Newsletter

So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

-Galatians 6:9-10

Every year when I sit down to write this report, I take the opportunity to reflect on what's taken place since the last one. It's easy to lose track of progress when you're in the middle of it, but taking a bird's eye view of a longer period of time helps to demonstrate just how far along things have - or haven't - come. And my goodness, what a year this has been!

Coming in to 2024, I invited us all to consider the legacy this church currently has, and how we might add to it in the years to come. And add to it you did, one season after another. 

In the spring, a generous donation made it possible to make significant steps forward in the quality and consistency of our live streaming, putting us at the forefront of mainline churches in our region in terms of digital ministry capability. These same improvements made possible an experimental Christmas pageant which excited our youth group and even got some of their parents interested in becoming more involved at church.

In the summer, the Session paid serious attention to our aging and inefficient heating system, and agreed to a significant overhaul if funds could be raised to pay for it. Within five weeks of that decision, enough people stepped up to pledge funds to cover the quoted cost of a brand new, more efficient, lower emission propane system which is due to be installed in the coming months. About 80% of funds pledged have already been received and I am confident the remaining 20% will come through with their commitments.

In the fall, we expected two new students to join our ecumenical youth group and wound up with six, as our youth invited their friends to come and participate. I've already heard this year's crop of fifth graders discussing who they're going to rope in when it's their turn to join next year.

In the winter, this congregation rose to the challenge of providing Christmas gift cards for every family that uses the food pantry. Then you rose to the challenge again when we were asked to provide disaster relief to North Carolina. In the middle of the holiday season, when money is shortest and the list of those asking for it is longest, this church spearheaded an effort that saw our little town send over $10,000 worth of money and in-kind donations to people in need.

Not even counting the North Carolina donations, which were substantial, mission giving appears to have gone up in 2024, with you all faithfully supporting the causes we have chosen to champion. 

You might think all these extra expenditures caused problems elsewhere, but the opposite has proven to be true. Even with a technological overhaul, an impromptu capital campaign, and a surprise last minute mission drawing significantly on our resources, 2024 is the first non-Covid year in over a decade when the year-end books finished in the black. We did not draw on our endowments once all year. We received a sizable one-time bequest in memory of a departed member and haven't had to touch a penny of it. In the midst of more mission activity than ever, we are quite possibly in the best financial position we've ever seen.

There is, and always will be, more work to be done. One good year does not give us license to simply rest on our laurels and trust that all years to follow will be the same. We must continue to work together to reach new heights of mission. 

Still, even as we acknowledge what has yet to be done, I believe we deserve to celebrate what we have achieved in so short a time. Let us begin this year with gratitude for what we have accomplished together, and may it inspire us to remain steadfast in our commitment to the mission to which we have been called.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rev. Dr. Shea Zellweger

Every year, my daughter and I get super excited to watch the cute furry groundhog come out of his stump and tell us if we are going to have a longer winter or early spring. Every year, my daughter and I take guesses on what we would like. Usually, we both look forward to a longer winter, but last year my daughter wanted an early spring. I asked her why she changed her mind, and she told me that she was looking forward to all of the fun summer activities that we would be doing and that she was ready for the snow to go away. Last year Phil (groundhog) informed us that we would be having a longer winter, which broke my daughter’s heart. She stopped thinking he was very cute when he didn’t give her the forecast she wanted. I told her that spring and summer would be coming, and that we just have to wait a bit for it, but in her mind, winter was here to stay for the rest of the year. My husband is a fan of finding other animals that can “predict” our future weather. His favorite is Lucy the Lobster from Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, Lucy also agreed with our cute furry groundhog that we would be having a longer winter. This did not help with my very annoyed child wanting an early spring. 

I giggle thinking of my daughter thinking I’m lying to her when I say, “No matter what the ground hog says, spring will still come.” How often, as adults, do we feel this way with certain stresses in our life. “Give it up to God and He will sort it out.” was something I used to roll my eyes at. No one could help me with my problems, no one will understand what I’m going through, how can God help me with these issues? When finally, I stepped back from my struggles and looked at the people around me trying to help. God wouldn’t allow me to be alone, when I felt alone. He wouldn’t let me bottle up my problems as I would vent my issues to family and friends who were concerned about my mental health. I had to take a step back, look at the bigger picture and realize, God will make sure spring will come again in my life and that winter will not last forever. 

All are invited to Thursday morning Lenten meditations in the chapel beginning on March 6 at 11:00 am and continuing on Thursday mornings until Easter.  This is a beautiful opportunity to contemplate in our hearts and deepen our understanding of the events leading up to Easter and the miracle of the Resurrection.

Thursday morning Lenten meditations will include: 

• the scripture of the upcoming week,
• mindfulness practice with awareness of the breath,
• devotional repetitive song,
• a period of silence (in approximately three 10 minute segments each).  
• We will conclude with prayer. 

Our Lenten meditations will last approximately 30 minutes. If you have any questions, please see Joanie or Evie. 

“All of us at some time or other, need help, each of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors-in our own way each of us is a giver and a receiver.”        Fred Rogers

This quote by  Mr Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister who created and performed in the TV show “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, got me thinking about our community and the ways we neighbors are giving and receiving.

A few examples are:

The Hammond school students donating money to our Food Pantry.
2 grants being written by Food Pantry staff-one for a new freezer and one for food to stock the shelves.
Neighbors donating enough money to purchase 55 $25 gift certificates for Christmas.
Stewart’s donating redeemable coupons for 1 gallon of milk.
Pepsi supplying juice and soda.
Neighbors joining together to be present after a friend’s last radiation treatment and being a part of the ringing of the bell ceremony.
Neighbors contributing items and money to go to Asheville, NC to help with hurricane recovery.
There are many other examples of neighbors giving and receiving. Can you bring to mind something you know has been given or received?
THANK YOU neighbor! 

Our Hammond Hometown Heroes campaign is officially underway! The Hammond Historical Museum Banner Committee has set a goal to install the first group of honor banners by Memorial Day, 2025.

If you have a deceased family veteran or know a veteran who fits the project guidelines below, we need you! Grab an application by either copying from one of the online sites or a paper copy and gather the information needed so that we can hang a banner to honor our hometown heroes!

Paper applications will be available at the Hammond Historical Museum, the Town of

Hammond offices, and Hammond Central School. Online applications will be available on the following online locations: Town of Hammond website, Hammond Historical Museum website, Facebook pages for the town, the museum, Hammond Memories, and Citizen’s cable page, or you can request an application by mail at the address below.

Project Guidelines

* Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has long term ties to the Hammond communities.

* Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who was born and raised in Hammond.

* Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has been in the Hammond area as a seasonal resident for 30+ years

* Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has long term connections (family) to the Hammond community

* Veteran banners will be displayed on designated NG poles in the village of Hammond, Chippewa Bay, Blind Bay, and Oak Point.

* Families who have multiple veteran members may have the option of placing two pictures per banner.

* Banners will be 24X48 inches in size at a cost of $225 which includes the banner, brackets, shipping, and installation.

* Banners are guaranteed for 3 years and after that time are returned to the family.

Applications will be open and available after January 1, 2025; banner orders deadline, including photos, and payment, will be March 1 st , 2025. The production process will take approximately one month.

Please contact us by email, hammondhometownheroes@gmail.com; or by mail at:

Veteran Banner Committee

c/o Hammond Historical Museum

P O Box 107

1A North Main Street

Hammond, NY 13646 

Hammond hometown heroes

Banner project application Form

*Please complete and return to the Veteran Banner Committee, c/o Hammond Historical Museum.  Sponsors/Families will be responsible for all information including accurate dates and correct spelling. 

Rank: 

First Name:

Last Name:

Branch of Service:

*Discharge papers, to include a DD214 or other separation papers.  These papers may be obtained at archives.gov if unavailable

Era:

Eras include:

• Global war on terror (Sept. 2002 – present)   
• Persian Gulf War (Aug. 1990-Aug. 1991)
• Cold War (Sept. 1945-Dec. 1991)
• Vietnam Conflict (Feb. 1962-Nov. 1975)    
• Korean War (June 1950-Jan. 1955)
• WWII (Dec. 1941-Dec. 1946)
• WWI (Apr. 1917-Nov. 1918)
• Spanish American War (Apr. 1898-Aug. 1898)
• Civil War (1861-1865)

Sponsor/Family:

Photos: 150 dpi quality

Status (KIA/ POW/ MIA)

*Medals (Purple heart/ Silver Star/ Bronze Star/ Gold Star)

*We will need proof of those medals.  If you require a different medal you will need to supply proof.

Other information:

Name and contact information (for any questions):

Banner price:  $225   Paid: Check (payable to Hammond Hometown Heroes):        Cash: 

Please submit to: Veteran Banner Committee, C/o Hammond Historical Museum

P O Box 107, 

1 A North Main Street  

 Hammond , NY   13646