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T H E C H I M E S June 22, 2016 Next Chimes Summer’s Here! deadline: Be ready to greet visitors, Small groups to start soon July 13 and wear your nametag on affirmations and Jonah Church growth experts say that Three new small groups are Inside this issue: summer is one of the most popular starting at UUMC. John Wesley, the times for newcomers and seekers founder of From our pastor: 2 to check out a religious institution, Methodism, UUMC was a site for so all the more reason that thought small healing UUMCers should be ready to show groups were Outreach: No labels 3 friendliness and hospitality. integral to the on Prom Night Beth Drew has agreed to be a faith. transition liaison for those mem- Two are Additional hours for 3 Food Pantry bers of James Street UMC who are complementary to a sermon series interested in learning more about Pastor Alicia begins this Sunday, 7 to attend Camp 3 UUMC after the congregation dis- June 26, on the Phoenix Affirma- Casowasco bands. Their final service is this tions. Sunday, June 26, at 2 p.m. These are 12 principles of Pro- Altar Flowers 4 UUMC will welcome new mem- gressive Christianity written by lay- People/prayers 5 bers in worship June 26 and at a people and clergy from Phoenix, Ari- special reception afterward. zona. Vacation Bible 6 The Care Team is organizing The principles are divided into School nametags on a rotating carousel in three groups of four principles un- the Peale entrance. Finance Corner 6 der the headings of: Love of God, If you come in a door nearer Love of Neighbor and Love of Self. July birthdays 6 East Genesee you’ll see nametags The first principle is: “Walking See VOLUNTEERS, Page 4 See ALL ARE, Page 2 4-week schedule 6 Far fewer resolutions voted on at Annual Conference this year A picnic to welcome the city pastors is Aug. 10 at By Gwen Tillapaugh-Fay prised of 915 churches in 12 dis- Ormond Spencer Park. Co-Lay Leader tricts, covering 48,000 square miles June 2-4 I had the opportunity to in 49 of the 62 counties in New York Articles for The Chimes attend our seventh session of the Up- state! must be submitted by per NY Annual Conference. I think it is very important for noon on the deadline day The theme was “Planting God’s UUMC to have lay representation at and can be sent to: future in hearts and neighbors called Annual Conference because John [email protected] to give thanks.” Wesley said, “Holy conferencing is or put in Box No. 12 in the church office. And… just so you know, I was one of the means of Grace.” privileged to be one of more than And, in our UM Book of Disci- Alicia Wood, Pastor 168,000 members the Upper New pline, Para 602.6, it says laity mem- Tom Boll, Editor York Annual (Regional) Conference of bers “shall participate in all delibera- The United Methodist Church com- See ALL, Page 4 From our pastor... UUMC served as a sacred site of healing, a safe and loving place Greetings! Long ago in American history, churches were one of the first buildings erected Alicia Wood in a town. They were built as the center of town. The center of the geographic area and a center point for people to gather. Today, churches are no long- er the same kind of center point. University UMC is working on once again becoming the center point for our city. A total of 234 people attended the CNY Pride Interfaith service at UUMC. Sometimes, this can be a planned event like our Food Pan- since the mass shooting in Orlan- love. try that has served this communi- do against the LGBTQ community I am so proud to say that Uni- ty for many, many years on Fri- happened just days earlier. versity UMC was able to be an days yet sees the need to open Many people came to the unplanned sacred site of healing one evening a month or the cloth- service sad, frustrated and uncer- for our city, becoming a safe and ing closet for everyday clothes tain where they belonged in loving place for the LGBTQ com- and professional clothing or our God’s eyes. munity. upcoming VBS or Sunday morn- What they found was a huge I am proud to say that our ing worship to connect as com- community filled with Love, in- congregation is continuing to cre- munity with the Divine. cluding people from many faiths. ate a church that is the center of Sometimes a tragedy occurs The service and theme was pre- our neighborhood. A place in and our church is able to be the planned as “Solidarity through which God’s love shines through center of the city to help in the Pride.” in worship and outreach. healing. This happened last week Guests and participants It may no longer be a norm with the Interfaith Pride Service. found this in our church. Solidari- for a church to be the center of This was the Seventh Annual In- ty in God’s love and loving one the city, but thanks to God some- terfaith Pride Service held in Sy- another through the sadness, times we are. racuse. frustration and uncertainty no — Pastor Alicia This one was very meaningful matter who they are or who they All are welcome in small groups; Alcoholics Anonymous launches new session CONTINUED from Page 1 beginning June 29. fully in the path of Jesus without denying the legiti- She also will lead a Bible Study on the book of macy of other paths that God may provide for hu- Jonah at 12:30 p.m. on six Fridays beginning July 8 manity.” at the church. Dean Moyer has agreed to host and lead 3 Everyone is welcome in these groups. p.m. Sunday afternoon discussions about the affir- Also a new Alcoholics Anonymous group has mations at his home, starting this Sunday. Contact begun meeting from 10 to 11 a.m. after the sec- the church office for information. ond- and fourth-Sunday Community Breakfast. Pastor Alicia will lead a second group on the —Barbara Fought affirmations Wednesdays at 1 p.m. at the church Chimes newsletter Volume 16 No. 8 June 22, 2016 Feed My People: Body, Mind and Spirit 2 Outreach Ministry Labels from other parts of life disappear on Senior Prom night On Friday night, This important milestone is June 10, my two not about how different each of oldest children these kids are, but how they all attended Notting- are celebrating together in the ham’s Senior best way they are able. Gay, Les- Prom. bian, Transgender, Straight, Bi- Aydan, my old- Sexual, Differently-abled, Refu- est, who will be a gee, Immigrant, Athlete, Academ- Galyn Murphy- graduating senior, ic, Poor, Wealthy are labels that Stanley asked her younger Nottingham’s prom-goers might sister, Brynn, who carry in other parts of their life will be a graduating freshman, to but not on that night. This night attend this monumental event as was special. her partner. Brynn, Aydan and Devin Kids rejoiced, celebrated, Murphy-Stanley, at Thornden Devin, my son and youngest Park before Nottingham High laughed and carried on, equally child, provided each of his sisters School’s Senior Prom. accepted by their peers without with a corsage and was happy to exception. stay home and eat takeout with One also recognizes the evo- As we morn the 49 individu- Mom and Dad. lution of the costumes worn, the als killed in Orlando, Florida, due Prior the kids heading off to support systems kids have at to their sexual orientation. As we the prom, Nottingham’s tradition home and the partnerships the manage our patience in the re- is for all children and their par- kids choose to take. defining of United Methodist poli- ents to meet at Thornden Park’s Many children attended their cy toward the LGBQT community. rose garden for photos. prom as a large group, some As UUMC prepared to proudly This is especially exciting as went as a traditional pair, some host the CNY Pride Interfaith Wor- the kids finally get to see each went as a same-sex couple and a ship and march in Syracuse’s Gay other in all of their finery, to see few went as transgender. Pride Parade, let’s learn from our who is going with whom and to As I took a minute to quietly children. solidify the plan of partying all note this moment in my mind, I Together we are stronger night. included this: These young men without exception. There is a As parents we witness the and women, as goofy, as in tran- place for all of us at life’s party. children, many of whom we’ve sition, as excited, and as young — Galyn Murphy-Stanley known since preschool, present as they are, might have figured Outreach Coordinator as adult men and women. something out. New evening hours for Food Pantry Seven youth to attend Camp Casowasco; Beginning next month, our Food Pantry will Campership Fund needs replenishment add evening hours to serve eligible neighbors. The new time is 6 to 8 p.m. the third Tuesday of each Seven UUMC youth will be attending Camp month, starting July 19. Casowasco this summer in July and August. The neighborhood need has been obvious to They are Esther, Princess, Lisa, Emelia and many of us working in the Outreach ministry.