ChurchChat November 2009

e-Pastor - November, 2009

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     One of my favorite verses to a hymn is the last verse of George Croly's "Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart." (Number 500 in the United Methodist hymnal).  It says this:

"Teach me to love thee as thine angels love,

One holy passion filling all my frame;

The kindling of the heav'n-descended Dove,

My heart an altar, and thy love the flame."

     When I sing those words, I find myself touched by many hopeful questions:

     -What if this world were filled by ‘angel-like' love?  Would there still be children in refugee camps, or joining street gangs to survive?

     -What if every day of my life was lived with a ‘holy passion' for the Kingdom of God?  Would I be able to be a more effective example for somebody about a life filled with purpose and joy?  Would I be better at sharing what Christ means in a lonely and hungry world?

     -What if our church's passion was ‘kindled' by the Holy Spirit in some new way?  Would more lives be transformed by hope?  Would our community reflect a new spirit of peace and cooperation?  Would the pledges we make of presence, gifts, service, prayers, and witness bring a revival of faith and love?

     -And what if our hearts were truly altars dedicated to God?  Places where love is like a burning flame that can never be put out?  Wouldn't it be amazing?

     Sometimes we imagine that Christian passion is a thing of the past.  It had to do with centuries ago, when martyrs declared their faith against frightening persecution.  Or it had to do with the Protestant Reformation of the 16^th century, or the great revivals of the 18^th century, or the missionaries giving their lives to spreading the Gospel in faraway lands.

     But I believe the Holy Spirit is still in the kindling business.  I believe there is still plenty of call for holy passion in Cicero, New York in 2009.  I believe that a hurting world still cries out for a Christian witness of grace that is burning with love for God and God's people.  And I believe there are plenty of signs that our church is ready for that flame to arise in new and exciting ways.

     May God teach us how to love so deeply, how to be so ready and so responsive to the Dove's next great project, how to be so passionate for faith and goodness in this world - that our lives are renewed, our community rejoices, and this world is transformed into a place of new peace and life for all God's children.  God promises nothing less.

     Let us be poised and eager to take part - with holy passion, and angel-inspired love!

In Christ, Everett  

   Women's News     November   2009

            Please check our Bulletin Board regularly for Notices of meetings and other information.  Mission stories are posted by Dottie. (Take them with you to read and return to the BB)  Social Action suggestions are posted by Elaine.

            CIRCLE  MEEETINGS  will be held on Thursday, November 12^th
SARAH CIRCLE will meet at noon at the home of Deb Chrissley, 4813 Reval Court, Liverpool.   SUSANNA CIRCLE will meet at church at 7PM.  Barbara Carns is hostess.  Please bring your THANKS BAGS if you have not already turned them in.

            Executive meeting will be arranged due to conflict with Thanksgiving services.  Yearly reports must be completed.

Thanksgiving Basket Food Drive

            Sunday School classes will be collecting food items the four Sundays before Thanksgiving.  Boxes will be dispersed throughout the church for your donations.

            If you know of someone who is in need of a basket, please contact Sue Bonspille at 699-8485 or the church office at 699-2731.

COLLECTION SCHEDULE:

October 25:  Canned fruits or canned vegetables

November 1:  Pie crust and canned pie filling

November 8:  Dry goods:  pasta, noodles, stuffing, instant potatoes, etc.

November 13:  Peanut butter, tuna, spaghetti sauce

            Also November 8 has been designated as "White Gift Sunday" - a monetary collection taken will help purchase perishables and turkeys to complete the baskets.

Westside Ministry Christmas Tree

            It's that time of year again when we think about those less fortunate than us.  The Christmas tree for Westside Ministries will be in the Sanctuary Nov 7 until Sun. December 13.  Take a star off the tree, buy the gift written on the star, bring the UNWRAPPED gift to church and put it under the tree, no later than the DEADLINE December 13.  Those that complete the "Life Skills Classes" at Brown Memorial UMC receive points which they use at the Christmas Shop to buy their gifts.  They depend on Cicero UMC because some other churches have dropped out of this program.  No cosmetics or toiletries PLEASE.  May God bless you during this special time of year.

            -Nancy Morgan

A Men's Study in November

   A four week men's study will be held Sunday evenings beginning November 1 at 7:00 p.m. using Bishop Reuben Job's little book, "Three Simple Rules" ($5) of Christian living suggested by John Wesley. 

   Pick up your book at the Welcome Center desk or just come to the first session November 1.  The first session is introductory; the next three Sundays, obviously, center on the three rules. 

Alternative Giving

   As we approach the season when we celebrate the gift of God's Son to us and our world, we prepare gifts of love for family and friends.  What can you give to the person who has everything (or who doesn't need anything more)?

    You might give a gift in their honor to a person in the world who faces critical needs.  It becomes two gifts in one-a gift to the one it helps and a gift to the one you honor.

    There are many agencies through which you can work, some providing cards you may send to the person honored indicating what has been done in their name.

    Here are two United Methodist sources; the "Advance" for Christ and His Church (new.gbgm-umc.org/advance/give/alternatives) and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (umcor.org; search for "Christmas Wish List"). 

    Another agency is Heifer Project International (heifer.org).

    These sites may become more specific as we get closer to the shopping season.  Check the Mission bulletin board later this month.

   A family activity:  A family might put together a kit that cares for vulnerably people during times of crisis.  There are kits for bedding, birthing, health, layette, school and sewing.  The United Methodist source is (new.gbgm-umc.org: under 'Get Connected,' click on to 'Send Relief Supplies').  Get the kit to church and we'll see that it is delivered.

   There will be other opportunities for giving suggested in these pages and in the bulletin announcements Sunday mornings.

Choir

   A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

            Have you wondered what it would be like to sing with the Praise and Worship team or the Senior Choir?  The Music Ministry is offering you the chance this Christmas season.  On Sunday, December 20th, our combined choirs will be presenting "All Bow Down" a musical celebration for Christmas.  We are inviting you to join us!

            To sing with us, you will need to attend at least six rehearsals AND the dress rehearsal on Saturday the 19th (beginning at 4:00 p.m.)  You can rehearse with the Praise and Worship team every Tuesday from 7:00 - 7:45.  Or, you can come to the Senior

Choir practice on Wednesdays from 8:00 - 8:45. You could even attend both rehearsals if you wish.

            Our rehearsals have already started but it's not too late to join us.  If you have questions, please see Colin Keating or Nancy Congdon.  

Coming up...

            Here are a few Holiday dates from the Worship team to put on your calendar -
November 29th & December 6th we will be taking orders for flowers - watch for details in the bulletin.
December 5th (Saturday) at 9am we will be Hanging the Greens.  If you can spare a couple of hours to help decorate the Sanctuary it would be greatly appreciated.  It takes time to get all those holiday greens in place - last year we did it in record time because so many people came to lend a hand!  Please join us!

Turkey Dinner

Cicero United Methodist Church

Annual Turkey Dinner

Saturday, November 7, 2009

4:00 until all sold

Menu

turkey, mashed potatoes,

dressing, gravy, vegetables, rolls, homemade pie or cake and beverage

Adults $9.00          Seniors $8.00

Children 6- 12  $4.00       

under 5 Free

take-outs available

November:   National Donor Month

            Plan now to restore someone's life, perhaps even save a life: be an organ and tissue donor. Over 100,000 people are now on the national waiting list for an organ transplant.   Since the wait time now averages five years, at least 20% of these people will die before and organ becomes available.  In addition, hundreds of thousands of people need tissue transplants such as bone, skin, heart valves, corneas, to save or to enhance their lives.  Throughout our years, we have many opportunities to share ourselves with others.  In death,  we have one last chance to give--the most precious gift of all:  life. 

            Donor cards will be at the desk in the Welcome Center throughout the month.  (If you signed up before July '08, you will need to do it again as the NY State registry has changed from a statement of INTENT to one of CONSENT.  Family members can no longer negate your wishes.)  Phyllis Covell (452-0523) will gladly answer questions.  She lives, free of dialysis, because of an unknown donor 20 years ago...what a magnificent gift--that you too can give!

A Candle Light Creche
Youth Christmas Pageant

Parents:  You've been asking about what's in store during the month of December for our youth.  A very familiar, beloved story with a different twist--a retelling of the night Jesus was born through narration, costumes, and heart-warming music, all bathed in candle light!
Does this sound like something your child may be interested in partiipating in?  During the next several weeks, someone from the Christmas Pageant Direction Team (Colin Keating, Jared Shepard, and Janet Carrington) will be visiting your child's classroom to inform your child what this pageant is about and to learn which children might be interested in participating.
Mark your calendars NOW!  There will be ONE (yes, you read it correctly!) MANDATORY REHEARSAL on Saturday, December 12 from 9:00 - 1:00 p.m. right in the sanctuary.  Children in grades Pre-K through grade 2 will be asked to arrive by 9:30, rehearse for a short time, and be excused.  The performance will be on Sunday, December 13.  All youth participating will need to be at church by 4:00 p.m. on that Sunday; the pageant will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will be done within the hour.
LOOK for a flyer coming home with your child in the next several weeks outlining the requirements and responsibilities of the participants.  If you feel as a family that your child (children) can meet those expectations, there will be a sign-up portion of the flyer that should be returned to your child's Sunday School teacher.
Your child may be interested in participating as a costumed character (non-speaking; acting-only roles) OR could be involved in the musical portions of the pageant.  The musical portions of the pageant will be rehearsed either with your child's class or with another musical/performing group they may already be a part of.  Parents MAY be asked to provide some SIMPLE pieces of costuming; but for the most part, the fitting of costumes will be done during small portions of your child's Sunday morning class time.
This is a unique way your child can become involved in the celebration of Christmas in our church. When children are able to perform for adults, the Holy Spirit moves in mighty ways!  As the weeks progress and you have any questions, feel free to call Janet Carrington at 569-4761.

Long Players Travel Program
   The Long Players (LPs)  group will have a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 12:30.   We will have dessert and hear about the vacation in Italy that Maurice and Kathy Black  had this past summer.  They have some wonderful pictures, which Kathy has been preparing for us to see.   Everyone who can come is invited to meet in the Welcome Center. 

Nomads

Ted and Robbie Johndrow have begun their Autumn/Winter/Spring schedule of United Methodist NOMADS Mission Volunteering.   Their schedule:  November 2^nd for 6 weeks at MERCI Disaster Response & Mission Support Center, Goldsboro, NC; January 11, 2010 - February 18 at ECHO, North Fort Myers, Florida;  February 22 - March 11 at Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park, Florida;  March 15 - April 1 at Sparr UMC, Sparr, Florida; and April 5 - April 22 at Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, North Carolina.

Frankly, it is a long time to be on the road.  Call (315)458-9301 and your call will automatically be forwarded to Ted's cell phone. (Note: that is NOT the number in the CUMC directory)

We receive e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and First Class mail sent to 15 Bellewood Circle will b e forwarded to us by our house sitter.  We'll be doing many varied tasks/services during those 21 weeks.

We cherish your support.

Yours in Christ - Robbie & Ted

Fundraiser for Vision Quest

            Postcards featuring Cicero United Methodist Church's beautiful stained glass window are available for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.  They are appropriate to use for many different occasions.

            This photo was taken by Merwin Jones and is used with the permission of his widow, Ruth.

            They will be available after both services or speak with Nancy Morgan.

Our Local Food Pantries Thank You!

    Your generous donations of non-perishable food have been greatly appreciated by Anna's Pantry & Syracuse Westside Urban Missions at Brown Memorial UMC.  Those donations have helped ease the increasing strain for many families in these two communities.

    Please continue your generous donations in the coming weeks and months.  The current economic recession is difficult for everyone but can you imagine the fear and sadness felt by someone who just cannot afford to buy enough food for their family. 

    Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the Narthex.

    Again, thank you!

~Missions Team

Dinner Dialogues

            InterFaith Works and Women Transcending Boundaries are pleased to announce an exciting event coming this November.  We are presenting the Amazing Faiths Project Dinner Dialogues, an innovative avenue to celebrate the religious diversity of Syracuse and Onondaga County.

            These small gatherings of 8 to 10 people of various faiths and outlooks will enjoy a simple meal and then engage in a moderated discussion about the role of faith and spirituality in their lives.  The Dinner Dialogues will take place Thursday evening, November 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.

            Learn more and sign-up online at www.interfaithworkscny.org, or call 449-3552 x 120 to leave your information.  Join with The Amazing Faiths Project to find common ground between people of diverse faiths.

Congratulations!

Wedding of Rhonda Jerrett and Brian Rivers on September 25^th.

Wedding of Shennen Janisch and John Colburn on October 3^rd.

Laurie Witz announces the marriage of her daughter Elise Nicole Witz to Eric J. Ginkel on September 26, 2009 at Holy Cross Church in Dewitt, with a reception that followed at the Double Tree and honeymoon in Aruba.  Elise & Eric reside in Liverpool, NY.

Thank you

Peg Bachman thanks everyone for their prayers, calls, and visits while Chuck was at the Crossings, and after his death on October 10^th. 

Mary Akley thanks everyone for all the prayers for the Akley family.  It is deeply appreciated.

Laurie Witz and family would like to thank so many of you for your acts of kindness during her recent illness.  While still recovering, Laurie appreciates the love shown through cards, emails, phone calls, meals and pleasant surprises- the support from her CUMC Family is never ending!  May God continue to Bless each and everyone of you-WE LOVE YOU!

New Address for Bill and Miriam Post

2038 Cherokee Dr

Maryville, TN  37801

(865)856-0819

Craft Store

Patt Carpenter, Cindy Havener & Jan Cerimeli would like to invite you to visit their new gift shop "Gifts Worth Giving"  6195 Rt. 31  Lakeshore Heights Plaza, Cicero. Hours are Mon-Wed 9-5, Thur-Fri. 9-7, Sat. 9-4.  Please let us know you're a church member and receive a discount. Business accounts are welcome. 

Dogtober Pet Food Drive

            "The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them. That's the essence of inhumanity."
- George Bernard Shaw

            Many, many thanks for all the donations for this month's pet food drive!  It went beyond what we had hoped.  Sandy at Anna's Pantry is thrilled to receive all the dog and cat food and treats and cat litter.  What a wonderful group of pet lovers our congregation has!

            - Kim and Lori

November Birthdays

11/1     Adrienne Torrey

11/1     Christine Chamberlin

11/1     Raymond Weston

11/2     Deb Chrissley

11/2     Tim Gregory

11/2     Thomas Gurgol

11/2     Emily Janisch

11/3     Michael Donegan

11/4     Eli Bickom

11/4     Heather Deans

11/4     Nicole Morales

11/5     Dana Eels

11/5     Tracy Mills

11/5     Patricia Paulson

11/5     Charli Walma

11/6     Austin Mills

11/6     Tyler Mills

11/7     Kimberly Crouch

11/7     Carol Olander

11/7     Tim Reid

11/7     Joyce Sims

11/7     John Steinbach

11/8     Shannon Bausinger

11/8     Erin Schriever

11/8     Kelli Walker

11/10   Bill Robbins

11/11   Marilyn Herrick

11/11   Cindy Mannise

11/11   Sarah Mercier 

11/11   Lexie Rowe

11/12   Maureen Kendall

11/12   Morgan Chewning-Kulick

11/12   Kimberly Mniece

11/12   Vicky Tschudi

11/13   Eddie Deans

11/13   Allison Emory

11/13   Carly Lescenski

11/13   Jody Otabara

11/14   Linda Ancillotti

11/14   Jim Tolbert

11/14   Amy Tompkins

11/14   Debbie Winchell

11/16   Edward Jaquay

11/17   Kathy Black

11/18   Rebekah Herman

11/18   Jackie Peabody

11/19   Patrick Bixler

11/22   Margaret Hiller

11/23   Lauren Cook

11/23   Candice Ruff

11/23   Laura Tolbert

11/24   Peggy Wood

11/25   Mary Winters

11/27   Kathleen Carlson

11/27   Robin Goettel

11/29   Brandon Riese

11/29   Laura Gerardi

11/29   Karen Maughan

11/29   Rich Torrey (Sr.)

11/30   Dale King

Cicero United Methodist Church

ChurchChat         October 2009

CROP Hunger Walk

Oneida Shores Section

(Cicero - Brewerton)

Sunday, October 18^th

Gather 12:30 at Oneida Shores County Park (Bartell Rd.)

Five mile Walk begins at 1:00 pm

This fall marks the opening of the 40^th year of CROP Hunger Walks sponsored by Church World Service. 

"We walk because they walk."  The "we" are those in thousands of communities across America who walk each year in CROP Hunger Walks.

"They" are the 854 million people who go to bed hungry every night.  They are people just like you, but because of poverty they must walk to accomplish the most basic tasks.

They walk for food.

They walk for water.

They walk for firewood.

They walk to escape violence.

They walk to seek shelter.

They walk to farm their fields.

They walk to find employment.

They walk to go to school.

A CROP Hunger Walk is fun, but it is also an opportunity to learn what millions of people have to do each day just to survive-they walk.

Sign up at the Welcome Center to be a CROP Walk walker, or sponsor a walker with a gift to alleviate hunger. 

WOMEN'S NEWS     OCTOBER  2009

Please check our Bulletin Board regularly for - Notices of meetings  and other information.  Mission stories are posted by Dottie. (Take them with you to read and return to the BB)  Social Action suggestions are posted by Elaine.

UMW MEETING October 8^th at 7 PM.  (Details to follow)

BOOK SALE AND LUNCHEON  SATURDAY OCTOBER 25^th from 10 until 3 Lunch will be available from 11 until 2 PM  Call Nancy Morgan if you will be able to help with food preparation, serving and/or food donations and/or sign up on the list posted on the bulletin board.  Food preparation will begin at 9AM.

Executive meeting  October 27^th at 7PM

Bothered By Child Abuse?

Were you upset and confused by the Erin Maxwell case?  Have you wondered how this could possibly happen in 2009?  Have you thought about what YOU would do if you suspected abuse? 

The United Methodist Women (UMW) is holding their Fall meeting on Thursday, October 8^th at 7:00 p.m.  Our guest speaker for the evening will be Deb Seal, a member of our congregation and a school social worker for the North Syracuse Central School District.  During her presentation she will talk to us about:

• What kinds of cases are right here in our community
• What does the school and CPS (child protective services) provide
• How can our congregation help fight abuse
• Who do I talk to about a suspected case
• Questions from the congregation

Deb has her Masters Degree in Social Work, and has been a school social worker in the NS District for 20 years, working at the elementary level.  In her job, Deb provides 1-1 and small group counseling to children for a variety of issues, including parental divorce/death/illness, anger management, social skills, healthy coping and stress management.  Another aspect of the job includes reaching out to parents, either individually or in the form of support groups.  Deb co-facilitates SAFE (Supporting Autistic Families & Educators) with a team of educators from Cicero Elementary. This groups meets 6 times a year and provides net-working time and guest speakers to parents and staff.  Deb is also the facilitator of the ADD/ADHD Parent Support Group that was begun by a now retired teacher nearly 20 years ago.  Both support groups welcome participants from all over CNY. Deb also coordinates the Toys for Kids Program in conjunction with the generous NS Optimist Club, ensuring that needy families in the school district have gifts under their tree at Christmas time.

This meeting is open to anyone in our congregation.  Also, feel free to bring a friend.   Please join the UMW on October 8^th for this timely topic.

UMM

Save these dates for a UMM Study - November 1, 8, 15, 22, 2009 (Four Sundays) Three Simple Rules A Wesleyan Way of Living,  by Rueben P. Job Facilitator: Warren Covell, we'll have some lively discussions.

UMM BREAKFAST - Saturday; October 10th @ 7:30 AM. Please make every effort to attend and bring guests. We have some special business to accomplish.

For more information about our United Methodist Men's group, please email Larry Bishop at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Don't ask GOD for what you think is Good: Ask HIM for what HE thinks is good for YOU.

Sunday School

Welcome back to Sunday School.  We're so glad you came!!!  September 13^th was Rally Day.  Thank you to all who were on hand to get our year off to an exciting start with our Noah's carnival. We are so thankful to our returning teachers and would like to give a big welcome to our new teachers- 9:00am - 5^th  grade Patt Carpenter, thank you Tiffany Teeter, Ron ,Nicole Hill, and Rhonda Jerett hope to have you back in Sunday school with us again soon.7^TH& 8^TH Grade girls Lori Skinner, thank you Rachel Rioux. Thank you Danni Gauthier for combining Kindergarten and 1^st grade until we find someone to fill that spot. Welcome at 10:30 the Ransom family and Lindsey Dyro to Kindergarten & First grade. Thank you to all our past and present teachers for the time and love you give our children. If you notice a friend that has not come back to Sunday School please call them and tell them we miss them.

Helpers Needed

We still could use help in our Sunday School area- Kindergarten teacher, 2^nd. grade team teacher @ 9:00. Helpers and subs ARE ALWAYS NEEDED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED. We use teacher friendly, fun curriculum.  We do have a Safe Sanctuary Policy in effect so please see Sue Bonspille for more info and to fill out a volunteer application.

Confirmation News

Confirmation/Mentors

All students in 6^th grade and higher who have not made their confirmation will be invited to do so this year.  We will be looking for mentors to help us share with our youth their Christian Faith.  Please prayerfully consider this awesome experience.  Kick-off will be January 10^th,2010 3:00-4:30pm.  Parents, mentor meetings will be announced- look for more information to come.  If interested let Rev. Bassett, Rev. Keating or Sue Bonspille.   We are also looking for someone to help coordinate Confirmation events.  Please call Sue Bonspille if interested in helping in this exciting time in our youth's Christian walk.

Christmas Pageant

Our Christmas Pageant will be presented on Dec.13^th in the afternoon. Look for "help needed and wanted" info to come.

Upcoming Sunday School Events

October 11th- Education Sunday - Third Graders receive their Bibles; Sunday school teachers will be dedicated. UNICEF Sunday will be October 25th.   Please bring your loose change, bills accepted our pumpkins will be displayed in the Welcome Center. Thanksgiving Food Drive begins October 25^th with collection dates also November 1^st..8^th &15^th.

This is going to be a fun and exciting school year. Don't forget to read through the Sunday school handbook that went home with your child, post the dates of upcoming Sunday school events. Please be involved with your children as they continue on their Christian walk, learning to do the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

YSIC,

Sue Bonspille

Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University

Beginning October 11 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.  The Discipleship Team is offering this 13-week video-based small group study that teaches families how to beat debt, build wealth, and give like never before.

The purpose is to teach participants how to follow God's plan to reduce debt, life debt-free, and build wealth through biblical principles related to personal finance.

The lifetime membership fee of $100 includes:  a DVD of the 13 lessons plus two bonus CDs, a complete set of reproducible monthly budgeting forms, Two Financial Peace University financial calculators, screensavers, financial management forms, an envelope system for cash management.

Financial help may be available to help reduce the fee, please speak with a member of the Discipleship Team.

Pet Food Drive

Recently I had a conversation with Lori Janisch (another HUGE pet lover!!), and the question came up... do the local food pantries carry dog and cat food?   So I made a phone call to Sandy at Anna's Pantry at Sacred Heart church, and she said they do have some, but because of all the other requests and needs they have, she doesn't really push the need for animal food. 

So we thought, hmmmm....... If people had the resources to get pet food, they wouldn't have to worry about giving up their pet and the local shelters would not be overrun with pets that are loved but given up because a choice had to be made.

And so, we are designating the month of DOGTOBER as our First Annual Pet Food Drive.  When you are out and about food shopping for your family, toss a can or bag of dog or cat food, treats, or a box of cat litter in your cart.  You'll be helping those who otherwise have difficulty feeding their animals.  There is a drop box in the Welcome Center.

The pets thank you.  We do, too.

-Kim Marsh and Lori Janisch

PS, the last day for collection will be CATURDAY, the 31^st.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! 

On behalf of the principal, teachers, and students, I want to thank this SUPER Cicero UMC congregation for your generous school supply donations for Delaware Academy, My helper, Muriel Bickom, and I took a truck load to the school:  82 5-subject spiral notebooks, 70 3-hole binders, 75 packs of filler paper, 112 packs of #2 pencils, 191 packs of crayons, and a bag of miscellaneous items, 12 boys and 23 girls swimsuits.

Also, the following were donated to Bear Road Elementary:  1 3-subject notebook, 76 1-subject notebook, 4 packs of notebook paper, and a bag of miscellaneous items.

Thank you for being so generous and caring.

Nancy Morgan, Project Chair.

Local Food Pantries in Need

 It's that the time of year again when the nights are getting longer, soon the days will be colder, and kids are back to school.  As you grocery shop, please remember our local food pantries and the large hole they fill in our community.  Children do better in school and their parents can do a better job at work and home when they have enough nutritious food.

Sandy from Anna's Pantry suggests the following as items of particular importance:  personal care items (especially needed is shampoo, also toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes), canned pasta, canned soup, quick pocket-breakfast items (cereal bars, granola bars), school supplies (pencils, crayons, notebooks), disposable diapers.  

Please get into the swing of picking up an extra item or two when shopping.  Donations can be placed in the food cart located in the Narthex.

Hope of Africa Children's Choir

You are invited to any of the "Hope for the Africa Children's Choir" concerts.  These children travel to us from the East Africa Annual Conference.  Their purpose is to glorify God through music and to raise money for their mission efforts in Uganda. 

The North Central NY Conference welcomes the choir from October 17 - 26.  In our area the following churches welcome you to attend:

Fri. Oct. 23 @ Liverpool UMC - 7:00 pm

Sat. Oct 24 @ Christ Community UMC - 7:00 pm

Sun. Oct 25 @ Clay Trinity UMC - 11:00 am

Mon. Oct 26 @ Fayetteville UMC - 7:00 pm

Thank you

Many, many thanks from Julie Griffith and her children and families for your words of kindness, cards, calls, and prayers during Bob's illness and his passing.  We do have a wonderful caring church family.

Worship Time Survey

Our Sunday morning worship times have been set at 8:45 and 10:30 am for quite some time but our current schedule means we often have some logistical stumbling blocks to deal with....for example:

• Every time our Praise & Worship service runs a bit long (communion or any other reason) we create a log-jam of people exiting and entering - that means crowds, no parking, etc.
• The folks who need to come in early to prepare for the 10:30 service have a really hard time finding a place to park - esp. in the winter.
• A half hour between the end of the 1^st service & Sunday School and the start of the 2^nd service is not enough time to make the transition for the worship activities planned for that 10:30 service.

The Worship Committee is seriously considering a change to our service times for early 2010.  We would like to overcome some of the challenges we've noted.

We are proposing:        8:30 Praise & Worship  (with an 8:45 Sunday School Start)

10:45 Traditional Service

Have you been impacted by any of the problems noted above?

What is your reaction to this 15 minute change in start times?

October Birthdays

10/1     Bill Quackenbush

10/1     Corey Rioux

10/2     Walter Graf

10/2     Gabriella Iannotti

10/2     Martha Kenyon

10/4     Carl Burgmeier

10/4     David Gregory

10/4     Linda Gring

10/4     Wendy Indick

10/4     Margot Wibbe

10/5     Marge Annal

10/5     Sydney Muraca

10/6     Cheryl Emory

10/6     Ryan Heitmann

10?6    Erika Stoll

10/7     Joe Albert

10/7     Gloria Cassell

10/7     Kristen King

10/8     Lillian Knechtel

10/8     Dave Seal

10/8     Norm Bagley

10/10   Mike Carpenter

10/11   Lori Janisch

10/11   Mary King

10/11   Nicole Ransom

10/11   Stacy Spinos

10/12   Tom Burgmeier

10/12   David Picciotti

10/13   Carolyn Quackenbush

10/13   Caleb Buddie

10/14   Arlene Green

10/14   Kelsey LeBlond

10/14   Kim Lupia

10/14   Gina Roskopf

10/16   Hank DelFavero

10/16   Carole True

10/16   Chris Annal

10/17   Brooke DelFavero

10/17   Michael Morales

10/18   Gary Bonspille

10/19   Alyssa Elwood

10/19   Dorothy Parker

10/19   Hilda Ladd

10/19   Joshua Cook

10/19   Jim Tudman

10/20   Kari Hines

10/21   Maddie Enright

10/21   Janelle Jacobson

10/21   Mackenzie Henderson

10/21   Christian Henderson

10/22   Holly Nosiglia

10/22   Becky Keating

10/22   Nicole Torrey

10/22   Bonnie Winchell

10/23   Linda Abbey

10/23   Darryl Baird

10/23   Jacqueline Donegan

10/23   Alyssa Gauthier

10/24   Laura Mizener

10/24   Aidan Muraca

10/25   Kaitlyn Carpenter

10/25   Timothy Livesay

10/25   Steve Tryon

10/26   Louise Dean

10/26   Tina Drake

10/26   Ryan Heitmann

10/27   Brian Drake

10/27   Garrett Goettel

10/28   Daniel Barbagallo

10/28   Erik Jorgenson

10/29   Brian Emigholz

10/30   Pam Ginnelly

10/30   Betty Stark

10/30   Marion Congdon

10/30   Ryan Ingerson

10/31   Mildred Mizener

10/31   Matt Tryniski

10/31   Carol White