April 2026 Newsletter
- Cristina Glover
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Hamburg United Methodist Church 116 Union St Hamburg, New York, 14075 (716) 649-8080 Sundays at 10 am
Also Streamed Via Facebook Live & Youtube
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It’s almost Easter. Lent comes and passes, Forty Days of fasting and focus on our relationship with Christ soon crash into Holy Week. This last week, I was reading a Facebook post about the question of the “Three Days” in the Gospels. There was an argument fueled by limited understanding of Greek and of the Jewish mind-world that led to an argument about how long Jesus was buried. The traditional understanding is that the Last Supper was Thursday after sunset (so, Friday by Jewish time), the crucifixion ended by 3pm (still Friday), he was buried before sunset and the Sabbath (still Friday), the Sabbath passed (ending at sunset on Saturday), and on the Third Day he rose from the dead (anytime after sunset on Saturday is Sunday by Jewish reckoning). The women came to the tomb early on the First Day of the Week (Sunday by both Jewish and Roman reckoning). A very confident individual argued that this timeline couldn’t be right because Jesus needed to be buried for three FULL days, and seemed to be using modern/Roman reckoning of days starting and ending at midnight.
Holy Week each year is a drama, based on the biblical narrative of Jesus’ last week, death, and resurrection. We begin with the Palms on Sunday, and many sources offer other pieces of the puzzle, including the cleansing of the Temple and other events that transpire as the week progresses. Our worship follows the pattern, reliving the events of the week, not so much re-enacting. We wave palms to find ourselves in the story, we wash feet and share communion to join ourselves to the celebration of the Last Supper, we reflect on the Cross on Friday, and on Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection and all that means in a transformed world. This part of the week has, traditionally, been what the Church calls the Triduum, the three days.
Triduum is a funny Latin construction–it’s a singular-plural. It isn’t the usual way of saying “three days,” that would be dies tertius. Triduum means something more like “the three-Day,” something that is inseparably linked as a single event.
This year, on April 2, we will have Maundy Thursday services at Hamburg UMC and Four Corners UMC, both at 7:00 PM. On Friday April 3, there will be a commuted service at 3pm at Hamburg UMC and an ecumenical service at Saint James UCC at 7:00 PM. I hope you will be in worship on the Sunday before, and also at either Four Corners at 9:00 AM or Hamburg at 10:00 AM to celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Christ!
We are not just called to understand the Bible, but given the gift of reliving and inhabiting the sacred story in special ways this time of year. I look forward to sharing these celebrations with you as we draw closer to God in Christ.
Serving Christ, with you,
Pastor David Nicol
Important Announcements from the Church Office
As a reminder Please make sure to check your local TV listings for closings now that we are in the winter season.
Hamburg UMC Closures will also be posted via email and Facebook.
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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.
Office hours
Monday- Thursday: 9am-2pm
Friday: 9 am-Noon
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
Church Council
February 23, 2026
Present: Pastor David, Rollin Shoemaker, Caroline Schneggenburger, Jerry
Schneggenburger, Bob Cook, David Rood, Rick Park, Cheryl Bell, Dan
Paskie, Lynda Sentz, Pat Adema, Emily Slocum, Jason Krell
Dan opened the meeting with a prayer.
Bob made the motion to approve the minutes of November 24, 2025. Rick
seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Matt emailed a Finance Committee report. We are off to a little of a slow
start due to higher than anticipated utility costs and property taxes. The
National Fuel bill has almost doubled. He and Dave Vesneske reviewed
the Windows account. The excess money from the windows pledges had
to be spent on various projects so there was none left to transfer to
Missions. Perhaps the Trustees may be able to budget a small amount to
support Missions in the coming years if they so desire.
Jerry reported that we still need to be diligent in watching our energy
usage. Rick said that the new thermostats are able to detect when people
are not using a space and should revert to preset temperature.
Rick reported that part of the roof is leaking and will need to be replaced.
We are looking at approximately a $10,000 repair. He will have contractors
review and submit estimates.
Rick reported that the Chairperson of Trustees is Rick Park, and the Co-
Chairperson is Rollin Shoemaker.
Our snow removal expenses are high. Rollin reported that there may be a
bid system in place for next year.
Pastor David will email a committee nominee list to Church Council.
Rick reported that Vastola has been in to look at a controller in one of our
boilers. He will contact other contractors to repair various other boiler
issues. Once everything is addressed and repaired our heating bill should
be lower.
Emily reported that we have just received a property tax bill for the
parsonage of almost $6,800. This includes the school taxes that we never
received a bill for. She will get in touch with the appropriate tax people in
the Town of Boston to explain that we never received a school tax bill, and
perhaps the late fees can be waived before she pays the bill. It will be paid
before March 16, 2026. Pastor David said that the parsonage should not
receive tax bills after March1, 2026. He will check to clarify the tax exempt
status.
Jason reported that Sandy will go out on disability leave for about a month,
and then Kevin will go out on disability leave for about 4 months. Jim Flynn
and Abraham Nicol will substitute for Kevin.
Rick reported that there are no issues with Little Lamb.
Lynda reported that AA is using the Sparks building for their meetings on
Sundays. They will be making monetary donations for the use of the
building. On April 23, 2026, Sparks will be cohosting a Pastoral Response
Conference to help clergy appropriately respond /assist people in addiction.
This will be a full day of speakers. Lunch will be provided.
Our next meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2026.
David Rood closed with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted.
Cheryl Bell
Hosting a Baby Shower to benefit Buffalo families!
Our church’s United Women in Faith group, which particularly supports women and children, will host a “Baby Shower” after the worship service on May 3 to benefit Harvest House in Buffalo. We are inviting all HUMC members and friends to join in and help families in need through this fun, simple venture.
Harvest House provides an extensive baby and children’s ministry that ensures families living in poverty can access essential children's resources that foster growth and well-being. Harvest House helps more than 700 children each month, giving them clothing and necessities, as well as access to other crucial services. At the Baby & Children's Ministry mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and other caregivers, "shop" free of charge for items their children need.
Here’s how simple the “Baby Shower” will be on May 3
BEFORE SERVICE: Bring an item or two (no wrapping needed), if you are able, and place it in the Gathering Space in front of the windows near the Sanctuary entrance.
DURING SERVICE: Listen to Brandy Loveland, president and CEO of Harvest House, talk about the baby and children’s ministry and some of their many other programs that benefit those in need. In 2024, for example, Harvest House served 32,418 individuals with a total economic impact of $44 million to the community.
AFTER SERVICE: Enjoy a piece of baby shower cake at Coffee Hour!
What can you contribute?
Critical Needs - Currently
Pants for boys and girls, sizes 4T-14 (can be gently used)
Children's underwear, sizes 4T-14 (must be new)
New Only
Diapers (cloth & disposable)
Unexpired formula & baby food
Mother’s personal care items
Breast Pumps
New or Gently Used (All Seasons)
Clothing & Pajamas sizes preemie to big kid size 14/16
Infant & children’s bibs, socks, tights
Children’s shoes and boots
Children’s coats, hats, and gloves
Children’s backpacks & lunch bags
Baby Gear: (Please place any screws, bolts, & instructions in a plastic bag and attach to your donation)
Car seats & boosters within 5 years of manufacture
Bassinets, pack n play cribs, toddler beds with mattresses within 5 years of manufacture
Strollers, baby carriers, exer-saucers, walkers
Highchair/booster seats
Baby bottles & children’s cups, dishes, forks, spoons
Infant & toddler towels & washcloths
Baby bathtubs & potty chairs
Diapering supplies & diaper bags
Changing tables
Toy organizers/storage
Infant Toys
Educational Toys
New or Like New Stuffed Animals
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!
RETIRED MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Retired Men’s Fellowship of Hamburg UMC will gather for their monthly lunch on Tuesday, April 21 at 12 Noon at ZJ’s Restaurant in the Hamburg Village Plaza. Come and share your joys and concerns. All retired men are invited. Come and bring a friend for good fellowship and good food.
Any questions? See Dick Caldwell.
Dick Caldwell, facilitator
Dive into a Good Book- Join the HUMC Book Club.
Book Club will meet on Monday April 27th at 10:30am in the Library.
The April book Selection was not shared with the office in time for inclusion in the newsletter.
Book Club is Zoom-friendly. Contact Karen Klimecko for more information
Tai Chi is back to in-person practice in the Fellowship Hall
2026 Coffee Hour Schedule
APRIL: Volunteers Needed
MAY : SPRC
JUNE: FINANCE
JULY : TRUSTEES
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)
