A Lighthouse Church in the Village of Kenmore
Kenmore United Methodist Church stands at 32 Landers Road in the Village of Kenmore, set between Delaware Road and Delaware Avenue next to the library, just north of Buffalo in the Town of Tonawanda. The congregation calls itself "a lighthouse church offering safe harbor in the wake of disaffiliation," a phrase that points both to its place in the neighborhood and to the refuge it aims to be. A memorial garden flanks the entrance, where dedicated pavering stones mark moments in the lives of members and neighbors.
The church is a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, which holds that LGBTQ+ persons are a good expression of God's diverse creation and works for the full inclusion of all God's children. Its mission is "To grow through the Love and Justice of Christ to serve ALL and care for our community," and its vision is "Every person has a relationship with God through Jesus." It describes itself as a multi-generational, affirming, and social justice driven faith community.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Sunday worship gathers at 10 a.m. The service is liturgical, weaving together Bible readings, responsive prayers, and the creeds with congregational hymns led by the choir and organ for praise, confession, and adoration. A biblically-based sermon connects the scripture to daily life. The service is livestreamed on YouTube for those at home or traveling.
From 11:15 a.m. to noon, the building fills again with learning and fellowship. "New Beginnings" gathers for Bible study and fellowship, while "Courageous Conversations" offers an open format for exploring the intersection of faith, theology, and current events. The nursery opens at 9:45 a.m. and stays available until noon for infants through four-year-olds, where Miss Karen and Miss Rachel lead play, crafts, and simple lessons about God's love. Children in UPK through fifth grade join the sanctuary for the start of worship, hear the Children's Message, and then head to "Bible Times" for a learning hour that follows the same scripture as the morning sermon.
SPARK on Monday Evenings
SPARK meets Monday nights at 6:45 p.m. and calls itself a progressive "Messy Living Room Church" where the community asks faith exploring questions, has music, and hangs out. The community is built on five values: Seeking closeness with God, Progressive, Accepting (it is part of the Reconciling Ministries Network), Respectful of individual perspectives, and Kindness. SPARK draws on the Fresh Expressions movement shaped by Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, and it is coordinated by Pastor Becky Naber.
Pastoral Leadership
Two pastors share the work of ministry at Kenmore UMC. Rev. Becky Naber came to ordained ministry in her late thirties after her husband Eric asked that they "marry in a church," a request that returned her to the childhood faith she had stepped away from. She began her theological education at a divinity school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and finished her M.Div. at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. She now coordinates the SPARK community alongside her pastoral duties.
Rev. Dr. Nicholas Perry was raised in Niagara Falls and grew up with a love of pickup football, baseball, and street hockey. He studied religion and philosophy at Roberts Wesleyan University, where he was challenged to ask deeper questions of the biblical text, and earned his M.Div. at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He and his wife Carmen, also a United Methodist elder, have two children, Nathan and Nadia.
Children and Youth
Children's ministry runs from infancy through fifth grade. The nursery, led by Miss Karen and Miss Rachel, welcomes children from infancy through age four from 9:45 a.m. to noon on Sundays. After the Children's Message in worship, children in UPK through fifth grade head to Bible Times, a learning hour that follows the morning's scripture with games and activities.
Sunday School for ages four through fifth grade meets from 11:15 a.m. to noon, and every other week the children sing in a Children's Choir led by Ms. Tasia.
Youth ministry meets twice each week: Sunday mornings at 11:15 a.m. and Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. On alternate Wednesdays the group travels to Williamsville UMC, with everyone meeting in the KUMC parking lot at 6:30 p.m. to caravan over. The youth also participate in the annual Upper New York Conference Youth Council Mission Trip, a youth-led week of service that travels across the conference. Ray McCabe coordinates the youth ministry.
The Food Pantry
The food pantry serves Kenmore and the Town of Tonawanda, distributing fresh eggs, frozen meat, baked goods, and a wide variety of canned and dry goods to neighbors who need them. Doors are open Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to noon, Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and on the fourth Sunday of each month from 11:15 a.m. to noon, except on holidays. Coordinators Mike and Cindy Turner and Jean Schnirel lead the work, supported by partner congregations, the Food Shuttle of WNY, and grocery partners including Wegmans, Price Rite, Save-a-Lot, and Panera Bread.
Music at Kenmore
Music is woven through worship and the life of the church. Susan Schuman, a church musician since age sixteen, has served as Director of Music and Organist at Kenmore UMC since 2018. A frequent performer with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chautauqua Symphony, she plays piano, celesta, organ, and harpsichord, and has accompanied the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition since 2004. The music ministry includes a choir and a bell choir, and the Children's Choir meets every other week during the Sunday School hour.
HUB, Piecemakers, and Quilts
Two of the church's longest-running service ministries are the HUB and the Piecemakers. HUB, the local satellite of a churchwide Flood Bucket Operation, assembles disaster relief kits for neighbors affected by natural disasters. Coordinators Ray McCabe and Bob Ward organize the work, and an Amazon wish list and donation list are kept current for anyone who wants to contribute.
The Piecemakers gather on Friday mornings to stitch quilts, hats, and scarves. In a single recent year the group gave away 305 quilts to the Children's Advocacy Center, the Ken-Ton Closet, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Beechwood Senior Residence, the Veterans hospital for hospice patients, Connect Life, and members of the church family. Scraps of fleece are made into hats and scarves for food pantry clients, and Chemo caps are provided for patients at Roswell. Marti Wiltberger coordinates the group.
A Preschool in the Same Building
KUMC Preschool has been part of the church's life for years, with programs for 2's, 3's, and 4+ year olds. Director Dawn Stinner has taught at every level of the program and brings a background in special education and business management to her work. Tuition is paid through a Givebutter portal, and the school year comes with a new application, supply list, and academic calendar for families.
Care and Fellowship for Every Season
Smaller ministries mark specific seasons of life. Respite Care, a free program coordinated by Michelle Spencer, welcomes people with memory care needs and their support people on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for social companionship, lunch, and meaningful activities. Grief C.A.R.E.S., coordinated by Cathy Miller, is a support group for people navigating the ebbs and flows of grief. Vagabonds, coordinated by Sue Meegan, is a travel group for people who enjoy day trips to local restaurants, performances, and places of interest, with occasional overnight trips. United Women in Faith (UWF), the local chapter of the United Methodist women's organization, is coordinated by Debbie Koch.
Getting Involved and Giving
The church hosts 12-step programs, family events, and social gatherings in its building, and welcomes inquiries about facility use. It is part of the United Methodist Church and supports UMCOR disaster relief, and it remains a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network.
Giving is directed through a Givebutter portal, with options for the General Fund, a Capital Fund for the historic building, a Reserve Fund, a Memorial Fund, altar flowers, or a Designated Giving fund for a specific ministry. A PayPal option also remains available. The church's calendar includes the regular observances of Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter, Pentecost, and Christmas Eve, with both a family service and a candlelight service on Christmas Eve.