“A community of faith providing nurture, strength, & direction for living today in God’s world.”

 

 

 

 

 

              KNOWING AND BEING KNOWN

 

I am glad to be here! Thank you for your visits,

notes, and calls.  I especially appreciate your patience as I begin to absorb the scope, process

and details of ministry at UCF. Staff discussions,

committee meetings and conversations with members

have begun to put flesh on the body of Christ in this place. Although I have just begun to learn, I am deeply appreciative of all the ministry that has gone before: the pastoral leadership (Kathleen’s most recently and Phil’s before that) and the vision and service you have offered to the community and world. Such history is a firm foundation for the work we shall do together in the days and years ahead.

 

In addition to learning about UCF, I am eager to get to know you far better than being able to link faces to names. I’d welcome the opportunity to share a meal or a pop, visit you in your workplace, attend one of your games, concerts or plays, or go to your favorite local spot for walking, hiking or ice cream. Please call or e-mail me so that we can schedule a time to begin know and be known by one another.

 

In these days and always, may the Spirit be among us, knitting us together in faithfulness, love and service.

 

 

In faith,

 

 

 

Linda

 

 

 

 

GETTING IN TOUCH I haven’t yet established a “regular schedule,” so am in the office most days.  You will be able to reach me quite easily at the church number. I will check my messages remotely with frequency outside of office hours. Please call me at the Watts’ home in an emergency.  My e-mail address is ucfldeven@twcny.rr.com.  As soon as I have a permanent address and phone number, I will make it available to you. 

 

 

 

 

WORSHIP FOR SEPTEMBER 2007

September 2 & 9 at 9:25 AM, Child Care 9 -11 AM

September 16, 23 & 30 at 10:25 AM, Child Care 9 AM - Noon

Beginning Sept. 16th: Before worship coffee fellowship with Adult Ed groups 9 AM

Fellowship Time each week after worship in Fellowship Hall

 

Sept. 2           Worship for the Lord’s Day        

                        Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching                               22nd Sunday, Ordinary Time

9:25 AM         Sacrament of Communion (come forward)

 

Sept. 9           “Welcome Back” Sunday                                                                                                            23rd Sunday, Ordinary Time

9:25 AM         Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching

"Time of Welcoming with our Pastor"

Word to the Children:  “Blessing of the Backpacks”

Children: bring your school bags to church this Sunday!

Brunch following worship in Fellowship Hall

Church School and Choirs Registration!

 

Sept. 16         Worship for the Lord’s Day        

                        Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching                                24th Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM       Choirs, Church School and Adult Education classes

                        begin at regular times before worship.

                        After Worship:  Harvest Market in Fellowship Hall

 

Sept. 23         Worship for the Lord’s Day                                             25th Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM       Rev. David H. Johnson preaching

 

Sept. 30         Worship for the Lord’s Day                                             26th Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM       Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching

                        Ministry Sunday: Dedication of Church School teachers and Choir Leaders

                        Mission Moment:  Peacemaking Offering

 

October 7      World Communion Sunday                                             27th Sunday, Ordinary Time

10:25 AM       Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching

Sacrament of Communion (come forward)

Peacemaking Offering received

 

Congregational Care:

 

Rev. Even works with our Congregational Care Committee and can be reached through the church office (637-3186), at the Watt’s home, or through the elders of the month.

Elders for the month of September are Janet Press and Cara Steiner.

 

Purpose of Elders of the Month: For those members with a crisis, emergency situation, a particular concern or need for care, the elders of the month are available to assist the pastor, when the pastor is unavailable, or when the church office is closed. 

 

Procedure for calling:  Please call the church office weekdays between 9 AM – 3 PM; otherwise call either the pastor or elders of the month.

 

 

 

Worship, Music & Spiritual Life

Listening in – views of the worship meeting…

 

Worship has many facets.

In our meeting.....

We thought also about the purpose behind all the facets we attend to---

          creating space that invites God's Presence. 
It is our intention, it is our hope, that in our services,

whether through the scripture reading, altar presentation, 

greeting at the front door, music,

curving embrace of the cross' shadow,

            each one might, in some way,
                        encounter the Living Christ.

                                                            (Betsy Nash, August,’07)

 

Join us at Worship & Spiritual Life Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 11th, 7 PM – Jackie Meyer, chairperson. We look for your ideas and responses to worship – visual arts, drama, music, movement, Bible storytelling ideas… Invest yourself, and you will help make worship at United Church meaningful and vital for you… and the whole congregation.  In August we welcomed new committee members Dorothy Harrold and Betsy Nash!

Sept. 9th“Welcome Back” Sunday

Join us for morning worship Sept. 9th at 9:25 AM.  The service will include a Time of Welcoming with our new pastor, Rev. Dr. Linda Even.  The Senior Choir will sing an anthem. We invite children to bring their school backpacks to church for a blessing of the backpacks!

 

 

"WORD"
If you look in the Online Slang Dictionary, you will find these definitions for the word "WORD":

1)     a statement of agreement.

Example: That person is a great mentor to children.

            Response: WORD.

2)     used as a question, equivalent to "Are you serious?"

Example:     I met Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even!

            Response: WORD?

Watch for a new Workshop offering coming soon in October:

"WORD - How to Make It Happen for the Kids"

Interested?  Contact Connie Caldwell 637-2362 or cbcaldwe@syr.edu

 

Thanks to summer musicians!

To our youth and adults who provided musical offerings during July and August including: David DeHority, Andrea Doto & Seth Byrum, Linda Raymond, Cara Steiner, Norm Hatt, Jim Gutelius, Dan Hatt, Tim & Lorraine Schmidt, John Price, Lizzy Price, Men’s Ensemble, Women’s Chorus. Special thanks to Bruce Campbell, Mary Doto, Jennifer Greene and Jane Lorraine for serving as substitutes for my vacation and leave following shoulder surgery.

Alice Dickerson Hatt, Minister of Music & Worship

 

Fall Start-up dates for our choirs

We look forward to seeing you in one of the choirs!

Choir registrations ~ Sunday Sept. 9th 

   

SENIOR CHOIR Thursdays, 7:30 PM, Sept. 13th

Join us this fall - adults and youth – high school to 99!  The Choir sings for worship Sept. 9th for “Welcome Back“ Sunday (meet 9/9 at 8:55 a.m.) Choir Room (TBA), directed by Alice Hatt. 

 

YOUTH CHOIR/YOUTH HANDBELL CHOIR

Sundays, 8:50-9:30 AM Sept. 16th

Led by Alice Hatt, with Sul-young Choi, assistant.

Choir Room – Grades 7-12

 

CHERUB CHOIR - Sundays, 8:50-9:25 AM Sept. 16th The children sing hymns and songs and use rhythm instruments as they learn Bible stories and present their gifts in worship. ~ Led by Judy Spencer with Wendy Van Slyke.  Room 8 Grades preK-2

 

CHILDREN'S/CHIMES CHOIR - Sundays, 8:50-9:25 AM Sept. 16th  The Choir sings anthems in worship and often joins in musicals which provide a fun way of understanding the biblical story. They also play handchimes our 3 octave set of Suzuki Tone Chimes. ~ Led by Jim Spencer and Sarah Vonhof.  Room 10 Grades 3-7

 

CHILDREN’S GATHERING WORSHIP - 9:25 AM in Room 10 begins Sept. 16th! Children come together to praise God through song and story, collect an offering for mission, and take turns serving as readers and acolytes in worship.

JOYFUL SIGN CHOIR - Wednesdays, 7:15 p.m., Sept. 19

(occasional Mondays) Members use American Sign Language to interpret hymns and anthems for worship.  Their ministry of “making a joyful sign to the Lord” gives our worship another spiritual dimension while providing a ministry to the hearing impaired. Led by Barbara Morison, Beard Lounge.

 

ADULT HANDBELL CHOIR - Thursday, 6:45-7:30 PM Sept. 20th

Members use our three octave set of Schulmerich handbells. 

Their repertoire includes works based on hymn tunes, carols and others.  Led by Alice Hatt, Choir Room.

 

Kid’s Signing Choir start-up TBA – Sundays, after worship!

 

Alice Dickerson Hatt, Minister of Music & Worship

Adult Education – September 2007

Forums, Bible Study, and “Parents Place”

on Sunday mornings

 

“Living the Questions”

Video Discussion Series during the week

 

I.  Adult Forums [Meets in Beard Lounge]

 

Forums are presentations and discussions which focus on timely topics of Christian social concern, personal and spiritual development, Bible study, exploration of our Christian heritage, and study of world religions.  Through Forums we seek to provide a place for understanding special topics or current issues of our Christian presence in the community and world.

 

September 17: As has been our custom, we will begin this fall’s Adult Forum series with Ambassador Goodwin Cooke, Professor of Practice from the SU Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.  He will discuss a topic of current interest in American foreign policy.  Ambassador Cooke is an exceptional speaker and an insightful student of US foreign policy and international affairs.  He teaches courses on US foreign policy, ethics and international affairs, and contemporary issues in international affairs.  He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, served in the U.S. Marines, and has held appointments at embassies throughout the world, including Yugoslavia and parts of Africa.

 

September 23:  David Van Slyke will speak on “Charitable Choice and the President's Faith Based Initiative.”  David is Associate Professor of Public Administration at the Maxwell School and is a Senior Research Associate in the Campbell Institute of Public Affairs. David has agreed to head up this year’s Crop Walk Campaign for the United Church.  He and his family have been attending the United Church since 2006.

 

September 30: Immaculee Kyondwa will discuss her faith journey as a refugee from Congo, living for 20 years in Tanzania and emigrating to the United States since 2005.  Immaculee and her family (Joseph Mpinga, Furaha, Lorina, Raphael, Magdalena, Anna, and Noelle) have been living in the Jubilee House (next door to the church) since August 2006.

 

II. Bible Study in Women’s Lounge  [Meets in Women’s Lounge]

 

9:00 AM. Led by Fred Davey, this relatively small group (5 to 10 on average) engages in in-depth study and discussion of a book of the Bible or biblical theme using a study guide.  When Fred cannot be present, leadership is provided by other members of the group.  Members of the group will discuss and select their next area of study on September 17.

 

III.  A Parents’ Place  [Meets on the basement level in Room 5]

 

9:15 AM.  A Parents Place provides an opportunity for informal, unstructured conversation about the joys and challenges of raising children.  Coffee and tea are available.

 

IV. “Living the Questions,” – This 13-part video discussion series on contemporary issues of Christian faith was conducted on Sunday nights (and during Lent on Wednesday evenings) throughout 2006-07.  It was led by Gail Sandle, Connie Caldwell, Betsy Nash, and Norm Hatt. We anticipate making this series, or a new Part Two, available in October.  The video sessions last about 40 minutes, followed by discussion.  Each session includes conversations with theologians such as Marcus Borg, church leaders such as Tex Sample, sociologists and biblical scholars. Sessions also include suggestions for engagement in social justice, plus jazz interpretations of hymns by John Bell.

Youth & Seekers

 

 

SEEKERS

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

9/8, 9 AM: Stage Set Up; 9/9 Take Down

9/10, 7 PM: Youth Committee Meeting

9/15, 12-8 PM: Fayetteville First Celebration

9/16, 9:30 AM: Sunday Youth Forum Begins

9/23, 9:30 AM: Basic Bible Orientation

9/23, 5-8 PM: Fall Kick-Off Event

9/30, 9:30 AM: Basic Bible Orientation Continued

 

Stage Set Up & Take Down: I need youth volunteers on Saturday 9/8 at 9 AM to help me set up the stage for an outside group. Also, I need help taking down the stage on Sunday 9/9 at 8:30 AM. The youth budget will receive money from the fee charged for setting up and taking down the stage, which we can apply toward helping fund future youth activities. Please contact me (Tom) to let me know if you can help.

 

Youth Committee Meeting: Our next committee meeting will be held on Monday, September 10th at

7 PM at the Price/Press house. Committee members, please let Tracey Kuhns or I know if you cannot attend.

 

Fayetteville First Celebration: I need volunteers to help man the youth table at the UCF booth at the Fayetteville First Celebration on September 15th from 12-8 PM. We will be sharing information about the things we do in our youth program and selling Flower Bulbs, Enjoy the City Books, and (hopefully) T-shirts to help raise funds for our Youth Program. This is a great opportunity to solicit financial support from people other than your church family. Please contact me to let me know if you can work the booth for a 2 hour shift.

 

Fall Kick-Off Event: Our first scheduled Sunday evening meeting for all Jr. & Sr. High Youth is set for September 23rd at 5:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Parents are also invited as we will provide information about Youth events upcoming throughout the year. More information will be provided closer to the date of this event.

 

Basic Bible Orientation: On September 23rd and 30th during our usual Youth Forum times, all Senior and Junior High Students will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall to participate in a few activities designed to help promote increased familiarity with the new Bibles that were purchased for them in the Spring. Also, I know that not all youth received their new Bibles, so if you did not receive yours, please come to this event and notify me so that I can give it to you. Furthermore, this event is open to all who would like to participate to become more familiar with basic Bible information. Parents of Junior/Senior High Youth and 3rd graders (who will be receiving new Bibles shortly) are specifically invited to attend as we will discuss ways of interacting with your children about the Bible particularly in relation to making it more relevant to your everyday life.

 

PAST EVENTS

Reach Workcamp Summer Mission Trip: The following youth attended the Reach Workcamp Mission Trip in Niagara Falls, NY, from July 22nd to July 28th: Matt Craft, Drew Craft, Susie Spencer, Sarah Spencer, Emily Olmstead, Casey Kohler, Lizzie Price, Esau Price, Sam Graniero, Brad Sutliff, Loryn Royer, Lindsay Gardner, and Lorina Mpinga.  Sherry Sutliff, Janet Press, and Tom Parmenter also participated as guardians. It was quite a spiritually uplifting trip and we plan to tell you more about it in up-coming events. Thanks to all who supported this endeavor with your time, money, prayers, and written notes.  

 

I am excited to be kicking-off my second year with you all as the Director of Youth Ministries. We have a great group of youth and we have a lot of fun and enriching events planned already for the year. Part of our being able to participate in these events involves asking for financial support from all of you, the greater church family. So please look out for information about our upcoming Flower Bulbs and Enjoy The City Book fundraisers. It is a blessing to be a part of this congregation as we embark on a new chapter in the church’s history, with the addition of our new minister and the upcoming celebration of the church’s 75th anniversary.