January 21st, 2021 Oneonta District News for you
* Please share this newsletter with your friends and congregation members.
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Note: The District Office is open by appointment only.
Is my home or church in a COVID-19 Cluster?
Click on this link and type in your address.
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IMPORTANT Announcement- New York State Paid Sick Leave Law
All private sector workers in New York State are covered under New York State’s paid sick leave law. If a person is issued a W-2 year-end tax form, they are eligible for the New York State paid sick leave. Non-profit and religious organizations are not exempt from this law. Click here for information on the New York State paid sick leave law.
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ALL Local Churches are required to Complete End-of-Year Reporting
Each year there are reports due to finalize data needed by the UMC and help churches take stock for ministry planning.
The following reports are due by February 15, 2021, to the Oneonta District Office: C/O Teresa Wood - 28 Orchard St. Oneonta NT 13820, or OneontaDistrict@unyumc.org
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2020 Year End Financial Report (your format)
2021 Church Budget (your format)
The Statistical reports are due February 15, 2021 and are completed on the Ezra website. You do not need to send a copy to the District. Feel free to print out a paper copy for your own churches' records. You will need your user name and password to complete this task. See below for more information on EZRA.
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Thank you for your attention to these important administrative ministries of your local church!
* Note* When sending Charge Conference Forms to the office:
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EZRA IS OPEN!!!! for Statistical Reporting
There are TWO new lines this year.
The first is in Table 2 – Line 46b. This line is for churches who had received a PPPLoan. The line is specifically for the amount that was used/allocated for payroll expenses.
The second line is on Table 3 – Line 54d. This line for churches who had applied and received a PPPLoan. This line IS NOT USED towards the calculation on Ministry Shares for 2022.
Please email or call Erica Wentworth-(UNYAC Finance Support Specialist)
and phone number (315) 898-2004
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Counting Online Attendance for Ezra
Note: Erica Wentworth, Finance Support Specialist for Upper New York and our "go to" for questions about entering local church information in Ezra has provided this document to help with counting online church attendees.
From the Rev. Dr. Aaron W. Bouwens, Director of Vital Congregations for the Upper New York Conference:
We do not have a policy around online attendance. What I have been communicating with people is the importance of consistency. Each congregation should determine how they are going to count online attendance and remain consistent with that. The comparison work I do does not compare church A with church B, rather with church A to itself over time. For the analysis to mean anything there has to be consistent counting.
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NEW - Christian Transformational Leadership Training For Laity and Clergy - All are Welcome!
Crossroads District Lay Leaders, Bob Mueller and Darlene Dennis, invite you to attend this (Zoom) leadership training for clergy AND laity on Monday, January 25, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
The Goals of this Training are:
- To provide you a scriptural foundation for the Christian Transformational style of Leadership.
- To offer a model of Christian Transformational Leadership.
- To present the four essential practices of Christian Transformational Leadership.
Click here for the outline and discussion questions.
“The cross of Jesus Christ is where Jesus’ vision of servant leadership is fully revealed and extended to people who answer Jesus’ call upon their lives. Experiencing the redeeming power of the crucified and risen Christ, followers of Jesus are invited to trust in the vulnerable wisdom of God’s kingdom that allowed Jesus to become the servant of all.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Register Today!! It's easy! Click here to send an email to let us know you plan to attend and we will send the Zoom link.
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Engage Your Congregation Through Biblical Storytelling and Worship Planning
Are you interested in learning unique and paramount elements to biblical storytelling? If so, you will want to register for a three-night online biblical storytelling webinar series held January 20-22, 2021 and hosted by the Rev. Sharon Rankins-Burd as well as guests Theresa Eggleston and the Rev. Beckie Sweet.
Worship is the single most impactful practice a pastor or worship leader engages in each week, simply because of the number of people present. As worship leaders we want to offer our best to God during that time, whether that’s live and in person, virtual and pre-recorded, or a mixture of both.
Over the course of three evenings workshop participants will experience Biblical Storytelling and learn tips and techniques for polishing their own presentations in worship from Theresa Eggleston and will explore creative ways to shape and design meaningful worship for the Lenten season with Rev. Sweet.
Worship time will include instruction for the whole group and breakout sessions for smaller group work.
Click here for more information and/or to register for this series, which will qualify you for .5 CEU.
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Lay Servant Courses - Open to All
The following courses are available to keep certification current or become certified as Lay Servant or Lay Speaker. To register or for more info., contact Arlene at adschmidt@nycap.rr.com. To view the brochure, click here.
Advanced Course: Preaching: From Your Hearts to Theirs
Course 1: Mondays, 6-9 pm: February 22, March 1st & 8; & Saturday March 13: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
OR
Course 2: Thursdays, 6-9 pm, February 25, March 4 & 11; & Saturday, March 20: 9-1 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee $15
Deadline for registration form and fee is February 8
Advanced Course: Leading Prayer
Wednesdays April 14, 21, May 5: 6-9pm
Saturday May 1: 9-1 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
For more information about Lay Servant Ministries, click here
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An update from the Conference Safe Sanctuaries Team
FOR TRAINERS ONLY:
How to deliver SS Curriculum via Zoom - 9 AM to 11 AM Saturday, Jan. 30
There are breakout rooms, icons, and a chat feature on Zoom that will help with the training. The curriculum has been reformatted to accommodate virtual training using no props. These zoom tools will be covered. Please watch your email for the link. We will also answer questions or concerns. If you have questions, send an email to: Safesanctuaries@unyumc.org
Open to All:
Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM training to be held
The standard Safe Sanctuaries training will be held from 9 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday, Feb. 13. This will be held via ZOOM.
The training will follow the reformatted ZOOM curriculum developed by the Upper New York Annual Conference Safe Sanctuaries Team, educating those involved in ministries who work with children and vulnerable adults on risks and prevention strategies related to abuse.
The training will be facilitated by Safe Sanctuaries Committee co-Chairs Arlene Schmidt and Pastor Christine Mitchell.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks,
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The Spiritual Discipline of the Sacraments
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Upper New York Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, has been providing videos of helpful spiritual practices to help deepen people’s relationship to God during this difficult time.
Rev. Dibelius will now be zeroing in on spiritual disciplines. She explains that spiritual disciplines are a way to get away with Jesus, walk with Jesus, and learn from Jesus.
Click here for Rev. Dibelius’s latest spiritual discipline exploration, which delves into the discipline of the sacraments.
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UMC Clergy Education Offering Courses for Credit in Jan./Feb. 2021
Jan. 20 - Inspiring your congregation to take leaps of faith during these uncertain times
Rebekah Simon-Peter, Click here to register or for information.
Jan. 26 - Powerful Preaching During Lent and Easter
Bishop Sharma Lewis. Click here to register or for information.
Feb. 4 - The Difference the Cross Makes: Ideas and Tips for Preaching During Lent
Wil Cantrell. Click here to register or for information.
Feb. 9 - Developing Effective Communication to Grow Your Church
Kevin Slimp. Click here to register or for information.
Feb. 16 - Leadership Development in the Local Church
Ken Willard and Kelly Brown. Click here to register or for information.
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Imagine No Racism Classes - Via ZOOM
Rev. Marti Swords-Horrell and Margaret Parish of First United Methodist Church in Oneonta are ready to co-facilitate another round of “Imagine No Racism” classes over Zoom.
One class will be on Sundays starting January 24th from 1 - 2:30 p.m. and one on Wednesdays starting January 27th from 2 - 3:30 p.m.
The classes last for six weeks.
Class size is limited, so as soon as possible please email Leslie Bauer, church secretary, at secretary@firstumc-oneonta.org or call her at the Oneonta First church office, 607-432-4102, and let her know which class you would like to attend. All are welcome.
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Camp & Retreat Ministries |
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Manna in the Wilderness Campaign
As you may know, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Sky Lake and Skye Farm to cancel an entire summer camp season as well as numerous church, family and group retreats and gatherings. In addition to the loss of these life-changing ministry opportunities, these cancellations have resulted in over a million dollars in lost revenue. Though each site has begun to reopen, the pandemic will continue to limit what is possible for many months to come.
These precious ministries have entered a “wilderness time” of uncertainty and scarcity. In response to this challenge, our conference is making an emergency financial appeal, what we are calling the Manna in the Wilderness Campaign, to support our camp and retreat ministries in these unprecedented times.
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Media Resource Center is now partially reopened
The Media Resource Center has begun lending and accepting back overdue resources. Please send back any items that you currently have as soon as possible. If you need to readjust return dates, please contact Karen Campolieto, Media Resource Coordinator and Archives Assistant. The Media Center will not be available for personal pick-up, but you can mail materials until further notice as our offices are still officially closed to the public at this time.
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COVID-19 Guidelines & Best Practices
With the health and safety of all members and communities of the Upper New York Conference in mind, the Conference Reopening Task Force have revised the COVID-19 guidelines. While underlying public health science and regulations have changed little since March, this revision seeks to increase clarity and ease of use.
The guidelines cover facility, worship, small group, food, and program hosting minimum standards and best-practices. Click here for a chart that outlines the minimum standards that churches should follow (the NYS guidelines) and the additional UNY recommend best practices. This chart also provides helpful resources.
Future updates and revisions will be noted in red in subsequent versions. If you have any questions involving these guidelines, feel free to contact the COVID-19 response team of the UNY Conference via phone at 315-898-2012 and email at covid-19response@unyumc.org
Click here to print full announcement.
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2020 UNY Journal Vol. 1 is now ready
The 2020 Upper New York Conference Journal, Vol. I (formerly known as the Pre-Conference Booklet) is now available for download as a free PDF and for purchase through the online publisher, Lulu.com.
Click here to view an online version, download a copy, or order a printed copy from Lulu.com ($5.29 plus tax and shipping.
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New - Oberammergau Passion Play trip scheduled for June 14-22, 2022
The Rev. Jane Sautter will be hosting an Educational Opportunities Tour of European Capitals which includes the Oberammergau Passion play. This is the same tour company that Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, used for the UNY trips to the Holy Land and England.
The Passion Play was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UNY members will be joining the Susquehanna Annual Conference for this tour. The trip will include Innsbruck, Austria; Prague, Czech Republic; and Berlin, Germany in addition to the Passion Play.
The Passion Play has been performed in Oberammergau every 10 years since 1634 and will not be performed again until 2030. It is regarded as the most important Passion Play in the world. 2022 marks the 42nd time the play will be performed.
If you are interested in joining our group, please contact Jane at 315-225-6170 or pastorjfs@gmail.com for a brochure and more information.
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Rev. Nancy Dibelius, Assistant Director of Virtual Congregations, will be hosting a webinar Preparing the Soul for Lent.
The webinar will be held on February 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Rev. Dibelius will be talking about how to prepare space and prepare yourself to help others moving through this meaningful spiritual season.
More information will be coming as it is available.
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Listen to recorded digital discipleship webinar on children’s ministry
Last night, Jan. 12, the UNY Conference hosted a webinar on Zoom as part of our Digital Discipleship series. Lynne Kimpland of Endwell UMC was the featured speaker; she discussed how she was able to put together an effective children and youth ministry online at Endwell without having had much experience with technology beforehand.
Did you miss it? No worries. Click here to watch the recording.
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Let’s celebrate who we are
The Upper New York Conference is filled with congregations, New Faith Communities, and individuals that are remarkable. We are diverse in race and ethnicity, age, type of community setting, talents, and ministries. The next issue of the Advocate will feature the beautiful tapestry of who we are. The UNY communications team is looking for congregations and individuals across the Conference to celebrate. Please send your ideas to news@unyumc.org by Monday Jan. 25 for consideration.
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Stay Informed, Up-To-Date Through These Links:
UNY Notes -Include notices From the Desk of Bishop Webb; Alerts; Announcements; Prayer requests; Death Notices; Camp & Retreat info
Weekly Digest - Sent every Wednesday. It will include a listing of all of the new information available.
This will help reduce the amount of e-news announcements coming to your computers.
Another great resource is the UMCOM newsletter. To subscribe, click here
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How to get help from UNY Conference for...
Regular needs or questions, contact the Conference (315) 898-2000 or email: info@unyumc.org and leave a message including what assistance
you are seeking and it will be given to the right person to respond to you.
Technical or creative needs such as online Bible studies/meetings,
live streaming worship, or online giving
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Conference Office Address:
The Upper New York Conference
United Methodist Center
7481 Henry Clay Blvd
Liverpool, N.Y. 13088
Office is closed at this time!
Phone: 315-898-2000 Toll Free: (same) 1-855-424-7878
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"Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by... living the gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God's love with our neighbors in all places."
Your Partners in Ministry at the Oneonta District Office
Rev. Nancy Adams - District Superintendent
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Teresa Wood, - Minister of Administration
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Rev. George Gallandorm,- District Associate
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Phone: (607) 441-5102
Fax: 607-353-1034
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Please note the Mailing Address for the Oneonta District Office is as follows during COVID:
Oneonta District Office UMC
C/OTeresa Wood
28 Orchard Street
Oneonta NY 13820
The physical address of the office remains the same:
64 Chestnut Street, Oneonta NY 13820
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