Judy Albright and Mira Cabrera - Design and Publishing
April 2025
Looking Ahead...
Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson
Dear Church,
As the month of April opens, and the season of Lent leads us ever closer to Easter’s ALLELUIAS, I want to offer a preview of what these weeks hold.
April 6: Confirmation Sunday
- We will celebrate the confirmation of six youth at our 10:00 a.m. service.
- After the service, the senior high Youth Group will host a pie raffle in Fellowship Hall.
April 13: Palm Sunday & Reception of New Members
- Holy Week begins with “Hosannas,” and palm branches, and a warm welcome to our new members at our 10:00 a.m. service.
April 17: Maundy Thursday
- A simple meal of soup and bread will begin in Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m., followed by a special service in that space at 7:00 p.m.
April 18: Good Friday
- An ecumenical service will be held at St. Stephen’s Church at noon.
April 20: Easter Sunday
- An ecumenical Sunrise Service will begin at 6:00 a.m. at Youngman Field (the college’s football stadium). Our festive Easter Sunday service will be at 10:00 a.m., followed by Fellowship Hour and an Easter Egg Hunt.
This month’s calendar is good and full. I look forward to sharing the bounty of these holy days with you. Come, let us worship God!
Blessings on you all.
Peace,
Andy
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE march 2025
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
The Church Council met March 12. Council members received updates from Pastor Andy and Pastor Elizabeth, among them:
- Attendance at Friday Night Community Suppers – now being held in Fellowship Hall after a period in which meals were delivered to people at their homes – has been growing slowly.
- This year’s confirmation class is expected to include six young people.
- Donations of items for the church’s year-long food drive are lagging behind our goal.
- Monthly gatherings at the church for members of the area’s Spanish-speaking community may resume in the coming months. The February meeting of La Comunidad was canceled after participants expressed a reluctance to meet in public because of the Trump Administration’s new immigration policies.
- Pastor Elizabeth and Director of Children and Youth Ministries May Poduschnick attended a recent workshop that explored ways other United Church of Christ congregations are enhancing services they offer children.
- In May the church will host a “de-escalation” training session for people from several faith communities who are interested in exploring ways of dealing with confrontational people inside their buildings.
After council members received those updates, Bonnie Stevens, the church’s Coordinator of Lay Visitation Ministry, asked them to review a proposed policy for the church’s new lay visitation ministry, which was launched in the fall of 2016 and discontinued in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the program, eight lay visitors are scheduled to pay monthly visits to other members who need pastoral care.
The council also approved employment agreements for Steve Jewett and Eliana Cañas Parra, who will provide pastoral and administrative services this summer during the months that Pastor Andy and Pastor Elizabeth are on sabbatical.
Moderator Leanna Maglienti encouraged board chairs to continue talking with their members about building community for one another in 2025.
Council members agreed to use money from the Ben and Lois Foster Family Music Fund to buy chairs for the chancel choir to sit in during worship.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew Cox, Church Clerk
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Between annual meetings, the Church Council meets once a month to fulfill its responsibility to coordinate the church's programs and business. Council has the powers generally ascribed to a corporation's board of directors.
The Church Council is composed of the following Church members: Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, and the chairpersons of the six church boards. Also, there are three at-large members. One is elected every year and serves a 3 year term.
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The basic life and work of the church is under the direction and supervision of church boards, which meet monthly at the All Boards Meeting and report to the Church Council. Members of these boards are elected from the membership of the church.
Children & Youth
May Poduschnick
March Updates for Children and Youth
March has been a full and meaningful month as we began the season of Lent and welcomed spring!
To guide us on our Lenten journey, we created Lenten Bags for families to take home. These bags, introduced during the Children’s Message, included simple discussions, reflections, and visual reminders of Lent. Each item—a wooden peg, seeds, a rock, a shell, a candle, and sand—represents different aspects of the season.
On Ash Wednesday, while the adults attended the service, the children gathered in Unity Hall for a fun and meaningful time. We had a brief discussion about Lent and Ash Wednesday, followed by a relaxing VeggieTales movie with popcorn. After the service, Pastor Andy and Pastor Elizabeth visited to offer ashes to any children who wished to receive them.
Looking ahead, we are excited for the Spring Fling & Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, March 22! This family-friendly event, sponsored by the Board of Christian Development, will feature a Cornhole Tournament and the Great MiddUCC Scavenger Hunt, with plenty of prizes and fun for everyone.
Meanwhile, Church School continues its study of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We are encouraging students to memorize Bible verses, knowing they will stay with them for years to come. The Nursery has been lively and full, and the Parent Playdate has been well attended and appreciated.
As we plan for next year, we are seeking additional Church School teachers, helpers, nursery staff, and volunteers. We couldn’t do what we do without the dedication of those who serve. If you are interested in working with children of any age, please reach out—we’d love to have you!
We are also looking forward to our Confirmation Retreat at the end of March and Confirmation Sunday on April 6. Our group of six 9th and 10th graders has been thoughtfully exploring their values, beliefs, and faith practices and how these apply to their daily lives.
Looking Ahead:
✨ Confirmation Sunday
🌿 Palm Sunday
🌸 Easter Sunday & Easter Egg Hunt
☀️ Spring Break
So much to look forward to and celebrate together!
Gratefully, May
Music Director
This Ash Wednesday, the Chancel Choir began the season of Lent with two powerful pieces of choral music, one quite old and one very new. This balance of tradition and innovation is what makes music interesting to me, as I believe these two can coexist happily and healthily alongside one another. The first was Richard Farrant's "Lord, for Thy Tender Mercy's Sake", written in the 16th century. The second was Karen Marrolli's "To Dust", written in our own 21st century. Both of these pieces call out to God, asking for mercy and forgiveness, while also looking to the future to transform our sadness, grief, and pain into dust so that it may be reborn into new life.
You will hear the Farrant anthem again on Maundy Thursday, as a sort of "musical bookend" to the season. It is my hope that as you hear the same notes and words again, you will hear them differently, as you will not be the same as you were on Ash Wednesday. So too will the choir not be the same—it will not be the exact same set of singers, and over a month will have elapsed, with more life having been lived. Truly, so long as human beings are the instruments making the music, choral music can never be the same twice, because we are ever-changing and evolving.
In other news, the Bell Choir has been rehearsing each Sunday after worship for the past several weeks. I have learned the basics of bell ringing myself (it was my first time!) and am using my musical skills to figure the rest out. We are having fun and things are going quite well! The plan at the moment is to present a piece on Palm Sunday, a wonderful arrangement of "Morning Has Broken." I find bell ringing to be a wonderful way to calm my energy after a packed service and have been looking forward to this time each week.
Taizé continues on each month and remains a place of deep spiritual prayer for me. If you have not come to a service before, I urge you to give it a try. The times for silence, reflective readings, and repetitive chants effortlessly open the mind to slowing down to enter the present moment. It is a holy space, a sacred ground of spiritual energy. Please join us on the last Sunday of each month in Unity Hall at 4pm!
I love seeing many of you each week at worship and beyond. Please don't hesitate to be in touch with me with musical ideas for MiddUCC. I am beginning to think about next year and would love to hear your thoughts.
Warmly,
Ronnie
Volunteer Seedling Growers Needed!
The Green Team is still in need of folks willing to grow a dozen extra vegetable and/or herb seedlings this spring for our fifth annual Seedling Giveaway, which will take place on Mother’s Day, May 11, right after the 10:00 service. Right now, we do not have enough growers to support the Giveaway. Please contact Su Reid-St. John at sureidstjohn@gmail.com if you can help. Thank you!!
Helping Hands
Spring has sprung and Helping Hands will meet on April 7 from 10:15 -12:30 to help spruce up the church and grounds in anticipation of Easter.
Weathering permitting, we will be raking, putting down mulch around the trees, cleaning the gardens and mulching them. Bring your gloves, gardening tools, if you have them. All are welcome; we hope to see you there.
Any questions? You can reach out to Dorothy Douglas at 802-388-6257 or jdmamidd@comcast.net.
Pie Raffle
After six years, we are bringing back the beloved Pie Raffle tradition! On Sunday, April 6, which is also Confirmation Sunday, the Senior Youth Group will be raffling off delicious homemade pies to support the Jo and Dave Cole Award, which honors two MUHS staff members for their outstanding work with young people.
During Fellowship Hour, you’re invited to purchase raffle tickets—$2 each or 10 for $6—for a chance to win a pie. At the end of coffee hour, the youth will draw the winning tickets and raffle off the pies.
Thank you for your support, and good luck!
Gather & Share: April
April's theme is Spring Cleaning.
As many of you know, our church has set a goal of donating three tons of food to the HOPE food shelf this year. For April, we have chosen supplies...meant to add some spiff and shine to a home...spring cleaning!
This Lent, we encourage you to make donating to HOPE one of your Lenten disciplines. Some people give things up for Lent, but perhaps this season, your practice could be giving—helping our neighbors as a way to draw closer to God.
Bring your donations to Church and we will make sure they reach those in need!
Can you help fulfill their basic needs list?
Spring cleaning supplies for the home: floors, windows, fridge, toilet, oven
Soaps: laundry, dish, dishwasher, hand, face, and body
Thank you,
—The Board of Mission and Social Concerns
Question: Who has filled the role of Church Clerk during the past 75 years or so ?
Starting with the March issue of Church Matters in 2021, a brief biography of the twenty-six settled pastors of this church was written; this was followed by a listing of Moderators, who have served this church: given in Church Matters March 2025. For the current issue of Church Matters, the clerks are listed.
Ever since the organization of the town in 1786, the town meeting had conducted all public affairs, including church business matters, as well as dealing with roads, bridges, the green, the cemetery, and raised taxes for all these purposes, but dealt only with church affairs. The meeting held on July 1, 1799 was notified like other town meetings, but dealt only with church affairs. It organized a legal “Society,” and the voters assembled were thereafter known as ”The Religious Society consisting of the Town of Middlebury.” Officers were chosen for the management of church business: the town clerk acted as the Society clerk. The Society’s meetings were held at the same time or an hour before the town meeting, in the Court House; and the records of both were kept in the same book.
From 1807 until 1964, this Society legally administrated material and financial concerns of the corporation whereas the religious concerns remained in the care of the members of the religious body of the Church. The two l records were separate and distinct, with different prerogatives, and held separate meetings. Most of the records of the church are fortunately still preserved. The separate records of the Religious Society from 1805 to 1852 were lost in a fire on February 22, 1852 which destroyed a law office on the bank of the creek.
Since 1945, a mimeographed brochure of some ten pages had been distributed at the end of each year, giving chiefly the financial reports, holdings, and budgets. Beginning with the annual meeting for 1950, this was expanded to some 20 pages, to include written reports from the pastor, the deacons, the historian, and the chairmen of the deacons, deaconesses, and other major committees. These were written so as to distribute information about church activities more quickly then was generally known, or possible to impart at an annual meeting.
In the title of the 1945 Annual Report, it showed that the financial status of these two organizations was kept separate: The Congregational Church and The Religious Congregational Society of Middlebury, Vermont --- Financial and Membership Reports for 1945.
In the title for the 1964 Annual Report, it showed that the fiscal plan of these two organizations was treated as a single entity: The Congregational Church of Middlebury, Vermont for 1964.
Beginning before World War II, here is the list of the Clerks:
Richard C. Hubbard 1945 through 1946 (Congregational Church)
Julius C. Seeley 1946 through 1948 (Congregational Church)
Col. Walter P. Burn 1948 (Religious Society)
Albert A. Ingalls 1949 through 1950
Harold B. Hitchcock 1951
Howard Brush 1952 through 1953
Mrs. John W. Burke 1954 through 1955
Marion Holmes 1956
Mrs. Keith Pearson 1957 through 1959
Marion Holmes 1960 and 1961
Estelle l’Heureux 1961 through 1962
Edith Knott 1963 through 1970
Mrs. John Flickenger 1971 through1977
Mrs. Russell Carpenter 1978 through 1979
Mrs. Barbara Land 1980
Barbara Wells 1981 through 1983
Marguerite Food 1984 through 1985
Barbara Stiles 1986 through1989
Rosemary Bottom 1990 through 1993
Joyce Haggarty 1994 through 1995
Betty Thurber 1996 through 1999
Maureen Williams 2000 through 2004
Ruth Stewart 2005 through 2014
Nancy Foster 2015 through 2025
Matthew Cox 2025 current
Historian: Malcolm W. Chase
Malcolm W. Chase, Church Historian
Dates for "Deepening Our Faith"
All are welcome to join mid-stream to Pastor Elizabeth's Deepening Our Faith class which meets on Tuesdays at noon. FYI, these are the new dates and content!
April 1- History of Christianity
April 8 - NO CLASS
April 15 - United Church of Christ: Who Are We?
April 22- Worship & the Sacraments
April 29 - Spiritual Practices: Finding Ways to Pray & Incorporate Faith in Our Daily Lives
More about the class:
Each week we’ll explore a different topic through discussion, scripture, and shared reflection. Whether you are new to the church or have been here for years, this series is an opportunity to strengthen your faith and deepen your connection to our community.
Meetings will be held in person and on Zoom. If you’re interested or have questions, reach out to Pastor Elizabeth at elizabeth@midducc.org.
Earth Day Service April 27th
Join us for a special Earth Day Service as we celebrate God’s creation and reflect on our call to be faithful stewards of the earth. Through scripture, prayer, and song, we will give thanks for the beauty and abundance of the natural world and consider how we can care for it with love and responsibility. All are welcome to this meaningful time of worship and reflection.
Hospitality Team Training!
Looking for a way to help out at church? Have flexible hours? We are looking for volunteers to join our Hospitality team! The hospitality team makes it possible for our church building to host a wide variety of community groups outside of regular office hours--everything from classes and lectures, non-profit meetings, to parties and celebrations...You sign up for shifts that work for you & are on site to provide a warm welcome!
This is a way to put into practice the "ALL ARE WELCOME" motto, as often these groups are encountering our church building for the first time. Come and make sure everyone feels welcome and supported, even outside of regular office hours. Training will take place on Thursday April 3rd from 11-12, so now is the time to join! If interested, please contact the office at office@midducc.org. Thank you!
Midday Bible Study: The Epistles of John
The Epistles of John make a wondrous claim at the dawn of the second century (CE): GOD IS LOVE. In the three letters of John, the author reminds his early Christian community that their love of God must be made manifest in the love they show one another. Here in the twenty-first century, what might learn from these ancient texts?
Pastor Andy will lead a seven-session class on The Epistles of John (I John, II John, III John). Classes will be held on consecutive Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 in Unity Hall through April 23rd. Online participation is welcome; click HERE for the Zoom link
The 2025 Scott Symposium at Middlebury College: Christian Nationalism
Christian nationalists insist that the US was founded by and for Christians. As a resurgent populist movement in contemporary American politics, Christian nationalism aims to establish the legal, moral, and cultural dominance of an ultra-conservative, exclusivist interpretation of the religion, and it views diversity and pluralism as existential threats to that objective. This year’s Scott Lecture Series, sponsored by the Religion Department at Middlebury College, will invite a range of scholars to help us understand this movement, its roots, its adherents, and the consequences it poses to American public life.
This four-part lecture series will feature scholars and authors examining the intersections of faith, politics, identity, and power from a variety of perspectives.
Topics include:
- The rise of Christian nationalism in American politics
- The role of social media in amplifying extremism
- Queer and critical responses to Christian America
- Christian theological perspectives on nationalism and the modern state
Join us for thoughtful conversation and critical engagement throughout the month of April. All events are free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Charles P. Scott Fund (Religion Department) with additional support from the Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs.
For dates, speakers, and locations, visit the Religion Department's website.
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April Birthdays
- to view birthdays for any month of the year SIGN IN to our online directory.
- Click on Calendar in the upper left of the screen.
Alice Munson April 03
John Wallace April 03
Elizabeth Robinson April 05
Spencer Smith April 05
Joe Cabrera April 07
Colin Foster April 07
Robyn Stattel April 07
Lisa Gates April 08
Laurie Jordan April 09
Alex Bonavita April 10
Abby Gleason April 10
Rick Marshall April 10
Anna Roy April 10
Grady Leonard April 11
Jennifer Bleich April 12
Jean Fifield April 12
Vanda Crook April 13
Elise Blair April 15
Ken Brownsword April 16
Cathy Chase April 16
Gary Gillen April 16
Gus Jordan April 16
Wendy Hollander April 17
Raymond Shute April 17
Dorothy Krahn April 19
Peggy Rush April 19
Edith Olmstead April 20
Ginny Sinclair April 21
Rachael Nagy-Benson April 23
Joyce Foster April 25
Neil Sinclair April 25
Gregor Kent April 28
Eva Andrews April 29
Patty Hallam April 29
Irene Zaccor April 29
- to view birthdays for any month of the year SIGN IN to our online directory.
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April Anniversaries
Tim & Wendy Hollander April 1
Susan Baker & George Jarvis April 23
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