The Grindstone Island United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 411
Clayton, NY 13624
April 2026
Greetings to All,
The Clayton weather this winter is a metaphor for our GIUMC Save Our Sanctuary project. Just when you think spring is around the corner another snowstorm arrives. But we know spring will come and our wonderful Island summer will soon be upon us.
Our Church’s Save Our Sanctuary challenge is much the same as the weather. We have made significant progress on our Capital Campaign through the generosity of many of you, but we aren’t there yet. We need to continue to reach out to our community for donations to ensure our Church’s restoration can become a beautiful and safe reality. We believe that all of you are the people who are destined to save our Church for next 200 years. Your Church Council is fully dedicated to making it happen with your help.
We know our Trustees, Will Wolverton and Lloyd Edwards, and our Capital Campaign Manager, Tom Davison, and our Treasurer Jim Helpinstill have put hundreds of hours to make the progress necessary to bring us to this point. We are well on our way to our financial goal, we have tentative architectural drawings that our architect is presenting to see if we can find an experienced builder that can make it happen for what we think we can afford, and we have logistical plans in the works to preserve the 11 stained glass windows and store the organ and all the pews once we find the right combination of Capital, reputable builder and timing to accomplish the vision for our future. Our immediate goals are raising enough money to ensure we can move ahead responsibility, getting reasonable competitive bids, and having a timetable that gets us back in our Church next year. We are hopeful that our Spring is in sight and are working hard to make that happen. If you can help, we would be grateful. Donations can be made at www.giumc.org.
We are very grateful to the Grindstone Island Heritage Museum who have generously chosen the Past, Present, and Future of the Church as the Museum’s exhibit this year-to open June 27th. Much history and the latest information on the future will be on display. A true example of shared community involvement in our Save Our Sanctuary project. Let the Circle be Unbroken.
It does mean that our coming Church season will, once again, be a combination of the Carriage Hall, Aunt Jane’s Bay, the tents at the Turkey Dinner, and the generous donation of the Cardamone barn. We made it all work last year, and we will do it again with the help of our community.
Jeff McArn will return to provide us his spiritual guidance and good humor. Joan Flint will fill our hearts with music. Molly MacWade and Tom Mousin will join us as guest ministers. We will have our Turkey Dinner, International and Local Missions, Pancake Breakfast, Blessing of the Animals, Parsonage Dinners and Mission Fundraiser to fill out our Church year. While we long for our Sanctuary, Church does not require a building to be a meaningful experience.
Caroline Larson has, once again put together comprehensive Church and Community calendars for your use which are attached. Lots of fun ahead in 2026.
Looking forward to seeing you all very soon.
Betsy Fitter, Church Council Chair
Rev. Jeff McArn, Summer Minister
Jim Helpinstill, Church Treasurer
With gratitude,
Betsy Fitter-Council Chair Rev. Jeff McArn-Minister Jim Helpinstill-Treasurer
Grindstone Island United Methodist Church
Facebook: www.facebook.com/giumc
