Programs & Events

Sewing Group Keeps on Stitching; Equipment Gets a Facelift

Wednesdays, 10am–1pm, in the Upper Lounge (and on Zoom at noon for lunch hour)

by Cindy Chadwick

The Wednesday Sewing Group continues its mission of supporting community members in need of warmth and comfort. Each Wednesday, the group gathers to cut fabric and design, sew, and tie quilts to give to others. Group members often work on projects at home throughout the week to keep production going. 

Over the past several months, Janet and Len Hoover have led the charge to get all of the church’s sewing machines in top-notch working order. They have been diligently coordinating efforts with John Covert, owner of John’s Vintage Sewing Machine Service, who is a local master of sewing machine maintenance and repair. Each of the machines used by the Sewing Group has received or is in the process of receiving a total “spa” treatment, including much-needed tune-ups and new parts. Our classic machines are now whirling along in fine shape. We thank Jan & Len for their many visits to the church to work with John on this important project.

John Covert, owner of John’s Vintage Sewing Machine Service, cleaned and repaired all of the Sewing Group’s machines.

On October 18, the Sewing Group was pleased to have the chance to meet John and his mom as they joined the Sewing Group for sewing and lunch. We’re in awe and appreciation of John’s expert work to revive our vintage machines!

A full house at Sewing Group on October 18, including our members who Zoom in.

Cindy Burger with three quilts to be donated to Camp Sunshine.

In advance of the Sewing Group’s traditional distribution of quilts to community organizations at the holidays, Cindy and Chris Burger will take three quilts to Camp Sunshine in the state of Maine to provide warmth and comfort to children impacted by significant health issues. Cindy and Chris began this tradition several years ago, spreading UPC’s mission beyond our immediate community borders.

The fruits of the Sewing Group’s labor will be dedicated in worship on Sunday, November 19. UPC’s family and friends will be able to see the array of quilts created by the group and the pastors will bless them prior to distribution. Photos will likely follow in upcoming communications, so stay tuned.

As always, the Sewing Group is seeking new members at all skill levels. We can “show you the ropes” if you’ve never quilted before. Please consider joining us on Wednesdays in the Upper Lounge from 10am until noon for quilting and noon to 1pm for lunch. Bring your lunch; pickles, potato chips, tea, and cookies are provided. We always have healthy discussions and enjoy each other’s company. 

Supporting Artisans in Sasabe

We have the opportunity to support the Artisan program in Sasabe, Sonora, Mexico. This Salvavision initiative supports women and men returnees as well as the local women who live in the remote town of Sasabe, Sonora, through economic empowerment and art therapy. This program provides a creative outlet and space to connect and build new relationships through shared experiences while creating beautiful merchandise (such as manta blankets, tote bags, and bracelets).

We’ve been offered the opportunity to provide our own material or articles of clothing and have your own individualized design embroidered on it. Price will depend on complexity and size of design. The cost will typically range between $15 and $35. Contact Dave Ruston or Greg Patinka prior to Christmas to make arrangements. Dave and Greg will bring the items with them when they travel to Tucson and Sasabe in early 2024, and the finished items will be brought back in April. (You can contact the church office if you don’t have Dave & Greg’s contact info from the church directory.)

Seven Steps to Energy Independence 

Wednesday, November 15, 7pm at SUNY Broome, Decker Hall, Room 201

Practical steps that individuals can take to help transition away from fossil fuels, presented by someone who powers his home and transportation with renewable energy right here in the Northeast.

Sponsored by SUNY Broome’s Civic Engagement Center.

Lament: a conversation

Thursday, November 16, 10am on Zoom or at Faith Presbyterian Church, 3002 N. 2nd St., Emmaus, PA 18049

The Church, with declining membership and prominence.
COVID and its ongoing effects. Divisions in American society.
Lament in the face of such things is a natural human response.
What is the place of lament in the church today? And how can it help heal us?
Join us as we are led by Brother Stefan Waligur in this timely discussion. 

“Sound is integral to life. Upon our first breath into the world we let out a wail. Like life, lament also starts with a wail,” says Br. Stefan Andre Waligur, founder of Community of Peace in Louisa, Virginia. Having studied and researched the practice of lament, he concludes: “We need to wail — just wail when we’re in throes of grief.”

Lamentation is an expression of grief, sadness, or pain. It’s “crying with words.” This entails plentiful wet tears and intense sound to unleash what’s inside of you. “The entire repertoire of the heart needs to be released,” emphasizes Waligur. “It’s passionate and poetic.”

As an ancient tradition led by women, lament expressed the despair of entire communities and families. Men would step back and give the women space to enact the custom. “Lamenting helped to sustain the community,” Waligur says. “It was a powerful healing experience.”

Women cried out and wept, carrying and tending to the sorrow of a culture. As funeral keeners, they would yell and bellow, yank at their clothes, and fall onto the ground in fits of fierce sobbing, exteriorizing the grief of everyone.

“Lamenting is really about opening your heart,” he explains. Whatever comes up, let it arise. “Letting it out is the way.” (from: spiritualityhealth.com/5-ways-to-lament-and-acknowledge-grief)

Br. Stefan is a contemplative, a musician/composer, and founder of Community of Peace in Louisa, VA, an ecumenical community inspired by the Taizé Community in France. He recently defended his dissertation at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. The title is “Howling at the Moon: A Transformative Spirituality of the Irish Lament.”

We will meet on Thursday, November 16 at 10am at Faith Presbyterian Church in Emmaus, PA, or by Zoom (link will be shared with all registrants). Ample parking is available. To register and get the advanced reading: forms.office.com/r/EL5EuxD6HF.

This event is supported by the ministries of Faith Presbyterian Church in Emmaus PA, Immanual United Church of Christ in Shillington PA, and anonymous supporters. For questions, please contact FPC at awshussett@gmail.com.

Fresh Expressions for Small Rural Congregations

Thursday, November 16, 7–8:30pm at UPC or on Zoom

Want to hear another way the Church can do its ministry? Come and hear about Fresh Expressions. A fresh expression is, in its simplest form, a pattern for believers to share their faith in their everyday lives, by asking the simple question, “How can I help my friends connect with God?” Fresh expressions form where mutual interests meet hearts open to opportunities to connect on faith matters.

In this hybrid workshop, Rev. Shannon Kiser will share specific examples of how Fresh Expressions can work in rural settings. Rev. Kiser will join us via Zoom with a 60-minute presentation followed by a Q & A and a small-group discussion period. You’re invited to attend on Zoom or to join our “watch party” here at UPC.

Please register at susvalpresby.org/small-register
To attend via Zoom: bit.ly/3Zc9GuG or call in: (+1) 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 815 1743 2360      Passcode: 371227
Questions? Email cclefchair@susvalpresby.org or call 607-323-4477.

Rev. Shannon Kiser is the director of Training and Coaching for Fresh Expressions. She is also a PC(USA) pastor on the staff of Riverside Church in Sterling, VA.

Finding Common Ground: an interfaith conversation

with Binghamton University Interfaith Council
Monday, November 20, 7:30pm in University Union West room 324

We’re invited to join Pastor Becky and the Binghamton University Interfaith Council for their monthly Common Ground conversations. Although specific doctrines may differ, many common themes run through our religious and spiritual beliefs. Gather with BUIC and campus community members as we explore common ground together — no expertise needed.

The theme for this month’s conversation is Sacred Stories. Many religions have texts like the Quran, Hebrew Scriptures, or the Bible, but some people find spiritual meaning in poetry or other stories. Come and share what sacred stories from your life or tradition are special for you and listen to others as they share theirs. All are welcome!

The Common Ground conversation series meets on the third Monday each month (but will not meet in December). Upcoming conversations:

If you anticipate a need for disability-related accommodations or auxiliary aids to attend or participate, please contact buic@binghamton.edu or call 607-777-3010. We ask that you provide us with at least 3–5 days of advance notice regarding your equal access needs.

Fall Family Forums: LGBTQ+ Experiences of Intimate Relationships

presented by Pride and Joy Families at Binghamton University
Sunday, December 3, 1pm at the University Downtown Center

Join Pride and Joy Families for a cozy fall Sunday discussing LGBTQ+ experiences within different intimate relationships.

Dr. Christina Balderrama-Durbin will share insight from her research with queer couples.

Dr. Sean Massey will discuss public perceptions of queer parents.

Adam Zhao will offer clinical wisdom about experiences of family acceptance and rejection for queer youth.

Through Fall Family Forums, community members will have the opportunity to learn from and ask questions of local scholars engaging in transformative work with the LGBTQ+ community while sharing their experiences to better understand how this collective knowledge can impact their daily lives. Food and refreshments will be provided as well as time to socialize with other community members.

Learn more and RSVP at smore.com/9adz3c-pride-and-joy-families.

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 Pastor’s Office or the Zoom room

We’re reading from Marcus Borg’s Evolution of the Word: The New Testament in the Order the Books Were Written, and everyone is welcome to join us in person or on Zoom. Those who gather at the church meet in our new “Study” (Room 102, next door to the Nursery).

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.

Zoom Happy 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 with friends near and far.

Presbytery Book Study “How To Pioneer: A Step-by-Step Guide for Starting New Kinds of Faith Communities”

Tuesdays, January 9 – February 13, 10–11:30am on Zoom, with co-leaders Rev. Greg Garis and Rev. Ernie Varga

Mark your calendars NOW for the next Book Study. The book is How To Pioneer: A Step-by-Step Guide for Starting New Kinds of Faith Communities by David Male.

Regarding this book: Small new Christian communities created by pioneer ministers, both lay and ordained, are popping up everywhere — on housing estates, in community centers, schools, and cafes, among different age groups and in numerous other contexts beyond the local church. This practical book is for all who want to be engaged in this form of ministry, and it begins by identifying some basic principles from a wide variety of creative examples of pioneer ministry.

Purchase the book at freshexpressions.com/product/how-to-pioneer

All are welcome to attend this book study.
Join us on Zoom: bit.ly/3Qx7paD or phone (+1) 646-558-8656, Meeting ID 821 2614 5670, Passcode: PSV

Leading and Thriving in the Church: A Podcast from the Alban Institute at Duke Divinity School

What does it mean to lead now? Doing ministry in the post-pandemic era has unearthed new leadership challenges — and it has led us to pay more attention to the need for thriving ministers and congregations. In this new podcast, our mission is to help you be the leader God has called you to be. The podcast is hosted by Rev. Dr. Prince Rivers, a pastor of 23 years who is passionate about supporting the people who lead congregations. In each episode, Prince sits down with some of the most innovative people he knows — scholars, executives, authors — and explores what it means to lead faithfully, effectively and sustainably in today’s church. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts. The trailer and more information are at bit.ly/40bTKcj

More news from around the presbytery can be found at susvalpresby.org/thursday-thoughts