Month: September 2022

Dear friends in Christ,

I hope you’re all doing well this week. It was wonderful to see many of you this past Sunday for Homecoming. We have a number of things happening in the life of the church:

New Members/Church Info Meeting: 9/18

We’re planning on receiving new members this fall. If you are interested in joining the church or want to learn more, we’re planning an information meeting after worship this Sunday, 9/18. Let me know if you’re coming! If you’re interested in joining the church and cannot make that meeting, please also be in touch with me (kmanzi@middleburyucc.org) so we can make things work.

Sunday School Registration

Sunday school resumed this past Sunday, but registration is still open. Registration can be completed online here: https://middleburycc.breezechms.com/form/SundaySchool

Book & Bake Sale and Book Donations

The Mission Board is hosting another book and bake sale, this year on October 22^nd. Through October 9^th we’re collecting: soft and hard cover books of all shapes and sizes in good condition. puzzles, CDs, and DVDs. (Please no encyclopedias.) There is a bin outside the church office where donations can be dropped off.

Get Your MCC Liberty Puzzle

As part of our Stewardship campaign, we’re selling MCC Liberty puzzles. A picture of the puzzle is attached. (It comes without the words on it.) Get your heirloom-quality, laser-cut wood MCC Liberty Puzzle in time for Christmas giving! Order by Sept. 25 at https://www.middleburyucc.org/giving-to-mcc/puzzle/

Volunteers for the Office

We are looking for volunteers who would be available to help out in the church office as we sort what comes next for staffing.  

Some of the things we’re looking for coverage on are: being in the office set times to answer the phone and let people in, making copies, sorting the mail, etc.

If interested please contact Sal S, chair of Trustees (chemdocsal@gmail.com) or Ellen A, chair of Church Council (spirit2000@aol.com)

Homecoming Volunteers: Thank you!

I want to thank all our volunteers who helped make our celebration this past Homecoming possible! Thank you to everyone who lent us tents and activities, and thank you to everyone who cooked, set up, and cleaned up. I’ve attached the photos ShawnaLee took on Sunday, including the silly photo, which is quite silly. If anyone took any photos on Sunday that you’d like to share, please send them along to me.

General Comments

This week we’re back following the lectionary, the ecumenical calendar of scripture readings for worship, and the gospel lesson is Luke 16:1-13, the parable of the dishonest manager. This is arguably one of the most confusing texts in the whole Bible. St. Augustine, flummoxed by the parable, is often credited as saying: “I can’t believe that this story came from the lips of our Lord.” I skipped the parable the last time it showed up in the lectionary, but this Sunday I’ve decided to give it a go. So, come this Sunday to see if we can glean some worthwhile meaning from a story about a manager who cheats his boss.

I hope everyone has a good week!

Peace,

Pastor Katrina

Dear friends in Christ,

I hope you’re all dong well. I’m enjoying this slight preview of fall temperatures. This week is Homecoming Sunday and the start of the new Sunday School year, so there are a number to things to highlight:

Homecoming Sunday: 9/11

This Sunday 9/11, we’ll kick off the church program year. Sunday school will resume, we’ll take the all church photo, and we’ll have a picnic with some fun activities! Lunch will be grinders and corn chowder. For activities have lawn games, tie-dye, and face painting! Thank you in advance to all our volunteers who make this fun Sunday possible.

Sunday School Registration

This Sunday, 9/11, marks the beginning of Sunday school for the year! Registration can be completed online here: https://middleburycc.breezechms.com/form/SundaySchool

Seminary Intern 2022-2023

I want to let you know the exciting news that we will be joined this school year by a seminarian, Heather D., completing her field education coursework for her Master of Divinity degree. Heather is in the UCC ordination process with the neighboring New Haven Association. She will be with the church about 10 hours a week, and you’ll see her leading worship, preaching, and attending various board meetings and activities. Heather’s first Sunday with us will be this Sunday, so please give her a warm welcome.

New Members/Church Info Meeting: 9/18

We’re planning on receiving new members this fall. If you are interested in joining the church or want to learn more, we’re planning an information meeting after worship on 9/18. Let me know if you’re coming! If you’re interested in joining the church and cannot make that meeting, please also be in touch with me (kmanzi@middleburyucc.org) so we can make things work.

General Comments

In light of all the rain we’ve gotten the past couple weeks, the trustees have been checking up on the flat roof for the addition part of the church building. While we were up there, I took a few pictures because the view is quite lovely.

I’m looking forward to the events of this Sunday and seeing many of you!

Peace,

Pastor Katrina