Crossroads and Finger Lakes Districts

June 25, 2024

Next newsletter is July 9, 2024

Please submit items for inclusion to the district office no later

than Friday before.

A Note from Sherri:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

His mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness. 

                                               Lamentations 3:22-23

These last few days in June can challenging days for United Methodists. Some congregations are saying goodbye to their pastor and are preparing to say hello to a stranger who will serve among them as their new pastor. It’s a bittersweet time, punctuated by sorrow and anxiety but also excitement and new possibilities. 

Some congregations are still waiting to hear who will serve their church. As your superintendent, I want you to know I’m as distressed by this as you are. As I shared at charge conferences last year, we do not have enough people to serve all our churches. Bishop Héctor and the Cabinet have been encouraging churches to be flexible and adaptive as we find creative ways to provide pastors for all congregations. If your church is still waiting to hear, please know I am working to address the situation as soon as possible. I ask for your patience and prayers as we work together to find solutions to this problem.

One solution is to lift up persons with gifts for ministry. I’ve talked before about the inward call and the outward call. Many times, people feel the stir of a call to ministry, (that’s the inward call) but they aren’t sure God is calling them. It sometimes takes the outward call – a person or persons who say, “I see gifts for ministry in you? Could God be calling you?” That call might be to certified lay ministry or pastoral ministry as a licensed local pastor or an ordained person. The only way to find out if God is calling is by testing out your call, and you can begin to do that by having a conversation with your pastor.

In this season, some pastors will be reappointed to the congregation they are currently serving. For most, this is good news! Longer appointments are good for congregations, for pastors and for pastor’s families (if they have a family). If your pastor is remaining, I hope you will celebrate that your pastor has been appointed for another year. I also hope your Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee and Church Leadership will work with your pastor to set some goals for the coming year. After all, how will we know where we’re going if we don’t have a destination in mind?

Wherever you find your church in this season, please remember God is faithful, God’s love and mercy never end. I am praying for you as you welcome or welcome again your pastor.

Please let me know if you have questions. I’m here for you. We’re here for one another.

Grace and peace,

Sherri

Where did Methodism start? Who is John Wesley? What is the Aldersgate experience? When did Methodism come to America? How does this all relate to me as a Methodist?

Living Our United Methodists beliefs will answer all these questions through an overview of the life and continuing ministry of John Wesley. Participants will learn the history of Methodism and gain an awareness of the place of doctrine in the Methodist movement.

The Heritage Advanced Course will be offered on Wednesday evening from6:00pm to 8:30pm starting July 24th and going through to August 21st. All classes will be held on ZOOM.

Students will need to purchase the text Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way by Kenneth L. Carder and is available on Amazon, Cokesbury and other booksellers.

To register for the course, or if you have any questions, please contact Jim Sokolowski, CLM, at jimsoxx716@gmail.com or call 315-532-2864

Send payment of $15.00 and application to Bob Mueller, Director of Crossroads LSM, 4432 Lathrop Drive, Marcellus NY 13108.

CLICK HERE for the Application

UNY United Women in Faith

Mission u

July 25-27, 2024

Asbury Camp & Retreat Center

Silver Lake NY

Come learn together for the transformation of the world!

Welcome Home

The Kin-dom is Among You:

Drawing closer to God and One Another (A Bible-based Curricula)

Interested in deepening your faith in community? Gaining experience interpreting Scripture? Working toward healing for ourself, your community, and all of creation?

Mission u is for you!

CLICK HERE for the Brochure and Registration Information

2024 Red Bird Shoe Box Mission

Please read the information below to assist with this years

Red Bird Shoe Box Mission.

Please share this information to assist us in getting the word out.

CLICK HERE for the District Letter

CLICK HERE for the Red Bird Labels

Good morning. Faith Journey UMC has some brand new bibles (85),

three brand new silver communion cup holders,

many stoles,

two communion tables / alters

and a pulpit that we’d love to gift to a

church in need of start up or remodel 

Please contact Beth Jordan at 315-657-5701 for more details

Aldersgate Family Life Weekend

Each year Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center, Greig, NY

hosts Family Life Weekend. Moms, Dads, kids, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends are all welcome!

Together we enjoy swimming, boating, relaxing, square dancing, singing, fellowship, campfires and more.

“Growing Up in Christ: God’s Gracious Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Maturity” is the topic Rev. Dr. Doug Cullum will help participants explore this summer, July 12 – 14, 2024.

Visit https://aldersgateny.org/upcoming-events/ for more information

or email office@aldersgateny.org. The weekend is a wonderful way to introduce your family to a Christian camping experience; Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.

Just a reminder to update your contact information

for the district. All mail should be sent to:

District Office

PO Box 23206

Rochester, NY 14692

Please also update our email address to:

betsyoflynn@unyumc.org

Thanks

Crossroads District News

Church Announcements

Stewardship with Susan Ranous

Please check out the blog below

CLICK HERE for the Blog: Stewardship with Susan Ranous

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The Camillus First United Methodist Church is searching

for candidates to fill their Pianist and/or Organist position. 

This candidate will be responsible for choosing and preparing a Prelude, Offertory, and Postlude for Sunday worship services

each Sunday at 10:00 am. In addition, this candidate will be responsible

for choosing music and playing on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve. 

If you are interested in this position,

please call 315-672-3051 to schedule an interview.

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June 29, 2024

Sparrow in Concert

Saturday June 29th at 2:00pm

at the Cazenovia UMC located at 21 Lincklaen St, Cazenovia

Free Will Offering for Campership Scholarships

CLICK HERE for a Flyer to share

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August 22, 2024

SAVE THE DATE!

United Methodist Night at the Ballpark

NBT Stadium located at 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse NY 13208

Syracuse Mets vs Durham Bulls

A Family & Friends Fun Night

Sponsored by: Syracuse United Methodist Ministries

Game starts at 6:35pm

Tickets: $18.00

More info to follow soon

Contacts: andmcand@hotmail.com or 917-723-0901; rdennis31@verizon.net or 315-345-6338

CLICK HERE for a Flyer

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August 23-24, 2024

SAVE THE DATE

Cicero UMC's Rummage Sale is returning August 23-24, 2024.

Please stay tuned for more information.

CLICK HERE for a Save the Date Flyer

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Finger Lakes District News

Church Announcements

Organist needed for the Lyons United Methodist Church,

93 William Street, Lyons, New York.

The job includes one practice a week with the praise band and choir

plus playing on Sunday morning. Salary negotiable with experience.

If interested, please call 315-946-9628 and leave a message.

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June 29, 2024

Branchport UMC hosts a FREE Community Dinner on the last Saturday of each month at 6 pm. All are welcome!

Families who are overwhelmed, those who may be lonely,

those who don't like to cook or clean up – we have it covered.

We especially encourage caretakers of those experiencing Memory Loss or those with sensory challenges. We have a quiet space set to allow fellowship that suits everyone.

Come, visit, and be fed! 

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June 30,2024

Port Gibson United Methodist Church welcomes back

Jeff Hunt for a concert on Sunday June 30th at 3:00pm.

Jeff has been serving the Lord with his music

for 50 years. The concert will feature music, stories, humor

and Biblical principles with a focus on the joy of knowing the

truth about God.  

Concert will be held at the Port Gibson Firefighter's Field,

Canandaigua St., Port Gibson. 

BRING A LAWN CHAIR. 

In case of rain, the concert will be at the Port Gibson UMC.

Please contact Pam @ 315-946-9085 [land line] or Lay Minister, Dawn 317-277-0700 with any questions.

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July 4, 2024 

Branchport UMC 10th July 4th Red, White, and Blue 5k registration is open and we are ready to welcome and

cheer on all who want to run, walk, or watch!

The race begins at 8 am. Registration information and

directions can be found at our website: 

branchport umc.org or on facebook: branchportumc

CLICK HERE for a Flyer

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July 20, 2024

The Port Gibson United Methodist Church will be having

their second annual yard and bake sale on

Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Proceeds from the yard and bake sale will go toward our

restoration project. As the yard sale is community wide; our church will have a map available of the residences which will be participating in their personal yard sales.

Any questions, please reach out to

Tarah at purplesporty883@yahoo.com or Mary at 315-573-8364. 

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July 20, 2024

Gorham United Methodist Church is going to be taking part

in the Gorham Community yard sale on July 20^th. 

Come and find great deals on gently used items as well as new

handicrafts in one of the picturesque villages of the Finger Lakes.

 If you are local and would like to participate, we are asking that you price all your items before bringing them to the church. 

All items that do not sell will either be taken home on the same day

or will be donated.

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Reminder: Update your Church Information on the UNY Website:

Thank you to all the churches that have sent updates and/or corrections to their church information listed on the conference website.

If you have not sent in an update or OK as is - please send a reply

email to the district office.

CLICK HERE for the Crossroads District listings

CLICK HERE for Finger Lakes District listings

CLICK HERE to reach the district office

Crossroads and Finger Lakes District Superintendent

Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood - Sherrirood@unyumc.org

Crossroads District Lay Leader

Darlene Dennis

Robert Mueller

Finger Lakes District Lay Leader

TBD

Superintendency Administrative Assistant

Betsy O'Flynn - betsyoflynn@unyumc.org

Office # - (585) 340-9525

PO Box 23206

Rochester, NY 14692