detail from The Tree of Life, 2018, by the people of Forest Home Chapel
Devotional Time During Lent
We will be sharing a devotional time during Lent, Wednesdays 12:00 noon at Forest Home Chapel. If you are able to bring a sandwich, Pastor Robin Blair will bring soup. Bible study and prayer to last approximately 45 minutes, so attendees can get back to work if they are on a lunch break.
Winter / Spring 2019
Forest Home Chapel continues a series of community lectures addressing broad topics of social justice, the environment, politics, and the arts. Talks about 50 minutes, followed by questions and discussion.
Cosponsored by Cornell Protestant Cooperative Ministry
For questions about the event, including handicap access, contact
Wendy Millroy at millroyw@gmail.com
Saturday, March 30, 7:00 p.m.
SPEAKERS – Dawn Pierce, mezzo soprano and assistant professor of voice at Ithaca College; Haley Evanoski (soprano) and Erin O’Rourke (soprano), Opera Ithaca Community Ambassadors. TOPIC – “Operatic Women and Modern Women: Empowerment Through Victimization.”
Opera is a reflection of both the best and the worst of our society, especially for women. Join us in a performance and discussion of the roles women play in opera and how they reflect both their victimization and empowerment.
United Methodist General Conference Special Session News
In the Room at The Biblical Truth Buffet 1.0
by Pastor Robin Blair
February 26, 2019, St Louis General Conference Special Session
The United Methodist Church (UMC) gathered in St. Louis, Missouri, from across the global connection to vote on a single issue: The Way Forward with all God’s people regarding human sexuality. From Saturday’s prayer to Tuesday’s votes, the tension was everywhere in the cavernous place of meeting, the Dome, where the St. Louis Cardinals used to play football.
We were not playing at anything in the UMC. But it felt competitive enough from my experience among them at the gathering those three days. Only certain biblical truths made it to the end zone.
Read the rest of Pastor Robin's article by clicking here.
Ithaca United Methodist Churches Reaffirm Message of Love and Inclusion
by Sara Haefeli and Lydia Dolch
February 27, 2019, Ithaca, NY
Introduction
The United Methodist General Conference decision to toughen up anti-gay rules about marriage and ordination is out of alignment with the belief systems and mission of the two United Methodist congregations in Ithaca according to lay leaders Lydia Dolch, Tigran Chatrchyan, and Sara Haefeli.
Both St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and Forest Home Chapel (UMC) are Reconciling Congregations, a progressive, inclusive movement in the United Methodist Church that welcomes all, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, ability, immigration status, or any other label used to stigmatize others.
Read the full press release here.
Ithaca United Methodists Respond To Decision to Ban Same Sex Marriages, Ordinations
by Celia Clarke, WSKG Radio
March 1, 2019
Chapel Lay Leader Sara Haefeli and St. Paul's United Methodist Church Lay Leader Lydia Dolch. Photo by Celia Clarke, WSKG
This week the global meeting of the United Methodist Church voted to maintain a ban on same sex marriages and ordinations. It’s the third largest faith community in the United States. Many American Methodists hoped for a different outcome.
WSKG’s Celia Clarke spoke with Lydia Dolch and Sara Haefeli, two Lay Leaders. They sat down in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Ithaca a few blocks from WSKG’s studio.
Listen to the segment here.
Delegate Shayla Jordan (at microphone) speaks in support of the One Church Plan during the 2019 United Methodist General Conference in St. Louis. She is surrounded by other delegates. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, United Methodist News Service.
Read More about the General Conference Special Session on the United Methodist News Service
Link to the latest here.
"Bearing the Cross: Stations, Reflections and Prayers"
Fourteen iconic photos from the life of Dr. King are hung about the sanctuary, and a devotional booklet with context, quote and prayer for each station.
The exhibit will be on view through Easter (April 21). The sanctuary is open to all Sunday mornings for worship at 10:30, and is open and empty from 11:30–12:30, a good time for quiet viewing of the installation. If you would like to schedule a private viewing, please use the Contact Us page on this website. To download the booklet, please click Here.
Chapel congregation members collaborated to produce this moving exhibit. The original installation of photographs and booklet has traveled to at least a dozen churches and sites in Tompkins County. It is still out there, traveling, to witness to God's love and justice exemplified in King's ministry.
YOGA CLASSES in the Fellowship Hall, Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. Amita Verma instructor. All levels of strength welcomed, especially beginners. This yoga class will inspire you to care for the body and spirit. $5 free-will donation benefits Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard.
For weekly updates on exact class schedules, please contact Amita directly at amita.ithaca@gmail.com.
