Programs & Events

New Book Study: Shelter Theology, by Susan J. Dunlap

Pastor Kimberly read this book in January, and suggested to Session that we should read it together, to add insight into our mission of hospitality. We serve many unhoused people in through our programs, and this book offers an important discussion of the religious lives those who live with housing instability.

We will probably schedule the study for the Easter season, when Pastor Becky will be back from medical leave and spring is close at hand. Let Pastor Kimberly know if you are interested in reading the book, and she will add a copy for you to the order.

Until the spring of 2019, we held book discussions on Monday evenings at 7:00pm. Please also let Pastor Kimberly know if that is still a good time for you, or what your preference would be for a different time.

Afghan Crisis Project Update

In our last UPC Newsletter, we let you know about the possibility of Sponsor Circles being set up in our Southern Tier area to help re-settle Afghan families. Sponsor Circles are a program set up by the government where groups of volunteers can seek to become mini resettlement groups who work with one of the 9 Resettlement agencies in the United States. They raise money, get background checks, and take some training to get approved to host a family from Afghanistan that had been evacuated to a US military base. The circle helps the new family directly by getting housing, signing children up for school, finding jobs, and settling them into the area. Some of the volunteers in our area from Temple Concord, Temple Israel, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and UPC have set up a Sponsor Circle, going by the name of “Binghamton Regional Afghan Immigration Network” (BRAIN).

There is hope that once the people already on the bases get moved off and settled, then more applications for Humanitarian Parole can be approved and our original family, whom we had originally been trying to assist, might be able to bring their loved ones here from Afghanistan also. BRAIN has raised the minimum amount of money required to sponsor an Afghan family, completed the other requirements and has sent in the application. Many people from temples, mosques, and churches have committed resources and helped to make this happen.

While we were waiting for our application to be processed, we were busy finding an apartment, and collecting many household items and furniture (via an online “Sign-Up Genius”). After much searching, an appropriate place was found, and we busily started helping the landlord, a friend of someone in our circle, clean and paint the apartment.

While doing this we were informed that we would be receiving a family of five on Thursday, February 10: a dad, a mom, and 3 kids, the youngest of whom is 13. So, members of our Sponsor Circle drove up to Syracuse Airport to greet them and take them back to their new home in Binghamton. They said they never expected such a warm welcome! We arranged for a temporary residence for them at a local church’s rectory, while the apartment was still being readied.

We set up the household for them on the weekend of February 18–21, and they moved in on Tuesday, February 22. We thank Elikem Nyamuame, Felix Rwabukwisi, Nate & Suzie Raboy, and one of Elikem’s students for their help with the move! We have been fortunate enough to have received donations of most of the key items we need. That said, the family could still use gift cards to Weis (which will be their closest market) or Target/Walmart as there are some things the kids will need once they start school. Tax deductible monetary donations may be made payable to Temple Concord with the memo “Afghan Resettlement” on the check, as Temple Concord has set up a dedicated fund for the family. Temple Concord’s address is 9 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905.

Lastly, we are seeking a donation of a used car for the family. If you or anyone you know is interested in donating a used car, please let the church or Temple Concord know.

Presently, there are two other Sponsor Circles in the Southern Tier. One is in Binghamton and one is in Owego. And there is the possibility of two more circles in the development stage. Once these other circles get approved, we will also publish their “Sign-Up Genius” as well.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and your support!

Our “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

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)

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 children with terminal cancer)

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.

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