Weekly E-News Spring Edition | |  | | |
1) Message from the Conference
2) Latest News
3) Around the Conference
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4) Prayer Concerns
5) Save the Date & Cont. Ed Resources
6) VTCUCC Classifieds
| | DEADLINE for E-Kit News must be received by Tuesday of each week. Please send any and all information please email: admin@vermontucc.org | | Message from the Conference | | |
Dear Friends,
Vermont Conference Annual Meeting is this week! We will start our gathering on Thursday night for a couple of special online presentations, and then be in person both on Friday and Saturday at Grace UCC in Rutland. Many of us are looking forward to hearing Marvin Ellison as our keynote speaker as he speaks to us about the danger of White Christian Nationalism. There are some great workshops as well, and presentations and conversation about the work of the Conference. And one thing that I can guarantee you, because I know that Jane LoBrutto is in charge of it, is good food!
Most importantly, we will have the chance to be together. I treasure the conversations that happen before or after our various sessions, and the laughter you hear around the room as people check in with each other. This year, in the midst of everything that is going on in our world, those conversations and the chance to be physically present with one another seem more important than ever before. I look forward to catching up with each one of you there!
I especially invite you to join Susie Webster-Toleno, Dean of our Ministry21 program, and myself for lunch as Saturday as we gather for a conversation on “Do you have an Inkling of a Call?” Have you ever wondered whether God is calling you? Do you wonder whether God is calling you to do something different in ministry than what you are doing now? Please join us for lunch on Saturday if you ever ask yourself these questions.
Even if you haven’t signed up yet, you can still register for Annual Meeting today! I look forward to seeing all of you then.
Joyfully yours,
Paul
| | Annual Meeting BEGINS TOMORROW! LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! Theme: Rising Above White Christian Nationalism! | | White Christian Nationalism and the United Church of Christ hold fundamentally opposing theological views on American identity, religion in government, race, scripture, social justice, and core values. WCN's exclusionary nationalism and desire for a Christian nation directly contradict the UCC's inclusivity, social justice focus, and church-state separation. Recognizing these dangers – discrimination, violence, undermined democracy, distorted teachings – is vital for upholding religious freedom and justice in a diverse society. The UCC's radical welcome and justice theology offer a powerful alternative to WCN's harmful ideology, emphasizing critical theological reflection in today's complex America. | | ONLINE PRE-MEETING ANNUAL MEETING WORKSHOPS TONIGHT VIA ZOOM | | |
Summer Lunch Grants Available!
Your community or school may be providing meal sites or funds for children this summer yet
families will still find their grocery bills incredibly and impossibly high. The two following congregations are feeding needy families in different ways.
- Members at Charlotte Congregational Church put together bag lunches and have them available in their food pantry and at the Charlotte library.
-Members at First Congregational Church of Fair Haven work with Slate Valley Cares Food Shelf.
They are able to use the kitchen of a local restaurant to prepare meals using ingredients from the food shelf and then deliver boxed meals back to the food shelf for distribution. They are using the grant money to help the food shelf but also to supplement the ingredients they use for the boxed meals.
Your congregation can help. Click on the link here to view the application.
Complete the application by May 31st.
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Mohsen Mahdawi released from prison while immigration proceedings continue
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Creating ‘Holy Urgency’
UCC News speaks with three campus chaplains on how they are attending to the sacred work of meeting student needs.
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Isn't Every Day Earth Day?
UCC Earth Day Summit addresses climate change and introduces a new partnership.
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A Tent of Our Own Making
UCC leaders, partners gathered to vision for more inclusive version of the church.
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Our Faith and Sensitive Locations – What Faith Communities Are Doing
Several organizations have organized a lawsuit against the federal government in response to the current administration’s policies on immigration agents more leeway to arrest at sensitive locations. Learn more about what the lawsuit is and how you can support the resistance.
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On Capitol Hill: The UCC’s Witness
In this entry of Voice of the Journey, Rev. Shari Prestemon recently visited the Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in DC. Watch this conversation with director Mike Neuroth on what it’s like to do this work and how you can be part of it.
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Legal Considerations in Dissolving Your Church
UCC General Counsel’s latest blog post examines the steps a church should take in preserving its legacy before deciding to end the church’s ministry.
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Craigville Theological Colloquy
July 7-11, 2025
Courage and Communion:
How Eucharistic Worship
Can Empower and Revive Churches
Registration is now open!
In the New Testament church, the sacrament of Holy Communion kept hope alive in times of anxiety and fear. The world was a dangerous place for Christians, but when the congregation gathered at the table on Sunday, they experienced their sacred meal as the foretaste of a future banquet where everyone was welcome, no one was abandoned or afraid.
In this century, can the sacrament have the same transformative power in our churches as it did for our ancestors? Can Eucharistic worship sustain community in a time when many of us are fearful for the future of our congregations, our country and our world? Can the Eucharist revive struggling churches and deepen our commitment to justice and care for creation?
Keynoter and worship leader will be the Rev. Dr. Mary Luti, retired professor of Christian worship and preaching at Andover Newton Theological School (now Andover Newton Seminary at Yale) and formerly senior minister at First Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the editor of Do This: Communion for Just and Courageous Living, published by Pilgrim Press.
Now in its 41st year, the Craigville Theological Colloquy brings together ordained and lay leaders in a unique experience of theological reflection and renewal in historic Craigville Village on Cape Cod. A hybrid of retreat, conference and summer vacation, afternoons are always free to enjoy Craigville's famous beach or to explore the Cape. Partial scholarships are available for seminarians and other students, and continuing education credit for ministers. Registration and more information at https://craigvillecolloquy.com
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AROUND THE CONFERENCE
(Please let us know what your Congregation is up to by sending an email to VermontConference@gmail.com .
You may just see yourself or someone you love in the eKit or our Facebook page!)
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Come to a Spring Quiche Luncheon on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Shoreham
Congregational Church. For only $10 you can enjoy a slice of our famous meat, vegetable, or
cheese quiche along with salad, beverage, and dessert! It is a great opportunity to relax with
friends and welcome the warm spring weather. Please bring a non-perishable item for the Food
Shelf to help those in need.
This year we will be raffling off a beautiful hand-knitted blanket. Be the first to buy your tickets at the quiche luncheon. Tickets are only $5 each or 3 for $10. The drawing will be during AppleFest in September.
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Camp Highlight: Pride on the Mountain (entering grades 7-'25 grads, Aug. 3-6, tiered prices: $285, $255, $225)
Camp Pride is a half-week camp for LGBTQ+ youth and allies to gather and enjoy the beauty of the white mountains in a safe and supportive environment. No matter who you are, or where you are on your life journey, gender journey, sexuality journey, or faith journey you are welcome here! The goal of Camp Pride is to create a safe, loving, and open community where everyone has the space to discover and be their authentic selves!! FAQs, Letter from the Deans
Souper Saturday - A handful of tickets remain! We want YOU to be there!
Warm the body and soul with us at our wintertime get together on March 29th from 12-3 at Tad's Place in Concord, NH on the Havenwood Heritage Heights campus. Click here to sign up for a delicious soup lunch, a chance to connect with fellow camp enthusiasts, games, activities, songs, and MORE: tinyurl.com/soupersaturday2025
New & Prospective Camper Info Sessions
Are you signed up for your first ever camping experience at Horton Center? Are you still considering whether your camper is ready for a sleepaway camp experience? Join us for an info session as we get to know one another, learn about what it's like to be a camper, and answer all the questions you may have!
Two sessions are being offered: March 19th and May 15th at 6:30pm RSVP HERE!
Contact: Tivvi Pare (she/her/hers) 603-545-9660 TPare@nhcucc.org
| | FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HERE: | | |
Prayers for those who are being deported without due process.
Prayers for the family and friends of Ronald Van Mynen. Ronald who went missing April 1st and was found dead in NY yesterday.
Prayers for Ukraine, Gaza, Congo and other places in the world with ongoing wars.
Prayers for those caught in natural disasters.
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Save the Date & Cont. Ed Resources
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Home About Us Programs For Authorizing Bodies Contact Us Donate
Spiritual Care of Self and Others begins May 7, 2025
Would you like to explore strategies of self-care rooted within the Christian tradition? Would you like to compassionately identify your own personal style, attributes, and limitations and the styles of others? This course blends contemporary psychology with traditional practices of prayer, the contemplative reading of scripture, and forms spiritual direction providing skills for use in the local church.
6-week courses beginning May 7 include:
--- Introducing the Old Testament (Dickinson/MBS) --- The Bible as Guide: Going Green (Environmental Justice Program) --- Pluralism and Religion in North America --- Spiritual Care of Self and Others --- Small Church Administration --- Applied: Faith Formation and Spiritual Practices for Children, Youth, and Adults --- Preaching Liberation Theology --- Professional Boundaries and Ministerial Self-Care --- Making Sense of Theology
12-week course beginning May 7: --- UCC History and Polity ---
6-week courses beginning after June 1 include:
--- Understanding the Bible as a Progressive Christian --- Ethics and a Life of Meaning ---
Living the Heart of Progressive Christian Theology
Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply.
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Welcome, Farewell, and Blessings
Pastoral Transitions since the 2024 Vermont Conference Annual Meeting
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Mission and faith identity support:
Applicants should demonstrate full support of the mission, values, and faith orientation of the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, UCC and the United Church of Christ as a welcoming, historic, and progressive Christian faith community. The applicant will unreservedly support the church’s identity as an Open and Affirming (i.e. LGBTQ+ affirming) congregation. For more details regarding the position, please visit our website: https://www.fccej.org/v5/who-we-are/work-with-us/ FCCEJ is an open and affirming church, serving all in the spirit of Christ.
Please send resume and cover letter to: welcome@fccej.org
| | FOR MORE CONFERENCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | | | |
Join the Movement toward Racial Justice
The United Church of Christ invites you to participate in the Join the Movement Campaign, a three-year initiative that recognizes local churches’ works towards racial justice. Together, we can advocate for all people to live without acts of violence or structures and systems that harm God’s human creation.
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Global Ministries is a joint witness in mission between the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Join us in our mission to receive and share the Good News of Jesus Christ by joining with global and local partners to work for justice, reconciliation and peace
Become a Global Mission Church!
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Thank You for Your Support!
Our Churches Wider Mission Basic Support, Association Dues, and
Friends of the Vermont Conference make this communication possible.
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