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.
- Donations for Pakistan relief can be made here: https://www.ucc.org/global-h-o-p-e/pakistan-emergency-appeal/
- Donations for Hurricanes Ian and Fiona can be made here: https://support.ucc.org/donate—hurricanes-2022?inf_contact_key=d0ca562a15c10c8289ab476047d993afd18a532c4142cb79caf2b269de1401fa
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