- Oct 14, 2022
- 7 min read
Hamburg United Methodist Church
116 Union St
Hamburg, New York, 14075
(716) 649-8080
Worship Sundays at 10 am
Report on the 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference, October 6th – 8th
I participated in the first two days of this year’s virtual Upper New York (UNY) Annual Conference as the Lay Member to the Annual Conference representing our church. I was unable to participate in the session on the last day of the Annual Conference due to a conflict.
The morning session began on the first day with a worship service with a message from Bishop Mark Webb, followed by clergy and laity sessions. The Leadership Report was presented during the afternoon session. Conference Associate Lay Leader Jessica White and Dean of the Cabinet, the Rev. Mike Weeden, spoke of the mission, vision, and purpose of the UNY Conference and using the L3 model (Loving, Learning, Leading) in their work to reach the goal of 50% of UNY congregations becoming more vital.
The report of the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits was presented next. Recommendations regarding pension payments and an increase to the past service rate for pension payments to retired clergy were approved. Recommendations made during the presentation of the Equitable Compensation report in regard to minimum base compensation, yearly increments and compensation for clergy serving more than one church were approved.
The Conference Commission on Religion and Race presented their report, focusing on how many ministries and congregations have gone through the Imagine No Racism 2.0 curriculum. They also discussed their goal of educating more young people across the Conference on dismantling racism.
Resolutions relating to Encouragement of Voting by all Citizens, Candidacy Interviews and support for a bill pending in Congress, titled Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, all passed.
Carmen Vianese, head of the UNY General and Jurisdictional Delegation, led the members of the Conference in voting on nominees to send forward to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference for the Episcopal election. Following a series of votes, the Rev. Wendy Deichman received the Conference’s endorsement as a candidate for election as a Bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
The second day of the Annual Conference began with a session led by the Rev. Dr. Kim Reisman about how an embrace is the perfect metaphor for evangelism.
The UNY Board of Trustees presented its report on this day. The board’s work includes the purchase, sale and maintenance of Conference properties and managing the Conference’s master insurance program. The board also presented resolutions, which were approved, for the closure of fifteen churches and the disaffiliation of eight churches from the United Methodist denomination. In addition, an update was provided on the lawsuits brought against the Conference under the Child Victims Act.
A resolution calling on those leaving the United Methodist Church to resign their positions as delegates to the General Conference and the Jurisdictional Conference was approved. In addition, a resolution for the Creation of a Buffalo 10 Scholarship in the name of the 10 victims of the mass shooting at the Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo was approved.
The Council of Finance & Administration (CF&A) presented the 2023 Ministry Share Budget, noting that even after reducing spending in many Ministry Areas, the overall budget is $275,000 more than the 2022 budget, mainly because of the need to increase salaries that have remained flat for many years. The budget was approved.
The day ended with Memorial Service, held at Liverpool UMC and livestreamed, celebrating clergy and clergy spouses who have passed away since the last Annual Conference.
The last day kicked off with the Young Adult worship service. A list of the 2023 Conference Advance Special Offerings was approved next. The day ended with the Service of Commissioning and Ordination.
A link to additional information for the Annual Conference on the Upper New York Conference website is as follows: https://www.unyumc.org/events/annual-conference-2022
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Paskie, HUMC Lay Member to the Annual Conference
From your Missions Team: Food collections for September and October will go to SS. Peter and Paul Food Pantry in Hamburg. The pantry is part of the network of the Food Bank of WNY whose mission is to “obtain nutritious food and support from public and private sources, and efficiently distribute these resources to the hungry in Western New York through our member agencies.”
It may come as a surprise to some of us, but there are hungry people right here in
our neighborhoods. Hearty non-perishables will be gratefully received in the basket in the gathering space. Let’s keep the needs of those who suffer from hunger ever before us as we seek to serve Jesus in the world.
Assembly member Jon Rivera and Town of Hamburg Supervisor Randy Hoak are hosting a food and household supplies drive to support #feedhamburg on Saturday, October 15.
According to the #feedhamburg team, they are seeing more and more clients experiencing food insecurity and the current need is high, so we invite as many of you as possible to participate and support our fellow neighbors and community members!
WHAT: Food and household supplies drive
DATE: Saturday, October 15
TIME: 10 am – 1 pm
WHERE: #feedhamburg (Iris Housing Complex, 4150 Sowles Road, Hamburg 14075)
Homespun Holiday Bazaar is Coming,
Helpers and Shoppers are Needed!
The annual Homespun Holiday Bazaar is Friday, Nov. 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Crafts, baked goods, local craft vendors, the book sale and the return of the takeout lunch are all on the agenda! Profits will benefit ministries supporting women and children here and across the world.
Before we shop, we need to prepare so please signup to help. Sign-up sheets for helping out are on the counter in the Gathering Area. Here is specifically when help is needed:
Sunday, Oct. 30 (after the service) to help move items in preparation for bazaar setup.
During the week of the bazaar, help will be needed with table setup and other tasks:
Wednesday, Nov. 2 - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 3 - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 6 (11:45 a.m.) - Break down and cleanup crew BEFORE THE BILLS GAME TAILGATE!
Thank you for helping to make this work light, as we pitch in together. Contact Rose Caldwell (716) 713-9548 or Sharon Tiballi (716) 980-6171 if you have questions.
Get your Pre-Sale Takeout Lunch Tickets
Now on sale are the "hot pre-sale" tickets of the Bazaar: Soup and Dessert tickets. We are selling the tickets after worship service. (You can sell some to family, friends and neighbors too!)
For just $8 you will receive soup/chili of your choice, crackers, and dessert (pie or cake). The choices are Ed's famous chicken noodle, Rick's famous beef vegetable and Paul's famous chili. Pick up your takeout meal anytime during the Bazaar, either day.
A successful pre-sale will help us plan best! (But the meals will be available for purchase during the bazaar, too.)
Book Club News
Book Club will meet on Monday, October 24th at 10:30 am in the Church library. We will be discussing The Personal Librarian Marie Benedict & Victoria Murray.
November's Book Club Selection is The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson.
It is time to collect your "treasures" for Granny's Attic and deliver them to Room 19. Items should be in good condition. If you have any questions, contact Judy Engberg, Carolyn Schneggenburger, or Barbara Lockwood
The Church office is glad to announce that services going forward will be streamed via YouTube Live, in addition to the current Facebook Live services. You can access the Youtube live stream on our Youtube Channel, or directly on our church website homepage.
Please make sure to "Like" and "Subscribe"
If you are interested in joining a Bible study our church has 4 of them available for you to attend now. Just show up no appointment is needed.
Sunday in the Parlor at 9:00 am John Meader Leader
Monday at Sparks of Hope at 10:30 AM Bob Shaw leader.
Wednesday in the Parlor at 7:00 pm Dave Rood Leader
Thursday at 10:00 AM Carlos Ortiz leads in the Library
Any further information is available through the church office.
Coffee Hour Schedule
October- Church Council
November- Trustees/ Columbarium
December- Sarah Circle
Groups are to provide goodies/ snacks
each Sunday of the month they are scheduled.
Please Contact Sue Gagne or Joyce Spencer with any questions.
Order of Worship
Sunday, October 16, 2022 Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/HamburgNYUMC/live_videos Youtube Live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxRWld9XtaLY0WpX7JsXEcw
Google Meet Dial-In: 617-675-4444 PIN: 301 463 603 6721#
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP From the beginning, God entered into covenant with the human family: with Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Deborah, Ruth and Jeremiah. Through baptism, Jesus Christ calls us into covenant and makes us ministers of Christ’s righteousness.
All Christian ministry is Christ’s work of outeaching love. it demonstrates a common life of gratitude and devotion, witness and service, celebration and discipleship. All Christians are called to Christ’s servanthood in the world, to the glory of God and for human fulfillment.
The church, as the community of the new covenant, participates in Christ’s ministry of grace. It stretches out of human needs wherever service may convey God’s love and ours.
In our ministry of servanthood is the ultimate concern: that all may be renewed in the image of their Creator, and that all Christians are called to minister in deeds and words that heal and free. Amen. OPENING HYMN: “Faith Of Our Fathers” #710 UMH
OPENING PRAYER At the starting line of this day,
we call on your name, God of grace.
As we run the race you have set before us,
help us to keep our eyes on your goals, not our own.
When we falter, give us fresh strength and courage.
When we are fleet-footed, let us give you the glory.
Keep us from wanting to win at another’s expense
or to count ourselves better than those at our side.
All runners are your children.
In the race You imagine, each one is a winner.
Amen.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 65 Read by: Violet Fleckenstein 2 Timothy 4:1-8, 13, 16-18
SERMON “ Keep the Faith, Run the Race ” Maureen Park
SPECIAL MUSIC “How Firm a Foundation” Jon Sentz
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE PEACE
TITHES & OFFERINGS tithes.hamburgumc.org/Give
DOXOLOGY “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” #94 UMH
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
...And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
...And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
...Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father (God ), now and for ever. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
SHARING OF BREAD AND CUP
CLOSING HYMN: “Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing” #671 UMH
BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
