Happening in Our Church!

One Spot Left! Awe Field Trip

Are you curious about awe? Interested in having a conversation about awe with members of your church family? Then consider joining a group on December 4 to visit An Invitation to Awe, the exhibit on view now at the Middlebury College Museum of Art. Curator (and fellow church member) Katy Smith Abbott will speak to our group about what it meant to work with students in developing the exhibit, as well as how we might engage with the wide range of objects and experiences available for our consideration. We will meet promptly at 11 AM on December 4 at the doors to the art museum (inside the lobby of the Mahaney Arts Center on the Middlebury Campus). Due to space limitations, you must sign up: here or by calling the church office at 802-388-7634.

Caroling

Join us at 10 a.m. December 7th (Saturday) for a magical moment of song and joy! Our church choir will be caroling on the steps outside the sanctuary, filling the air with the spirit of the season as part of the town-wide event A Very Merry Middlebury. Come listen, sing along, or simply soak in the beauty of the music as we celebrate together. Everyone is welcome!

Poinsettias

It’s that time again! The flower committee will be taking poinsettia orders now through December 10th. The price is $27/poinsettia and you can choose red, pink or white. To place an order, find Lisa Evarts or Michele Brown downstairs in the fellowship hall after morning service, order online, or call Lisa directly at (802) 349-5788.

You will have the opportunity to dedicate your flower to a family member, friend or acquaintance and choose to pick up your poinsettia anytime after the 7 PM Christmas Eve Service or donate it to someone who you think might enjoy a bit of color this holiday season.

Lessons & Carols

An annual celebration of traditional Christmas music and biblical texts of the season will be held on Dec.8th at Middlebury Chapel. Led by Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life Mark R. Orten and Middlebury College Choir Musical Director Jeffrey Buettner. Two services, at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Donations will be accepted for local charities. Large print programs available. American Sign Language interpretation at the 4:00 service only.

Special Gathering for College Students

If you're part of the college community join us for a light lunch after worship on Sunday, December 8th! We’re excited to get to know the Middlebury College students who’ve been part of our church family recently. Come enjoy good food, great conversation, and a warm welcome. As a special treat, we’ll be sending you off with care packages to help you through finals week! 📚☕✨ We hope to see you there—invite a friend and take a well-deserved break with us!

Advent Taizé

Please join us on December 10th at 7 p.m. in Unity Hall for one hour of meditative Taizé singing, silence, prayers, and lighting of candles. Music Director Ronnie Romano will lead the singing; Pastor Andy will share readings and invite us into prayer.

If you like to sing, join Ronnie at 5:30 p.m. for a brief rehearsal and introduction to the service (email ronnie@midducc.org to let him know you're coming). You may also simply arrive at 7:00 and sing then. This is an ecumenical service open to all—please invite anyone you think might be interested to join us.

The Christmas Pageant

Celebrate the season with us during our worship service on Sunday, December 15th, as we present our Christmas Pageant! Bring your family, friends, and festive spirit as we come together to rejoice in this special tradition.

La Comundad

La Comunidad is an outreach program of The Congregational Church of Middlebury that consists of a free, monthly meal for local, Spanish-speaking people—migrant workers, families of migrant workers, and others unaffiliated with farms. It offers a gathering point and as the name suggests, a focal point for community. This month, La Comunidad is happening on December 15th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We welcome volunteers to come and join the dinner, play with kids in the nursery, clean up or offer rides for our guests. Contact May Poduschnick (may@midducc.org) if you would like to be involved. Spanish not necessary although helpful.

Gather & Share: December

Holiday Baking Goods

i.e. sugar, flour, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, vanilla, spices, oil, boxed milk, cookie decorations, coffee, tea, hot chocolate

Thanks to All who helped make our annual Food Drive for H.O.P.E. a success! We gathered 1,505 pounds of food and donations at the Co-op and Shaws last Saturday! That brings our year to date total to 5,608 pounds. We are just 392 pounds away from our 3-ton goal for 2024!!! You Rock!

-Wendy Warren & The Board of Mission and Social Concerns

Attention! HOPE is urgently in need of certain food items. While you're at the grocery store, consider picking up a few of these items! list here: list

Lunch Bunches

The Ladies Lunch group will be meeting at American Flatbread at the MarbleWorks in Middlebury from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m on December 19th. Please sign up here or by calling the church office at 802-388-7634 by Monday, Dec 16th so we can let them know how many people to expect. The cost of the lunch will not exceed $15. We will pre-order a variety of flatbreads and large salad bowls to share. Please note whether you would like meat or veggie. If you are gluten free, you can order when you get there. Also please note the start time is now 11:30 am.

The Men's Lunch Bunch will be held at Rosie's Restaurant on December 19th at noon. If you plan to attend the lunch or have questions, please contact Mal Chase at patandmalchase@gmail.com.

Adult Study !

All are welcome to still join Pastor Elizabeth's Quest for the Spirit class each Monday at 1:30 p.m. in Unity Hall and on zoom. The class explores various practices of Christian Meditation.

No experience necessary!

Zoom link

Please help!

Our Friday night Community Suppers continue to grow. We have a core group of volunteers who serve our guests. But we need more! The commitment is only about 2 hours on Friday night and as frequent or infrequent as you want. The work is not hard but so important: set tables, serve food, clean up afterwards.

Looking for a way to help out at church? Have flexible hours? We are looking for volunteers to join our Hospitality team! You would be welcoming groups using our building during off hours. If interested, please contact Mira Cabrera at office@midducc.org or Jeff Ellison at buildingmanager@midducc.org

Online Fellowship Each Week!

Join us for Online Fellowship each week immediately after worship. Hal and Jean will lead us in sharing the good things that are happening in our lives, while connecting as a beloved community. It will be the same Zoom link every time.

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 876 3774 4686

Passcode: 063702