1085 E. Genesee Street
Office: 324 University Ave
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-475-7277 | Email: office@uumcsyracuse.org
Greetings!

Here is your weekly news from UUMC.
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.
Virtual Coffee with Pastor Alicia
Every Tuesday - 10 a.m.
Click below to join on Tuesdays
Passcode is 7277
UUMC Worship Updates
Worship | Fourth Sunday of Lent | March 27, 2022
The word "prodigal" is commonly used to describe the son who squanders his inheritance. Yet, this parable invites us to consider how God’s grace is also prodigal—extravagant, lavish, illogical. This parable disrupts and expands our definitions of grace. Once again, grace is not earned. After wasting his resources, the younger son becomes destitute and returns home to his father, saying, "I am no longer worthy." His father, instead, greets him with a celebration and the fatted calf. The older son, in contrast, has done everything "right"—he’s tried to perform, work hard, check all the boxes—but he forgets how to celebrate. How might you receive and extend prodigal grace?

Scripture

This week's scriptures are 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 and Luke 15: 11-32.

Worship Music

Prelude: "Air" from Suite in D - J.S. Bach

Postlude: "Invocation" - Ernest Bryson
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.
Online Giving
  • For your convenience, you can click here to give online.
Our "Full to the Brim" artwork this week is "New in Christ" by Rev. Lauren Wright Pitman
Our second "Full to the Brim" artwork is "Inexplicable Joy" by Hannah Garrity
Church Updates | New Information
A New Spiritual Discipline for Lent
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
Ongoing Lenten Studies
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.
UUMC Events Looking Ahead
March 27: Fourth Sunday of Lent "Full to the Brim: Prodigal Grace"

March 27 at 6 p.m. (every Sunday): Bible study (lead by Pastor Alicia and Pastor Beth alternating) "John: the Gospel of Love and Light."


March 28 at 6 p.m. (every Monday): Study "Cry Out Justice" begins via Zoom (Pastor Beth leads)


March 29 at 10 a.m. (every Tuesday): Virtual Coffee with the Pastor (Pastor Alicia leads reflection on Lenten Devotional Book)


March 30 at 7 a.m. (every Wednesday morning): SUMM Prayer Group via Zoom.


April 3: Fifth Sunday of Lent "Full to the Brim: Brazen Acts of Beauty"

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 24 at 6 p.m.: ACTS Annual Banquet at Drumlins
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!
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
2021 UUMC Annual Report
Our staff and lay leaders have finished filing their reports on their work at UUMC during 2021! You may view the annual report here.
Wednesday morning prayer via Zoom
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
JOIN PASTOR ALICIA ON A TRIP TO SCOTLAND

You're invited to join us as we explore scared locations in Scotland (as well as Ireland) on the Celtic Christianity in Scotland tour. The trip is scheduled for September 14 - 23, 2022. Our goal is to bring you into an even closer relationsip with God. Part of our adventure includes daily devotionals, prayer, and of course, fun! Below is the itinerary.

  • 9/14 - Depart US on an international overnight flight
  • 9/15 - Weclome to Scotland
  • 9/16 - Lismore
  • 9/17 - Mull and Iona
  • 9/18 - Oban to Glasgow
  • 9/19 - Whithorn
  • 9/20 - Glasgow to Edinburgh
  • 9/21 - Edinburgh
  • 9/22 - Dunfermline and St. Andrew's
  • 9/23 - Depart from Edinburgh for return home

Please note that each stop presents certain physical demands with regards to tours, walking, etc. For complete details, please contact Pastor Alicia. Pamphlets are available at the Church.

The cost starts at $3,898 per person.

Save the date and bring a friend!
Civic Morning Musicals
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.
Weekly Prayer Requests
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:

Tom and Carol Boll, Karen Boone
The requests list below come from the previous Sunday’s worship and those received during the week.

Angela: Please pray for Pat’s husband, Werner, who has health problems. And prayers also for Jon’s dad, who has health problems.
 
Ann O.: Prayers for Jack, Patrick and Sharon S. with health issues.
 
Anonymous: For the leaders in Russia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Syria and Afghanistan to find peace.
 
Anonymous: For all the forgotten and displaced persons and families.
 
Janet: A prayer of thanksgiving for my husband, Vito, whose birthday was on Sunday.
 
Katrina: Please pray for James W., who just found out he has Stage 1 throat cancer.
 
Sherri: Prayers for healing for Holly and her family. Anne, Cooper and Spencer. Prayers for my friend Kathy, who is in the hospital. Prayers for Jayne and Stephanie. Prayers for peace.

Stephen: Prayers for the Toman family in the loss of Barbara Toman, costumer of so many CNY Theatre productions, who passed away Sunday.
Outreach News
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.
Weather-related Closings UUMC Outreach
Food Center @ 324 University Ave. 
University United Methodist Church

Please tune into news channel 9, 3, 5 (CNY Central) or Spectrum News to learn if we are closed during foul weather or extreme cold. Please check for “University United Methodist Church or the Food Center @ 324 University Ave.” for closing information. 

As a guide; we will close if the wind chill or temperature is 20 degrees Farenheit or below, receive 5 inches or more of snow, if there is freezing rain or if the Syracuse City School District is closed for bad weather.

We strive to remain open every Friday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. for our Emergency Food Distribution, as well as every Sunday from 9 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. for our community breakfast. However, extreme temperatures, heavy snowfall and ice are dangerous to our workers, your vehicles, our guests who wait outside and the arriving Food Bank trucks.

Thank you for understanding!
UUMC Outreach Clothing Closet
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!
March Volunteer Opportunities
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 (beginning April 7th)

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
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.
RESTART Special Winter Request
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.
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.
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.)
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”
United Methodist News
Mission trips provide avenue to aid Ukraine
Knowing their friends are already housing refugees and driving supplies to Ukraine, some Holston Conference members are aiding the people of the besieged country by helping United Methodist pastors and churches they know personally from mission trips to Romania and the Czech Republic. Annette Spence has the story.

Click here for the full story
Helping the displaced in Afghanistan
More than 700,000 people in Afghanistan are in need of help after the Taliban took over following the U.S. withdrawal. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with longtime partner International Blue Crescent to help. In February, the organization was approved to receive a second UMCOR grant for nearly $100,000 to extend its humanitarian operations.

Click here for the full story
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.
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.
2021 Annual Conference Reports
UM News posts the official summaries filed by annual conferences from around the connection. Find the latest reports on our archive page.
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.
UM News Digest
Please click the link below to read United Methodist news from around the country and world on UM News Digest.
Community News
The ACTS Race Matters Book Club will be discussing “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates on Monday, March 28 @ 7 PM on Zoom.

There are 36 copies in the Onondaga County Public Library system, so it should be accessible for all. 

However, if you want to order your own copy, click here for the book.

To register for the session, email petersarverACTS@gmail.com  
Zoom link will be sent to regular members and those registered closer to the discussion date. 
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.
COVID Info

Tests

The federal government has made four at-home rapid tests for COVID-19 available to every American. Go to covidtests.gov to order yours. If you need assistance using the Internet to order these tests, please call the church office.