Programs & Events

A visit from Dora Rodriguez

On September 28 & 29, we welcomed our mission partner Dora Rodriguez, who was visiting us from Tucson, Arizona. Dora works with Salvavision, a mission supported by our congregation, to provide aid and support to migrants seeking asylum in the U.S.

On Sunday evening, we gathered at Little Venice Restaurant with Dora. Then on Monday, David Ruston and Greg Patinka hosted a picnic at their cottage in Harpursville. It was a beautiful day in the woods and there was plenty of good food to eat.

On Monday evening, David interviewed Dora in our sanctuary. David talked with Dora about her memoir, “Dora: A Daughter of Unforgiving Terrain”, and her current work with Salvavision in Tucson. The recorded interview is on our YouTube channel at youtu.be/283uAHiKXjU.

Corn Maze Fun!

Saturday, October 18, 2:30pm at Apple Hills, 131 Brooks Rd., Binghamton

In October, we went to Apple Hills to experience their corn maze. It was a lovely sunny day but only a small turnout, with the No Kings rally happening in downtown Binghamton at the same time. So Pastor Becky and Scott braved the 2.5-mile maze on their own, finding their way to all 6 checkpoints along the way, collecting clues to solve the Mystery at the Farm, and earning the “golden doughnut” for which they each got a free, fresh doughnut at the snack shack. Other activities available were wagon rides, rubber duck races, and prospecting for fossils and gems.

More information about the activities at Apple Hills can be found on their website applehills.com/farm-fun and Facebook facebook.com/HowDoYouLikeThemAppleHills.

“No Kings” Rally in Binghamton

Saturday, October 18, 2pm at the Broome County Courthouse

Binghamton United had a pretty strong turnout for the “No Kings” rally on October 18! About a dozen of us gathered at the church and walked down to the courthouse with our signs, and we met others as we walked along.

Reports on the size of the crowd vary from 2,500 to 4,000. There were a lot of people and a holiday atmosphere — people in costumes, carrying flowers and signs, celebrating connection and refusing to give into the fear and anger that cling so close in these times.

The question we have to consider now is how do we use the energy and sense of community to build momentum? With Congress in a stalemate and federal assistance expiring on November 1st, how do we address all of the issues that led to this rally in ways that protect the people who are most in harm’s way?

Be sure to get to the polls next week and vote for local people that are working for the unhoused, the undernourished, and the underemployed in our community. Take the Donohue challenge and help support our food relief efforts. Start carrying the “Know Your Rights” cards (available in the sanctuary and the church office) and pay attention when you see people being stopped or questioned by ICE or by police. Educate yourself — watch for opportunities in our weekly booklet and in our newsletter. Let’s make this movement about Justice for all, not “just us”.

June 2024, first edition
October 2025, second edition
Published by She Writes Press

Author Talk — Sarah Towle: How Immigration Was Weaponized to Drive U.S. Democracy into Crisis

Wednesday, November 5, 6:30–8pm at UPC

We’re invited to join in welcoming the acclaimed author, Sarah Towle as she continues her journey from the Borderlands. She is not only an educator and a researcher, but also a human rights defender, nature lover and choral soprano. Her latest book, “Crossing the Line: Finding America in the Borderlands,” will be the highlight of the tour, at Binghamton United Presbyterian Church, November 5th at 6:30pm.

“A powerful exposé of the human costs of America’s immigration policies.”
— Kirkus Reviews

“For anyone who wants to understand the reality of our dysfunctional immigration system beyond slogans, Crossing the Line is an absolute must-read.”
— Scott Allen, former editor of the Boston Globe Spotlight Investigative Team

“Sarah Towle has obliterated today's dead-end arguments about immigration and transformed them into riveting human stories. We forget that ideas — good and bad — have always crossed our borderlines; only human beings need a piece of paper. We all deserve a narrative with clarity, and Towle has delivered. Spectacular!”
—Ken Burns, filmmaker

Available from Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Amazon.com | RIOT ACT Books

Website: sarahtowle.com
Substack: TALES OF HUMANITY
Podcast: FROM THE BORDERLANDS

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 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 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

As many of you know, the Wednesday Sewing Group works throughout the year to create quilts, carry bags for walkers, hats, mittens, and scarves for organizations in our community.

Every Wednesday in the Upper Lounge, the UPC Sewing Group meets to design, cut, sew, tie, and hem quilts, and create carry bags that can be used on walkers. If Wednesdays don’t fit your schedule, projects can also be worked on at home. 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.

Thank you to those who have donated cotton fabric for use in making quilts, worked on items at home for the greater good, or participated on Wednesdays. We welcome new members at any time. Join us 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.

A Fitting Tribute

Change can be heart-breaking. This is especially true for UPC’s Wednesday Sewing Group, recently having to say goodbye to our forever friend, Ann Cobb.

Ann’s participation in and contributions to the Sewing Group spanned more than a half-century. As a charter member of the group at West Presbyterian Church, her long-time devotion spoke to the kind of person Ann was: dedicated, committed, and caring. Beyond her creativity, design talent, and sewing skills, Ann brought so much to the group, including her warmth, humor, mentorship, kindness, organizational skills, and wise perspectives. Strong, pragmatic, practical, non-judgmental, fiercely independent, and classy are just a few of the words that come to mind when thinking of Ann. We loved her stories, and appreciated the interest she always showed when we shared ours. Her endless energy and positivity were unmatched; her smile and laugh contagious. Ann was an inspiration to all. She will be missed beyond measure.

Our quilting efforts continue, meeting each Wednesday to create quilts for the Greater Binghamton community. We will read our prayer before our shared lunch each week — some of them handwritten by Ann — fondly remembering her, and grateful for her decades of service to others. We’ll carry on the legacy, built so many years ago, while hearts continue to mend.

Zoom Happy hour

Friday evenings, 5–6pm

After more than five 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.

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