Design Team .......2Worship Schedule 3Daniel Williams .. .3Mission Sunday....4“Cycle of Health”. 4Southern Sunday. 5UM Women..........5Sunday School.....6The Bridge....InsertMay CalendarInsertSummer Camps....7One Hope............8Blood Drive........10Food Pantry.......10Young at Heart...10“Cycle of Health”10Cradle & Beyond 11

Andrews MemorialUnited Methodist Church 106 Church StreetNorth Syracuse, NY 13212#315.458.0890office@andewsmemorial-umc.orgFind us on Facebook!

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

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Circuit Andrews Memorial United Methodist Church106 Church Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212p: 315.458.0890 • e: office@andewsmemorial-

May 2015

Going on a walk with my granddaughter is a distracting thing to do. I have thoughts and plans in my mind all the time. The walks I take are to help the thinking process. But when we went on a walk recently, we stopped to watch a shiny green bug. She got as close as she could just to watch. And I watched, too.

When you are almost two years old, what you experienced a half a lifetime ago is only the basis for discovering what is in the present.

Being a grandfather means that I have lived many years, and have a framework for living life. My granddaughter disrupts that framework.

As that image of that shiny green bug captured the attention of an almost two year old discovering a small part of a big new world, it captured my attention as well. That little metallic green bug interrupted my thoughts and thinking.

That’s what God always does with us. Interrupts our lives and our way of thinking and looking at the world. Our way of not just looking at green bugs, but the way we look at poverty, and prejudice, and folks from other cultures.

My hope is that the way we worship disrupts your thinking about God. My hope is the mission that we are about disrupts your thinking about God. My hope is the way we are approaching a new way of being through the merger disrupts your thinking about God.

For just maybe, like a grandfather and a two year old’s life being interrupted by a shiny green

In this Issue:

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Please give it to Krista in the office

no later than

From the Pastor’s Desk

SAVE THE DATE: MISSION WEEKEND

SATURDAY, MAY 16TH & SUNDAY, MAY

The Next Step Towards The MergerThere was a good turnout at both sessions on April 20th and 21st

for the revealing our mission statement, surrounding the “Seek, Serve, Share” concept.

Our mission statement will be the central focus as we move forward. Mission statements are always good, but they are most significant when an institution shifts and changes on the basis of the mission statement. This mission statement will be the basis for locations, use of property, and for staffing.

The proposed mission statement is:

On May 18 and 19, the Design Team will offer how the Mission Statement will be the basis for the present church owned properties. A design for the organization and staffing will also be part of this presentation. The gatherings will be

Monday, May 18th at 6:30pm at Trinity Tuesday, May 19th at 6:30pm at Andrews Memorial

The Mission Statement will be the basis for the ongoing changes and development for the merger. The merger and creation of a new way of seeking God, serving God in expanding mission, and creating

a way for those within the congregation and beyond to share God’s love.

Plans are being made to have official decisions to be made in June.

- Rev.

Bradford Hunt

Wednesdays & Thursdays: 11-4pm • Saturdays:

Cradle & Beyond

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SeekServe

Share

God With Others

We seek God's presence in our lives, to help others in their relationship with God,

and to strive to see God work through all people.

We serve God through mission, encourage

everyone on their spiritual journey, and follow the

teachings of Jesus Christ

We create opportunities for all to share their gifts

and talents, and demonstrate openness,

acceptance, and

Upcoming SalesItems: Effective Dates:

Pants, Slacks & Jeans - .50¢ Each May 13, 14 & 16

Teen Clothes - .50¢ Each May 20, 21 & 23

Shirts & Blouses - .50¢ Each May 27, 28 & 30

$5 BAG SALE June 3, 4 & 5

May 10th: This is

310 Please keep Cradle & Beyond in mind as you begin your Spring Cleaning! We are in need of

clothing donations, and are willing to come and pick up furniture that you wish to donate.

Please call the church office at 458-0890 to make arrangements for furniture pick-up.

Blood DriveTuesday, May 26th 3:00pm - 7:00pm

at Clay Trinity UMC in the Fellowship Hall

Please call Ann Reed at 457-6360 to schedule your appointment!

Food Pantry CollectionFor the month of May, we’ll be collecting Pasta for Anna’s

Pantry at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church

Young at Heart Luncheon Friday, May 15th at 12:00pm

Tune into PBS on Thursday, May 21st at 8:00pm

to watch our very own Marge Strother and Cindi Clement make an appearance on the show

“Cycle of Health.”

the Festival of the Christian Home, or Mother’s Day. The scripture is John 15: 9-17 and is a continuation of the farewell discourse. Jesus shares in a friendly way what life is about.

May 17th : Change the World Sunday - Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 is the scripture for the day. It is the story of the replacement of Judas from among the twelve. It shares the idea that the mission will be carried out, and must not be limited by the weaknesses of people.

May 24th : This is Pentecost! This is the birthday of the church. Acts 2:1-21 is the story of the wind and the flame and the beginning of the church.

May 31st : Isaiah 6:1-8 is the scripture for this Sunday. Six winged creatures and hot coals reveal the good news in this scripture. The theme will center around the concept of how God prepares us for sharing the message of hope, and of love.

Meet Daniel Williams!Daniel will be our Summer Organist for

Sunday Worship starting on Sunday, May 24th!!

Dan Williams is a Music and Theatre graduate of SUNY Oswego ('09) and is very excited to join Andrews on Pentecost and lasting through the summer! Daniel is the Choir Director and Pianist/Organist at Trinity UMC. Prior to coming to Trinity in March, his church experience was at Minetto United Methodist Church as organist/pianist and accompanist at Liverpool First United Methodist Church for their Alleluia Girls' Choir. He is very involved in musical and theatrical endeavors in the greater Syracuse area on top of teaching piano and voice lessons and accompanying some school districts for their concerts and musicals.

Southern Sudan Health Projects Update

We have raised $957.00 towards the $1500 needed for her compensation for her work in Malek, South Sudan. Mary is one of 8 Home Health Promoters who work in what has been one of the worst places in the world for health care. 

The latest word has been that all is okay with the workers, but we have not

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received any details of their work. We continue to try to make contact but it is difficult. 

You support of Mary is a great way to make a difference in the world! -Rev. Bradford Hunt

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Druss KususiWe are drawing to the end of the school year. Just a month and a half and

school will be out and Druss Kususi will be done for the summer. We have continued having listening and writing exercises. One we did recently was on pollution and how that affects the animals and fish in the ocean. The children then wrote Haikus about what they had heard and their thoughts. They were excellent.

The kids got a chance to use electronic equipment to build robots that responded to stimuli. They had a great time experimenting to see what would happen.

We also learned a little about Ecuador as two of our tutors are presently on a trip to Ecuador and we wanted to know something about where they are.

Some of our children have made great strides in their ability to do academic work.

As we come near the end of the school year, we would like to give the children bags of books, workbooks, games, and other activities so they will have something to do besides watch TV during the summer months. Gift cards to Ollies, Five & Below, Barnes & Noble and Dollar Tree would be greatly appreciated. Cash or checks for Druss Kususi would also be appreciated.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering to work with the children or would like more information on the program can see or contact Kathy LaDuca (kladuca@andrewsmemorial-umc.org) or the church office at 315-458-0890.

- Kathy

LaDuca

Sunday School We continue to have four Sunday School classes that Andrews

provide leadership for. All except the Karenni group are using the United Methodist Curriculum. During April we worked on Jesus’ resurrection and post resurrection appearances. During May we are talking about the Holy Spirit and the gifts and fruits of the Spirit and Pentecost.

Saturday night’s Grand Kids Event continues to grow and have new faces almost weekly. Not all of the Children attend every week but they come often enough to be part of the group. We also have parents and grandparents who attend. All together we have 6-8 neighborhood kids who come at least sometimes in addition to the regular attendees. They are a big part of the reason we have the class. Some of the children do not always get regular and healthy meals so it is really important that we continue to offer the supper portion of the program prior to teaching. Surprisingly, tossed salad is a favorite among many of the kids who often ask for seconds. We really need your help with meals! You can help in a number of ways : 1. If you are interesting in preparing a meal to be eaten please talk to Connie Clark to find out what the kids enjoy eating. 2. If you are interested in donating food so that we can prepare a meal, please

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Business Meeting: Cancelled for May

Anna CircleCancelled for May

Esther Circle Thursday, May 21st at 12:00pm

at Edith Meade’s Home Hostess: Bonnie Ranger

Devotions & Program: Angela Pennacchia & Jan Kinsella

Sarah Circle Wednesday, May 20th at 9:30 am

in Steckel HallHostess: Jan Gildemeyer

United

Methodist Wom

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see Connie Clark for suggestions of what we need. 3. We can always use money and gift cards in order to make purchases of food for the meals. Please label checks or cash clearly for the Grand Kids Event.

In all our classes, we sing songs, hear the lesson and work on worksheets and crafts to reinforce the lesson.

We are always in need of more help at the New World Ministries Sunday School. There are a lot of children and the little ones need help with arts & crafts.

Sunday School does meets throughout the summer! If you are interested in helping with any of these classes, please see or contact Kathy LaDuca (kladuca@andrewsmemorial-umc.org) or the church office at 315-458-0890. You may volunteer as often or as infrequently as you would like. The children love the individual attention they can receive when there are more adults.

Kathy LaDuca

Summer Camps United Methodist Church summer camps are available for children

ages 6 through 18. In Upstate New York we have a number of camps with programs for children and families.

Casowasco is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes on Owasco Lake. Campers can experience a variety of activities like basketball, volleyball, hiking, archery, swimming, along with unique activities like creative Chapel time, sailing, hikes in gorges, high ropes adventures and wilderness camping. Camps include Campolodeon, You Can’t Do That At Camp, Extreme Livin’, Survival Mode, Rookie Saddlers, and Wranglers. There are also camps for people who are interested in artistic endeavors, Splash Zone, and Team Extremes. Casowasco also offers a Father-Son adventure, and a Mother-Daughter Adventure as well as Family Camp during the summer.

Findley is on the shores of Findley Lake. They offer similar programs to Casowasco including swimming, arts & crafts, basketball, hiking, horsemasters, fishing, and You Can’t Do That At Camp, and a number of senior high programs and Family Bible Camp.

Sky Lake sits atop Tuscarora Mountain and features its own private lake. Programs include Gaga ball, 9 Square in the Air, a low-ropes course, archery, aquatics, and crafts as well as campfires. They also offer two special needs camps for youth and adults.

Skye Farm is set in the Adirondacks on Sherman Lake. Campers participate in camp favorites such as swimming, arts & crafts, basketball, volleyball, and hiking, canoeing, wilderness activities, sports and music. They offer a family camp in May, an adult special needs camp in July, and programs for children of all ages.

UMC Summer Camps are great ways for children to have fun, grow in their faith, and participate in new activities! If you are interested in summer camps, please see or contact Kathy LaDuca or call the church office at 315-458-0890.

What does ‘conference’ mean to The United

Methodist Church? When you hear the word “conference” in relation to The United Methodist Church, it refers to one of five things: a regional

The Bridge is a communications tool designed for local churches to stay connected to each other and to the ministries taking place around the Upper New York Conference and The United Methodist Church.

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body, an organizational body, Annual Conference session, General Conference, or Jurisdictional Conference.

1. Regional body The regional conference is described by the church's Constitution and The Book of Discipline as the “basic unit” of the Church. In the United States, a conference may cover an entire state, part of the state, or parts of two or more states. There are also three missionary conferences in the U.S., which rely upon the entire denomination for funding. The U.S. has 57 conferences, supervised by 46 bishops. There are 76 conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines,

supervised by 20 bishops. The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church was created when the New York churches within four former conferences – North Central New York, Troy, Western New York, and Wyoming conferences – united.

2. Organizational body

In the U.S., the conference has a central office and professional staff that coordinate and conduct ministry and conference business. The UNY Conference Office is located in Syracuse. It likely has a director of connectional ministries, a treasurer, directors of program areas – such as camping, a communications director, and other staff. Clergy and laypersons may also serve on conference boards, commissions, and committees.

3. Annual Conference session Each year an equal number of clergy and lay members attend their conference's annual session for worship, fellowship, and to conduct the business of the conference, which may last three to five days. This year’s UNY session is four days, May 27-30, at the OnCenter in Syracuse. For more information, visit www.unyumc.org/events/annualconference. During these sessions, members of the conference hear reports of past and ongoing work; adopt future goals,

programs, and budgets; ordain clergy members as deacons and elders; and elect delegates to Jurisdictional and General Conferences (every four years). The bishop presides over these meetings. The bishop for the UNY Conference is Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb.

4. General ConferenceThe General Conference is an international body of nearly 1,000 delegates that meets every four years. The delegates – split evenly between clergy and laity – represent conferences around the world. During General Conference, delegates discuss and vote on petitions and resolutions proposed by individuals, agencies, conferences, annual conference sessions, and other groups within the denomination. These actions can result in a revision to The BOD, the denomination's book of law, and The Book of Resolutions, policies of the denomination on current social issues. At General Conference, the Church's official stance and Church

policies are made regarding such issues as human sexuality, abortion, war, and peace, as well as determination of ministries and funding.

5. Jurisdictional Conference In the U.S., The United Methodist Church is divided into five areas, known as jurisdictions: Northeastern, Southeastern, North Central, South Central, and Western – the UNY Conference is part of the Northeastern Jurisdiction. These provide some program and leadership training events to support the conferences. Every four years the jurisdictional conferences meet to elect new bishops and select members of general boards and agencies. Conferences located outside the U.S. are organized into central conferences, much like jurisdictions. There are seven central conferences: Africa, Central and Southern Europe, Congo, Germany, Northern Europe, Philippines, and West Africa.

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