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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Front Office Report
Finance
Our mission of Feeding God's People continues! Earlier this week, I got an incredible surprise while opening the mail. What I had expected to be a bill from the CNY Food Bank was the complete opposite. It was a letter from the CNY Food Bank offering @324 an additional $20,750 in food credits for the months of September 2022 to February 2023. A few days later another letter appeared. It was earmarked for the Community Breakfast Program with an additional $4980 in food credits. @324 received not 1 but 2 blessings this week!
Due to rising costs and USDA supply shortages the food credits we were given in June had already run out. Fortunately, @324 is still able to access enough food for our guests but we now have to pay wholesale prices for products that were previously considered surplus and donated. Due to this, those same food credits that lasted an entire year in the past, barely covered 3 months in 2022. Meanwhile the number of guests fed remains steady. This has left Galyn and Pastor Beth scrambling for additional funds to allow Gods work @324 to continue.
We are hopeful that these funds will last us about 3-4 months and we pray that our generous donors can help cover the gap until our next food credits arrive. With these credits expiring at the end of February, we are optimistic that more will be released at that time.
Social Media
This past Thursday, I received the best response to a Social Media post to date. While the post about the Clothing Closet did not have any record breaking numbers in likes, comments or reach, it did get us a personalized message and a large donation! The post mentioned the high demand for socks, underwear & hygiene items. Mere minutes later, I received a Facebook message from Kristina at the Conference office, offering us their hygiene kits. This is truly a blessing that allows God's Work to continue here at UUMC.
In the last month we gained 12 new followers on Facebook (4 began to following us while I've written this article) & 3 on Instagram. Our largest audience for Facebook continues to be on Sundays. The last 90 days UUMC's Facebook posts reached 6,600 users which is about double from the previous 90 days.
Our highest ranking post was of the CNYPride parade reached 1847 people or over 10x the average post reach. For a grand total of 149 likes & reactions. Elton John parking netted us 825 people reached with 81 likes comments and shares. Followed by Diaper day 7/8 which had a total reach of 1266 and 55 reactions and comments. Recently we have 28 reactions of Pride day at the fair & refrigerators with 37 likes, comments & shares.
For September 4 worship we saw 47 views on Sunday, and by the following Sunday, that had increased to 63 viewers. Worship on 8/28 had 141 views on Sunday and that increased to 195 on September 11. The service from 8/21 had117 views on Sunday which increased to 151 by 9/4.
Our views include people from the UK, Australia, Italy, Lithuania & Germany. The largest segment of our audience is women over 55 which made up for 68 of our viewers.
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New Members
This past Sunday UUMC welcomed new members into our Congregation!
This was extra special for Molly, who attends with Grandpa Ed, and is carrying on the Potter legacy here at UUMC.
Abbey also became a member, she recently led a beautiful service with her brother Caleb. We are honored to have them both as congregants.
John Budi, who has been worshipping with us for some time, has also officially joined the congregation.
Josh & Amanda made a huge move from Las Vegas to Syracuse earlier this summer and decided to join us! They are already active in the church! Josh did face painting at the SUMM picnic & they both joined us in marching at the Pride Parade at the NYS Fair.
The new faces are Paul & his daughter Brittany who had met Diane & Michelle after the Pride Parade at the Fair. They had been looking for a new church that focused on love, acceptance and was handicapped accessible. Diane assured them that UUMC was all of that and more! We couldn't be happier to have them join us.
A big welcome to all of our new members! We are blessed that they are now officially part of the UUMC family!
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Do You have Friends or Family Heading to the Dome?
Please let your friends and family know that UUMC will be renting out our parking lot (the fenced in lot and spaces near the building) for game days and events! The cost is $20 per space and the proceeds go directly to support our Outreach efforts.
If you are a member and you usually park at UUMC, please contact the office so we know to expect you. You are always welcome to make a donation, but payment from members is not expected.
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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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Part of the journey to Scotland is not only the landscape, but also the history and stories of the people. Seems obvious doesn’t it? We will move beyond Brigadoon (or Schmigadoon), into the lives of holy people and warring tribes and new visions of community.
Worship Music
Prelude “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” By: Raymond H. Haas
Offertory The Peace of Christ” based on “Killough”
by James Biery & Alison Ferretti, violin
Postlude "March” by John Marsh
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Kids Corner
Check out one way to connect with your children as you all connect with scripture. Click Here
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UUMC's Parking Venture, A Huge Success
Here is Pastor Beth & Lise showing off their accomplishment of a full parking lot for the Elton John concert! Their efforts raise enough money to feed 250 people @324! Keep up the great work!
@324 Park and Give. We will be offering parking for $20 a slot for the Saturday SU
football game on 9/17 from 9AM to Noon. Please let your friends and colleagues know! This effort helps directly support our food ministry.
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Volunteer Opportunity
NEW- Friday, September 23, 2022, 4:30-8pm, Assist with Game Day Parking. Approx. 3.5hr. Volunteer opportunity. Assist our staff in directing parking
and collecting payments in UUMC parking lots for Dome game attendees.
Outside effort. Some moving of cones and signage.
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Ongoing Requests
Hygiene Products Needed: Shampoo,
Soap, Deodorant, Tooth Brushes & Tooth Paste
to arrange drop-off time.
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Continuing Education is Scotland & Ireland
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New Worship Series: Celtic Christianity
While not the most famous Christian Carpenter, UUMC has dubbed Seth Austin as our honorary carpenter. Here he is doing God's work and setting up the display window for our next worship series "Celtic Christianity."
Before every new worship series, Seth and his wife Holly (and their adorable little ones, if the staff is lucky) decorate the Sanctuary and the display window. With fun backdrops, floating hot air balloons & lots of new surprises. We're all excited to see what else they will come up with.
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Spiritfilm: Convergence: Courage in a Crises
Our September Spiritfilm is October 1! Saturday nights have filled up in September. Other dates: October 29, November 19 and December 17. Our first selection is Convergence: Courage in a Crises, a series of documentaries on responses to the covid crises. Hope everyone can get it on Netflix. See review: https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/reviews/view/29094/convergence-courage-in-a-crisis. Plan an in-person conversation at the Price/Fought home in The Hamlet, 6305 Hamlet Crest down near the circle. Time: 7:30. Will let you know if plans change.
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UUMC Announcements
Meeting ID: 881 4414 0415 | Passcode: 112507
In October, we will begin a series of Christian responses to food insecurity. Please let the office know if you will be attending.
Beginning September 21 at 5:30 pm: We will gather a group of folks who identify as Queer to fellowship and deepen our understanding of Christianity. Please email Pastor Beth at pastoralaccomplice@uumcsyracuse.org to participate.
October 2: World Communion Day. UUMC challenges the congregation to bring in 250 boxes of Jiffy Corn Bread Mix, 250 Boxes of Cake Mix & 250 Containers of premade Frosting. What will you bring to help us meet this goal?
Men’s Group: We would like to start a men’s group in September. Please email Mark Letham if you are interested in joining or would like more information at mrletham@comcast.net.
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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:
Joyce Flynn
The requests list below come from the previous Sunday’s worship and those received during the week.
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Ann O.: Prayers for person suffering from illnesses. May they find peace.
Bruce: Prayers for our Scottish travelers and for their fearless leader.
Bruce: Pray for healing for Walter, Bill and Jomills.
Claudia & Carolina: Prayers for our friend Jenn who is mourning the passing of her friend Pinky. May she find comfort in her memories.
Connie: Pray for all those starting new school routines, and all those dealing with uncertainty.
Devine: Prayers for my mother. Today is her birthday.
Diane G.: Praise Brittany and her Dad are here today.
Erika: Prayers for Judy so sad that she is no longer in our church.
Jayne: Prayers of healing and lots of phone calls for Barb N. Prayers for a healthy mind, body & spirit.
Jeanne FS.: Safe travels for Scotland travelers; pray that residual pain from shingles goes away.
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Kokie: Prayers to our survivors and families of 9/11 and our country.
Kokie: Happy Grandparents day.
Melissa: Please pray for the Lovy (lowvee) family as they adjust to the sudden loss of Dave, husband, father, son, brother, uncle.
Nelson: Prayers for Vera House-staff-clients, community for healing.
Sharon: Pray for healing for Sandy.
Sherri C.: Prayers for Jayne, Patti, Sue. Prayers for Peace.
Ted FS.: Pray for Avery healing.
Tom & Carol B.: Prayers for our neighbor and friend, Sean H., whose pancreatic cancer continues to advance. His doctors will try a different chemo treatment on him tomorrow to see if that stops the progression. Please pray for Sean and his family, for strength and comfort for whatever lies ahead.
UUMC: Prayers for our Scotland travelers Karen Q., Kathy C., Deborah S., Ben O., Jeanne F-S., Janet C., Nora M., Jim M., Rick P., Cathy P., & Pastor Alicia for a safe trip and incredible experience.
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If you would like to join our prayer circle, please contact Carol Boll at cjlboll76@gmail.com. |
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Westcott Street Cultural Parade & Fair
September 25 at 12-7 pm. Syracuse United Methodist Ministries, Erwin First and UUMC would like to invite you to join them in marching in this year’s parade! If you would like to march in the parade, please meet the SUMM collective at the Westcott Community Center at 11:45. SUMM, Erwin First & UUMC will be sponsoring a table and is asking for volunteers to hand out SUMM reusable shopping bags, rainbow streamers & church brochures.
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Annual Church/Charge Conference
November 9th at 6:30 at St. Paul's UMC.
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100 Black Men of Syracuse
Each year, 100 Black Men of Syracuse sponsors the Winston Gaskin Community Walk for Wellness & Stroke Prevention, which honors Winston Gaskin, an African-American Syracuse resident, pharmacist, Army veteran and community leader who passed away in 2009. The Gaskin Walk has been sponsored by the 100 since 2009 when it was part of Syracuse’s Juneteenth Festival. It is also dedicated to raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of stroke.
Proceeds from the annual event benefit the 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. health and wellness initiatives. Donations are always welcomed if you are unable to participate in the walk.
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“Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice” is the subtitle of “Better, Not Bitter.”
Yusef Salaam has a message to be heard by all concerned with the travesties of our criminal justice system…in the context of the larger schemes of personal commitments.
The ACTS Race Matters Book Club will gather Monday October 3 @ 7 PM on zoom to discuss Salaam’s work.
Syracuse residents will also have an opportunity to hear him on Tuesday October 11 in the Civic Center. He will be the 2nd speaker in the annual Authors Lecture Series sponsored by the Friends of the Central Library. Go to https://www.foclsyracuse.org/
Tickets are still available to hear Brit Bennett, author of best-13 selling “The Vanishing Half” on Tuesday September 13. Book Club members felt that her novel on racial identity is one of the best books they have ever read.
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Save the Date, Sat. Nov. 19, Bishop Webb's Farewell Gathering
You are invited to Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb’s farewell/retirement gathering on Saturday Nov. 19 from 1-4 p.m. at the Upper New York Conference Center, 7481 Henry Clay Blvd. in Liverpool. Join others throughout the Conference to celebrate Bishop Webb’s 10 years of ministry as Bishop of the UNY Conference. More details will be released once they become available.
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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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Contact Us
Alicia Wood, Pastor
Beth DuBuois, Pastoral Accomplice
1085 E. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY
315.475.7277
Email | office@uumcsyracuse.org
Facebook | uumcsyracuse
Twitter | @uumcsyr
Instagram | uumcsyr
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