Weekly News Update                                        Nov 24, 2025


Good Morning Christ Community Friends:


I am writing to provide you with our weekly update and to share exciting news with you from Pastor BJ in Uganda. As you can tell from his update, he has been busy serving and spreading God's message:


  • He arrived in Uganda late Monday night, after resting, he spent Tuesday running errands and getting ready for three graduations and 8 teaching days.
  • Wednesday and Thursday was a Bible Scholars Summit at Seeta City Church, Rev. Davis Matovu's church. The Gemstones,  Seeta City's praise and worship team led them off. 
  • Then Rev. Moses Muli taught about unity and the Creed. In the afternoon he taught about the invalid man in John 5.  This was followed by a Bible focused Q&A.
  • Thursday was more of the same.  Great students, awesome questions, and a great time. They blessed some people by helping send a young woman back to nursing school (she'd run out of funds) and helping a father cover his children's school fees.
  • Friday is a Bible Summit in Nansana and Saturday is the Nansana graduation.
  • He is praying for all of us from there and welcomes and thanks everyone for praying for them. 


And back here at home - we too have exciting things happening at CCUMC.


First - a big thank you to Jim Karins for sharing the message with us last Sunday and blessing us with his beautiful voice in song. He confessed he had a few butterflies as he began, but I think we can all agree he had them flying in formation and he delivered a beautiful service with a meaningful message. If you missed it - you can always watch it by clicking on our YouTube channel, or from the link on our website.






Our guest preacher this Sunday, October 26, is Hannah Mudge. Hannah served as a pastor in the Albany area and has returned to the Syracuse area. Please join us to welcome Hannah and to listen for the God's message through her.


And then on November 2 – Janice Dudden – longtime friend and missionary at Christ Community will be delivering the message.

 

Please remember, as BJ is serving God in other ways, Pastor David Buzard, Pastor of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Syracuse, will be providing emergency pastoral care through November 6.  To reach David, contact Bonnie DeBoer at 315-481-8268 and she will get you connected.

 

Upcoming Events - Save the Dates!!

  • Tuesday, November 4 - Election Day Bake Sale
If you have an inkling to bake - please contact Randa Greer and she can let you know what goodies might still be needed and what the top sellers are. If you have an inkling to eat, please stop by the church on Election Day and sample some soup and baked goods. You have to reside in the district to vote - but not to EAT! And, we have been assured that this is an inflation busting bake sale, where prices have not increased since last year - doubtful you will find that anywhere else you shop. The Bake Sale is a major fundraiser for the mission team, and any way you can support them will be most appreciated as they do so much valuable work.


  • Saturday, November 8 - Annual Church Conference


1:00 to 3:00 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Valley Drive in Syracuse. This is our annual meeting, which will be held with several other congregations. We will elect a new Trustee, approve the pastoral support package, recommend a person for certification and licensing in ministry, and other relevant business. All Church members have a voice and vote.  If you are interested in carpooling, please let me know and I will try to make arrangements for you. I am also willing to have a couple of people ride with me.

 

  • Sunday, November 9 - All Saints Memorial Communion celebration during 10 am worship service

Do you have family or friends who have died since November 1, 2024? Would you like to have them remembered? Contact Randa Greer with the information.


  • Saturday, November 22 - Holiday Craft Fair at Christ Community


Thanks to Betty Kline and friends, Saturday, November 22, will feature over two dozen crafters from around the region to display and sell their wares in our fellowship hall. Bring your friends and do a little Christmas shopping. Posters are available for you to hang up at local bulletin boards and other locations.


  • Sunday, November 23 – Annual Stewardship Sunday during 10 am worship service


  • Ongoing - CCUMC Food Pantry

The food pantry is an ongoing mission of CCUMC and can always use your support through donations of non-perishable food or money. Janice Dudden coordinates the food pantry and often tells stories of how thankful people are when they are able to receive extra help from us. This is a wonderful way to show God's love to others. If you have some extra non-perishable food in your pantry, or can put a few extra items in your cart when grocery shopping, it goes a long way for those who don't have that opportunity. And as an added bonus, with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up - we can spread God's love even more by providing the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal for those who otherwise might not have one. Stuffing mix, cornbread mix, pickles, olives, cranberries, even turkey - whatever your favorites might be, can be donated to the food pantry.



  • Ongoing - Blanket Drive
We are currently collecting blankets - either new or gently used - to provide for those in need. 


In addition, if you have any warm clothing -  hats, winter jackets, mittens, sweatshirts, etc. - please consider donating them. We are fortunate to have a connection with Brown Memorial in Syracuse and Robin Hare will bring any items to families in need there.


On a personal note - 

As I am writing this message to everyone, I am also taking some time to reflect on what CCUMC means to me. Of course it is my place of worship where I learn to be closer to God and Jesus, where my faith is renewed and increased, and where I pray and strive to become a better person. But it is also my sanctuary, in both the literal and figurative way. Each day I may face more craziness in the world and wonder how humans can act as they do towards one another. I find myself questioning more and more what is happening in the world and what can I do about it - sometimes I feel hopeless to make an impact and at other times it may be apathy. I pray and I try to do my best to be a better person and to make a difference, even if it is only a small one. And then, I think about all of the people who make up CCUMC - usually that happens when I am driving home on I-690 and see our rooftop cross as a reminder - and I know that we are making a difference with our faith and with our community. We are making a difference to each other, to our community, and to our world. Our difference might not quite yet be fully realized - but it is there - in our faith and in our actions. It is through everyone at CCUMC that I find my strength, my faith, and mhope for a better world for everyone.   Thank you each and every one of you.



Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of CCUMC.

with God's love,


Jennifer