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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CDC Recommends Masks in Central New York
Again as Covid Levels Rise.
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Treasure
On Sunday, October 9, 2022, we will begin a church wide study and worship emphasis called Treasure: A Stewardship Program on Faith and Money. The study will be based on Jesus’ words, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Over a period of four weeks, we will look at the many ways that our treasure (time, energy, money) affects our hearts. We will consider how financial challenges in our personal lives affect our relationships with people and with God. We will see how giving helps to determine the way we feel and act. If you have stress related to money or feel there may be more that God is calling you to do with your resources, this will be a helpful study.
At the end of the four weeks, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of giving to University United Methodist Church for the coming year. All of us will receive commitment cards in the mail, and the cards will also be available on Sunday mornings. We can fill out these cards and bring them to worship on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
We look forward to an exciting month considering our treasure and God’s treasure.
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Pastor's Message
Top of the morning to ya.
Although not many believed my trip to Scotland and Ireland were fully for educational purposes, I did learn a lot! Some things I appreciate about Celtic Christianity is the love of nature, the Trinity, looking for the blessings and the concept of the “thin place.” This trip helped me see all these beliefs come to life!
First, the landscape of Scotland and Ireland are breathtaking. The cities are grounded in history and faith. The architecture is glorious. It is hard not to wake up, look around and be thankful for all God has given us.
The way the Trinity, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are intertwined in the language and culture of Celtic Christianity, I felt was comforting, Holy and wholesome. This was on full display within the churches that remain alive and those that are now considered ruins.
Blessings were searched for and found in everyday conversations. The people live looking for the blessings in life. Everyone says “hello” to everyone and are so friendly. It was challenging to know who were actual friends and who were strangers passing on the street. The conversations were fun and uplifting. Even when something unpleasant or even tragic were discussed there was a sense of pride, contentment on the matter and a silver lining presented. Even when disagreements came forward each person was pleasant to the other until a compromise was
found.
The “thin place” is a theology. I have experienced this while spending time with someone who is dying. I’ve experienced this at my child’s birth. At Iona, I experienced this in a new and profound way. The day we went to Iona was the only day it truly precipitated. I use this word because it seemed like a light misty rain but it was also a little bit dark and foggy. While walking the path that has been used for about 10 centuries, a new friend and I talked about life and death and faith. When I mentioned the rain, she said, “it is not raining, we are walking through a cloud.” She was right. We were in the thin place between heaven and earth, the divine and
the human. It was beautiful. (even though I was soaked to the bone) The structure that was built in stages, was several chapels (big and small), a courtyard, a cemetery, places to rest and reflect and, of course, a gift shop. The current Iona faith community’s message is “live out your faith through contemplation and action.” The thin place within a cloud, sitting in a simple chapel and an ancient cemetery I felt as though I could reach out to touch the Divine. This thin place was Holy and healing. Several in the group shared they had a similar experience at Iona.
The bonus education I experienced was the primal importance of family. Many on our trip came because they have Scottish ancestry. It was fun to experience these links to their family with them. One of our new friends, while traveling to our designation, heard the name of a castle in ruins just off the road as her family’s ancestral name. So, as we traveled back to the hotel, the bus turned off the road to get closer to the castle. Our friend and her Mom jumped off the bus with tears in their eyes to get a closer look at the castle and reflect on family lineage. Pictures
were taken but the memory will last forever. (I also have a story about a family pub you can ask me about later.)
The bonds of love of family, natural beauty, blessings, the Trinity, the “thin place” connect us all to God and to each other. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn in such a contextual way.
Thank you for your support and all the blessings you bring me.
Until we meet again,
Pastor Alicia
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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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Do you ever feel that the things you most value and love get the least of your time, attention, and money? Jesus said that our hearts follow our treasure. So, no matter how much we would want to give our hearts to God, if our time, energy, and money are flowing to other things, then our hearts will not be content. What are the things that feed your soul?
Worship Music
Prelude “Adagio” By: Felix Mendelssohn
Offertory “Take My Life, That I May Be” by J.A. McDermid
Postlude “Rhapsody” by Camille Saint-Saens
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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.
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UUMC October Community Breakfast Volunteer Registration
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The Wiffenpoofs Perform at UUMC
The famous Yale A Cappella singing group, the Wiffenpoofs, will be performing at University Church on October 10th at
3 pm. This will bring many new people into our sanctuary who will be inspired by Pastor Alicia’s welcome speech to check us out further.
https://whiffs.ticketbud.com/the-yale-whiffenpoofs-in-syracuse-university-united-methodist-church-fcc9dd79-7948322f540e?fbclid=IwAR0G4injWqwD_VE0a83wY4nlHkDtPtEnGFqlGs3svLY9Ki5fAhy1Av0I3kQ
If you are interested in volunteering as a host, please contact Ted Finlayson-Schueler at schoolbusted@safetyrules.net.
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UUMC Announcements
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.
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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:
Craig & Barbara French & Family
The requests list below come from the previous Sunday’s worship and those received during the week.
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Amanda H.: Grandma, Carol K. is in the ICU.
Ann O.: Continued Prayer for Dave H.
Ann O.: Prayers for people in Florida & Puerto Rico.
Anonymous: Healing prayers for Bruce W, Karen Q and Pastor Alicia.
Anonymous: Continued prayers for the Koten family.
Anonymous: Prayers for victims of the 2 recent hurricanes
Holly: Prayers for Pastor Alicia - may her COVID experience be brief and mild.
Ian: World Peace.
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Karen B.: For Pastor Alicia, for my son & daughter in law, Erik & Eliza, running full marathon in Corning NY. All friends & Family in Florida.
Nelson: Prayers for those who’ve been through the hurricane and lost a lot.
Pastor Alicia: Offers prayer of gratitude for Pastor Beth’s exceptional compassion and leadership especially as I heal.
Pastor Alicia: Gives thanks for all your prayers.
Sherri C.: Prayers for Tom D, Holly, Jayne, Sue and Patty.
Ted H.: Prayers for his Dad.
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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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Annual Church/Charge Conference
Our charge conference is scheduled for November 9th at 6:30 at St. Paul's UMC.
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ACTS is pleased to be supportive to ArtRage as our 2021 Community Social Justice Awardee and Clifford Ryan as our 2019 Social Justice Leadership Awardee.
The upcoming benefit performance includes Colleen Kattau, a song writer & singer who has performed pro bono at ACTS Spring Events.
The ArtRage exhibit is on display through Oct. 29 at 505 Hawley Ave., Syracuse. The gallery is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is free. For more information, call 315-218-5711 or access www.artragegallery.org.
ArtRage would like to welcome you to its gallery on Friday, October 7th at 7pm to celebrate Clifford Ryan and his new portrait that is part of the nationally touring series "Americans Who Tell the Truth" by painter Robert Shetterly.
Friday, October 7, 2022 at 7pm - Free to the Public
Join us to welcome Cliff to ArtRage, see his new portrait painted by Robert Shetterly, and hear more about his important work advocating for his community and being a model of courageous citizenship.
Clifford Ryan is on a crusade — one man, on a street corner, holding a sign that says “OG’s Against Violence”.
His movement was established to interrupt a cycle of violence, the same force that killed his son Duriel Lamar Ryan in 1999. In 2015, he established "OG’s Against Violence". https://www.ogsagainstviolence.org/
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022 AT 7 PM
Charlie King and Annie Patterson with Colleen Kattau- Live at ArtRage
Join us for an evening of powerful singing with three of North America’s finest activist folk singers: Charlie King, Annie Patterson, and Colleen Kattau. This is the first stop on a 9 city tour Annie & Charlie are doing of the Midwest in October 2022.
or at the door on a sliding scale/”pay as led” basis – suggested donation $15. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Charlie’s wry political satire and his uncanny ability to find endearing songs about struggle and the human experience are a natural fit with Annie’s own performing and sing-along work. Annie is the co-mastermind of the beloved Rise Up Singing songbooks. Charlie and Annie have often recorded & performed together, including Annie’s vocals on Charlie’s 2017 CD “Life & Love, Tears & Laughter“. They released a live album “Step by Step” early in 2019 and are taking this and a hatful of new songs on the road.
Colleen is a local favorite with new songs to share from her Sammy-nominated 2020 recording Besos/Kisses and her yet-to-be-named 2022 project with multi-instrumentalist Rich DePaolo who will be joining her for the evening. She’s got a new piece to honor Indigenous People’s Day too.
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Get your tickets now!
In 1989, at just fifteen years young, Dr. Yusef Salaam was tried and convicted in the “Central Park Jogger” case along with four other Black and Latinx young men. The Exonerated Five spent between seven to 13 years behind bars for crimes they did not commit, until their sentences were overturned in 2002. Since then, they have received a multi-million dollar settlement from the city of New York for its injustice and have been profiled in award-winning films, including The Central Park Five documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon and most recently the Emmy award-winning Netflix limited series When They See Us, written and directed by Ava DuVernay.
Over the past two decades, Yusef has become a family man, father, poet, activist and inspirational speaker. He continues to utilize his platform to share his story with others and educate the public about the impact of mass incarceration and police brutality rooted in our justice system. He regularly advocates for criminal justice reform, prison reform and the abolition of juvenile solitary confinement and capital punishment, specifically restoring “humanity” of those incarcerated and those trodden down by the spike wheels of justice. Yusef is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama (2016) and more recently has shared his story and stance on current issues on CNN, MSNBC, REVOLT TV, NPR Atlanta, FOX and more.
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“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!
Alibris Summary
Jezebel's sexual lasciviousness, Mammy's devotion, and Sapphire's outspoken anger -- these are among the most persistent stereotypes that black women encounter in contemporary American life. Hurtful and dishonest, such representations force African American women to navigate a virtual crooked room that shames them and shapes their experiences as citizens. Many respond by assuming a mantle of strength that may convince others, and even themselves, that they do not need help. But as a result, the unique political issues of black women are often ignored and marginalized. The author uses multiple methods of inquiry, including literary analysis, political theory, focus groups, surveys, and experimental research, to understand more deeply black women's political and emotional responses to pervasive negative race and gender images. Not a traditional political science work concerned with office-seeking, voting, or ideology, Sister Citizen instead explores how African American women understand themselves as citizens and what they expect from political organizing. Harris-Perry shows that the shared struggle to preserve an authentic self and secure recognition as a citizen links together black women in America, from the anonymous survivors of Hurricane Katrina to the current First Lady of the United States.
As our community’s social justice interfaith network, ACTS is hopeful that dialog will bring greater awareness and action. There are more than 30 regular members of the book club from 13+ different congregations with an average of a dozen or more persons participating each month. Come once or come often to share your thoughts with others on the journey.
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.
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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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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.
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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 DuBois, 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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