January 5th, 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]
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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:
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.
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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 Ministry Shares
The deadline for payments of 2022 Ministry Shares to be received and credited toward 2022 ministry shares is for them to be in the Conference office by 3pm on Jan. 9th, 2023. Ministry Shared received after that date and time will be credited to 2023 Ministry Shares.
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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 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)
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-
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.
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Local District News & Happenings |
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NEW- 12-Week Class - Taught by Pastor Paul
(At Sidney UMC/On Zoom)
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)
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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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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
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Passcode: 850304
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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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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.
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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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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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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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Job Openings in the Upper New York Conference
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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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Save the Date for March Special Session
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 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Registration will open on Feb. 1, 2023, and close on
March 10, 2023.
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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
Jan. 6: Zoom prayer session at 10 a.m. for those impacted by recent blizzard - DETAILS
Jan. 14: Gestalt Pastoral Care webinar via Zoom and Odessa UMC - DETAILS
Jan. 15: Human Relations Sunday - DETAILS
Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Conference and District Offices Closed
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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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