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Book Study: Shelter Theology, by Susan J. Dunlap
Book Study: Shelter Theology, by Susan J. Dunlap
Several of us met on Monday, May 2, to discuss Shelter Theology: The Religious Lives of People Without Homes by Susan J. Dunlap. Rebecca Rathmell, who has worked in housing advocacy and outreach to people without homes for over 15 years, was with us. It was a thought-provoking conversation which we hope to continue with further meetings.
Pastor Kimberly writes: “This short book raised issues for me about the ways in which our worship and prayer practices both shape and reinforce our cultural perceptions of God and other. It also deepened my understanding of the needs and challenges facing those without homes. I hope that we can talk about those issues, and also about how we can become more proactive and engaged in advocacy and outreach in Binghamton as the housing crisis is escalating, especially with the recent evictions in our neighborhood.”
Pastor Kimberly is working to arrange another meeting time and date. If you’re interested in joining this study group, contact the church office.
Bible Study Starting Again
Bible Study Starting Again
Mondays starting May 16, 12:30 pm, Chapel or Zoom Room
Mondays starting May 16, 12:30 pm, Chapel or Zoom Room
Evolution of the Word: The New Testament in the Order the Books Were Written, by Marcus Borg
We started reading this book during the pandemic, to learn about how Christianity developed in the early centuries and see how it affects our understanding of the New Testament. We stopped in June of 2021 because we were feeling overwhelmed by life (not by the book).
We are going to start again at the beginning on May 16 at 12:30 pm, and everyone is welcome to join us in person or on Zoom. This seems to be the best time for everyone who has expressed an interest, and it seems to be the best way to make sure that all of us go forward together.
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.
Pastor Kimberly will place an order for books next week, so if you need a copy, let her know.
News from the Kitchen
News from the Kitchen
The Community Meal and Pantry have been very busy in the last 4 months. The number of families served in the pantry increases every month. So far those receiving “food stamps” are still getting extra benefits in the middle of the month for COVID relief. When/if those extra benefits stop, we expect to see a large increase to the use of the pantry. The Tuesday meals seem steady, feeding 75 to 90 individuals with meals numbering 190 to 230 each Tuesday.
In February, we started having our guests come inside and receive their meals selecting cafeteria style. These were still takeout only. Most of the guests liked this improvement as it gets them out of the cold, rain, or snow while they are waiting to receive their meals. The guests are happy to receive their meal hot. Previously we prepackaged the meals to give out to go and most were cold by the time the guests got them. Some guests feel it takes too long to serve them this way, and they do not want to stand in line.
Session approved that starting April 26, our guests are able to dine inside in the Fellowship Hall. This will allow people to sit and should cut down on the long waits while still getting their meal hot. We will still have takeout available for those that do not want to dine in or those that take extra meals home. Seating at each table will be limited to comply with social distancing. We will be requiring masks for everyone if they are not seated and eating. Meals will still be “cafeteria” style to give our guests a choice and hopefully cut down on food waste. We are in hopes that using real dishes and flatware will cut down on the number of disposables that we have been using.
I hard boiled 27 dozen eggs and had them available on Palm Sunday for children of all ages to come to fellowship hall after services and dye them. I had dyes, stickers, markers, and 2 egg spinning machines available for decorating. It was a multi-generational event for the Garcia clan with Ann, daughter Angela, granddaughters Harley and Jazmine, and great-grandsons Jackson, Khiro, and Tyson!
I also had soup available, and Sara brought cheese and bread. Everyone enjoyed the event so this might become an annual event. I’m not sure who had more fun: the children or the adults!
The children were allowed to take home their favorites and the rest of the eggs were given out at the Tuesday meal and Wednesday pantry. All our guests thought these eggs were a special treat.
The spring snowstorm on April 19 made the Tuesday meal difficult. Laurie and I thought some people would still show up and we had already thawed out 80 pounds of ground meat, so we decided to cook an abbreviated meal to give out. We made sloppy joes, salad, and fruit cups for takeout. Morgan came in to help and we managed to serve 35 people 114 meals. We gave out the meals in the lobby. Everyone that stopped by was very appreciative to have us there.
Donate to keep books flowing into the Broome County Jail
Donate to keep books flowing into the Broome County Jail
“Thank you, it is SO good to have books.”
“Thank you, it is SO good to have books.”
It’s amazing what a simple used $5 novel can do. It is, after all, desperate times in our COVID hotspot jail. Most sections are locked down, meaning women and men often spend 20 hours or more locked in their cages. The jail’s mass solitary confinement endangers everyone’s health and sanity. Seeking freedom now, persons inside most often ask for books. Science fiction, novels of every description, history books, dictionaries, large print bibles, and Korans. The joy they bring is incalculable:
“Having crossword books is wonderful… I get to actually engage my brain and think! It is a mindless, sad existence here… thank you again.”
The Book a Month Club, through Justice and Unity in the Southern Tier (justicest.com), provides one book at $15.00 or under by request for those incarcerated in the BC Jail. The program takes requests from the JUST visiting/calling crew, letter, or the GettingOut website, and has the books sent, according to jail mandates, directly to the individual at no expense to them. The program has been supported solely by donations.
You can donate by using JUST’s PayPal or Gofundme for Books, or by check paid to “Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier”, JUST, PO Box 93, Bible School Park, NY 13737. Please specify you want your donation to go to books. If you want to request a book for someone inside BC Jail, please write to Victoria Delaney c/o JUST, PO Box 93, Bible School Park, NY 13737.
All donations to the book drive in 2022 are tax-deductible.
UPC’s “Zoom room”
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 #
press # again, then enter the passcode: 42456 #
If you have questions or need help using Zoom, feel free to call the church office for assistance.
Zoom Cocktail hour: Friday evenings, 5–6pm
Zoom Cocktail hour: Friday evenings, 5–6pm
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 while it remains complicated to be together in person.
Sewing Group: Wednesdays, 10am–1pm
(with Zoom lunch hour, 12pm–1pm)
Sewing Group: Wednesdays, 10am–1pm
(with Zoom lunch hour, 12pm–1pm)
The Sewing Group meets every week in the Upper Lounge on the 2nd floor, working to create crib-size or lap quilts, decorative pillows, and walker “carry bags,” as well as knitted hats, sweaters, mittens, scarves, and baby items. Anyone interested is encouraged to join them on Wednesday mornings starting at 10am. No special sewing skills are needed for cutting squares, design layout, pinning, tying, setting the table for lunch, or heating water for tea. Sewing machine and hand hemming skills are a plus.
Our donations are given to:
Charities including
Mom’s House
the YWCA
Rescue Mission
Birthright
Meals on Wheels
Camp Sunshine (for families affected by life-threatening childhood illness)
Care facilities including
Willow Point
Fairview Good Shepherd
United Methodist Homes (Elizabeth Church & St. Louise Manor)
Hilltop
Bridgewater
Absolute Care
as well as our homebound members, and guests in need who come to our UPC lobby. Any newborns in our congregation receive a quilt gift.
Each Wednesday at noon, those who can’t join the Sewing Group in person at the church are invited to “Zoom in” for their lunchtime social hour. Everyone is welcome; bring your lunch and enjoy the company.
Are you unemployed, age 55+, and looking for work?
Ready to find a new sense of purpose? Ready to connect with people again?
A4TD can help with paid job training. (Remote options available)
Train for available jobs
Serve your community at local nonprofits
Gain updated skills & references
Connect with employers who have open jobs
Receive help overcoming barriers to employment
Apply at: www.a4td.org
For more information, call 607-222-2067
This program is funded by the USDOL. No cost to program participants. Income restrictions apply.
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