November 4th, 2021 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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Important -2021 Fall Church Conference Schedule- Oneonta District
See below for our 2021 Church Conference Schedule.
Please email or Fax all forms to the Oneonta District office:[email protected] by no later than 10 days prior to your scheduled Church Conference.
Fax to: (607) 353-1034
Snail Mail to:
Oneonta District Office
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard Street
Oneonta NY 13820
NOTE: If you plan to snail mail forms please take into account delivery time to insure the forms are received 10 days prior to you CC Date.
November 7, 2021 Regions: Oneonta & Cooperstown (Paperwork is now past due.)
Cooperstown Region- Includes the following Churches:Cooperstown, East Worcester, Fly Creek/Schuyler Lake, Milford, Roseboom, West Exeter
Location: Milford UMC
Time: 2:00 pm
Coordinator: Rev. Deokryeol Bak
Presiding Elder: Rev. Jongdeok Park
Oneonta Region - Includes the following Churches: Davenport/Portlandville, Elm Park/Otego, Emmons/Cooperstown Junction, First Oneonta, Schenevus, West Davenport
Location: Elm Park UMC
Time: 4:30 pm
Coordinator: Rev. John Buddle
Presiding Elder: Rev. Mary Rublee
November 14, 2021 Region: Schoharie (Paperwork is due at the district office no later than TODAY -Nov. 4th.)
Schoharie Region - Includes the following Churches: Barnersville, Central Bridge/Ames Sprout-brook, Cobleskill, Delanson, Esperance-Sloansville & Gallupville, Huntersland, Middleburgh/ Grosv.Corners, Sharon Springs, Richmondville, Worcester, Warnerville
Location: Cobleskill UMC
Time 3:00 p.m.
Coordinator: Rev. Anna Blinn Cole
Presiding Elder: Rev. Dana Horrell
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2021-2022 Charge Conference forms are available to download. All information can be found at: https://uny.umconline.org/ or by clicking here.
On this page, you will find links to various reports, including Report of Pastor, the Safe Sanctuary Compliance Report, the 2022 Clergy Compensation Form, and more. If you have any issues accessing this page, please click here for help.
As mentioned in previous correspondence to pastors and SPRC chairs, the 2022 clergy compensation information can be found here: 2022 Pastor Compensation.
*Please note when trying to download Charge Conference Forms to use Firefox Browser.*
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Lay Servants/**Certified Lay Ministers and
Lay Speakers Report
Each year, lay servants, Certified Lay Ministers and lay speakers are asked to report to the annual church conference. Please use the reports below. Make sure your Pastor has a copy of this to submit with Church Conference reports.
Certified Lay Servant Report - for those who have taken the Basic Lay Servant Course and an additional Advanced Lay Servant Course every three years. Click here.
Certified Lay Minister Report - for those who have become Certified Lay Servants, taken the four module Certified Lay Minister curriculum and continue with Advanced Courses every two years. Click here.
Lay Speaker Report - for those who have taken the Basic Lay Servant Course and all six of the core Advanced Courses, including:
· Leading Prayer
· Leading Worship
· Preaching
· United Methodist Heritage
· Discovering Spiritual Gifts
· United Methodist Polity
as well as additional Advanced Lay Servant Courses every three years. Click here.
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2021-2022 Charge Conference Forms
Due Dates
November 1st: - Now Past Due
Complete online and print and mail signed copy to District Office
*Pastor's Appointment Advisory Form
*S/PPRC Appointment Advisory Form
*Pastor-S/PPRC Covenant Form
December 1st:
*Church Profile
*Pastor's Profile
February 15th 2022
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
March 15th 2022
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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Happenings & Local Church News |
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NEW- Mobilize Vaccine Turnout! webinar on Nov. 17
Are you looking for ways to reach the unvaccinated in your community and gently encourage them to get the COVID vaccine? You will not want to miss Cooperstown UMC pastor, Dr. Dana Horrell’s webinar based on his handbook, Mobilize Vaccine Turnout!
Sponsored by the UNY Social Holiness team, this webinar will be held on Zoom, on Nov. 17 from 2-3 p.m. EST.
This webinar offers tips for overcoming barriers to access and addressing vaccine hesitancy. Learn to work with those who are “socially vulnerable” due to low pay, job loss, family responsibilities, and racial disparities in health care. Learn to talk with the vaccine hesitant with compassion, curiosity, and a willingness to listen.
Click here to register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Click here to download a free copy of the “Mobilize Vaccine Turnout!” handbook.
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Breathing Room: An Advent Day Apart
Space to breathe, explore, and prepare for the season
For Clergy: Today-Thurs., Nov. 4, 10am-3pm
For Laity: Saturday, December 4, 10am-3pm
Advent is a season of high expectations - our own, our family's, our congregation's. In reality, it can be a time of both joy and sorrow, peace and stress. Take time out at the beginning of this season to step away, be with what is, and clarify your intentions for the season.
Come as you are, take a breath and let God meet you where you are. Gather at Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center in Windsor, New York for a time of worship, individual and group reflection and conversation, and sharing of a hot meal.
For Clergy: The retreat will also include a take-home packet of a complete Advent worship series called Grace Upon Grace based on John 1:16. It will have scriptures, hymns, sermon starters, prayers/liturgy and Advent wreath liturgies for each Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. (If you cannot attend but would like the Advent series, contact us at [email protected] .
Cost is $30 (hot meal included)
Covid Safety - Sky Lake requires everyone must show proof of vaccination or negative results from a professional COVID test within 36 hours of their arrival to the retreat. Masking will also be required at all times (aside from eating) while in shared indoor spaces.
For questions and accessibility requests -OR- to reserve a room to stay at Sky Lake the night before or after the retreat! contact the Sky Lake office at 607-467-2750.
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4-Week Class - Taught By Pastor Paul W. – (ZOOM/In-Person)
1. Week # 1 – Sunday – November 28th – 8:30 am
Tuesday – November 30th – 4:30 pm
2. Week # 2 – Sunday – December 5th – 8:30 am
Tuesday – December 7th – 4:30 pm
3. Week # 3 – Sunday – December 12th – 8:30 am
Tuesday – December 14th – 4:30 pm
4. Week # 4 – Sunday – December 19th – 8:30 am
Tuesday – December 21st – 4:30 pm
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News from Archives and History and a Nov. 5 workday
The merging of four Conference archives into one at the Liverpool Conference Center is ongoing. On Oct. 22, 2021, a group of volunteers from the Commission on Archives and History went through many boxes of library books to weed out the ones appropriate for our very limited bookshelf space. Archives Assistant Karen Campolieto suggested this project and organized and prepared the workspace.
Former Archivist Karen Stalters reviewed all the books through Facetime to identify duplicates and to determine which should be saved to go on the valuable shelf space. Pictured is Sue Slenker and Loreen Jorgensen sorting through the final box of books.
Another workday is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. The team is especially interested in volunteers who can use or quickly learn Pastperfect software as they continue to enter the collection to create a useful database.
Click here to learn more about what’s new with UNY Commission on Archives and History.
To sign up for the Nov. 5 workday, contact Karen Campolieto at (315) 898-2027or [email protected].
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United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 28
There are some UMC students who might not have the resources to attend a college of their choice, or, for some, any school at all—help send them into the world God loves by giving on United Methodist (UM) Student Day. This year, UM Student Day is Nov. 28.
Click here for a UM Student Day video as well as a story about Ricky, whose parents were addicts. Ricky didn’t have much hope to be able to go to college, but the UM Students Day fund made it possible.
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Training & Education Opportunities |
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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
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NEW- The Adirondack District Lay Servant Ministries is offering the Basic Lay Servant Course: (Open to All)
If you feel called to ministry but are not sure where to start, the Basic Lay Servant course can help in your discernment process. This course is the foundation for all Lay Servant courses. In this course, you will be encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended. Participants are invited to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a leader in mission and ministry in the community and in daily life. If you are interested in this course, the next Basic Course dates are:
Monday January 10th 6-9
Thursday January 13th 6-9
Wednesdays January 19 and 26: 6-9
Via Zoom
Course fee $15
Facilitators: Lay Servant Ministries Team
The text is “Lay Servant Ministries: Basic Course Participant’s Book.”
If interested please email the Registrar Arlene Schmidt at [email protected] for a registration form.
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For information on Safe Sanctuaries, and on background checks,
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Course Of Study - An Important note from our COS Registrar
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:
Betsy O’Flynn
We have had several lately list [email protected] – this delays or causes the student to miss the class entirely.
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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.
Nov. 11th, -2-3 pm -Teaching, Meeting, Preaching and Me. Time Management for the Church Leader, Ken Willard, cost $25. Click here to Registration.
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The following job openings are posted on the Upper New York website...
1) Information Technology Support Specialist
2) Administrative/Accounting Services Specialist
3) Director of Missional Engagement
4) Skye Farm Site Director
5) District Administrative Assistant - For Niagara Frontier district
6) New - Accounts Payable Specialist
If you have any referrals for this position, 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- The spiritual discipline of solitude part I
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.
This month, Rev. Dibelius will be focusing on the spiritual discipline of solitude; click here click here to watch the first video in this series.
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Preparing for Advent
Advent is right around the corner—are you ready? We have some resources that may help you out!
Click here for a Worship Matters podcast, dedicated to Advent, brought to you by Discipleship Ministries. Bring your calendar and note pads as Dr. Cynthia Wilson, Dr. Diana Sanchez-Bushong, and Dr. Derek Weber talk worship planning, lectionary series, music, and liturgy for the rest of the year and the beginning of next year. They also cast a vision for worship beyond the confines of culture and traditional practice. Worship reflects what is and casts a vision for what might be.
Click here for candle-lighting liturgies for each Sunday of Advent, also provided by Discipleship Ministries.
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Technology tips for churches on a budget
The Rev. David Johnson, associate pastor from Beaumont, Texas, says that many resources, such as apps and software products, are available to help clergy. He also says that there are ways to use technology without breaking the bank.
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UNY Committee on Native American Ministry grants available
The Upper New York Committe of Native American Ministries (CONAM) is accepting grant applications to fund Native American missions, ministries, and communities to support native churches, community outreach, leadership training, education, and cultural survival projects. The grants are funded through Native American Ministries Sunday offerings. Native American Ministries Sunday is one of six special church-wide Sunday offerings. There is no deadline for submission of an application. For further questions, contact Sharon Schmit at [email protected].
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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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Free shareable social graphics
United Methodist Communications offers free shareable images for use in inspiring and informing your members year round.
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UMCOR / Mission Central Hub
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Volunteer at the UNY Mission Central HUB
The Mission Central HUB at the UNY Mission Central HUB in Liverpool, NY has been hustling and bustling with volunteers putting together UMCOR hygiene and school kits. If your family, group, or organization would like to help with these important disaster relief kits (following COVID protocols), call the HUB at (315) 372-0285.
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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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NYS Minimum Wage and Salary increase
Both are Effective Dec. 31, 2021, New York State (NYS) minimum wage will increase to $13.20/hour.
Employers in the Upper New York Conference, regardless of number of employees, must pay non-exempt employees 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 Oct. 1 each year.
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2021 UNY Journal vol. II now ready
The 2021 Upper New York Conference Journal, Vol. II is now available for download as a free PDF and for purchase through the online publisher, Lulu.com. Click here to view an online version, download a copy, or order a printed copy from Lulu.com ($17.64 plus tax and shipping).
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Annual Election for 2022 HealthFlex Exchange plans begins Nov. 3
The Annual Election for 2022 HealthFlex Exchange plans began yesterday Wed. Nov. 3 and runs through Nov. 18, 2021. You are electing your medical/Rx, dental, and vision plans for next year (2022) during annual election. Click here for all documents, information, and forms can be found on our Conference Health and Wellness page.
ALEX Benefits Counselor is live and updated for 2022. You can now use ALEX to estimate costs and receive a personalized recommendation for your 2022 HealthFlex Elections. Remember, ALEX does not make or save elections. Participants will still need to go to Benefits Access and make their elections. Click here to access ALEX. ALEX is also available through your Benefits Access portal as well.
If you have any questions about your HealthFlex Elections, contact UNY Benefits Administrator, Julie Valeski at 315-898-2001 or [email protected].
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NEW- 2020 and 2021 Denman award winners announced
The Harry Denman award honors United Methodists who bring people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, the Upper New York Conference works with the Foundation for Evangelism to recognize and honor one lay and clergy member for their commitment to consistently introducing others to the Good News of Jesus Christ—a commitment that even a global pandemic cannot break!
The award is named for the late Harry Denman, a lay person with decades-long, life-transforming personal ministry of evangelism.
Typically, these awards are presented at the Annual Conference each year. However, because of the time constraints and the needed digital format that COVID posed on both the 2020 and 2021 Annual Conferences, the awards were not presented. Instead, the 2020 and 2021 award winners will be recognized at their local churches.
The 2020 clergy award winner is Jose Rodriguez. The 2020 laity award winner is Rick Fisher, Jr. And the 2020 youth award winner is Nolan Carner.
The 2021 Denman awards go to two clergy members—Della Ludwig and Sean Chanthasone.
Let’s celebrate these individuals.
Click here to learn about their evangelism stories.
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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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Bishop's Retreat Postponed
The Bishop’s Retreat has been postponed until Sept. 27-29, 2022. It will have the same theme, “Sharing our Faith Boldly,” and will still be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning. Registration for the 2022 Bishop’s Retreat will open after the completion of the 2022 Annual Conference.
Click here for more information as it becomes available.
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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
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UNY United Methodist Center is now open
Upper New York (UNY) Conference staff members have been working at the UNY United Methodist Center in Liverpool, NY, throughout the pandemic following CDC guidelines. Now that the CDC and New York State have issued guidelines allowing indoor gatherings for vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals (so long as they wear masks and social distance), the UNY Conference executive staff team made the decision to open the UNY United Methodist Center to the public following the attached protocols,
The protocols are in place to ensure that everyone will be safe when using the UNY Methodist Center.
The office will be equipped for hybrid meetings via Zoom for those unable to attend in-person.
Click here to register for a meeting with your team at the UNY United Methodist Center.
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Phishing scheme alert
Please note that there is a new type of phishing-scheme email that has been received in multiple inboxes throughout the Upper New York (UNY) Conference. The email will look as though it is from someone you know in the UNY Conference and will show their actual email address. The text will ask you to link to a DocuSign document. DO NOT OPEN THIS DOCUMENT! It contains a virus. It is not truly from the person in the “From” address.
If you have any questions or concerns about this phishing scheme, contact Doug Thomas, UNY IT Manager, at [email protected].
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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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Oct. 15: Equitable Compensation Application Deadline - DETAILS
Oct. 17: Laity Sunday
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District & Conference Office Closed
Thanksgiving Nov. 25th and 26th
Christmas Eve Dec. 24th
Christmas Day (Observed) Dec. 27th
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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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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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"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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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- During Covid)
Oneonta District Office
C/O Teresa Wood
28 Orchard St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
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News from the past
(Then scroll to bottom of page.)
Don't miss out on news articles that have run in the past. There are many resources you may be interested in.
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UNY Conference Quick Links
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