May 2025 Newsletter
- Cristina Glover
- May 2
- 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
This newsletter was delayed in publication at the request of Pastor David to include the update regarding the parsonage included below.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christ is Risen Indeed!
This year, Easter Sunday was a celebration of the new life we have in Christ, and the new life we see in our congregation. Apart from our usual celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, we had the opportunity to welcome three new confirmed members: Violet Fleckenstein, Phoebe Glover, and Rachael Krell. While this milestone is not the end of their growth as disciples, it is a wonderful moment when we welcome their presence in the congregation as full professing members who have claimed their faith in Christ as their own, as we all have been called to do.
The last couple of months have been very busy, with the decision to sell the parsonage property at 52 Center Street to find a property that will allow us to house generations of pastors in a more affordable manner. Following the Charge Conference, the Parsonage Committee, Trustees and I have spent many hours looking at possible parsonage options, examining the appropriateness of different properties, and seeking to better understand what kind of solutions are available to us.
I have some exciting news to share with all of you—as of Thursday, May 1, 2025, Hamburg UMC has a contract in the hands of attorneys to purchase 4696 Edgewood Terrace, Eden, NY to be used as a parsonage in perpetuity. If this address sounds familiar to you, it has been the long-time home of Don and Carol Conklin. I expect that it will be referred to as the Conklin House for years to come, as well as the Parsonage for Hamburg United Methodist Church.
We have enough resources for a cash sale and to complete some work on the property. After visiting with an inspector and examining the needs, the Trustees are comfortable with our resources for the task at hand. However, this will impact the endowment (particularly our interest that we may use in times of financial shortfalls) in the short run. While utilities promise to cost the budget less than paying a housing allowance, and over several years this will be meaningful, we do not expect that will have a major impact on this year’s budget. Some relief to our ongoing shortfall is welcome, of course, but our collective generosity is essential at this time.
This is good news for all of us! Hamburg UMC will be able to fully meet the obligation to house pastors for years to come, and we are blessed to have a home already consecrated by the prayers of faithful members of our community. I want to thank the Conklin family, especially Carol, for thoughtfully (and I am sure, prayerfully) considering the Church’s offer. We are blessed to take on stewardship of the property at this time.
This summer, after closing and time to move in, we will host a parsonage dedication—including a time when you will be able to see the house and pray together that it will be a home to further the mission and ministry of Christ through Hamburg UMC.
As you know by now, I’m excited for changes in my personal life, as Lane and I will be married June 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM in the Hamburg sanctuary. We have planned an immediate reception for family and friends from out of town, and a further celebration for Sunday, July 13, 2025. Of course, all of you are welcome for the service and that Sunday—and while we would love to invite everyone to a reception, both space and finances have kept us a bit more limited on that front. I want to thank all of you for welcoming Lane into the community and being so kind to both of us. Again, I don’t know how I would have made it through the last couple of years without all of you as siblings in Christ.
Together, we can weather great storms, celebrate great joys, and work together for the cause of Christ in the world. As Easter people, we are assured that nothing, not even the power of death itself, is too much for God to overcome, and as God’s people empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are privileged to share that news and demonstrate God’s power in the world!
We are also grateful for new ministries that continue to grow within our community. Charlie Davis will be leading a 12-Step Study at Sparks of Hope Recovery Center, Tuesdays at 10:30 AM beginning May 6. This weekly gathering offers a space for healing, fellowship, and spiritual growth. We encourage anyone who may benefit to attend or share this opportunity with others.
Thank you for all you do for your congregation, for Christ in the world, and for others whom he came to save, to serve, and to make part of the family of God!
In Christ, With you,
Pastor David Nicol
Announcements from the Office
The Church office will be closed on Wednesday May 7th
__________
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
Welcome and Congratulations!
Easter Sunday we welcomed three new members of our church as Pastor David confirmed Violet Fleckenstein, Rachael Krell and Phoebe Glover.
Confirmation in the United Methodist Church is a sacred milestone in a young person's faith journey. It is a time of intentional discipleship and learning, where youth explore the core beliefs of Christianity and the meaning of membership in the Church.
Through classes, discussions, prayer, and mentorship, confirmands learn about the Bible, the history and beliefs of the United Methodist Church, the meaning of baptism, and what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
At the conclusion of this journey, confirmands publicly profess their faith, affirm the vows made at their baptism, and become full, professing members of the congregation.
We celebrate Violet, Rachel, and Phoebe as they take this important step, and we give thanks for the loving support of their families, sponsors, and our church community.
Our congregation welcomes you in Christian love and looks forward to supporting you in your continued growth in faith and service to Christ.
Thank you, Jim Flynn, for Your Dedication
On Sunday, March 30, we recognized and celebrated Jim Flynn for the nearly 22 years of dedication to keeping our church clean and well maintained! Jim retired as Custodian on March 28 and we were all so grateful for his above and beyond efforts through the years.
During the worship service, Jim was presented with a framed Proclamation honoring him and all of his efforts over the decades, and cards filled with gifts of love from the congregation. After the service, everyone celebrated Jim with cake and good wishes during the coffee hour.
Happy Retirement, Jim!
To benefit the church operating budget.
See Lisa Rood after any upcoming church service to purchase tickets.
May Birthdays
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.
We meet in the church library on the 4th Monday of the month at 10:30 am.
The following are the upcoming book selections:
May: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
June: The Color of Water by James McBride
July: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
We will break for summer in August and resume in September.
Book Club is Zoom-friendly. Contact Karen Klimecko for more information
Adult Sunday School
On April 27th John Meader’s class will begin a six week study of the Gospel of Luke,
using a book and DVD by Rev. Adam Hamilton. All are welcome to attend
Sundays at 9am in the parlor.
Family Promise Grateful for Beds in a Bag
Seven members of our church’s United Women in Faith group visited Family Promise of WNY on Hickory Street in Buffalo on Thursday, April 10. Luanne Firestone, Family Promise executive director, greeted us and accepted with deep gratitude the 18 beds in a bag donated by our congregation. The United Women in Faith (UWF) want to express a big thank you to all of you for your generosity!
Luanne gave us an extensive and very informative tour. We were impressed by the friendly and caring atmosphere, from the murals on the walls to the friendly staff and caring director.
The facility can house six families at one time and is one of only two area emergency shelters that take families. Family Promise is a smaller format and the average family size they see is five. The parent(s) are first helped to replace any critical IDs or other documents, ensure the children are enrolled in school, to get any training and jobs, and finally focus on rehousing. It is important to help them restore their foundation before trying to secure housing.
There are rules for all families to follow to be able to take advantage of all of the services and support Family Promise has to offer. Families do their own laundry and have the opportunity to make their own meals if they wish.
The beds in a bag are used at the facility to offer a fresh start when they arrive.
In addition, UWF gave Family Promise $250 from the funds raised at our last Bazaar held in 2023.
May 7th Session 7 of 8 Ezekiel 38-43
May 14th Session 8 of 8 Ezekiel 44-48
Spring has sprung and Tai Chi is back to in-person practice in the Fellowship Hall
(Or Pavilion Weather Dependent)
Coffee Hour Schedule
May- Men's Group
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.
RETIRED MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Retired Men’s Fellowship of Hamburg UMC will gather for their monthly lunch on Tuesday, May 20 at 12 Noon at ZJ’s Restaurant in the Hamburg Village Plaza. All retired men are invited. Come and bring a friend for good food and good fellowship.
Any questions? See Dick Caldwell.
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)
