February 9th, 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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Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez’s
installation service to be held March 11
The Upper New York (UNY) Committee on Episcopacy invites all United Methodists in UNY to join us Saturday, March 11, at 2 p.m. to celebrate the assignment of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez as our new episcopal leader. At this installation service, we will thank God for the life, ministry, and leadership of Bishop Héctor, offer him and his family our gracious hospitality, and hear our new bishop share his vision for how God intends to lead us into the future together.
This service of installation and celebration is intended for the whole Conference. You may participate in one of two ways:
1. In-person at the Liverpool First United Methodist Church in Liverpool, NY. A limited number of seats are available. Please RSVP for in-person participation no later than March 4 by registering here. An onsite reception will follow this service.
2. Via Livestream from anywhere in the Conference and beyond. To connect, please click here on the Conference website on the day of the service. For Livestream participation, no RSVP is necessary.
We look forward to joining together Saturday, March 11, 2023, to welcome our new resident bishop and celebrate all God seeks to do in and through us in the days ahead.
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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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Bishop Héctor delivers sermon of hope to Jehovah Jireh
The Jehovah Jireh Community Church in Buffalo suffered devastating damage from the blizzard that swept through Christmas weekend. Currently, the congregation is meeting at the La Casa de Los Tainos Community Center.
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, introduced himself and delivered a sermon of hope to the Jehovah Jireh congregation on Feb. 5. His message was in Spanish with an interpreter. Click here and go to the 34:53 timestamp to watch the video of Bishop Héctor’s introduction and sermon.
This was Bishop Héctor’s first time preaching to a congregation in Upper New York.
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Are you connected to UNY?
Do you receive the latest news and updates from UNY Conference?
All pastors should be connected and as many people from your congregation that would like to be.
Open to everyone – pass the word!
If you are not connected please follow the instructions below.
Or follow the steps below:
Go to the conference website
Click on News in the toolbar
Select Connect with UNY
You can sign up for all six categories or just select the UNY Notes
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Request for EQ Members for Annual Conferences 2023
Please CLICK the link below to find the 2023 Oneonta District Equalization Member Application for Annual Conference.
Please read the application carefully as it has changed from last year. This year there will be three (3) sessions that our EQ Members will need to attend. There will be two (2) virtual sessions - Saturday March 25th and Saturday October 14th - in addition to an IN PERSON session to be held June 1 - 3, 2023 at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.
Applications are still being accepted at the district office.
Each session will have a separate registration process and cost associated with it. There will be NO COST for the March 25th session.
Thank you to all of you in advance for volunteering your time and energy in serving as an Oneonta District Lay Equalization Representative.
Any questions please contact the office.
Thanks
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Special Session, March 25th
via Zoom
The Upper New York Conference’s March 2023 Special Session of Annual Conference to consider disaffiliation requests will take place remotely on March 25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
NEW- Registration has opened for the 2023 Special Session of Annual Conference to be held on March 25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. If you are eligible to vote, be sure to pre-register by March 10, 2023. There is a $10.00 fee for this conference for all eligible voters, except for equalization members. Click here to register for the Special Session.
Those who are not eligible to vote, do not need to register and can watch the Special Session via livestream by clicking here on March 25.
New! Notice to Equalization Members: Please know that if able, we hope you will continue to serve and participate in the Special Session. Please register as a district Equalization Member.
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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 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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Family Winter Weekend -February 17 -20
Whether you enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, or just the sight of the winter landscape from inside Riley Lodge, you are bound to have a wonderful time at either one (or both!) of our Winter Weekends. Created for people of all ages and families of all descriptions, our Family Winter Weekends are intentionally laid back and provide an excellent opportunity to just share in Christian fellowship with others.
COVID PRECAUTIONS
AVAILABLE PACKAGES:
Friday Evening Arrival (anytime after 6pm)
Extend your stay one evening and enjoy a delicious continental breakfast Saturday morning
· Adult « age 18+ » — $235
· Youth « ages 12-17 » — $210
· Child « ages 3-11 » — $110
· Toddler « age 0-2 » — Our treat
Saturday Morning Arrival (anytime after 10am)
Two nights and seven meals
· Adult « age 18+ » — $195
· Youth « ages 12-17 » — $175
· Child « ages 3-11 » — $100
· Toddler « age 0-2 » — Our treat
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What is your favorite Lent resource?
Ash Wednesday is just two weeks away on Feb. 22!
We are collecting Lent resources to share with the Upper New York Conference on our website here.
Do you have a favorite spiritual practice, book, devotion, hymn, or litany you like during Lent?
We’d love to hear about it and add the resource to our page. Email your favorite Lent resource to [email protected].
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Churches reach out after earthquake
As communities in Turkey and Syria are left reeling in the wake of an earthquake that has killed more than 4,300 people — and that figure is rapidly growing — churches are reaching out to check on those affected and praying for the safety of those missing. Aftershocks measuring as high as 7.5-magnitude have been felt across the region since the 7.8-magnitude quake initially struck on Feb. 6.
Click here to read coverage from the World Council of Churches.
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Black History Month kid activity
Looking for a fun activity to educate your Sunday School children and youth about Black history makers in the United Methodist Church? Click here for a fun word scramble activity.
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Kingdom Dreams Violent Realities Bible study
It seems like every time we turn on the news, we’re hearing about a death caused by gun violence. A Church and Society published Bible study, Kingdon Dreams Violent Realities is a three-week study centered around Micah 4:1-4 (“In days to come…they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more…for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken”).
Learning the theological meaning of the passage provides a window into the causes and implications of gun violence and suggests faith-filled responses to this scourge.
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Local District News & Happenings |
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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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LEARNING AND GROWING OPPORTUNITY
A DISCIPLE’S HEART: GROWING IN LOVE AND GRACE
A Book Study and Discussion Group
by James Harnish with Justin Larosa
Discipleship in the Methodist tradition affirms that there is always more work for God to do in the human heart. Our focus in this study circle is the ongoing transformation of the heart that happens as the love of God that came to us in Jesus takes up residence in us, enabling us to become agents of God’s transforming love at work in the world.
Thursday, February 2nd @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, February 16th @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, March 2nd @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, March 16th @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, March 30th @ 7:00-8:30 PM
Thursday, April 13th @ 7:00-8:30 PM
All Sessions will be held on Zoom. Please email one of the facilitators to register. There will be no registration fee, but participants (lay or clergy) need to purchase their own book.
Facilitators
“…the followers of Jesus mature in faith by learning together in community, often with people whose life experiences are very different from their own.” - Robert Schnase, 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations
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2023 Safe Sanctuaries schedule announced
The UNY Safe Sanctuaries Team has scheduled 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 is now open. Click here to register.
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.
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NOTE- Safe Sanctuaries trainings and policy clarification
How often does the three-hour basic training for Safe Sanctuaries need to be taken?
This question has been coming up quite a bit lately for Chris Mitchell and Arlene Schmidt, Upper New York (UNY) Conference Committee on Safe Sanctuaries, Co-Chairs.
Chris and Arlene would like to clarify. Each person who works with children, youth, and vulnerable adults both hired and volunteer, as well as all clergy persons MUST attend the UNY Safe Sanctuaries Basic Training only ONCE. As the policy as it is currently written is unclear about that, the committee will be taking this time to review the policy and minimum standard to update and make it more clear.
Please keep in mind that is the minimum standard of the UNY Conference; however, the local church can state that each person needs to take the training more than one time. It is recommended that each church and their committee on Safe Sanctuaries review the policy of their local church.
And remember, any training taken prior to 2011 when the Minimum Standards of Safe Sanctuaries were created is not valid, it must be the three-hour basic training which is provided by the Upper New York Conference.
There are several Safe Sanctuaries trainings available this year via Zoom, with the first one taking place on Feb. 4 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Click here for the full list of trainings.
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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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Upper New York Scholarships and Grants
There are a handful of scholarships and grants available to individuals, programs, ministries, and local churches in the Upper New York (UNY) Conference throughout the year.
In addition, many are offered from one of the many agencies within The United Methodist Church. Click here to stay up-to-date with all the UNY funding opportunities as listed on the Conference website. There is also a helpful link that lists the different agencies that offer scholarships within The United Methodist Church.
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2023 Cady Grant applications now available
Application forms are now available for the Upper New York Conference Cady Grant. Cady Grants are awarded annually to fund ministries, education, programs, or experiences that provide benefit or education to preferably, but not exclusively, African Americans and/or Native Americans. Priority will be given to proposals that have not recently been funded by the Cady Grant. Salaries and stipends will not be awarded from this grant. Awards may be up to $8,000.
Cady Grants are available to individual United Methodists, local churches, District, or Conference ministry teams within Upper New York.
The application deadline is March 15th.
Click here for more information and the application.
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Applications now open for UMHEF scholarships
Paying for college can be stressful. For many families, affording higher education is the number one factor when deciding which school a student will attend.
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) scholarships help make it financially possible for qualifying students to obtain higher education, especially those attending United Methodist-related institutions. In rare cases, awards are also given to students attending other schools.
Click here to learn about the different types of scholarships available, eligibility requirements, and to apply. Most deadlines are around March 1.
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‘Engage New People Grant’ available
The Upper New York New Faith Communities' Team is excited to announce the “Engage New People Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working to Engage New People not already in their church/ministry. New Faith Communities Conference-wide purpose is to reach people outside the Church in new and contextual ways.
Grants will be available up to $2,500 to help local churches and ministries. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis in 2023. Churches and ministries may apply for up to $2,500 during one calendar year. Please expect 60 days to review your application.
Click here to apply for the “Engage New People Grant.”
Upon completing the application, the New Faith Communities' team will reach out to the pastor/lead planter of the church and/or contact person listed to confirm your submission.
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National Fund for Sacred Places now accepting applications
The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to more than $250,000 as well as wrap-around support services to congregations undertaking once-in-a-generation preservation projects. Click here to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your church would qualify for a grant. Click here to register for the webinar.
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Scholarships available for United Methodist lay women
The deadline to apply for the United Women in Faith (UWF) National Scholarship for lay women is April 18. The scholarships are designed to be used for undergraduate or graduate study or student internships in religion or a related field such as social work. Preference will be given to people affiliated with The United Methodist Church and women involved with UWF. The average scholarship is $1,000, and the maximum is $5,000.
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Sabbath Life retreats offered by Church in the Wild
starting in March
Sabbath Life was developed in 2014 by the Rev. Grace Hackney and wellness advocate Kelli Sittser using a one-year grant from the Duke Endowment. Since then, hundreds of pastors and spiritual leaders have attended these series of monthly one-day retreats with a focus on learning and developing a Sabbath practice, connecting with God in Creation, and connecting with others. Church in the Wild is excited to bring Sabbath Life to Upper New York!
Sabbath Life retreats will be held the second Monday of each month from March through November 2023 at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (April will be the third Monday).
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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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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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UMCOR cleaning buckets for Buffalo
In the aftermath of the Christmas blizzard, many have asked “What else can we do?”
Upper New York Director of Missional Engagement, Kristina Clark, recommends buying items from the Upper New York Mission Central HUB’s “Cleaning Kit" Amazon wishlist now through March 1 and have your items shipped to Harris Hill United Methodist Church, located in the Buffalo area at 8495 Main St., Williamsville, NY, 1422.
Harris Hill United Methodist Church’s “Go! Ministry” was prepared to respond to their community's cleaning needs after the blizzard with UMCOR Cleaning Buckets. They graciously provided these buckets to their neighbors and helped many make sense of the mess that was in front of them. Let's help replenish their buckets!
If you are dropping off in person, please call Harris Hill UMC to schedule a drop off at (716) 632-4688.
Feel free to buy items elsewhere and ship to Harris Hill UMC.
Click here to see what supplies are included in UMCOR cleaning buckets.
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Job Openings in the Upper New York Conference
Job Opening for a Director of Communications.
The Upper New York Conference has posted a job opening to the website. If you have any referrals for this position, please ask candidates to apply online through our website.
Director of Communications
For questions: please contact Tracy Rickett,
Human Resources Generalist
Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church
Direct Line: 315.898.2017
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Celebrate Black History Month
Discipleship Ministries recommends using the resources that blackpast.org has compiled about Black History Month to better understand the rich history and contributions of our Black sisters and brothers.
Click here to access dozens of resources specifically related to Black History Month.
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Free five-week Lent Bible study from GCORR
The General Commission on Religion & Race has a free downloadable Lent Bible study using the practice of Lectio Divina.
In this form of Bible study all participants are equal, all insights are of equal value, and there are no wrong answers to correct. This form of Bible study is built upon prayerful listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other. Each person takes turns sharing by mutual invitation. In this Bible study, share with one another the image of God, celebrating diversity, our equity, and our inclusion. During the study, we are looking for the same image of God displayed in the lectionary texts used with the hope that the use of this model might facilitate our ability to live in the image of God and to perceive that same sacred image in others.
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Society of St. Andrew offering free Lent devotionals
Lent is just a few weeks a week, beginning on Feb. 22! Do you have a devotional selected yet?
The Society of St. Andrew (our potato drop provider) has free new 2023 Lenten devotional booklets that you can have shipped to you and your congregation.
This year's writers share stories of redemption from their own lives, using Ephesians 1:7-8 as a prompt.
The deadline to order printed copies of these booklets is Monday Feb. 6, 2023.
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Fun activity for celebrating Lent with your family
During Lent, many of us are reminded once again to examine our lifestyles and ask, "What can we do for others?" Part of faith formation at any age is compassion and offering a serving heart to our neighbors. These past few years have been challenging when trying to find ways to serve our neighbors while remaining physically distant.
This time has also reminded us that we need to demonstrate compassion to others now more than ever. Lent is a good time to commit to giving money to a project that helps those in need. One way to involve the whole family is to collect coins during the season of Lent and then following Easter, donate the money.
Click here to read more about this Discipleship Ministries activity and to download the Coins for Lent Giving Calendar as a guide.
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Invite your community to worship this Easter
United Methodist Communications is offering beautiful postcards, banners, yard signs, and more to help invite your community to your Easter service(s). Customizable resources are available in a wide variety of designs, languages, and message types. Get up to $200 off these resources by using code UMCEA23 for a limited time.
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Get bookish in 2023
For many United Methodists, a new year is a good time to plan to read more, research a new area of interest, or dig deeper in the Bible. United Methodist Communications has three recommendations to help with those studious endeavors. Click here to read synopsizes of each.
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ANNUAL CAMPAIGNS
Stewardship with Rev. Susan Ranous
CLERGY TAX
We are at the beginning of a new year. Of course, in the church world, the appointment year started July 1st. The church year started at the beginning of Advent, but the rest of the “world” looks at January as the beginning of a new year.
In the “world of taxes”, look at December 31st as the end of the year, and realize that what has happened before is going to affect what goes on in the new year. Taxes, tax forms, etc. all come into play.
Now that the 2022 year has finished, you will be receiving a W-2 form, reporting your taxable wages, any housing allowances and exclusions, and any federal or state income taxes that you had withheld. What has been and has been reported will be used to prepare your income tax returns. There’s really no chance to make any changes that will help you at this point.
However, now is the time to work your tax professional to do a projection for 2023, and see what you can do to minimize any payments you have to make.
· Should you have federal and state income taxes withheld from your paychecks?
· Should you pay quarterly estimated taxes?
· Have you claimed enough as housing allowance/housing exclusions?
· What is the amount of self-employment tax you’ll have to pay, and how can you spread out the payment of those taxes?
· Are you tracking your business expenses, submitting them to the church for reimbursement, and providing unreimbursed amounts to your tax preparer?
· Are you tracking your “business” mileage?
All of these questions are important to consider and answer and work on now while you can make changes and decisions that will help you for 2023!
----Please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or [email protected] if you’d like to talk about mission and money in your local church. I have some great ideas to help you understand where you are and were you’re going!
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Jonesville UMC -Stigma Takes Away Hope and Life (STAHL) ministry
There are 20 million people in the United States struggling with alcohol or drug addictions. There are another 20 million people living in recovery. Close to half of the U.S. population has a family member who is addicted to drugs and alcohol.
There are ministries in Upper New York that bring about an awareness of addiction. In addition, many offer support to those in recovery as well as those affected by a loved one’s addiction.
Jonesville United Methodist Church’s Stigma Takes Away Hope and Life (STAHL) ministry and its Alcoholism and Addiction Family Recovery Resource Center is an amazing example of such a ministry.
On Thursday Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., Jonesville will host a “Recovery Speakers Night." Dr. Bill will speak about the disease of alcohol or other drug abuse. Lee-Ann, a child of an alcoholic will be speaking about the family devastation that occurs when living with or loving someone who has the deadly disease of a substance use disorder.
If you can't attend in person, the event will be streamed on their Facebook page, and it can be viewed the evening of the event on our JUMC Facebook or at a later date when time is readily available.
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Special Sunday planning calendar
Planning weekly services takes a lot of intentional work. Finding ways to incorporate special moments outside the normal rhythm takes even more work. The 2023 Special Sunday planning calendar can help make your worship planning just a bit easier. It highlights all the Special Sundays, Awareness Sundays, and Annual Conference Sundays throughout the denomination. The calendar offers tips and tools to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities for your church to come together and make a worldwide impact.
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Ways to support your pastor across five areas of well-being
Good health is a foundation for effective pastoral leadership. Congregations can do a lot to support their pastor’s health and well-being in all its dimensions—physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial—and thereby also support the mission and ministry of the congregation.
Click here to explore dozens of ideas from this Wespath resource that was published in our 2022 Issue II of the Advocate, which focused on spiritual wellness.
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Social Holiness podcasts now on the UNY Conference website
The Common Table podcasts are now on the Upper New York Conference website. Common Table podcast host, the Rev. Robin Blair, of the UNY Conference Social Holiness team, speaks with a wide array of experts on issues that deal with social justice. Each episode is about 30 minutes long.
There are currently three Common Table podcasts posted on our website. The first is about Peace with Justice in Israel Palestine. The second is about understanding differences and learning shared values. And the third is about domestic violence awareness, support, and prevention.
And stay tuned for the UNY Communications team to bring more podcasts to you in 2023!
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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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Mission Insite 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.
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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 Héctor announces clergy appointments
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Nuñez and the Upper New York Conference announce 14 ad interim appointments and 12 retirements pending approval of clergy session. View the full list of changes here.
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2023 appointment season news from Bishop Héctor
On Jan. 23, Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, sent a letter to the Upper New York Conference regarding the upcoming appointment season. This letter featured the processes for appointment discernment, retirement announcements, expressing interest in open churches, and transitioning churches.
Click here to read the full letter, which includes important dates.
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Employer legal updates for 2023
With the end of 2022 has come (and will come) significant legal changes. It’s hard to keep up-to-date on all the new workplace laws that are in effect. Tracy Rickett, the Upper New York Human Resources Generalist, has you covered!
Click here for laws related to posting requirements. Click here for three laws related to leave. Click here to learn the pay requirements for exempt employees and a new law requiring pay transparency. Click here to learn about the Human Rights Law update. Click here to learn about amendments to the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act.
With these many new requirements, now is a good time to dust off your handbooks and update them if you have not done so recently. Tracy Rickett is happy to draft or review any handbooks or other policies for legal compliance. You can contact her at [email protected] or (315) 898-2017.
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Certificates of Insurance for your Church
Please refer to the link below to obtain a certificate of insurance for your church - they are only good for one year.
Please refer any questions to Tracy Rickett at the
conference office 315-898-2017
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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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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
Feb. 1-28: Black History Month
Feb. 9: "Recovery Speakers Night" beginning at 7 p.m. at Jonesville UMC - STREAMING LINK
Feb. 20: Presidents’ Day: Conference, Episcopal, and District offices closed
Feb. 22: Ash Wednesday/First Day of Lent
March 10: Regional Meeting with Bishop Héctor: 10 a.m. Zoom with Extension Ministries
March 11: Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez's Installation Service - DETAILS
March: 15: Registration closes for March Special Session of Annual Conference
March 15: Cady Grant application deadline - DETAILS
March 25: Special Session of Annual Conference - 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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The Conference & District Office will be closed in observance of the following holidays:
· Presidents’ Day Monday, February 20th
· Good Friday Friday, April 7th
· Memorial Day Monday, May 29th
· Independence Day Tuesday, July 4th
· Labor Day Monday, September 4th
· Thanksgiving Thursday, November 23rd
· Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 24th
· Christmas Day Monday, December 25th
Christmas Eve (Observed) Tuesday, December 26th
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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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