June 9th, 2022 Oneonta District UMC News for you
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District E-newsletters
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Nancy's Notes # 45
Hello, Friends!
It’s been awhile since I’ve come to you in this space. As you know, I am getting ready to move. If you’ve ever moved, you know it’s a lot of work. I have gotten quite a bit done, but there are some things I will need almost up until the time I move, so those will have to be some of the last things packed.
In the midst of the process, I have made several trips to the Salvation Army to drop off clothes and household items that I no longer need. In addition, I’ve been to the Broome County Landfill 3 times on their “electronics recycling days.” I’ve gotten rid of an old TV, old laptops, old stereo equipment that doesn’t work anymore, and many, many cords that went to old computers, printers, etc. I took my old stereo speakers, but the man at the landfill said they wouldn’t take them, and that I could put them out for garbage. I put them out on the curb, and when I looked out a couple hours later, they were gone! Hooray!
It feels SO GOOD to get rid of that stuff. It can’t clutter my life anymore. I got to thinking, what clutters my spiritual life that I need to get rid of? As I ask myself that, I ask you, too. What is it that clutters our spiritual lives that we need to be freed from? A bad attitude? An unforgiving heart? Unhealthy habits? Poor communication? Priorities of our use of time, money, and talents that need to get rearranged? Faulty theology that says I’m not good enough for God to love, or the thought that I’m no good and God could not possibly use me for His glory? This is obviously not an exhaustive list. You know what it is for you, and I know what it is for me.
It was SO freeing to get rid of the material stuff that was weighing me down. I encourage you to do that as well. Even more importantly though, let’s all ask God to show us what spiritual and emotional clutter we need to be freed from – and then allow Him to do it!
With You in the Journey,
Nancy
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Welcome! to our New Pastors
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Howard (Russ) Underwood as a full-time local pastor to Worcester UMC and Richmondville UMC effective April 6, 2022
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Ejaz Abid as a Part-time Local Pastor to Sherburne UMC - Effective July 1, 2022
Farewell! Pastors who are leaving
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Rev. Dana Horrell - Retiring from Cooperstown UMC - Effective July 1, 2022
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What is Peace with Justice Sunday?
Peace with Justice Sunday is June 12 this year.
United Methodists relate to this special Sunday by seeking peaceful solutions, creating and supporting peace-related ministries in their Conference and learning about peaceful, just efforts around the world. Our Social Principles call us to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict. We insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to work together to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them.
Donations for this special Sunday support programs and ministries to educate, equip and mobilize actions in support of identified Economic, Health, and Gender Justice Priorities. Each Conference has a Peace with Justice Coordinator developing local social justice ministries. Fifty percent of the offering remains in the UNY Conference to support this ministry.
Click here for more information about Peace with Justice Sunday, including resources to support this special day.
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Support the UNY Taskforce on Peace with Justice
Affected by a third year of COVID-19, the Upper New York (UNY) Taskforce on Peace with Justice in Palestine/ Israel is not able to host their annual dinner—a dinner that supports the Gary Bergh scholarship.
Even though the dinner cannot happen, the Taskforce invites all people in the UNY Conference churches and friends who long for Palestinian peace with justice to join in an “imagined” Palestinian dinner with a donation in any amount in support of the Gary Bergh Scholarship so that, once again, young and “not-so-young” may respond to the Palestinian invitation to “come and see.”
Tax-deductible donations should be checks made out to “UNYAC” with “Gary Bergh Scholarship” on the memo line by July 30. Please mail to: Linda Bergh, 116 Edna Road, Syracuse, NY 13205 or Karen Peterson, 116 Greenridge Drive, Horseheads, NY. 14845.
This 27th Palestinian Dinner (imagined) is in honor of Leah Mae Carlisle who, in2 005, responded to the dinner speaker, well-known American Palestinian pastor, Alex Awad, to “come and see.”
Click here to learn more about the annual Palestinian dinners and Leah Mae’s work with the Taskforce.
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Common Table Podcast episode features the Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel Taskforce
From the Social Holiness Team of the Upper New York (UNY) Conference, The Common Table podcast reaches out to voices that have been quieted by culture and privilege. The UNY Social Holiness Team hopes that this podcast will inform, educate, and inspire the ministries of justice in your community of faith.
In the May 10, 2022, podcast, you can learn more about the Peace with Justice in Palestine/Israel ministry with the Rev. Alex Awad.
Click here to listen to this informative and eye-opening podcast and to find out ways you can participate in this ministry.
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Six ways we can observe Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, federal troops under the command of Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. They brought a life-changing message for the estimated quarter-of-a-million slaves in the state: “All slaves are free” and entitled to payment for their labor.
This important day in history became known as Freedom Day, or Juneteenth, now a U.S. federal holiday.
Juneteenth be a time when people of Christian faith—especially white Christians—should recommit to, evoke, stand on, and live out the promises of God to deliver all people everywhere from bondage and oppression.
Click here to learn more about Juneteenth and learn six ways we can observe Juneteenth.
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UMPH extending permission to use resources for online worship
Nashville, TN – The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) is extending full permission to all churches for use of UMPH copyrighted worship materials. Due to the extraordinary challenges faced by churches and others, UMPH (Cokesbury and Abingdon Press) is assuring easy access to essential worship aids and use of the Common English Bible for online worship and studies. Read the full article: click here.
The copyright page in the 1992 United Methodist Book of Worship grants permission as follows:
“United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship or educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.”
Each worship service is a one-time use. Therefore, churches are free to reproduce the liturgical text as needed (with the exception of the copyrighted service music on pages 173-223).
Further, during the COVID-19 crisis, UMPH is waiving the need to ask permission to livestream and/or record worship services which read, perform, or display liturgical text from the UM Book of Worship. UMPH encourages churches to utilize streaming licenses from OneLicense or CCLI to stream copyrighted service music from The United Methodist Hymnal. Many items appear in the UM Hymnal by permission of the copyright holders and UMPH cannot grant blanket permission to use their intellectual property.
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Leadership Academy begins July 15
Registration for the 2022/2023 Adventurers Leadership Academy is now open. Join Rev. Dr. Michael Beck Michael Beck during this year-long immersion into Fresh Expressions.
Churches - consider sponsoring a layperson from your congregation to attend.
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The 2022 Lottie Brown Scholarship recipients announced
Each year the Upper New York Annual Conference College Scholarships Committee offers Lottie Brown Scholarships for undergraduate students who are intending to enter a career in Christian service. This year’s recipients are Dakota Stott, Joshua Chun, Jonathan Smith, Will Allen, and Amethyst Gardener.
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GCFA Adds Neighbor® Storage As Newest Ministry Partner
Nashville, TN – The General Council on Finance and Administration—UMC Support (GCFA) Connectional Relations Team is pleased to report that Neighbor®, a self storage marketplace, has become a vetted ministry partner with GCFA. This is a program for churches to lease unused space like classrooms, or meeting spaces to provide safe, convenient, and affordable storage to the communities in which they are located. Connecting with Neighbor®, churches can become a “host” for any unused space for people to reserve – for just a month, or longer, as the needs of the church or the renter dictate.
Churches can set their own rental prices for space, and Neighbor® provides host churches with up to $1,000,000 personal liability insurance.
Kellie Schmeal, Relationship Director at GCFA said, “We are constantly looking for ways to help United Methodist churches and affiliated organizations raise funds to support all the ministries they are involved in. Adding Neighbor® to our list of ministry partners helps us do that.”
"Neighbor’s® platform allows churches and members to generate income on their unused space ‒ basements, garages, parking lots, and more," said Joseph Woodbury, CEO and co-founder of Neighbor®. "We're excited to join hands with GCFA to help spread the word to potential hosts for our renters. We couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity."
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Bishop Webb to offer virtual conversation with UNY laity on June 21
Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, had planned on in-person meetings with UNY laity this month, but these meetings had to be canceled due to expressed concerns related to the COVID pandemic.
To create an opportunity for these conversations to be held, Bishop Webb will be hosting a live webinar on Vimeo on Tuesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m.
During this webinar, Bishop Webb will address recent denominational developments and discuss the importance of keeping focused on the mission of the Church. The webinar will include a time for questions and answers.
Individuals are invited to send questions in advance, along with their name and church, for Bishop Webb to address by emailing them to [email protected] by June 17. An opportunity to submit questions during the webinar will be available through a chat function.
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UNY Young Adult Council wants to hear from UNY Young Adults |
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Are you looking for a fun activity to help folks in need?
Mission Central HUB at the Conference center is looking for donations you can collect in your community and also for volunteers to come into the HUB for various projects.
What do we do here you ask? We help folks in need when a natural disaster strikes their community. The HUB helps train and coordinate ERT (early response teams) and collects UMCOR supplies and kits. Mission Central HUB donates the supplies to organizations (Red Cross, fire departments, churches) in communities affected by a natural disaster. These items are often used by ERT as well. We not only help locally, but nation wide. Many UMCOR kits we receive are delivered to the Mission Central HUB in Mechanicsburg, PA. then distributed to folks in need. Or sometimes to Sager Brown, LA. Our main warehouse...nothing goes to waste! All is needed. Items not UMCOR approved are donated to local non-profits. Without you the HUB would not exist.
Projects for volunteers are but not limited to:
· Verification of UMCOR approved supplies
· Preparing for shipment
· Counting of supplies
· General needs that might arise in the HUB.
Please consider volunteering at Mission Central HUB! The need is now and everyday. Large groups, small groups, folks of all ages welcome even if just a few people are a big help. Contact Marybeth Ingalls at the Upper NY Mission Central HUB. She will be happy to set up a time for you or your group to volunteer for a few hours.
Please follow us on Face book. For more information visit our website.
Upper New York Conference
Mission Volunteer Coordinator
7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, N.Y. 13088
1-315-898-2064
1-315-372-0285
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Explore Volunteers-in-Mission opportunities
Volunteers-in-Mission (VIM) is one way United Methodists offer their skills and talents for Christian Service at home or abroad on short-term assignments in areas affected by disasters and hardships. A missionary movement of the United Methodist Church, VIM sends short term volunteer teams into areas of need to work on construction and spiritual formation projects.
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Local District News & Happenings |
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NEW- 6-Week Class - Taught by Pastor Paul –
(At Sidney UMC/On Zoom)
Week # 1 – Tuesday – July 12th – 4:30 pm
Week # 2 – Tuesday – July 19th – 4:30 pm
Week # 3 – Tuesday – July 26th – 4:30 pm
Week # 4 – Tuesday – August 2nd – 4:30 pm
NO STUDY (VBS) – Tuesday – August 9th – 4:30 pm
Week # 5 – Tuesday – August 16th – 4:30 pm
Week # 6 – Tuesday – August 23rd – 4:30 pm
(Books available in Sidney UMC Church Office)
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First United Methodist Church of Oneonta, NY (FUMC) has a part-time Treasurer position open immediately: The 15-16 hour /week Treasurer position requires a business background with proficiency in Excel and Quickbooks.
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Join The Mosaic for a mission trip this summer! |
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The Schoharie Mosaic Cooperative Ministry is gearing up for another fantastic mission trip this summer. We are heading to Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop, Maine for the week of August 15-20, 2022. Mechuwana has a well organized workcamp program where teams of volunteers come and get paired with work projects in the community. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, regardless of experience or skill. Scholarships will be available to cover the costs. Please prayerfully consider if this is an opportunity to put your faith into action helping those in need. To learn more about Camp Mechuwana visit their website at http://www.mechuwana.org.
We are enthusiastic about coming together for the purpose of ministry and mission in Christ!
Please sign up if you already know you are going AND share this trip with interested folks in your congregations and communities so we can continue with our planning strategy.
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Project Grants for Faith-Based Organizations
The Upper New York Conference United Women in Faith (formerly UMW) is offering Project Grants. Help spread the word to those who may benefit from this grant money. Grants are open to non-profit community and faith-based organizations that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and address the needs of women, children and youth within the boundaries of our UNY conference.
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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Tending to your soul so you can tend to others’ souls
Are you feeling an inkling to become closer to God? Do you feel like your life is like a hamster wheel or are you riddled with anxiety and yearn to feel God’s love deep in your soul? Or do you feel a draw to help others feel God’s presence whether it be friends, family, your congregation, or people in your workplace or community?
If any of these questions apply to you, then you should highly consider attending the Tending the Soul program training in spiritual direction.
This powerful training is available to clergy and laity, whether you are Methodist or not—it takes place over two years, consisting of six four-day retreats. The next training begins Nov. 14, 2022.
Click here for a glimpse of the most recent training that was completed last week and the lives that were transformed.
If you have any questions or are ready to register for the next program, contact Rev. Nancy Dibelius at [email protected].
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Click here for a list of upcoming Safe Sanctuaries Courses.
Registration is open one month prior to each class.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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Oneonta District Lay Servant Courses
Pastor Paul Winkelman will be teaching the Preaching course for our distict. He has proposed having the course in July or possibly wait until the fall. Let us know your thoughts, your interest, your availability! And please let others know about this opportunity. Email Cathy Honrath ( Oneonta District Lay Servant Ministry Chair at [email protected]
Stay tuned, other courses are being lined up.
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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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Camp and Retreat Ministry (CRM) |
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Sky Lake 75th Anniversary celebration
Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center is having a birthday party! You're invited to celebrate Sky Lake’s 75th anniversary on Saturday, June 11th. Activities begin at 11 a.m. and include nature hikes, craft projects, wagon rides, and a bounce-house. Food will be available for purchase from Pinkies BBQ food truck and from the Sky Lake bake sale (pre-order encouraged).
You’ll also have the opportunity to support Sky Lake by visiting the silent auction, featuring donations from Sky Lake alumni and local businesses, and the camp store, stocked with limited edition 75th anniversary gear! The day will conclude with a celebration at 3:30 p.m. Clergy are encouraged to bring a stole and guitarists can bring their guitars (storage will be provided) to participate in closing worship.
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A message from UNY Camp & Retreat Ministries
The UNY Camp & Retreat site directors are so excited to be able to offer full programming at their sites for the first time since 2020.
Click here to hear the positive news from the site directors themselves in this video and learn how you can explore all the wonderful summer camp opportunities throughout the Conference.
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The following job openings are posted on the Upper New York website...
1) Director of Missional Engagement for the HUB
2) Reservations Specialist for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
3) Part-time year round Maintenance Assistant at Skye Farm Camp and Retreat Center
4) Full-time seasonal Food Service Manager at Skye Farm Camp and Retreat Center
If you are interested in applying, please apply online through our website. Please contact Tracy Rickett with any questions. Thank you.
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New- Start the day with Debbie
The Adirondack and Albany District Superintendent, Debbie Earthrowl shares a devotion via Facebook Live at 7:30 AM every Monday through Saturday. The devotions are also posted on her Facebook page and the Adirondack District Facebook page, so you can tune in at any time. I personally find this an inspirational way to start the day. I trust you will, as well. To view, click here: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.earthrowl
or
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NEW- Learn from the comfort of your couch!
United Methodist Communications offers a variety of free webinars to help you enhance your marketing and communications skills as well as to keep you informed about the latest resources and church initiatives. Click here to find upcoming as well as archived webinars.
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United Methodist Communications Offering Free Resources for Fall Outreach
Fall is the perfect time to invite people back to church and celebrate back-to-school time with customized banners, yard signs, sandwich board signs, postcards, invitation cards and more. Click here to view the resources and order using coupon code UMCFA22 for $300 worth of free resources!
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Markers of a vital congregation
In Upper New York, we consider five factors as markers of a vital congregation.
Can you guess what they are?
Ten-year-old Savannah knows!
Click here to watch a fun video of her explaining these markers.
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New church trustees and SPRC resources
New materials and webinar recordings room April 26 and 28, 2022 were developed for churches in the Southern Tier Region, which consists of the Cornerstone, Mountain View, Binghamton, and Oneonta Districts. District Superintendents the Rev. Suzanne Block, the Rev. Dr. Jeff McDowell, and the Rev. Nancy Adams led the sessions.
One webinar was related to church trustees with included resources and the other webinar was related to staff-parish-relations committees with included resources.
Click here to watch these helpful recordings and access the useful resources.
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Scriptural reflections for mental health
How many of the following symptoms have you ever personally encountered?
Depression… anxiety… inability to concentrate… mood changes… trouble relating to people… low energy… feeling hostile towards others… excessive worry… feeling unable to cope with stress… excessive drug or alcohol consumption…
Scripturally speaking, we are never invited to hide our mental hurts from God or from sharing in community. In fact, the scriptures cited in this article encourage us to recognize that which ails us and to share our burdens with God and community.
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Crash courses in youth ministry
New Youth Ministry eBooks designed with the Youth Worker in mind.
Each eBook is loaded with practical tips and basic wisdom that you can read today and put into practice tomorrow! If you are a part-time or no-time (amazing volunteer!) youth worker, these crash courses are especially for you. Click here to learn more and download for FREE
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Avoid pitfalls if you livestream
Regardless of the size of their congregations or the number of services they conduct, most churches have at least tried their hand at livestreaming within the past year.
Whether you have a full team and a line-item budget for your livestreaming programs or you have just one member with a smartphone, livestreaming comes with unique benefits and drawbacks.
Here are four pitfalls to avoid:
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Focusing on discipleship
The mission of the United Methodist Church is creating disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. So, what is a disciple?
The Upper New York Conference has updated our website to better highlight the focus of our Conference—the tab for “our focus” is on our homepage— https://www.unyumc.org. In this section we list six characteristics that define a disciple of Jesus Christ. Click here to read “Our Focus.”
Another great resource to learn more about creating disciples is the See all the People website, which is a movement to “stop fixing our church and start seeing all the people Christ calls us to reach.” #Seealllthepeople has dozens of resources on creating intentional discipleship systems and methods of building relationships.
Click here to learn more about the #SeeallthePeople movement and watch their four-minute video that defines a “disciple.”
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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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Do you have questions? United Methodist Communications has answers.
Can I be confirmed online? Is it ever appropriate to place the Advent Wreath on the Lord’s Table? What's the United Methodist position on rebaptism? Can a lay servant wear a robe in the pulpit? What countries have United Methodist churches? Do apportionments help pay for church camps? How do you get to heaven?
These are only a handful of the thousands of questions received by Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, the information service for all things United Methodist.
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Supporting the humanitarian response in Ukraine
The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church is deeply troubled by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ominous implications it has for escalating tensions between Russia and Western nations. They join many Christian leaders and organizations worldwide in deploring the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, and they ardently pray for a redirection of military action toward diplomatic measures to resolve grievances.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief arm of Global Ministries, is in communication with partners in the region and actively exploring the coordination of humanitarian response in Ukraine. You can support UMCOR’s international disaster response efforts by writing a check to the Upper New York Conference with either Advance #982450/Ukraine or UMCOR/Ukraine written in the memo line.
Send checks to UNYAC, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY 13088.
Click here to read more about this response from Roland Fernandes, the General Secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR.
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Other giving opportunities in response to the war in Ukraine
Individuals can give directly to the Ukrainian people through local church offerings by writing a check to the Upper New York Conference with Advance #14053A in the memo line of the checks. These checks can either be placed in an offering plate or sent directly to the Conference office at 7481 Henry Clay Blvd., Liverpool, NY 13088.
The Ukraine UMC has created a crisis committee that will oversee all the global support that is coming in through UMCOR’s Advance #14053A “Eurasia In Mission Together - Ukraine and Moldova.” The money channeled through this Advance fund will go to the Ukraine UMC church account and decisions on how this will be used will be considered by the crisis committee, which includes pastors as well as lay leaders.
UMCOR also offers other opportunities for more specific giving to Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. You can designate giving by stating it is for "Ukrainian Refugee support" to the following Advance numbers.
· Hungary In Mission Together (Advance # 00175A)
· Poland In Mission Together (Advance # 00408A)
· Romania In Mission Together (Advance #00211A)
· Slovakia In Mission Together (Advance # 00236A)
Donations for Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia should be mailed directly to UMCOR Mission Together Advances at 458 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.
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United Methodists stand with Ukraine
United Methodists across the globe condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with those experiencing violence, displacement and suffering in the midst of war. Learn more about the ways United Methodist prayers, aid and witness are being directed to Ukraine.
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Holy Land Trip 2023
The clergy team of Syracuse United Methodist Ministries (Revs. Andy Anderson, B.J. Norrix, Jee Hae Song, and Alicia Wood) invite you to join them on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Feb. 14 – Feb. 24, 2023.
You will explore, learn, and fellowship as you visit Caesarea, the Sea of Galilee, Cana, Nazareth, Samaria, Jacob's Well, the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and much more. The cost of the trip starts at $3,448, leaving from JFK, New York. There is also an option to extend your trip through Jordan for an additional cost.
You are encouraged to register immediately with only $100. Register by April 14 ($125 off), May 14 ($100 off), June 14 ($75 off), July 14 ($50 off), August 14 ($25 off). Brochures with more details and registration forms are available. Please contact Pastors B.J.: [email protected], 315-726-2815 (cell); Andy: [email protected], 917-723-0901 (cell); Alicia: [email protected], 315-450-1632 (cell); or Jee Hae: [email protected], 404-825-8025 (cell), for a brochure, online registration link, if you have any questions, or need more information.
There will also be an informational session on May 3 at Erwin First United Methodist Church that you can attend in-person or via Zoom.
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The Media Resource Center is a free lending library supported through your Ministry Share dollars. 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.
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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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Mask mandate guidelines
At this stage of the pandemic, the impact of COVID across the Conference varies by county. To determine how your church can continue to keep participants safe, please consult the CDC website for recommendations.
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2022 Annual Conference has been postponed until Oct. 6-8 and will now be virtual
This news item was released April 21 by the Upper New York Conference office.
The Sessions Committee of the Upper New York Conference gathered by Zoom on the morning of Thursday, April 21 to discuss growing concerns about the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Upstate New York and throughout the United States.
Annual Conference will be postponed to Oct. 6-8 and it will be a virtual gathering. The plan is to use the same technology that was used at the 2021 virtual Annual Conference gathering, which was relatively well received.
Anyone who has already registered for the planned in-person Annual Conference gathering will receive full refunds. The processing of refunds will start immediately but could take a couple of weeks to complete. If you made a hotel reservation, you should contact the hotel directly to cancel.
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Nominations for 2022 Denman recipients
being accepted through July 1, 2022
The Denman award honors United Methodists in each Conference whose exceptional evangelism brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, Annual Conferences join the Foundation for Evangelism in recognizing one youth, one clergy member, and one lay person in each Conference.
The 2021 recipients in the Upper New York Conference were Pastor Della Ludwig (clergy) and Pastor Sean Chanthasone (clergy). The 2020 recipients were Nolan Carner (youth), Rick Fisher, Jr. (laity), and Pastor Jose Rodriguez (clergy).
The deadline for submitting your 2022 nominations to the Conference has been extended to July 15, 2022.
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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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NYS HERO Act
On March 18, 2022, the NYS Department of Labor updated its NY HERO Act website to confirm the designation of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under the HERO Act ended. Private sector employers are no longer required to implement their workforce safety plans. No more health screens!
While this is great news, there are other obligations the NY HERO Act (NY Labor Law Section 218-b) that remain even when no designation is in effect. These obligations include creating an airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plan, giving a copy of the plan to employees within 30 days after its creation, giving a copy of the plan to any new employees when they are hired, posting the plan in each work site so employees can view it, and updating the plan as necessary.
Any questions about the NYS HERO Act obligations can be addressed to Upper New York Conference Director of Human Resources/Benefits, Susan Latessa at [email protected] or 315-898-2002.
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Don't Wait, Get Your Federal Tax Exemption Letter!
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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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Subscribe to the GCFA "Collaborator" for Finance & Administration resources for your Ministry. A Support newsletter from GCFA - Click here
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On the Conference calendar
June 11: Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center 75th anniversary celebration - DETAILS
June 12: Peace with Justice Sunday - DETAILS
June 18: Casowasco Trail walk/run - DETAILS
June 21: Bishop Webb laity webinar at 6:30 p.m. - DETAILS
July 1: Denman Award Nomination Deadline - DETAILS
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UNYAC Contact Information
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UNY 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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How to get help from UNY Conference for...
Regular needs or questions, contact the Conference (315) 898-2000 or email: [email protected] 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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Oneonta District Contact Information
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Attention Please- Oneonta District Office UMC Mailing address - until further notice:
Please mail all (snail mail) correspondence to the following Address:
Oneonta District Office UMC
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
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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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(Physical address) Oneonta District Office 64 Chestnut St. Oneonta, NY 13820
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