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,

    We are now in Holy Week, the most important week of the year for the Church. With Christians all around the world, we share in remembering the events of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter. We of course go through the gamut of emotions as we go through these days of terrible sorrow to incredible joy, which only adds to the week’s intensity.

    And in this particular year, we do this against the backdrop of everything that is happening in our state and country. Just this week, we have seen a Columbia University student and legal permanent resident, Mohsen Mahdawi, detained by hooded Homeland Security agents in Colchester. His attorneys don’t know where he is right now. This is apparently because he is a Palestinian activist who has led protests against the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza. We also hear reports of students who are from other countries receiving threatening communications from our immigration authorities. Many of us have been participating in various protest rallies over the past few weeks. This year, the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday don’t seem so far removed from us.

    Of course, the cry on Easter morning of “Christ is Risen!” has gone on through the centuries through persecution, great economic hardship, wars, and all kinds of other bad times. I know that many of you have Easter sunrise services that you are doing along with services later in the morning. May we proclaim a Word of hope for the people of Vermont! May the Spirit be at work among and through us!

    One final word-I hope that all of you who are helping to lead this week, whether you are lay or clergy, will take a little time off next week to recover and recreate.  It is tempting to push through the exhaustion we feel after Holy Week, but I strongly encourage you to recognize that you will be needed in the weeks and months ahead, and to take care of yourself! Please remember that your ministry matters to God and to so many of the rest of us in Vermont.

 In Christ

Paul

Association Conference Minister

_{Latest News}

The Quest for Justice Continues: UCC GMP Shares Easter Message

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson offers a message of hope, joy, and triumph ahead of Resurrection Sunday.

Annual Meeting Theme: Rising Above White Christian Nationalism!

White Christian Nationalism and the United Church of Christ hold fundamentally opposing theological views on American identity, religion in government, race, scripture, social justice, and core values. WCN's exclusionary nationalism and desire for a Christian nation directly contradict the UCC's inclusivity, social justice focus, and church-state separation. Recognizing these dangers – discrimination, violence, undermined democracy, distorted teachings – is vital for upholding religious freedom and justice in a diverse society. The UCC's radical welcome and justice theology offer a powerful alternative to WCN's harmful ideology, emphasizing critical theological reflection in today's complex America.

Dr. Heywood Carter is a theologian and author who is known for her work on liberation theology and feminist theology. She is a professor emerita at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Dr. Carter's book, The Seven Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism, explores how white Christian nationalism has been used to justify racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression in the United States. The book has been praised for its insightful analysis of the role of religion in American politics and culture.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Carter is also an active advocate for social justice. She has been a vocal critic of racism, sexism, and homophobia. She has also worked to promote peace and reconciliation in conflict zones around the world.

Dr. Carter's work is important because it helps us to understand the ways in which religion can be used to both support and challenge the status quo. Her analysis of white Christian nationalism is particularly relevant in today's political climate, as the United States is grappling with issues of racial justice and inequality. Dr. Carter's website: www.revcarterheyward.com

Description: Religious trauma is increasingly relevant with the rise of fundamentalism and the growing number of “dones” and “nones” leaving the church. This workshop examines religious trauma, particularly in connection with Christian Nationalism. We will explore its root causes, how to recognize toxic beliefs, and the signs and symptoms of religious trauma. Key topics include Biblical Patriarchy, the Trad Wife movement, and purity culture. Attendees will gain insight into how certain faith traditions create barriers to fully embracing gender roles and human sexuality. This workshop has been an eye-opening experience for many, offering a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of religious conditioning both in the church and the secular world.

Bio: Lou Rochford (they/them) is a member of First Congregational Church of Burlington, VT, pursuing ordination through the Vermont Conference. Their ministry focuses on pastoral and spiritual care for queer, poly, and kink communities. Lou serves as the Digital Deacon for Church in the Wild (Sky Lake, NY) and supports digital ministry at First Church Burlington.

Climate Scientist and Evangelical Christian to Keynote UCC Earth Summit

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!)

Franz Joseph Haydn, The Seven Last Words of Christ

Sunday, April 13, 4:00 • First Congregational Church, Lebanon NH

Friday, April 18, 7:00 • Williston Federated Church, Williston VT



A Holy Week musical tradition for over three decades! First organized in 1991 by the late violinist Bert Francke (1940-2025), an octet has performed this sublime piece in two different Vermont towns every Holy Week since then except during the pandemic. This year it makes one of its rare forays into New Hampshire, and you're warmly invited to attend. And one need not be Christian to appreciate the narrative power of Haydn's poignant, bracingly dramatic portrayal of Christ's final hours on the cross.

The palms are waved, a hopeful start, But lists grow long within my heart. From Maundy Thursday's solemn rite, To Good Friday's shadowed light, And Easter's dawn, a joyful call, There's so much planned for one and all.

The bulletins, the altar flowers, The children's crafts, the sermon hours. The extra services, long and deep, While personal quiet starts to sleep. I rush and fret, I barely pause, Caught in the week's demanding cause.

The meaning whispers, soft and low, Of sacrifice and sorrow's flow, Of rising hope and grace anew, But deadlines loom, and tasks accrue. I long to still this hurried pace, To find within, a sacred space.

To truly feel the weight of loss, Before the triumph of the cross, To let the quiet sink within, And wash away the busy din. But emails ping and calls demand, A helping, ever-present hand.

Oh, Holy Week, a time so grand, Yet busyness holds me in its hand. I pray for strength, for peace to find, The sacred moments for my mind. To serve with love, and yet to be, Present to God's mystery.

It might be Holy Week if...

• ...your drive home involves mentally shifting gears from calculating deductions to contemplating discipleship and betrayal.
• ...you glance at the church as you drive past and notice lights on inside, knowing preparations for evening or upcoming services are underway.
• ...your evening plans involve less Netflix and more navigating the logistics of attending multiple solemn, candlelit gatherings in the next few days.
• ...you find yourself strangely calm amidst the late-afternoon traffic, pondering things much bigger than the car in front of you. ...you're juggling thoughts of spiritual reflection, Roman crucifixion, and whether you remembered to include Form 8889 with your 1040
• ...the volunteers prepping for Maundy Thursday are probably right now figuring out where they stored the special communion bread and the foot-washing basins.
• ...your quick stop at the grocery store includes grabbing grape juice and maybe some pita bread, thinking ahead to Thursday.
• ...you briefly consider skipping dinner just to have more time for quiet reflection (but then remember you need energy for the long services).
• ...the texts pinging on your phone are less about Tax Day memes and more like, "Are you going to the 7 PM service Friday?"
• ...you look towards the Green Mountains in the distance and think about hikes to come, but your immediate focus is on the journey to the cross and the empty tomb.
• ...you realize just how much you're looking forward to shouting "Christ is Risen!" on Sunday morning.

After 15 wonderful and fruitful years dedicated to our children's ministry, Laurie Chipman retired from her position as Christian Education Director of First Congregational Church of Essex Junction. During the two regularly scheduled services on March 23rd, the church honored her years of devoted service. Several of the youth actively participated in leading the service, and a reception was held afterwards in her honor. Conference Minister Lynn Bujnak also attended to recognize Laurie's significant contributions to the Conference in Outdoor Ministries.

Our churches have a lot of loving, generous people who respond whenever called to provide hygiene kits for those affected by a disaster and school supplies/backpacks for school children. Many people want to do God's work but don't have a lot of money to donate. Inflation has taken a bite out of everyone's spending money.  A person shopping retail for hygiene kit supplies could easily spend well over $10 for each kit.  

The web site www.bagsinbulk.com has some great prices on products (washcloths 58 cents, toothbrushes 15 cents, nail clippers 15 cents, large towels $2.80).  A group of people could pool their resources and provide a lot more kits, doing more of God's work for less money.  

The same is true for backpacks and school supplies.  Check Bagsinbulk out the next time your church takes on a missions project.  

I know that it's not about the money we spend, but rather doing God's work. But still, let's get the most out of each dollar we can give.

John Hill, Federated Church of Castleton 

Camp Highlight: Middlers on the Mountain (June 29- July 5, grades 6-8, Tiered Prices: $710, $600, $530) 

Middle schoolers unite! We'll build an inclusive community that goes on adventures, plays games and sports, gets creative, and has FUN together! 

Counselor Info Session (4/23, 7pm, Zoom Call)

Are you looking for a way to make a difference? Come to camp and make the transformative wonder of Outdoor Ministries possible for today's youth this summer at Horton Center! Come to our last info session of the season to learn more about what a day at camp is like, how counselors are supported in their role at camp, and what a week on the mountain can do for YOU! 

RSVP HERE

Save the Date: Open House (June 14th at Camp!)

Want to check camp out before you come as a camper? Looking for an excuse to spend a day on the mountain? Join us for worship, lunch, games, tours, and activities on Saturday June 14th! 

RSVP HERE

Contact: Tivvi Pare (she/her/hers) 603-545-9660 TPare@nhcucc.org

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

PRAYER CONCERNS

Vulnerable adult missing from Shelburne

The Shelburne Police Department is asking for the public's help as they search for a missing man with multiple medical conditions.

According to police, Ronald Van Mynen was last seen at his Shelburne home Tuesday afternoon. He had gone to run errands in South Burlington, but he never returned home. Police say Van Mynen didn't bring a cell phone with him when he left the house.

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

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Beginning May 7, PATHWAYS offers The Bible as Guide: Going Green, a 6-week course in the Environmental Justice program. Using The Green Bible: New Revised Standard Version, your faith community’s hymnal, online discussions, a daily journal, and more, this course will explore how creation is at the heart of the Bible. What are the ways humans, as part of the web of life, impact all of creation negatively or positively? How does the Bible guide us as stewards of creation? How does the Bible’s story of creation intersect with concerns about climate change?

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

 Welcome, Farewell, and Blessings

Pastoral Transitions since the 2024 Vermont Conference Annual Meeting

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

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



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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 email: 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/