1085 E. Genesee Street
Office: 324 University Ave
Syracuse, NY 13210
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Greetings!
Here is your weekly news from UUMC. Updates on in person worship are below.
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New Church Attendance Guidelines at UUMC
From Pastor Alicia,
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As the number of COVID cases spikes in Onondaga County, I am asking you to attend worship through our Facebook Live option. If you do not have access to Facebook Live, we are able to safely space 20 COVID bubble groups (families or friends who are comfortable being in close contact) in our sanctuary.
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If you plan to attend in person worship please email or call the office to reserve your slot at office@uumcsyracuse.org
- I'm saddened by this decision because we are growing and thriving as a church family. Yet, I love you and want you to remain safe and healthy. We will get through this working together for the common good.
John 13: 34-35
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Peace and Grace,
Pastor Alicia
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Sunday Worship | 10:30 AM
In Person and Facebook Live
Click Below to Join Worship on Sunday
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Please note: Every worship service remains "live" on our Facebook page. You are able to watch every one that has been done since we began online worship. They never go away. If you are unable to begin at 10:30, you can watch it at your leisure another time. |
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Virtual Coffee with Pastor Alicia
Every Tuesday - 10 AM
Click below to join on Tuesdays
Passcode is 7277
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Worship | Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 23, 2022
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The trip we are taking with “A Woman’s Lectionary for the Whole Church,”
shines a light on God’s immense love for those who love her. We also see God’s distain for those who use shame and religion to stifle those called and created through God’s love who want to simply praise God and live in the light of God’s love.
A wonderful line from our text in Zephaniah relates God saying, “I will bring you all home.” Those words are our theme for today, “God will bring us all home.” As public health has become politicized, putting millions unnecessarily at risk, and as “What’s in it for me?” has replaced “loving your neighbor,” we need a rock, a cornerstone, an anchor to hold onto. God stands with us as we stand together, seeking, in the words of our mission statement to “Feed God’s People: Body, Mind and Spirit.” God is truly here today.
Scripture
This week the scriptures are: Isaiah 9: 1-4, Matthew 4: 17-23
Worship Music
Prelude: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - J.S. Bach
Postlude: We Praise Thee O God - Marc-Antoine Charpentier
UUMC Sanctuary Renovations
- Please pardon our dust! Plaster workers will be repairing flood damage to the corners of the sanctuary for the next several weeks.
Online Giving
- For your convenience, you can click here to give online.
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Church Updates | New Information |
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UUMC Happenings at a Glance |
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Below, in bulletpoint format, you will find what's happening (at a glance) at UUMC. Further within the newsletter are full details for some events. If you would like to attend committee meetings, please contact Pastor Alicia (pastor@uumcsyracuse.org) to RSVP.
- Monday, January 10, 6 PM - Bible Study with Pastor Beth
- Tuesdays, 10 AM - Virtual Coffee with Pastor Alicia
- Wednesdays, 7 AM - Morning Prayers with Pastor Alicia
- Wednesdays, 7 PM - Prayer Group with Pastor Alicia
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Outreach Update - Galyn Murphy Stanley |
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Year in review and a look to 2022
Greetings,
2021 brought change and challenges. But we had some really great moments that we celebrated! Please click below for a review by the numbers as well as a written report on 2021 and what we look forward to in the coming year! As always, we continue to Feed God's People, body, mind and spirit.
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Streaming Update from Pastor Alicia |
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Hello All,
We have decided to go back to pre-recording our online worship services. They will be published at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook and YouTube each Sunday starting January 30th. We will still interact between our online church family and in-person church family through the comments during our prayer time. We will record Saturdays in the sanctuary.
January 23rd we will do our best to Live Steam, but know January 30th will be the new temporary format.
This is not our permanent solution. The Trustees have approved our sanctuary's video, audio and lighting be upgraded for excellent Live Streaming. We are hoping this will be installed by Easter Sunday. Once the equipment is installed we will go back to Live Streaming from our sanctuary—truly live, each Sunday.
We have heard these times as we wait for the new equipment has been a struggle for online worshippers. We hear you. We respect you. We want to do better for you. We love you.
I will update you more as I am able. God bless you!
—Pastor Alicia
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Wednesday morning prayer via Zoom |
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Every Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. we gather for a zoom prayer meeting. It is open to everyone: come once, come every week, but you are invited to join us at any time: zoom link: Join Zoom Prayer
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JOIN PASTOR ALICIA ON A TRIP TO SCOTLAND
You're invited to join us as we explore scared locations in Scotland (as well as Ireland) on the Celtic Christianity in Scotland tour. The trip is scheduled for September 14 - 23, 2022. Our goal is to bring you into an even closer relationsip with God. Part of our adventure includes daily devotionals, prayer, and of course, fun! Below is the itinerary.
- 9/14 - Depart US on an international overnight flight
- 9/15 - Weclome to Scotland
- 9/16 - Lismore
- 9/17 - Mull and Iona
- 9/18 - Oban to Glasgow
- 9/19 - Whithorn
- 9/20 - Glasgow to Edinburgh
- 9/21 - Edinburgh
- 9/22 - Dunfermline and St. Andrew's
- 9/23 - Depart from Edinburgh for return home
Please note that each stop presents certain physical demands with regards to tours, walking, etc. For complete details, please contact Pastor Alicia. Pamphlets are available at the Church.
The cost starts at $3,898 per person.
Save the date and bring a friend!
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Please note that the Wednesday Civic Morning Musicals are taking a holiday and will return on February 3. |
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Please note: Prayer requests and comments submitted in the chat during our online service are public knowledge, as the church’s Facebook page is open to all.
As a caring church, we hold one another in prayer. The names in the next sentence are selected each week from the church directory, generally in alphabetical order. This week, please pray for:
Zeke, Marcantonio, Elisabeth, Lucy, Anna, and Richard Auburn
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The requests list below come from the previous Sunday’s worship and those received during the week.
Anonymous: Prayers for Liz, the Bates family, and all who grieve the death of Sue Bates.
Anonymous: Pray for an end to anti-Semitism and pray for those traumatized by the synagogue hostage-taking Saturday in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Anonymous: Let us remember those suffering from cold, poverty, and illness.
Anonymous: Prayers for Willow Rue and her parents as they are still navigating her health journey.
Caleb and Abby: Pray for our dad, who is starting treatment for kidney disease.
Carolina: We are thankful that our friend has recovered from COVID. Pray that Lisa continues to make peace with her cancer, and continue to pray for recovery from breast cancer surgery for Kathy C.
Jeanne: Prayers of peace and comfort for Sue Bates’s partner, Liz, and for Sue’s family and friends
Lee: Prayers for Gwen and Michael.
Mike: Please pray for the family and friends of Sue Bates.
Peg: Prayer request for family and friends of Sue Bates.
Sherri: Prayers for Ann, Cooper and Spencer—give them comfort in their mourning. For Sue recovering from surgery. Her dad whose health is failing. My son and his family who have COVID, and Kathy and Jayne.
Zenetta: Prayers for Liz for the loss of our dear Sue! Praying for her comfort and peace! Just breaks my heart! I loved Sue’s laugh and smiles! So glad we became friends at James Street Methodist.
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At University United Methodist Church, we believe that church is more than just a building; it’s a way of living. It’s connecting with others — in compassion, love, justice, service and fellowship. Volunteers assist with outreach in a number of ways. |
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Weather-related Closings UUMC Outreach |
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Food Center @ 324 University Ave.
University United Methodist Church
Please tune into news channel 9, 3, 5 (CNY Central) or Spectrum News to learn if we are closed during foul weather or extreme cold. Please check for “University United Methodist Church or the Food Center @ 324 University Ave.” for closing information.
As a guide; we will close if the wind chill or temperature is 20F or below, receive 5 inches or more of snow, if there is freezing rain or if the Syracuse City School District is closed for bad weather.
We strive to remain open every Friday, 10 AM - Noon, for our Emergency Food Distribution and every Sunday, 9-10:30 AM, for our community breakfast. However, extreme temperatures, heavy snowfall and ice are dangerous to our workers, your vehicles, our guests who wait outside, and the arriving Food Bank trucks.
Thank you for understanding!
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This week's weather update |
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Due to the projected frigid temperatures for this weekend, January 21 - 23, UUMC Emergency Food Distribution @ 324 University Ave. is CLOSED this Friday, January 21.
Our Sunday Community Breakfast will also be closed on Sunday, January 23.
We are sorry for any inconvenience.
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UUMC Outreach Clothing Closet Update |
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In light of the New York outbreak of the COVID-19 omicron variant, the clothing closet will be closed until March. This was a tough decision, but we ultimately had to protect the health and safety of our volunteers.
Those in need of winter coats can still stop by our winter clothing rack in the Narthex during Sunday morning bagel breakfasts each week from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Donations are still being accepted for the clothing closet. Preferred drop-off times are Thursday mornings and Friday afternoon. If necessary, you may call or email Galyn to set up an alternate time. Please see our list of acceptable items before dropping off your donation.
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January Volunteer Opportunities |
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Ongoing Requests
Little Free Library
We need books to be donated for our library. Contact Desi at the church office office@uumcsyracuse.org to arrange a drop-off time.
Yarn and Knitting
Jayne Humbert continues to knit items to prepare for the fall and winter. If you are interested in donating yarn or would like more information, please contact Jayne at: daffodil.joy.100@gmail.com
Pet Food Needed
If you’re able to donate pet food, please call or email the office for an appointment to drop it off.
Hygiene Items Needed
Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant – have been in high demand and much appreciated. If you are able to donate those, please call the office to arrange a time for drop-off.
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RESTART Special Winter Request |
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With the arrival of frigid winter temperatures, we have some families who are without warm blankets. Donations of gently used or new, twin, full and queen blankets would be appreciated. Please bring them to Erwin or contact Evelyn Disinger.
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Ongoing RESTART Ministry Requests
Restart remains in need of many items, as they go out quickly to those in need. In addition to metal bed frames for twin, full and queen beds, there is a need of hand towels, kitchen towels and pot holders.
The bed frames must be complete with no missing feet/wheels and brackets. If you have frames that fit this description, please contact Jackie Sadowski at 315-463-8025
OR — Bed frames cost $45, and if you prefer to buy new ones for Restart, make checks payable to "SUMM" and put "Restart" on memo line. Checks should be sent to UUMC.
Also, we need bath towels, pillows, cookware. These items don't need to be new but should be in usable condition. Blankets are always needed.
More ways to help RESTART
The team has set up a wish list on Amazon.com. Click the link to below to view a list of needed items. Choose what you would like to donate by adding items to your cart. When done shopping, go to checkout for payment. Be sure to select “Restart Ministries c/o Evelyn Disinger” for the mailing address. The items will be shipped directly to Restart.
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Christmas in January for the clothing closet! |
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Rosanne Martin, Mike Russo and Galyn Murphy-Stanley unload the massive haul of clothing donations from the Russo family. |
Article and photo by Joyce Flynn |
On Thursday, January 6, the UUMC Outreach Program and the folks we
serve and support received a WONDERFUL Christmas gift from volunteer Rosanne Martin and her extended family and friends!
Over the past year, Rosanne has become an enthusiastic volunteer and avid supporter of the UUMC Outreach Program. Along with our
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many other terrific volunteers, she assists with weekly food distribution in a variety of ways, and recently, upon finding out about our Winter Outerwear distribution efforts, she started contributing warm socks and gloves. When asked by her family what she
wanted for Christmas, Rosanne told them that all she wanted was gently used
coats and outerwear for our program.
The family’s response was OVERWHELMING! Together, with friends, they gathered nine HUGE Christmas garbage-size bags of warm clothing and surprised Rosanne with it on Christmas Day. This generous gift will go a long way toward keeping many people who are homeless or have limited resources warm during our frigid CNY winter.
Many, many thanks to this amazing family!
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Donations we accept for use at UUMC:
- Clean, gently used clothing, winter (thick) socks, gloves, hats, and outerwear (Machine washable ONLY)
- Clean, gently used shoes & boots
- Undamaged books
- Cat & Dog foods (Unexpired)
- Undamaged/unopened shelf stable foods (Unexpired)
- Unopened/undamaged personal hygiene items. Specifically; toothpaste, (individually wrapped) toothbrush, shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, lotion, women’s sanitary items
- Baby diapers, baby wipes and unopened, unexpired foods for baby
- Face Masks (Never worn, paper or cloth)
Financial donations drafted to University United Methodist Church with the destination in memo (i.e.: Food Center, winter clothing, breakfast, pet foods, etc.)
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Donations we accept for United Methodist RESTART Ministry
- Clean, gently worn pots, pans, flatware, glasses, tableware (plates, bowls, mugs (not plastic))
- Clean, gently used bed blankets, sheet sets & towels (Machine washable ONLY)
- Financial donations drafted to the Syracuse United Methodist Ministries, with Restart noted on the memo line.
For donations of lamps or furniture contact Jackie Sadowski at jlsadowski@aol.com or, Interfaith Works 315-449-3552. Both of these sites fill a home or apartment for someone whose life is in transition or “Restarting”
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Former Olympian and minister celebrates 15 years of his riverside worship service |
Rev. Wayne Dickert, shown here in the rear guide's seat of this raft, started an unconventional worship service called "River of Life" 15 years ago.
The 1996 Olypmic kayaker started the Sunday service for river enthusiasts who may have never gone to a traditional church.
Their sanctuary is the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, N.C. The congregation is part of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
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Dickert describes the service as a cross between contemporary worship and a summer camp.
On the last Sunday of every month, the congregation paddles down the Nantahala River after church.
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2021 Annual Conference Reports |
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UM News posts the official summaries filed by annual conferences from around the connection. Find the latest reports on our archive page.
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Daily Anti-Racism Prayers
Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church offers anti-racism prayers emailed to you Monday through Friday. To sign up to receive them, click the link below.
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Please click the link below to read United Methodist news from around the country and world on UM News Digest.
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Syracuse University 37th Annual MLK Celebration |
Martin Luther King III, a civil rights activist, global humanitarian, political leader and eldest son of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will serve as featured speaker for the 37th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, which will take place virtually on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. E.T.
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ACTS Race Matters Book Club starts its 6th Year of reading and group discussion in 2022 on January 24 at 7 p.m. with “Howard Thurman: Essential Writings,” published by Orbis Books.
Zoom link will be sent to regular members and those registered closer to the discussion date.
Planning ahead, for February 28, we will be reading “The Sum of Us – What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper” by Heather McGhee.
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COVID Info
Tests
The federal government has made four at-home rapid tests for COVID-19 available to every American. Go to covidtests.gov to order yours. If you need assistance using the Internet to order these tests, please call the church office.
Vaccines
Go to this link to see if there are appointments available: COVID
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