Worship: Every Sunday at 10:00 am. Wednesday Evenings at 7 pm during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
Our worship is centered on encountering and praising the Triune God. The Bible is the foundation of our worship and the theme of each service focuses on how we can apply the wisdom of the ancient text to our 21st century lives. Children are invited to a special time of their own before they go to Sunday school at 10:15. We are blessed with talented musicians who lead us in a variety of musical styles. Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of the month. Nursery care for infants and toddlers is offered during every worship service. Following worship all are invited to the fellowship hall for a casual time to visit over coffee and snacks.
Our Pastor. The Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood is the 55th pastor of our church and has served in ministry for 15 years. Pastor Rood is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. She was ordained a Deacon in 1996 and an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1999. Pastor Rood recently completed a Doctor of Ministry Degree at Northeastern Seminary and has served churches in Monroe and Wyoming Counties. She is married to Bob and together they have four children, two of whom are happily married, and one grandchild.
Youth Ministry. Youth group for youth 6th grade and up meets on Sunday morning at 8:45 The youth participate in various mission projects as well as games, lock-ins, youth gatherings and a variety of events designed to grow their spirituality in a fun way. Please check the church calendar and newsletter for more information
Music Ministry Our church is truly blessed with gifted musicians. Ms. Esther Gillie is our church music director. Esther is a graduate of Skidmore College and is currently at work on a Master of Church Music at Concordia University. Esther is involved in planning worship and conducts the church choir and our chime choir. The choir is a volunteer group and always welcomes new voices. Choir rehearses Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm September through June. Please check the calendar for specific dates. The chime choir rehearses on Sunday mornings following worship. If you are interested in joining either choir, please contact Esther.
Ms. Lourdes Santiesteban is our church musician. Hailing from Cuba, Lourdes is a graduate of the Instituto Superior de Arte de La Habana, with degrees in piano and orchestral conducting. Lourdes brings great energy and joy to worship.
Sunday School. Children and youth classes are offered for children ages 3 to 6th grade every Sunday, September through May, at 10:15 am. Junior Church is offered during the summer months.
Sunday school for adults, otherwise known as Adult Fellowship, meets every Sunday September through May at 8:30 am.
Thursday Night Community Dinner. You are cordially invited to supper every Thursday evening at 6 pm where you will find great food and great fellowship. Suggested donation is $4 but none are turned away! Give yourself a treat and eat dinner with us this Thursday. Please check the calendar around holidays to make sure we are serving.
Confirmation Class. Confirmation class for youth in 6th grade and up is held every other year from September to May. Our next confirmation class will be offered during the 2009-2010 school year
Bible Studies. A variety of short-term and long-term Bible study opportunities are available throughout the year. Please check the newsletter for upcoming studies or contact the church office
Church Library. The church library began in 1971 with a bequest to the Sunday school. One hundred books were purchased for $25. Although these volumes are long gone, many new books, videos and slides take their place. All may be borrowed by our church family.
United Methodist Women. The mission of the United Methodist Women is to be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. All women in the church are invited to participate. Please check the church calendar for meeting dates and times.
Men’s Breakfast Club. All men are invited out to breakfast on Saturdays at 8:00 am. The men currently meet at The Town and Country Family Restaurant, 3205 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624 (585) 889-9133. Once a month they meet for breakfast at the church. Following breakfast, the men sometimes do minor repairs and maintenance at the church.
Visitation Team. Our church is blessed to have its own visitation team.These persons have been called and trained to make visits to persons who need the church’s care in the home, hospital or long term care facilities.They can bring reading materials or Holy Communion.If you know of a person who would like a visit, please contact Pastor Sherri and a team member will be dispatched! Please encourage our visitation team and if you would like to join them, please contact the Pastor.
Church Newsletter. The Church newsletter, The Herald, is published every month. To receive a copy by mail, please contact the church office. The newsletter is also available on our church website.
Farmer’s Market. For over thirty years the church has provided space for area farmers to share their locally grown produce with the community. This outreach also provides healthy food at reasonable prices for our local community. The Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm from July through October.
Quilt and Needlework Expo. Since 1979 the quilt show has been an annual event highlighting the quilting arts. Over 100 quilts and wall hangings and a variety of needlework items are displayed from local and national quilters. Vendors are also a big part of the show, as is the tea room. Cuddle Quilts for at risk babies and children are also displayed. The quilt show is held every year in September.
A Little History. Our church began in 1832 at nearby Buckbee’s Corners, just north of where Chili Avenue and Union Street intersect. The early Methodist Society held worship services in a cobblestone school house before the brick church was built. In 1852, the church voted to divide so that each church might more effectively minister to a scattered constituency who traveled by horse and buggy. The First Methodist Church of North Chili was incorporated on February 8, 1853 and a new church was constructed on Buffalo Road in 1854. This church eventually outgrew this building and in 1964 built our current facility at the corner of Buffalo Road and Westside Drive. In April of 1968 the church name was changed to The United Methodist Church of North Chili.
From Our Celebration of the 150 Year History of the United Methodist Church of North Chili 1853-2003
