December 1st, 2022 Oneonta District UMC News for you
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District E-newsletters
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A few Messages from DS. Bob Kolvik- Campbell |
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Dear Friends,
Thanks so much for your faithfulness in completing Church Conference Work and in attending Church Conferences. I am grateful for your time and support and for the opportunity to meet with you in person. Please reach out if you have seen any way to improve the church conference process for your church. I am very, very grateful for those churches who have and will host us for church conference this year.
Thanks so much for your efforts!
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We move to the Season of Advent. As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, Advent can sometimes be misunderstood. I think Advent really has more to do with our understanding what Jesus’ coming into our lives truly means and less to do with our understanding of the Nativity of Jesus (covered the Fourth Sunday in Advent and in the Season of Christmas.)
So what does Advent offer us? A time to fast from all of things the world calls us to consume, that we might embrace and be moved in our living to understand where we need to change as Christ comes to us anew. Where do our lives need to changed, where is our care for others and acceptance of others in Christ at work in our lives? Where do we need to know the love, the grace, and the ability to change, that Christ calls us to in our discipleship, so that we might follow better and help others to follow Christ as well?
Growing up, my Mom always made the month of December a time when we all had to clean up the house so that we could decorate and celebrate Christmas well. What in our lives needs to be cleaned up, so that we can decorate and celebrate well and be the disciples that Christ calls us to be?
May the blessings of this Advent Season be with you!
Grace and Peace,
Bob Kolvik-Campbell
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Finding ways of caring for ourselves in all of our days is something that God calls us to. Jesus calls us to care for ourselves in meaningful ways as well. We have an opportunity to learn more about how we can grow in our understanding of Sabbath through Sabbath Life, a program hosted by Church in the Wild, a New Faith Community which meets at Sky Lake. Here are the details of the program. I hope you will consider participating:
Sabbath Life was developed in 2014 by 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!
Schedule: Sabbath Life retreats will be held the second Monday of each month from March through November at Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center from 10am to 4pm. (April will be the third Monday.)
Registration will be for the entire 9-month series. The cost is $50/session totaling $450.
The program includes lunch and a CSA of fresh local produce for each participant.
The rhythm of a Sabbath Life day includes a time of welcome, engaging Creation, worship and table, rest and recreation in shared silence, and time to reflect and connect.
Here are the dates: March 13, April 17, May 15, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13
Blessings!
Bob Kolvik-Campbell
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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
Due TODAY -Dec.1st: UPDATE ONLINE - DO NOT PRINT A COPY
Due February 15th. 2023
Report of Trustees
Report of Finance Committee
2022 Year End Financial Report
2023 Church Budget - Your church format
2022 Statistical Reports - to be entered online- Link to be provided
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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Bishop Webb’s top five tips for prevailing as a Conference
At his Nov. 19, 2022, farewell gathering at the UNY Conference Center, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, offered five tips to keep the mission of the United Methodist Church alive.
These are his tips:
1. Keep chasing after Jesus individually and corporately. Keep knowing the depth of God’s love for you and seek a deeper love for Jesus.
2. Be kind and compassionate to one another. Don’t make each other enemies. See the best in each other. “God’s call isn’t dependent on what the symbol on your shirt is; we’re all partners in ministry no matter what the future holds—we’re all going to be together in the place called Glory!”
3. Don’t allow anything to be a substitute for the Truth of the Word of God.
4. Stay focused on the reason we’re here. The purpose of the Church is to help one more person say “yes” to following Jesus.
5. Be a bold and courageous follower of Jesus Christ.
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Local District News & Happenings |
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New- Bible study for Advent at Richmondville & Worcester UMCs
Richmondville UMC - Wednesdays at 10 am in the fellowship hall
Dates: Nov. 30th, Dec. 7th, Dec. 14th, Dec. 21st
Worcester UMC - Tuesdays at 6pm in the fellowship Hall.
Dates: Nov. 29th, Dec. 6th,Dec. 13th, Dec. 20th
Lead by Pastor Russ Underwood
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Elm Park UMC -Christmas Cantata
Sunday, Dec.18th Worship Service at 9:30am
All are welcome.
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Come join us at Elm Park UMC
for A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Christmas Eve Candlelit Service
Saturday, December 24 at 7pm
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Are you interested in a clergy person tax workshop?
The Rev. Susan Ranous is planning on offering a two-hour workshop during the afternoon or evening of Dec. 8.
If you are interested, please email Rev. Ranous at [email protected]. It will be held via Zoom. Once Rev. Ranous hears from you, she will send you a link!
· Clergy are treated differently under the tax code than virtually anybody else in the country.
· Are clergy employees or self-employed? Hint: the answer isn’t obvious or easy!
· Clergy have advantages and disadvantages that no one else has.
· Often, confusion exists concerning clergy compensation, deductions, and expenses.
This workshop will help you understand the current tax laws that affect clergy today.
At the end of this workshop, you will have a better grasp of the unique issues faced by a United Methodist Clergy Person. Topics will include: Defining the Dual-Status Tax Classification of Clergy, Defining What a Clergy Person Is, What Responsibilities the Church Has, What Responsibilities Clergy Have, Describing the Housing Allowance and Exclusion, Discussing Exemptions and Deductions, and Completing Your Tax Filing Forms.
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UNY Everyday Disaster grant opportunity
The Upper New York Mission Central HUB is excited to announce the “Everyday Disaster Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working in their community to fight everyday (socioeconomic) disasters. These disasters might include, but are not limited to: food insecurity, addiction, racial injustice, violence, or lack of affordable housing.
This funding opportunity is intended to connect, build relationships, and celebrate the impactful outreaches that are happening throughout the Upper New York Conference and are playing a vital role in creating disciples that transform the world. We can't wait to hear the difference you are making in your community!
The grant application will be open from 11/1/22 – 12/31/22. Grant recipients will be announced in February 2023. Please send all questions to Kristina Clark, Director of Upper New York Mission Central HUB, at [email protected].
The grant application is now open and can be viewed by clicking here.
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United Methodists Communications #IGiveUMC campaign
The new #IGiveUMC campaign launched this week by United Methodist Communications invites donations in honor of a loved one to the church their honoree attends, their own church, or a church with family ties.
The giving campaign by United Methodist Communications in partnership with the General Council on Finance and Administration encourages donors to post a photograph or video on social media using the campaign hashtag.
The UNY Communications team would love to highlight all UNY members participating in this campaign. Please send your loved one’s name and photo to [email protected] and we will let others know that you participated in this campaign.
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The Buffalo 10 Scholarship—just the beginning
Eighty-five percent of Black Buffalonians live on the East side of the city, where the racially motivated mass murder took place at the Tops grocery store on May 14, 2022.
The Upper New York (UNY) Conference has a team of Buffalo-area clergy who are working together to support these residents.
The first step is the Buffalo 10 Scholarship. Dr. Scott Johnson, Pastor Angela Stewart, the Rev. George Nicholas, the Rev. Raquel Alston, and the Rev. Tanya Spencer are all pastors at local churches in Buffalo. These pastors along with Buffalo area resident and Conference Commission on Religion and Race member, Charles Syms, submitted a petition at the 2022 UNY Annual Conference on Oct. 6, 2022, requesting the creation of a Buffalo 10 Scholarship to honor the 10 Black residents that were killed at the Tops local market on May 14, 2022.
This petition called for the UNY Conference to establish a scholarship in the name of the Buffalo 10 for students from the 14208 zip-code attending college. This petition was supported by 93.6 percent of the Annual Conference body.
Click here to read more about the initiative UNY clergy has initiated to help give a voice to residents on the East Side of Buffalo.
Click here to donate to the Buffalo 10 Scholarship fund.
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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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How You Can Help Those Affected by Hurricane Ian
United Methodists plan to lead the way to recovery after Hurricane Ian unleashed substantial damage in Florida and South Carolina. At this time, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has asked for prayers, monetary donations to UMCOR, and for congregations to continue assembling supply kits.
There are so many ways to help!
Click here for monetary donations to go directly to UMCOR.
Click here to access kit supply lists and instructions.
You can also bring the kits and/or appropriate supplies directly to the Upper New York (UNY) Mission Central HUB in Liverpool—contact the UNY Director of Missional Engagement, Kristina Clark ([email protected]), to coordinate a drop-off date and time.
Congregations can also buy supplies for the kits off the UNY Mission Central HUB Amazon wish lists and have them shipped directly to the HUB. If purchasing from another website, congregations or groups can ship the supplies directly to the HUB by setting the mailing address to Mission Central HUB 7481 Henry Clay Blvd, Liverpool NY 13088.
Click here for the UNY HUB hygiene kit Amazon wish list.
Click here for the UNY HUB menstrual hygiene Amazon wish list.
Click here for the UNY HUB cleaning bucket Amazon wish list.
Monetary donations to the UNY Mission Central HUB can be given by clicking here.
Please continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Ian.
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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Local Church Financial Training Offered via Zoom
Rev. Susan Ranous, Director of Christian Stewardship and Deacon specializing in Stewardship, Church Finances and Clergy Tax is offering a training from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday January 7th via zoom.
if you're interested in participating, please contact Carrie Boyer in the Adirondack District Office email: [email protected] , or call her at 518-608-1246. The zoom link will be sent as the date gets closer.
Workshop description:
· Are you new to the financial areas of the local church?
· Maybe you've never been a treasurer or financial secretary or finance chair?
· Do you need some help to understand what you have to do and how to do it?
This workshop will give you the basic knowledge needed to understand what is needed and how to do the various financial tasks.
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2023 Safe Sanctuaries schedule announced
The UNY Safe Sanctuaries Team has schedule 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 will open Jan. 4. Look for the link in upcoming announcements.
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.
for information regarding Safe Sanctuaries please visit our website:
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New Lay servant classes announced - Course offerings for 2023 via ZOOM
Open to All
Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has scheduled the following courses beginning in January 2023.
Please remember that you MUST attend all class times and dates to receive credit.
No refunds or credit for courses will be given. All registrations and course fees MUST be in by the date due.
For a registration form or for more information, contact Arlene Schmidt, [email protected] For more information about the courses (books, etc.) click here for the brochure.
*Basic Lay Servant Course
Wednesdays, January 11, 18 and 25, February 1 and 8, 6-9 pm
ZOOM: Course Fee: $15
Registration and course fees due by December 28
*Advanced Course: For the Common Good (Spiritual Gifts)
Thursdays, January 26, February 2, 9 and 16: 6-9 pm
ZOOM: Fee $15
Registration and course fees due by January 12
*Advanced Course: Leading Prayer
Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29: 6-9pm
ZOOM: Fee $15
Registration and course fees due by February 15th
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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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New- Job Openings in the Upper New York Conference
Custodian/Building Maintenance Technician
Site Director
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A prayer walk spiritual practice
Throughout 2022, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius has offered opportunities to engage in spiritual practices each month with video discussion and instruction. These videos invite you into ways of exploring, engaging, and nurturing your relationship with God.
This month, Rev. Dibelius revisits the spiritual practices of Stations of the Cross and Pilgrimage, providing suggestions and a script for a prayer walk.
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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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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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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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Attention Churches: Please Post this Job Rights Poster
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a revised version of its poster, entitled “Know Your Rights”. A copy of the revised poster can be located here.
The law requires an employer to post a notice describing the Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, religion, age (40 and older), equal pay, disability or genetic information (including family medical history or genetic tests or services), and retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding.
The “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster, prepared by the EEOC, summarizes these laws and explains how employees or applicants can file a complaint if they believe that they have experienced discrimination.
The EEOC has not released a specific date by which the revised poster must be used but has said that employers should replace the old one with the revised one within “a reasonable amount of time”. The poster must be placed in a conspicuous location where notices to applicants and employees are customarily posted. It may also be distributed electronically, but electronic distribution does not remove an employer’s requirement to have the poster present in the workplace(s).
Employers who fail to use the revised poster may face penalties. It is recommended that you replace the EEO poster with the revised version as soon as possible. Please be sure you are using the version marked “(Revised 10/20/2022)” going forward.
For questions on this topic, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at 315-898-2017 or [email protected].
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New York State Minimum Wage Increase effective 12/31/2022
October 2022/By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist
New York State Minimum Wage Increase
Effective December 31, 2022, New York State minimum wage will increase to $14.20/hour.
Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employee’s minimum wage. Future increases will be determined by the NYS Director of Budget in consultation with the NYS Commissioner of Labor and will be announced on or before October 1 each year. Please click this link for more information on the change to
Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay under the state and federal wage and hour laws. Overtime pay for non-exempt employees is calculated as time and one-half their regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in a workweek.
An updated NYS Minimum Wage poster must be posted at your work site for your employees by December 31, 2022. Once the updated poster is available, the Conference office will post it on our Church Employer webpage under Employment Law Compliance and Posters
New York State Minimum Salary
As of the date of this news article, the New York State minimum salary for employees classified as exempt under the New York State Labor Law remains at $990.00/week or $51,480.00 per year. Any updates to the New York State minimum salary will be published as it becomes available.
Churches should review their wage and hour practices to ensure that their employees are classified properly as non-exempt or exempt and that current minimum wage and minimum salary levels are being paid to employees.
If you have any questions on this topic, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at 315-898-2017 or [email protected].
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Disaffiliation Information-From Wespath
Understanding Pension Liabilities-For Local Churches Considering Disaffiliation
Watch this video for easy-to-understand answers to complex questions related to pension plan funding and the withdrawal liability payment required for local churches that disaffiliate from the UMC.
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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
Dec. 1: World AIDS Day
Dec. 23: Conference Office closed
Dec. 25: Christmas
Dec. 26: Conference Office closed
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2022 Holiday Schedule
The District Office Will Be closed on the Following Dates:
December 23rd Christmas Eve (Observed)
December 26th Christmas (Observed)
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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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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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