Pastor's Page

"A Sheepdogs Tale"
     “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NIV
     It is a blessing to write this first pastors letter to the church family at Baldwinsville First United Methodist!  I am very excited about coming along side you and helping this great church continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world - to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God's love with our neighbors in all places.
     I was asked by the church leadership to write a brief letter of introduction with some background history of my time in ministry, so here goes!

Vacation Bible School 2018

“Rolling River Rampage”: Monday, August 13 – Friday, August 17, 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM
This is a free camp for children going into Kindergarten through 6th grade. On Camp Preview Day (see announcement above), there will be a VBS table with activities for young campers, and for early registration. If you are interested in volunteering for VBS (either as an older youth or adult teacher), please contact Frankie at christianeducation@bvillefirstumc.org.
Download the registration form today! Thank you to the Oriental Trading Co., for generously donating supplies to our Aug. 2018 VBS!

Church on the Island

Church on the Island will begin its third season on Sunday, June 17 at 8:00 a.m. and will run through September 2. The informal ½ hour non-denominational worship services have become a popular destination at the Papermill Island Amphitheater in Baldwinsville. Coffee, tea, pastries, and fellowship abound!

Rev. Patricia Walz, recently retired, has been contracted by the Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church to continue to be the Church on the Island coordinator and director. Revs. Walz, Hodge, Mudge, and Ranous will be preaching during the summer as well as various other pastors from the area.

Church on the Island Schedule

Worship Services – 8:00 AM
July 8 – Rev. Hannah Benedict - St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Baldwinsville
July 15 –  Rev. Monica Styron – First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville
July 22 – Rev. Bill Mudge - First United Methodist Church of Baldwinsville
July 29 – Rev. Susan Ranous – Ira United Methodist Church
August 5 – Rev. Michael Grinnals – Plainville Christian Church, United Church of Christ
August 12 - “Christmas in August”– Rev. Patricia Walz, Church on the Island, Developer/Facilitatoπr; UMC, Upper NY Conference
August 19 – Rev. Bill Mudge - First United Methodist Church of Baldwinsville
August 26 – Rev. Catherine Carpenter – Grace Episcopal Church, Baldwinsville
September 2 – Rev. Patricia Walz - Church on the Island, Developer/Facilitator; UMC, Upper NY Conference
In case of inclement weather, services will be held at The Red Mill Inn.

United Methodist Night at the Ballpark

Tuesday, July 17
Tailgating begins at 4:45 p.m.; Game begins at 6:35 p.m.
Bring a dish-to-pass and your own drink and table service; hot dogs and coneys provided. Remember to bring non-perishable food to donate to the Food Bank of CNY. All ticket holders will receive a Chiefs' baseball cap; tickets are $9.00. See in church or contact Steve Ranous (427-3515) or Dave Greer (635-6626) for tickets or with any questions.

Grief Support Group

Our next meeting is July 18, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
This is a monthly support group that meets on the third Wednesday of every month for those that have lost a loved one and would like to meet with others to talk or just to listen. A bereavement counselor is present; we meet in the church library; refreshments served.

SAMASAN to Onondaga Yacht Club

SAMASAN activities are truly social events for our whole church family. The group simply organizes them. This year Mary Huling has stepped forward to lead the group. On Saturday July 21 they will be hosting a covered-dish picnic at Onondaga Yacht Club, in Liverpool off Sycamore Street. We will be eating at 6:00 with nibbles beforehand. Come about 5:00 and enjoy the park. There is a tram ride, salt museum, bike trail and walking path. OR you can just sit back on the clubs screened in porch and watch the sailboats out on the lake. Call Jan Beall at 635-1356 by July 20 if you can come.  Please bring a dish-to-pass and share, your table service and your beverage.  All are welcome.

O.W.L.S. Luncheon

We will not be meeting in July and August. Our next gathering is on Thursday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the church dining room. (Terry Miller, 315-409-4063)