Programs & Events

Volunteering: The Balance Between Doing and Being

Sunday, December 15, 12–1pm at the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, 183 Riverside Dr.

Join Dr. Francis Battisti as he takes you on a journey of exploring the concept of volunteering, embodying the balance between being and doing. As we seek to balance our life, we may want to explore the connection between the actions we take to have impact and our inner world of connection and compassion.

“It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act! ~the Dalai Lama

Free and open to the public. uubinghamton.org

Find the holidays difficult? “Coping with Christmas”: Reflective Writing and Discussion Zoom Sessions

Monday, December 16, 10am–12pm, or Thursday, December 19, 6–8pm

Our neighbors in the Presbytery of Geneva invite us to join in a time of expressive writing. These sessions are being offered as writing workshops using the AWA Method. Participants will complete short writing exercises and then share their work with the group, allowing the group members to provide feedback on the piece. This approach allows everyone the opportunity to express themselves in a safe, inclusive environment.

For more info about this approach to writing, see: amherstwriters.org/what-to-expect

Monday 12/16, 10am: Meeting ID 897 8088 0609, Passcode 410057

Thursday 12/19, 6pm: Meeting ID 829 4662 3774, Passcode 143894

Connecting the Dots between the Waste Crisis and the Climate Crisis

Saturday, January 11, 11am
a Presbyterians for Earth Care webinar

Our own Elder Chris Burger will lead this program exploring how addressing the waste crisis helps in addressing the climate crisis. The program will also present implications for individuals and families.

Having worked in both the energy field as well as the field of recycling and zero waste, Chris is well-positioned to talk about the interconnections between the two. He established a Community Recycling Center in 1973. In 1977, he developed the first Weatherization program in the United States. In 1985, he developed our County-wide recycling program. He has co-founded and/or led a number of organizations focused on sustainability, including a Cornell University think-tank on sustainability (Eco-Justice Project) and the New York Sustainable Business Council. He is a member of Rotary International’s Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG). He also walks the talk: he and his family have lived as a zero-waste household since 1992, and he designed and built a home that has been fossil-fuel-free since 1998. Known worldwide, he gives talks and workshops on both zero waste and how to wean ourselves off fossil fuels. Chris currently serves as Co-Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley.

The Zoom meeting link is not yet available. To receive a notification when it becomes available, contact the church office.

UPC’s “Zoom room”

Modern technology is marvelous! Thanks to the Zoom meetings system, we can gather virtually even when it’s difficult to be together in person. We’ve used our “Zoom room” for worship but also for prayer groups, book studies, hymn sings, and social times.

You can join our meetings and worship services online via your computer, tablet, or mobile device by going to https://upcbgm.org/zoom. If you’ve never used Zoom before, you’ll be prompted to download the Zoom meetings app, which will ask for permission to use your microphone and your camera. We use our “Personal Meeting ID” for worship and most of our programs, so they’re always in the same familiar place.

You can also call in over the phone, if you don’t have a microphone on your device or you can’t join online. To join as a phone call, dial 1-646-558-8656, then enter our Meeting ID: 865 274 8433 #

If you have questions or need help using Zoom, feel free to call the church office for assistance.

Bible Study

Mondays, 1–2pm in the Upper Lounge or the Zoom room

We’ve been reading from Marcus Borg’s Evolution of the Word: The New Testament in the Order the Books Were Written. Everyone is welcome to join us in person or on Zoom.

The general format is to read the introductory material for each section, then to read through the Biblical texts and talk about what it meant for early Christians and what it might mean for us today. We try to discipline ourselves to keeping the conversation to an hour every week.

UPC Sewing Group

Wednesdays, 10am–1pm in the Upper Lounge, with Zoom lunch hour at 12pm

Bundles of Blessings

Every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm, the UPC Sewing Group meets in the Upper Lounge to design, cut, sew, tie, and hem quilts. Ellen Hancock-Berti is our expert creator of bags for walkers, which conveniently help recipients carry necessary items on their walkers hands-free. Over the years, hundreds of quilts have been provided to those in need in the community and beyond, to new babies in our church family, and to those needing a little extra comfort. The quilts, combined with dozens of walker bags, hats, mittens, and scarves, have helped a variety of organizations in our area.

The group continues to bring much to the mission of UPC by enhancing our internal and external church spirit and providing functional gifts to help others and spread kindness.

During our church service on Sunday, November 24, Pastors Kimberly and Becky blessed the bounty of quilts, carry bags for walkers, hats, mittens, and scarves that were designed and crafted throughout the year by the Wednesday Sewing Group. With this dedication, the next step is for the fruits of the group’s labor to be prepared with bows and tags for delivery to area organizations during the Christmas holiday. Dozens of handmade items will go to those in need.

Sewing Group member Jean Hill, UPC Building Manager Eugene Favor, and Pastor Becky sort quilts in preparation for the blessing of the quilts.

Jean Hill and Pastor Becky are surrounded by beautiful handmade creations.

Colorful quilts and walker carry bags were dedicated on Sunday, November 24.

Hats, mittens, and scarves are just some of the items crafted for distribution to the community.

Functional items from the Sewing Group will bring warmth to the community.

Now more than ever, we need YOU to help continue the tradition of this mission. Sewers, knitters, crocheters, non-sewers, and those willing to learn are invited. We hope to see you on Wednesdays, 10 am to 1 pm. At noon we enjoy lunch together (chips, tea, and cookies are provided); if you can’t be there in person, we have a Zoom option to join us at lunch. If Wednesdays don’t fit your schedule, projects can also be worked on at home.

Please join us so that next year we can once again fill the sanctuary with a beautiful, bountiful bevy of creations for our pastors to bless!

Zoom Happy hour

Friday evenings, 5–6pm

After more than four years of “Zooming” together, our weekly social-distance gathering is still going strong. Bring your own beverage, Zoom in, and join the fun as we catch up on the events of the week and share how we’re doing. It’s a great way to keep in touch with friends near and far.

Page updated

Report abuse