This Week at Sydenstricker

August 24, 2025

Connecting, Learning, Serving

The Sundays at 6:30 small group will resume meeting on Sunday evening, September 14, when they will begin a 12-week study on Revelation. All adults are welcome! If you are interested, please contact Pam Durham.

Already in the holiday spirit? The United Methodist Men have just what you need. In addition to the November sale of Fraser firs, which is the Cadillac of Christmas trees, they have an early holiday offering this year, taking pre-orders for wreaths, garlands and large trees (9 to 10 foot). The items below will be offered via special order and all orders must be sent to Ron Edwards by Monday, September 15.

20 to 22 inch wreath- $30

24 to 26 inch wreath- $35

26 to 30 inch wreath- $40

25 foot Fraser fir garland- $30

75 foot Fraser fir garland- $55

9 to 10 foot Fraser fir tree- $125

The items below can be used throughout the school year and are always appreciated. Donations can be placed in the marked baskets in the entryway outside the Sanctuary through Friday, September 12. They can also be dropped off at or mailed to the Preschool any time during the school year.

Disinfectant wipes
Select-a-size paper towels
Boxes of tissue
Baby wipes
Single color packages of 9x12 construction (especially white, green, red, yellow, blue and pink)
Black Sharpie markers (all sizes and tips)
Expo low-odor dry erase markers (multi-color, regular tip and single-color black or blue fine tip)

You can also donate through the TOT Preschool Amazon Wishlist and/or can purchase Lakeshore Dough (single tub of any color or multi-color sets) from Lakeshore Learning by clicking below.

Amazon Wish List

Lakeshore Dough

Each year, the Leadership Board sponsors a mission project that requires hands-on help from the congregation. This year's project will be a Stuff the Bus campaign to benefit The Food Corner. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, September 6, to use their Sydenstricker Spirit to greet customers at the Huntsman Giant and give them a list of non-perishable canned goods to purchase and donate as they leave the store. Please consider signing up for a shift from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and/or 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. There is a sign up poster in the entryway outside the Sanctuary or you may contact Amy Dannemiller.

We will gather for our Fall Picnic on Sunday, September 7, at 12:00 p.m. The United Methodist Men will grill meat and plant-based meat. If possible, please bring a side dish or salad to share. Ice cream and toppings will be provided for dessert. The Difficult Run String Band will be back, by popular demand, with their unique brand of live music. We will hold the picnic rain or shine, with tables available in Hottle Hall and in the Grove, weather permitting. Hope to see you there!

Have you recently experienced a loss? Healing from the death of a spouse, a close family member or a special friend takes time. Gather with us to explore ways to move through your journey of mourning to a new future without forgetting the one you have lost. SUMC will be conducting a 13-week GriefShare Support Group Workshop on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. beginning September 8 and ending on December 1. We will meet via Zoom and will focus on Christ-centered healing through videos and small group discussion. The cost is $20 for the workbook, and scholarships are available. For more information, please contact Jackie Fong.

Beyond the Book is a discussion group sponsored by the United Women in Faith that meets in the SUMC Library on the fourth Saturday of the month. The next meeting will be on Saturday, August 23, at 10:00 a.m., and they will discuss “All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me,” by Patrick Bringley. We follow him as he guards delicate treasures from Egypt to Rome, strolls the labyrinths beneath the galleries, wears out nine pairs of company shoes and marvels at the beautiful works in his care. We will begin selecting books for the upcoming year at the August meeting, and would love input from women in the congregation. For more information, please contact Nancy Miller.