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 | | |
Hello, beloved people of the Vermont Conference!
As a long-time pastor and preacher who is currently not serving the local church in any traditional pastoral role, I am thrilled to have this opportunity to reflect a bit. It turns out that I actually miss being given time and space on a weekly basis to reflect deeply and publicly about the things that matter in life!
I’ve been thinking a great deal lately about vocation, and specifically about vocational calling. It was such a joy to delve into this topic with a small group of people who, in acknowledging that they’ve been hearing a gentle (or insistent!) call from God, decided to lunch with Paul Sangree and me at Annual Meeting to explore the calls they are sensing. Between my roles as Dean of Ministry21 and Spiritual Director, it’s a fairly regularly occurrence for me to find myself in conversation with people about their sense of calling. I certainly hope the people who seek to connect around the topic find it useful; all I know for sure is that consistent circling back to retill this rich soil is a complete gift to me. I’m learning more and more, and hearing more clearly about my own sense of call, which is absolutely thrilling!
In my case, there may have been a time when I thought that the call I heard towards pastoral ministry was THE call for me ~ that it would be the call that defined my life forever. And who knows, maybe when I come to my mortal end and look back on my life, that will prove to have been true. But as I spend time with Ministry21 participants, spiritual direction clients, and even people I encounter by chance outside of those roles, I’m growing into a more expansive understanding of vocational call.
Discovering Your Personal Vocation: The Search for Meaning through the Spiritual Exercises, by Jesuit author Herbert Alphonso (Paulist Press, 2001) is a very small book that explores this topic in simple terms. Alphonso posits that whatever it is that we feel led to do in this life, our deeper calling relates to who we know we must be ~ namely, that to be our full selves, we must consent deeply to be the person God knows us to be, fully alive and serving a larger good by being our truest self. Over time, how that call expresses itself in vocational paths may shift, but the call itself is implanted in the soul.
I believe that one of the most crucial roles of church families is that of helping Christians learn how to recognize their calling, and to guide them to supported ways of living out that calling so that we may all, indeed, grow to be the fullest expression of the persons we have been divinely created to be. In the Vermont and New Hampshire Conferences, Ministry21 is one of the tools we are developing to help in the spiritual and academic formation of church leaders, and to nourish their sense of calling, which we believe will be to the direct benefit of participants as well as churches in our Conferences. It is truly an honor to be part of the circle of discernment that offers support for this joyful work of living into that deepest call of all: to be fully alive.
As our world changes so rapidly, my invitation to all of us is this: let us commit to ongoing discernment of our own sense of calling to serve God’s world through the Church, as well as noticing and naming the gifts and calls we see in our siblings in Christ!
May it be so.
In faith and in joy,
Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno
vtdean@min21.org
| | 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! | |
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Welcome Jenni Grout! Our New Office Administrator
Jenni Grout, our newest Office Administrative Coordinator, former Parish Administrator at St. James Episcopal Church in Woodstock, VT, has her Bachelor’s Degree of Classical Voice from McGill University and currently teaches voice in the area as the founder of Vermont Vocals. A self-taught lutenist and singer of classical Arabic music, Jenni spent several years traveling the world performing in festivals and on television shows before settling in her parents’ hometown of Randolph, VT. Her strong ties with the community as well as her diverse experience and creative flair make her an exciting new edition to UCC's staff. Jenni’s office hours will be Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9am-3pm. email: jgrout@vermontucc.org
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Summer Lunch Grants AVAILABLE!
It is heartwarming to read about the various ways congregations are displaying their love and commitment to easing hunger for children during the summer. Here are the services provided as written from the newest applications we have received:
Richmond Congregational church members contribute toward the food costs for breakfast and lunch for a community day camp for children who come from five rural communities. The food budget for this camp is approximately $10,000 which indicates the large number of children who benefit from this experience.
The Federated Church of East Arlington provides lunches for local families (about 70 people) for the ten weeks of summer.
The Congregational Church of South Hero operates “Food For Thought” providing both books and food for 70 – 100 children throughout the summer. Thirty church volunteers join with community members to make this a successful program. They also have a food distribution site.
The United Community church, UCC in St. Johnsbury provides lunch to about 120 in their fellowship hall.
Members at The Old Meeting House in East Montpelier work in conjunction with the Onion River Food Shelf and 2 libraries. The members plan the meals, shop, pack the lunch bags and deliver the lunches to the Food Shelf and libraries. They serve 40 children all 10 weeks of summer.
Greater Hartford Church of Christ members make lunches (including their fresh baked cookies) at the church and deliver them to the library story time.
Here again is the link for the application
Thanks to all who participate in distributing food to the most vulnerable. Jesus said, “I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me drink…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:35-40
Complete the application by May 31st.
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Drag Queen and King Preachers
UCC pastors engage drag performance to center God’s love and belonging.
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Protecting Land from Exploitation
Destruction of sacred site of Oak Flat halted by recent ruling.
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‘A Major Shockwave Through Humanitarian Aid’
Global Ministries details current impacts of changing U.S. policies on global partners.
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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 11th, still sign up, and we will send you a link afterward. Register now!
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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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Celebrating UVM's Recognition of Roy V. Hill II
The Vermont Conference is delighted to announce and that the University of Vermont (UVM) has chosen to bestow an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters upon our esteemed colleague, Roy V. Hill II. This prestigious recognition was conferred at UVM's Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 18, 2025. We celebrate his extraordinary contributions and this significant recognition from the University of Vermont, which truly reflects his enduring impact on our community.
| | | | UCC Everywhere website builder: Are you using it? | | | |
In Search of
Are there other UCC churches in Vermont currently using the UCC Everywhere website development program? If so, please reach out to Liz Sykas at Bethany.Rental.Coord@gmail.com.
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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!
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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
| | VERMONT PRIDE SCHEDULE 2025 | | |
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.
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Save the Date & Cont. Ed Resources
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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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Foundational Level Capstone: Living The Heart of Progressive Christian Theology begins July 9
What are the essentials of the Christian faith? How do you understand the realm of God, salvation, and the message of Jesus? These are foundational questions for Christian life and theological formation. In this course, participants will explore, reflect on, and discuss these aspects of Christian theology from a progressive perspective, including how your theological understandings have evolved as a result of church experience, study, and growth. Text: Borg, Marcus J. (2003). The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering the Life of Faith. HarperOne/Haper-Collins.
Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply for this and other courses.
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Welcome, Farewell, and Blessings
Pastoral Transitions
| | Rev. Kim McKerly retired from Bethany Congregational Church, Randolph | |
Barre Congregational Church Welcomes New Pastor!
We are overjoyed to officially announce that Barre Congregational Church has unanimously approved the hiring of Reverend James Semmelroth Darnell as our new settled minister!
Reverend James comes to us from Indianapolis, IN, where he’s been doing incredible work with Global Ministries as the International Placement and Training Program Manager.
He’s not coming alone — Reverend James is bringing along his wonderful family, including his wife and their two awesome kids, ages 16 and 12. Together, they’re excited to settle into the Barre community, connect with neighbors, and share in the life of our vibrant town.
He’ll officially begin his ministerial duties May 27.
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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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