December 15th, 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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Please Note: The Oneonta District Office will be closed from
Thurs., Dec. 22nd through Mon. Dec. 26th. We will return your emails and phone messages when we return on Tues. Dec. 27th.
There will be no weekly newsletter next week.
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Merry Christmas from Bishop Webb
This December, as we celebrate Advent, we also say goodbye to Bishop Mark J. Webb as the Area Resident bishop of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. Bishop Webb retires from the UNY Conference on Dec. 31.
In his final annual Christmas video, Bishop Webb thanks laity and clergy across the Conference for what he calls the “privilege” of being able to partner in mission with them.
And as he has done each year, Bishop Webb offers an inspiring message, asking you to allow God to give you new eyes to see the amazing grace offered through the person of Jesus Christ.
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Bishop Hector Welcomes You
Get excited for Upper New York’s new bishop, Bishop Héctor Burgos who will begin on Jan. 1, 2023. He wants to be on a first-name basis with you, so he asks that you call him Bishop Héctor.
Bishop Héctor is thrilled with the strong missional foundation we have in Upper New York!
He has five priorities when working among the clergy and laity of our Conference.
Click here to watch his video, giving you a warm welcome and outlining his priorities.
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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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2022-2023 Church/Charge Conference Annual Forms Due Dates
Past Due- deadline was Dec. 1st:
UPDATE ONLINE - DO NOT PRINT A COPY
Due February 15th. 2023
Report of Trustees
Report of Finance Committee
2022 Year End Financial Report
2023 Church Budget - Your church format
2022 Statistical Reports - to be entered online- Link to be provided
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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IMPORTANT NEWS-
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; however, you cannot enter any data to the 2022 statistics tables until Jan. 3, 2023.
In the meantime, you may familiarize yourselves with the new ACStats platform by reviewing the user's guide for local churches. Translated reports are available in Spanish and Korean.
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Spiritual wellness themed Advocate published
The past few years have been difficult for everyone. They have been especially difficult for pastors who are juggling sermon preparation, meetings, hospital visits, funerals, weddings, and so much more within a global pandemic!
The Upper New York Conference communications ministry is proud to announce the publication of the 2022 Issue 2 of the Advocate, which focuses on the theme of spiritual wellness. In this issue, you will find personal stories and a plethora of resources that may help lead you on the path to a point where you can proclaim, “It is well with my soul!”
Click here to view the electronic version of the Advocate.
Print copies will be arriving in local churches within the next couple of weeks.
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Local District News & Happenings |
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Elm Park UMC -Christmas Cantata
Sunday, Dec.18th Worship Service at 9:30am
All are welcome.
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Come join us at Elm Park UMC
for A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Christmas Eve Candlelit Service
Saturday, December 24 at 7pm
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Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022 AT 6 PM
at Sidney United Methodist Church
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Sidney UMC - 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Service
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2022 AT 7 PM
At Sidney United Methodist Church
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Sidney UMC - 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2022 AT 11 PM
At Sidney United Methodist Church
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Bible study for Advent at Richmondville & Worcester UMCs
Richmondville UMC - Wednesdays at 10 am in the fellowship hall
Dates: Nov. 30th, Dec. 7th, Dec. 14th, Dec. 21st
Worcester UMC - Tuesdays at 6pm in the fellowship Hall.
Dates: Nov. 29th, Dec. 6th,Dec. 13th, Dec. 20th
Lead by Pastor Russ Underwood
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Bishop Webb’s top five tips for prevailing as a Conference
At his Nov. 19, 2022, farewell gathering at the UNY Conference Center, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, offered five tips to keep the mission of the United Methodist Church alive.
These are his tips:
1. Keep chasing after Jesus individually and corporately. Keep knowing the depth of God’s love for you and seek a deeper love for Jesus.
2. Be kind and compassionate to one another. Don’t make each other enemies. See the best in each other. “God’s call isn’t dependent on what the symbol on your shirt is; we’re all partners in ministry no matter what the future holds—we’re all going to be together in the place called Glory!”
3. Don’t allow anything to be a substitute for the Truth of the Word of God.
4. Stay focused on the reason we’re here. The purpose of the Church is to help one more person say “yes” to following Jesus.
5. Be a bold and courageous follower of Jesus Christ.
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Sabbath Life is a 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. Retreats will be held the second Monday of each month from March through November at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center from 10am to 4pm. (April will be the third Monday.) Click here for more information and to register: https://churchinthewild.org/sabbathlife/
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Good news from Global Ministries and UMCOR
One of the beautiful elements of the United Methodist Church is the Connection. Your Ministry Shares and direct donations have supported Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to help people all over the world. Your love and giving has helped strengthen global health systems, rebuild communities impacted by natural disasters and wars, empower missionaries, and so much more.
Click here for an encouraging e-magazine from Global Ministries.
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Jan. 14 Gestalt Pastoral Care webinar and in-person event
Co-director of the Mountain View District Lay Servant Ministry and Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister, Deaconess Susan Sihan, RN, is offering a Zoom webinar on an Introduction to Gestalt Pastoral Care on Jan. 14 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. She is offering the same workshop in-person at Odessa UMC from 2- 4 p.m. on Jan. 14.
Gestalt Pastoral Care is a model of healing ministry that integrates our spiritual practices of prayer and meditation with awareness of our body to explore the root experiences causing physical and emotional dis-ease.
Click here to learn more about Gestalt Pastoral Care.
Call Susan at 607-703-0010 for registration and more information.
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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.
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UNY Everyday Disaster grant opportunity
The Upper New York Mission Central HUB is excited to announce the “Everyday Disaster Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working in their community to fight everyday (socioeconomic) disasters. These disasters might include, but are not limited to: food insecurity, addiction, racial injustice, violence, or lack of affordable housing.
This funding opportunity is intended to connect, build relationships, and celebrate the impactful outreaches that are happening throughout the Upper New York Conference and are playing a vital role in creating disciples that transform the world. We can't wait to hear the difference you are making in your community!
The grant application will be open from 11/1/22 – 12/31/22. Grant recipients will be announced in February 2023. Please send all questions to Kristina Clark, Director of Upper New York Mission Central HUB, at [email protected].
The grant application is now open and can be viewed by clicking here.
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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.
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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.
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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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How You Can Help Those Affected by Hurricane Ian
United Methodists plan to lead the way to recovery after Hurricane Ian unleashed substantial damage in Florida and South Carolina. At this time, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has asked for prayers, monetary donations to UMCOR, and for congregations to continue assembling supply kits.
There are so many ways to help!
Click here for monetary donations to go directly to UMCOR.
Click here to access kit supply lists and instructions.
You can also bring the kits and/or appropriate supplies directly to the Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB in Liverpool—contact the UNY Director of Missional Engagement, Kristina Clark ([email protected]), to coordinate a drop-off date and time.
Congregations can also buy supplies for the kits off the UNY Mission Central HUB Amazon wish lists and have them shipped directly to the HUB. If purchasing from another website, congregations or groups can ship the supplies directly to the HUB by setting the mailing address to Mission Central HUB 7481 Henry Clay Blvd, Liverpool NY 13088.
Click here for the UNY HUB hygiene kit Amazon wish list.
Click here for the UNY HUB menstrual hygiene Amazon wish list.
Click here for the UNY HUB cleaning bucket Amazon wish list.
Monetary donations to the UNY Mission Central HUB can be given by clicking here.
Please continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Ian.
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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Local Church Financial Training Offered via Zoom
Rev. Susan Ranous, Director of Christian Stewardship and Deacon specializing in Stewardship, Church Finances and Clergy Tax is offering a training from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday January 7th via zoom.
if you're interested in participating, please contact Carrie Boyer in the Adirondack District Office email: [email protected] , or call her at 518-608-1246. The zoom link will be sent as the date gets closer.
Workshop description:
· Are you new to the financial areas of the local church?
· Maybe you've never been a treasurer or financial secretary or finance chair?
· Do you need some help to understand what you have to do and how to do it?
This workshop will give you the basic knowledge needed to understand what is needed and how to do the various financial tasks.
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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, please contact the District Office or 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.
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:
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Adirondack District Offering Lay Servant Courses via Zoom
Open to All
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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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Job Openings in the Upper New York Conference
Custodian/Building Maintenance Technician
Site Director
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A prayer walk spiritual practice
Throughout 2022, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius has offered 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 month, Rev. Dibelius revisits the spiritual practices of Stations of the Cross and Pilgrimage, providing suggestions and a script for a prayer walk.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Attention Churches: Please Post this Job Rights Poster
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a revised version of its poster, entitled “Know Your Rights”. A copy of the revised poster can be located here.
The law requires an employer to post a notice describing the Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, religion, age (40 and older), equal pay, disability or genetic information (including family medical history or genetic tests or services), and retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding.
The “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster, prepared by the EEOC, summarizes these laws and explains how employees or applicants can file a complaint if they believe that they have experienced discrimination.
The EEOC has not released a specific date by which the revised poster must be used but has said that employers should replace the old one with the revised one within “a reasonable amount of time”. The poster must be placed in a conspicuous location where notices to applicants and employees are customarily posted. It may also be distributed electronically, but electronic distribution does not remove an employer’s requirement to have the poster present in the workplace(s).
Employers who fail to use the revised poster may face penalties. It is recommended that you replace the EEO poster with the revised version as soon as possible. Please be sure you are using the version marked “(Revised 10/20/2022)” going forward.
For questions on this topic, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at 315-898-2017 or [email protected].
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New York State Minimum Wage Increase effective 12/31/2022
October 2022/By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist
New York State Minimum Wage Increase
Effective December 31, 2022, New York State minimum wage will increase to $14.20/hour.
Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employee’s minimum wage. Future increases will be determined by the NYS Director of Budget in consultation with the NYS Commissioner of Labor and will be announced on or before October 1 each year. Please click this link for more information on the change to
Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay under the state and federal wage and hour laws. Overtime pay for non-exempt employees is calculated as time and one-half their regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in a workweek.
An updated NYS Minimum Wage poster must be posted at your work site for your employees by December 31, 2022. Once the updated poster is available, the Conference office will post it on our Church Employer webpage under Employment Law Compliance and Posters
New York State Minimum Salary
As of the date of this news article, the New York State minimum salary for employees classified as exempt under the New York State Labor Law remains at $990.00/week or $51,480.00 per year. Any updates to the New York State minimum salary will be published as it becomes available.
Churches should review their wage and hour practices to ensure that their employees are classified properly as non-exempt or exempt and that current minimum wage and minimum salary levels are being paid to employees.
If you have any questions on this topic, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at 315-898-2017 or [email protected].
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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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On the Conference calendar
Dec. 23: Conference Office closed
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve
Dec. 25: Christmas
Dec. 26: Conference Office closed
Dec. 30: Youth 2023 early registration deadline - DETAILS
Jan. 1: New Year's Day
Jan. 2: Conference Office closed
Jan. 14: Gestalt Pastoral Care webinar via Zoom and Odessa UMC - DETAILS
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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
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
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Your Partners in Ministry at the Oneonta District Office |
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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."
Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell- District Superintendent
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