November 2026 Newsletter
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 Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Our Annual Charge Conference will be held at Springville First UMC (474 E Main St, Springville, NY 14141) for Hamburg, Four Corners, and Versailles UMCs on Saturday November 21st from 1:00 -2:30 PM. I look forward to seeing many of you there! This event is where we renew our connection with the Annual Conference, pass pastoral compensation packages, and report on the business of the Church to the Annual Conference (though we also do this after the New Year in written form). Please come and celebrate our ministries together at this time!
November also brings us to the time of the year we consider our stewardship of our discipleship, and yes, our financial giving to our congregations. At Hamburg UMC, I will be preaching three weeks of sermons focused on how we live out our discipleship, and the importance of prayerfully considering how we can support the Church financially. On November 8, 15, and 22, I will be inviting us to consider who we serve, and how to use our entire resources to serve God. In early November, if you are a regular giver or member of Hamburg UMC you will be receiving a letter inviting you to prayerfully consider how to support the ministries of the Church with your tithes and gifts during 2027. We recognize the cost of living over the last couple of years has been challenging to manage–I know that costs seem to be growing faster than income for many of us–and I don’t want to make false promises! There is a strain of Christian thought that promises God will provide more if you give more, and I know this isn’t always a simple truth. I know that when we prioritize giving to the work of the Kingdom, our priorities adjust and lead us to rethink the line between necessity and desires. I invite you to consider how God is leading you to live out your life, fully committed to Christ, and to discern what portion of your financial resources can help share the Good News that has changed your life with others by supporting the work of Hamburg, Four Corners, or Versailles UMC in 2027.
Advent begins on November 29th this year, and we will be spending those four weeks hearing about how God’s promise of the coming of Christ can fill us with peace and joy. Versailles UMC will host the annual Christmas program on Friday December 11 at 6:30 PM, and Four Corners UMC will celebrate Christmas on Sunday December 20th at 9:00 AM. On Monday, December 21st there will be an ecumenical Blue Christmas service at Hamburg UMC at 7:00 PM. Blue Christmas is a change of tone from the season for any of us who find the constant celebration challenging due to whatever griefs or anxieties impact us, personal or collective. I would invite you to consider being present either for yourself or in solidarity with those who find our holidays challenging at times. At 7:00 PM on December 24th, Hamburg UMC will host a candlelight Christmas service, complete with Carol Communion. You are welcome to attend any or all of these events, regardless of where you usually worship on a Sunday morning as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the incarnational presence of God with us!
I pray you are entering this season well, and that the life of Christ is living through you in a world that needs hope, light, and new life!
Serving Christ, with you,
Pastor David Nicol
Important Announcements from the Church Office
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, Wednesday, Friday 8am-3pm
Tuesday/Thursday: Closed
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
HUMC CELEBRATES NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Jim Flynn -Nov 5
Bob Hunt- Nov 5
Rev. Carol Nicol -Nov 6
Laura McDade- Nov 16
THEY WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THEIR CHURCH FAMILY
Barb and Rev. Greg Crispell would like to express their appreciation for the words love and care following Barb's surgery to replace her right hip and the passing of Greg's Father Elmer Lyle Crispell in October. "We love you all"
The plants will be returning to the Gathering Space soon after several months of nurturing care. They have been given sterilized containers, fresh dirt for needed nutrients, worm casings for fertilization and growth, and a new Sunday watering
schedule.
Their location will be determined by their light requirements around the Gathering Space which will provide healthy growth and flowering. Please do not move them from their location. Thank you for your understanding and support in their growing needs.
Sue & Jeanne
Plant Care Team
Addendum: If you can’t get ahold of us, please leave a message with Cristina, and she will pass it along.
Church Council
September 28, 2026
Present: Pastor David, Caroline Schneggenburger, Jerry Schneggenburger, Cheryl Bell, Bob Cook, Rollin Shoemaker, Ron Lesandro, Dan Paskie, Jason Krell, Pat Adema, Matt Edie, Rick Park
Pastor David opened with a prayer.
Bob made the motion to approve the August 24, 2026, minutes. Rick seconded. Motion approved.
Matt reported that the Finance Committee voted to reduce the ministry shares payment by $1,000 for the remaining months of the year. This will reduce our current deficit by $4,000. The chicken BBQ made $3,456. Our current deficit stands at $41,000. Hopefully a year end appeal will bring in $10.000. The remaining deficit will have to be made up by the rainy day fund, which is currently $32,000, and perhaps endowment interest. Ron reported that we have been paying ministry shares in full to this point. The $4,000 reduction will amount to 10%.
Discussion was held about a parsonage open house and dedication. It was decided that a tentative date will be close to Easter, 2027.
Pastor David reported that November 21, 2026, is the date for the Charge Conference.
Pastor David presented information from the Investment Readiness Program. This company helps churches find ways to use their underutilized spaces to produce revenue. Discussion was held as to how to proceed. Rick made the motion for a Zoom meeting with company representatives be scheduled so all questions can be answered. Jason seconded. Motion approved. Pastor David will contact the company to schedule this. Trustees will be included. Pastor David emailed all company information to each Council member.
Matt reported that he has been in contact with the donor of $20,000 to get clarity on how the money should be directed. It will be used for education and training. Matt will be in contact with Dave Vesneske to discuss how to invest this money so that it remains liquid but is also earning interest.
Pastor David will inform everyone when the next online Sefa Sanctuary training will be held.
Jason presented the SPRC Personnel Restructuring & Salary Proposal. Lengthy discussion followed. Pastor David made the motion to remove the pastoral compensation adjustment from the proposal to be voted on later. Jason seconded. Motion approved.
Jason made the motion to let SPRC proceed with the recommendations in the proposal with slight modifications. Caroline seconded. Motion approved.
Rick reported that a letter had been mailed to the attorney who handled the Center Street purchase requesting a refund of the $7,000 we had to pay in property taxes due to his failure to inform us of our responsibility to file an exemption. If he does not respond within the 3 weeks requested more legal action will be taken.
Pat gave a Little Lamb report. She thanked Jason for trying to get volunteers to be in the Gathering Space on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She also requested that the doors be locked between 9:15-1
1:15 a.m. Pastor David will write a welcoming letter to the parents. A search committee has been formed to find replacements for all the staff leaving at the end of the school year. They hope to hire a director before the beginning of registration for next year. Anyone interested in being on the committee is welcome. A letter will be sent to parents explaining all the changes.
Rollin gave a Men’s Group report. The baseball game outing was a success. They are planning a men only free football tailgate party with Eden and Churchill men on October 18, 2026.
Rick reported that some outside maintenance has been done on the parsonage. The inspection will be done soon.
Our next meeting will be October 26,2026.
Jason closed with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted.
Cheryl Bell
Praise the Lord!
Cozy Quilt 10,000 has been delivered!
Rose Farley, Cozy Quilts of Christ's Family Christian Church Group Leader and Kelley Carson, Founder and President of Cozy Quilt Ministries had the privilege of preparing and delivering this special quilt. We share the excitement and acknowledge the work of our Cozy Quilt Group members in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. Thank you all for your great work, encouragement and support of our ministry! We never could have reached this milestone without each and every one of you.
Truly, 10,000 is no greater than 9,999 or 10,001.
May all the glory be to God our Father, Jesus our Lord and Holy Spirit who invites us into His work!
Book Club kicked off this year’s reading season with a discussion of Jack Mayer’s Life in a Jar. The difference one person can make for many others is shown in dramatic detail. Netflix is offering Irena’s Vow. It’s a different Irena but a compelling story of courage in the face of evil and one woman’s life-saving efforts to save Jews during the Nazi occupation of Poland.
Our schedule for the next few months follows (4th Monday, 10:30 am) and subject to change with holidays! Stay tuned!
November 23: The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick (see The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan which was a bestseller in 1963)
December 28: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
January 25: Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict (anyone ever hear of Rosalind Franklin?)
We welcome men and women to our discussions about a wide range of books and we’re always looking for different subjects and genres. Please join us! For those of you not able to come in person, Cristina has the Zoom link so just give her a call (716) 649-8080.
LAST MINUTE REMINDERS
BAZAAR BAKE SALE (NOV 6-7)
All who are generously baking for the bazaar: the church will be open all day Friday. Please take your items to the church kitchen no later than 5:30PM Friday or 9:30 Saturday morning. Please label any item that contains nuts and label the kind of cookie or pie if it is not obvious.
THANKS SO MUCH FORYOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!
Didn’t sign up? No worries. All goods are welcome!
Please use transparent wrapping so that goods are visible. If you would like to decoratively wrap your baked goods (without obscuring what it is), that would be wonderful, but not necessary. Cookies are usually sold by the dozen.
Delivery problem or have a question?
Call Barb(716-548-4139) or Amy(585-429-0038)
Sandwich Ministry is an Outreach Program that represents HUMC people in action. Our church helping others in our community.
These families suffer from food insecurities, housing instability, lack of transportation and anxieties. We serve sandwiches and fruit to the people living in hotels within the Hamburg Area. Come Join Us!
We meet every Friday at 2:00 pm in the church kitchen. At 3:00pm we deliver to the families. At that time we offer hope and shine a little of God's love. This is God's grace to all.
We would like to thank our congregation for their prayers and support. We have the faith to continue. Sandwich Ministry operates on the generosity of individuals of our church who providing the supplies for the ministry.
Questions ask Ginger & Leo
NEW H.U.M.C ‘s Book Exchange
Effective immediately any member may On your honor Take one book leave/one book from our book case located on the mezzanine 2nd floor by the elevator.
(This experiment has no connection with the Church Library
located off the Gathering Space)
These will be books you personally own and trade
for one available in the bookcase. If you have other current in good condition books you wish to donate they would be appreciated to maintain this experiment.
Thanks for helping. Any question ask Pam Walters or Jerry Schneggenburger
Please join us with any project you are working on. The more the merrier.
Contact Anne Brown with any questions
Due to continued technical issues with Facebook Live, We will be streaming solely to Youtube for the foreseeable future.
Please make sure to "Like" and "Subscribe"
Aww Look how cute
Charlie attentively listening to the Children's Message during worship on October 25
Dear Hamburg UMC,
A few weeks ago I wrote a letter to the parents of the Little Lamb Preschool. I invited them to connect with us if they don’t have a Church community. The Little Lamb Preschool has been a ministry of the Hamburg UMC for over six decades, and our current moment is critical.
I told them that each Sunday during our service, we have a time for children that offers a simple message of Christian hope. Children of all ages are encouraged to participate in worship–being with the whole community as valued participants encourages the kind of intergenerational relationships that our society makes rare. I have found that children raised in the worshipping community grow comfortable interacting with adults in a safe setting that helps them understand themselves to be important to people beyond their family networks, not just as students, but as valuable people.
This year brings transitions, as the Little Lamb Board and Pat Adema their Chairperson have outlined to the parents. At the end of the school year, all four of our regular teachers are transitioning out of teaching for Little Lamb. We are actively seeking a new Director and will be seeking new teachers for the 2027-2028 school year. We are looking for someone with active Christian faith and education in Early Childhood Education as Director, with a passion for the mission of Little Lamb Preschool and Hamburg UMC.
I want to ask you to pray for the process, and if you or a friend might be a good candidate, please speak to a member of the search committee, Jason Krell (the chair of SPRC), or to me. Additionally, if you have a passion for working with children and would like to assist in being ready to launch a Sunday School program for children and youth when God provides them to us, please speak to me about that. We cannot wish a program into existence, but being ready for young people who God gives us is always a part of our calling–I would love to have the opportunity to help create a space where Hamburg UMC is part of inviting children to follow Jesus faithfully for a lifetime, through Little Lamb Preschool and through children’s ministries in the congregation.
Serving Christ, with You,
Pastor David Nicol
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 will be gathering for lunch on Tuesday, November 17 at 12 noon at ZJ’s Restaurant in the Hamburg Village Plaza. All retired men of our church are invited. Come and bring a friend for good fellowship and good food. Come and share your joys and concerns. Any questions? See Dick Caldwell.
Dick Caldwell, facilitator
Supporting Youth Mission: Phoebe’s Journey to Thailand
We are excited to announce that one of our own youth Phoebe has been selected to participate in the UMC North East Jurisdiction Mission of Peace trip to Thailand in February 2027! Building on her experience at the Global Young Persons Convocation in Ireland, this mission trip offers a wonderful opportunity to put faith into action through cultural immersion and community service.
To help cover travel, meal, and airfare expenses (totaling $5,200), a GoFundMe page has been established. Following her return, Phoebe looks forward to once again sharing her reflections and experiences with the congregation and the congregations of the Southern Tier Circuit.
To help Phoebe reach her fundraising goal of $5,200 for airfare, meals, and travel, please consider making a gift:
Donate online via her GoFundMe Page
Make out a check to Hamburg UMC (Memo Line: Mission of Peace)
Your prayers, encouragement, and support for our youth are deeply appreciated!
Tai Chi is back to in-person practice in the Fellowship Hall
2026 Coffee Hour Schedule
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)
