September 2026 Newsletter
- Cristina Glover
- 4 days ago
- 11 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,
Over the next year, I am working with several colleagues to develop a sermon series on the book of Acts focused on what it means to be the Church of Jesus Christ. Starting September 13th, we will hear the stories of the early Church, and hopefully, learn about the way Christians live together in the world. This is both simple and challenging, but I’m convinced it will be a rich and powerful way to explore the way faith shapes our lives in a world that is not always attuned to the Gospel.
In seminary, I took a course in Religious Ethics and Politics (an ethics course was required, and it fit my schedule). Gerry was an Episcopal priest and military chaplain. He looked at Acts one day, as we were talking before class, and commented on Acts 2:41-47, the response to Peter’s sermon in Acts 2. Gerry said, “ I look at Acts and then I look at our churches, and I wonder what’s wrong with our churches! They don’t look much like the Church in the book of Acts!” He was right, our congregations often look very different. “So those who welcomed [Peter’s] message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added (Acts 2:41 NRSV).” I sometimes wonder where we’d put everyone if our message offered that kind of hope! The people responded because the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection transforming the world offered a real, viable, amazing alternative to everyday life under Roman rule and a place in a community that wasn’t defined by the way the world works!
In the 21st century, about 2000 years since these events, the Church has lived in several eras of support from the culture or resistance from it. Today, being Christian isn’t cultural accommodation, it is radical rethinking of the world order again. We cannot just preach in the streets and hope it will find a receptive audience awaiting a Messiah who will turn the world on its head. That worked in the 18th century for Wesley and Whitefield, it worked for Peter among the Jewish population in Jerusalem, but it’s now a foreign concept to so many of our neighbors! The message is the same, God will not leave us orphaned, our world needs transformation, but the message has to be heard in our social context.
My hope for the next year is that we will all be more equipped to live like Christians in a world unlike the one we knew when we were young. The principles remain the same, the way we tell the story might need to adapt to the people we meet who do not share the same cultural assumptions. A couple weeks ago, Jon Sentz sang “Victory in Jesus” and invited us to share the chorus–it’s a great hymn that expresses the core of Christian hope in language that made sense to many of us when we were young. “I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory…” Jesus offers us all we need to make sense of our lives in a way that empowers us to resist evil and live in a way that makes our lives meaningful.
“Then I cried, ‘Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit…’ and somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.” The answer remains the same–God has given us all we need for this life and the life to come, grace in Christ lived out in Christian community whose purpose is to manifest the Kingdom of God in a world that needs hope and transformation. I hope you’ll join me in digging deeply into the stories of God’s people in Acts–and I hope we can all hold our cultural assumptions loosely so we can find the principles of Christian life that we can live out in our current cultural context. After all, our mission is to become and make disciples of Jesus Christ who transform their lives, homes, neighborhoods, and the world.
Serving Christ, with you,
Pastor David Nicol
Important Announcements from the Church Office
The Church office will be closed on Monday September 7th in observance of Labor Day and will reopen on Wednesday September 9th in accordance with current operating schedule.
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 IS HAPPY TO CELEBRATE SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Jerry Schneggenburger 9/7
Richard Caldwell 9/22
They would love to hear from their church family.
Lift Your Voice: Choir Season Begins September 13!
There is something truly special about gathering each week to share fellowship, laughter, and the joy of making music together as a community of faith. Whether you’ve sung with us for years, are returning after time away, or are completely new, there is a place for you! You don’t need to be a professional singer—just bring a willing heart and a desire to share your voice.
First Rehearsal: Sunday, September 13 at 9:00 a.m. in the Choir Room
First Sunday: We will help lead the hymns during worship that same morning!
Come bring your voice, your smile, and your joyful spirit as we kick off another beautiful season together. All are welcome—feel free to invite a friend!
For questions or more information, contact Jeannine.
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
Knitting and Crochet Group will be restarting on Wednesday, September 16.
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"
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!
Adult Sunday School
John Meader’s Adult Sunday School class will start up on September 13th . We will be using Rev. Tom Berlin’s video Bible Study “Courage” which over six sessions examines the life of Jesus, what true courage is, and how God works through those who step out in faith. Books will be provided and all are welcome Sunday mornings at 9am in the parlor for fellowship and discussion.
Undies Sunday Collection
Help us support local families in need! We are hosting a collection for Undies Sunday to gather new, unopened packages of underwear and socks (all sizes for children, women, and men are welcome).
Please drop off your donations in the collection box located in the Gathering Space. Thank you for your generosity and support!
Granny is opening her attic and getting ready to receive your gently used treasures.
Granny’s Gang will be accepting your items between August 10 and September 15. Please bring your items to Room 19 where Granny’s Gang will sort and price everything in preparation for our annual Bazaar on November 6 & 7.
Please note any items brought to Room 19 after September 15 will not be included on her tables, no exceptions!
PLEASE NOTE: Granny’s instructions are; clear, no exceptions. She is tough but fair as she asks only for CLEAN, GENTLY USED ITEMS, NO BROKEN ITEMS OR ITEMS WITH MISSING PIECES PLEASE!
Nov. 6-7
SAVE THE DATES for our annual Homespun Holiday Bazaar
The ever-popular Homespun Holiday Bazaar, hosted by the United Women in Faith
(UWF), returns Friday, Nov. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. Proceeds benefit ministries in our church, our Hamburg community and across
Western New York, and often the church budget.
Last year $4,750 was contributed to nine organizations from the 2025 bazaar proceeds.
We hope to beat that success this year! We gave to seven local ministries, to our church
and our United Women in Faith Niagara Frontier District pledge, which supports
ministries nationally and globally.
We have secured at least 14 community vendors already 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. (There
are pecans available now. If anyone needs them, see Rose Caldwell or Sharon Tiballi.)
Clean, gently used, high quality items are being accepted in Room 19 in the basement
for Granny's Attic until Sept. 15.
Finally, stay tuned as we will be asking for help from willing churchgoers to make this
great event happen! Help with baking, any crafts you might like donate, setup, break
down and cleanup are among the needs, as well as help on the days of the bazaar like
cashier, bagging and more. Please watch for sign-up sheets on the Gathering Space
counter in the coming weeks.
We look forward to the fun and holiday spirit the bazaar brings to all!
BAKE SALE COMING - NOVEMBER 6-7
AT THE UNITED WOMEN OF FAITH’S BAZAAR
One purpose of the United Women of Faith is to support missions that help women and children. The bazaar helps us accomplish this goal. Part of the bazaar is the bake sale, and it’s not too early to start baking!!
Little pie tins will be on the counter at church for pies to be made and frozen. People ask for pies of all kinds and all sizes: apple, blueberry, peach, raspberry, pumpkin, pecan, rhubarb, mincemeat.. but please no cream pies (prohibited by health inspector). Quick breads, cookies, sweet rolls, pastries are all good sellers. (Cakes don’t sell very well).
Whatever you can contribute will be appreciated. Sign-up sheets will be on the counter in a few weeks and more details will be coming.
If you have any questions, talk with Barb Meader or Amy Rydholm
(716-548-4139 or 585-429-0038)
RETIRED MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The fall season will soon be here which means that the Retired Men’s Fellowship of Hamburg UMC will resume their monthly luncheons on the third Tuesday of each month. The September gathering will be on Tuesday, September 15 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
Church Council
July 27, 2026
Present: Pastor David, Rollin Shoemaker Caroline Schneggenburger, Jerry Schneggenburger, Bob Cook, Rick Park, Cheryl Bell, Dan Paskie, Jason Krell
Rollin opened the meeting with a prayer.
Rollin made the motion to approve the minutes of June 22, 2026. Bob seconded. Motion approved.
Matt and Emily both reported via email that there has not been much change to our budget or pledge status since our last meeting.
Jerry and his committee continue to work on pairing expenses. When our current coffee supply runs out Rick will purchase coffee from BJs. It will be measured for each pot made.
Rick reported that a fireproof safe will be purchased for keeping important documents. A discussion followed on what documents need to be saved and for how long. Pastor David said the following records need to be kept permanently: audits, budgets, digital records, church meeting minutes, membership, 1 copy of each church service, historical records, and records of major purchases and capital improvements.
Lights left on and doors unlocked when no one is in the building continue to happen. Announcements on Sunday reminding people to be vigilant about turning off all lights and making certain all doors are locked will be made
Rollin reported that Reading Camp is going well. He reported that his estimate of how much the Flea Market netted was approximately $1,200. Sparks made $120 on their coffee and donut sale. Thank you go to Marion Smith who bought the donuts for Sparks and to Ginger and Leo Jensen who purchased the hot dogs that were sold at the food tent.
Rollin also reported on the following things.
The Men’s Group has donated $500 for the sidewalk installation, and $200 to Dee Finch.
The Men’s annual baseball party will take place at the end of August-date TBA.
Rollin will put together a summary of the Windows project and get it to the office. Trivia at Sparks continues to be successful, the Central Park United Methodist Men’s breakfast will be on the 2nd Saturday of the month, and on the Sparks sign there will be a crisis phone number which will be manned continually.
Rick reported that Greg McClure is doing an excellent job repainting our sign on Union Street.
Jason reported that Humango will take place on August 16. The committee is working on all the details.
Rick reported that the boiler will be ready for winter.
Pastor David is hopeful that a parsonage open house and dedication can be held at the end of September.
Our next meeting will be held on August 24, 2026.
Pastor David closed the meeting with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted.
Cheryl Bell
New Plant Steward
The Church Indoor Plants have a new caretaker and are on a new watering schedule.
Any questions regarding their condition can be directed to the Church Office.
Tai Chi is back to in-person practice in the Fellowship Hall
2026 Coffee Hour Schedule
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)
