February 17th, 2022 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: [email protected]
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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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Attention Please- IMPORTANT Notice
Re: Oneonta District Office UMC Mailing Address
Our P.O. Box 668 has been discontinued.
This is temporary!
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For now- 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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NEW- General report by the Protocol Commission
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. This commission is composed of the Conference Treasurer, Dean of the Cabinet, Conference Chancellor, Director of Connectional Ministries, Director of Vital Congregations and representatives of the Committee on Finance and Administration, Board of Ordained Ministry, Board of Trustees, Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegations, and up to three persons named by Nominations and Leadership Development.
The Study Commission met via Zoom several times and created two surveys for both clergy and congregations. The surveys were transmitted to congregations and clergy via District offices and District Administrative Assistants.
The Study Commission has created a report with observations of the surveys and the survey results. Click here to access the report.
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#BeUMC
You are invited to be a part of a meaningful campaign by including the #BeUMC hashtag in your social media posts. The hope is that as many United Methodists as possible will share their personal experiences, values, hopes, and heritage through photos, videos, and written reflections of why they continue to #BeUMC.
Click here to see dozens of inspiring examples of how United Methodists across the Connection have been sharing their #BeUMC posts!
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Kept those reports coming! 2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms- Due Dates
February 15th 2022 - Now Past Due
mail completed & signed copy to District Office
Report of Trustees
Report of Finance Committee
2021 Year End Financial Report - your church format
2022 Church Budget - your church format
February 28th 2022
March 15th 2022
2021 Local Annual Financial Audit
If you need help with any of the forms or have forgotten your login information, please contact the District Office for assistance.
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EZRA Site is now opened!
Statistics for 2021- The Ezra site opened Saturday January 1, 2022 to enter the church statistical data. This year Ezra will still be on the same Ezra site as previous years. Nothing has changed other than the submission date. The new submission date is February 28, 2022.
The 2021 stat reports will be used for the 2023 Ministry Share calculations.
If you need your sign-in information, contact Teresa in the District Office, [email protected] or call (607) 441- 5102
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All 2021-2022 Charge Conference forms are available to download at: https://uny.umconline.org/ or by clicking here.
*Please note when trying to download Charge Conference Forms to use Firefox Browser.*
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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Trainings for all churches in the Southern Tier Region:
Oneonta, Binghamton, Mountain View, and Cornerstone Districts
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SPRC Training for all SPRC members Tuesday April 26th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to be presented by Superintendents Nancy Adams, Jeff McDowell, and Suzanne Block. raining to be held Via ZOOM.
RSVP by email to [email protected] by April 15th so we can send you materials in advance.
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Trustee Training for all trustees Thursday April 28th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to be presented by Superintendents Nancy Adams, Jeff McDowell, and Suzanne Block. Training to be held Via ZOOM.
RSVP by email to [email protected] by April 15th so we can send you materials in advance.
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Upper NY LPLS (local pastors licensing school)
click the link below to read more and to register:
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Stewardship Academy starts April 23 on Zoom
Upper New York ordained deacon and Director of Christian Stewardship, the Rev. Susan Ranous, is offering a Stewardship Academy via Zoom over four sessions (April 23, May 21, June 18, July 16). Rev. Ranous will share all concepts of stewardship including self, time, talents, money, and more.
This is an opportunity to read and learn about stewardship and all that it entails. The Academy qualifies clergy for CEU.
Click here for a brochure about the Stewardship Academy. For more information, contact Rev. Ranous at 315-427-3668 or [email protected].
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Basic Lay Servant Course
Led by Rev. Anne Canfield
A Basic Lay Servant Course is being offered via Zoom by
Rev. Anne Canfield.
It will be held on February 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and February 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a short break for lunch then resume and go until 4:00 p.m..
Participants will be required to purchase 2 books prior to the beginning of the course. There will not be any other charges.
1. Lay Servant Ministries (Basic Course) Participant's Guide by Sandy Jackson - on Amazon HERE
2. Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen - on Amazon HERE
If you would like more information or to register please contact
The Adirondack District Lay Servant Ministries is offering Lay Servant Courses: (Open to All)
The Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has begun work on courses we will be offering in 2022. We plan to continue offering the 7 courses required for Lay Speaker Certification, and are excited to be offering some new advanced courses to support you in your continuing faith journey.
Here are new courses. Look for information on more courses soon to be announced:
Advanced Course: Afire with God
Monday: April 18 & April 25: 10 am-2:30 pm
Thursday: April 21 & April 28: 10 am-2:30 pm
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitators: Bruce Hazard & Arlene Schmidt
Advanced Course: Heritage: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
Tuesdays, May 3, 10, 17: 6-9pm
Sunday, May 15th: 5-9pm
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitators: Arlene Schmidt and Bruce Hazard
Advanced Course: Leading Prayer
Thursdays, May 5, 12, 19, and 26: 6-9pm
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitators: Jacqueline Kim and Jamiee Ross
Advanced Course: Called to Preach
Mondays, June 13, 20, & 27: 6-9pm
Thursdays, June 16 & 23: 6-9pm
Zoom: Fee $15
Facilitators: Jacqueline Kim and Arlene Schmidt
If you are interested in taking any of these courses, contact registrar Arlene Schmidt at [email protected]
Albany District Advanced Lay Servant Course Offering
Public Prayer (Required Lay Speaker Course)
Wednesdays, March 9, 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 2022 via Zoom
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Rev. Nancy Dibelius
Course Fee: $10.00
Crossroads District ZOOM Lay Servant classes open to all
Leading Public Prayer, Beginning Sunday, February 27
Classes will run for 5 weeks, via Zoom, beginning
Sunday, February 27, 2022, from 3 pm to 5pm.
As a church leader, you may find yourself leading prayer at meetings, in worship
services and other settings. We generally learn to pray by listening to others pray. The
prayers we -hear have a large influence on our own prayer life. It is important,
then, that you are knowledgeable and lead well in prayer. This course will help you
overcome your fear of praying in public because prayer is something we learn, and it
can be taught.
This course will challenge some of your beliefs, test some of your preconceived ideas,
stretch your thinking and enrich your prayer life. The aim is to present you with an
opportunity to grow in the discipline of leading prayer and developing a
healthy prayer life. The primary objective for this course is to enable you to effectively
prepare and lead various prayer forms, at meetings, during worship and other settings.
Book: Let the Whole Church Say Amen! by Laurence Hull Stookey (Abingdon
Press, 2001).
Instructor: Rev. Nola M. Anderson, 315-506-2838 (cell);
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Living our Christian Beliefs (Wesleyan Heritage), ZOOM, Beginning March 11
We will discover the place of doctrine in relation to the missional movement known as Methodism. An understanding of Wesleyan theology will be developed and its influence on the practical structure and disciplines for the first Methodists will be determined. A knowledge of Methodist History and the formation of other Methodist denominations will be studied. The Wesleyan understanding of grace and how grace leads to the holiness of the heart and life will be explored.
Book: Living Our Beliefs, The United Methodist Way, 2nd Edition, Kenneth L Carder, 2009
Schedule: This is a 5-week Zoom Class beginning Friday, March 11, 2022, from 7 - 9 pm.
Instructor: George Ramseyer, 315-638-8177 (Home) 315-720-6184 (Cell)
More courses via ZOOM:
Spiritual Gifts, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., April 9 and 16. Hybrid (In-person AND Zoom) Delta UMC, Rome, NY. For details or to register, Ken Guilfoyle, CLM, [email protected] or 315 254 6673.
Exploring Healing Prayer, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Thursdays, March 10-April 6, via Zoom, courtesy of the Mountain View District. Click here for info and registration.
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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.
Creating a Connection Between the Church and the Community, 11 a.m. to Noon, Mar. 2, Dan Pezet, cost $25. Registration, click here.
BRAND NEW! More Ways to Communicate Effectively with Your Church, 3 to 4 p.m., Mar. 22, Kevin Slimp, cost $25. Registration, click here.
Missional Accountability: Focusing on What God Desires, 11 a.m. to Noon, Mar. 31, Jaye Johnson, cost $25. Registration, click here.
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The following job openings are posted on the Upper New York website...
1) Director of Missional Engagement
2) Maintenance Manager for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
3) Reservations Specialist for Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
4) Seasonal Camp Staff -
If you have any referrals for these positions, or are interested in applying, please apply online through our website. Please contact Tracy Rickett with any questions. Thank you.
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New- Spiritual practices for 2022: Praying the Psalms
As we enter 2022, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius will continue to offer opportunities to engage in spiritual practices; a video will be presented each month that will invite you into ways of exploring, engaging, and nurturing your relationship with God.
This week Rev. Dibelius will revisit a practice that was introduced previously, inviting you to enter in in a new way. The latest practice highlighted is Praying the Psalms. Click here to watch this video.
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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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Are you struggling with mental health?
You are not alone!
The Neighborhood Center, an official NY Project Hope provider agency, is offering free, confidential and anonymous counseling for community members who need to talk to someone or learn about resources in their community regarding COVID-19.
NY Project Hope, a program of the NYS Office of Mental Health and funded by FEMA, provides emotional support through conversation, stress management techniques and helpful community resources.
To talk to someone who hears what you say and can help you understand what you're feeling about the challenges of life during COVID-19, call 1-844-863-9314 from 8 am-10 pm, any day to talk with a trained Crisis Counselor.
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Mental Health First Aid
Wespath is offering virtual seminars on mental health first aid March 10 or March 17 and March 23 or March 24. Learn how to reach out to others and get them help as well as accept and understand your own mental health needs. The free events are led by Chris White. Be sure to register for two sessions.
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Tending the Soul new cohort to begin Nov. 2022
Tending the Soul, a training program in Missional Spiritual Direction and Congregational Formation will be starting a new cohort in November 2022. The program is designed for lay and clergy. Perhaps more than any other time in our recent past, the ability to listen deeply for God, to remain centered and non-anxious, and to hold sacred space for others is an essential tool in ministry (both within your local congregation and the greater community).
Click here for more information and a brochure with all details on the program and how to apply. Any questions can be directed to the Rev. Nancy Dibelius ([email protected]).
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Retiree 2021 tax, benefit, and grant information
Upper New York Conference retirees, their spouses, surviving spouses, and clergy on medical leave of the Upper New York Conference can learn about tax information, benefits, and grants that may pertain to them. The Human Resources and Benefits Ministry Area has prepared a helpful packet with this information.
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UMCOR / Mission Central Hub
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NEW- UM Global Ministries and UMCOR’s response to COVID-19
Since the early months of 2020, the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) have followed a broad, proactive course in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reflective of the international guidelines for nonprofit participation in the effort to control and overcome the disease and in line with established denominational policy on the alleviation of suffering.
Global Ministries response through the “Sheltering in Love” Advance and other sources of funding have, to date, enabled the release of over 340 grants totaling $4.5 million to more than 300 partners in 57 countries.
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The UNYAC Media Resource Center is operating on a limited basis for Resource orders. We have a small committee who are dedicating their time and talents to help maintain this valuable resource. We need your help! Click here to read about our changes and how you can help us help you.
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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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2022 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.
Application deadline is March 15. Awardees will be notified by April 30.
Click here to learn more, review the procedures, and to apply.
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What the end of the NY state mask mandate means for local churches
New York State Governor Hochul lifted the mask mandate for all vaccinated and unvaccinated persons effective Feb. 10. This means businesses are no longer required to mandate that all persons in their facilities wear face masks. Pastors and other local church leaders are now asking what this means for their churches, particularly as it relates to worship and other gatherings.
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If you have a question about COVID-19 and how it affects your church or need assistance, please send a message to the COVID-19 response team at (315) 898-2012 or [email protected].
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Update- The NY HERO Act designation with respect to COVID-19 has been extended again and will be in effect through March 17, 2022, at which time it will be reviewed and subject to further extension.
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Don't Wait, Get Your Federal Tax Exemption Letter!
Did you know that, as a United Methodist ministry, it is easy to get a letter proving your tax-exempt status – without applying directly to the Internal Revenue Service? The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), and sister agency to (GBHEM), United Methodist Women, and others, have received a “group ruling” designation from the IRS.
Basically, an umbrella or central organization (GCFA) takes over some of the administrative functions that would normally fall to a backlogged IRS, so that subordinate organizations, like United Methodist camps, churches, and other ministries can apply to the central organization for inclusion in their group. What that means for you is that, rather than applying directly to the IRS, you can apply online easily and quickly through GCFA. GCFA, rather than the IRS, will check your documentation and issue a letter of inclusion – meaning that you are included in the overall United Methodist group ruling for tax exemption.
Don't wait. Recently the IRS issued notice that it may change the group ruling policy. While we don’t know when those changes may take place, it is quick and easy to get a letter of inclusion in the denominational group ruling currently, so act quickly, before any changes take place.
There are a couple of important things to note: The online form is very straightforward for local United Methodist churches and the local church can quickly get its letter at the below link. For ministries that are affiliated as United Methodist organizations, such as a church, child care program, or a summer camp, the organization must have its own EIN, board, and organizing documents. Also, this tax exemption verifies your federal status and does not affect any state tax ruling.
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NY Paid Family leave changes for 2022
New York State Paid Family Leave provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job protected, paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or to assist loved ones when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service. This time can be taken all at once, or in increments of full days.
Paid Family Leave may also be available in some situations when an employee or their minor, dependent child is under an order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19.
Click here for all the details you need to know about 2022 Paid Family Leave in UNY.
If you have additional questions on the New York State Paid Family Leave benefit, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at (315) 898-2017 or [email protected]. You may also contact Guardian directly at 1-800-268-2525.
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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
You can take a free training course by clicking on the following link:
Please remember to send a copy of your Completed training certificate to Teresa at the Oneonta District Office when you have completed It.
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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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REMINDER: Offices closed on Monday Feb. 21
Please note that the Upper New York Conference,Episcopal offices and the District offices will be closed on Monday Feb. 21 in observance of President’s Day.
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On the Calendar
February: Black History Month
Feb. 21: Presidents' Day- Conference & District Offices Closed
Feb. 28: Final date to update statistics in Ezra - DETAILS
March: Women's History Month
March 1: Deadline for petitions, resolutions, and reports - DETAILS
March 2: Ash Wednesday
March 4: World Day of Prayer
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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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"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
(mailing address-until further notice)
Oneonta District Office
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St. Oneonta, NY 13820
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