Crossroads and Finger Lakes Districts

December 10, 2024

Next newsletter is December 24, 2024

Please submit items for inclusion to the district office no later

than Friday before.

A Note from Sherri:

·    Advent Reflections

Bishop Héctor and the Missional Cabinet have covenanted to use The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer as a part of our devotional practice. It’s comforting to know that we are reading the same scripture text and praying the same prayers as our United Methodist siblings around the world. I invite you to join us on this prayer journey.

Today’s scripture is from Psalm 29:11

Let the LORD give strength to his people!

Let the LORD bless his people with peace!

Strength and peace. Two attributes that our world sorely needs today. This morning, I talked with a pastor in the Philippines, who said that he serves two rural churches in the north. To get to these churches, he must ride a motorcycle over bumpy and rutted roads for two hours and cross a river that has no bridge. When he is done leading the first church in worship in the morning, he rides another two hours to the next church to worship with them on Sunday afternoon. Then it’s a four (or more) hour ride home. This pastor does this because he is called to offer Christ to people living in remote areas. Talk about strength!

The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer reminds us that peace is a gift from God, and while it is available to all countries and situations, peace is also an internal reality. God’s peace is available to us in the midst of our trials and our very wounded and wounding world. Today we pray for peace in our world, peace in war-torn countries, peace among fighting factions, peace in strife-filled families and peace in our own hearts.

Today I pray you will receive the strength and peace of God so that you may be an instrument of peace wherever you find yourself. True peace requires strength that can only come from God. May it be yours today and always.

I’m praying for you, please pray for me.

Grace and peace, (and strength)

Sherri

Season of Rest – A Gift for January 2025 from UNY's Compelling Preaching Initiative

As part of Upper New York's Compelling Preaching Initiative, we’re thrilled to present Season of Rest, a four-week sermon series designed as a gift to you— UNY preachers and churches—that can be used for January 2025. This series, co-developed with the Greater New Jersey and Eastern PA Conferences' Breakthrough, centers on the vital spiritual practice of rest, offering a time of renewal, balance, and inspiration.

Access at: https://breakthroughseries.org/series/season-of-rest

Season of Rest Sermon Series Overview:

·        Week 1: Release into Rest (1 Kings 19:1-9): Discover how God helps us release into rest rather than pushing us to do more.

·        Week 2: A Rhythm of Rest (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13): Explore ways to cultivate a healthy rhythm of rest, work, and play for spiritual growth.

·        Week 3: What Kind of Rest: The Science Behind Rest (Genesis 2:1-3): Embrace the natural rhythm of rest modeled by God for our well-being.

·        Week 4: The Gift of Rest (Leviticus 25:1-19): Celebrate rest as a gift for restoration, equity, and wholeness for all people.

The Season of Rest series comes fully equipped to support your worship planning with:

·        Weekly Sermon Guides & Worship Liturgy

·        Children’s Moments & Small Group Study Guides

·        Mission Engagement Ideas

·        Graphics & Video Resources

·        4 optional pre-recorded video sermons, available in mid-December

at https://www.unyumc.org/resources/uny-sermon-bank

This series is offered as a supportive resource, crafted to ease sermon preparation and inspire a shared journey of renewal across our congregations. Take time this January to embrace Season of Rest—a heartfelt gift from Upper New York's Compelling Preaching Initiative to enrich your ministry and encourage sacred rest. 

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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Hannibal Center/South Hannibal UMC is looking for the

CD set for the United Methodist Hymnal. 

With many churches using computers many of these sets

are probably collecting dust.

Please contact Jim Sokolowski at 315-532-2864. 

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Greetings! Wishing you a joyous holiday season.

Bellevue Heights UMC is celebrating its 9^th year of bridging the

weekend hunger-gap and nourishing children facing food insecurity at

Delaware Primary School in Syracuse. In the spirit of giving and making

a difference in the lives of children in our community, please consider a

gift to our Blessings in a Backpack Year-End Appeal.  

Your support is truly a blessing! 

For information, contact Terry Toscano Shenfeld at 315-289-8505, terryshenfeld@gmail.com 

CLICK HERE for a Flyer with more details

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December 14, 2024

Living Nativity

Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6:00pm

Immanuel United Methodist Church

303 Kasson Rd.

Camillus NY 13031

Please join us for a retelling of Jesus' birth complete with live animals, Christmas carols, hot cocoa and cookies! All are welcome!

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December 17, 2024

PENNELLVILLE FREE WILL DINNER

The Pennellville United Methodist Church will be having their next 

Free Will Dinner on Tuesday, December 17th

from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

The menu will be soup and sandwiches, chips,

assorted desserts and beverages.

This is our last dinner until spring. Come out and enjoy some

good food and fellowship. 

The church is located at 389 County Route 54 in Pennellville.

We are a self-sustaining group with our goal of bringing community together in sharing a meal and fellowship. We appreciate those who have helped us to provide the meal through your giving, Donations are not required but are gratefully accepted. Thank you.

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December 21, 2024

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

Christmas can be a particularly hard time to get through,

especially if you're dealing with loss, sickness or undue stress

and pressure. The increased darkness of the coming winter only

adds to the difficulty. 

Join us at the Pennellville United Methodist Church on that

longest night - Saturday, December 21st at 6:30 p.m. for our Longest Night Service, a quiet, reflective night of music, prayer and light.

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December 24, 2024

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Usher in Christmas at a moving celebration of word, song and

candlelight at our Christmas Eve Service on

Tuesday, December 24th at 11:00 p.m.  

The Pennellville United Methodist Church will host this event

at 389 County Route 54 in Pennellville. 

It's a beautiful way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. 

Come and join us in this celebration.

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June 3-6, 2025

Sight and Sound Theater to see NOAH

Lancaster Bus Trip

June 3-6 2025

The trip includes transportation and lodging, with three breakfasts, dinners,

shows, driver gratuity and more.

Sponsored by Cicero United Methodist Church Caring Group

For more information, contact Mary Alice Scheel at 315-699-7181

Cost is $875.00 per person double, $950.00 Single

A $250.00 deposit is needed As Soon As Possible

Finger Lakes District News

Church Announcements



December 14, 2024

"21st Annual Christmas Cookie Sale,

Saturday, December 14, 2024. 

Doors open at 10:00am until sold out (11:30am at latest). 

Newark First United Methodist Church dining hall,

301 S. Main St., Newark, NY. 

The sale will feature decorated cutouts,

fruits and nut filled, gingerbread, fudge and

many holiday specialties. 

Price is $10 per pound.

Info: 315-331-3895."

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Geneva First UMC is looking for a Music Director / Organist

Part time: 10 hours/week

Salary: approx $14,000 - $15,000

(negotiable, commensurate with experience)

Job Benefits include:

Vacation: may be gone up to 4 Sundays per year.

For a full job description or to apply contact:

 Tricia Maurer Leadership Team Chairperson

Phone: 315-789-6550 (church office) or

by email: genevanyfumc@gmail.com & tmaurer374@gmail.com

CLICK HERE for the Job Description

CLICK HERE for the Flyer to Post

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