August 2025 Newsletter
- Cristina Glover
- Aug 1
- 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,
My family and I are settling into the Conklin House, the new parsonage for Hamburg UMC and your pastoral family’s new home. Settling is a strong word, we are still working on moving in, merging my household and Lane’s, and finding all the things necessary to make life work, but we are in. Apart from a new address, you can still find me in the usual places, doing the usual things, and hoping to enjoy as much of August as possible!
I want to thank all of you who attended the wedding or the reception coffee hour in Hamburg, and also thank everyone who gave toward the Sparks Endowment! We have several thousand dollars to invest in the future of the Sparks of Hope Recovery Center ministries as a result. The intent is for those funds to form the beginning of a permanent resource so that the ministry will continue into the future.
In July, the Hamburg United Methodist Men once again organized a successful flea market during BurgerFest, raising significant funds for mission in the community. I’m writing very late in July, so I’m in the new house while offering this update, and planning worship for the picnic at Versailles UMC! I am excited to share that time with you once again!
I have recently scheduled a one on one with the District Superintendent for the Fall, and expect to hear about our Charge Conference soon. As soon as I know more, so will you.
On a final note, I know several of our congregations are working to overcome financial challenges. Hamburg and Versailles have shortfalls in the budget that create ongoing challenges. I have faith that God will continue to be with us as we work to navigate these challenges, and to help us find effective ways to fund the ministries we share with our neighbors. We are called to invite those seeking hope, seeking God’s grace, and seeking new life into our communities, and to invite them to share in life with us. This remains our first priority, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. However, honesty about the financial challenges of maintaining our buildings, offering ministries also matters. As we all know from our own homes, costs for fuel, electricity, and other necessities have risen in recent years, and this can make it hard on Churches and households alike. Pray for wisdom, work for better solutions, and prayerfully consider your giving as a part of your discipleship. As we approach the Fall and plans for 2025, if you find yourself financially blessed, prayerfully consider how best to share those resources for the work of Christ’s Kingdom.
In Christ, With you,
Pastor David Nicol
The Church office will be operating at a limited capacity August 22-August 31
as Cristina will be out of the area on vacation with her Family.
Additionally the church office will be closed on Monday September 1, 2025 in observance in Memorial day and will reopen on Tuesday September 2, 2025.
Calls and emails will be answered in the order received upon the office reopening.
__________
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
Raffle baskets and gift certificates for HUMANGO will be on display in the Gathering Space through Sunday, August 10. Tickets will be available for purchase either on Sundays or from the church office during weekdays. We are so grateful to all the individuals, groups, and businesses who have generously donated!
Additional donations are still welcome and will be added to the display.
All proceeds support the ministries of Hamburg UMC.
Tickets may be purchased from Sue Gagne or Pat Adema before or after worship on Sundays. Cristina will also have tickets available during church office hours.
If you’ve already donated a basket—thank you! A few were dropped off without names, so if you donated and haven’t already told us which one is yours, please check in with Pat Adema.
Not a golfer? You’re still invited to join us at Byrncliff!
Come for the Prime Rib dinner ($60) or spend the afternoon swimming and enjoying mini golf. Afternoon passes are $17 for adults and $14 for children.
For more information, please contact a member of the HUMANGO Committee:
Matt Edie, Roland Shoemaker, Jason Krell, Sue Gagne, or Pat Adema.
Thank you for your continued support!
Se's Back—and so is the Bazaar!
Granny’s up in the attic hunting for treasures to sell at her tables—and you should be too! It’s time to start gathering those clean, gently used household items that she’ll proudly display and sell at this year’s Bazaar.
Important Reminder from Granny:
She’s tough but fair—only clean, usable household goods will be accepted.
No appliances, please!
Room 19 is now accepting your donations
This year’s Annual Bazaar, hosted by the United Women in Faith and supported by the whole church, will be held November 7 & 8. In addition to all your favorite traditions—like the bake sale, pecans and fruitcakes, and the soup and chili sale—this year’s event will also feature an expanded vendor fair in place of the usual HUWF crafts.
Questions? Contact Bazaar Co-Chairs: Rose Caldwell or Sue Gagne.
Join Us in Reading Through the Bible in 2025
Would you consider reading through the Bible in 2025? Together as a church community, we can embark on this yearlong journey of faith and discovery. A Bible in a Year reading plan is available outside the church office and will also be published monthly in the newsletter. You can also access it online here: Bible in a year reading plan
Dedicating about 20 minutes a day to Scripture is a wonderful way to grow closer to God. Many who have done this discipline before share how it reveals surprising connections between different parts of the Bible and provides a deeper understanding of God’s love and guidance.
We hope you’ll join us on this meaningful journey of faith and exploration!
You can also Read and Listen to Today's Reading Online (FREE!)
Dive into a Good Book- Join the HUMC Book Club.
Book Club will resume in September on the 22nd, we will be discussing
James Mc Bride’s Color of Water, and in October we will discuss The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.
During our September meeting we will discuss our book selections
for the upcoming year.
Book Club is Zoom-friendly. Contact Karen Klimecko for more information
Spring has sprung and Tai Chi is back to in-person practice in the Fellowship Hall
(Or Pavilion Weather Dependent)
Hello Church Family,
The Respite Program is looking for clean metal cans from soup & veggies for a craft. If you’d like to contribute to our stash, please wash them & remove labels, then put in a bag with “respite” printed on it & put on the Coat room shelf in far left corner.
Thanks, Lisa Rood
Coffee Hour Schedule
August- Church Council
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.
Church Council
April 28, 2025
Present: Pastor David, Rollin Shoemaker, Caroline Schneggenburger, Jerry Schneggenburger, Bob Cook, David Rood, Rick Park, Cheryl Bell, Dan Paskie, Dianne Caldwell, Rose Caldwell
Pastor David opened with a prayer. Rose made the motion to approve the minutes of March 24, 2025. Bob seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Matt reported that as of this date the Fish Fry profit is $19, 630. There may be bills yet to be submitted, but we achieved our budget goal. Pastor David requested that the following information be added to next year’s advertising: there is no need to call ahead for reservations or orders, and credit cards are accepted.
Matt reported that the special Lenten appeal has resulted in pledges of $8,980 to date. Right now he is projecting we will need $27K of the rainy day fund.
Rick gave a parsonage fund report. We have submitted a bid for a house on Edgewood. We should know if it is accepted by tomorrow. Some renovations are needed. A house on Robert St. was also looked at. The congregation will be notified of results going forward.
Pastor David reported that the YouTube link on Facebook for streaming is now working again.
Rollin reported that the Windows Committee will meet shortly to discuss use of the $19K surplus in that fund. There is one old window in the garage that may be cut into pieces and given away.
Pastor David reported that applications for the Julia Platt scholarship are due this week. He has asked Greg Crispell to take his place on the committee to avoid conflict of interest.
Discussion was held about the use of money to purchase a parsonage and how it may affect our future finances. Rick wants us to be aware of any potential issues. We have accepted a bid on the Center Street property. That sale should be wrapped up soon.
Rose gave an SPRC report. Kevin Lutz is our new custodian working 20 hours per week. He seems to be doing well and is conscientious. Patrick is no longer in the building on Sunday, but he runs the service remotely. That is working well so far. A collection counters program will be reinstated soon.
Bob Cook is interested in selling engraved bricks to put on the church property-perhaps as a walkway to the gazebo. Information will be in the Friday Flash and the newsletter to determine interest.
There will be a Sparks property and church property cleanup on May 10, 2025, from 9:00-1:00. Information will be included in the Friday Flash, and an announcement will be made on Sunday.
Rollin invited everyone to his annual party on June 14, 2025.
Our next meeting will be on June 23, 2025.
David Rood closed with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted.
Cheryl Bell
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)
