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Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt
him. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving.
~Matthew 4:1-2
Wilderness… We are all very acquainted with wilderness. Wilderness is
where the wild things are, where the day-to-day rules don’t apply, where life
feels out of our control. To be in the wilderness is to speak of a sense of
being lost, to have no markers for our path, to be uncertain of which direction
we should go. It is frightening, especially when night comes and the
darkness is intense. No street lights. No buildings to escape into. No vehicles
passing by. Empty. Vast. Hostile, at times. We are left feeling vulnerable and
alone.
Wilderness is a good word for speaking of the state of things in our world, in
our denomination, and for many of us, in our lives. Impeachment, Refugees
and Immigrants on our border with parents and children separated, acts of
hate and prejudice, mass shootings, natural disasters, environmental crises;
all these and more leave us feeling that the world is out of control, wild,
chaotic, and frightening. How do we respond to any of these deeply urgent
matters? Is there any way to work together as a nation? As a community? We
are tempted to shrink away from the headlines and find a safe place to hide.
The United Methodist Church is in the wilderness. The denomination is
anything but united and we seem to have lost our method-ism that was a
hallmark of our connection. Our future is uncertain. We don’t know what
direction to turn. People are in pain, especially our LGBTQIA+ siblings, who
are wounded by the words and actions of the denomination daily. What will
the UMC look like after General Conference in May?
Each of us can point to areas in our own lives and the lives of our families
where wilderness has taken over.
However, wilderness is also the place where transformation occurs, where
new beginnings are born, where God’s grace abounds like bread from
heaven. Through the wilderness, slaves from Egypt became God’s partner
people. In the wilderness, the people of God were washed by John and started
a new journey of faith. Embraced in wilderness, Jesus proclaimed boldly his
trust in God’s way, not the easy ways offered. Wilderness can be that for us
St. Paul's United Methodist
Church, a Reconciling Congregation
Pastor’s Note 1,3
Lectionary 2
Wilderness Poem 3
Worship Series 4
Prayers and
Loving Care Notes 5
Calendars 6,7
News & Notes 8-10
Youth Ministry Update 10
UMC Update 11
A Note of Thanks 12
Lent 2020
Pastor’s Note
Continued on page 3 →
St. Paul’s is a compassionate community, led and transformed by the Spirit.
Rivière, Briton (1898). The Temp-
tation in the Wilderness [oil on
canvas]. Guildhall Art Gallery,
London. Wikimedia Commons,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
/File:Briton_Rivi%C3%A8re_-
_The_Temptation_in_the_Wildernes
s.jpg
St. Paul’s Letter 402 N. Aurora Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 273-5971
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.stpaulsithaca.org
St. Paul’s Letter 2
February-March Lectionary Readings
February 2
Micah 6:1-8
Psalm 15
1 Cor. 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12
February 9
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Psalm 112:1-9 (10)
1 Cor. 2:1-12 (13-16)
Matthew 5:13-20
February 16
Deut. 30:15-20
Psalm 119:1-8
1 Cor. 3:1-9
Matthew 5:21-37
February 23
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
February 26
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51:1-17
2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Volume 84, Issue 1
St. Paul’s Letter (USPS 477-060) is published for free by
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 402 N. Aurora St.,
Ithaca, NY 14850. Copy deadline is the 15th of the
month.
Postmaster: Please send all address changes to: 402 N.
Aurora St. Ithaca, NY 14850. Periodical Postage Paid at
Ithaca, NY 14850-9998
Organist/Pianist
Caleb Bates
Children’s Music Group
Directors
Jessa Dauria
Emily Plummer
Festival Chimes Director
Dorothy Preston
Custodian
Suzanne Orzel
Pastor Emeritus
Robert J. McCune
Ministers
All The People
--
Child Care
Sunday
9:15 am - 12:00 pm
Worship
Sunday
10:30 am
Senior Pastor
Rev. Teressa Sivers
Pastor of Loving Care
Ministries
Rev. Debbie Allen
Administrative & Building
Ministries Coordinator/
Bookkeeper
Michelle Eells
Hospitality and Connections
Ministries Coordinator
Anne Horst
Children’s Ministries &
Childcare Coordinator
Delvin Collier
Youth Ministries &
Communications Support
Coordinator
Alexa Allmann
Choral & Ensembles Director
Emily Preston
March 1
Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
March 8
Gen. 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
March 15
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
March 22
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
March 29
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45
Find more lectionary readings at
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/ or find
the link to the Revised Common Lectionary on
the Services page of our website!
Remember:
Daylight Saving Time
starts March 8!
3 St. Paul’s Letter
too, individually and communally.
This Lent, we are invited into the wilderness together for 40 days of prayer, contemplation and scripture.
Together we can face the wildness in our world, in our United Methodist Church, and in our own lives, facing
our vulnerability and fears that are natural in wild places, while also embracing the wild and wondrous Spirit
who journeys with us there, who transforms us there. Let us be reminded that we are never alone
in the wilderness.
Blessings,
Pastor Teressa
I’m not the first.
That’s what I tell myself when I
wake up in the wilderness—
Big sky, worried heart,
wondering which way to start.
I have been here before.
We have been here before.
For as long as there has
been creation,
There has been wilderness.
First it was an endless void,
Until God and God’s paintbrush
painted the sky gold.
And then it was all that lies
east of Eden,
Which is everywhere that our
story unfolds.
So like a child memorizing
their home address,
You’d think I’d learn my way
out of this wilderness.
But like the Israelites who
wandered for forty plus years,
I think I’ll spend most of my
day to day here.
For the wilderness is
everywhere that I start
to grow.
Cracks in the sidewalk, daisies
take hold.
And the wilderness is every
single place of unknown,
Or when shame and fear move
into my home.
And the wilderness is where
dusty feet tread,
Familiar with the truth that we
have days left.
So where is God, you ask?
God is in the big sky and in my
worried heart.
God is the sidewalk cracks
where new life starts.
God is in the realization that I
am not the first.
So may we take these limited
days left
And remember that we’ve been
here before—
God and I and this untamed
world.
God and the Israelites and the
gathered assembly.
God and the horizon and the
new day beginning.
Poem on Wilderness
“The Wilderness is Somewhere We’ve Been Before” by Sarah Are
Sanctified Art Wilderness Devotional
4 St. Paul’s Letter
Lenten Worship Series and Activities
Wilderness: State of the Wild
from A Sanctified Art, sanctifiedart.org
February 23—Transfiguration Sunday—After morning worship, come to the dining room to participate in
creating artist adornments for our sanctuary during Lent; tables will be set up with all the materials
needed to create Lenten vases: bare branches, rocks, clear glass vases, moss. Join with your church
family at one of the tables, read the poem and follow the simple directions for creating simple and
powerful artist elements for our Lenten worship experience. It is a spiritual experience for all ages.
Want to help plan, gather materials and create? Let Pastor Teressa know!
February 26—Ash Wednesday: Day of the Lord—Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Prayers & Ashes in the Memorial Room from 12:00 to 3:00 PM
Worship Service at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary
March 1—First Sunday of Lent: Spirit Led—Genesis 2:15-16; 3:1-7, Matthew 4:1-11
March 8—Second Sunday of Lent: Wilderness Song—Psalm 121, John 3:1-17
Daylight Saving Time Begins
March 15—Third Sunday of Lent: Through Samaria—Exodus 17:1-7, John 4:5-42
March 22—Fourth Sunday of Lent: Through the Valley—Palm 23, John 9:1-41
March 29—Fifth Sunday of Lent: Unbind Me—Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:1-45
April 5—Palm Sunday: From Palms to Passion—Matthew’s telling of the Passion Story
Five Dramatic Readers are needed for this powerful service.
Let Pastor Teressa know if you are interested.
April 9—Maundy Thursday: Singing Through the Wilderness—John’s telling of the Passion Story
Worship at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary
April 10—Good Friday: Stations of the Cross available for guided meditation in the Memorial Room
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Visio Divina Bible Study: Guided Visual Meditation & Prayer
Visio Divina, Latin for ‘divine seeing,’ is a method of meditation, reflection, and prayer through a process of
intentional seeing. Visio Divina extends the 6th century Benedictine practice of Lectio Divina by the use of
visual imagery. Traditionally, Visio Divina was accompanied by Benedictine iconography and illuminations,
however, different faith traditions have adapted the process over time, utilizing both secular and nonsecular
images. We will be using artwork created by A Sanctified Art to enhance our Lenten lectionary readings.
Join a Visio Divina group:
Mondays through March at 6:30 PM in the Memorial Room with Pastor Teressa
Thursdays through March at 10:30 AM in the Memorial Room with Pastor Debbie
If you would like to lead a Visio Divina at another time and place (in your home, perhaps, or another quiet
location), let Pastor Teressa know. She can share with you all the materials and the very simple structure. It is
easy to ‘lead’ this time of contemplation.
Lenten Devotional: A Sanctified Art ministry created a beautiful Lenten devotional for our wilderness
journey. Each week contains the unique artwork created by Sanctified Art artists, scripture reading, prayer,
poetry, space for journaling, and thoughts from the artist. Be sure to pick up your copy before Ash Wednesday
on February 26. They will be available outside the sanctuary, across from the Church Office.
5 St. Paul’s Letter
At some point in our lives, the awareness that we
will not live forever becomes more real. We may
experience a serious illness, the death of a loved one,
or more gradual changes that limit what we are able
to do. Questions and concerns arise during this
phase of our lives that we have never faced before.
Florida Scott-Maxwell describes the elder years as an
intense and varied experience, almost beyond our
capacity at times, but something to be carried high.
If it is a long defeat, she says, it is also a victory…
What grounds us and gives meaning as we move into
the unchartered territory of these years?
In the month of February, you are invited to
participate in four sessions on aging and planning for
the end of life. We will meet on Thursday
mornings – February 6, 13, 20, 27 – from 10:00 to
11:30 AM in the Memorial Room. Dur ing these
sessions we will reflect together on our fears about
getting sick and needing medical care, past
experiences (our own or those of people close to us)
that have affected how we feel about medical
treatment at the end of life, and what makes the life
circumstances we are given meaningful. We will
also be looking at an advanced care directive called
Five Wishes that helps us think more concretely
about what we want and don’t want in end-of-life
care. And finally, we will spend time talking about
memorial services and other decisions we can make
now that will help our loved ones in our absence.
You are welcome to attend all or some of these
sessions, however, it is hoped that you will come to
as many as possible so that a sense of community
and trust can be established. For planning purposes,
please let me know if you wish to participate.
The words of Jane Kenyon in her poem, “Let
Evening Come,” are a gentle reminder of the natural
cycle of life and God’s presence in our midst:
Let the light of late afternoon
shine through chinks in the barn, moving
up the bales as the sun moves down….
Let it come, as it will, and don’t
Be afraid. God does not leave us
comfortless, so let evening come.
May God’s comfort fill and surround you wherever
you are on life’s journey,
Pastor Debbie
Pastor of Loving Care Ministries
Office Hours:
Mondays and Tuesdays, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Loving Care Notes
Prayer at St. Paul’s
Prayer is an important part of the St. Paul’s community. It is the way in which we share our concerns and joys
with God and with each other. We welcome requests and expressions of gratitude as part of the Gathered
Prayers that are spoken in worship. This is a public form of prayer. For prayers that are more private, you
are invited to use the Prayer Chain email group which is made up of people who commit themselves to
regularly praying for each other and for the people for whom prayers are requested. Information shared within
this group is confidential.
Contact Pastor Debbie Allen, [email protected], if you have prayer requests for the Gathered Prayers
or the Prayer Chain. Please specify which of these prayer options you are requesting.
Our sympathies:
to the family of John Van Valen, Dottie Scott’s nephew, on the loss of their son, Jonathan Van Valen.
to Jolene, Dick and Eunice Tabor’s daughter, and her husband, Scott Nonemaker, whose mother,
Ginny Kellar, passed away on December 17, 2019.
to Jane Demakos whose mother, Sonja, passed away.
February 2020 at St. Paul’s ***Please note: Church offices are closed on Friday. *** S
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March 2020 at St. Paul’s ***Please note: Church offices are closed on Friday. *** S
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Loca
l &
World
Mis
sions-
Mem
orial Room
10
6:0
0 P
M F
inance
Team
-
Mem
orial Room
7
:15
PM
Tru
stees-
Mem
orial Room
11
2:0
0 P
M L
abyrinth
Availa
-
ble
5:3
0 P
M S
oulful Liv
ing:
Supper
for
the S
oul-
Mem
orial Room
12
6:0
0 P
M F
est
ival Chim
es
Rehears
al
7:1
5 P
M C
hance
l Choir
rehears
al
13
Churc
h O
ffic
es
Clo
sed
14
15
(Ap
r-M
ay)
New
sle
tte
r D
ea
dli
ne
9:1
5 A
M -
12
:00
PM
Child
care
9
:30
AM
- 1
0:3
0 A
M P
are
nt/
Care
giv
er
Medita-
tion G
roup-M
editation L
oft
9:4
5 A
M C
hild
ren's
Musi
c G
roup-M
ark
etp
lace
1
0:3
0 A
M W
ors
hip
11
:00
AM
Youth
Reflect
ion -
Durh
am
Room
1
1:4
5 A
M C
off
ee/F
ello
wsh
ip -
Mem
orial Room
16
1:3
0 P
M S
taff
meeting-
Tere
ssa's
ofc
.
17
7:0
0 P
M -
9:0
0 P
M
Churc
h C
ounci
l-M
em
orial
Room
18
2:0
0 P
M L
abyrinth
Availa
-
ble
19
6:0
0 P
M F
est
ival Chim
es
Rehears
al
7:1
5 P
M C
hance
l Choir
rehears
al
20
Churc
h O
ffic
es
Clo
sed
21
22
9:1
5 A
M -
12
:00
PM
Child
care
9
:30
AM
- 1
0:3
0 A
M P
are
nt/
Care
giv
er
Medita-
tion G
roup-M
editation L
oft
9:4
5 A
M C
hild
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c G
roup-M
ark
etp
lace
1
0:3
0 A
M W
ors
hip
with F
est
ival Chim
es
11
:00
AM
Youth
Reflect
ion -
Durh
am
Room
1
1:4
5 A
M C
off
ee/F
ello
wsh
ip -
Mem
orial Room
23
1:3
0 P
M S
taff
meeting-
Tere
ssa's
ofc
.
24
2
5
New
slett
er
Maili
ng -
Mem
o-
rial Room
2
:00
PM
Labyrinth
Availa
-
ble
26
6:0
0 P
M F
est
ival Chim
es
Rehears
al
7:1
5 P
M C
hance
l Choir
rehears
al
27
Churc
h O
ffic
es
Clo
sed
Churc
h R
etr
eat
at
Caso
wasc
o
28
Churc
h R
etr
eat
at
Caso
wasc
o
29
Churc
h R
etr
eat
at
Caso
wasc
o
9:1
5 A
M -
12
:00
PM
Child
care
9
:45
AM
Child
ren's
Musi
c G
roup-M
ark
etp
lace
1
0:3
0 A
M W
ors
hip
11
:00
AM
Youth
Reflect
ion -
Durh
am
Room
1
1:4
5 A
M C
off
ee/F
ello
wsh
ip -
Mem
orial Room
1
1:4
5 A
M -
12
:45
PM
Youth
Gro
up
30
1:3
0 P
M S
taff
meeting-
Tere
ssa's
ofc
.
31
1
2:0
0 P
M L
abyrinth
Availa
-
ble
7:0
0 P
M S
taff
Parish
Rela
-
tions
Com
mitte
e-M
em
orial
Room
2
4:0
0 P
M S
taff
Meeting -
Durh
am
Room
6
:00
PM
Fest
ival Chim
es
Rehears
al
7:1
5 P
M C
hance
l Choir
rehears
al
3
Churc
h O
ffic
es
Clo
sed
4
8 St. Paul’s Letter
St. Paul’s Directory Update
The directory information was submitted to Lifetouch on January 15 and printed directories will be distributed
in March. St. Paulians who have a photo in the directory will receive a free copy, others may purchase a copy
for approximately $6. Thank you for supporting this project!
Reconciling Sunday - February 2
Join your St. Paul’s family in celebrating our inclusive spirit. Enjoy special treats at coffee hour
following worship. Celebrate with us by wearing your St. Paul's t-shirt and rainbow stole!
Come to Iran for an Hour…
February 2, After Worship, St. Paul’s Dining Room
"Change rooms in your mind for a day..." - 14th century poet, Hafiz
Spiritually beautiful, physically dazzling, Iran offers plenty of wisdom and knowledge! Immerse yourself for an
hour in Iranian culture and history with Iranian-American socio-cultural anthropologist and Cornell graduate
student, Natalie Nesvaderani, and retired Ithaca College Professor of Politics, Beth Harris. Also, Professor
Harris and Katherine Skura (St. Paul’s) will briefly share their experiences as peace delegates in Tehran,
Isfahan and Shiraz late last year. Join us all for fellowship, reflection, and light, healthy, allergen-free
refreshments. Please RSVP: Katherine, [email protected]
When It’s Hard to be Human: Lessons from the Rescuers of the Holocaust
February 2, 3:00 PM
Ithaca College Whalen Center for Music (Presser Room)
Authors Eva Fogelman and Roald Hoffmann will guide a panel discussion, moderated by Dan Schwarz. They
will explore why some bystanders and perpetrators risked their lives and resisted. What role does conscience
and moral courage play in confronting hate today? Free and open to the public, followed by a reception and
book signing.
End of Life Planning
February 6, 13, 20, 27
10:00-11:30 AM, St. Paul’s Memorial Room
These sessions will cover a discussion of living wills, planning a memorial service, and other issues related to
aging and being prepared for changes that take place later in life. Your ideas are welcome. Please indicate
your interest to Pastor Debbie, [email protected] or 607-273-5971.
St. Paul’s Letter 9
Join the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
February 7, 7:00-9:00 PM, Rochester, NY.
At the Mass Meeting, we will hear from community members directly impacted by systemic racism, poverty,
ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the corrupt moral narrative. We will also hear
from Rev. Barber and Rev. Theoharis, Co-Chairs of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral
Revival. The campaign is organizing a 25-state We Must Do MORE National Tour from September 2019 to
May 2020. This tour will lead into the Mass Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington, where
thousands of poor people and moral agents will gather at the nation’s capitol on June 20 to demonstrate our
power. We will demand the implementation of our Moral Agenda and call all people of conscience to engage
in deeply moral civic engagement and voting that cares about poor and low-wealth people, the sick,
immigrants, workers, the environment, people with disabilities, first nations, the LGBTQ community, and
peace over war. RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/rochester-new-york-mass-meeting-we-must-do-more-tour
OAM Shrove Pancake Brunch
February 25, 11:30 AM, St. Paul’s Memorial Rooms
The Older Adult Ministries at St. Paul's will observe the beginning of Lent with a Shrove
Tuesday Pancake Brunch. Plan to join your friends at 11:30 AM on February 25 in the
Memorial Rooms at St. Paul’s. Postcard reminders will be mailed with a follow-up telephone
call to take your reservation.
Ringers Needed
Have you ever thought about ringing bells? Festival Chimes is in needed of two full-time
ringers and substitute ringers to ring periodically when others are away. All are welcome.
The only requirement is that individuals should be able to read music. Technique will be
taught. If you are interested, contact Dorothy Preston (607-229-4888;
[email protected]) or Cindy Allen (607-227-3457; [email protected] ).
New Attendee at St. Paul's? An Invitation to Dive Deeper
We at St. Paul's are glad you have started coming for worship, and we're here to help you as you proceed
along in your spiritual journey. Would you like to know more about life at this church, be more connected or
ask questions that have been crossing your mind since you started coming? Would you like to inquire about
what church membership means, especially in the current political climate of the Methodist church? Join the
lay leaders, Pastor Teressa and Anne Horst, for a meal and conversation to dive deeper into your spiritual
journey supported by the church body at St. Paul's, and if you feel moved to do so after the discussion, become
a member. If you're interested in either the conversation or joining and one of these dates doesn't work for
your schedule, please let Anne know, we might be able to make accommodations.
Meeting and luncheon dates:
Thursday, February 27, 6:00-7:30 PM
Sunday, March 1, 12:00-1:30 PM
New members join the church: Sunday, March 8
Contact Anne Horst: [email protected], 607-273-5971 x 223
10 St. Paul’s Letter
Available for Pick-up:
2019 Year-end Financial Statements and 2020 Offering Envelopes
Due to a new USPS rule, we are no longer able to mail statements at a bulk postage rate. In order to save
postage costs, please pick up your 2019 year-end financial statements on the table outside the sanctuary.
In order to help reduce our carbon footprint and costs, we will not be ordering pre-printed boxed offering
envelopes. If you would still like to have weekly envelopes, please contact the church office,
[email protected] or 607-273-5971.
Thank you to all of the adults and older children who helped with the
Christmas pageant this year! Many hands make light work and things went
very smoothly thanks to your willingness to jump in!
With Gratitude,
Alexa
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Updates on Youth Activities:
We have begun serving the middle/high youth with their own reflection time during service. Each Sunday, the
youth are invited to the Durham Room to learn a bit about the week's Bible passage (matching what is heard
in the main service) and have time to break it down and ask questions (all with snacks, of course). We
encourage your family to discuss the passages together during the week and maybe even discuss the "For
Reflection" questions on the back of the bulletin. For full dates, please visit the calendar on the St. Paul’s
website (under the Resources tab).
Remaining Youth Group Dates:
Youth Group is designed as time to play games, burn off energy, and hang out with friends after worship. The
dates for this year were set with the parents at the Kick-Off event last August. Don’t miss out on these 2020
gatherings:
February 2
March 1
March 29
May 3
May 31
Stay up to date with St. Paul’s news, calendar events, and more by signing up for our weekly email!
Three easy ways to get on the list:
1. Head to our website and fill out your information on the popup (stpaulsithaca.org)
2. Click “Join Our Email List” on the St. Paul’s Facebook page
3. Send an email to [email protected] indicating your interest
11 St. Paul’s Letter
United Methodist Church Update
Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation
At the beginning of January, the above named protocol was released to the world. This protocol was developed
by 16 key leaders in the UMC, guided by the prominent lawyer, Kenneth Feinberg, who offered his services
pro bono to help the UMC. This protocol has no official status. Despite reports from the secular media, the
church has not split. This protocol must be submitted to our global governing body, the General Conference,
which meets May 5-15 in Minneapolis. What makes this protocol significant is the commitment of key leaders
from progressive, conservative, and centrist to promote and support it to the exclusion of any other separation
or restructuring plans.
The protocol allows local churches and annual conferences to vote to leave the United Methodist Church and
join a new denomination or denominations created through this protocol. It allows churches and conferences to
keep their property, assets and liabilities. Essentially, this protocol allows the conservative group, self-named
the Wesley Covenant Association (WCA), to exit the UMC and create their own denomination, retaining their
property and such, and with a financial settlement of $25 million, and additional monies set aside to support
historically vulnerable congregations during times of transition for both the UMC and the new denomination.
Another $2 million is placed in escrow in the event more denominations are formed under this protocol. This
plan also urges the denominations to find ways to work together through mutual missional interests. For more
information, visit the Methodist News page on the St. Paul’s website (on the homepage and under the
Resources tab).
New Regional Districts in our Upper New York Annual Conference
The Upper New York (UNY) Conference will be instituting a Regional Superintendency Plan effective July 1,
2020. The conference will continue to have 12 districts, but these districts will be grouped into 3 regions, 4
districts to each region. The regions will be served by 3 district superintendents.
We retain our same district, the Finger Lakes District, and our district office in Seneca Falls, and our district
administrative assistant, Pam Deckard, remains the same. We will be assigned a new district superintendent,
one of those listed below. Our new superintendent will work with their partner superintendents to care for the 4
districts. The regions that the UNY Conference will have are as follows:
Region 1 consists of the Albany, Adirondack, Northern Flow, and Mohawk Districts.
Region 2 consists of the Crossroads, Finger Lakes, Genesee Valley, and Niagara Frontier Districts.
Region 3 consists of the Oneonta, Binghamton, Mountainview, and Cornerstone Districts.
In meeting with the District Committees on Superintendency, Bishop Webb shared that his intention is to
appoint the following District Superintendents to these respective regions:
Region 1: Rev. Debbie Earthrowl, Rev. Abel Roy and Rev. Michael Weeden
Region 2: Rev. Nola Anderson, Rev Vonda Fossitt and Rev. Carlos Rosa Laguer
Region 3: Rev. Nancy Adams, Rev. Suzanne Block and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey McDowell
To learn more, visit https://www.unyumc.org/about/districts.
St. Paul's Letter
402 N. Aurora Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 273-5971
www.stpaulsithaca.org
Periodicals Postage Paid
Ithaca, NY 14850
~A Note of Thanks~
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your recent gift of $4,198.50. The generosity of Reconciling Communities like yours
makes possible the lifesaving ministries of creating safe sanctuaries and just policies for people of
all sexual orientations and gender identities.
These are difficult times. We find hope and energy in the fact that new churches are moving
forward to become reconciling everyday! Our movement is very strong. Keep up with all the
ways you are helping RMN at www.rmnetwork.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
RMNetwork. Please do not hesitate to contact my colleague Kathy Cheney-Egan at
[email protected], if you have any questions or comments.
We will put your gift to good use right away. Thank you for your reconciling Community's inspiring
support!
Many Blessings,
Jan Lawrence
Interim Executive Director