Programs & Events

Bearing Witness Against the Violence in Gaza

On May 23, a coalition of military veterans, religious and humanitarian organizations started a 40-day “Veterans & Allies Fast for Gaza,” and have invited others to join in the fast and to gather each Thursday through the month of June at the Court Street Metro Mall and make visits to Congressman Riley’s office and the office of Senator Charles Schumer, a block away at the Federal Building. Both legislators have been silent on the issue of US-supported genocide of the people of Gaza.

The demands of the fast are

Full humanitarian aid to Gaza under UN authority and
No more U.S. weapons to Israel.

The protest began in Binghamton on May 29 with a press conference at Metro Court Mall. I was unable to be present, but I sent the following statement to be distributed:

Imagination fails when we try to grasp the horror that continues to play out in Gaza. The horror is twofold: First, that people who believe they are responding justly to a government’s violence can participate in the devastation of families, hospitals, and even relief sites. Second, that the world can watch — again — as this violence is inflicted on the innocent and the defenseless. The sheer scale of Israeli reprisals against Hamas for taking hostages is almost beyond understanding: the UN reports that more than 50,000 have been killed, with more than a third of the dead under the age of 18.

The U.S. is complicit in so many ways: we have sold the weaponry of war indiscriminately to all comers, we have refused to intervene to assure humanitarian aid can reach the desperate, and we have pursued policies that further the interests of a few at the expense of the many. More than 500,000 are suffering from hunger and thirst in the siege conditions imposed by the Israeli army and accepted by inertia as the world watches.

It is reported that Palestinian civilians have access to about 240 calories of food per day — that’s about the number in a Starbucks Caffe Latte Venti with 2% milk, or about half the amount of calories in a Big Mac. People of conscience are participating in a 40-day fast in solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling once again for immediate cease-fire and the restoration of humanitarian aid.

As a person of faith, I join with others to call upon our government to end the violence and support a humanitarian response that is not controlled by the military or outside contractors. If we cannot imagine the cruelty that is being enacted in the eyes of the world, let us commit ourselves to imagining an end to the siege and compassion for those who must now bury their loved ones and build a new society in the rubble that is left.

Rev. Kimberly P Chastain
Pastor, Binghamton United Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Foundation Day of Learning: Storytelling, Stewardship, and Generosity

Thursday, June 26, 11:30am–3:30pm

The Presbyterian Foundation is bringing back our popular Day of Learning program to offer support for churches, ministries, and mid councils on financial sustainability. Join us on Thursday, June 26, for a series of workshops on Storytelling, Stewardship, and Generosity, all online, and offered free of charge.

You’ll hear from experts on our staff who will share knowledge and tactics with you. You’ll walk away with actionable steps you can implement in your congregation, grounded in theology. Our focus is on you: helping you build generosity in your congregations to stabilize and grow your ministry.

11:30am–12:00pm Keynote: Storytelling, presented by Robyn Davis Sekula, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
12–12:45pm Workshop: Stewardship, presented by Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley, Ministry Relations Officer; followed by a time of Questions & Answers
2–3pm Workshop: Planned Giving, presented by Rev. Sandra Moon, Ministry Relations Officer and Karl Mattison, VP of Planned Giving Resources; followed by Q&A

Being Transgender: Medical History, Church, Society, and Families

Monday, June 30, 6:30pm

an educational webinar from the Joint Justice in Ministry and Mission Team of the Presbyteries of Susquehanna Valley and Cayuga-Syracuse

Presenters:

Dr. Carolyn Wolf-Gould is the founder of Bassett's Gender Wellness Center, a rural-based interdisciplinary center for transgender healthcare, clinical training, advocacy, and research in upstate New York. She is co-editor of A History of Transgender Medicine in the United States: From Margins to Mainstream. Sweeping in scope and deeply personal in nature, this groundbreaking volume traces the development of transgender medicine across three centuries, centering the voices of transgender individuals, debunking myths about gender-affirming care, and empowering readers to grasp the complexities of this evolving field.
Stephanie Nawyn is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Michigan State University (MSU). Her research and teaching expertise are in migration, gender, and refugees. She is the former director of MSU’s Center for Gender in Global Context, where she oversaw the Women’s and Gender Studies program and supported research and activities related to sex, gender, sexuality, and feminist studies. She is also the mother of two wonderful young men, Henry (age 20) and Zach (age 16).
Zach Nawyn-Hellinga is a high school junior who aspires to study engineering in college. He enjoys robotics and building electronic devices, biking, and theatre. He has participated in a community children’s theatre program since he was very young, performing on stage and working on the crew (especially building sets).

Stephanie and Zach are members of the Presbyterian Church of Okemos, Michigan, where Zach’s baptism was reaffirmed with his true name in January of this year.

Please register at: upcbgm.org/jimm250630reg

Join the Zoom meeting on June 30, 6:30pm: upcbgm.org/jimm250630

Meeting ID 872 1730 2511 | Passcode 691603

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.

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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