January 2026 Newsletter
- Cristina Glover
- Jan 9
- 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,
As I have often done, I want to offer a bit of a “State of the Church” note this month. We finished the year well, financially, though the details are still a bit in process. 2025 was a busy year for Hamburg UMC, purchasing the Conklin House as a parsonage and selling 52 Center Street a few months later. While in the short run this has been challenging, in the long run it will assure that Hamburg UMC can afford to receive the best fit appointments for years to come.
United Methodist pastors serve at the pleasure of the Bishop, itinerating as requested. Technically, all appointments are for a year, beginning July 1, and ending the following June 30. 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, but someday, the Church’s house and our home will be occupied by someone else. The cost to HUMC of the utilities and other upkeep will be real, but lower than a housing allowance that would permit the Bishop from appointing a pastor who does not already have significant equity to roll into a home in the neighborhood. This has been a huge step, and in the long run, will offer a significant benefit to the Church, financially.
As you know, if you’ve been reading along, I was blessed to marry Lane in June of 2025. Moving has taken time, and our lives have been busy with each of us seeing a child begin college, and with her mother moving this December. I know many of you are anxious for a Parsonage Dedication and for an open house to see where we are living. I thank you for your patience with us! When the weather warms, and spring has sprung, we look forward to arranging that event!
We have been blessed in all of our churches this year with continued ministry to our communities, new ministries developing at Four Corners to serve the Seneca Nation, and also new ministries focused on young families in Hamburg. We have continued to be able to lead worship, offer hope to our neighborhood, and as you will soon hear, Hamburg has continued to provide significant funds to Missions through the Missions/Outreach Committee in Hamburg, the wider area, and throughout the world. I’ve seen the first draft of the report, and I continue to be overwhelmed with the generosity of this congregation for those in need!
Lent comes early this year–Ash Wednesday is Feb 18, 2026, which means the first Fish Fry at Hamburg will be Friday February 20th. Planning for that has begun already, for another busy season! Once again, I hope to plan at least one joint Holy Week service in Hamburg with the Hamburg Clergy Alliance. I have been blessed by closer connections with my colleagues in the neighborhood this year, and I hope you have as well by our Annual Clergy Alliance Picnic, if not in other ways as well. We shared in the Blue Christmas service at Hamburg UMC this year, and we are hoping to arrange a Pulpit Exchange this year to build closer relationships with other Christians in the Hamburg area.
Last year, I invited you to read through the Bible in a year. I know a number of you did, and I hope it blessed you! Finding a powerful devotional practice that helps us grow with Christ can vary from person to person. This year would be a good year to read through the Bible, or to choose a new devotional book. If you’re looking for an easy start, Hamburg UMC has the current Upper Room available at request. Whatever you choose, I invite you to encourage you to choose a discipline for 2026 and seek to grow closer to Christ.
Serving Christ, with you, and praying for a healthy and happy New Year,
Pastor David Nicol
Important Announcements from the Church Office
Cristina Glover will be on PTO Thursday January 29th and Friday January 30th
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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
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 welcome in the new year 2026 when they gather for their monthly lunch on Tuesday, January 20 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.
Human Relations Day Sunday
Better relationships, Community and Youth Outreach
What is Human Relations Day?
Human Relations Day is one of six churchwide Special Sundays designated to support ministries and causes important to the entire United Methodist Church. This day invites congregations to strengthen communities, especially those facing poverty, injustice, or lack of opportunity. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the “beloved community.” Human Relations Day calls us to build relationships rooted in dignity, equity, and love
Why Does Human Relations Day Matter?
It’s a day to remember that every person deserves a chance to thrive. It reminds us that living out our faith means building stronger, caring relationships, especially with those who have been pushed to the margins of society.
Human Relations Day matters because it supports the Church’s work in creating communities where everyone can flourish. When we give, we support church-based programs that work in local neighborhoods to build justice, offer hope, and walk alongside those who need a second chance.
What Does My Giving Support?
Special Sundays give us a chance to focus our prayers and support on important ministries all year long—uniting our gifts to multiply our impact. Your generosity strengthens communities working toward the vision of the “beloved community,” making these ministries possible:
Community Developers Program (57%)
This program helps churches serve their neighborhoods—especially communities of color—by focusing on local needs like education, employment, and empowerment.
United Methodist Voluntary Services (33%)
This program equips volunteers and congregations to tackle injustice through hands-on projects, community organizing, and service-learning opportunities.
Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs (10%)
These church-supported programs help young people rebuild their lives through mentoring, leadership training, and positive, faith-based community experiences.
Support the Ministry
Designate your giving using the offering envelopes provided any Sunday in January or donate online at donate.gcfa.org/hrd.
Dive into a Good Book- Join the HUMC Book Club.
Book Club will meet on Monday January 26 at 10:30am in the Library. Carolyn Montgomery will lead discuss on
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
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
JANUARY: MENS GROUP
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)
