Crossroads and Finger Lakes Districts

January 7, 2025

Next newsletter is January 21, 2025

Please submit items for inclusion to the district office no later

than Friday before.

A Note from Sherri:

      January 6, 2025

“When they had heard from the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

                                                                                                                                                                       Matthew 2: 9-11

Dear Friends,

Happy Epiphany!

Today we celebrate the journey of the wisemen from the east, who followed a star to find and worship a new king. No doubt this was a long and perilous journey, and by the time they found Jesus, he was probably not a tiny baby.

Before finding Jesus, the wisemen paid a visit to King Herod, asking if he knew where the new king could be found. Herod didn’t know but asked the wisemen to report back when they found him, under the pretext that he wanted to “worship him too.” We know that Herod didn’t want to worship Jesus: he wanted to take his life so that Jesus couldn’t challenge Herod’s position. The text says Herod was frightened. Somehow he knew that this new king would change everything. Fortunately, the wisemen paid attention to a dream in which they were warned not to return to Herod. 

On Facebook, retired pastor Jim Bailey notes that while both Herod and the wisemen wanted to worship Jesus, they did so in diametrically opposed ways. Herod wants something from Jesus: his life.  The wisemen want to give their treasure to Jesus. Herod wanted to take. The wisemen wanted to give. Jim notes that sometimes people will say, “I didn’t get much out of worship.” Jim says, “These people are missing the point. Worship is about giving, not taking.”

While we are blessed by seeking and finding Jesus, the relationship we have with Jesus is not transactional. It’s relational. God loved us so much, God was willing to become one of us, that we might know something of God and be in relationship with God in a way that we as humans can understand.

What lessons can we take from the wisemen? How earnestly do we seek Jesus? What gifts do we offer him? How do we prepare for worship? What are some of the signs that bring us joy on the journey of faith?

I continue to pray for you. Please pray for me.

Grace and peace,

Sherri·    

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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January 11, 2025

Jordan UMC is hosting a Pulled Pork dinner.

Saturday, January 11th

4:30pm until gone

DRIVE THRU ONLY

The church is located at 63 Elbridge Street, Jordan MY

Menu: Pulled pork with roll, coleslaw, pasta salad, Applesauce, dessert

CASH donations gladly accepted but none required

CLICK HERE for a flyer

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January 16, 2025

Faith Journey UMC is hosting a Chili Challenge Fellowship

Thursday, January 16, 2025

5:00pm

The church is located at 8396 Morgan Rd, Clay NY 13041

All proceeds benefit Rev. Sai Shwe and the Family of Blessing Farm, LLC in Canastota NY.

Please RSVP by January 12th so we can get a Chili headcount. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Beth at 315-657-5701

CLICK HERE for a Flyer

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January 18, 2025

Join us on the second Saturday of every month for a Pancake Breakfast hosted by Faith Journey UMC.

ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US!

Bring family and friends with you!

The next Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025

at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

(There is no cost to attend, but donations are welcome to

keep this ministry going)

Also, mark your calendars for upcoming dates:

February 15th & March 15th

Faith Journey United Methodist Church

8396 Morgan Rd. Clay, NY 13041

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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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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