Pastor's Page

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.  Mark 6:30-32 NIV 
           Many of us in this society, in this generation, measure ourselves by work completed, goals achieved, items checked off on our “TO DO” lists. The Puritan Ethic still expresses itself in our families, our churches, and our work. 
           It may feel confusing to many of us why, as we come out of this extended time of lock down and isolation, when many of the tasks and goals we set were not achieved and even our play was limited, why are we so tired? 

UNYC Director of Stewardship

Rev. Susan M. Ranous, Deacon of Stewardship (updated 06-04-21) 

          The last time I wrote for The Visitor, I wrote about reconciling the words “happy days are here again”, Christ’s return, and all the stuff going on in the word around us.

          I wanted to share something that has been on my heart. I am a trained facilitator for the Upper New York Conference’s Imagine No Racism (INR) curriculum. I underwent the initial training back in 2018, and was privileged to lead a small group at that time. I then took additional updated training, and just this week started leading a new small group in one of our sister churches through the updated INR curriculum.

Eureka! Book Club

June Eureka! Book Club will be in-person 
Our May Book Club will be held at BFUMC on Tuesday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m. and feature the book “Hidden Among the Stars” by Melanie Dobson.

Church on the Island

CHURCH ON THE ISLAND has begun
The 12-week season features a 30-minute service at 8:00 a.m. with different guest preachers and musicians each week. Our schedule:
June 20: Rev. Bill Mudge, BFUMC; June 27: Rev. Hannah Benedict, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church; July 4: Rev. Jeff Hodge, FUMC of Baldwinsville & Pennellville; July 11: Rev. Elizabeth Quick, The United Methodist Church

SAMASAN ~ Onondaga Yacht Club

A Social Group Gathering:   S.A.M.A.S.A.N. (Some Are Married And Some Are Not) 
It is time to regroup after a long year of limited social interaction. If you are interested in getting together with others in your church family, this is an opportunity to start anew. It is time to be more than ‘faces across a crowded room’, so to speak. SAMASAN is looking at regrouping. You may be someone who is interested in joining with this group or forming another small social group.

Vacation Bible School!

Sparky the Dragon and our team at BFUMC are ready for this summer’s Vacation Bible School – Knights of North Castle -- from 9:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. every day from August 9 until August 13.   
The King’s valiant knights are on a quest in search of the King’s Armor. But the armor isn’t what they think it is. In their quest, children are invited to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power by exploring how we put on the armor of God. As the valiant Knights explore Old and New Testament stories, they will discover different pieces of protective armor: The belt of truth, the breastplate of justice, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. 

Sunday School

In-person Sunday School to Resume in the Fall.  
Our tentative plan is to return to in-person Sunday School this fall. We will have our Blessing of the Back Packs during the 9:00 a.m. worship service and Ice Cream Sunday! (Sundae-Sunday) on Sunday, September 12 following worship. Registration for our fall Sunday School will happen at that time. Classes will begin at 10:15 a.m. on September 19.