Crossroads and Finger Lakes Districts

January 21, 2025

Next newsletter is February 4, 2025

Please submit items for inclusion to the district office no later

than Friday before.

Leadership Foundation Video Series

Dear UNY Pastors, CLMs, and others leading congregations, 

Greetings in the name and love of our Lord and Savior in the New Year! 

As we enter a season when new leaders are beginning to serve in congregations in various roles, and when committees and officers are beginning their ministry for the coming year, we are excited to provide a new video resource Local Church Leadership Foundations to equip and encourage local church leaders.  

The Thrive – Local Church Leadership Foundations video series includes video training sessions for:  

• Local Church Council Chairs
• SPRCs
• Trustees
• Lay Leaders
• Finance Teams
• Stewardship Committees

Many of the video lessons include printable handouts and suggested timelines for ministry throughout the year, and some point to other resources. New video trainings will continue to be developed in the months and years to come to engage leaders in various ministry topics.  

We encourage the pastor and the committee chairs to engage the videos, and that chairs then engage them with the ministry teams. 

Questions that arise as you engage the video lessons may be sent to info@unyumc.org.

We will also be sending the links to the ministry team leader or chair, and we hope that you will encourage their use. If they do not receive that link in the next couple of weeks, please make sure that your district office has their email address and the office they hold.

Click here to access the Local Church Council Chairs video.

Click here to access the SPRCs video.

Click here to access the Trustees video.

Click here to access the Lay Leaders video.

Click here to access the Finance Teams video.

Click here to access the Stewardship Committees video.

Blessings to you as we renew our shared commitment to transform lives and communities through the healing love of Jesus Christ! 

Together in mission,  

Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood

Rev. Suzanne Block

Rev. Debbie Earthrowl

Rev. Mary Kelly

Rev. Bob Kolvik-Campbell

Rev. Mike Weeden

The District Superintendents

3rd Annual COSROW Catch Your Breath with Bishop Johnson

This year our theme is "In From the Wilderness" wherein we will recognize the wilderness moments and places in our lives and how we might move beyond them together. Keynote ret. Bishop Peggy Johnson will lead us in discussion, prayer and togetherness sharing about her personal journey and helping us explore our own!

The event will be held over the course of 2 evenings Jan 24 and 25 at 6:30-8:30pm and will be conducted over Zoom. Included are breakout rooms for discussion and personal sharing, devotions and Q&A time with the Bishop are all included.

Click the registration link here:

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/uny/event/cosrow/

A Free Gift for Lent 2025: Rest and Renewal Small Group Study

This Lent, UNY is excited to offer you Rest for the Lenten Soul: A Journey of Trust and Renewal, a completely free 6-week study designed to help individuals and small groups discover the sacred rhythm of rest.

Created through our Compelling Preaching Initiative, this study invites churches to pause, reflect, and embrace the renewal only God can provide this Lent. This free resource offers everything you need for a meaningful Lenten study.

What you’ll receive:

• Weekly Themes: Dive into scriptures and devotions focused on preparation, wilderness, renewal, abiding, trust, and resting at the cross.
• Practical Guidance: Engage in reflection, group discussion, and journaling prompts designed to deepen your connection to God.
• A Companion Journal: While the study is free, we encourage participants to explore the God’s People: Rest. Work. Play. Journal, available on Amazon.com, to enhance their experience.

Join us in embracing rest and trust as we walk with Christ this Lent.

Details at a Glance:

Completely Free: Download your study now!

• Suggested Dates: March 9 – April 19, 2025
• Audience: Ideal for individuals, small groups, or entire congregations.

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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Lenten Devotional Article

Back by popular demand! The Syracuse United Methodist Ministries (SUMM) has created a Lenten Daily Devotional Booklet entitled, “Many Parts, One Body.” The booklet will feature a devotional by Bishop Héctor Burgos, Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, the SUMM clergy and SUMM congregational members.

As we slow down and take time to reflect this Lenten Season 2025, let’s consider how in our world-wide church we have so many gifts, diversity and parts of the body that fit together beautifully as one body of Christ. Let us imagine how people’s lives could be transformed when we let the Holy Spirit bring us together in one effort of sharing God’s love with our neighbors in all places.

You may order an 8X10 Large Print Booklet or 5 1/2X8 Booklet for six dollars ($6) each or a pdf version for four dollars ($4). If shipping is required, a two dollar ($2) shipping and handling fee per booklet will be added. The pre-order deadline is February 5, 2025

Please email SUMM at SUMMinfo@syracuseumministries.org or call University UMC at 315-475-7277 to place your order as an individual or as a congregation. You may pay online at SyracuseUMMinistries.org or mail a check to SUMM 1085 East Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13210.

All proceeds go to the ministries of SUMM in the city of Syracuse, NY.

CLICK HERE for the Order Form

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February 2, 2025

The Oswego Trinity United Methodist Church (UMC) welcomes everyone

to its free will dinner will be Sunday, February 2 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. or until gone. The menu includes beef stew, rolls, cookies, and beverage

The church is located at 45 East Utica Street, corner of East 4^th and Utica, Oswego. Everyone is welcome to attend in person worship on Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m. For further information, please call and leave a message at (315) 343-1715 or visit https://www.facebook.com/OswegoNYTrinityUMC. 

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February 8, 2025

Jordan UMC to host a Scalloped Potatoes & Ham Drive Up

Saturday, February 8th, 4:30pm til gone

The church is located at 63 Elbridge St

Jordan, NY

any questions: 315-689-3499

DRIVE THRU ONLY

Cash Donations gratefully accepted, none required

Menu: scalloped Potatoes and Ham, Peas, carrots, dinner roll, Homemade desserts

CLICK HERE for a Flyer

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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



Pew Cushions Looking for a New Home

Varna United Methodist Church, 965 Dryden Road, Ithaca NY 14850

has 29 light blue fabric, used pew cushions looking for a new home.

6'4" (76") x13.5"

Please contact Susan Simmons sasrvcs@yahoo.com

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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

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February 8, 2025

Port Gibson United Methodist is hosting a

Turkey & Biscuit Dinner

February 8, 2025

Serving starts @ 4:00 pm

at the Port Gibson Church

2951 Greig St, Port Gibson

Contact: Dawn 315-527-0700 or

Nancy 315-597-2269

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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