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

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, 

   Is evangelism a word people have a hard time using in your church? Even though it is a word that is part of the UCC’s history, as one of our main branches is the Evangelical Church from Germany, we have a hard time using it today. I think that is because we are not in the same boat a American evangelicals, who theologically disagree with us on some key points, and because we react negatively to any Christian who claims that they have all the answers, and that anyone who disagrees with them should be judged.

   But at the same time, I believe that we all want our churches to be open and inclusive, so how best do we do that? In my travels and conversations with people around the Conference, I do sense that there is some renewed openness to our churches out there in our state. So what do potential people we meet either on the town green or in church on a Sunday morning most want to hear from us? I would suggest two things:

God Loves You! This statement is of course central to the Christian faith, but there are a surprising number of people in our society who don’t really believe it to be true. They may be queer, hurt by the church at some point, trans, or just have low self esteem because of events that have happened in their life. Of course, there is a certain percentage of the population that doesn’t believe in God anyways, so this statement would be meaningless to them, but there are many more who do believe that there is some higher power in this world, and as we share the story of Jesus in our churches with them, they can begin to see that there is hope that God loves them too.

There is a place for you here! Some newcomers on their first Sunday in our church may just prefer to sit in the back and remain anonymous. We should give them freedom to do that. But most people at some early point in visiting your church would like to feel like their presence matters in some way. Let me be clear-I am not advocating that you sign people up for a committee on their first Sunday! But if there is a child or youth, maybe there is some way you can involve them on a Sunday morning, whether it is as a greeter, usher, or Communion server. If there is an adult, maybe you can invite them to serve with you as a church in some way, perhaps at the soup kitchen you help support. Let’s find ways to include newer people in our church’s life together.

God Loves You! There is a Place for You Here!

                             Faithfully yours, 

                                Paul       

_{Latest News}

Congratulations to Ava Bilton, approved this past Sunday by Ecclesiastical Council of the Addison Association of the Vermont Conference, UCC for ordination pending call!

Eliana Cañas Parra, our Member in Discernment, is now a United States Citizen!!! Thanks be to God! Pastor Elizabeth and Ruth Penfield drove down to Hartford, CT to support Eliana this morning in this important moment!

Hello to other Congregationalists and faith groups in Vermont. We at the UCC Justice and Witness Ministries and the Charlotte Congregational Church want to encourage faith groups to organize and be present at the upcoming VT rallies being held on No Kings Day on June 14. 

• This is part of our faith role to promote hope and public witness regarding the recent actions that threaten social justice that are from the newly elected federal administration. 
• No Kings Day is a national response to the military parade being held in Washington DC on Flag Day, June 14. Local groups are organizing across the country to offset this event being held in Washington. Also, a large No Kings protest will be held in Philadelphia. 
• Many rallies are being planned across Vermont: https://50501vermont.com/no-kings-day/ 
• Several groups in Vermont such as 50501 and Indivisible are also planning a Relay for Democracy along the Route 7 Corridor in western VT. This will involve a truck carrying an American Flag (donated by a family of a WWII veteran) traveling along Rt 7 from Williamstown Massachusetts to Highgate VT. 
• We in Charlotte plan to be present to support the Route 7 Relay by being at the the Route 7 site in Charlotte as the Relay passes through on its way north to Burlington and then onward to Swanton/Highgate. 
• CCC and the Vermont United Church of Christ are working to encourage members of all faith groups to attend the rallies and gatherings at the towns and cities in Vermont. Perhaps some of your members are planning to attend as individuals - it would be easy to them to gather together and carry a sign that identifies them as members of your congregation, providing a presence at the crowd that reinforces the role of faith in social justice. 
• See attached letter and the schedule for the Route 7 Relay.  
• Feel free to email me or the UCC Conference if you have more ideas or questions. We in Charlotte are still finalizing our plans, as are other groups who are participating in this day of witness. 
• Please forward widely to colleagues and other faith communities who may be interested. 

June Webinar to Launch National Faith Mobilization for Grassroots Climate Action Day

On September 21st, faith communities across the country will be joining a grassroots climate action to celebrate Sun Day! This will be a day to celebrate the gift and power of clean energy while standing up to the profiteers, polluters, and potentates who threaten our health and future. This event will kick off our national mobilization with the theme of "Bringing Climate Hope to Sun Day." Learn about what's being planned. Get plugged into resources for worship and action. Registered congregations will be provided with advocacy cards directed at Congress that feature the artwork of this year's Climate Hope Art Contest winner. Speakers for this kick-off event will include Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, Rev. Michael Malcom, Sue Mueller, and more. Even if you cannot make it at the scheduled time of 1 pm ET on Wednesday, June 11^th, still sign up, and we will send you a link afterward. Register now!

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!)

From Pastor Chris Heintz: Hello My Friend,

If you’ve been waiting for a good day to donate to my Empire State Ride to End Cancer, Today is THE Day. Our sponsors Timberbuilt and Port X Logistics are sponsoring a $50,000 fundraising match.

Gifts up to $150 will be matched dollar for dollar.

Gifts over $150 will still receive a $150 match.

I’m already 2/3 on the way to reach my goal of $20,000 for the cutting edge research at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and a contribution TODAY would go DOUBLE toward that goal. Make a secure online donation using the QR code or Donate link below!

We all know someone who has had cancer. This is your opportunity to help find cures and breakthrough treatments for something that affects us all.

Please give today! And spread the word.

I ride so that others might live!

Chris Heintz

This Summer I'm riding 550 miles to End Cancer!

Greetings VT Conference!

It was such a pleasure to meet you all at your Annual Meeting at the beginning of May and spend the weekend worshiping, square dancing, learning, and connecting with you! Thank you so much for the warm welcome and for allowing me to share about Horton Center, the Outdoor Ministries site of the NH UCC Conference. 

Camp registration is OPEN! There are spots still available in our camp sessions and retreat sessions - so don't wait! Check out the full summer and fall schedule here: And be sure to reach out to me if you have any questions! 

Counselors are NEEDED! Are you looking for a way to make a difference? Are you seeking a place to retreat to for a week at a time where you will have fun, explore your faith, lead, be transformed, and feel renewed? Come to camp as a volunteer counselor! The amazing magic of camp is not possible without people like YOU! Email me for more information about the role and our needs this summer: TPare@nhcucc.org

Scholarships are Available! Scholarships are available through local churches and the NH and VT conferences. We hope that no one will miss out on the transformative ministry of camp due to financial reasons, so please feel free to fill out an application today! 

I'd love to see you on the mountain this summer! (I promise we'll have more delicious fudgy brownies there!). 

Shalom, 

Tivvi Pare 

(she/her/hers)

Horton Center Executive Director 

NHCUCC Christian Edu. Specialist

603-545-9660

PRAYER CONCERNS

Prayers for those who are being deported without due process.

Prayers for Ukraine, Gaza, Congo and other places in the world with ongoing wars.

Prayers for those caught in natural disasters.

Save the Date & Cont. Ed Resources

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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Are you considering studying more about the Bible or working toward the Bible Studies Certificate? A good overview of the Bible, What is the Bible? (Dickinson/MBS), begins September 17.

The 3-course Bible Studies Certificate guides the learner to deepen their knowledge and current scholarship of the Old and New Testaments, while also giving the learner opportunities to create and teach curriculum in their own faith community.

·       Old Testament Hermeneutics          08/6/2025 - 9/23/2025

·       New Testament Hermeneutics         10/8/2025 - 11/18/2025

·       Approved Elective Course with Bible Study Project

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

 Welcome, Farewell, and Blessings

Pastoral Transitions

VERMONT UCC CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted in Charlotte, Vermont

Charlotte Congregational Church (an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ) is searching for a qualified candidate to fill our open as Administrative Assistant position. Hours and work location are flexible.  For more information about the position, please see job description here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fzPgidKAN2bfR-hHxkUruwhLjf2naYN4/view?usp=drive_link

If you are interested in applying, please contact Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen at: rev.kemg@gmail.com.  

https://www.charlotteucc.org/

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.

For the latest news click here

The Online Learning Platform of the United Church of Christ

How to Contact Vermont Conference Staff

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

Associate Conference Minister: Rev. Paul Sangree at: psangree@vermontucc.org

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

Office Administrator: Jenni Grout at admin@vermontucc.org

(event registration, financial, governance other business)

Disaster Ministries: disasterministries@vermontucc.org

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

Connect with us on:

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