LATEST NEWS

Latest News
{2023}
Nov 19:
NEW Make, Bake & Decorate
On Saturday December 2nd from 1-3 p.m. at the church, we will Make Bake & Decorate! This event is for ages 5-15. Reservations suggested. Please call Pastor Pam at 716-560-0290.
Nov 17:
NEW Christmas Eve Keyboard Player
The church is seeking a keyboard player for 2023 Christmas Eve Service, 11:00 p.m. to Midnight. Please contact Rev. Pamela Klotzbach at 716-560-0290 if you are interested.
NEW Roof Progress
Please visit the Roof Progress page to see new photos showing the construction progress on our roof!
Oct 30:
Trunk or Treat
We will host a Trunk or Treat on October 31st from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the church parking lot. This event is open to the public. Learn about Trunk or Treat and its history at the link below.
Oct 29:
Community Game Night
On Friday, November 17, 6:00-10:00 p.m. the church will host a Community Game Night. Bring games, cards, munchies & soft drinks to share lots of fun! Videos and games for the kids! Pizza provided!
Roof Progress
Please visit the Roof Progress page to see new photos showing the construction progress on our roof!
View Roof Progress page...
Oct 23:
Lasagna Dinner 10/28/23
Please join us for a lasagna dinner at the church on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. Dine in or take out. View the link below for the menu and pricing, and to download a printable flyer.
Sep 28:
New Roof Progress Page
View our new Roof Progress page showing photos of the roof reconstruction process and downloadable, printable updates. The Roof Progress page is a sub-page of the main Raise the Roof page which is in the website's front page menu under the Giving tab. The direct link to the page is https://www.cortlandumc.net/roof-progress. Select the link below to
Sep 28:
Church Roof Replacement to Begin
Roof replacement is underway. Roofers were hard at work late last week and into this week at the back of the Church stripping off old shingles, making the roof leakproof, and installing new metal roofing. Work will continue next week at the front of the Church. The church's windows and shrubs will be protected by tarps to protect them from debris falling from the roofing project.
The project may cause minor inconveniences with equipment and safety barriers in place. Please be aware of your surroundings and exercise care as you walk and drive on the grounds.
Sep 20:
Church Roof Replacement to Begin
ADM Quality Construction plans to start replacing our building roofs next week if the weather cooperates. Please be aware of your surroundings and exercise care as you walk and drive on the church grounds.
Sep 11:
Fall Harvest Day MUM Sale
We will have a Fall Harvest Day “MUM Sale” on Saturday, September 16 at the church from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be mums, pumpkins, and corn stalks. Hot dogs, coffee, muffins, and water. Download a printable flyer at the link below.
Download a printable flyer...
Raise the Roof Goal Met!
Thanks to God and to all our donors, after 3.5 years of fundraising, we met the goal of $96,000 needed to replace the aging roofs on our buildings. The roof work is scheduled to begin shortly after Labor Day! Read more at the link below.
July 19:
Church Conference Meeting
The next step in the denominational disaffiliation voting process -- after the previous discernment conversation meeting on Tuesday July 18 will be a church conference meeting held Wednesday July 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. Our district superintendent Sherri Rood will preside over this meeting. Only persons who are verified as members of First United Methodist Church and present at the meeting will be allowed to vote. Other people may attend but may not vote.
Read about the disaffiliation process...
July 13:
Exploring Disaffiliation
The discernment conversation meeting is scheduled for Tuesday July 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. Our district superintendent Sherri Rood will lead the meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The church conference is scheduled for Wednesday July 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. Our district superintendent Sherri Rood will preside over this meeting. Only persons who are verified as members of First United Methodist Church and present at the meeting will be allowed to vote. Other people may attend but may not vote.
Read about the disaffiliation process.
May 24:
Follow-up Meeting | May 28
Last Sunday, May 21, the church held an informational congregational meeting with conversation following the church service regarding the guidelines given by the UNYUMC Conference. The guidelines regarding disaffiliation were explained followed by discussion and questions that were answered. On May 28 there will be a follow-up meeting after the church service. At that time people can vote if they wish to explore disaffiliation or not. It is important that everyone attends this short meeting.
"Raise the Roof" Campaign Update
As a result of a generous gift of $25,000 made by an anonymous donor, our roof replacement campaign fund has increased to $79,328. Thank you! Based on recent roofing contractor estimates we still need to raise $91,000 to complete the roofing project.
May 13:
Congregational Meeting | May 21
The church Council will hold an Informational Congregational Meeting with Conversation to be held immediately following the church service on May 21, 2023. It is very important that everyone attend this meeting as the topic will be the direction of our church. There will be a follow up meeting on this topic after the church service on May 28, 2023.
Sharon Signor (S/PPRC and Council Chair)
Spring Flower Sale | May 20
The Fellowship Outreach Committee will hold a fundraising sale on Saturday, May 20. Unlike previous years we will not be taking preorders. This year we are using a different vendor and cannot request specific plants. If you would like combination pots, please let a committee member know, and we will put them together. We will have a few made for the day of the sale. Another change pertains to selling perennials. If you are thinning your plants, please consider donating them. Please come and support our event and brighten your outdoors with beautiful plants. We will have hanging baskets (10" for $22, and 12" for $28), annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, and combination pots. A little bit of something for everyone.
Upcoming Leadership Change
Rev. Eunice Kim has informed the church Council that she will be moving to another church. Her last Sunday with us will be June 11, 2023. Please pray for her move and her spiritual journey, and for the pastor who will be coming and the transition for everyone. Read more...
April 27:
Spring Cleanup
Spring is here and it is time to spruce up inside and outside of our church. The Trustees have scheduled a Spring Clean Up Day for May 6 from 9:00 AM to Noon. We are asking for volunteers. Many hands make light work. Various tasks, so there will be something for everyone. Hope to see you there! --Ron Bailer, Trustee Chair. Download a printable flyer at the link below.
April 16:
"Raise the Roof" Campaign Update
We have raised nearly $55,000 toward the replacement of the church roof and are working to secure a grant from the Wilkins Foundation. We are in the process of receiving proposals from roofing contractors. Recently we were quoted a cost to replace the roof at $83,000. This quote leaves us short of our goal by about $28,000, so we are asking for your support.
April 9:
Easter Sunday Celebration
Join us for Easter Sunday Celebration at 10:00 a.m. We will be reaching out to the community and our church family with Easter Blessing Baskets!
April 6:
Holy Thursday Prayer
Please join us in the sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. for Holy Thursday Prayer! All are invited.
March 17:
"Raise the Roof" Campaign Update
To date, we have received $53,724 in donations from 61 church individuals and families, businesses, and friends of the church.
March 13:
AmazonSmile Results
Though we had only a short time with AmazonSmile before Amazon discontinued the program, the church was issued a $10.84 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of program activity between October 1 and December 31, 2022. We are grateful for the donation, and we will look for other similar giving opportunities. Thank you!
February 23:
"Raise the Roof" Campaign Update
The total raised to date through donations and fundraising has reached $53,618. So far, 59 individuals/families, businesses, and friends of the church have donated.
January 19:
AmazonSmile to be Discontinued
Amazon will discontinue AmazonSmile on 2/20/2023. Please continue to donate through the end of the program. "To help charities that have been a part of the AmazonSmile program with this transition, we will be providing them with a one-time donation equivalent to three months of what they earned in 2022 through the program, and they will also be able to accrue additional donations until the program officially closes in February (Amazon, 2023-01-18)."
January 6:
"Raise the Roof" Campaign Update
The past year has been a whirlwind with our effort to recover from the pandemic, continue to raise funds for our roof replacement, and support our mission projects such as the Food Pantry and Tabitha's Closet clothing giveaway. We ended the year with over $50,000 toward our goal.