ONEONTA – Members of Oneonta’s First United Methodist congregation tonight approved a “We Refuse” resolution that rejects the United Methodist Church’s reaffirmation of prohibitions against gay marriage and gay pastors.
The “We Refuse” resolution says the “Traditional Plan,” approved, 53 percent to 47 percent, at the UMC’s General Conference last February in St. Louis, is “incompatible with God’s all-inclusive love of and for everyone.”
J.J. Warren, a gay seminarian whose speech at the United Methodist General Council in St. Louis brought some attendees to tears, spoke at Oneonta’s First UM today. He received a standing ovation. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
By JENNIFER HILL • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – A resolution, “We Refuse,” objecting to the international United Methodist Church’s reassertion of its prohibition on gay marriage and gay pastors, was inserted into today’s Sunday Service program at Oneonta’s First UM.
Warren led youngsters in an exercise to draw a multi-colored flower, symbol of a diverse church.
The local resolution calls the church’s “Traditional Plan,” which reaffirmed its ban and was approved by majority vote last February, “exclusive, punitive, and unwelcoming” and declares it “incompatible with God’s all-inclusive love of and for everyone…and with Jesus’ teachings,” which tell people to love everyone “unconditionally.”
The resolution goes further, labeling the Traditional Plan “un-Christian.” It calls for regional churches and the bishop to reject it and pursue a separate path.
The insert also announced a Special Charge Conference for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the church, where members of the congregation will debate and vote on “We Refuse.” Rev. Marti Swords-Horrell, the pastor, will preside.
Delivering the sermon today was J.J. Warren, a gay seminary student from Penn Yan whom Bishop Mark Webb, of the Syracuse-based conference that includes Otsego County, has said he will not ordain.
CONCERT – 2 p.m. Catskill Valley Wind Ensemble, FREE, donations accepted, open to the public, 1st come, 1st serve. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St, Oneonta, Info, (607) 432-7085.
The Rev. Marti Swords-Horrell, pastor Oneonta’s First United Methodist Church, this morning told her congregation she will continue to perform gay marriages, despite a church conference’s decision in February adopting a “Traditional Plan” that affirmed a ban against gay marriage and the ordination of gay clergy. Pastors, locally and throughout the Syracuse-based Upper New York Conference, were asked to brief their congregations this morning on the special conference decision. Swords-Horrell, who was assigned to Oneonta in July, called the decision “sad and disturbing,” since the local church has been a “reconciling congregation” for 30 years. “We feel it is restrictive, oppressive and makes our gay and LBGTQ members feel unwelcome,” she said. “We will continue with who we are, and accept all people.” Syracuse-based Bishop Mark Webb is planning a livestream Q&A session 4-6 p.m. next Sunday. “There’s still a chance it could be overturned,” Swords-Horrell said. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
THEATER CONCERT – 7 p.m. Sing A Song of Broadway presents “Wishes, Lies, & Dreams” featuring music from My Fair Lady, Seussical, Les Miserable, 1776, Into The Woods, many more. Don’t miss one night only show. Admission, $18/adult. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-432-4102 or visit firstumc-oneonta.org
Director of Music John Jurgensen, Oneonta, leads Alan Franks, Rachel Hansen and Dylan Sorensen and other members of the Buckingham Ringers and the Klipnocky Klangers in heir rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Frosty The Snowman” and other holiday favorites at the annual handbell concert earlier this afternoon at the First United Methodist Church. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
VETERANS TRIBUTE – 6 p.m. Tribute Concert featuring Thompson Square. Free to Veterans, Active Duty military personnel with IDs. Cost, $20/adult. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-431-2080 or visit foothillspac.org
POKER TOURNAMENT – 6 – 8 p.m. Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament featuring trophies, non-cash prizes. Benefit for Susquehanna Animal Shelter. Game entry, $40. Participants must be aged 18+. New York Pizzeria, 75 Chestnut St., Cooperstown. 607-547-8111 or visit www.facebook.com/Susquehanna-Animal-Shelter-121696841223218/
HOLIDAY BAZAAR – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ‘Tip Toe Through The Holiday’ features items for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day. Includes gifts, decorations, crafts, more. Lunch available. Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-432-6552 or visit elmparkumconeonta.org
CONTRADANCE – 7:30 p.m. Fun social dance featuring music by Tailwind, caller Hilton Baxter. Arrive at 7:15 for introduction to steps. Admission, $8/adult. First Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Cooperstown. 607-547-8164 or visit otsegodancesociety.blogspot.com
RECEPTION – 5 – 7 p.m. Opening exhibit by Central New York Watercolor Society and Luck of the Draw exhibit, buy tickets, enter to win artwork, final drawing 10/21. Cooperstown Art Association. 607-547-9777 or visit www.cooperstownart.com
RELEASE PARTY – 7 p.m. Celebrate first ever issue of The Green Zine, a collection of art & writing from local artists published by The Green Toad Book Store. Grab a copy, eat, drink, celebrate. Roots Brewing Company, 175 Main St., Oneonta. 607-433-8898 or visit www.facebook.com/TheGreenToadBookstore/
WALKING TOUR – 7 p.m. Wayne Wright, of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, leads a tour of the former grounds of the Oneonta Central Fair (1873-1926). Cost, $3. Meet corner of Belmont Place & Hudson, Oneonta. Call 607-432-0960 or visit www.oneontahistory.org
AUTHORS SERIES – 1 p.m. Baseball authors Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith present and discuss their book “A Season in the Sun: The Rise of Mickey Mantle.” Followed by a book signing in the Atrium. Included with Museum admission. The Bullpen Theater, Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown. Call 607-547-7200 or visit baseballhall.org/node/17195?date=0
DANCE PARTY – 6 – 7 p.m. Bring the family for a fun night out. Cost, $8/guest accompanied by a member. Oneonta YMCA, 20-26 Ford Ave., Oneonta. Call 607-432-0010 or visit www.facebook.com/OneontaFamilyYMCA/
ART CLASS – 1 – 3 p.m. Bring the kids to learn to draw some of their favorite cartoon & comic characters. Cost, $20/non-member. Cooperstown Art Association. Call 607-547-9777 or visit www.cooperstownart.com/for-kids.html
OPENING RECEPTION – 5:30 – 7 p.m. Opening an exhibit Celebrating Commerce and Community. By first year CGP students, celebrates this years inductees to the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame and includes refreshments, snacks, friends, furry friends, more. The Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. Call 607-547-1400 or visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
HISTORY – 6:30 p.m. Learn about the Hartwick College Archives, which include the Cooper Papers among other cool items, with Shelley Wallace. Free, Open to the public. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 Co. Rd. 11, Hartwick. Call 607-293-6600 or visit www.facebook.com/OtsegoIsHistory/
SUPER-SENIOR PROM – 8 p.m. – Midnight. Relive your Senior Prom like it’s the very first time. Features music from 1950-1999, prom attire encouraged. Cost, $10/couple. Production Center, Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. Call 607-432-5407 or visit www.facebook.com/GEStevensOneonta/
SPRING FEST – 9 a.m. – Dark. Celebrate Spring, includes a visit from the zoomobile, a fishing derby, fire department competitions, kids’ boat-float contest, live music all day, more. Copes Corners Park, 620 St. Hwy. 51, Gilbertsville. Call 607-783-2203 or visit copescornerspark.org
SPRING CONCERT – 7:30 p.m. The Catskill Choral Society with other Children’s choirs perform Franz Joseph Haydn’s “The Seasons.” Roberts Kolb leads the group of 62 singers. Tickets available at The Green Earth Market, Artware, Cooperstown Natural Foods. Performance at First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Call 607-431-6060 or visit catskillchoralsociety.com
FIESTA FUNDRAISER – 4 – 7 p.m. Enjoy a delicious Mexican dinner followed by dancing. Take-out available. All proceed go to the purchase of a water filtration system for the village of Las Mercedes, Honduras. Cost $12/adult. First Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Cooperstown. Call 607-547-8401 or visit www.facebook.com/CooperstownPres/
ONEONTA – Members of Oneonta’s First United Methodist congregation tonight approved a “We Refuse” resolution that rejects the United Methodist Church’s reaffirmation of prohibitions against gay marriage and gay pastors.
