December 2025 Newsletter
- Cristina Glover
- 30 minutes ago
- 11 min read
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,
Advent began November 30th this year, and we are already in the midst of the season! There’s a lot going on in our communities over the next few weeks:
On December 6, from ADVENT-ure will be at Hamburg UMC from 10:00 AM to Noon with a light lunch to follow–come spend some time to celebrate God’s grace, engage in some crafts and sharing, and enjoy some family-friendly fun together!
On December 12, at 7:00 PM, Versailles UMC will host their annual Christmas program! Come share in some fun and fellowship!
On December 21, there’s a lot going on for us! It will be Christmas worship at Gowanda at 10:30 AM, and again at Four Corners at 6:00 PM. At 7:00 PM, Hamburg UMC will host a community Blue Christmas service, along with Hamburg Presbyterian, St. James UCC, and St. Matthews UCC.
On December 24, Hamburg UMC will have a Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols and Carol Communion Service at 7:00 PM.
You are invited to share any or (almost) all of these services, whatever your home congregation might be. Of course, you are also always welcome at Four Corners UMC at 9:00 AM on Sundays, or Gowanda and Versailles at 10:30 (though Versailles will be in winter hiatus after December 21st), or Hamburg at 10:00 AM. It is a joy to continue to be a family of congregations together!
2025 has been quite a year for me (as most of you know)--I’m looking forward to 2026 and all the exciting ways God will use us in our neighborhoods! May your Advent be holy, your Christmas be blessed, and your calling to share Christ with the world empowered in the year to come!
I pray you have a Merry Christmas,
Pastor David Nicol
Your Advent-ure Awaits!
Join us for an Advent-ure on Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 am to noon. Families of all ages and sizes are welcome to prepare for the coming of Christ with activities, fun and a little learning. We'll share a light lunch together too.
Important Announcements from the Church Office
Kevin Lutz will be off on Fridays for the remainder of 2025
in order to use his PTO before it expires.
Cristina Glover will be on PTO Friday December 26th, Wednesday December 31st and January 2nd 2026.
The Church office will be closed on Wednesday December 24th. All Staff to report to the Staff Holiday Luncheon as scheduled as part of their "Work for the Day".
The Church office will remain closed on Thursday December 25th in observance of Christmas Day.
The Church Office will be Closed on January 1, 2026 in observance of New Years Day.
Please also wish Happy Birthday to Pastor David who is a New Years Baby
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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
October 27, 2025
Present: Pastor David, Rollin Shoemaker, Matt Edie,, Caroline
Schneggenburger, Jerry Schneggenburger, Bob Cook, , David Rood, Ron
Lesandro, Rick Park, Cheryl Bell, Dan Paskie, Lynda Sentz, Pat Adema,
Rose Caldwell
Pastor David opened with a prayer.
Dan made the motion to accept the minutes of September 22, 2025. Bob
seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Matt reported that all the pledge requests were mailed out. Pledge
Sunday is November 2, 2025.
The property on Center Street has closed, and we received
approximately $100.000 to be returned to the endowment account.
Matt reported that with a year end appeal of $9,800 we may be looking
at a budget shortfall of approximately $28,000. This can be made up by
using endowment fund interest and the rainy day fund. Matt and Emily
will put together a tentative budget on November 14.
Ron will have some recommendations next month on how to move
forward financially.
Rollin expressed concerns about our written policy on paying some
church expenses and expenses that are reimbursable. The policy will be
reviewed, and an update will be given in January.
Jerry reported that a few areas have been explored to save money going
forward. We will be using a less expensive coffee and perhaps a new
more energy efficient coffee maker. His committee is working on
making certain that lights are turned out and ways to save heat when
the building is not in use.
Rick reported that he is exploring why the baseboard heating isn’t
working in some areas . Once that is resolved it will be more efficient to
heat.
Pastor David reported that Andrew Kirst will resign from Trustees at
the end of December, 2025. He nominated Lynn Kieber as an interim
replacement for 2026. Bob seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Jerry reported that the situation with signing into NBT accounts has
been resolved.
Lynda reported that four couples attended the Newly Married Couples
dinner on October 25, 2025. One couple is new to the area. She is
hoping to do this again soon. She believes we need to be thinking about
a Family Ministry committee. Rollin suggested outreach to the
community through an article in The Sun, Facebook, and our website
would be helpful. Dave Rood volunteered to help with a family activity
when we have the hanging of the greens.
Rose reported that SPRC has recommended a 3% raise for the staff.
Lynda reported that there have been many activities at Sparks. In order
to provide meals to families she will be asking the congregation to
purchase turkeys, store them and then deliver them to the Sparks
building where they will be used to make an entire meal for a needy
family. A form will be filled out to determine families in need. She will
make an announcement in church.
Pastor David clarified the health insurance payment the church makes.
The payment is the same no matter how many people are on the policy.
Our next meeting in November 24, 2025.
David R. closed with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted.
Cheryl Bell
Finance and Pledge Campaign Update:
Although 2025 brought substantial financial challenges, our congregation responded with remarkable generosity. Your increased giving and strong support for our fundraisers helped us meet our commitments. With a strong year-end finish, we expect to exit 2025 in good shape.
We are very happy to share that our 2026 pledge campaign was a great success. An incredible 93% of those who pledged have increased their level of giving, resulting in an overall pledge increase of 5%. What a blessing! Your commitment is helping us get back on solid footing. Thank you!
With the financial support you’ve entrusted to us, we are committed to being responsible stewards of these gifts. As we enter 2026, we have reduced several significant expenses in our budget and will continue working toward additional savings where possible.
Thank you for your grace, your generosity, and your steadfast belief in what we can accomplish together as a community of faith.
Best regards,
Ron Lesandro
Finance Committee Chair
Meet Our Little Lamb Preschool Staff & Board
Little Lamb Preschool is a ministry of Hamburg United Methodist Church, and we are blessed with a caring, experienced team who share a love for young children and their families. Here’s a chance to “meet” the staff and board members who help Little Lamb flourish each year.
Classroom Staff
Lisa Link – Director and Lead Multi-Age Teacher
Lisa serves as our Director and Lead Multi-Age Teacher, guiding the overall program and providing a warm, engaging classroom for our three- and four-year-olds. She supports staff, partners closely with families, and helps ensure that Little Lamb remains a nurturing, faith-filled place for young children to learn and grow.
Laura Herman – Teacher Assistant, Multi-Age Classroom
Laura has worked with Little Lamb Preschool for 12 years. She holds a BS in Physical Therapy and previously served as a pediatric physical therapist in early intervention and school-based settings. Laura and her husband, Eric, have three children—Tyler, Ella, and Garrett—and she enjoys hiking with their dog, Lucy, and playing the piano.
Marcy Koch – Lead Teacher, Two-Year-Old Classroom
Marcy is the Lead Teacher in the Two-Year-Old classroom. She holds both her BS and MS degrees from D’Youville College and has been part of Little Lamb since 2013, first as a substitute and, since 2020, as the Two-Year-Old Lead Teacher. Marcy and her husband, Mike, have two sons: Noah, a Little Lamb graduate now at Hamburg High School, and Nick, a student at Brockport College. Marcy loves to cook, walk the shores of Lake Erie collecting beach glass, and spend time with her cats, Whiskers and Oreo.
Tina Paskie – Teacher Assistant, Two-Year-Old Classroom
Tina brings extensive early childhood experience to the Two-Year-Old classroom. Her background includes seven years as a three-year-old preschool teacher at the Wesleyan Church, along with many years as a Teacher Aide and substitute in the Hamburg School District. She previously subbed in the Little Lamb multi-age class and now serves as the Teacher Assistant in the Two-Year-Old room. Tina and her husband, Dan, are active members of HUMC and have three daughters—Brianna (and her husband, Rob), Jessica, and Alyssa—as well as one step-grandson and one granddaughter. She enjoys reading, baking, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Jesse Trimmer Vahling – Substitute Teacher
Jesse serves as a substitute teacher at Little Lamb Preschool, stepping into classrooms as needed to support both the Multi-Age and Two-Year-Old programs. Her flexibility and willingness to help ensure consistency and care for our Little Lamb children throughout the year.
Lynn Merkel – Substitute Teacher
Lynn has a BS in Early Childhood and brings decades of experience to Little Lamb. Her teaching career includes five years as a Teacher Assistant at Lakeshore Co-op Nursery School, two years as a three-year-old teacher at Prince of Peace Nursery School, and 23 years at Little Lamb as both the Two-Year-Old and later the Three-Year-Old Teacher. Lynn and her husband, Paul, have been married for 51 years and have three children and four grandchildren. She loves to read (and is in two book clubs), sing in multiple choirs, volunteer at Shea’s, spend time at their cabin in Holland, and continue helping at Little Lamb whenever she can.
Little Lamb Preschool Board Members
Pat Adema – Board Chair Pat has served as Chair of the Little Lamb Board since January 2025 and previously was the Church Liaison to the Board for four years. She holds a BS in Economics and Business Administration from Russell Sage College, along with a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Pat’s professional background includes management at Marine Midland Bank and 28 years in early childhood leadership as a Director and Area Manager at Gerber Children’s Center/Childtime Learning Center. Pat and her husband, Alan, are members of HUMC and have four daughters and seven grandchildren. She loves to travel, volunteer at church, serve on the Race Committee boat for the Buffalo Harbor Sailing Club, ring in the Handbell Choir, usher at Shea’s, read, and spend time with her family.
Lisa Link – Director and Registrar In addition to her daily work as Director and Lead Multi-Age Teacher, Lisa also serves on the Little Lamb Board as Director and Registrar. In this role she supports enrollment, communication with families, and the overall direction of the preschool program.
Lynn Merkel – Board Secretary Alongside her work as a substitute teacher, Lynn serves as Secretary of the Little Lamb Board, where she helps keep minutes and supports the administrative side of the program with the same care and attention she has brought to the classroom over many years.
Jesse Trimmer Vahling – Board Treasurer
Jesse also serves as Treasurer of the Little Lamb Board, helping to steward the preschool’s finances. In this role she supports Little Lamb’s mission by helping ensure that funds are managed responsibly in support of children, families, and staff.
Tina Paskie – Church LiaisonTina serves as the Church Liaison on the Little Lamb Board, helping to strengthen the connection between Hamburg UMC and the preschool. Her dual role as a staff member and board member allows her to bridge communication between the classroom, the church, and families.
Laura Herman – Board Member In addition to her classroom work as Teacher Assistant in the Multi-Age room, Laura serves on the Little Lamb Board. Her background in pediatric physical therapy and her long tenure at Little Lamb offer valuable insight into supporting children’s development and the daily life of the preschool.
If you see any of our Little Lamb staff or board members on Sunday or during the week, please take a moment to thank them for their dedication. Their gifts, experience, and love for children are a blessing to our church and community.
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, December 16 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.
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 meet on Monday December 22nd 2025 at 10:30am in the Library
We will be discussing The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Club is Zoom-friendly. Contact Karen Klimecko for more information
Tai Chi is back to in-person practice in the Fellowship Hall
Coffee Hour Schedule
December- Prayer Care Share & Cozy Quilts
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)
