June 10th, 2021 Oneonta District News for you
* Please share this newsletter with your friends and congregation members.
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Note: 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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Nancy’s Notes - #27
Dear Friends,
Please see the article below from your Superintendents of the Southern Tier Region:
In addition to the changes below, Ames-Sprout Brook on the Albany District will become a member of the Oneonta District.
Dear Friends serving our Lord in the Southern Tier of our conference:
Southern tier districts are Cornerstone, Mountainview, Binghamton and Oneonta. We have three superintendents now serving four districts and to do so, we are adjusting the lines of our districts.
Beginning July 1, the following churches currently in the Mountainview District will become members of the Cornerstone District: Allentown, Bolivar, KonXions, Swain, Short Tract and Wellsville.
The following churches currently in the Binghamton District will become members of the Mountain View District: Barton, Halsey, Litchfield, Lounsberry, Nichols, Smithboro, Spencer, Tioga Center, and Waverly.
We hope this will clear up the confusion and help us focus on our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ across the land.
In Christ with you, Jeff McDowell, Nancy Adams, and Suzanne Block, superintendents.
Friends, let me know if you have any questions, and God bless!
With you in the Journey,
Nancy
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Bishop Webb announces clergy appointments
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Annual Conference 2021 Information |
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Final Pre-Conference Training June 16
GNTV will host one final training session on Wednesday, June 16 beginning at 10 am. This training will be different than the previous pre-Conference trainings in that it will focus only on the technical components of Annual Conference; participants will use their actual personal ID number that will be sent from GNTV prior to the training. This will be great practice to become accustomed to the format of Annual Conference, which begins on June 17. Click here at 10 am on June 16 to join the training.
If you attended an earlier pre-Conference training you should receive your ID to login approximately one week prior to the start of Annual Conference.
If you need help logging in once your receive your ID, contact the GNTV helpline by calling/texting 478-245-4042 or call toll-free 833-259-3505.
If you'd like to review the briefings given by Conference leaders during the May trainings, click here. Video briefings from the Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, the Trustees, Equitable Compensation, and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration are available.
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What's Unique at AC This Year?
As is true at every Annual Conference, members will be asked to elect a variety of leaders to new terms of office at this year’s Annual Conference, held virtually, June 17-19. This year, though, there are several unique situations of which you need to be informed. Because General Conference was postponed, elections, nominations, and leadership roles will be voted on differently or extended. Click here to learn more.
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“If you need help during Annual Conference,
contact the GNTV helpline by calling
or texting (478) 245-4042 or call toll-free at (833) 259-3505”
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Journal Vol. 1 updates
As is the case each year, there are items related to Annual Conference, that are not available until after the Journal Vol. 1 has been published. This year, you can find the links to updates, such as an updated agenda and the 2021 Nominations Report, by clicking here.
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All laity welcomed to attend the UNY Annual Conference virtual laity session
All laity of the Upper New York Conference are welcomed to participate in the virtual laity session at the 2021 Annual Conference (whether they are a registered voting member of Annual Conference or not). This two-hour webinar livestream (June 17 from 10:15-12:15 p.m. following Annual Conference Opening Worship) will feature presentations from United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, Young Adults, Lay Servant Ministry, and more. Click here at 10:15 a.m. next Thursday for this session.
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Happenings & Local Church News |
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Summer Saunters*
Join Pastor Sharon of the Fly Creek and Schuyler Lake UMC’s
in walks along the trails of Otsego County.
Pastor Sharon’s Summer Saunter plan: All saunters are scheduled on Fridays at 10am.
June 11- Forest of the Dozen Dads Beaver Pond Trail
June 25 - Goodyear Lake Waterway Access Main Trail
July 2 - Lordsland Preserve
July 9 - Glimmerglass State Park Covered Bridge Trail
July 16 - Gilbert Lake State Park
July 23 - Robert Riddell State Park
August 6 - Texas Schoolhouse State Forest Blue Trail
August 13 - Glimmerglass State Park Sleeping Lion Trail
August 20 - Fortin Park
August 27 - Betty & Wilbur Davis State Park, Andy’s Trail
September 3 - Arnold Lake State Forest
For questions you can contact Pastor Sharon Rankins-Burd at
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Historical Society Meeting
Learn how chaplains played an important role in the Civil War by attending a June 12 Zoom meeting of the UNY United Methodist Historical Society.
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Hale, pastor at Canton United Methodist Church and a Civil War reneactor, will be the presenter at 7:15 pm. Click here for more information and ways to connect to the session, by Zoom or telephone.
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2021 Campaign for Red Bird
It's not too early to begin planning for your congregation's response to the annual Upper New York Conference collection drive for Red Bird Mission. Please share the attached letter from David Alexander, Coordinator and member of Endwell UMC.
If your church is willing to serve as a collection point for our District as Ripley UMC has done is past years, please email David, Dalexander4@stny.rr.com
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Upper New York UMW & UMC 2021 Mission
Registration Available
There’s far more than here than meets the eye and we hope you’ll join us this summer for the 2021 Mission u! Hosted by the Upper New York United Methodist Women and United Methodist Church, this virtual study program will be presented Thursday evening, July 22, through Saturday afternoon, July 24.
The program will feature group worship and plenary sessions and the participant’s choice of three different study options. A special mission presentation will be offered by Hope House in Utica, N.Y.
Registration is $25, with a special fee of $15 for first-timers. Scholarships are available and the fee should not be an obstacle. Register by July 5, but classes filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mission u is a transformative education program that offers studies on several different topics and is open to everyone—not just women.
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HUB Needs Your Help:
UNY Mission Central Critically Low on Kits
The need is high, UNY Mission Central HUB needs your help. Due to the pandemic our donations are low and many UMCOR kits we have received are not made with the updated supplies, this is a cost not only to us but also the donator. The storm season is coming up and we are not stocked to help communities when the need arises.
Questions? Please contact:MaryBeth Ingalls (UNYAC Mission Volunteer Coordinator) at :
There are so many ways to help for all who want to serve this ministry.
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Since the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Global Ministries has worked with partners around the world to respond to this humanitarian crisis. The Global Health unit and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) have worked with health boards, medical professionals, disaster management coordinators, and faith leaders to prevent the spread of this disease. Grants have been awarded to provide clean water and medical equipment at health facilities and to address the economic challenges caused by the pandemic, such as food insecurity.
Click here to learn more about this fund and how to make a donation.
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New- Dismantling racism resource: Juneteenth
The UMC is leading a sustained and coordinated effort to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. The Upper New York (UNY) Conference Communications team will regularly share worship, advocacy, and educational resources to help with this important campaign.
This week, we feature two articles related to Juneteenth written by Upper New York Co-Convener of the Conference Commission on Religion & Race, George Whitney.
Click here to read Georgia’s article about the history and symbolism used in Juneteenth celebrations.
Click here to read Georgia’s article about Juneteenth celebrations in UNY this year.
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Lay Servant Ministry
Note* - Because of COVID, the Conference Team of Lay Servant Ministries is extending a year of grace to everyone who needed to take an Advanced Lay Servant Course in 2020 so you now have through 2021 to take a course to keep your certification up-to-date
LSM Classes Open to All
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A BASIC Lay Servant course is being offered Sunday evenings from 6-9 pm. Starting July 11, ending August 8 via Zoom. Please contact Dave Pritchard to register. pdavepreacher@gmail.com
The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores
* personal spiritual gifts
* servant leadership
* each leader’s role in developing future leaders
* the importance of consistent spiritual practices
* the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating
and much more.
NOTE* - Participants will need to purchase their own book “ Lay Servant Ministries, Participant's Book (Basic Course)
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Advanced LSM classes.
Spiritual Gifts
June 14 & 21, 6-9 pm; June 26, 9 am - 1 pm; and July 1, 6-9 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $15
Leading Worship
July 14, 21 & 28, 6-9 pm and August 7, 9 am - 1 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $15
Polity
August 17, 24 & 31 6-9 pm and August 28, 9 am - 1 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $15
To register or for more information on any of the LSM classes listed above, please contact Arlene Schmidt at adschmidt@nycap.rr.com.
Imagine No Racism
September 8, 15, 22 & 29 and October 6 & 13 6:30-8 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $10
Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution
September 11 & 18
9 am – 12 pm and 1-3 pm
Class held via Zoom
Course fee, $10
Weekend Retreat: Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders
October 15, 5 pm through October 17, 12 pm
Class held in person
Retreat fee, $65 (includes Friday dinner and Saturday lunch and dinner)
Hotel accommodations, $75 + taxes/night
Click Here to see other upcoming Lay Servant Classes
For more information about Lay Servant Ministries, click here
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Safe Sanctuaries ZOOM training: Basic Course June 12th
The Upper New York Annual Conference Team will be hosting our standard Basic Safe Sanctuaries training via ZOOM from 9 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday, June 12th .
This training is brought to you and paid for by your Upper New York Ministry Shares. This basic training is required for anyone working with children, youth and vulnerable adults as stated by the Minimum Standards. This training is a must no matter if you are meeting in-person or online.
If you have already taken this training you DO NOT need to take it again.
The training will follow the reformatted ZOOM curriculum developed by the Upper New York Annual Conference Safe Sanctuaries Team, educating those involved in ministries who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults on risks and prevention strategies related to abuse.
There will be a link to the handout that should be printed and available to you for the training.
You must REGISTER for the training. If you register and are no longer able to attend we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can fill your spot with someone else who is waiting to take the training.
The training will be facilitated by Safe Sanctuaries Certified Trainers.
For more information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks, click here.
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For information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks,
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UMC Clergy Education Offering Courses for Credit
June 22 - Olu Brown: Seize the Day! Leading your congregation on a new adventure
July 15 - Anne Bosarge: Starting and Sustaining Effective Hybrid Ministries
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A Trauma-Informed Approach to Pastoral Care Zoom course
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Pastoral Care is a pastoral care course that will provide strategies you can use to help people in your congregations who have experienced trauma, avoid retraumatization, and effectively care for yourself as well.
This online course has been offered twice before in recent months and was well-received, so it is being offered again. The course will take place across three dates: June 7 (7-9 p.m.), June 14 (7-8:30 p.m.), and June 28 (7-8:30 p.m.). Click here to register and be sure to save your confirmation email as it has the Zoom link you will need for the course.
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Camp & Retreat Ministries |
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Register now for 2021 Summer camp & Retreat programs
The Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministry is excited to share their 2021 summer camp and retreat programs with you! All five sites will be offering a variety of programs. Summer camp provides endless laughter, meaningful worship, and important friendships. Retreats provide a unique experience in a beautiful setting.
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Click here for the June/July issue of the Media Resource Center newsletter!
June 28-30, July 1 & 2- Media Resource Center closed - vacation
July 5 - Methodist Center and Media Resource center closed for Independence Day observance
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COVID-19 Guidelines
New CDC Guidelines- what they mean for UNY churches
On Wednesday May 19, New York adopted the CDC's updated guidance on masks and social distancing and many business capacity restrictions have been lifted.
What does this mean for Upper New York local churches?
Keeping the safety of unvaccinated individuals in mind, UNY has answered many Frequently Asked Questions regarding these new guidelines as they relate to seating, singing, asking about vaccination status, and more. Click here for the latest COVID-19 FAQs.
To remain up-to-date on COVID-19 guidelines, be sure to check the Conference website by clicking here.
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This is a reminder that New York State employers (including churches) must adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy and provide training on sexual harassment prevention to their employees on an annual basis.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy
Each New York State employer is required to have a sexual harassment prevention policy in place. Click here for a prior news article on the sexual harassment prevention policy requirements.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
New York State Law requires that employers of one or more employees must conduct sexual harassment prevention training for all employees on an annual basis
Free Training Available
The New York City Commission on Human Rights has developed a free online training that will satisfy both the New York State and New York City anti-sexual harassment training requirements. New York City's free online training is available here.
If you have questions on this topic, please contact Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist, at tracyrickett@unyumc.org or (315) 898-2017.
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Links to Resources for Reopening Your Church
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The UM News team brings you breaking news, features and commentaries from across our global connection, such as recent stories concerning the future of the denomination, spotlights on transformational ministries and articles about efforts to dismantle racism. Receive updates in your inbox by subscribing to the Daily Digest or just the Friday Digest, which includes weekly highlights.
Interested in receiving only the Friday Digest with weekly wrapup? Click here.
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2021 Issue of the Advocate now available
The Advocate is the Upper New York Conference's ministry magazine.
The 2021 issue I of the Advocate focuses on “celebrating who we are” throughout the Upper New York Conference. In this issue, you will find stories that showcase the tapestry of different size congregations, and individuals with a variety of ethnic backgrounds and theologies, as well as different age groups.
This issue is currently available as an e-issue and has been distributed to local churches.
Click here to read or download this issue of the Advocate on the Conference website.
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Our church competes for attention in a noisy, marketing savvy (or weary) world. Learn how to reach out more effectively! Get share-worthy tips for promoting your church using emerging trends, tutorials, marketing, social media, outreach and technology from the award-winning e-newsletter.
Designed for pastors, church leaders and staff, MyCom delivers articles relevant to your job roles and interest areas. Watch for the latest from MyCom every two weeks.
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Free Discipleship Resources!
Click here for the latest issue of Discipleship Ministries' Equipping Disciples Newsletter.
Discover Your Spiritual Gifts!
We all have a mixture of gifts that work together and give each of us a unique way to contribute to ministry.
Take the assessment to discover your primary and supporting gifts today!
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The spiritual discipline of True Service
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Upper New York Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life, the Rev. Nancy Dibelius, has been providing videos of helpful spiritual practices to help deepen people’s relationship to God during this difficult time.
For 2021, Rev. Dibelius is zeroing in on spiritual disciplines. She explains that spiritual disciplines are a way to get away with Jesus, walk with Jesus, and learn from Jesus.
Click here for Rev. Dibelius’s latest spiritual discipline exploration, True Service, which she explains as a lifestyle encompassing acts of compassion and acts of justice.
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Self-care resources - Click here to visit the COVID-19 resources section of the Conference website to see the recently added self-care resources.
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Phishing Season?
Please continue to pay attention to the emails you may receive from your District Superintendent, your pastor, or other leader asking for gift cards/money or perhaps informing you of an urgent request. Please be aware that these are phishing schemes—they are SPAM emails.
Check the email address—if it is not a unyumc.org email (example: nancyadams@unyumc.org) it is SPAM!
If you get emails like these, simply delete them and/or mark it as SPAM.
Click here for a good five-minute video clip on what to look for in phishing emails.
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How to get help from UNY Conference for...
Regular needs or questions, contact the Conference (315) 898-2000 or email: info@unyumc.org and leave a message including what assistance
you are seeking and it will be given to the right person to respond to you.
Technical or creative needs such as online Bible studies/meetings,
live streaming worship, or online giving
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Conference Office Address:
The Upper New York Conference
United Methodist Center
7481 Henry Clay Blvd
Liverpool, N.Y. 13088
Phone: 315-898-2000 Toll Free: (same) 1-855-424-7878
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Stay Informed, Up-To-Date Through These Links:
UNY Notes -Include notices From the Desk of Bishop Webb; Alerts; Announcements; Prayer requests; Death Notices; Camp & Retreat info
Weekly Digest - Sent every Wednesday. It will include a listing of all of the new information available.
This will help reduce the amount of e-news announcements coming to your computers.
Another great resource is the UMCOM newsletter. To subscribe, click here
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"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
Rev. Nancy Adams - District Superintendent
Teresa Wood, - Minister of Administration
Rev. George Gallandorm- District Associate
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How to Contact the Oneonta District Office
Phone: (607) 441-5102
Fax: (607) 353-1034
(physical address)
Oneonta District Office
64 Chestnut St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
(mailing address)
Oneonta District Office
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
All past District Newsletters can also be found at:
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All past District Newsletters can also be found at:
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UNY Conference Quick Links
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