Hamburg United Methodist Church 116 Union St Hamburg, New York, 14075 (716) 649-8080 Sundays at 10 am
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Did you know that in the early 20th century, the Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal Church, South published a Catechism? A catechism is a question and answer format teaching tool common to many Christian traditions. Catechism comes from a Greek word for teaching (we sometimes talk about the practice of teaching or the science of teaching as catechesis). After becoming the largest denominational family in the United States, the Methodists published a document to be used to help teach Christian faith (in a Methodist dialect) to members of the church. We do not have an official catechism today, but I have a copy of The Standard Catechism, published by Abingdon Press (copyright held by The Methodist Book Concern) in 1929.
The Standard Catechism asks its first question: “What is Christianity?” and answers by saying: “Christianity is the religion of God’s redeeming love, manifested in the incarnate life, the atoning death, and the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Founder of the Kingdom of God.” In keeping with the genre, this statement is defended with a series of biblical quotations justifying the claim. That’s not a bad answer, especially for someone new to the Christian faith! And that’s the value–teaching comes in stages. When we are young, we learn history in school (say, at a 5th or 6th grade level) and then again in High School and maybe at a college level. Each time, there’s new depth, new information, and sometimes we discover the simple version is fairly incomplete. Similarly, we learn Bible stories in Sunday School or VBS, and when we are older we read them again with new eyes.
Paul writes, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways (1 Corinthians 13:11 NRSV).” 1 Corinthians 13 is familiar, especially for its final verse, “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love (13:13),” but hidden in the “Love Chapter” is this reminder of development and growth to maturity. There is nothing wrong with learning about Sampson or Daniel or Jesus at the VBS level, the early Sunday School level, or the catechism level when we are young or new to Christian faith, but we are called and invited to continue to grow deeper. Not only can we learn more details about the Bible than when we are young, but also deeper understanding about how God interacts with us.
Wherever you find yourself on your spiritual journey, we are invited to grow deeper, wiser, more informed, and more aware of what it means to follow Jesus into the Kingdom of God. If a review of a catechism sounds helpful, go for it! If you have begun to wonder if the stories you remember from childhood might sound different today, and you want to read them again, go for it! We are blessed to have several Bible studies and classes ongoing in Hamburg that strive to continue to seek new wisdom and insight in the biblical texts–no matter how much we think we know and we might have absorbed, there’s room to continue to learn from others in our community about how to follow Jesus together. I hope you will take the opportunity to continue to grow in both the grace of God and the understanding of Christian faith as Paul describes for us, so that we might all grow into greater maturity in Christ.
Serving Christ, with you,
Pastor David Nicol
A New Season
For the past ten years, Hamburg United Methodist Church has been more than my workplace—it has been home. During that time, many of you have watched my only child grow from a little girl into a remarkable young woman. It hardly seems possible that she'll be leaving for college next year. (I'm not crying...you're crying.)
As I prepare for the next chapter of motherhood—and my own life—God has been preparing me for a new chapter, too.
What many of you may not know is that, since the fall of 2025, I've quietly been back in school. Between work, church, family, and homework, I've been working toward my New York State teaching certification in Family and Consumer Sciences. Semester by semester—Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer—I've been steadily moving forward, and suddenly my program is rapidly coming to a close.
Some of you may already know that I also managed to sneak in two student teaching placements right here in the Village of Hamburg along the way. Those experiences only confirmed what I'd been feeling all along: this is exactly where God is calling me.
If you're picturing Home Ec., you're not wrong—but today's Family and Consumer Sciences is so much more than learning to sew a button or bake cookies.
I chose this field because I believe life skills matter. Every student deserves to know how to manage money, prepare healthy meals, care for themselves and others, build healthy relationships, solve problems, and confidently step into adulthood. These are the everyday skills that help people build strong families and thriving communities. As someone who loves teaching, creating, organizing, and encouraging others, Family and Consumer Sciences feels like the perfect place where my passions and God's calling meet.
To complete the required coursework for my certification, my office hours will be changing beginning August 31. I will be in the church office Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This schedule allows me to attend the daytime classes required to complete my certification while continuing to serve our church family.
I would appreciate your prayers during this transition—for wisdom, endurance, and balance as I juggle work, school, and prepare for the next chapter of motherhood and my own life. I also ask for your support and understanding as we make this temporary adjustment together.
As my certification nears completion, there will come a season when I transition from serving behind the church office desk to serving in a classroom. While I don't know exactly when that day will come, I believe God has been preparing me for it all along. When the time arrives, I hope you'll continue to cheer me on, pray for me, and support that transition just as you have supported me through this one.
One verse from Hymn of Promise has been my reminder throughout this journey:
"Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see."
Looking back, I can see God's fingerprints all over this journey. What began as a quiet decision to return to school has slowly unfolded into a calling, revealing one semester, one classroom, and one step of faith at a time.
Thank you for allowing me to grow, learn, and serve alongside you these past ten years. I don't know exactly what the next season holds, but I trust the One who does—and I'm grateful to have a church family willing to walk alongside me as it unfolds.
~Cristina
Important Announcements from the Church Office
The Church office will be closed from August 21st at Noon and will Reopen on August 31st at 8am (and the new fall schedule)
Content for the gathering space slide show is accepted weekly
and due on Wednesday Morning to the church office.
**Please note for repeating slides, the last Sunday it should be run.
Now Through August 21st
Monday- Thursday: 9am-2pm
Friday: 9 am-Noon
Starting August 31st
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8am-3pm
Tuesday/Thursday: Closed
Email us!!
Pastor David: PastorDavid@hamburgumc.org
Jeannine Vanwey: Music@hamburgumc.org
Emily Slocum: Treasurer@hamburgumc.org
Patrick Fitzgerald: AV@hamburgumc.org
Cristina Glover: Office@hamburgumc.org
Sandwich Ministry is an Outreach Program that represents HUMC people in action. Our church helping others in our community.
These families suffer from food insecurities, housing instability, lack of transportation and anxieties. We serve sandwiches and fruit to the people living in hotels within the Hamburg Area. Come Join Us!
We meet every Friday at 2:00 pm in the church kitchen. At 3:00pm we deliver to the families. At that time we offer hope and shine a little of God's love. This is God's grace to all.
We would like to thank our congregation for their prayers and support. We have the faith to continue. Sandwich Ministry operates on the generosity of individuals of our church who providing the supplies for the ministry.
Questions ask Ginger & Leo
Church Council
June 22, 2026
Present: Pastor David, Rollin Shoemaker, Caroline Schneggerburger, Jerry Schneggenburger, Bob Cook, David Rood, Rick Park, Cheryl Bell, Dan Paskie, Lynda Sentz, Pat Adema, Jason Krell
Pastor David opened with a prayer.
Jerry will email the March 23, 2026 minutes for approval.
Jerry reported that we have received an anonymous donation of $7,500 which has helped reduce our budget shortfall.
Jerry reported that his committee is continuing to work on pairing expenses. Rick reported that the AC has been thoroughly cleaned and 2 belts have been replaced. It is working properly.
Pat Adema reported on the changes to Little Lamb by laws for 2026. These changes are to Article V Sections 2 and 4, Article VIII, Article IX Section 1 #4 &5 and section 3 #2, Article X Section 1-changes in 3s attendance time, and 2s attendance days and Article XI using term Toddler Facilitator instead of Two Year Old. Paper copies of the 2026 by laws will be stored in the church office. Pat also reported that Little Lamb is attempting to recruit more HUMC members for their board, Lisa Link will be handling PR on Facebook, Pat will continue to put information in the newsletter and Friday Flash, and the two year old class is full with a waiting list so perhaps there could be an additional class in the future.
Pastor David and Cristina are researching Safe Sanctuary training on Zoom or in person as everyone who works with children and vulnerable adults needs to do this.
Caroline made the motion to accept the changes to the Little Lamb by laws. Jason seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Pat reminded everyone of HUMANGO being held on August 16, 2026. Basket raffle donations will be due on July 20, and be displayed on July 27 and August 9. She will make announcements on Sundays.
Caroline reported that the parsonage Inspection is to be done in August for submission in October. There is no change in the Clergy Housing Exclusion.
Rollin asked about holding an Open House at the parsonage to give the congregation an opportunity to tour it. Pastor David suggested late August or late September.
The following dates are on the calendar:
Men’s Group Flea Market July 18
Versailles Picnic August 2 10:30
Chicken BBQ September 20
Bazaar November 6-7
We received a copy of the 2026 HUMC Financial Policies and Procedures. Rollin made the motion to change the name of the bank from Evans to NBT. Bob seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Rick reported that the sidewalk to the pavilion is complete, the boiler is soon to be completely repaired, and the landscape clean up will be done on June 27 beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Our next meeting will be on July 27, 2026.
David Rood closed with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted.
Cheryl Bell
Our Church Signage has been refreshed thanks to the many many hours of hard work by Greg McClure!
NEW H.U.M.C ‘s Book Exchange
Effective immediately any member may On your honor Take one book leave/one book from our book case located on the mezzanine 2nd floor by the elevator.
(This experiment has no connection with the Church Library
located off the Gathering Space)
These will be books you personally own and trade
for one available in the bookcase. If you have other current in good condition books you wish to donate they would be appreciated to maintain this experiment.
Thanks for helping. Any question ask Pam Walters or Jerry Schneggenburger
Due to continued technical issues with Facebook Live, We will be streaming solely to Youtube for the foreseeable future.
Please make sure to "Like" and "Subscribe"
Ongoing Fundraiser Little Lamb Fundraiser:
Please consider donating your empty bottles and cans to the Bottle & Can Redemption Center at 4255 Clark Street in Hamburg. Thank you!
New Plant Steward
The Church Indoor Plants have a new caretaker and are on a new watering schedule.
Any questions regarding their condition can be directed to the Church Office.
Tai Chi is back to in-person practice in the Fellowship Hall
2026 Coffee Hour Schedule
AUGUST:PRAYER CARE SHARE
SEPTEMBER: COLUMBARIUM
OCTOBER: MEN’S GROUP
NOVEMBER: FINANCE
DECEMBER: SPRC
Groups are to provide goodies/ snacks
each Sunday of the month they are scheduled.
CALLING FOR COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS
Did you know HUMC has committees whose members volunteer to host coffee hour once or twice a month? Most of these volunteers are on several committees where they are repeatedly hosting to provide goodies each Sunday.
We are opening this ministry up to Individuals or families who would be willing to occasionally be hosts or hostesses.
It’s simply making coffee, lemonade, bringing homemade or store bought items, and cleaning up afterwards.
A sign-up sheet is located on the counter in the gathering space, outside the front office
Where you can pick a Sunday of your choosing.
Would you consider joining in this time of fellowship?
Please get in touch with Sue Gagne with any questions.
Medical Equipment Lending Closet
Hamburg UMC has a medical equipment lending closet. It is located in Room 18 in the basement. Please check the closet before purchasing wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, crutches, canes, etc. The equipment available constantly changes. If you have medical equipment you are no longer using, you may donate them. We cannot take soft items such as gauze pads, diabetic supplies, incontinence, bandages, etc. For questions, please call Caroline Schneggenburger at 716-289-0541.
Join us for a virtual fellowship! This group is a place to share prayer requests, devotions, concerns, joys, and even some humor with your church family. Join the Hamburg UMC Fellowship group on Facebook.
PRAYER CONCERNS?
If you would like someone added to our church prayer list, call or text Barb Meader at 716-548-4139 or email her at bmeader712017@gmail.com, or contact anyone who is a Prayer, Care, and Share member, or Cristina in the church office. Our ministry is to pray daily for the concerns that have been shared with us.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 4:4-7)
