Happening in Our Church!

Christmas Eve Services

Celebrate the beauty of the season with us at our Christmas Eve Services today at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The nursery will be open and staffed for ages 0-4 during the 4:00 p.m. service.

One of our most cherished Christmas Eve traditions is the Distribution of the Light—a moment where the sanctuary glows with the warmth of shared candlelight, reminding us of the hope and love Christ brings to the world. Come and experience the magic and meaning of Christmas with your community!

Christmas Morning Service

There will be a Christmas Morning Service held in Unity Hall at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 25th. Check out our Christmas Guide for all the holiday highlights this season!

Christmas Dinner

Christmas Dinner will be served downstairs in Fellowship Hall on Christmas Day from 4:00-5:00 p.m. All are welcome. If you know of anyone who would like to attend please invite them!

Seeking Pie Bakers!

The Community Supper Team provides meals to over 300 individuals each week. Meals are delivered to homes in the Addison area as well as available for dine in or take out in Fellowship Hall. As we strive to bring even more joy to all of our families and individuals this holiday season, your help in reaching our goal of 80 pies is appreciated and valued! If you are able to bake a pie (any amount is so appreciated!) please email Lilly Devlin at lilly@quimbycountry.com or call at 207-841-6250. We ask for pumpkin, berry, apple and just a few pecan pies. We are accepting pie drop off donations on Tuesday, December 24th between 10-2pm and Wednesday, December 25th between 1-2:30pm. If you are not able to make one of these times, please let Lilly know and she can coordinate a time that works for you. Thank you so much for your support and consideration!

Stewardship Campaign Update

Thank you to the members and friends who have already made a pledge for 2025! The success of our stewardship campaign relies on everyone giving as they are able. We strive for 100 percent participation in pledging, and every gift matters. As we head towards the end of the year, both our participation numbers and the dollar amount pledged continue to rise and we are grateful for your support and consideration. If you have not yet pledged, paper pledge cards are available at the church and can be placed in the offering plate or mailed to the Treasurer at The Congregational Church of Middlebury, 30 No. Pleasant St, Middlebury, VT 05753. We also encourage you to pledge online at the following link: https://www.midducc.org/giving/make-your-pledge Thank you!

Gather & Share: A December to Remember

WE DID IT! Together we have donated 3-tons plus 6,067 pounds of food to HOPE this year. The generosity and caring of the Middlebury Congregational Church is amazing. Thank you to all.

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

Red Clover Holiday Wish List

Dear Church Community,

The teachers at RCCC have put together a wish list of new toys and materials to expand children’s learning opportunities and grow our library of resources!

If you are interested in donating a gift to RCCC, please use this Amazon link to choose an item. You are welcome to send them directly to RCCC, but please share your name so we can say thank you!

Justice, Compassion, Democracy in 2025 & Beyond

What role, if any, should the Church have in engaging social and political issues in the public domain? Religious leaders are calling for varied responses to the emerging policies of our national government, and to rising Christian nationalism. Robin Meyers, a respected UCC pastor, has written an article that is sharply self-critical of responses by the Church and its pastors.

On two Sundays, January 5 and 19, following worship, we will discuss Meyers’s perspectives and explore alternative approaches. Together, we’ll ask, “Where do we go from here (or not)?” Our pastors will participate in the discussion, with John Emerson facilitating and posing key questions to guide our conversation.

PREPARING FOR THE CONVERSATION

Please read Reverend Robin Meyers’s article in advance and reflect on these questions:

- Which points in Meyers’s essay resonate with you?

- Where, if at all, do you disagree?

- Do the Bible and our faith traditions inform these issues?

- Should the Church (our Church) engage these matters publicly?

Join us at 11:30 a.m. in Unity Hall on January 5 and January 19.

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