Eric Detar and several Keuka College students presented information about their mission trip to Puerto Rico during school break. It was very informative and enjoyable to learn of their experiences. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 05-09-2024 Recently Eric Detar and a group of Keuka College and other students from Marywood College, Onondaga Community College , and Holbart-William Smith College participated in Love in Motion, on a six day trip to Puerto Rico from March 14-22. There were six words of service that they followed including: identify, management, availability, opportunity, motive, and attitudes. Some of the activities they participated in were picking up rocks and laying gravel to make mud trails safer, planting 160 orange trees, planting 486 bloodwood trees, and digging 700 holes for future tree planting. They also placed 2000 flags across the area. They worked very hard in the warm weather and encouraged each other to take breaks. They got to practice their Spanish, singing and dancing. They had one relaxation/break day, but the other days they were hard at work. The relaxation day included a catamaran cruise, visiting a dog shelter in old San Juan, and visiting old churches and other historic buildings. They learned so much about Puerto Rico, and the many resources there which include pharmaceutical companies, rum factories, agriculture, and tourism. It was a very successful school break. Thank you Eric and students for sharing your experiences with us! On Sunday, May 12 we will have Mother’s Day service and fellowship time, but no brunch. It is anticipated that people will want to leave a little earlier to be with their families on this special day. Our music Sundays (on the Sundays that have five Sundays in the month) have become very popular. During these Sundays Ron Miller organizes the service filled with music. if anyone wishes to participate please see Ron Miller to schedule. On Thursday, May 9 we will do our biannual road cleanup. we meet the church at 9 AM on that day, and then split up to do a route on 54-A. It usually takes an hour to finish our route. It is one of our church missions. If you can help please join us. Many hands make the work easier. This is one of our church missions! Come join us for a little exercise and conversation as we do our work! See you at 9 AM on Sundays at church! We have nursery and Sunday school available for the kids. Nursery is for children younger than five, and Sunday school is from kindergarten age through sixth grade. The Sunday school children leave the sanctuary to say and write a prayer, learn a Bible lesson, read related scripture through the Children’s’ Bibles, and participate in a craft or other project, after a short children’s story in church.

Thank you Grady Bray or your inspirational message this past Sunday. We all appreciate your knowledge of the Bible and the life of Jesus. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 05-02-2024 Laurie Prinzivalli let us know that since 2007 our church has given out 608 prayer shawls. This ministry was started by Nancy Wilmott- we have had many women in our church who crochet or knit these lovely prayer shawls to give to anyone in need of special prayer. They have touched so many over the years. Grady Bray gave us our past Sunday message. Grady came to the Methodist Church later in his life through his wife. He was drawn to our church through the teachings of John Wesley. who formed the foundation of our faith through scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. Grady has read through the Bible several times and has an unbelievable knowledge of scripture. Grady looked at a passage in the Bible where Satan was in the midst of the sons presenting themselves to God. There is mystery all around us and mystery in the Bible, even though in our lives today we like things to be known and to make sense. Grady believes that the Bible is a living, breathing word for us today, even though it was written so many years ago. Grady then looked at Angels, who often appears as people without wings. Angels are messengers of God. In scripture from 1 Peter, we see that angels wanted to know God’s plan. but God would not let them know it at that point. Some things that we cannot see are with us. The Holy Spirit is always there in us. Angels however are not our salvation- our salvation is only through Jesus Christ. Grady explained that our faith we are forgiven This is one thing that Jesus could not know. we need to pray for guidance through the Holy Spirit. Our next women’s breakfast is Wednesday, May 1 at the Wagner restaurant at 9 AM, scheduled for every other week. The men meet every Tuesday at Oak Hill at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to attend. We have Nursery and Sunday school for the children get our Sunday services at 9 AM. The children enjoy a Bible story and often then do activities or crafts related to the theme of the day. Please join us at our service at 9 AM on Sundays. We are a faith-based church, where friends in Christ become family.