United Methodist House

UNITED METHODIST HOUSE NEWS

Spring Greetings from the Finance Committee!

Spring is here and everything is blooming during this time of renewal. In just a few short weeks it will be time for summer and the start of another session at the Chautauqua Institute and guests at The United Methodist House.

As a member of the Board, I want to thank everyone for their continued support of The United Methodist House. The room rentals during the summer season, along with the off-season retreat rentals, provide the primary source of funds that keep the United Methodist House going strong every year. I want to thank our Financial Secretary, Debbie Caruso, for her hard work in handling the reservations for the House throughout the year.

The gifts that we receive during the year assist the Finance and Property Committees in handling the surprises that arise when maintaining this historic structure and from its daily operations. A recent hiccup in those operations was the sudden need to replace the clothes dryer. Debbie sprung into action and worked with our housekeeping staff to find the appropriate replacement dryer in a very short period.

As the Treasurer, I want to encourage you to support the mission of The United Methodist House. Please prayerfully consider making a monetary donation to the United Methodist House. As noted above, these donations make it feasible for the Property Committee to handle life’s little surprises. Thank you for your support.

Mike Paine, Treasurer and Finance Chair

Greetings From Our United Methodist House Host Couple

We are very excited about preparing for our second year as Hosts. Our first year was a challenge but, as we tell our friends back here in Houston, “We didn’t quit and we weren’t fired!” That we did make it through the first year was largely because our predecessors, Karen and Bob Douds, prepared and left for us so many helpful guides and manuals, and, in addition, patiently answered all of our phone calls asking for help. (Mike never would have found the critically important chipmunk trap without Bob’s long-distance guidance).

This year we are much further along in preparing for the season by

1. drafting letters, e-mails, and revised Information sheets for new and returning guests
2. drafting letters and various information attachments for the ten (10) new Chaplains of the Week rounded up by the amazing Beth Nelson
3. trying to find nine (9) local UMC church groups willing to support the Tuesday afternoon socials by providing 20 – 30 dozen cookies and punch. Jan has found the latter task much more difficult this year because so many of the churches that have helped out in past years have disassociated from the United Methodist Church and are uncertain whether they should participate. However, at this point 8 of the 9 weeks are covered. Four churches are from Pennsylvania. They are Edinboro, Warren, Allison Park and Salem. Three churches are from New York. They are Panama, Eden and Kenmore.
4. The United Methodist House hosts will cover July 4^th with a rousing Birthday Party on the porch.
5. Week 9 (August 22) is still available as of mid-April. Any volunteers should contact Jan at janetyauch65@gmail.com.

Summer Assembly Security Program

Chautauqua Institution has initiated a new program following the tragic events involving Salman Rushdie last year.

1. “Clear Bag Policy” at the Amp and all other venues.
2. All bags larger than 4.5” x 6.5” must be clear or checked before entry.

See You On The Porch!!

Jan and Mike Yauch

Your United Methodist House Host Couple

2023 United Methodist House Chaplains

WEEK            NAME                              CONFERENCE                              CONTACT INFO

One                 Rev. James Farrer           Elder Indiana                                           724-414-3384; jrjimbo@yahoo.com

Two                 Rev. Dean Byrom            retired Western PA minister                deanbyrom@yahoo.com

Three              Rev. Laura Calos             retired Elder Upper New York             rev.lauracalos@gmail.com

Four                Rev. Vanderhoff              Elder Western Pennsylvania                pastorjeff16@verizon.net

Five                 Rev. Jack Harnish          retired Elder Michigan                          ackharish1@gmail.com; 734-730-9893

Six                   Rev. Diane DiLuzio        retired Elder Upper New York             dianed7247@gmail.com; 315-532-3354

Seven              Rev Cyndi Bloise             Elder Western Pennsylvania               cbloise@ingomarchurch.net

Eight               Rev. Larry Baird             retired Elder Upper New York             LarryRBaird@gmail.com

Nine                Rev. Kandace Brook      retired Elder Upper New York              Kandace_brooks@yahoo.com

From the Property Committee

The snow has melted and trees are budding and temperatures have begun to rise.  We can now start to think about our summer season and how great it will be to see old friends and gather on the porch.  Before that happens there is a lot work to be done to get the house ready.

We will be having two work weekends in June (dates listed below).  We are hoping for good weather at least one of the weekends as we will need to do some outside painting of trim and around some windows. Besides painting, there are many other tasks to complete to be ready to open for the season: porch furniture to be cleaned and placed on the porch and on the upper deck, rooms to be checked and kitchenette items inventoried for each room, windows to wash, chapel set up, just to mention a few.  There’s something for everyone to do, and not a lot of skills needed for most of the tasks, just willingness to help.

We recently had some problems with the clothes dryer, and we had to replace it.  Thanks to Debbie and Cindy and their husbands for taking care of removing the old one and installing the new one.

The work weekends will be June 9^th and 10^th, and June 16^th and 17^th.  We start around 1 pm on Friday and at 9 am on Saturday.  Our work weekends are open to all who would like to come help.  The House will be available to all who work, just call Debbie at 716-357-4045  to reserve a room.  We do get a lot of work done but we also have fun and good fellowship.

Diane Whinham is donating a dogwood tree in memory of her in-laws Jack and Marie Whinham who spent several summers in Chautauqua and always stayed at the Methodist House.  Diane said, “They lived in upstate New York for several years and I had the opportunity to drive them to the house and tour the area…such a beautiful and special place!”  Diane wants “to honor them and perhaps add some more beauty to the surroundings.”  The tree will be planted soon in the place along Bowman Avenue where the shrubs and died and were removed last year.

The property committee looks forward to seeing you at the Methodist House.  If you have any questions please feel free to me a call at 716-269-4564

Conrad

Available rooms for the 2023 Chautauqua season.

Names may be added to the waiting list.

Weekly Room Rental Rates –Chautauqua Season

Boehm Room (slightly smaller room      $675    1 bathroom      2 people in twin beds, A/C

All other rooms (four rooms)                  $77       1 bathroom      2 people in twin beds, A/C

Wesley Suite (two room suite)              $1,350    2 bathrooms    4 people in twin beds and 2 people in convertible chair/beds, A/C

Reservation Information for the Retreat Season (Off-Season)

Reservations for the retreat season are invited at any time up to 3 years in advance by calling (716) 357-4045. The retreat season is from Labor Day through May.

Retreat Season Rental Rates for the entire house – United Methodist groups

$100 per day – day use only                                    $425 per two-night stay

Retreat Season Rental Rates for the entire house – Non-United Methodist groups

$600 per two-night stay

Summer Season – 2023 Rentals

Week 5 – July 22 – July 29, 2023                                          1 – Allen Room

                                                                                                1 – Wesley Suite

Retreat Season – 2023 Rentals