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 | Pentecost | June 5, 2022 |
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Today we celebrate Pentecost! Some call this the birthday of the church. At Pentecost, we remember the day the disciples received the Holy Spirit. The story in Acts describes a powerful wind and tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit was poured out on people from all over the world who came to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish feast. This is why we have red origami cranes hung in the sanctuary, to represent the flame of the Holy Spirit. At the first Pentecost over 3000 people were baptized, creating the first church. Let us continue to be that church filled with the Holy Spirit!
Holy Communion Sunday
Scripture: Acts: 2:1-21 (CEB)
Worship Music
Prelude: "Prelue & Fugue in C-Major" - Bach
Hymns: "As a Fire is Meant For Buring",
"We are the Church"
Anthem: "Hymn to the Spirit"
Offertory: "Joyful, Joyful"
Postlude: "The Hevaens are Telling from the Creation" - Franz Josef Haydn
Our Altar flowers on Sunday are given in honor of Kirsten Magowan's Mother, May Nicolaisen's 90th Birthday.
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ATTENTION PARENTS!
Special Children’s Activity June 12
On Sunday, June 12, children are invited to join in a special children’s activity during worship. Children will meet in the Chappell Room (off of the Gathering Room) to sing and make tambourines. A snack will be provided.
Two weeks later, on June 26, the children will have a chance to play their tambourines and march while the congregation sings as part of children’s time in worship that day. We hope to have extra tambourines for those children (and some young-at-heart adults) who did not make one but would like to join in the march. This day, June 26, is also the Sunday we will be hosting friends Nathan Sumrall and John Ginn for worship and a special musical program at 1 p.m. A light luncheon will follow worship for all those able to stay for the concert.
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Church Updates | New Information |
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PASTORS MESSAGE - PASTOR ALICIA
Greetings,
As I thought about what I might say in this article, I thought, it is so sad that I could talk again about gun violence and/or a mass shooting. Several of my articles have been about this topic which is a sin and a shame that it happens so often.
I hear on TV, in common conversation, social media and on the radio the blame game about gun access, mental illness or violent video games. I got thinking about our young adults and all the trauma they have lived through as a societal group.
My daughter was born in 1997. She is now 25 years old. In her short life-time the first mass school shooting occurred at Columbine 1998. In September of 2001, 911 happened. Everything changed in our country after that. The mood of our country changed. There now have been mass shootings in movie theatres, synagogues, churches, outdoor concerts, and the Pulse Night Club. Where is safe?
This doesn’t even include the issue of climate change. From a young age she knew about recycling, the plastic island in the Pacific Ocean and Climate Change. This is a constant worry and anxiety people her age carry with them. They have learned that if something isn’t done our planet will not survive or the people will not be able to survive on it. I’ve heard scientists say we have 10 years to make a change or the change won’t be reversible. That means she will be 35 years old and know much of the fate of her planet. I’ve read that many scientists feel in 50 years over 30% of the Earth will be uninhabitable. She will be 75 years old. Many of us may not think this way because we won’t be here in 10 years or 50 years. BUT our children and grandchildren will be.
Let’s not forget the pandemic we have all been experiencing. My daughter graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree the Spring of 2020. She had a job lined up for April 1, 2020 that got canceled. Just cancelled.
I’m making these points to share that our young people are anxious about big world problems that are, first, hard to wrap our brains fully around. Second, are overwhelming to think of the task at hand especially when we, as individuals, don’t know how to make a real impact given these big problems.
It seems many of our young people feel hopeless. Can you imagine feeling hopeless at age 20 or 25? Does it make sense as to why our young people are overwhelmed and anxious given these brief examples?
This is where we step in. We are called to give hope to the hopeless, with Jesus help. We are called to share God’s love and word. We are called to introduce people to Jesus, the long journey of faith and a community of faith that cares about one another.
Now, just because I’m a Christian and live my faith does not mean my brain fell out. I know in addition to faith we need to listen to science, take action and, just as important, we need to lift others up as well (Love one another as I have loved you. ~ John 15: 12). Rev. Dr. King once said, “with this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.”
Let us be the community of faith that is giving hope to all so that those who feel hopeless yet are talented may be lifted up to their full potential. When we live in anxiety and fear instead of hope we are frozen, unable to act or live to our fullest self. How might we reach out to our young people or those feeling hopeless and share God’s love today?
Our young people deserve to know about the love of God, the hope we find in Jesus and the guidance the Holy Spirit gives us. My heart is overflowing to think about the potential of our young people and all they will do to benefit the Earth and God’s people with hope and faith on their hearts.
Happy Pentecost,
Pastor Alicia
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Special Charge Conference - June 15
On June 15th of this year Syracuse United Methodist Ministries (SUMM), of which University United Methodist Church (UUMC) is a member, will be holding a Special Charge Conference to discuss information of changes impacting the finances for SUMM payment of Pastoral Salary/Benefit packages. The SUMM finance committee will share budget details expected to change in June 2022 and its impact to SUMM financials. A vote to adopt the changes will be addressed at this meeting with regards to the following:
- SUMM church community Hope Korean UMC will be closing in June 2022. Their full year 2022 financial obligation to SUMM will be met paying their apportioned shares through the end of the year.
- In June 2022 Pastor Jee Hae Song will reduce her time as a full time Pastor to 3/4 Pastoral position with no longer having to serve as Pastor to Hope Korean. She will be serving only at St. Paul’s UMC
For a bit of reference for those of you who are new to University United Methodist Church (UUMC). UUMC is a member of the Upper NY Conference of the United Methodist Church (UNYUMC). As stated on our UNYUMC website over 865 local churches and 91 new faith communities make up our conference.
Since 2015 UUMC has been connected through a shared ministry team named ‘Syracuse United Methodist Ministry’ (SUMM), most recently as 7 United Methodist Church communities in the city of Syracuse served by 4
United Methodist Pastors, Rev Andy Anderson, Rev. BJ Norrix, Rev. See Jae Song, and Pastor Alicia Wood. They have been appointed to the SUMM collective by our Upper NY United Methodist Conference (UNYUMC) Bishop, Mark J. Webb.
In order to attend to salary and benefits for the Pastors supplying our pulpits SUMM has a ‘governing’ board made up of representatives from each of the churches serving as committee voting members and the committee includes the 4 Pastors.
Additionally there is a SUMM committee of Finance and a SUMM committee of Staff-Parish relations. With Hope Korean closure, SUMM will continue with
6 remaining churches served by 4 Pastors:
Bellevue UMC - served by Rev Andy Anderson
Brown Memorial UMC - served by Rev BJ Norrix
Erwin UMC - served by Rev BJ Norrix
Gethsemane - served by Rev Andy Anderson
St. Pauls UMC - served by Rev Jee Hae Song
University UMC - served by Rev Alicia Wood
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Camp Casowasco
This year we have three young people going to Camp Casowasco. Our campers were gifted scholarships from the campership fund from the closing of James St. UMC that is now managed by Syracuse United Methodist Ministries (SUMM).
In addition, one young man from our congregation is going to the Leaders in Training (LIT) for a full month at Camp Casowasco! Here's a little about LIT.
"Casowasco’s Leader-in-Training program is a breakthrough experience for the seasoned Casowasco summer camper. The LIT experience was created to nurture budding leadership skills in your camper. Through the LIT experience your older camper will have the opportunity to become lifeguard, first aid and CPR certified. They will also have the opportunity to learn how to lead worship experiences, learn outdoor living skills, lead archery and practice sailing."
We are praying our church family will be able to assist this family in funding the added cost for this month-long training. The cost of the camp is beyond the funds we have received from SUMM.
If you would like to help, please donate online or by check with the memo line Campership Fund. Thank you for your ongoing support of our youth on their faith journey.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ann Owens (315) 382-2736 or Pastor Alicia
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UUMC Events Looking Ahead |
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Sunday: June 5: Pentecost Sunday/wear Red for to celebrate.
June 10: Long-time member and friend Larry Myers' "Celebration of Life'' will be June 10th at Drumlins from Noon-2pm. We hope you are able to join Larry's family in celebrating such a wonderful man, mentor and friend.
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June 12: Peace with Justice Sunday—We celebrate and reaffirm our holy commitment to ending injustice domestically and internationally on this day. Offerings made this Sunday will go to many hundreds of United Methodist-backed projects to bring Christ's peace and justice to a broken world.
June 12: Children are invited to join in a special children’s activity during worship. Children will meet in the Chappell Room to sing and make tambourines. A snack will be provided.
June 15 at 6 p.m.: Special Charge Conference
June 19: Family Day/Graduation Sunday
June 21 at 7 p.m.: CNY Pride Interfaith Service—The service will be at All Saints Church on Lancaster Ave. Pastor Alicia is a part of the planning and service.
June 25: CNY Pride Parade—We would love to have a large presence! We will gather at 10 a.m. to begin marching at 11 a.m. This year we will have a vehicle to ride in the parade if you prefer not to walk. Please call or email the church office to sign up and give us your T-Shirt size. We are asking for a donation to pay for the T-shirts. If you have questions, please reach Diane, 727-238-0187.
June 26 at 1 p.m.: Save the Date! We are delighted to announce that long-time UUMC friends Nathan Sumrall and John Ginn will present a special concert of music in our sanctuary. Nathan and John will be with us for 11 a.m. worship, and immediately following, the church will provide a light luncheon for those planning to stay for the 1 p.m. concert.
July 28: United Methodists at the Ball Park
August 14-17: Worship workshop for all interested
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Adult Education Opportunity |
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PROPHETIC VOICES is a Special Collection of five award-winning documentary films profiling remarkable religious figures from one of the most turbulent centuries in history. Through their timeless writings and prophetic witness, they helped shape the contours of how to create a moral and ethical response to the social and political challenges of their era. Most importantly, what they left behind is a roadmap for how to faithfully confront our own issues today.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Howard Thurman, Reinhold Niebuhr, Dorothy Day and Abraham
Heschel each came from different faith traditions and varied cultural backgrounds. What they shared in common was an abiding love for their tradition, a willingness to challenge established powers, including their own religious leaders, and an acceptance of the cost that voicing truth entails - both professionally and personally.
Pastor Beth will meet virtually with those interested on Sunday evenings – for three
weekends in May and two weekends in June. The first part of the meeting will be for those who want to watch the documentary together, the second part will be our discussion.
June 5: Dorothy Day—video at 5 p.m., discussion at 6 p.m.
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Zoom link for Sunday's discussion.
June 12: Abraham Joshua Heschel—video at 5 p.m., discussion at 6 p.m.
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Holy Land Trip in 2023 Information Session, June 2nd |
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Pastor Alicia Wood invites you to join her on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, February 14 - February 24, 2023.
You are cordially invited to attend an information session of Thursday, June 2nd at 6pm at Bellevue Heights UMC (2112 S. Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY) either in-person or on Zoom. Kindly contact Pastor Alicia to indicate whether you plan to attend in-person or via Zoom (Zoom link to follow). Thank you. We look forward to seeing you.
You are encouraged to register immediately with only $100. June 14 ($75 off),
July 14 ($50 off), August 14 ($25 off).
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A.C.T.S. Spring Banquet
The ACTS Annual Spring Banquet was held at Drumlins Country Club on May 24, 2022. This year’s theme was Ring Out Justice. ACTS members and supporters gathered to celebrate the organization’s accomplishments in support of justice in our community. Master of Ceremonies for the event was. Iris St. Meran of Channel 9 television.
The collective efforts of the ACTS task forces were updated – Violence Prevention, the Moving People Transportation Coalition, Race Matters Book Club, Youth Council, and Equity in Education.
Four Social Justice Leadership Recognition Awards were presented.
· 100 Black Men was the recipient of the Community Service Award.
· NYS Assembly Member Pamela Hunter received the ACTS Public Service Award.
· Rev. Dr. Craig French was presented the Rev. Dr. Nebraski Carter Clergy Leadership Award.
· Aneesah Evans received the Youth Council Recognition Award.
The event was designed for attendees to connect with one another, to build common bonds and friendships. It is hoped that building these connections will help ACTS discover new ways to work together to build justice in our community.
UUMC is a founding member of ACTS. The ACTS office is housed in our church building. The Annual Spring Banquet was well supported by members of our church. Pastor Alicia gave the closing blessing for the banquet.
Ginny and Bob Dewey
UUMC Representatives ot ACTS
You from UMCOR for Our Donation
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Conversations with Pastor Alicia
The sixth episode of the church podcast, Conversations with Pastor Alicia, is out now! Click here to access it on our website.
Jason Naradzay, former Food Center volunteer and friend of the church, shared his remarkable testimony with us. We hope you feel encouraged and awed by how God has worked in his life.
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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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Our Altar flowers last Sunday were given in honor of Kirsten Magowan's Mother, May Nicolaisen's 90th Birthday.
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:
Ingrid & Robert Coutts, Andy, Douglas, Kristin
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The requests list below come from the previous Sunday’s worship and those received during the week.
Ann O.: My Dad, Bud Wells; He is in the hospital.
Ann O.: My friend, Kim, whose house was destroyed by a flood (broken pipes) while they were in Florida.
Anonymous: A friend who is having tests at St. Joes.
Anonymous: For Sarah who has double mastectomy surgery Tuesday.
Anonymous: For those grieving.
Anonymous: For congress & state legislators debating gun legislation.
Anonymous: Prayers for family & friends of Texas shooting and also teachers who survived.
Anonymous: Please pray for my sister, Ginnie. Her anxiety over everything is getting worse.
Connie: Teachers & students everywhere.
Erika: Prayers for Maria startled and her family happy birthday to Erika Vitthuhn whose birthday is tomorrow on memorial day.
Holly: Prayers for my sick little one who has the flu. Also prayers for all teachers, kids, and their parents worrying about their safety in schools.
Jeanne: Welcome to the world — Ted’s great nephew born yesterday morning!
Angela: A friends grandma who has Covid.
Josh L.: Please pray for my brother Jim recovering from surgery.
Katrina: Prayers as a celebration of Birthdays for Katrina, June 2 and Caitlin, June 1.
Mamie B.: Good Morning family. Sending blessings to all who served and gratitude for being back home.
Mark L.: Sister-in-Law’s health.
Molly: A friend’s father who is in the hospital.
Morgan: Continued prayers for my father in law Gerry, who came home Thursday on comfort care.
Sherri: Prayers for my friend Kathy is not doing well. She is in the hospital in Watertown and her daughter Jayne. Prayers for Sue and her dad in the Francis house. Rich who is continuing to recovering from covid. Prayers for all shooting victims and their families
Update from Sherri: Prayers my friend Kathy has passed. Prayers for her family
Tom & Carol Boll: Prayers for the family of Lavrel Saiz friend of ours and former colleague at The Post-Standard and colleague of Tom’s at OCC who died last Sunday.
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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
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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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 or inquired about by emailing Galyn at outreach@uumcsyracuse.org. See our website for a list of accepted materials.
Your continued donations and support have been appreciated! Thank you!
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June Volunteer Opportunities |
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Please see the attached Youtube video for more information.
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Closing & Cancellations
Although we strive to remain open each Friday for food distributions, Thursday clothing access and various volunteer opportunities, know that national holidays, staff and volunteer vacations interrupt our ability to gather and effectively distribute food and diapers. We will pause on the some dates to celebrate Syracuse’s beautiful summer, and we hope you do too. Thanks!
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Ongoing Requests
Books - Men's Clothing - Pet Food Needed - Hygiene Items Needed
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Pastoral Care Education Program Open House, June 29 |
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Information meeting/Open house Wednesday June 29, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at University United Methodist Church, 324 University Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210, corner of University Ave and E. Genesee Street. Clergy, parish staff, students and lay caregivers are all welcome.
Pastoral Care Education is an intensive education program that will enhance your skill in providing excellent pastoral care in your parish or volunteer setting. This information meeting will showcase the program with information from the faculty, sharing from previous students and time for questions and answers. Please pre-register with Connie Marion at (315)677-3719 or pastoraleducation@twcny.rr.com It is our custom to serve a light meal for this meeting, so please be sure to let me know you are coming.
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June 21: Denominational Developments Webinar
With Bishop Webb
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Upper New York (UNY) Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, had planned on in-person meetings with UNY laity this month, but these meetings had to be canceled due to expressed concerns, related to the COVID pandemic.
To create an opportunity for these conversations to be held, Bishop Webb will be hosting a live webinar on Vimeo on Tuesday June 21 at 6:30 p.m.
During this webinar, Bishop Webb will address recent denominational developments and discuss the importance of keeping focused on the mission of the Church. The webinar will include a time for questions and answers.
Individuals are invited to send questions in advance, along with their name and church, for Bishop Webb to address by emailing them to news@unyumc.org by June 17. An opportunity to submit questions during the webinar will be available through a chat function.
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Tell Us How Your Congregation is Helping Your Pastor
Pastors have a lot of responsibilities that go far beyond preparing for worship. They are on call to congregants who need support; they perform weddings and funerals; they have meetings throughout the week with different ministry teams at their church.
The COVID-19 pandemic placed more demands on these pastors—for many, they had to recreate the way they did worship to digital platforms.
We want to know how congregants are helping their pastors renew and replenish their souls and we’d like to share these stories with the entire Upper New York Conference. By sharing these stories, our hope is that others throughout the Conference will be inspired to help their pastors prioritize wellness during these difficult times.
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Church Trustees and SP/PRC Resources
New materials and webinar recordings room April 26 and 28, 2022 were developed for churches in the Southern Tier Region, which consists of the Cornerstone, Mountain View, Binghamton, and Oneonta Districts. District Superintendents the Rev. Suzanne Block, the Rev. Dr. Jeff McDowell, and the Rev. Nancy Adams led the sessions.
One webinar was related to church trustees with included resources and the other webinar was related to staff-parish-relations committees with included resources.
Click here to watch these helpful recordings and access the useful resources
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United Methodist Church Bishops Call for Action to Stop Mass Shootings |
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church President, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, today urged clergy and laity to go on offense to stop mass shootings like the one that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas.
Click here to read Bishop Bickerton’s full statement.
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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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Join the Challenge: Read Banned Books!
The best way to fight book banning is to read banned books. Beginning today, NYPL is joining forces with Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library to launch a citywide reading challenge to combat the surge in book banning nationwide. Find out what’s on our list of 10 banned or challenged titles—and challenge yourself to read them all to help make sure no perspectives are erased. Will you join us?
LEARN MORE ᐳ
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Indoor Masking Recommended in Onondaga County |
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The CDC recognizes 10 counties in New York as being at high risk for COVID. Indoor masking is recommended for all counties at high risk, including Onondaga County. Fourteen New York counties are at medium risk this week. |
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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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