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THEVINEYARDNewsletter of The Lockport United Church of ChristOpen to God’s Spirit, we reach out in Loveto the World and invite All to journey with usAn Open and Affirming CongregationDECEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021Church to Remain Closed for NowThe Church Council met on November 19 to discuss whether or not to re-open the church for worshipand other activities. The difficult decision was made that it is not yet time to do that.Our neighboring Erie County and some surrounding areas in Niagara County are now in the NYS codelevel of orange and yellow respectively. There is the likelihood that Erie County will soon reach the codelevel of red, which is the highest level. As a church, this rising level of Covid-19 cases in the region isvery concerning. Many people travel between these two counties for work, social gatherings, and topatronize stores and restaurants. Considering all that’s happening, it just does not seem appropriate togather together again at this time.We had very much hoped that we would be able to open for Advent. This is the time of year when weespecially look forward to the worship and fellowship activities for Advent and Christmas. Many in ourcongregation represent the most at-risk population, however, so the only prudent decision is to remainclosed for the time being.The Council also discussed additional ways to stay connected with our members, and for our membersto keep in touch with each other. Some, such as our “Secret Pal” plans, are outlined in this newsletter.With vaccines on the horizon, hopefully the end of this pandemic is in sight. But for now, let us stay safeand take care of each other, and look after our neighbors in need, and comfort and pray for those whoare feeling vulnerable until we can be together in-person again.To Zoom or Not to ZoomOne suggestion being considered is to hold virtual gatherings by use of Zoom. This might be a casualworship or prayer session, or perhaps just an opportunity to chat with one another. We would like to knowif this is something our members would like to do. It would require you to have a computer with a cameraand microphone to participate.If this is something you would like to do, please let us know with either an e-mail or phone message tothe church or to Cyndy. We will make a decision based on the response of our members.

Christmas SharingIn keeping with our tradition at this time of year, we will be offeringopportunities for our members to share with those in need. This year,there is a great need in our community to help those who are lessfortunate and those going through tough times because of thepandemic.We will have a drop-off day at the church for you to bring in yourdonations to any or all of our collection drives.Saturday, December 12 — 1 to 3 pmIf this day doesn’t work for you, please call Cyndy (772-7602) to make other arrangements.“Mitten Tree”CollectionThough we won’t have our mitten “tree” we will be collecting mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves asalways. They will be used locally to help warm a less fortunate boy or girl’s winter.Toy CollectionWe will also be collecting toys for local kids. These will be donated to theYWCA to help brighten a less fortunate child’s Christmas.(Please do NOT wrap your toy.)Food Pantry Items & BooksThis would also be a good opportunity to bring food donations for ourLittle Pantry or books for our Little Library. Any items collected will beused to keep our Little Pantries supplied to benef it the community.

Our Little FoodPantry has beeninstalled in front ofthe church, and it isbeing well used.The need for foodis great right now.Since the pandemicbegan, so manypeople are out ofwork and strugglingwith food insecurity.Through our Little Pantry we hope to offer helpto those in need. We are asking our members tosupport this effort by bringing food items to keepit stocked.In your Holiday Giving, we hope you willremember your church. An envelope for yourChristmas donation to Lockport UCC is found inthis newsletter, and may be returned to thechurch any time in December. (If you’d like tosave a stamp, just drop it through the mail slot inthe Church Office.) Thank You!We would like to suggest that you might pick aday that works for you and commit yourself toadding a few food items each week. If you find italready full, come back and check another day ifneed be.Remember the foods must be non-perishables.Spaghetti sauce & noodles, mac & cheese,canned goods, etc. – anything that will be OK inthe box where it may get warm or cold.With your support, we can help feed the needyfamilies in our community!Little LibraryAlong side our Little Pantry is the Little Library.This has also been quite popular since we reinstalled it.If you have books to donate, for adults orchildren, they would be appreciated.The top shelf is books for adults, the bottomshelf is stocked with books for children. Weparticularly need books for children, since thoseseem to be the most popular.THE VINEYARDA publication of The LockportUnited Church of Christ98 East AvenueLockport, New York 14094(716) 433-2545Editor: Cyndy Corrieri(716) 772-7602ccorrieri@rochester.rr.comThe Vineyard is published bi-monthlyto keep members and friendsinformed of programs of the churchand news of its people.Submissions WelcomeDeadline for Next Issue:January 17, 2021

Check Out Our WebsiteOur complete newsletter (in COLOR)as well as lots of other great informationis available on our website.Check it out at:lockportucc.comIf you would like to receive your newsletter viae-mail, just send your e-mail address to Cyndy atHoliday Wishesto Our Shut-in Membersccorrieri@rochester.rr.comIt’s a quick and easy way to get your newsletter,and it will save the church money.LaVerne Rongo – Millie WilsonElderwood - 104 Old Niagara Rd.Lockport, NY 14094Naomi DiceHeritage Manor - 41 Lexington CourtLockport, NY 14094Glenn Tall – Mary WintersteenLockport Rehab & Health Care Center909 Lincoln Avenue - Lockport, NY 14094Linda LayerMt. View Assisted Living5465 Upper Mountain Rd.- Room 408ALockport, NY 14094Visiting is still very limited in nursing homes,so many people there will celebrateChristmas without seeing family or friends.Please think about sending a Christmas cardor note to our shut-ins this year to let themknow we are thinking of them.How to Reach UsChurch Office98 East Ave. asurerCyndy Corrieriphone: 772-7602e-mail: ccorrieri@rochester.rr.comIf you are Hospitalizedregister your church affiliationas Lockport UCC.If you would like a visit,please call the church office.

Join OurSecret PalGroupDuring this time of physicalseparation from oneanother, we thought itwould be fun to start a secret pal group. We’dlike everyone to join in, because the bigger thegroup the more fun it will be.577111415Jean BootsDebra MullaneyRod PetersRichard Dodge IIElizabeth DodgeTom Reid171818272727Laura PetersRol SyCheryl TurnerLinda LayerJohn WrightRuth Laese261111121719Savino PelligrinaDavid HagueOliver MietlowskiJames RongoGary HenningDebbie IrwinMelody Zuercher212225283031Jeff BootsGeorge CruickshankMelissa GritzmacherMegan MullaneyCarl VanderWeideSkip DodgeEveryone who signs up will be given a SecretPal, and will be a secret pal to someone else. Asa secret pal, you simply stay in touch with yourpal by sending a card or note from time to time –such as a birthday or anniversary card, thinkingof you card, holiday cards like Christmas, etc.You may even want to tuck in a little giftoccasionally, such as a poem or prayer or jokeyou came across and printed out.In return, you will get little surprises in the mailfrom your secret pal, too. What fun!Just remember – it’s a SECRET! You don’t tellanyone who your pal is. No return address onmailings. Sign your cards simply as “Your SecretPal” never with your name. Print or disguise yourhandwriting if you think it might be recognized.Don’t do anything that would give away youridentity to your pal.We’ll keep up our “Pal” connections until we’reable to be together in worship again, then we’llhave a day when we’ll do a big “reveal” andshare our identity with our secret pals.If you’d like to join in on this fun fellowship group,just let Cyndy know as soon as possible, andthen we’ll pass out the Pals!Cyndy – (716) 772-7602ccorrieri@rochester.rr.comor just drop a note throughthe mail slot at churchDec. 5, 1981 - Carl & Linda VanderW eideDec. 30, 1967 - Nancy & Rol SyJan. 5, 1973 - Sam & Cyndy CorrieriJan. 16, 1987 - Bobbi & Al GritzmacherJan. 18, 1992 - Tom & Melody Zuercher

2021Pledge DriveMany thanks toeveryone who hasmade a pledge ordonation for 2021. Yoursupport is certainlyappreciated!If you have not yet made your pledge to thechurch for 2021, please do so as soon aspossible. Cards may be mailed to the church, ordropped off through the Church Office mail slot.(If you have any questions or need anotherpledge card please call Cyndy at 772-7602)Financial ReportGeneral Fund SummaryOctober 1 thru November 25, 2020Income from Pledges& Offerings8,566.00Total Expenses5,781.38If anyone has questions at any time aboutour finances, please feel free to contact me.I am always happy to speak with you.Cyndy Corrieri, Treasurer772-7602ccorrieri@rochester.rr.comAnnual ReportsWe will not be having our traditional in-personannual congregational meeting this year, due tothe pandemic. We will, however, have annualreports that will be distributed to all of ourmembers in January.If you are responsible for a report, please haveit to Cyndy by January 10. (These can be emailed to ccorrieri@rochester.rr.com)Our budget and slate of officers for 2021 havealready been approved by mail-in voting. Ballotswere mailed to all of our members in October.30 responses were received, all voting “yes” onboth issues. (Thank you to everyone who voted.)Note: End-of-year donation statements willbe sent out in January to all members andcontributors. These can be used to be sureyour records agree with ours, and for taxpurposes if needed.Our ChurchCemeteryPlots in St. Peter’sCemetery areavailable for 800each. If you would liketo purchase plots, justcall Dan Holler(433-1385)and he will be happy tohelp you with that.