1085 E. Genesee Street
Office: 324 University Ave
Syracuse, NY 13210
|
|
Greetings!
Here is your weekly news from UUMC.
|
|
CDC Recommends Masks in Central New York
Again as Covid Levels Rise.
|
|
OCTOBER 2022 GOVERNING BOARD ARTICLE
Our Governing Board Meeting was on 10/18/22 this month and the following are highlights of the reports given, and actions taken at that meeting:
- Moves and space changes within the building are progressing, with the Choir now in a nice new rehearsal space on the 2nd floor with storage for music, etc. right nearby. In addition, preparations for the Chappell Room and the former Special Needs Adult Ed/Rachel’s Office room being converted to permanent Sunday School rooms is beginning. Also, Outreach is now reconfiguring space in the basement that has been freed up by Sunday School, Choir & other Church items & activities being moved to other floors. – All very exciting! Please take Pastor Alicia up on her offer of a tour of the various spaces to see the changes in progress.
- Governing Board passed a motion presented by SPRC (Staff/Parish Relations Committee) to provide a $350/month benefit to each of our 4 employees who work 30 or more hours per week to go toward the cost of health insurance. [Note: SPRC has been working diligently to bring the wages & compensation packages for our employees up to fair & reasonable levels]
- Governing Board passed a motion presented by our SUMM (Syr. United Methodist Ministries) Representative, Gwen T.F., to approve UUMC’s share of the Pastoral Compensation Package for 2023 for the 4 SUMM Pastors. The amount is a 2.5% increase from last year – well below what is currently being used as the COLA.
As always, if you have any questions about Governing Board actions, feel free to talk with any Governing Board member, and if you are ever interested in attending a Governing Board Meeting (generally held the 2 nd Tuesday of each month @ 5:30 pm via Zoom), please contact Pastor Alicia, or me.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joyce H. Flynn, Governing Board Chair
|
|
Treasure
Money affects your heart. Whether you are in plenty or in want, money has a direct connection to your stress level, your anxiety, and the health of your relationships. It is no wonder, then, that Jesus talked about the relationship between our treasure and our hearts.
For a four-week period in October, we will look at the many ways that our treasure (time, energy, money) affects our spiritual and emotional lives. Join us in worship continue this Sunday as we begin our new sermon series called Treasure. We will explore Matthew 6 and Jesus’ teachings on money, giving, worry, and more.
At the end of the four weeks, we will have an opportunity to make personal commitments of our offerings to God through our church in the coming year. We will receive commitment cards in the mail, and cards will be available on Sunday mornings. We will bring these commitment cards to worship on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
I hope that you’ll join us in the coming weeks as we look at Jesus’ teaching on how we can avoid freedom from some of the common pitfalls related to money, and how we can give our lives and our treasure to God.
|
|
Christian Nationalism
The United Methodist Church joined in the endorsement of the statement from Christians Against Christian Nationalism. That statement and a simple fact sheet are available in the front and back of the sanctuary, as well as online at: https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/learn-more and https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/statement. “Christian nationalism identifies the nation with God's will and action in the world; conflates national and Christian identity; and identifies service of the nation with service of God,” writes Dr. David W. Scott, who is a Methodist historical researcher and the Director of Mission Theology at the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. “Christian nationalism gives moral cover for actions, even unseemly ones, taken in pursuit of national or political goals.”
“In other words, it’s a form of idolatry, or Christians ultimately are confused about what they’re worshipping. … That includes a certain defensiveness where people feel like whatever the nation does is absolutely justified and right.” (https://www.umnews.org/en/news/discussing-christian-nationalism-carefully). While not all United Methodists (or Protestants or Christians or people of good will) may agree, Christian Nationalism raises some significant issues for faithful Christians of all traditions.
|
|
Sunday Worship | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person and on Facebook Live
Click Below to Join Worship on Sunday
|
|
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.
|
|
We earn money and spend money. We want to give money, but there seems to be nothing left at the end of the month. This week will include specific ways to take the steps of faith in giving to God. What do we get out of giving to God? Part of the reward, it seems, is getting to join in on the things of God. We don’t get the credit—God does—but there is something about joining in with God that is so much better than having our name in lights. Being part of God’s work is a unique reward.
Worship Music
Prelude “Fantasia” by Samuel Scheidt
Offertory “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” by Akers
Postlude “Fugue” by Felix Mendelssohn
|
|
Winter Coats from the Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
Another chilly October Thursday morning here in Syracuse has our wonderful volunteers at the clothing closet working very hard! By the time we opened at 9am we already had 10 guests in line looking for coats and warm clothing. Yesterday we were blessed by the Goodwill of the Finger Lakes with a large donation of coats that our volunteers quickly unpacked and displayed. This meant even our first guests of the morning received nice warm coats!
A big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers for doing God's Work here at UUMC!
While this has been a great start to our coat distribution, we always need more! Please consider donating your gently used coats to our clothing closet and help us continue God's work here at UUMC.
|
|
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.
|
|
Thanksgiving Boxes: As Thanksgiving approaches, we would like to share our bounty with 250 families, who are our neighbors, by once again providing a Thanksgiving Box containing a turkey, plus all of the food items to have a wonderful holiday dinner.
We are asking for your help in any of the following ways to assist with this very ambitious endeavor:
1) A Monetary Donation in any amount that would allow us to purchase needed food items
2) A donation of grocery store gift cards
3) A donation of fresh winter produce such as winter squash, sweet potatoes or white potatoes
Our Thanksgiving Boxes are still in need of 175 Jiffy Cornbread mixes, 180cake mixes and 180 cake frostings. Please bring your donation into the church Sundays or Monday through Friday. Please contact Galyn at outreach@uumcsyracuse.org with any questions.
|
|
UUMC October Community Breakfast Volunteer Registration
|
|
Ongoing Requests
Winter Coats Needed Especially XL, XXL & XXXL Men’s coats.
Hygiene Products Needed: Shampoo,
Soap, Deodorant, Tooth Brushes & Tooth Paste
to arrange drop-off time.
|
|
Queer Spirituality
October 26 at 5:30PM: Queer Spirituality had our first meeting this week and will reconvene on Wednesday with light snacks. This is a space for those who identify as queer to explore their relationship to spirituality.
|
|
UUMC Cleanout!
The staff at UUMC have been working hard to clean out our storage spaces so that they can be put to better use! During this cleanout, we have come across many things that are no longer useful in the church. We would like to offer them to the congregation first. Our loss is your gain!
1st up is a professional deli meat slicer! This heavy piece of machinery will cut your cold cuts paper thin or to you preference. Next is a professional food scale. Which will help you make properly proportioned meals for your dinner parties large and small!
Please contact the church office if you are interested in these & stay tuned for more to come!
|
|
All Saints Sunday
Remembering Our Loved Ones
November 6, 2022
Our All Saints’ Sunday remembrance will be during worship on November 6th. We will print in the bulletin the names of loved ones who have passed on within the past year. (This includes those who have passed on since last All Saints’ Day, November 2021.) We will have a moment of reverence in the service when the names are read aloud.
Please be sure to let us know about your loved ones to be included in the service.
2 ways to let us know.
1) Complete this form and place in offering plate
Please have all names into the church office by Sunday, October 30th
Name: __________________________________________
Date of Death: ____________________________________
Relationship to you: _______________________________
Your name: ____________________________________
(Please print)
|
|
UUMC Announcements
Sunday, October 23: Adult Christian Education, Pastor Beth will be discussing Food Insecurity on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 881 4414 0415 | Passcode: 112507.
The small Jubilee gatherings:
October 27 at 1:00pm - Home of Gwen Tilapaugh-Fay
November 2 at 6:30pm - Home of Nelson Price & Barbara Fought
Save the Date! On Sunday, November 6, we will be hosting Jim McKeever after worship for Conversations from the Border. Jim worked for the Post Standard and Upstate Medical University, before working as an advocate for migrants along the US-Mexico border. Please plan on joining us for a thought provoking presentation and discussion.
Men’s Group: We would like to start a men’s group in the fall. Please email Mark Letham if you are interested in joining or would like more information at mrletham@comcast.net.
|
|
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:
Mark & Melanie Fullerton
The requests list below come from the previous Sunday’s worship and those received during the week.
|
|
Amanda & Josh H.: Prayers for Amanda’s Grandmother who is still in the ICU.
Angela P.: Prayers for the family of Pauline Palmieri. Angela’s Grandma who died at age 101.
Ann O.: Dave H. who has severe health problems.
Anonymous: Pray for Mamie who is not well today.
Anonymous: Prayers for Barb & Del G. – health issues.
Anonymous: Prayers for Jeanne & Ted F-S.
Anonymous: Prayers for Liz S. -health issues.
Ellyn: Safe return to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law as they return to Ecuador to continue their missionary work.
Erika V.: Prayers for Maria S. & family.
Ginny & Bob.: Prayers for Jeanne F-S as she has knee surgery tomorrow.
Jim: Thankful for being able to ring the bells for Salvation Army in 3 weeks.
|
|
John Budi: Marigrace will be 99 tomorrow!
Joyce F.: Prayers of thanks for all the Outreach Volunteers who share their time, so generously to help those in need.
Joyce F.: Prayers that others will be inspired to join in the UUMC Outreach effort.
Maya D.: Prayers for Ukraine.
Michelle G.: Prayers for Grandma Rene who is 95 and has COVID.
Molly & Edwin P.: Payers for those experiencing heartbreak. Know that you are loved!
Peg: Prayers for my friend Pat who is having hip surgery Tuesday.
Sharon: Please pray for those traveling.
Sharon: Prayers of healing for Sandy.
Stephanie H.: Prayers for a dear friend struggling with recurring cancer.
Stephanie H.: Prayers for embracing challenges with gratitude, grace and an openness to be formed.
|
|
|
If you would like to join our prayer circle, please contact Carol Boll at cjlboll76@gmail.com. |
|
Annual Church/Charge Conference
Our charge conference is scheduled for November 9th at 6:30 at St. Paul's UMC.
|
|
WCNY, in partnership with the Seward House Museum, invites you to attend the "Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom" screening and discussion event, Thursday, Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carriage House Theater in Auburn, NY!
Join us as we explore the inspiring woman who repeatedly risked her own life and freedom to liberate others from slavery. Watch clips from the new film, "Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom," and participate in a live Q&A panel discussion with local history experts.
The welcome reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with light refreshments, followed by the screening and discussion at 6 p.m. There is no fee to attend the event, but registration is required.
"Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom" Screening Event - Thursday, Nov. 3
Carriage House Theater
203 Genesee St. Auburn, NY 13021 (Behind the Cayuga Museum)
|
|
“Sister Citizen”
by Melissa V. Harris-Perry
Tuesday November 8 is Election Day! Who will win the various political contests is in the voters hands. The ACTS Race Matters Book Club will look at the role of Black Women in politics through the lens of “Sister Citizen” by Melissa V. Harris-Perry. Two subtitles for the timely analysis are “Shame, Stereotypes & Black Women in America” and “For Colored Girls who’ve Considered Politics When Being Strong Isn’t Enough.”
Did you know that Stacey Abrams was a crime novelist before seeking to be elected as Governor of Georgia? Clues to her political energies? Do we recognize the local struggles of Linda Ervin as County Legislator, Pam Hunter as Assemblywomen, Helen Hudson as Common Council President and other Sister Citizens elected as public officials. Come for the discussion on Monday October 31 at 7 PM on zoom and wear a Halloween costume if you want to be in the moment!
To make your registration for the October 31 gathering, email petersarverACTS@gmail.com Zoom link will be sent to regular members and those registered closer to the discussion date.
|
|
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.
|
|
Is UMC Splitting?
Get a quick update on issues and news of the United Methodist Church with a video report – only seven minutes of your time. Check it out.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Please click the link below to read United Methodist news from around the country and world on UM News Digest.
|
|
Contact Us
Alicia Wood, Pastor
Beth DuBois, Pastoral Accomplice
1085 E. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY
315.475.7277
Email | office@uumcsyracuse.org
Facebook | uumcsyracuse
Twitter | @uumcsyr
Instagram | uumcsyr
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
