Programs & Events

Susquehanna River: Ancient Past, Present and Future

Tuesday, March 28, 7pm on Zoom, hosted by the First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego

A Talk by Professor Peter L. Knuepfer, Professor of Geology and Environmental Studies at Binghamton University

The Susquehanna River is one of the oldest existing rivers in the world. The Susquehanna is the longest river on the East Coast of the United States, the 16th-largest river in our country and also the longest river in the early 21st-century continental United States without commercial boat traffic (Wikipedia). Dr. Knuepfer’s work includes assessing the past and potential future flooding in the Susquehanna River basin. He has authored or co-authored more than 40 scientific papers and 100 professional presentations, as well as co-edited three books. His current project focuses on the magnitude and frequency of pre-historic flooding of the Susquehanna River as well as changes in the frequency of large flooding throughout the Northeast US in recent decades. We’re invited to hear this gifted teacher about a river that can impact all of our lives.

Zoom Meeting ID: 884 9910 6722 Passcode: FPUC
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88499106722?pwd=NytqWnBUUXlwemJqU3dXRDFkdkpqdz09

Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter

Thursday, March 30, 7pm, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s 2023 Grawemeyer Lecture, on YouTube

Kelly Brown Douglas, dean of Union Theological Seminary’s Episcopal Divinity School in New York City and a canon theologian at Washington Cathedral, is one of the first Black female Episcopal priests in the United States and the first Black person to head an Episcopal Church-affiliated educational institution. Douglas will speak on her award-winning book, Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter. She wrote the book in response to her son asking, “How do we really know God cares when Black people are still getting killed?” and seeing Black Lives Matter protests erupt nationwide after George Floyd’s death. Watch live at lpts.edu/watchlive or pre-register at lpts.wufoo.com/forms/s8z67yq0sv935q

Our Presbytery & Churches Countering Climate Change NOW!

Saturday, April 1, 10am on Zoom, hosted by the Presbytery JIMM Team

The March 20 IPCC report by the top scientists in the world is warning all of humanity that we all need to do more quickly to counter climate crisis before it’s too late (1). We need every church in the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley to help care for God’s creation. We hope each church can have people participate in these needed efforts.

Please join the presbytery’s Justice in Mission and Ministry Team for a meeting to organize ideas for individuals and families, churches and our Presbytery on Saturday, April 1, 10am.

Zoom Meeting ID: 817 689 1196 Passcode: FPUC
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8176891196?pwd=SE54bVEzVkwzRFpyYXBTZzkva01CUT09

Looking for ideas for what you can do now? See the Presbyterian Hunger Program’s Tread Lightly for Lent: Daily Reflection-Action Guide for 2023, the copy of Rebecca Barnes’ book, 50 Ways to Help Save the Earth: How You and Your Church Can Make a Difference, that was given to each church last fall, and the free issue of Christian Century’s Responding to Climate Change with 40 Ideas for Congregations. Owego Pastor Bruce Gillette, PSV JIMM Team chair and Presbyterians for Earth Care Moderator, will be coordinating this meeting on the most important moral challenge facing humanity today. Please contact him for further information at pastorbrucegillette@gmail.com. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).

Workshop on Worship service design and PC(USA) Polity

Saturday, April 29, 9am–3pm at Bainbridge First Presbyterian Church

Save the date for this two-part workshop, geared for ruling elders but open to anybody.

The morning session starts at 9:00. We’ll cover some of the basics of our governance, with a look at the Book of Order and how it shapes our lives as Presbyterians together. This training will be helpful for anybody who wants to know more about the role and responsibilities of the Session — especially newly elected ruling elders, new Clerks of Session, or those who are considering serving on Session — but will also be a great refresher for anyone involved in guiding the ministry of their congregation.

We’ll break for lunch at 11:30. Beverages will be provided, and sandwiches will be ordered from Pine Ridge Grocery store, with a free-will offering to cover the cost.

The afternoon session starts at 12:30, focusing on how to design a worship service. It’s being offered as part of the training for people who are considering becoming a Certified Preacher to provide pulpit supply in the presbytery, but it will also be useful for anybody who is involved or interested in planning worship, such as members of a Worship Committee/Team.

You can come for just the morning, just the afternoon, or the whole workshop. If you have questions or are interested in attending, please contact Scott Kindig at cclefchair@susvalpresby.org. To register, go to https://forms.gle/X29iZWSY4cF646wW8. RSVP requested by Wednesday, April 26.

This workshop is being provided by the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley’s Commission on Christian Leadership Formation.

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, 12:30–1:30pm, in the Study 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.

Sewing Group

Wednesdays, 10am–1pm (with Zoom lunch hour, 12pm–1pm)

by Cindy Chadwick

We’re not sure who counted them all, but statistics indicate there are between 9 and 11 million quilters in the country. Our bet is that very few have been together as a group for more than a half-century like the Wednesday Sewing Group! Gathering each week to craft crib- and lap-sized quilts for the community, the group also makes “carry bags” for use on walkers, mittens, hats, scarves, pillows, and more.

Sewing Group members Janet Hoover, Jean Hill, Ellen Hancock-Berti, and Ann Cobb.

The group’s creations are donated to the following charities and care facilities:

Willow Point Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Hilltop
Elizabeth Church Manor
Good Shepherd Fairview Home
YWCA
Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing
Ideal Senior Living Center
NoMa (North of Main)
Camp Sunshine (for families affected by life-threatening childhood illness)

Quilts are also given to newborns and other special people in our congregation. Hats and mittens are provided to our Food Pantry and Community Meal guests as needed.

We received a lovely thank-you note from Camp Sunshine this month:

On behalf of Camp Sunshine’s Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and most importantly our camp families, I sincerely thank you for your contribution of two quilts in honor of Ellen Hancock-Berti and in memory of Jeanne Marie Voos.

It was such a pleasure to meet Cindy Burger, who kindly delivered the quilts to our Camp Sunshine Campus in Casco, Maine. Your wonderful Sewing Group at United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton is so talented! We will put them to great use as we open up our program to 21 full settings this season. We are so grateful to your group and welcome anyone to visit Camp Sunshine should their travels bring them to Maine.

Your support will keep Camp Sunshine’s mission moving forward and will positively impact more families from across the country and around the world. Your generosity and caring support allows Camp Sunshine to continue providing joy, hope, and support to families when they need it most.

There is never a charge for families to attend Camp Sunshine. Gifts from people like you make it all possible. Thank you for helping us spread sunshine and unforgettable smiles! Please extend our heartfelt thanks!

With gratitude,
Joanne Bean, RN, BSN, MBA
Chief Executive Officer

Want to help spread warmth and hope? Join the Sewing Group on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm in UPC’s Upper Lounge. No extensive sewing experience is necessary. Projects can be worked on at home if you’re unable to attend on Wednesdays. (You’ll miss the cookies, chips, pickles and tea, though!) 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.

Even if sewing isn’t your thing, everybody is invited to join us at noon for our social lunch hour. Those who can’t come to the church in person can join us in the Zoom room. Bring your own lunch and enjoy the company!

Sincere in its mission to provide warmth, comfort, and care to others, Sewing Group members gain much in return. As aptly said by Ann Cobb, a 50-plus-year member of the Sewing Group, “Where there is love, there is hope, and we love what we do.” Pardon the puns, but the cohesiveness of this group mends their souls and keeps them in stitches as they work to help others. Please join! Reach out to the church office if you’d like more information.

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 while it remains complicated to be together in person.

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