February 2026 Newsletter
- Cristina Glover
- 3 hours ago
- 6 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,
Last month, my letter offered a “State of the Church” assessment. In it, I reported that “I hope I will continue to be reappointed to Hamburg UMC, as well as coordinating pastor for Four Corners, Versailles, and Gowanda for at least several more years…” while discussing the parsonage. In the time since I wrote that, events have made that more challenging. The ministry of Hamburg UMC remains strong, despite the ongoing cold weather, and I expect patterns at Four Corners and Versailles to continue much as they have in the last few years, but this is the time for all of us to gather around our siblings in the Gowanda United Methodist Church.
On February 1, 2026, District Superintendent Mary Kelly and I led worship in Gowanda and included the appropriate acts of deconsecration and leave-taking of the Gowanda United Methodist Church building. The decision was made for us, by the insurance adjustor, after a routine inspection found significant structural issues with the roof (in particular). The congregation is still processing what the future of the congregation might be, but in the meantime, I have offered space at Hamburg UMC to maintain vital historical, financial, and membership records, as well as United Methodist materials that the Annual Conference requires us to maintain. Either these will be returned to the congregation to use in a new way and a new space, or they will be held until the Conference Trustees take responsibility for them.
I write all of this with a heavy heart. The decision to take leave of a church building is not an easy one under the best of circumstances, but when agency is removed from the congregation it can and usually does open old wounds and cause great pain. Whether you are a member of Hamburg, Four Corners, or Versailles, I ask you to be praying with the members of Gowanda at this time. Reach out to your friends and neighbors and offer them whatever comfort you can. Remind them that God is faithful, and God’s people will continue to be there for them as well. To the members of Gowanda, I want to thank you for the privilege of being able to serve you in this challenging time. Know you are continually in my prayers, and that together we will navigate the coming days and months, and perhaps years of ministry together.
Lent comes early this year–Ash Wednesday is Feb 18, 2026, which means the first Fish Fry at Hamburg will be Friday February 20th. and Tuesday Feb 17, 2026 would be the traditional night to gather for Faschnacts at Four Corners. I am praying we find a way to begin Lent together well, as we prepare for Easter. Whatever may come in the days and months ahead for all of us, I trust God is faithful and will be with us.
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
Hello All!
March 2026 is HUMC month to deliver Meals on Wheels to our local neighbors!
This is a great Lenten sacrifice. It only takes about 1-1/2 hours of your time, 11-12:30.
We meet at the red community building on Prospect Ave (by the playground) at 10:50 on the day you pick to deliver meals.
This is a wonderful way to positively impact someone’s day while also delivering a nutritious meal!
Please consider if you can spare this part of your day, we need volunteers!
If interested, please contact Elaine Parisi at 716-997-5893 or elaparisi@msn.com
Bazaar Total and Many Thanks
The 2025 Homespun Holiday Bazaar, sponsored by the United Women in Faith, held in November netted over $4,500! Next month our group will meet and disburse the majority of those funds to local, regional and national organizations.
We also recognize that none of it would have been possible without the support of our congregation, from helping out in various ways with the event to supporting it through your purchases - thank you so much!
- United Women in Faith
2025 HUMC Missions/Outreach Committee Report to Congregation
Thank you for supporting Missions/Outreach this past year. The Committee distributed your funds as follows:
$5,330 UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
$20 Student Sunday
$55 World Communion Sunday
$25 Human Relations Sunday
$25 Peace with Justice Sunday
$349 Native American Sunday
$272 UMCOR Sunday
$2,000 Seneca Street UMC
$2,000 Donation toward Deacon Dee Finch’s Compensation at Seneca Street UMC
$1,500 FeedMore WNY
$1,100 SS Peter & Paul Outreach Food Pantry
$800 Eden/North Collins Food Pantry
$800 Operation Good Neighbor Food Pantry
$800 Lake Shore Food Pantry
$800 Blasdell Church of Christ Food Pantry
$300 Sparks of Hope Blessing Box
$500 Eight Days of Hope
$500 Family Promise of WNY
$500 St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy
$1,500 Pacific Palisades UMC (fire)
$1,615.08 Ginger Jensen, Sandwich Ministry Reimbursement
$1,000 Salvation Army Summer Camp
$21,791.08
In addition to monetary donations, you donated food and clothing to food pantries throughout the year. Donations were made to Churches in Action Undie Sunday. Gifts donated to adult volunteers at Seneca Street. Gifts for children from Seneca St. to purchase for their parents through the CDC. Meals on Wheels coverage for church route during March. Clothing collected for Clara’s Closet at Central Park UMC. Donated clothing to St. Luke’s Mission. UMCOR flood bucket items delivered to hub located at Kenmore UMC. Delivered many items to Seneca Street UMC and SS Peter & Paul Outreach Center.
HUMC Missions/Outreach Committee members: Vicki Weixlmann and Caroline Schneggenburger co-chairs, Ginger and Leo Jensen, Linda Sutton, Bob Stapf, Carlos Ortiz, Wendy and Dave Spaulding, Sharon Tiballi, Jen Stahl, Tom Wojciechowski and Pastor David.
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
RETIRED MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Retired Men’s Fellowship of Hamburg UMC will gather for their monthly lunch on Tuesday, February 17 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 February 23, 2026 at 10:30am in the Library. and will discuss Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
We will also be picking our selections for the next several months
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
FEBRUARY: SARAH CIRCLE
MARCH: MISSIONS/OUTREACH
APRIL: COZY QUILTs
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)