Pastor's Page

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, 
          As you are aware, Hurricane Harvey continues to cause tremendous devastation to the greater Houston area, forcing thousands to evacuate. When the waters subside, many people will return to discover their homes and businesses have been destroyed. Rebuilding will take weeks, months, even years. I know you have been keeping these people in your prayers; I ask you to continue. And I ask you to allow God to make you part of the answer to these prayers. I invite your congregation to take up a special collection in September and to assemble Cleaning Kits (Flood Buckets). In the future, Volunteers in Mission (VIM) will also be needed to help with the recovery. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will let us know when teams can be sent.  

Pastor Patti's Picks

I am an avid reader and consumer of various media. Each month I will share with you that which I’ve found to be spiritually motivating and/or relevantly informative. Enjoy! 
“White Rage:  The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide” by Carol Anderson, Ph.D. 

Vanishing Grace Book Study

This adult study on grace has begun but it’s not too late to join; there are 5 more sessions utilizing the book and video Vanishing Grace by Philip Yancey. These units will explore what kind of news is good to a culture that thinks it has rejected the Christian version. The sessions are entitled "We've Got Problems," "What Can We Do?" "Who Are the Grace Dispensers?" "Is It Really Good News," and "Holy Subversives." Please come and join us on Tuesdays and mark your calendars for September 19th, 26th, and October 3rd, 10th, and17th. Each session will begin promptly at 6:30 PM and will end by 8:00 PM. You will need to purchase the book ($6.00) at the office or on line and pick up your introduction to the sessions. Please come join us!

Sneaker Fund

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the sneaker fund. We were able to meet our 2017 goal!! BUT, the collection always continues for the next year so please keep checking your pockets, sofa cushions and car seats for all those stray pennies! The penny jar is in the dining room on Sundays. Thank you!

Church Library News

Your church library is creating a "Library on Wheels". Beginning September 17, look in the dining room on Sundays for a cart filled with books and audio visuals to be borrowed.

Men's Study Group

The Men’s Bible Class will start a 6-week adventure titled “Moses-In the Footprints of the Reluctant Prophet”, by Adam Hamilton. We meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings beginning September 12th.  We will get to know Moses better, and discover how his life and story speaks to our lives.  Now is an ideal time to become a part of this class. George Ramseyer, 638-8177, ramseyerg@gmail.com

Adult Discussion Group

Our Adult Discussion Group will meet again this fall starting today at 10:30 in the Conference Room with open, all-inclusive discussions.   We begin with an ecumenical video and then share our views.   Our first video, "A Grace-Full Life: How We Experience It Along Life's Journey" will be our starting point and for several Sundays to follow.  All are welcome to come and join us.   Facilitators are Ann Horan and Craig Barrett.

Grief Support Group

Our next meeting is September 20 at 6:30 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. Our next meeting is September 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the church library; refreshments served.

O.W.L.S. Luncheon

Our next gathering is on Thursday, September 21 at 1:00 p.m. in the church dining room. There will be a spaghetti dinner (cost TBD) and our speaker is Elaine Sartwell from B'ville Cares. (Patricia Kline, 315-678-1694)

SAMASAN

In recognition of 100 years of women’s suffrage in NY, SAMASAN is hosting a visit to the Women’s Rights National Park Museum in Seneca Falls on Saturday, September 23.  The entire church is invited to this event.  Carpools will leave the church at 11:30 and join others at Abigail’s Restaurant, 1978 Routes 5 & 20, Waterloo for a 12:30 Deli Buffet lunch.  Following lunch, we will meet at the museum, 136 Fall Street, Seneca Falls.  There is no charge for the museum.  The lunch is $15, including tax, tip and beverage, and $10 for children under 11.  We must have a count and payment by September 16.  Please mail checks, payable to Mary Coogan (7 East Oneida Street, B’ville) or Norma Widmann (7720 Jonas Way, B’ville), or pay cash directly to Mary or Norma.    Call Mary at 635-8794 or Norma at 638-4786 for further information or to sign up.

Eureka! Book Club

          Rev. Patti Walz will be leading a monthly dinner book club named “Eureka Book Club.”  The word “Eureka” comes from the Greek word “heureka” that meant “I have found it! “or, “I have made a sudden remarkable discovery!”  In the New Testament, Phillip exclaims to Nathanael, “Eureka!  We have found him whom Moses and the prophets spoke of.”
          “Eureka Book Club” participants will meet monthly on a Monday (with one exception) from 6 until 7:30 PM for dinner, fellowship, and discussion in the church’s dining room.  Dinner will be catered through a local establishment and the cost will be split among attendees.  Estimated cost will be $6 – 9, depending on the number of participants.

Fall Rummage Sale & Bake Sale

Fall Rummage Sale: Sept 27 - 30
Donation days: Sept. 27 & Sept. 28, 9 am to 6 pm; Sale days: September 29, 9 am to 6 pm and September 30, 9 am to 1 pm
Donations wanted – clothing of all sizes, linens, bedding, kitchen items, puzzles, books, games, toys, tools, sporting equipment, leftovers from your garage sale, etc. If you would like to volunteer to help with the sale or if you have any questions about donations, please call Beverly Frank (315-638-4142) or Marlene Fredette (315-652-6989).
The Cheery Visitors will be having a Bake Sale on Friday, September 29 in conjunction with the U.M.W. Rummage Sale. Your donations of baked goods would be most appreciated. The sale starts at 9:00 a.m. Questions? Joyce Wilkinson (315-635-9763)

U.M.W. Monthly Meetings

United Methodist Women: Hannah-Sarah Circle will meet on Wednesday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel. All interested are invited to attend.

Suicide Support and Prevention Program

A program will be presented at our church on Wednesday, October 11, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Central New York Chapter. This will be a community wide discussion to gain knowledge and learn how to help those who have experienced the suicide of a loved one. We hope members of our church will put this on their calendars so that we, as a faith community, can better promote healing and resiliency in our community. This is supported by your Hands of Hope Committee.