Month: October 2022

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Midweek Update: 20th Sunday after Pentecost

Dear friends in Christ,

I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying the fall weather. We have a number of things going on:

“Pray Away” Discussion: Wednesday 10/19@7pm

This evening we will have a discussion of the film “Pray Away” and some of the topics the film raises at 7pm in the Social Hall.

Book & Bake Sale: Saturday 10/22

The Mission Board is hosting a book and bake sale this Saturday October 22nd from 10-2. We will gladly still accept any final donations of books, puzzles and games through Thursday, October 20. Someone will be at the church from 10:00 A.M. ’till noon. There is also bin outside the church office where donations can be dropped off.

There’s also a Facebook event you can share to help promote the sale: https://fb.me/e/2fXaeVmk2

All Saints’ Sunday 11/6

On Sunday 11/6, we will be observing the feast of All Saints’. We will be remembering before God the names of those who have died, particularly those who have died in the past year. If you have a name you would like lifted up on 11/6 please email it to me (kmanzi@middleburyucc.org.)

Mission: Sandwiches for GWIM on Veterans’ Day

This year again, Missions will be making 200 sandwiches for GWIM to hand out on Veterans Day as they usually close this day and don’t provide a hot meal.  This way these sandwich bags can be taken-home with them.   We will be looking for donations of :Bread, Ham, Bologna, Cheese, Juice boxes/pouches, apple sauce/ fruit cups, granola bars/snack bars, or monetary donations.  These donations need to be at the church by Monday November 7th. 

The BSA Scout Troops will again help to assemble these bags on Thursday November 10 at their meeting.  If you would like to help make the sandwiches please be at the church on November 10 at 5 pm.  On Friday November 11th we will deliver the sandwiches to GWIM around 10 am in the morning and we will also need help to deliver them as well.  Thank you again for your donations and in any way that you can assist us.  We greatly appreciate all that you do for our mission commitments to our community

Advent Workshop: 11/13

This fall, we will host an Advent craft for all ages!  After church on November 13th, we will be making advent wreaths.  Everyone is invited to join!  Some of our older Sunday School children and youth will be leading this craft.

Over the next month, we will be looking for donations of small glass jars (like you may have jam or yogurt in, or small mason jars).  We are also looking for a few handy people who are willing to slice some logs to make wood rounds, for the base of the wreath. Please see Valerie Beard or a member of the Board of Faith Formation if you have any questions.

Middlebury Community Thanksgiving Service: Tuesday 11/22 @7pm

In the spirit of the ecumenical Thanksgiving services of years past, this year we are hosting a Community Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday 11/22 at 7pm here at MCC. The offering will go to support the Middlebury Food and Fuel Banks and nonperishable food items brought for the service will be donated to GWIM.

UCC Mission Opportunities

The United Church of Christ has recently issued two appeals for aid in response to recent natural disasters: one for the terrible flooding in Pakistan and one for the recent hurricanes.

General Comments

We had beautiful weather for worship outdoors this past Sunday. Valerie took a great picture of the Cherub Choir, which I’ve attached. Thank you to our musicians and to our volunteers who set up our Coffee Hour outside to take advantage of the weather.

During worship this Sunday we will be welcoming new members into the church, so it should be a lovely service.

Peace,

Pastor Katrina

Posted on

Midweek Update: 19th Sunday after Pentecost

Dear friends in Christ,

I hope you’re all doing well this lovely fall week.

Outdoor Worship 10/16

If the weather is good this Sunday, we’ll have Sunday worship in the outdoor chapel by the parking lot. The trees are all at peak color right now. We’ll film the service and post it online later on. Bring a lawn chair if you want a comfier spot than the benches.

I’ve been checking the weather, and right now it looks like it should be pretty good on Sunday. I’ll continue to monitor things.

Book & Bake Sale and Book Donations & Volunteer Sign Ups

The Mission Board is hosting a book and bake sale on October 22nd. We will still accept book donations. There is a bin outside the church office where donations can be dropped off.

We need volunteers to help with various aspects of the Book and Bake Sale: sign up sheets are up on the bulletin board outside the Social Hall.

Additionally, Katie P made a lovely flyer for the sale, and that’s attached.

There’s also a Facebook event you can share to help promote the sale: https://fb.me/e/2fXaeVmk2

October Open and Affirming Events

  • Saturday 10/15: Screening of Pray Away in the Social Hall @6:30pm

Join us on Saturday 10/15 for a screening of the Netflix documentary Pray Away. We’ll have popcorn! If you have a Netflix account, you’re also welcome to watch at home. The film follows LGBTQ Christians and Christian leaders grappling with the impact of “pray the gay away” ministries/conversion therapy. The film is PG-13. If you’d like to attend the screening and need childcare, please contact Pastor Katrina (kmanzi@middleburyucc.org) so we can schedule childcare at the church.

  • Wednesday 10/19: Pray Away Discussion

Online on Zoom and in person in the Social Hall @ 7pm

Join us for an opportunity to learn about and discuss the topics and themes brought up in Pray Away. A Zoom link will be emailed out prior to the date.

Preschool Pie Fundraiser

The Preschool Fall Fundraiser is underway!  From now until 10/21, the preschool is selling pies, cookie dough, and other goods to raise funds for special STEM activities for the school.  Pick up will be 11/8, just in time to make Thanksgiving dessert a little bit easier.  Please use the link to order, and plan to pick up in the social hall on November 8th. Email vbeard@middleburyucc.org with questions. Thank you!

https://my.mcmfundraising.com/2022-fall-preschool-on-the-green/preschool-on-the-green

Advent Workshop: 11/13

This fall, we will host an Advent craft for all ages!  After church on November 13th, we will be making advent wreaths.  Everyone is invited to join!  Some of our older Sunday School children and youth will be leading this craft.

Over the next month, we will be looking for donations of small glass jars (like you may have jam or yogurt in, or small mason jars).  We are also looking for a few handy people who are willing to slice some logs to make wood rounds, for the base of the wreath. Please see Valerie Beard or a member of the Board of Faith Formation if you have any questions.

Mission Opportunities

The United Church of Christ has recently issued two appeals for aid in response to recent natural disasters: one for the terribly flooding in Pakistan and one for the recent hurricanes.

Help with local refugee resettlement:  New Start Ministry CT (https://www.newstartministryct.org/)

New Start Ministry CT is a ministry based in Woodbury that resettles refugees who have been vetted and approved by the State Department in Waterbury. They have volunteers from many area churches, and they recently received a new family to help. Some of the main volunteer tasks needed with refugee resettlement are childcare, giving rides, helping navigate things that are different in the US, like healthcare and schooling, etc.

General Comments

Besides the leaves changing color, one of my favorite things about fall is the way the light changes with the sun being in a different location. I’ve attached two pictures from the past week, one from inside the sanctuary and one of the front of the church, that show some of what I mean. Those are both the sort of moments that give me a feeling of wonder about the beauty of God’s creation.

Peace,

Pastor Katrina

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