1085 E. Genesee Street
Office: 324 University Ave
Syracuse, NY 13210
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Greetings!
Here is your weekly news from UUMC.
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Sunday Worship | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person and on 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 a.m.
Click below to join on Tuesdays
Passcode is 7277
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Worship | Palm Sunday | April 10, 2022 |
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Scripture
This week's scripture is Luke 19: 28-40.
Worship Music
Prelude: "All Glory, Laud and Honor" by J.S. Bach
Postlude: "What Wondrous Love is This?" by Gordon Young
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Lenten Children's Activities
- Our children's table is out and full of activities for your kids to do on Sundays!
- We are doing a picture book study for kids during Lent. Sarah Jones is reading and teaching a short lesson on a book each week. Visit the church YouTube to watch the videos.
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Online Giving
- For your convenience, you can click here to give online.
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Our "Full to the Brim" artwork this week is "Even the Stones Cry Out" by Lauren Wright Pittman |
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Church Updates | New Information |
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A New Spiritual Discipline for Lent |
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Traditionally during Lent, we give something up as an act of sacrifice. This Lenten season, instead of giving something up, I'd like you to send gratitude to our healthcare workers.
Therefore, I am challenging you to send at least one thank you card to a healthcare unit or department each week of Lent. If you have children around you, please invite them to draw a picture or make a card to mail as well.
Our healthcare workers have had two very challenging years. Let's share God's love with them through our gratitude for their sacrifice, caring and hard work.
Here are some addresses to get you started.
Crouse Hospital:
(Name of Department)
736 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210
St. Joseph's Hospital:
Volunteer Office
(Name of Department)
301 Prospect Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13203
Syracuse VA Medical Center:
(Name of Department)
800 Irving Ave
Syracuse, NY 13210
Upstate University Hospital:
(Name of Department)
750 E. Adams Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
—Pastor Alicia
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Tuesdays during Virtual Coffee with the Pastor, beginning March 1: Discussion on the Full to the Brim Lenten Devotional Booklet. This booklet will be provided by the church, with copies available for pickup in the office starting Feb. 27.
Sundays at 6 p.m., beginning March 6: John: The Gospel of Light and Life by Adam Hamilton, $13 in paperback at cokesbury.com.
Mondays at 6 p.m., beginning March 7: We Cry Justice: Reading the Bible with the Poor Peoples Campaign, edited by Liz Theoharis, $16 at cokesbury.com.
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UUMC Events Looking Ahead |
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April 10: Palm Sunday with guest speaker Angela Douglas, "Full to the Brim: Even the Stones Cry Out"
April 14 at 6:30 p.m.: Holy/Maundy Thursday Service, in-person and online "Full to the Brim: Take Off Your Shoes"
April 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Good Friday "Full to the Brim: A Cup of Sorrow," sanctuary open for prayer, reflection and Stations of the Cross
April 17: Easter Sunday! "Full to the Brim: An Expansive Life"
April 23: Earth Day Neighborhood Clean Up
April 24: Guest speaker in Sunday worship, David Weber from Casowasco
May 3 at 6 p.m.: Holy Land Information Session
May 24 at 6 p.m.: ACTS Annual Banquet at Drumlins
June 25: CNY Pride Parade
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April 23 and May 28: To join, or for more information, please contact Nelson Price through email at nprice@twcny.rr.com or call at (315) 446-7656 |
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Conversations with Pastor Alicia
The third episode of the church podcast, Conversations with Pastor Alicia, is out now! Click here to access it on our website.
Our third guest was Trish Johnson from SAGE Upstate. We so appreciate her sharing her story with us!
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Governing Board Update
The UUMC Governing Board continues to meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month to hear updates and reports from Pastor Alicia and the Finance Committee, as well as to review, discuss and vote on issues brought to the Board by various Committees and Teams. These groups include the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), Outreach, Stewardship, Syracuse United Methodist Ministries (SUMM), Church & Society, the Justice Team, the Legacy Team, and other Committees as needed.
During this quarter, among other issues, the Governing Board has:
- approved the hiring of a Temp staff (Desi Gillespie) to fill the Office Coordinator position while SPRC works on determines how best to meet the need for office coordination and media specialist. [We extend thanks & appreciation to Desi for doing a great job, and for being a friendly & welcoming presence on the phone, and in person!]
- approved the hiring of Rev. Beth DuBois as Full Time Pastoral Associate to assist in providing pastoral support & presence to individuals served by the Outreach Program, as well as to those worshipping online. In addition, Rev. DuBois brings experience and skill sets that will be useful in helping UUMC maximize usage of our vacant space, find funding for program development, and partner with other agencies and groups whose missions and values align with ours. Welcome Beth!!!
- been considering the best way to digitize & store UUMC documents
- discussed and considered the way forward for UUMC should the United Methodist Church world-wide split into more liberal and more conservative branches
The Governing Board is a dynamic, thoughtful and committed group of people who work hard to ensure that UUMC continues to be an active, relevant, welcoming and nurturing community of faith in Syracuse.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joyce Flynn
Governing Board Chair
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Our staff and lay leaders have finished filing their reports on their work at UUMC during 2021! You may view the annual report here.
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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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Rachel's Retirement Celebration |
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Rachel, our Executive Administrator, will be so missed as she continues on her journey to new opportunities. |
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Performances have returned, taking place each Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. If you need a ride, contact Jayne Humbert or Nelson Price. You can find the location and show for each week's performance on the Civic Morning Musicals website. |
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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:
Brad and Judith Bowers, Cheryl Brown, and Jessica Clark
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The requests list below come from the previous Sunday’s worship and those received during the week.
Anonymous: Prayers for all people under the threat of war.
Anonymous: Peace and light and a stop of the shelling for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
Anonymous: Prayers for all who are love is fearful and to let them find peace.
Anonymous: Prayers for Holly Austin who has surgery this week.
Anonymous: Prayers for Mamie Baxter who still needs prayers for her health.
Anonymous: Prayers for all mental health workers.
Anonymous: Prayers for comfort and peace to all.
Holly: Prayers that my husband and I receive good guidance as we try to figure out how to best plan for stability in our little one's life.
Jeanne: Prayers for Jim, my brother-in-law who was recently hospitalized.
Liz: Prayers for all who are feeling lost and are looking to find their way, again.
Mark L.: Prayers for my health concerns and prayers for Christina, who also has health concerns.
Stephanie: Prayers of gratitude for a safe trip to Atlanta from which I just returned, and for all family and friends who gathered over the past three days to honor and remember the life of my Uncle Mike who died on Feb. 28. Prayers for a safe return home for my family--my mom and aunt and uncle--who are still in Atlanta.
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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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UUMC Outreach Clothing Closet |
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The clothing closet is open every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Donations can be scheduled by calling the church office. See our website for a list of accepted materials.
Your continued donations and support have been appreciated! Thank you!
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April Volunteer Opportunities |
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Volunteer Request
WE'RE HAVING A PARTY!
As you may have heard, we are expanding our Sunday morning Bagel Breakfast starting in April to also bring breakfasts to folks at Crouse Hospital's Pomeroy Addiction Treatment Center on Erie Blvd.
In order to meet the increased need for condiment cups of cream cheese and peanut butter to include for bagel toppings, there will be a PEANUT BUTTER & CREAM CHEESE PACKING PARTY ONCE A MONTH
Where: Basement Kitchen @ UUMC
When: First Thursday of each month
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
No special skills needed - just a willingness to help, & a desire to have some fun while doing it.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FUN PROJECT, PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL JOYCE FLYNN (315) 480-6767, jhflynn56@gmail.com
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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.
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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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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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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How University UMC is Tackling the Food Insecurity Crisis in Syracuse
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic hit, University UMC’s food pantry went from distributing food to 50 families from the Southeast side of Syracuse every Friday to 350 families from all over Syracuse. Currently, they serve about 200 Syracusan families every Friday.
University has 200 volunteers dedicated to this ministry—the majority who are not members of the church.
Click here to read the full story of this ministry and how the volunteers not only physically, emotionally, and physically feed the poor, but how they are breaking down barriers that prevent food security.
Click here to watch the volunteers in action at a recent Friday distribution.
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Holy Land Trip in 2023 Information Session, May 3rd
The clergy team of Syracuse United Methodist Ministries (Revs. Andy Anderson, B.J. Norrix, Jee Hae Song and Alicia Wood) invite you to join them on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, February 14 - February 24, 2023.
You are cordially invited to attend an information session of Tuesday, May 3rd at 6pm at Erwin First UMC (920 Euclid Avenue, Syracuse, NY) either in-person or on Zoom.
You are encouraged to register immediately with only $100. Register by April 14 ($125 off), May 14 ($100 off), June 14 ($75 off), July 14 ($50 off), August 14 ($25 off).
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David Sight and Sound Trip, June 14 & 15 (Payment by May 9)
Pastor Andy, Bellevue Heights & Gethsemane United Methodist Churches have planned a trip to Sight and Sound Theater, Lancaster, PA for Tuesday, June 14 to see the show DAVID.
Experience one of the most legendary Bible stories as it comes to life with spectacular special effects, massive sets, and live animals in this brand-new original stage production. Meet David, the shepherd, the warrior, the general, the poet and songwriter, the king of Israel, and a man after God’s own heart. This production will explore David’s close relationship and walk with God.
This is an overnight trip departing from Bellevue Heights UMC, 2112 S. Geddes St., Syracuse at 7:30am on Tuesday, June 14.
Expected departure from Pennsylvania is 10:30am Wednesday, June 15.
The cost: $250 per person includes: coach fare, show ticket, dinner, hotel accommodation, [breakfast and lunch 06/15/2022].
Please call BHUMC 315-475-0011 or GUMC 315-479-7971 to make your reservation. Make check payable to Bellevue Heights UMC with the word “Trip” written in the memo line and mail to 2112 S. Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY 13207. To guarantee a space we encourage you to make your payment by May 09, 2022 as there are limited seats available.
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Disaffiliating from the UNY Conference and the UMC
During the Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference held virtually in June of 2021, the body passed Resolution UNYAC2021.7 which created a Study Commission to examine the readiness in the UNYUMC for the Implementation of the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.
Last fall, the UNY Study Commission issued surveys to clergy and congregations in the UNY Conference about the Protocol. Despite there only being a 30 percent response rate, some congregations and clergy did report that if the Protocol passes, they will leave the United Methodist Church. Click here to read the survey report.
Earlier this month, the Global Methodist Church announced that it will launch on May 1, 2022. Click here to read the announcement.
Given these changes, the Conference Board of Trustees anticipated there would be congregations who might now desire to explore disaffiliation.
Click here to read an article that outlines the disaffiliation process.
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Church Communicators Celebrated |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hundreds of United Methodist communicators were honored March 31 with an awards celebration livestreamed to communicators, bishops and others across the denomination. The celebration was a highlight of the United Methodist Association of Communicators' annual gathering, held via Zoom March 30-31. The group honored its 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, the Rev. Donald R. Wood, and its communicator of the year, the Rev. Maidstone Mulenga. Jessica Brodie reports.
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UM General Conference 2020 postponed to 2024 |
Delegates consider legislation at the 2016 General Conference |
After two years of COVID-related delays, the United Methodist General Conference for 2020 was again delayed until 2024. Organizers cited the currently 800-day backlog for processing visas, which would obstruct international delegates' participation in the meeting, as the reason for the decision. |
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The organizers of the planned breakaway denomination, The Global Methodist Church, have elected not to wait for the conference's decision. The launch date for the new denomination has been moved up to May 1, 2022.
Because individual church property is held in trust by the United Methodist denomination, however, leaving won't be legally simple.
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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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A Report from ACTS
ACTS has announced the names of individuals who will receive awards at this
year’s annual spring banquet on May 24:
* The Nebraski Carter Clergy Leadership Award: Rev. Craig French
* ACTS. Volunteer of the Year Award: Peter Sarver
* Community Social Justice Award: 100 Black Men of Syracuse
(It is hoped that several members from UUMC will attend the event.)
ACTS Youth Council continues its work in advocating the Syracuse City School
District for eight counselors to staff the city ‘s high schools. Members attending
this March 22 meeting expressed appreciation to UUMC for the letter received in
support of the Youth Council.
A presentation was made by the Nuclear Free World Committee of the Syracuse
Peace Council. The video, Back from the Brink, was shown. The video deals with
policies on reforming nuclear weapons. UUMC has endorsed the
recommendations of this organization.
—Ginny and Bob Dewey
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The ACTS Race Matters Book Club will be discussing “The Sword & The Shield – The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.” by Peniel E. Joseph on Monday April 25 @ 7 p.m. on Zoom.
Unfortunately, there is only one copy available in OCPL system. If you wish to order a copy, try here, with copies starting at $9.03.
As our community’s social justice interfaith network, ACTS is hopeful that dialog will bring greater awareness and action. There are more than 30 regular members of the book club from 13+ different congregations with an average of a dozen or more persons participating each month. Come once or come often to share your thoughts with others on the journey.
Zoom link will be sent to regular members and those registered closer to the discussion date.
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Save the date!
The ACTS spring event, "Ring Out Justice!," will be Tuesday, May 24 at 6 p.m. at Drumlins Country Club. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for ACTS, so your support would be appreciated! Tickets can be bought per seat or by the whole table.
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