Table of Contents 

1) Message from the Conference

2) Latest News

3) Around the Conference

4) Prayer Concerns

5) Save the Date & Cont. Ed Resources

6) VTCUCC Classifieds

Message from the Conference

Dear Beloved Community in the Vermont Conference,



February is Black History Month. Particularly at a time when efforts supporting diversity, equity and inclusion are under attack and initiatives are being halted, defunded and removed from government websites, it is important that our witness to a God who values all, who created and welcomes the diversity of people, cultures and creatures be affirmed. Imagine how much poorer we all would be without the contributions of our Black siblings. We would be profoundly impoverished in so many ways – intellectually, culturally, spiritually, musically, to name just a few. My colleague, the Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams, Conference Minister of the New York Conference, UCC wrote recently:

Friends, Black History Month is important because it provides an opportunity to

recognize and honor the rich cultural contributions, history, and achievements of

Black individuals throughout time. It serves as a reminder of the struggles for

justice, equality, and freedom that have shaped society, while also highlighting

the resilience, creativity, and impact of Black communities. By celebrating Black

history, we promote awareness, understanding, and inclusion, helping to correct

historical narratives and challenge ongoing racial inequities. It fosters a sense of

pride and empowerment, while encouraging continued efforts toward social

progress and equality for all.

Here are some resources shared with us by our neighbors in the Southern New England Conference: Resources for Black History Month

Courage in the struggle and bright hope for the future,

Lynn

Rev. Dr. Lynn Bujnak

Conference Minister

_{Latest News}

Share Stories. Build Movements.

Movement of Love

We are all of us histories

Rooted and mighty trees

We are all of us stories

Coming to life in flowering leaves

We are all of us legacies

Ready to fall and die as seeds

This is our movement of love

Check out this beautiful video of the song Rev. Tracy Howe created for Join the Movement based on reflections by Velda Love and Sharon Fennema.

Click here to Sign up to stay connected, be nourished and keep updated on racial justice work happening around the world.

VERMONT CONFERENCE UPCOMING

JUSTICE & WITNESS SEMINARS ONLINE

SIGN UP NOW FOR VITALITY DAY AND ANNUAL MEETING!

‘Welcoming immigrants in our midst’: New resources for churches in the wake of policy changes Read more here

"

Things you need to know about UCC stance on Immigration:

Read more here

What churches should do if ICE shows up! Last week, our General Counsel for the United Church of Christ, Heather Kimmel did a webinar with our Insurance Board on legal considerations for churches engaged in sanctuary ministries and talked some about this. That will be posted probably the end of this week under the Online Learning section of the website, with several resources. Here is the advice I have been giving.

• Churches should make a plan NOW as to how to respond to ICE at the church.
• The plan must include training of workers/volunteers who are likely to be at the church, and must include an analysis of the church’s private and public areas. 
• It should also include some practice at role-playing, because saying “no” to big guys dressed in police gear is hard.
• ICE cannot go into the private areas of a church without a judicial warrant (different from administrative warrant). No one is required to talk to ICE.
• Churches should hire a local immigrant advocacy group to do a training on how to respond to ICE. I would start with contacting the local ACLU office if the church cannot identify a suitable organization. 
• Churches should identify an immigration attorney NOW who can be called by workers/volunteers if ICE shows up.
• This document may be helpful to begin.  National Immigration Law Center: What To Do If Immigration Comes To Your Workplace
• 

^{Heather E. Kimmel (she/her) General Counsel United Church of Christ, National Ministries} 1300 E. 9th St., Ste. 1100| Cleveland, OH 44114 ^{216-736-2138 | kimmelh@ucc.org | UCC.org}

Conference office UPDATE!!

As thrilled as we were to welcome our new Office Administrator, Graidi to our team! She has decided that trying to move back to Vermont and take on a job at this time was too much for her. We were hoping that by giving her a few weeks it would help, but she has decided not to join us at this time. Thus, we will be looking for a replacement. In the meantime please be patient with us until we can find a new person for the position.

Rev. Leigh McCaffrey is our new administrator for Annual Meeting and also becoming our new Treasurer. Please contact her at treasurer@vermontucc.org

If you have administrative needs please reach out to:

Jackie Lingelbach at jlingelbach@vermontucc.org

(for yearbook, ekit, event registration, technical issues, financial, governance, ministerial standing, pulpit supply list, etc.)

For everything else including Search and Call questions or Pastoral concerns, transitions. etc please reach out to:

Rev. Dr. Lynn Bujnak at: lbujnak@vermontucc.org

Rev. Paul Sangree at: psangree@vermontucc.org

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CHURCH'S INFORMATION CLINK ON START NOW BELOW

If you are unable to join at the scheduled time, still register and a link to the recording will be sent to you following the event.

Register here:

Click Here to Register!

God seeks love OUT LOUD in our tending to ourselves and one another! Join Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries to learn, grow and embrace Gender & Sexuality + Our Faith in action!

"Today, tomorrow, and always the fluidity of our expression and experiences as trans and non-binary siblings will live on infinitely. Language cannot contain or cease the Spirit. Queer individuals and the diversity spectrum of our humanity has always existed and will no matter what policies attempt to do. From our faith, I know, Trans and non-binary siblings are made in the image of God – period."



-Rachael Ward (they/them), Minister and Team Leader for Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries, UCC

Read Rachael's full response to the recent anti-trans executive orders and access their Care Responses for Thriving Through Together:

UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS

Have you joined the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network yet?

The Justice and Peace Action Network (JPANet) is our denomination’s grassroots advocacy network composed of individual members and local UCC congregations across the country. The JPANet both educates and engages its members in shaping public policy and keeping with God’s vision of a just and loving society. Our work is grounded in General Synod resolutions, consonant with historic UCC witness, and formed by a biblical understanding of prophetic ministry.

Sign up be to join the network and receive weekly action alerts on UCC justice issues:

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!)

Online Boundary Training Options

Wednesday, March 19, 1:30 – 4:30pm ET, Boundary Awareness Training for Retired Clergy, with Rev. Tara Barber and Rev. Melanie Oommen

Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. "A Sure Foundation", "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's new book, "The Jubilee Years" along with case studies, will provide the content of this training. Rev. Tara Barber will offer this focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry. Participants must be able to use zoom chat and breakout room functions.

Good professional boundaries allow ministry and those who do it to thrive with health and wholeness. Through the lens of clergy wellness, authorized ministers will renew their understanding of and develop skills for maintaining boundaries in an ever-shifting ministry landscape.

Upcoming Trainings are online via Zoom:

• February 26, 2025, 9:30am-2:30pm (2.0)
• June 12, 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm (2.0)

(this will be an in-person training, location TBD)

The cost for the training is: SNEUCC Clergy - $65.00; all other Clergy - $85.00.

If you have questions regarding the training please contact Deb Holmes at 

holmesd@sneucc.org or 508-244-4399. All posted times are EST or EDT.

Enkei Resolutions 2025 Training Dates Open!

Boundary Training and Racial Justice Training dates for 2025 are chosen and registration is now open. Please see links below for more information or to register. Please note: All trainings are offered from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day and the time zone is Pacific Time; please convert to your time zone when determining whether you can make this time work. You must complete both days to receive a certificate for six hours of training. Registration open until all slots filled or at 5 p.m. the day before a particular training, whichever comes first. (Additional dates may be added if needed.)

Boundary Training Dates

• April 8 and 9
• August 11 and 12
• November 3 and 10

Questions? Email dweible@enkei-resolutions.com.  Cost for 2025 trainings is $65 per person per training. After registering, the pop up confirmation includes the link to pay. Registration is complete once payment is received.

2025 Racial Justice Trainings

This 6-hour training for authorized ministers, uses videos, articles and small-group conversations based on a unique tool that lifts up the need for work in the area of respect and affirmation when looking at the four realms of racism.

• March 18 and 20
• May 12 and 14
• September 9 and 10

RSVP for Wed. Feb. 19: Freedom of Religion

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE CONFERENCE GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HERE:

PRAYER CONCERNS

Reverend Ben Thurber , age 92, died peacefully in his home after a long illness of vascular dementia. He received a certificate this past year for 65 years of ordained ministry. He was also a masterful artist (https://www.benthurberart.com/). Bev Thurber's wife, Beverly is one of United Church of Craftsbury's accompanists. Our prayers are with the family.

A celebration of Ben’s life and legacy is planned for Memorial Day weekend (details to be announced later). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Craftsbury Church on the Common’s Deacons’ Crisis Fund, PO Box 46, Craftsbury Common, VT 05827, or Orleans/Essex VNA Hospice, 46 Lakemont Rd., Newport, VT 05855.

Find his obituary by clicking here

Rev. Dr. William Ellis Cobb “Bill”, age 87, passed away in the early morning hours of April 12, 2024, at his home in Lexington, TN with his family by his side

Find his obituary by clicking here

Prayers for those caught in the L.A. Fires and the losses and sufferings.

Prayers for those mourning and affected by gun violence and mass shootings.

https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting)

Prayers for those dealing with wars and violence.

We pray for all affected by the ongoing work and recovery from natural disasters, including the So. California Wildfires, especially the congregation of the UCC in Altadena which burned to the ground.



Prayers for the families and friends of our authorized ministers who have died, Rev. William Wintersteen, Rev. J. Yorke Peeler, Pastor Sherry Baer, and commissioned minister of liturgical floral design, Ned Davis.

Save the Date & Cont. Ed Resources

See Keynote Speaker The Bishop William Joseph Barber II speak live On Saturday, March 8, 9-10:45 am in Shrewsbury, MA. Keynote Only Tickets go on sale February 1.

For full information on Super Saturday, visit CLICK HERE TO READ MORE 

SPRING SEMESTER REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Join us and the Rev. Cindy Bagley

in Keene, NH next semester for a course

Classes will be held in-person on Feb. 1, Mar. 1, Apr. 5, May 3, and May 31 from 9am until 4pm.

"Being church" is always contextual. Why then are we drawn to "one size fits all" solutions, or worse, perpetuate ways of operating that do not fit your church or the

challenges of today?

Harnessing true apostolic energy, this course will teach you an entrepreneurial

approach to ministry that explores dramatic new ways of thinking about your

congregation's vision, culture, structure, resources, and leadership style.

This course will leave you with a renewed sense of excitement, possibility, and love for the church and its potential for vitality and impact in the name of Christ.

Come and learn how to shift your congregation’s ministry toward the community that surrounds it. Consider how your congregation might thrive as a “Neighborhood Church” or a “micro-church.” Challenge your personal thinking of what vitality looks like in a faith community and how together you might better thrive without growing your numbers.

We believe that this class offers essential knowledge for everyone engaged in ministry. Register by accessing this link and clicking on the green “Pre-Register Now” button. We are keeping our registration fees low ($350/participant for the full course) with the assistance of the Boards of Directors of both the Vermont and New Hampshire Conferences.

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.

Home        About Us             Programs        For Authorizing Bodies     Contact Us            Donate

The Supervised Ministry Certificate (Six 9-week courses) is designed to provide a practical internship in pastoral ministry over an eighteen-month progression. The arc of this series begins with entering a new place of ministry (beginning March 5, 2025) and concludes with leaving a place of ministry. The required 3-week introduction to the Supervised Ministry certificate begins February 19.

Prophetic Preaching on Christian Nationalism, a 6-week online course, begins March 5, 2025. We will explore the distorted relationship between religion, race, and democracy that has been arising within conservative Christian circles throughout the last few decades. 

THE BIBLE AS GUIDE: Biomes and Landforms in Scripture, one of PATHWAYS' Environmental Justice foundational courses begins on March 19, 2025. 

Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply for these and other courses.

Teeny Tiny Church Services: Supporting Smaller Congregations

Looking for ways to enhance your worship services this summer and beyond?

Teeny Tiny Church Services offers a range of resources to meet your congregation's needs, whether you have a full-time pastor, rely on supply preachers, or have lay leaders presiding over worship. 

Does your church want to apply for a Hope Fund grant?

 Welcome, Farewell, and Blessings

Pastoral Transitions since the 2024 Vermont Conference Annual Meeting

Prayers of Thanksgiving!

Rev. Marjorie McNeil

rings the bell on the end of her cancer treatments!

Please note and change your information:

that Rev. Matthew Deen is now: Rev. Thew Deen (they/them/theirs)

"Blessings, Thew! Thank you for your honesty, courage and clear naming of who you know yourself to be. We continue to welcome, love and accept you and the many gifts you share with your church, Association, Conference and this world." -Lynn

Rev. Ken White concludes his ministry at College Street Congregational UCC 

Ken White and his wife Lucia receiving prayer shawls, Ken playing in the band.

HAPPY RETIREMENT!

Rev. Katherine Buechner Arthaurd retires from United Church in Fairfax

Congratulations to Josh Sharp from First Congregational Church of Essex Junction was approved for ordination pending call by the Champlain Association on January 12, 2025

*note: Cybers scam and identity theft is ever present! So we have decided not to list dates and instead just list those who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in each month by name.

*Birthdays in February*

James Macintyre III

John C Weatherhogg

Margaret Wickham Tooker

Harold E. Masback III

Gary O'Gorman

Robin Junker-Boyce

Happy Birthday!

*Ordination Anniversaries in February*

Janet Langdon

Richard E. Ringenwald Sr

Cynthia Jane Batten

Shawn Edward Bracebridge

John N. Bixby Jr

Jenei Rossigg

Rameen Zahed

Thank you for your many years of service!

VERMONT UCC CLASSIFIEDS

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

For the latest news click here



The Online Learning Platform of the United Church of Christ

How to Contact Vermont Conference Staff

For our Conference Minister please email Rev. Dr. Lynn Bujnak at: lbujnak@vermontucc.org

For our Associate Conference Minister please email Rev. Paul Sangree at: psangree@vermontucc.org

For Ministries Coordinator (search & call, ministerial standing, pulpit supply list, etc.) Jackie Lingelbach at: jlingelbach@vermontucc.org

For Office Administrator (event registration, financial, governance other business) email: admin@vermontucc.org

For Disaster Ministries please email Rev. Greg Briggs at: disasterministries@vermontucc.org

 For Dean of Ministry21 please email Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno at: VTDean@min21.org

DEADLINE for E-Kit News must be received by Tuesday of each week.

 Please send any and all information please email: gainsworth@vermontucc.org

visit our website at http://www.vermontucc.org/