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Care Ministry
Free Senior Luncheons
Our free luncheon will be held in the church parlor for persons in the community age 55 and older on Wednesday May 8, 2013 from noon until 2pm at Little Utica. The menu will include broccoli & cheese and vegetable beef soups, egg salad and tuna salad and turkey sandwiches on wheat or white bread and chips. Coffee, tea, punch and milk will also be served along with a variety of desserts. Come and have lunch and visit with your friends and neighbors. Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:
June 12
September 11
October 9
November 13
Christmas Caroling
Here is the Care Ministries team as they prepared to head out on December 9 into the community to sing Christmas carols!
 Free Luncheons
Several free luncheons were be held in 2012 for persons in the community age 55 and older. These luncheons are great opportunities for community members to break bread together and socialize with their neighbors. There is always a wide choice of menu items with a Thanksgiving meal held each November. Watch our calendar for next year's schedule.
Community Garden From John Snow, Jr - July 21, 2012
I was reading through the Valley News (Fulton paper) and there was an article on how the Senior Nutrition Program of Oswego County has had to put in place waiting lists and restrictions on the seniors that sign-up for meals and food throughout Oswego County. This is the result of higher food prices, fewer donations, and greater need. I am so excited to announce that we are providing help to this issue! Produce from our Community Garden has been going to the Senior Nutrition Site in Phoenix. The produce that is not used at the site, is put out for people to take along with donated bread and other food items. People that are on waiting lists to receive meals are allowed to take some of our produce.
I find this exciting! Just as the founder of Methodism John Wesley taught us to “live the Gospel,” we too are following his example. We are loving our neighbors. There are about nine homebound senior citizens that live within a few miles of the church that are getting fresh produce weekly. It is my understanding that about 25 pounds of broccoli were given out to the community and taken to the Fulton CYO for their fresh produce distribution. And this is just the start. We will be picking peppers sometime next week if we get some rain. The beans are almost ready to pick. And when the potatoes and corn come on, we are going to be able to feed A LOT of people. I told Pastor Wade we might have to have church at the garden and he can preach while the whole congregation picks corn!
The community garden was “dreamed up” at the annual planning meeting of the Care Ministries Team. Let me remind you that this is a spontaneous ministry that does not have a hierarchy and does not have committees and structured meetings. It is just a group of people supporting each other as each team member leads a micro-ministry all falling under the umbrella of attempting to reach wellness in mind, body, and spirit for our local senior citizens. The team members take on many ministries, about 15 last year, and we are trying to add more ministries to reach more people.
We do not sweat the small stuff. Not everything goes as planned but our goal is always reached. We are imperfect but we have our hearts in the right place. It gives me great joy that we support each other. We work together in unity on our projects. And we are doing great things. It was the late Steve Jobs that said something that I find so fitting. He said, “The people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." Thank God we are all a little crazy, and thank you all for everything you do for this ministry.
Peace, John
PS - See the Photo Gallery for pictures of the Community Garden
Ongoing Ministry Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing - Prayer Shawls and Lap Robes - to be distributed to local nursing homes and to anyone in need. Please see Linda Honicker if you would like to participate or have yarn to donate or have scrap material for lap robes to donate or know of someone who could use a shawl or lap robe. In spring of 2012, the group distributed several items - See the Photo Gallery to view the beautiful work of these talented individuals!
2012 Progressive Supper Our Progressive Supper this year was held on Saturday August 18, 2012 - This traveling dinner party was held at the homes of three wonderful host families with a pulled pork supper at church as a grand finale. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.
Held at the church - Each Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am until 10:00 am
Easter Caroling
After church on Easter Sunday in 2012, several individuals joined together for Easter Caroling. We hope to make this a yearly tradition!
2011 Fall Concert
On November 8th, many enjoyed a concert held by "The Harvesters" - a singing group from Auburn who performed at Little Utica UMC. Following the concert, a variety of apple desserts, ice cream, donuts and cider were served. This group has a wonderful ministry to share - Learn more about them by clicking here: The Harvesters
Future Events - Dates to be announced - Gospel Ho-Down - Little Utica School House reunion
We have started a group to make and send cards to those in nursing homes, those that are ill or suffering from an accident or "just thinking of you" cards - see Carole Menzel for more information.
We will be organizing groups to visit local assisted-living homes, nursing homes and private homes - see Helen Wolford if interested in joining or if you know of someone who would like to have visitors.
Anyone need assistance with projects around the home? Let us know, we are organizing a helping hand group
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