September 30th, 2021 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 12 Noon for Thursday publication, to: Oneontadistrict@unyumc.org
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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- Sunday
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See below for our TENTATIVE 2021 Church Conference Schedule. - Be watching for more updates.
October 31, 2021 Regions: Sidney & Norwich (Paperwork is due at the district office no later than Oct. 21st.)
Sidney Region
Location: Sidney UMC
Time TBD
Coordinator: Rev. Paul Winkelman
Presiding Elder: Rev. Marti Swords-Horrell
Norwich Region
Location: Broad Street UMC (Tentative)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Coordinator: Rev. Mary Rublee (Tentative)
Presiding Elder: Rev. Paul Winkelman
Novenber 7, 2021 Regions: Oneonta & Cooperstown (Paperwork is due at the district office no later than Oct. 28th.)
Oneonta Region
Location: Elm Park UMC
Time TBD
Coordinator: Rev. John Buddle
Presiding Elder: Rev. Mary Rublee (Tentative)
Cooperstown Region
Location: Milford UMC
Time: TBD
Coordinator: Rev. Deokryeol Bak
Presiding Elder: Rev. Jongdeok Park
November 14, 2021 Region: Schoharie (Paperwork is due at the district office no later than Nov. 4th.)
Schoharie Region
Location: Cobleskill UMC
Time 3:00 p.m.
Coordinator: Rev. Anna Blinn Cole
Presiding Elder: Rev. Dana Horrell
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2021-2022 Charge Conference forms are now available at to download.All information can be found at: https://uny.umconline.org/ or by clicking here.
On this page, you will find links to various reports, including Report of Pastor, the Safe Sanctuary Compliance Report, the 2022 Clergy Compensation Form, and more. If you have any issues accessing this page, please click here for help.
As mentioned in previous correspondence to pastors and SPRC chairs, the 2022 clergy compensation information can be found here: 2022 Pastor Compensation.
*Please note when trying to download Charge Conference Forms to use Firefox Browser.*
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Lay Servants/**Certified Lay Ministers and
Lay Speakers Report
Each year, lay servants, Certified Lay Ministers and lay speakers are asked to report to the annual church conference. Please use the reports below. Make sure your Pastor has a copy of this to submit with Church Conference reports.
Certified Lay Servant Report - for those who have taken the Basic Lay Servant Course and an additional Advanced Lay Servant Course every three years. Click here.
Certified Lay Minister Report - for those who have become Certified Lay Servants, taken the four module Certified Lay Minister curriculum and continue with Advanced Courses every two years. Click here.
Lay Speaker Report - for those who have taken the Basic Lay Servant Course and all six of the core Advanced Courses, including:
· Leading Prayer
· Leading Worship
· Preaching
· United Methodist Heritage
· Discovering Spiritual Gifts
· United Methodist Polity
as well as additional Advanced Lay Servant Courses every three years. Click here.
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Happenings & Local Church News |
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NEW-Tired. Frustrated. Wondering. What Now?
If you have found yourself in any of these categories over the past 18 months then the New Faith Communities Team of UNYAC has an opportunity for you! We are offering a series of FREE Zoom webinars to help us all dream of ways to reconnect in a church changed by pandemic. The series is an opportunity to breath fresh air into current ministries and to dream of ministry opportunities yet to come. Each session will feature a topic presentation by a ministry expert followed by time for conversation to spur creativity. Even better, if you attend all three sessions, you can receive 1 CEU for your participation.
Session #1: Where Are They? An Epidemic of Loneliness and How Church Can Help
Wednesday, October 20, 7-8 pm via Zoom
Featuring Speaker Luke Edwards, Associate Director of Church Development for Western North Carolina Conference, Fresh Expressions trainer and author of Becoming Church: A Trail Guide for Starting Fresh Expressions. Luke will unpack the current epidemic of loneliness and how fresh expressions of church can help.
Session #2: How Are They Doing? Reimagining Relationships during an Epidemic of Loneliness
Wednesday, October 27, 7-8 pm via Zoom
Featuring Speaker Paul Gomez, Manager of Hispanic/Latino Seeker Communications at United Methodist Communications. Paul will unpack how to create meaningful encounters with visitors and members online.
Session #3: What Will Bring Us Together? Gathering Together When Everything Has Changed
Wednesday, November 3, 7-8 pm via Zoom
Featuring Speaker Rachel Gilmore, who most recently served as the Director of Recruiting, Training and Assessing for lay and clergy church planters in the United Methodist Church. Author of Expanding the Expedition Reach with Missional Communities, currently planting Phoenix, AZ. Rachel will unpack how to meaningfully gather and connect in a church changed by pandemic.
Registration is due Sunday, October 17. Once registered you will receive Zoom link via email. You can attend as many or as few sessions as you would like. Each Session includes time with our featured Speaker with group discussion to follow. These sessions are for local church leaders, pastors, planters.
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World Communion Sunday
October 3rd, 2021
Thank You...!
for your generosity in 2020. You gave $400,254 towards the ministries funded by the World Communion Sunday offering. This offering supports diverse mix of national and international ethnic young adults to make a global impact for Christ. Half of the offering benefits World Communion Scholarships for graduate students from the U.S. and other countries; the remainder assists Ethnic Scholarships for U.S. and international undergraduates studying in the U.S. and Ethnic In-Service Training. These funds are administered by the General Boards' of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries.
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Hispanic Heritage Month
Yesterday marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15 every year. The celebration starts in the middle of the month, as opposed to the end, because the 15th marks the independence days of five Latin America countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile, and Belize follow shortly after, on Sept. 16, 18, and 21.
Click here for ideas from ResourceUMC about how your church can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
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Faith in Action Retreat
UNYUMM/ NGMM MEN’S RETREAT
CAMP CASOWASCO OCTOBER 1ST-2ND
UNITED METHODIST MEN/“ NEW GEN MEN ’S MINISTRIES OF UPPER NY
FRIDAY 10/1/21
4-PM -5:30PM – REGISTRATION -GROUP/ROOM ASSIGNMENT
6PM- DINNER
7PM -WELCOME/ INTRO-
7:00PM -7:30 PM-OPENING PRAISE &WORSHIP-
7:30pm - SKIT - “GAINING THE WHOLE WORLD OLYMPICS”
7:45PM-8:30PM -SESSION #1-FAITH IN ACTION -PASTOR STEVE MCKNIGHT
8:30-8:45- BREAK TIME
8:45PM -9:15PM- GROUP BREAKOUT SESSION #1 “DEVELOPING OUR FAITH”
9:15PM-10PM - FELLOWSHIP/SNACK/ “JAMMIN AT THE CAMP”
SATURDAY 10/2/21
7:30AM- MORNING DEVOTION ____ _TBA____________
8AM-9AM BREAKFAST
9AM-9:30AM-OPENING WORSHIP “RETREAT HOUSE BAND”
9:30AM-10:15AM – SESSION #2- “FAITH IN ACTION ” -
PASTOR STEVE MCKNIGHT
10:15AM -11AM- MISSION HUB ON THE ROAD HANDS-ON FLOOD BUCKET MISSION
11AM-11:30 GROUP BREAKOUT SESSION - #2 “ ACHIEVING OUR POTENTIAL”
11:30AM-12:15 PM FINAL SESSION #3 -“FAITH IN ACTION-
PASTOR STEVE MCKNIGHT
12:30PM- 1:30 PM - LUNCH
1:30PM- 2PM - TABLE CHAPEL - GROUP PRAYER TIME /JOYS & CONCERNS
2PM- 2:30PM – REDEDICATION OF GIFTS AND TALENTS TO GOD (TO USE FOR HIS GLORY)
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Register Now For Conference UMW Annual Meeting Oct. 16th
All are invited to join the UNY Conference UMW for an all-virtual 2021 Annual Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. We will worship together, conduct formal business, hear from National Office CEO Harriett J. Olson, and grow in our understand of our sisters through our program on “Push Out” with UMW Director Valerie Clark.
Once registered, an agenda and Zoom link will be sent to you. If you wish to make a nomination to the Leadership Team “from the floor,” the form is available on the website and must be returned by
Oct. 1.
We look forward to being with you on Oct. 16 as we make plans for 2022 and the mission and justice work we will continue to do for God.
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Helping those in need in the U.S.
The Mission team at Endwell United Methodist Church is again coordinating the collection and delivery of shoeboxes for the Red Bird Mission, located in Beverly, Kentucky. The Red Bird Missionary Conference is one of three United Methodist missionary conferences in the United States.
The need is even greater this year. Participating churches can drop off their filled shoeboxes to one of two locations: the Upper New York Conference Center, located at 7481 Henry Clay Boulevard in Liverpool, or the Endwell United Methodist Church, 3301 Watson Boulevard in Endwell, between November 1st and November 30th. Also, arrangements to have items picked up can be made by e-mailing Dave at Dalexander4@stny.rr.com. Click here to Find more info about the Red Bird Mission Project
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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Lay Servant Ministry
Note* - Because of COVID, the Conference Team of Lay Servant Ministries is extending a year of grace to everyone who needed to take an Advanced Lay Servant Course in 2020 so you now have through 2021 to take a course to keep your certification up-to-date
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Upper NY's Safe Sanctuaries Training of Trainers
WHO: Individuals interested in facilitating Upper NY’s Safe Sanctuaries Training as part of their District training team and/or for their local church.
WHEN: Saturday, October 9th from 9am-12pm.
PREREQUISITE: Upper NY’s 3-hour Safe Sanctuaries Training is a prerequisite for Training of Trainers. This needs to be completed sometime since June 2016 and must be the standard learning station format facilitated by a certified UNY Safe Sanctuaries trainer. This is non-negotiable.
Members of the District training team should be affirmed by their District Superintendent.
PRE-REGISTRATION is a must for the TOT by October 6th at Eventbrite
There is no charge as Ministry Shares benevolences from local churches cover the expenses.
QUESTIONS: Questions should be directed to Co-Chairs Christine Mitchell, Pastor and Arlene Schmidt at email safesanctuaries@unyumc.org
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For information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks,
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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.
Teaching, Meeting, Preaching and Me. Time Management for the Church Leader, Nov. 11, Ken Willard, cost $25. Registration information coming soon.
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The following job openings are posted on the Upper New York website...
1)Finance Services Specialist
2) Director of Missional Engagement
3) Skye Farm Site Director
If you have any referrals for this position, or are interested in applying, please apply online through our website. Please contact Tracy Rickett with any questions. Thank you.
Tracy Rickett, PHR, SHRM-CP, CCWS
Human Resources Generalist
Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church
7481 Henry Clay Blvd.
Liverpool, NY 13088
Direct Line: (315) 898-2017
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NEW- Dismantling Racism: Healing intergenerational trauma of Native Americans
On Oct. 6, 1879, Capt. Richard Pratt opened the first Indian boarding school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. For almost 100 years until the 1960s, thousands of Native American children were forcibly taken from their homes and trained to reject their heritage and do manual labor. Many died at these boarding schools.
The United Methodist Church supported at least 12 Native American Boarding Schools. The Native American International Caucus (NAIC) of The United Methodist Church is calling on United Methodists to observe Oct. 6 this year as a day of truth and repentance for children who were victims of Indian boarding schools.
Click here to learn what your church can do to help heal the intergenerational trauma experienced by Native Americans because of these boarding schools.
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Forward - A Small Group Journey Toward a Full Life in Christ by Nick Cunningham - Pursuing a godly life involves action. It’s not just resistance to sin that matters; fully living into the new life that Christ offers means taking steps forward. Forward is a seven-session study based on 2 Peter 1:3-11 that shows you and members of your small group how to push one another forward in your shared life together, helping one another grow in faith, knowledge, and actions consistent with a Christian life. As a sequel to Cunningham’s study called One: A Small Group Journey Toward Life-Changing Community, it follows the same format, including the book for participants with teaching content and interactive elements, a Leader Guide, and DVD videos.
Click here to preview. Go to our Online Catalog to order Forward: A Small Group Journey Toward a Full Life in Christ K219=, then scroll down to choose the component(s) you wish to borrow and add to your shopping cart.
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Leading from Here to There - By Bill Hybels
Bestselling author and pastor Bill Hybels helps equip leaders with five key skills that everyone needs in order to grow their leadership ability. Each of the video sessions will feature Hybels sharing the wisdom and experience that he has learned in nearly 40 years of leadership at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois.
In this five-session teaching video, Hybels will help leaders discover what kind of leader they are, how to gain self-awareness and relational awareness, how to build an effective team, how to form and declare a vision, and discovering each leader's holy discontent.
Sessions include:
The Power of Vision (25:00)
The Toughest Person You Lead (22:00)
Mastering 360-Degree Leadership (23:00)
Building a Fantastic Culture (24:30)
Pursue Your Unique Calling (21:00)
· Designed for use with the Leading from Here to There Study Guide
Click here to preview. Go to our Online Catalog to order Leading from Here to There K395=, then scroll down to choose the component(s) you wish to borrow and add to your shopping cart.
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Step by step process for developing an Intentional Discipleship Plan
The Northern Flow District has created training resources for congregations and persons to walk through a “step-by-step” process for developing an Intentional Discipleship Plan.
Click here for steps 1 and 2 of the training; follow the guidance of the video trainers, use the provided PowerPoints and the resources (links) to enable your church and team to develop and implement your congregation’s Intentional Discipleship Plan.
Additional training steps will be provided over time. Imagine what God will do as more and more churches develop their process for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World!
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UMCOR / Mission Central Hub
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The UNY Conference urgently needs individuals and teams who can help in times of emergency. Please sign up to help with Marybeth Ingalls, UNY Mission Volunteer Coordinator, 315-898-2064, 315-372-0285, marybethingalls@unyumc.org
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United Methodist connection kicks in after Ida
Reports continue to come in on damage to United Methodist churches from Hurricane Ida, in both Louisiana and the Northeast. Churches and Conferences spared by Ida are helping those that the storm roughed up. For example, the Alabama-West Florida Conference announced a $100,000 donation to the Louisiana Conference for Ida-related relief and recovery. Click here to read the full story.
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Response to Haiti after earthquake
United Methodists are reaching out with their prayers and pocketbooks after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
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UMCOR supports Afghans in need
Thousands of Afghans are seeking to flee violence and a fear of persecution. Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR, expressed his sympathy for the Afghan people, stating: “The situation in Afghanistan is uncertain and unfolding. It is a tragedy of epic proportions. We pray especially for all of those left behind who now live with fear and for the many communities across Afghanistan also facing extended drought and hunger.”
In addition to prayer, UMCOR has outlined different ways you can help support their efforts in Afghanistan. Click here to read more.
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The HUB at UNY Conference Center
Contacts:
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NY Hero Act now in effect
On Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, Governor Hochul announced that the New York Department of Health designated COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease.”
This designation means that the NY HERO Act plan (a law signed by Governor Cuomo in May 5), which all employers were required to adopt and distribute to employees by September 4, 2021, is now effective through the end of September 2021. Employers now must follow the requirements of their plans, as well as conduct mandatory training for employees on the plan and the law. Upper New York churches are responsible for the mandatory training for their staff.
Click here to learn about the training details. If you have questions please contact your District Office.
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Revised CDC guidelines affecting local churches
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued revised guidelines for indoor gatherings due to the rising number of coronavirus cases as a result of the Delta variant.
The CDC is recommending masks be worn indoors by all individuals regardless of vaccination status in areas of high concentration.
Click here to read the UNY Church COVID guidelines and to determine your county’s level of transmission.
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Deadline Date: Oct. 15,2021 – Application is due to the District Superintendent.
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Mike Block to retire as Mission Central HUB Director
After nearly four years, Mike Block will retire as the Director of the Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB at the end of this month.
As the first Director of the Mission Central HUB, Mike put in place much of the groundwork that future ministry in the Mission Central HUB will build on. Some highlights of this ministry include:
· Leading the Conference in the response to the Halloween storms in the Mohawk District
· Forming partnerships with other organizations, such as the partnership with Operation Northern Comfort to build and install ramps and blessing boxes
· Leading the way for groups visit the Mission Central HUB at The United Methodist Center in Liverpool to drop off, assemble, or to verify the contents of a variety of kits to aid the United Methodist Committee on Relief
· Providing space for Potato Drops from the Society of St. Andrew
· Leading the Conference response to flooding that caused particular damage at the Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center
· And countless other mission activities
Mike’s supervisor, the Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Bouwens, Director of Vital Congregations for UNY, said, “Thank you to Mike for his service to Christ and the Church. Mike has a passion to see people in the midst of disaster find hope and begin to rebuild their lives. I am sure Mike will continue to serve by coming alongside people in need. May God bless Mike in his retirement.”
In addition to his other ministry highlights, Mike helped lead many opportunities for people to give in support of disaster response. He became well known for the Mission Central HUB videos that he would often star in. Click here for some highlights from the Mission Central HUB videos.
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Bishop's Retreat Postponed
The Bishop’s Retreat has been postponed until Sept. 27-29, 2022. It will have the same theme, “Sharing our Faith Boldly,” and will still be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning. Registration for the 2022 Bishop’s Retreat will open after the completion of the 2022 Annual Conference.
Click here for more information as it becomes available.
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IMPORTANT REMINDER - All appointed Clergy, Certified Lay Ministers(CLMs) and Supply pastors are REQUIRED to complete the NY State Sexual Harassment Training. After completing the training you will get a certificate of completion from NY State. Please be sure to send a copy of you certificate of completion to the Oneonta district office. If you have not already completed this training please go to the following link to read more about training options available. https://www.unyumc.org/news/article/new-york-state-required-annual-training-for-sexual-harassment-prevention
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UNY United Methodist Center is now open
Upper New York (UNY) Conference staff members have been working at the UNY United Methodist Center in Liverpool, NY, throughout the pandemic following CDC guidelines. Now that the CDC and New York State have issued guidelines allowing indoor gatherings for vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals (so long as they wear masks and social distance), the UNY Conference executive staff team made the decision to open the UNY United Methodist Center to the public following the attached protocols,
The protocols are in place to ensure that everyone will be safe when using the UNY Methodist Center.
The office will be equipped for hybrid meetings via Zoom for those unable to attend in-person.
Click here to register for a meeting with your team at the UNY United Methodist Center.
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Phishing scheme alert
Please note that there is a new type of phishing-scheme email that has been received in multiple inboxes throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. The email will look as though it is from someone you know in the UNY Conference and will show their actual email address. The text will ask you to link to a DocuSign document. DO NOT OPEN THIS DOCUMENT! It contains a virus. It is not truly from the person in the “From” address.
If you have any questions or concerns about this phishing scheme, contact Doug Thomas, UNY IT Manager, at dougthomas@unyumc.org.
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News from the past
Don't miss out on news articles that have run in the past. There are many resources you may be interested in.
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Tool for the Local Church: Mission Insite
Mission Insite is free to churches
Mission Insite is a web-based demographics provider for local church use. In planning ministry, it is important to know the context.
Mission Insite provides demographic data that is updated on a regular basis and the reports are user friendly to the novice or experienced demographer.
The reports are free to the local church because the Annual Conferences is under contract with Mission Insite. But in order to access the website you will need to register your local church. Click here for Details
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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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Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage month
Sept. 25: Safe Sanctuaries Fall Training - DETAILS
Oct. 3: World Communion Sunday - DETAILS
Oct. 15: Equitable Compensation Application Deadline - DETAILS
Oct. 17: Laity Sunday
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2021 Holidays
District & Conference Office Closed
Thanksgiving Nov. 25th and 26th
Christmas Eve Dec. 24th
Christmas Day (Observed) Dec. 27th
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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
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
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How to Contact the Oneonta District Office
Phone: (607) 441-5102
Fax: (607) 353-1034
(physical address)
Oneonta District Office
64 Chestnut St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
(mailing address)
Oneonta District Office
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
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All past District Newsletters can also be found at:
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UNY Conference Quick Links
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