November 14, 2023 Crossroads and Finger Lakes Newsletter

Crossroads and Finger Lakes Districts

November 14, 2023

Next newsletter is November 28, 2023

Please submit items to be included by the Friday before.

A Note from Sherri:

Getting Ready – Part One

Plans are well underway in your church as we head into the extended holiday season of Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. What is your church doing to get ready to meet new people and build new relationships?

There are two times in the calendar year when people who don’t ordinarily attend worship think about going to church: Christmas and Easter. Now is the time to get ready to engage new people.

This will be a two-part article, with the second part offered in two weeks.

Here are some thoughts:

Do people know how to get into your building? Some churches have several doors into the building. Make the main entrance obvious with signage, banners, or other decorations. If you have more than one door, make sure the doors are unlocked before worship, with persons at the door to greet, welcome and direct people. Nothing says, “You’re not welcome here” like a locked door. Designate visitor parking near your main entrance. If they are physically able, ask your church leaders to park further away. Leave the prime spots for visitors and new attendees.

Company’s coming! What does your facility look like? Is the entryway stacked with boxes and bags of rummage sale leftovers? Are there dust bunnies in the corners? When was the last time the bathrooms were really cleaned? Just how old is that powdered coffee creamer? What do you smell when you come into the building? Enlist the help of a friend who has never been in your church building and have them do a walk through with you. This person will have “fresh eyes” and see things that regular attendees no longer see. Ask them to be brutally honest and take note of what they notice. What is welcoming? What is not welcoming? You only get one chance to make a first impression. Guests often know within a few minutes if they will return or not.

NEVER, EVER ask guests/visitors to stand up in worship and introduce themselves!

AWOL folks. If people you haven’t seen in a while show up, don’t call attention to their absence! They know they haven’t been around. Avoid trying to be clever by saying, “Well, it’s about time.” or “Where have YOU been? Will the roof collapse?” (Sadly, real things I have heard people say.) Simply say with genuine warmth, “It’s so good to see you.” Treat people the way you would like to be treated if you were in their place. Be gracious.

How’s your nursery? Is your children’s area clean and bright? Are the toys from this decade? Do you have persons who are Safe Sanctuary trained and ready to provide nursery care? Are they actually in the nursery before worship, ready to welcome families? Can families find the nursery? Do you have a check-in/check-out process? Not every parent is willing to leave their child/children with strangers. Do you have activity bags for children for worship? (This is easy – In a small bag, place a coloring book, small box of crayons, and a quiet toy, maybe a small package of animal crackers – but make sure they’re fresh!) Be ready to welcome children!

Pray. Ask God to provide opportunities to invite and welcome new people into the life of your church, then be ready when those opportunities present themselves.

Be clear about why we want to engage new people. It’s not about people in the pews, dollars in the plate or hands in the dishpan. Our reason for existing is to introduce people to Jesus Christ, nurture people in the Christian faith and help them share the good news of God’s love and grace in the world. Any other reason than that will fail. New people will not come to save your church. But some will come if they feel included, valued, and welcomed for who they are.

I’m praying the Holy Spirit will move new people to visit your church and your church community will be ready to receive them with warmth, grace, and hospitality. Let me know how I can help.

Grace and peace,

Sherri

Reminder: Update your Church Information on the UNY Website:

Thank you to all the churches that have sent updates and/or corrections to their church information listed on the conference website.

If you have not sent in an update or OK as is - please send a reply

email to the district office.

CLICK HERE for the Crossroads District listings

CLICK HERE for Finger Lakes District listings

CLICK HERE to reach the district office

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The UNY Conference Archives are located at the Conference Center on Henry Clay Blvd. in Liverpool. The team that manages

all records of closed or disaffiliated churches meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 1-4:00 every month. As you are aware, we have dozens of records to deal with this year. WE NEED YOUR WILLING HANDS!

Please call Susan Slenker, Volunteers coordinator, at 315-516-5289 for details.

Looking forward to meeting YOU!

The Jacksonville Community United Methodist Church, located on Route 96 just 8 miles north of Ithaca in Jacksonville, NY is accepting applications for the part-time position (approx. 3 hrs per week) of Organist/Choir Director.

Duties include hymn accompaniment during the Sunday morning worship service as well as responsibility for a weekly choir rehearsal and Sunday morning choir anthem performance. Compensation will be based on experience and credentials.

Additional information is available at JCUMC.com.

Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and resume to jcumcnews@gmail.com

Upcoming Casowasco Events

Days Apart Retreat: Joy through God’s Eyes

December 11^th- December 13^th

$195

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

John 15:11

Spend time reflecting on the joy of being a fearfully and wonderfully made child of God. Take some time away from the stresses of your everyday life by spending a few days at Casowasco, being led by Certified Spiritual Director in the United Methodist Church, Bonnie Kreutter.

Price includes meals and lodging from dinner on Monday to lunch on Wednesday.

ECHO!

December 30^th – January 1^st

$124

Ages 7-17

Ring in 2024 at Casowasco! Join us for an Echo of summer from December 30th, 2023 to January 1st, 2024. Enjoy spending time with camp friends. Enjoy some of your favorite camp activities, along with special activities you can only do in winter. Compete in the Frosty Olympics. Countdown to the New Year while rocking out to a mash-up of your favorite chapel songs. Share your talents in the Star Studded Variety Show. Enjoy staying warm and cozy with a cup of hot chocolate after an exciting game of Jack Frost

Crossroads District News

Church Announcements

Stewardship with Susan Ranous

Please check out the blog below

CLICK HERE for the Blog: Stewardship with Susan Ranous

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Did You Know......

Brewerton UMC has Fitness classes.

The Fitness4mission program uses Uplifting, Positive, and

Christian music to work out to.

Class choices are An aerobic class -Refit, A functional strength class -

Rev and Flow and

a Strength Class .

All classes are free and open to all.

Class Schedule is

Monday 6pm Rev and Flow

Wednesday 9am Strength

Thursday 5:30pm Refit 6:30 Basic Toning

Saturday 9am Strength

Classes also available via Zoom (email to get the link)

For Strength and Rev and Flow, you can use weights ( light for Rev and Flow, any size for Strength)

Any Questions: email tjcmallen@gmail.com

location: Brewerton UMC 5395 Orangeport Rd, Brewerton, NY

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November 18, 2023

Amboy Belle Isle United Church

(6190-92 Airport Road, Syracuse, NY 13209)

will be having their annual

Christmas Bazaar

{NO Luncheon this year}

Bake Sale, crafts, Basket Raffle and more

Saturday, November 18th

9:30am to 1:30pm

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Starting November 20 & November 22, 2023

Fulton: State Street Offers Bible Studies

We are having three (3) Advent Bible Studies this season.

THE JOURNEY WALKING THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM

by Adam Hamilton –

on Mondays beginning November 20, 2023 at the home of

Cindy MacDougall at 1:00 pm.

Please call the office for more information 315-592-4559.

ALL THE GOOD A WESLEYAN WAY OF CHRISTMAS

by Warner-Barker-Choi-Kim --

on Wednesdays beginning November 22, 2023 at

Fulton: State Street UMC (357 State St, Fulton NY 13069)

in the Holmes Room at 10:00 am

FAITHFUL CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE EYES OF JOSEPH

by Adam Hamilton –

on Wednesdays beginning November 22, 2023 at

Fulton: State Street UMC (357 State St, Fulton NY 13069)

in the Holmes Room at 2:00 pm.

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November 28, 2023

PENNELLVILLE FREE WILL DINNER

The Pennellville United Methodist Church will be having their next

Free Will Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The menu will consist of meat, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable and dessert.

Come out and enjoy some good food and fellowship.

The church is located at 389 County Route 54 in Pennellville.

Only one more dinner is scheduled for this year - December 19th.

If Phoenix Schools are closed due to weather

NO MEAL WILL BE SERVED.

You may call (315) 695-5964 on the day of the dinner

if you have any questions.

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December 1, 2023

Fayetteville United Methodist will host a GRINCH NIGHT

Friday, December 1, 6:00-7:30.

This FREE event for pre-k and elementary aged kids will include pizza/snacks, Grinch-themed craft fun, and a viewing of the

original Grinch cartoon.

Your heart just might end up growing three sizes!

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December 3, 2023

"The Longest Night: A Service of Remembrance and Hope" Service,

Sunday, December 3, 2023, 2:00 PM, BFUMC

The Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church (BFUMC),

17 W. Genesee Street, Baldwinsville, NY 13027, is offering to the Community,

an In-Person Church Service: "The Longest Night: A Service of Remembrance and Hope" on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 2:00 PM.

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one or other losses, the holidays can be a difficult time and we need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern and to know that we are not alone. All are welcome.

Please plan on coming early to have time to place your deceased loved one's framed or unframed picture on the altar (all pictures will be returned), if you would like, and to write your loved one's name on a piece of paper to give to the ministers to read out loud, as a candle is lit in their memory.

After the Sanctuary Service, there will be fellowship time with light refreshments, in the Dining Room. Free. If any questions, contact the Church Office at 315-635-6442 or secretary@bvillefirstumc.org, https://www.bvillefirstumc.org, https://www.facebook.com/bvillefirstumc.