October 2025 Newsletter
- Cristina Glover
- 2 days ago
- 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
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Fall, I am planning a sermon series in conjunction with our annual Stewardship and Pledge campaign based on John Wesley’s sermon “The Use of Money.” Number 50 in Wesley’s Standard Sermons, it is often summarized “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” However, the original was not “earn,” but “gain.” As pithy as this summary of the sermon is, it can tend to misuse because his social context is not ours.
Wesley lived in a proto-capitalist world, where many of the systems that now prevail were developing from early-modern mercantilism, but had yet to establish themselves in the form we experience today. His advocacy, drawn on Luke 16:9, “"I say unto you, Make unto yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into the everlasting habitations (KJV),” attempts to establish an alternative to the kind of worldly money-talk present in his world. Christians, Wesley argued, should live differently from their neighbors, not by being less diligent, less frugal, or more selfish, but by being careful and diligent in their work, frugal to a fault, and generous beyond all else.
Beginning with September 28, I will be preaching on Wesley’s Christian Principles of Money with a sermon entitled “The Love of Money: Earn all you can?” I will be in Gowanda with the Circuit and away for Canadian Thanksgiving, so sermon two, “Save all you can,” will be October 19, and October 26 will be “Give all you can.” Each week, I will encourage us to consider the words of Scripture and our Methodist heritage on the Use of Money. Pledge Sunday in Hamburg will be November 2, which will also be our celebration of All Saints, “A Glorious Inheritance: Our Heritage and Future.” What we give today, how we live today, is not just for today but also for tomorrow, for our descendants in faith and family, and carries eternal significance because God promises a New Creation that incorporates the good we do in Christ in this life.
I encourage you to be present, especially on November 2, for Pledge Sunday, but also for the earlier parts of the series or to listen to them on our YouTube channel if you cannot be in the Sanctuary.
Also, for all of us, Charge Conference will be October 18, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall at Hamburg UMC. I look forward to seeing you there and in sharing in our annual business at that time.
In Christ, With you,
Pastor David Nicol
We welcomed Mary Doyle into Membership on Sunday August 24th.
She comes to us as a transfer from Baker Memorial UMC.
Please give her a warm welcome!
Pastor David said, "I am delighted to have Mary as a part of our community! I have been blessed to pray with her and hear about her spiritual journey. I hope many of you will ask her about her commitment to Jesus, her love of others, and the gifts she shares with those around her. She hasn't always had an easy life, but has found blessings in friends, family, church and neighbors. I have been inspired by our newest saint in the midst of this community and I'm sure you will be too!"
Adult Sunday School
John Meader’s class is continuing its study on Paul using Adam Hamilton’s
book and DVD “The Call” . All are invited to join the discussion each
Sunday at 9am in the parlor. Books are provided.
__________
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
Can you help us out?
Homespun Holiday Bazaar returns
Nov. 7-8 after one-year break
We are so excited to reaffirm that, yes, the Homespun Holiday Bazaar, hosted by the United Women in Faith (UWF), is back! It will be held Friday, Nov. 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As always, proceeds benefit ministries in our church, our Hamburg community and across Western New York. Some years we have contributed to the church’s budget as well. Last year $7,000 was contributed to 16 organizations following the 2023 bazaar. Can we match that success this year?
We are hosting 15 community vendors for your holiday shopping pleasure! There also will be handcrafted items from our UWF and church members. We will have a large Granny's Attic area; lots of delectable baked goods including pies, cookies, coffee cakes and more, and our famous pecans and fruitcake for sale.
Also returning is the soup sale – chicken noodle, vegetable beef and chili will be for sale in 16 oz. takeout containers. It will be for sale (cold) on the days of the bazaar (no pre-sale).
Before we get ready to shop though, we need to prepare for the big event:
- We appreciate the many donations already appearing in the Room 19 in the basement of high quality, clean garage sale items for Granny's Attic. We can handle a few more, but we encourage you to get them in ASAP. Thank you.
- We would love the help of youngish, able-bodied folks who would have an hour or so spare here and there. This involves moving items in preparation for bazaar setup, likely on a Sunday after service. Then there will be a time to set up tables and then to “break down” the bazaar. Please watch for sign-up sheets on the counter in the Gathering Space in the coming weeks.
- Of course, if you love to bake, anyone is welcome to donate home baked goods. You don’t need to be a UWF member!
Thank you for your help with the Homespun Holiday Bazaar in years past – you are loving your neighbor by doing so! We look forward to the return of the bazaar and the fun and holiday spirit it provides!
We still have limited openings in the Two Year old and Multi-Age classrooms.
For more information and to register, please email Lisa Link at: llps@hamburgumc.org.
Multi-Age Class (3,4 & 5)
M-Th. 9 am-11:30 am
2Y Class
2 days per week, 9:15 am-11:15 am
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 October 21 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, facilitator
Granny finished cleaning her attic
how are you doing with your treasures?
Granny’s finished collecting treasures from her attic—and you should be collecting too! It’s time to start gathering those clean, gently used household items that she’ll proudly display and sell at this year’s Bazaar.
Important Reminder from Granny:
She’s tough but fair—only clean, usable household goods will be accepted.
No appliances, please!
Room 19 is now open for donations.
This year’s Annual Bazaar, hosted by the United Women in Faith and supported by the whole church, will be held November 7 & 8. In addition to all your favorite traditions—like the bake sale, pecans and fruitcakes, and the soup and chili sale—this year’s event will also feature an expanded vendor fair in place of the usual HUWF crafts.
Questions? Contact Bazaar Co-Chairs: Rose Caldwell or Sue Gagne.
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 October 27th 2025 at 10:30am in the Library
We will be discussing The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.
Upcoming Book Selections are:
November 24th - The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
December 22nd - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Club is Zoom-friendly. Contact Karen Klimecko for more information
BAKERS NEEDED FOR BAZAAR BAKE SALE NOV 7-8
Our Homespun Holiday Bazaar always has a huge bake sale. It’s not too early to make and freeze some goods to sell. What to make?
Pies are our biggest seller – large and small, and any kind (but not cream pies says the health dept.) Mini pie tins are available on the counter at church and people who live alone are eager to buy those smaller pies.
Quick breads – small loaves sell better than large- banana, zucchini,pumpkin cranberry etc. - yum!
Cookies – all kinds!! – we sell by the dozen usually but depends on the size – you can let us do the packaging.
Sweet rolls, coffee cakes, and pastries
Peanut Brittle – not a baked good, but we sell it and it sells very well.
We’ll appreciate anything you might like to make. There will be a sign-up sheet on the counter in the Gathering Space. Please sign up to give us an idea of what will be coming in.
Please bring your items to the church kitchen any time on Friday(Nov.7) but no later than 5PM or on Saturday morning by 9:30. Please use transparent wrapping so the goods are visible – label if the kind of bread for instance isn’t obvious – and label if the item contains nuts (for people with allergies)
Thank you so much! If you have any questions, please call Barb Meader (716-548-4129) or Amy Rydholm( 585-429-0038)
Spring has sprung and Tai Chi is back to in-person practice in the Fellowship Hall
(Or Pavilion Weather Dependent)
Coffee Hour Schedule
October- Finance
November- SPRC
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)