When I was a child we used to practice memorized prayers,     specifically before meals and   bedtime. Before meals it was “Come Lord Jesus be our guest, and let this food to us be blessed”. Later it expanded to “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food.” I never did understand how “good” and “food” were supposed to rhyme, but we still said it, and I said it with my own children too. Before bed we would pray,  “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die  before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” As an adult looking back on it, praying about death seems pretty heavy for a child, but honestly, as a kid, I never     really thought about it. I’m sure for some children it might have been scary. Society has since   updated that prayer, and it now says, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; God’s love to guard me through the night, and wake me in  the morning’s light.” I like the change.

As a congregation, we have been working through another memorized prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. Each week, we have been focusing on a different word or phrase with hopes of bringing greater understanding and meaning to the prayer that we say so often. In the process, I called our church to prayer. I believe this will be a continual call, as it is one of the primary things we do as Christians.  

  Prayer is how we connect to God and how we discern God’s will. We praise God, and petition for what we need. We pray for forgiveness, and we pray thanksgiving. We pray unceasingly, with constant communication with God—in the shower, in the car, in line at the store, while cooking dinner, etc. We also pray intentionally, with time set apart to focus and listen, often accompanied by reading Scripture. We pray for breakthrough when we need God to move mountains and do signs and wonders in our lives, doing what only God can do.

I am asking everyone to pray, but I also invite you to pray about joining me in Prayer Ministry. God has placed many dreams on my heart about this—prayer vigils, prayer walks soaking the city in prayer, prayer chains, prayer boards, prayer meetings, a breakthrough prayer initiative, and more. Can you imagine what wonders God will do?! I’m excited about it and anticipating the miraculous!!

I offer a “breakthrough prayer” for us to begin praying, and I ask that you pray this, along with many other prayers, often:

Lord, break through and open doors to new hopes and possibilities for our church and in our lives. We surrender our wills to You, and faithfully follow You into the new and unknown future. May Your will be done.  Amen!
 
In Christ’s Service
Pastor Sherry
 
 

Our Priority projects list for this year is being finalized, they fall  into Two categories: Liability avoidance  and Maintenance / Beautification

Liability avoidance:

Dead wood and overgrown trees; 

• Four mature trees in the rear of the parsonage have dead wood and some are shedding bark. They represent a liability. If they were to fall, they are large enough to hit either the parsonage or neighboring homes or garages, not to mention taking out utilities for the entire block. Maple Springs Tree Service will be taking those trees down.
• Several trees on the church property either have dead wood or are overgrown to the point that they are damaging the building, those trees will be trimmed by the church handyman using rented equipment.

Maintenance / Beautification:

• Stone cleaning and sealing: Two years ago a crew steam cleaned much of the building that was accessible with two sections of scaffold. That process made a tremendous difference in the appearance of the building. That left areas of the church that are only accessible via boom lift to be done. We will be renting a boom lift and the same crew will be continuing that work.
• The wheelchair ramp and handrail are in rough shape. The caulking needs to be completed and made presentable, and the handrail needs to be mechanically stripped of rust, and remaining rust neutralized. Then it needs to be painted with a paint designed to last more than a couple of years. The same stone cleaning crew will be   completing that work. 
• The parsonage driveway is in rough shape. It needs to be pressure washed and hot melt crack filled. Perhaps it can be made to pass another decade, similar to the efforts that have been ongoing at the church. If we were to do nothing it would have to be repaved in a year or two. More of the same work needs to be done at the church but much less than in the last two years.
• Lastly, we have zones in the church that are receiving heat beyond the thermostat set point. We have other zones that are not able to be adequately heated. We will be conducting a study of zone valves, and likely replacing or rebuilding some to accomplish better, more efficient, heat distribution.

 
 

 The Staff Pastor/Parish Relations Committee (SPPRC) is happy to share with you that Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez has appointed Rev. Sherry Mahar as the new pastor of our congregation.     

Pastor Sherry will begin her new responsibilities on July 1st of this year. As a United Methodist congregation we are a part of an itinerant appointment system. The SPPRC committee has met with the District Superintendent to identify our congregation’s needs and the skills needed in a pastor for our context. We have also met with Pastor Sherry to get to know her and to ask questions. 

Sherry Mahar holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Binghamton University and a Master of Divinity Degree from United theological Seminary. She began to live out her call to pastoral ministry as Associate Pastor at the Pendleton Center UMC, one of the largest congregations in our Conference. She currently serves as Pastor at both the   Delta and Rome UMC Churches in the    Mohawk  District.

Sherry and her husband Don have two adult children, one of whom resides in nearby Stockton. Just last weekend, Sherry was informed by the Board of  Ordained Ministry that she is to be ordained as an Elder in Full Connection at this year’s session of Annual Conference, to be held May 22nd—24th at the OnCenter in Syracuse, NY.

Our new pastor will work with us and the conference so that we continue to nurture disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Bishop Burgos-Núñez, our District Superintendent Mary Kelly, and the Upper New York Conference leaders will work with us to continue growing as a congregation. I know you will join our Bishop, our new Pastor, and me in helping to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Blessings,
Connie Pilato, SPPRC Chair
 
 

United Methodist Church bishops issue call for prayer and support for Ukraine

Editor’s Note:  The Council of  Bishops released  the following statement on Friday, 21 February 2025, marking three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  The statement expresses solidarity,    support, and prayers for the people of Ukraine and The United      Methodist Church of Ukraine and the   ongoing conflict.

 On this solemn  anniversary marking three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church extend our support and hope in the midst of the ongoing conflict and war.

We acknowledge the enduring pain, fear and uncertainty you face, yet we also witness the remarkable strength and hope you continue to demonstrate. Scripture reminds us, “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). We trust that God is ever near, upholding you in your grief and surrounding you with grace.

We urge all United Methodists around the world to continue to pray for and support The United Methodist Church of Ukraine and the people of Ukraine.

We pray for God’s intervention to end the violence and lead the nations’ leaders toward justice, so that peace may prevail, communities be restored and families   reunited.

We pray for peace, a deep lasting peace that comes from God’s justice and mercy. Jesus said, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

May you draw strength from God our  creator, who walks with you in suffering and remains ever faithful. May the    prayers and support of United Methodists around the world bring you comfort and hope.

Grace and Peace,
Bishop Tracy S. Malone
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
 

Special Message—The ongoing California wildfires.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
- Romans 12:15 (ESV)

Dear Siblings in Christ,

As United Methodists, we are called to love and serve our neighbors in times of joy and   sorrow.  Today, I write with a heavy heart as we witness the devastating wildfires in Southern California. Entire communities have been displaced, homes destroyed, and lives upended, including many United Meth-odists who live in the impacted  areas.

In this tragedy, countless acts of courage and compassion shine. Brave firefighters risk their lives to battle the flames, neighbors open their doors to those in need, and churches become sanctuaries of hope and healing.

Please join me in praying for all those affected—the families mourning losses, individuals  facing uncertainty, and dedicated first responders. Also, please pray for Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank and the United Methodists in the California-Pacific    Conference as they   tirelessly work to be the hands and feet of Christ  in their  communities.  May God’s grace provide  comfort and strength.

As a church of faith in action, The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is providing essential aid. If you feel called to help, please contribute to UMCOR’s disaster response efforts. Your generosity brings hope and relief to those in need. Also, I encourage SUS/UNY (Susquehanna/Upper New York)  congregations to collect a special offering to support the relief efforts in Lost Angeles.

You can give through the UMCOR website or by designating a gift to Advance #901670, U.S. Disaster Response and    Recovery, and send it to the Conference Treasurer office.  Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.
Thank you for living the gospel and       embodying the love of Christ as we       extend compassion and care to our       siblings in California.

 Together in mission,

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
The United Methodist Church   
Serving the Susquehanna and Upper New York Episcopal Area 
 
 

Pray for New Orleans

“If one member suffers, a suffer together with it.” I Corinthians 12:26

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Grace and peace from Jesus Christ be with you.

As we begin the new year, our hearts ache over the tragic terrorist attack in New Orleans. I pray for the victims, their families, and the entire community, asking God to bring them healing and peace. 

I am grateful for the first responders and community leaders dedicated to providing aid. May God guide their efforts.

As United Methodists, we believe in a God who redeems and restores, calling us to be  instruments of peace. Our       tradition urges us to “do all the good we can” in every way possible. In this spirit, let us   respond with:

• · Prayer—Pray, individually and collectively, for the victims, their families, and the city of New Orleans. Pray for       comfort, justice, peace, and healing.
• · Compassion—Refrain from harsh judgments and sterile debates and instead seek to be a healing presence for those grieving and weary   during this time.
• · Justice and Peace—Continue addressing the root causes of violence in our society and work tirelessly to build communities where all can live safely and with dignity.

 Evil does not have the final word.     Scripture reassures us that Christ’s light overcomes darkness,  and nothing can separate us from God’s love. Let us draw strength from the Holy Spirit to embody God’s love and boldly share Christ’s hope and peace.
​
As we start this new year, let us recommit to loving God and our neighbors as Christ loves us.
May the Lord bless and keep you,        empowering us to be agents of Christ’s peace in these troubled times. 
 
Paz,
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez
The United Methodist Church   
Serving the Susquehanna and Upper New York Episcopal Area 
 
 

Lessons from the Grinch

Its no secret that Christmas is one of my favorite holidays.  Perhaps that’s  because of     family traditions.  It may be due to the music that’s  familiar yet stirs my heart. But most importantly I think it’s because I love the joy of the season, the joy of experiencing the inbreaking of the holy into the mundane.   I love a good story with a happy ending and Christmas embodies just that. 

One of our family traditions is watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas on the night of Thanksgiving as the kick-off for the holiday season.  There’s a lot of theology in that  children’s story!  The Grinch, along with his trusty dog Max, rides his sleigh from Mt. Crumpet to steal all the Who’s Christmas trappings and with them all their joy.   As I’ve thought about this story, I can’t help but wonder… if the Grinch were to look down on my household during Christmas, what might he plot to steal?  What would he consider most important to each of us and take it,  in the process  stealing joy?  Would it be the cookies and nut bread rolls, the Christmas tree, the gifts under that tree, our  selection of Christmas music?  Maybe he would take our outdoor lights and decorations welcoming family and friends.  It’s an interesting question isn’t it.  

The Grinch’s transformation is central to this story.  After all, we are told his heart grew three sizes that day after his rampage.  However, we would do well to pay attention to other themes with lessons to be learned at  Christmas time. 

To be fair, the Who’s have  a lot to say in how this story will end,   because forgiveness is one of the hallmarks of the tale.  It’s also a    hallmark of the season.  At the end of the story, we see that the Grinch, the one who represents the outsider, the other, the one who is different and excluded was the one at the head of the table, carving the roast beast as they all sit together in fellowship.  It sounds very similar to Holy Communion doesn’t it?  A shared meal together? All equal and loved?  Reconciliation and forgiveness? What a beautiful visual. 

We often mistakenly think that the point of Suess’ story is the condemnation of the commercialism that surrounds the holiday, and in part that’s true.  But the true gift of this children’s tale is the joy of reconciliation.  It’s what Christmas is truly all about, humanities reconciliation to a holy and loving God.  Our Lord is about reconciliation, a return to relationship which came through Christ’s birth, life and death.  Our Christmas trappings all have the potential to point us to the story of Christ’s birth; but these “things” aren’t the  miracle itself.  This is where the Grinch gets it all wrong… and Dr. Suess gets it right. 

  The Savior’s birth is God’s in-breaking into   creation to “bring good news to the poor…    release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, (and) to let the oppressed go free”- Luke 4:18b (NRSV) This is great news for all people… Jews and Gentiles, Men and Women, Rich and Poor,  – all people.  Transformation,                reconciliation, acceptance, forgiveness.   Friends, ask God that the Holy One is present and at work in your lives in all these areas    during this season of love.  Merry Christmas my dear friends.

In Gentleness and Joy, Pastor Sue Hadley
 
 

Finding beauty in all things

In our family its well known that I love the Autumn season. In my opinion, the cooler temperatures, Indian corn, pumpkins, mums, and painted leaves all make for a season that is a feast for the senses. Our creative God has a way of making things of beauty everywhere we look, although sometimes its hidden or rolled together with things that may not be our favorites. Spiders, for example, are not my favorite critters, mainly because I’m allergic to their bites, and yet this past week when I went into the garden, I saw a web with dewdrops glistening like small jewels along each strand with a delicate glory that would have befitted a queen’s necklace. Beauty rolled together with something that many of us would not consider as “beautiful”, a spiders home.

As we traveled this past week, I couldn't help but notice those large stands of Goldenrod we see  alongside the road. The plant may make many of us sneeze and cause sinuses to be stuffed up, and yet when you look at the flowers      themselves, they are quite lovely with their golden earth tone color and small individual blooms. The beauty is there, we just sometimes have a hard time seeing beyond the negative.

Hidden beauty is something we know about, but seldom take the time to    explore. The biologist in me has      always been amazed by the fact that those beautiful fall leaves only show their true colors when the            chlorophyll that causes the green appearance fades. When the leaves produce less chlorophyll at the end of summer, the green color is replaced leaving the bright orange, red, yellow and soft browns that appear. They were there all the time just waiting to be seen… simply hidden.

Sometimes we look at others and do not see the beauty within even though we are all made in God’s image. As a result, we miss their hidden beauty. An anonymous writer once said, “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out. But in the darkness, beauty is seen only if there is a light within.” Each of us have light within, a beauty within, sometimes it’s simply harder to see than at other times. We need to look for the light within that gives sparkle and shine.

Romans 8:19, “All creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.”
Happy Fall Everyone!
 
In Gentleness and Peace, Pastor Sue Hadley