disease of alcohol or other drug abuse. Lee-Ann, a child of an alcoholic will be speaking about the family devastation that occurs when living with or loving someone who has the deadly disease of a substance use disorder.
 
If you can't attend in person, the event will be streamed on their Facebook page, and it can be viewed the evening of the event on our JUMC Facebook or at a later date when time is readily available.
Local District News & Happenings
12-Week Class - Taught by Pastor Paul
(At Sidney UMC/On Zoom)

(Contact Pastor Paul Winkelman for more info - [email protected] or 315-329-4071)

Week # 1 – Tuesday – January 10th – 4:30 pm
Week # 2 – (No Class This Week)
Week # 3 – Tuesday – January 24th – 4:30 pm
Week # 4 – Tuesday – January 31st – 4:30 pm
Week # 5 – Tuesday – February 7th – 4:30 pm
Week # 6 – Tuesday – February 14th – 4:30 pm
Week # 7 – Tuesday – February 21st – 4:30 pm
Week # 8 – Tuesday – February 28th – 4:30 pm
Week # 9 – Tuesday – March 7th – 4:30 pm
Week # 10 – (No Class This Week)
Week # 11 – Tuesday – March 21st – 4:30 pm
Week # 12 – Tuesday – March 28th – 4:30 pm
 
(Books available in Sidney UMC Church Office)
Training & Education Opportunities
SPRC Workshop Offered with DS Debbie Earthrowl- Open to All

All Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee members are invited to a time of training, to be led by District Superintendent Debbie Earthrowl. 
 
Whether you have been serving, or are new to the committee, you are encouraged to be a part of this training.
 
The 2020’s, as much as, or more than any other time in the past few decades, is a time when the ministry of this committee is vital to the health of the church. 
 
This is so important that I am asking that each committee try to ensure that two or more committee members attend one of the sessions offered. (Committee members only need to attend one of these sessions, because they will be fairly identical, except for the different questions that might be asked at each.) All sessions will be offered in person and via zoom.
 
January 24th, 2023 @ 1:00 p.m. at Potsdam UMC 26 Main Street Potsdam, NY or 6:30 p.m. @ Watertown Asbury 327 Franklin Street Watertown NY.
 
The link is below.
 
Please RSVP to Tammy in the District Office if you're able to attend. (315) 535-5149 or [email protected]
 
Topic: SPRC Training
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 868 0548 8896
Passcode: 850304
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,86805488896#,,,,*850304# US (New York)
+16469313860,,86805488896#,,,,*850304# US
NEW- LEARNING AND GROWING OPPORTUNITY
 
A DISCIPLE’S HEART: GROWING IN LOVE AND GRACE
A Book Study and Discussion Group
by James Harnish with Justin Larosa
 
 
Discipleship in the Methodist tradition affirms that there is always more work for God to do in the human heart. Our focus in this study circle is the ongoing transformation of the heart that happens as the love of God that came to us in Jesus takes up residence in us, enabling us to become agents of God’s transforming love at work in the world.
 
Thursday, February 2nd @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, February 16th @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, March 2nd @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, March 16th @ 7:00-8:30 PM                           
Thursday, March 30th @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, April 13th @ 7:00-8:30 PM
 
All Sessions will be held on Zoom. Please email one of the facilitators to register. There will be no registration fee, but participants (lay or clergy) need to purchase their own book.
 
Facilitators
Wendy Zepp: [email protected]
Ann Welch Wood: [email protected]
 
 
 “…the followers of Jesus mature in faith by learning together in community, often with people whose life experiences are very different from their own.” - Robert Schnase, 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations
2023 Safe Sanctuaries schedule announced
 
The UNY Safe Sanctuaries Team has schedule four 3.5 hour Zoom basic trainings in 2023. There are also two Training of Trainers sessions scheduled.
 
The Basic trainings will be held from 9 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturdays Feb. 4, May 6, Aug. 5 and Nov. 4. The Training of Trainers will be held from 9 AM to Noon on Saturdays March 4 and Oct. 7.
 
The Basic training is for all clergy and anyone working with children or vulnerable adults. The Training of Trainers is for anyone who would like to become a church or District Safe Sanctuaries trainer in the UNY Conference. You need to have taken the Basic Training first.
 
If you need training between these dates, or would like to host an in-person training, send an email to the Safe Sanctuaries team ([email protected])
 
Registration for the February training will open Jan. 4. Look for the link in upcoming announcements.
 
For more information regarding Safe Sanctuaries, visit the Conference website: Click here.
 
To view the poster, click here.
 
A Basic Training for Camp and Retreat Ministries only will be held via Zoom on June 10. To view the poster, click here.

for information regarding Safe Sanctuaries please visit our website:
Advanced Lay Servant Course -  Public Prayer

Facilitator – Rev. Brandi Craver
Date: Sunday, January 22, 2023
         Sunday, January 29, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: Newark Valley UMC
                63 South Main Street, Newark Valley, NY 13811
Required book: Shaping the Prayers of the People – The Art of Intercession
                        By Samuel Wells & Abigail Kocher
 
Attendance is limited to 8 attendees
Course fee is $15.00 - Books are extra
Make checks payable to UNYAC
 
Participants are expected to read the book in its entirety prior to the first class
 
Please contact Pastor Brandi at (607)761-3688 or e-mail your registration to brandilynne.craver@gmail.com to reserve your seat.
 
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________

Church: ________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________ Cell Phone: _________________________

E-mail:______________________________________________
 
Books are available at the Binghamton District Office (call 607-748-0662) Cokesbury or Amazon 
Resources for Books:
Adirondack District Offering Lay Servant Courses via Zoom

Open to All

Youth 2023 in Daytona Beach this July

COVID-19 has made it difficult for youth ministries to remain as strong as they would like, but here is a chance to change that. Youth 2023 is a special event to be held in Daytona Beach from July 25-28, 2023.
 
Youth 2023 will be jam-packed with interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and fellowship time. Adults who bring youth to the event can expect inspiration and support. While you are at this event, you will grow closer to God and get many chances to authentically experience what it means to be part of the United Methodist Church.
 
The registration deadline is May 31, 2023.
 
If you register before December 30, each member of your attending group (including adults) is eligible for a special scholarship from CCYM. To be eligible, please send a copy of your registration to Tony Hipes at [email protected] or by mail to 50 Saint Helena Street, Perry, NY 14530.
 
Click here for more information and the registration link.
Clergy Education
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:
Betsy O’Flynn, [email protected]
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.

Click here for a list of all upcoming courses
News Revisited
Scholarships Available for
United Methodist Students!
 
Applications are now open for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Every year, UMHEF awards $2+ million
to students planning to attend one of the 100+ UM-related colleges, universities, and seminaries across the country.
Don’t let finances get in the way of achieving your dreams of a
quality education! Apply by March 1 at https://umhef.org/apply
BSA Affiliation Agreement

Troops and local congregations seeking to continue or start a relationship will need to complete a new “BSA Affiliation Agreement” and “Facilities Use & Indemnity Agreement.” Click here to download the BSA Affiliation Agreement. Click here to download the Facilities Use & Indemnity Agreement.  
 
All UNY local congregations seeking to be in relationship with a local troop should use these and only these forms. 
 
In most areas, the affiliation agreements and facility use agreements are being implemented and the implementation is going well. There are BSA Councils that are not cooperating in a few Conferences and as the BSA learns of these, they reach out to those Councils to address issues.
 
If you are encountering such issues, please contact Jeffrey Hunt [email protected] of BSA, who oversees the BSA Councils across the United States.
Sabbath Life retreats offered by Church in the Wild
starting in March

Sabbath Life was developed in 2014 by the Rev. Grace Hackney and wellness advocate Kelli Sittser using a one-year grant from the Duke Endowment. Since then, hundreds of pastors and spiritual leaders have attended these series of monthly one-day retreats with a focus on learning and developing a Sabbath practice, connecting with God in Creation, and connecting with others. Church in the Wild is excited to bring Sabbath Life to Upper New York!
 
Sabbath Life retreats will be held the second Monday of each month from March through November 2023 at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (April will be the third Monday).
 
Click here for more information.
The Buffalo 10 Scholarship—just the beginning
Eighty-five percent of Black Buffalonians live on the East side of the city, where the racially motivated mass murder took place at the Tops grocery store on May 14, 2022.

The Upper New York (UNY) Conference has a team of Buffalo-area clergy who are working together to support these residents.

The first step is the Buffalo 10 Scholarship. Dr. Scott Johnson, Pastor Angela Stewart, the Rev. George Nicholas, the Rev. Raquel Alston, and the Rev. Tanya Spencer are all pastors at local churches in Buffalo. These pastors along with Buffalo area resident and Conference Commission on Religion and Race member, Charles Syms, submitted a petition at the 2022 UNY Annual Conference on Oct. 6, 2022, requesting the creation of a Buffalo 10 Scholarship to honor the 10 Black residents that were killed at the Tops local market on May 14, 2022.

This petition called for the UNY Conference to establish a scholarship in the name of the Buffalo 10 for students from the 14208 zip-code attending college. This petition was supported by 93.6 percent of the Annual Conference body.

Click here to read more about the initiative UNY clergy has initiated to help give a voice to residents on the East Side of Buffalo.

Click here to donate to the Buffalo 10 Scholarship fund.
Wesley Heritage Tour 2024
 
Join Pastor Brett Johnson on the trip of a lifetime to visit John and Charles Wesley’s homeland of England. We will be visiting sites of great importance to United Methodists, including the Wesleys’ hometown of Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, and worship in the Wesley Chapel in London.
 
We will also be stopping at Stonehenge and Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Tour dates are July 13-22, 2024. Please use the following link to register: https://portal.myfaithjourneys.com/ and use group code 24002.
 
Contact Rev. Brett Johnson, [email protected], with any questions.
UMY Mission Central Hub News
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
You can find a list of the Conference Advanced Specials at the following Link: https://www.unyumc.org/mission/conference-advance-specials
UNY Job Postings
Job Openings in the Upper New York Conference
Maintenance Supervisor at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Windsor, NY.

Site Director at Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center located in Moravia, NY,

Click here for Current job opening descriptions and to apply online. or go to ... https://www.unyumc.org/about/jobs

NEW! Job Opening for a Director of Communications. 
The Upper New York Conference has posted a job opening to the website. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask candidates to apply online through our website. 

Director of Communications
 
 
 
For questions: please contact Tracy Rickett,
Human Resources Generalist
Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church
Direct Line: 315.898.2017
Resources
ANNUAL CAMPAIGNS
 
Stewardship with Rev. Susan Ranous
 
 CLERGY TAX

We are at the beginning of a new year. Of course, in the church world, the appointment year started July 1st. The church year started at the beginning of Advent, but the rest of the “world” looks at January as the beginning of a new year.
 
In the “world of taxes”, look at December 31st as the end of the year, and realize that what has happened before is going to affect what goes on in the new year. Taxes, tax forms, etc. all come into play.
 
Now that the 2022 year has finished, you will be receiving a W-2 form, reporting your taxable wages, any housing allowances and exclusions, and any federal or state income taxes that you had withheld. What has been and has been reported will be used to prepare your income tax returns. There’s really no chance to make any changes that will help you at this point.
 
However, now is the time to work your tax professional to do a projection for 2023, and see what you can do to minimize any payments you have to make.
·    Should you have federal and state income taxes withheld from your paychecks?
·    Should you pay quarterly estimated taxes?
·    Have you claimed enough as housing allowance/housing exclusions?
·    What is the amount of self-employment tax you’ll have to pay, and how can you spread out the payment of those taxes?
·    Are you tracking your business expenses, submitting them to the church for reimbursement, and providing unreimbursed amounts to your tax preparer?
·    Are you tracking your “business” mileage?
 
All of these questions are important to consider and answer and work on now while you can make changes and decisions that will help you for 2023!    
      
----Please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or [email protected] if you’d like to talk about mission and money in your local church. I have some great ideas to help you understand where you are and were you’re going!
New- Special Sunday planning calendar
 
Planning weekly services takes a lot of intentional work. Finding ways to incorporate special moments outside the normal rhythm takes even more work. The 2023 Special Sunday planning calendar can help make your worship planning just a bit easier. It highlights all the Special Sundays, Awareness Sundays, and Annual Conference Sundays throughout the denomination. The calendar offers tips and tools to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities for your church to come together and make a worldwide impact.
 
Click here to download your calendar.
New- Ways to support your pastor across five areas of well-being
Good health is a foundation for effective pastoral leadership. Congregations can do a lot to support their pastor’s health and well-being in all its dimensions—physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial—and thereby also support the mission and ministry of the congregation.
 
Click here to explore dozens of ideas from this Wespath resource that was published in our 2022 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness.
New- Social Holiness podcasts now on the UNY Conference website

The Common Table podcasts are now on the Upper New York Conference website. Common Table podcast host, the Rev. Robin Blair, of the UNY Conference Social Holiness team, speaks with a wide array of experts on issues that deal with social justice. Each episode is about 30 minutes long.
 
There are currently three Common Table podcasts posted on our website. The first is about Peace with Justice in Israel Palestine. The second is about understanding differences and learning shared values. And the third is about domestic violence awareness, support, and prevention.
 
Click here to listen to these episodes.
 
And stay tuned for the UNY Communications team to bring more podcasts to you in 2023!
GCSRW celebrates 50 years of ministry with launch of new resource
The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women is marking its 50th anniversary with the release of the Welcoming a Woman Pastor learning module. The self-paced, online resource guides local churches through the onboarding, orientation, and set-up process when introducing a female pastor appointed to serve their congregation.

Click here to learn more.
The Church Wellness Checkup Information
We believe a Vital Congregation is the body of Christ making and
engaging grace-filled
Christ Followers, who put faith into action.
A Vital Congregation…
Worships with passion
Nurtures and grows disciples
Engages in mission and outreach to their community
Gives generously to the mission and ministries of the church
 
The Church Wellness Checkup is a tool to help your congregation
become more faithful in
partnering with God in bringing the Kingdom of God to fruition.
 
Click Here for More Resources
The Media Resource Center is a free lending library funded by designated donations and run by a dedicated volunteer group. 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 December newsletter.

News To Know
Bishop Héctor announces clergy appointments

Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Nuñez and the Upper New York Conference announce 14 ad interim appointments and 12 retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
No new elections needed for GC2024
 
The United Methodist Church’s highest court ruled that new delegate elections “are not required” for the long-delayed and potentially pivotal General Conference, now set for 2024.
 
What this means is that the Upper New York (UNY) Conference delegates that were elected at the 2019 UNY Annual Conference for the originally slotted 2020 General Conference will be able to serve at the 2024 General Conference. There is no need for new elections.
 
The location and dates for the 2024 General Conference have also been announced—the event will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina from April 23, 2024 to May 3, 2024.
Click here to read more.
Certificates of Insurance for your Church
Please refer to the link below to obtain a certificate of insurance for your church - they are only good for one year.
Please refer any questions to Tracy Rickett at the
conference office 315-898-2017
 
CLICK HERE for the instructions
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.
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.

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]
Don't Wait, Get Your Federal Tax Exemption Letter! 
 
You can visit www.umgroupruling.org to get started.

On the Calendar !
On the Conference calendar

Feb. 1: Registration opens for March Special Session of Annual Conference - DETAILS
 
Feb. 1: National Fund for Sacred Places 12 p.m. webinar - DETAILS
 
Feb. 9: Regional Meeting with Bishop Héctor: Lakes Region– Leroy UMC - DETAILS
 
Feb. 9: "Recovery Speakers Night" beginning at 7 p.m. at Jonesville UMC - STREAMING LINK
 
Feb. 16: Regional Meeting with Bishop Héctor: Northeast Region–New Hartford - DETAILS
 
Feb. 20: Presidents’ Day: Conference, Episcopal, and Crossroads District offices closed
 
March 1: Regional Meeting with Bishop Héctor: Lakes Region– Auburn UMC - DETAILS
 
March 2: Regional Meeting with Bishop Héctor: Northeast Region– Plattsburgh UMC - DETAILS
 
March 10: Regional Meeting with Bishop Héctor: 10 a.m. Zoom with Extension Ministries
 
March: 15: Registration closes for March Special Session of Annual Conference
 
March 15: Regional Meeting with Bishop Héctor: Southern Tier Region— Olean: Christ - DETAILS
 
March 16: Regional Meeting with Bishop Héctor: Southern Tier Region— Central Endicott - DETAILS
 
March 25: Special Session of Annual Conference - DETAILS
Contact Information
  Oneonta District Office
66 Chestnut Street Oneonta NY 13820 - Physical Address (Second Floor)

Mailing Address
Oneonta District Office of the UMC
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St. Oneonta, NY 13820
Phone: (607) 441-5102   FAX: 607-353-1034   Email: [email protected]
 
Upper New York Annual Conference
7481 Henry Clay Blvd,
Liverpool, NY 13088
Phone: (315) 898-2000 Fax: (315) 898-2027

Bishop's Office
7481 Henry Clay Blvd,
Liverpool, NY 13088
Phone: (315) 898-2020 Fax: (315) 898-2150 
Your Partners in Ministry at the Oneonta District Office
"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."    
 
Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell- District Superintendent

Teresa Wood, - Administration- [email protected]
Rev. George Gallandorm- District Associate - [email protected]
Anna Buell,- District Lay Leader - [email protected]
Cathy Honrath- District Lay Servant Director- [email protected]