An Elm Park United Methodist Church Welcome
We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, confused, filthy rich, comfortable, or dirt poor.
We welcome you whether you can sing live Pavarotti or just growl quietly to yourself. You’re welcome here if you’re just browsing, just woken up or just got out of prison. We don’t care if you’re more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury, or haven’t been to church since Christmas ten years ago.
We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome keep-fit moms, football dads, starving artists, tree-higgers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems, are down in the dumps or don’t like “organized religion” (We’re not that keen on it either!)
We offer a welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell or are here because granny is visiting and wanted to come to church.
We welcome those who are inked, pierced, both, or neither. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down their throats as kids, or got lost in the city and wound up here by mistake. We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters…and YOU!
Our Mission
The mission of Elm Park is to love as God loves, to serve as Christ serves, to live as directed by the Holy Spirit. As a community of believers, the Elm Park Church is committed to discipleship, spiritual growth, caring for, and forgiving each other, the inclusion of all people, and Christian service in the Greater Oneonta community and the world in which we live.
Our Staff
Rev. John W. Buddle
Rev. John W. Buddle serves as Pastor for both the Elm Park United Methodist Church on the west end of Oneonta, NY and the Otego United Methodist Church in nearby in Otego, NY. He is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary based out of Washington D.C. In addition to his service as pastor to this parish, he also serves as the Chairperson of the District Committee on Superintendency, the Secretary of the Committee on Equitable Compensation for the Upper New York Conference and the registrar for the District Committee on Ministry.
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Pastor John, along with his wife, Nicholette have lived in Oneonta for the past 17 years. They have five cats. An avid mountain climber, passionately devoted to the Catskill Mountain range, he is a member of the Catskill 3500 Club and also competes in Otsego County seasonal hiking challenges. He enjoys watching baseball, basketball, and almost any documentary. He is also a member of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society.
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“Do the best you can until you know better.
Then when you know better, do better.”
~Maya Angelou
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Contact Pastor John:
(607) 386-2449
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Organist / Pianist
Kyle LaFever
Custodian
Jim Devins
