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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AUGUST 2022
GOVERNING BOARD REPORT
The Governing Board, with representation from Outreach and Christian Ed, had a productive and energizing retreat on July 30th to brainstorm ways to use our wonderful building to further our Vision to “Feed God’s People: Body, Mind and Spirit”. The Governing Board then met for its regular meeting on August 9th to determine definitive next steps for moving forward, in the near future, on short term ideas and suggestions that came out of the retreat.
As you may or may not know, but can see if you join one of the tours over the next several weeks, we have a tremendous amount of currently unused, but very lovely space, some of which we would like to have used for UUMC gatherings and events. Other space, we feel can be put to good use by renting or cost-sharing it to groups and organizations whose missions align with UUMC’s. Further research is actively occurring on longer term possibilities for space usage.
We are reaching out to the congregation to share the following short-term ideas, suggestions and proposed plans, and would like feedback within the next few weeks, as we ideally want to have a number of these plans in place later this Fall:
- Move 1 – 2 staff offices currently on the first floor, up to 2nd floor office space, and designate 2 – 3 of those former first floor offices as permanent Sunday School rooms.
- U se the wonderful, bright, open space on the 2nd floor, which is air conditioned, as our new permanent Fellowship/Large Gathering Room
- Give Outreach full access to the entire basement level to optimize the use of the space. This will allow us to better meet the significant need for food and clothing that our neighbors in Syracuse have now, and into the foreseeable future
- Actively seek out a tenant to run a Daycare in the Education Wing of hopefully the bottom and the 1st floor, as we know that this is a significant need in our area of Syracuse.
The last 2+ years have been a challenging time for all of us, as we were so limited in some ways in where we could go, what we could do, and how we could best respond to the many crises unfolding around us. With a lot of faith, creative thinking, intense planning, volumes of volunteers, hours upon hours of hard work, and a bone-deep commitment to the people in need in our community we have met those challenges and grown stronger as a faith community for it. It’s now time to expand our thinking and take some bold steps to open up new opportunities for UUMC and our community.
Please contact Pastor Alicia, Pastor Beth, or any of the Governing Board Members listed below with questions/concerns/feedback by September 13th: Joyce Flynn, Barbara Nunn, Ann Owens, Cynthia Steinem, Gwen Tillapaugh-Fay, Connie Myers, Ronald Denby, Nelson Price, Ted Finlayson-Schueler, and Seth Austin. Contact information for each is in the UUMC Directory, or available through the Church Office.
On a final note, Governing Board Meetings are open meetings, so anyone is welcome to attend. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm via Zoom. If interested in attending, please let Pastor Alicia or me know in advance so that we can include you in the Zoom invitation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joyce H. Flynn, Governing Board Chair
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150 Years & Counting!
“How Do We Function and Thrive?”
Join us for a Fellowship Luncheon
Sunday, September 11, 2022
(right after worship)
· Hear about bold new initiatives for the future.
· UUMC Committee updates and opportunities
· Acknowledgement of Past Supporters
· Legacy Circle Launch
Hosted by: UUMC Legacy Committee
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UUMC Legacy Circle Purpose:
Increase legacy gifts to UUMC
- Move consideration of legacy gifts from the back of the mind to the front of the mind.
- Focus on congregation,
- Those who have a current end of life plan
- Goal – Increase legacy gift.
- Those who have an end of life plan that needs completing/updating
- Goal - Identify and address updating needs.
- Members who have a need for an end of life plan.
- Goal - Provide assistance in creating an end of life plan.
Reduce complications at the end of life.
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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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Life can be serious business. Certainly, watching the daily news can give the impression that there is little good to find in the world. This week we choose to lighten up—to "spin" life in a little different way as we look for the delight and especially, humor, in life. A lot of people cite the ability to make us laugh as a number one thing they look for in friends and spouses. Many comedians have the knack for seeing everyday life in ways that make us laugh. Perhaps laughter is the best medicine. |
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Scripture: Isaiah 9: 1-3
Worship Music
Prelude: “In Thee is
Gladness” by: J.S. Bach
Offertory: “Plastic Jesus” by: Eddie Marrs Danny Magowan, soloist
Postlude “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” Arranged by: Richard Unfried
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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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SUNY Upstate Med Students Join Our Sunday Breakfast Distribution
SUNY Upstate Medical Students who are interested in outreach efforts and community field work with the people of Syracuse assist UUMC's Sunday Community breakfast effort to provide general Health screenings, Blood pressure checkups, assistance in scheduling vaccine appointments, etc. 1 Sunday each and every month. Students are present at both UUMC & Pomeroy's breakfast distribution. We are grateful for the support and additional services/opportunities they provide for the people of Syracuse.
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Gifted Refrigerators/Freezers Aid Outreach Efforts
Although this might look like an ad for used refrigerators, that is simply not true! These units are even more valuable to UUMC than the food we store in them! Without them we would not be able to store proteins and dairy that are included in our weekly food distribution and community breakfast.
In just the past week we were gifted 3 new to us refrigerators/freezers. Bringing our total count to 18! And believe it or not, they are all filled!
These gifts have helped us live up to our motto "Feeding God's People, Body, Mind & Spirit."
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Volunteer Opportunities
Thursday, August 25, 2022 9-about 12 noon: Pack Emergency Food boxes with shelf stable foods. Approx. 3hr. volunteer opportunity Pack Emergency Food boxes with shelf stable foods. Move cases of food from basement storage rooms into basement food packing room. Assembly line style unpack food case into single household distribution box. Work entails; lifting 25+lb. cases of foods, pushing 100+lb on hand trucks/carts & remaining on one's feet for the entire activity.
Friday, August 26, 2022: Emergency Food Distribution 3.5hr. volunteer opportunity. Inside & Outside effort. Work entails; Completing Emergency Food Box packing, Unloading Food Bank truck, moving boxes into guest's personal vehicles, working with the general public and many volunteers as a team. Additionally, repeated lifting of 25+lb., remaining on one's feet for the duration of the event, and effective communication with many folk are points of effort for this event.
Sunday, August 28, 2022, 8-10:30am: Free to-go Community Breakfast & Coffee distribution, outside & mobile distribution. Please register/cancel as a volunteer for this event below. CLICK ON ORANGE LINK TO REGISTER AS A BREAKFAST VOLUNTEER:
NEW-Sunday, August 28, 2022, 10-10:45am: UUMC Greeter. Welcome the congregation, guests and visitors to worship. Distribute bulletin at entry points. Contact Pastor Alicia for more information pastor@uumcsyracuse.org
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Ongoing Requests
Men's & Woman's Socks & Kid's Clothing all sizes needed
to arrange drop-off time.
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March with UUMC
In the PRIDE PARADE @ the 2022 NYS Fair!
It's that time of year again & UUMC is heading to the fair! We will be there on Friday, August 26 to march in this year's PRIDE PARADE!
We had a record turn out at our last parade & we are hoping you will all join us again! Joining us at the parade comes with free admission to the NYS Fair!
Please contact the church office if you plan on attending, so we can request our free admission tickets
We will meet at 5 to line up. We have 3 of our tie dye t-shirts left, size large & 2 size XL. They are $15 in the church office.
Volunteer opportunities are available, please contact the church office for more info.
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UUMC Announcements
August 29: Worship led by brother & sister duo Abbey & Caleb.
August 29-Sept 5: Pastor Alicia on Vacation.
September 5 at 10:30am: Our annual hymn sing Sunday.
September 6 at 6:30pm: New member class on zoom. Please email Pastor Alicia if interested, so she can send you a link.
September 8: Holy Land (Traveling Feb. 2023) information session with Pastor Alicia via zoom.
September 11 at 10:30am: New Member day/Welcome back! Fellowship Luncheon
following worship and closing about 1:30pm. Light lunch provided. Learn more about what our Committees are planning this fall.
September 14-28: Pastor Alicia on Continuing Ed in Scotland.
September 18: Pastor Beth leading worship exploring Celtic Christianity.
September 25: Pastor Beth leading worship. When the cat’s away, the mice will play.
Men’s Group: We would like to start a men’s group in September. Please email Mark Letham if you are interested in joining of would like more information 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:
Janie Edwards & Nneka Eke
The requests list below come from the previous Sunday’s worship and those received during the week.
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Angela P.: Prayers for my Aunt Joan who is having surgery.
Ann O.: Prayers for Dave H. and his family. Dave has serious health issues.
Ann O.: So grateful for our clothing closet and how it changes lives.
Anonymous: Prayers of healing for Cynthia S.
Anonymous: Prayers for my Best Friend’s Mom, Pam who had ALS.
Anonymous: Prayers of gratitude for all the farmers working hard to feed us.
Anonymous: Prayers for everyone suffering due to the climate emergency.
Anonymous: Healing prayers for Rosey
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Jackie: Sam M., 18 years old, is a patient at Galisano Children’s Hospital fighting a serve viruns that has attacked him muscles and kidneys.
Jayne: Prayers for Cynthia S.
Jayne: Light and peace for people of Ukraine!
Jefferson: Prayers that I’ll get the job at the Orange TV Network.
Marcos: For Maria C., my mother.
Peg: Please keep my friend Jeff in prayer. He is having heart problems
Stephanie H.: Prayers for finding the right job.
Stephen S.: Thankful that my COVID symptoms were mild.
Stephen S.: Grateful that I am starting a new position at the Southern Cayuga School District.
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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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Women's March Syracuse Seeks Support
Two of our key local Women's March Syracuse organizers - Nada Odeh and Nodesia Hernandez -attended the National Women's March Annual Conference in Houston TX on August 12th.
Help us cover the cost for them to participate in this great opportunity to learn from fellow organizers across the country and strengthen our connections to the national movement. The National Women's March has provided some scholarship funds but a significant gap remains. Thanks for your generosity.
Please share widely.
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5 Stewardship Lessons from a Homecoming
BY KEN SLOANE
While traveling earlier this year, I had the opportunity to worship at the church where I grew up. It was where I was in Sunday school in the 1960s and UMYF in the ‘70s, where I was part of a confirmation class, and where my family was involved in church musicals. When I got my call to ministry, this church was where I was approved as a candidate by the staff-parish relations committee. While I moved away to ministry in another conference, my parents were active here until their deaths. This is where their lives were celebrated – the most recent was my mom’s funeral in 2006. Click here to continue reading.
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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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