Exciting updates for Church School! We are thrilled to announce that Jean Fifield has joined our team and will be teaching the Grade 6–8 class. Starting in January, we plan to have three classes once again:

• PreK–2: Taught by Stacia Greene
• Grades 3–5: Taught by Rik Poduschnick
• Grades 6–8: Taught by Jean Fifield

Church School Schedule (Remainder of 2024):

• December 1: Big Meeting
  
• December 8: Pageant rehearsal during church school time (kids should come even if they are not involved in the pageant)
  
• December 15: Pageant and After Party (ALL kids are invited)
  
• December 22 & 29: No Church School (Holiday Break)

We had a fantastic sleepover from October 25–26, filled with games, baking, and even some sleep with the Junior Youth Group! JYG continues to meet regularly on Tuesday evenings. We’re also excited to help with the Thanksgiving Food Drive on Saturday, November 23 in front of Shaw’s.

Our nursery program is settling into its new schedule, featuring a mix of outside and inside activities, cleanup, circle time, songs, and stories. On sunny days, we’ve stayed outside the entire time, but with colder weather approaching, we may start indoors.

We’re dedicated to creating a welcoming and fun space for families. A big thank you to our wonderful teen nursery staff for their flexibility and enthusiasm! Since the nursery operates 52 weeks a year, we always need additional adult volunteers to join us in caring for our youngest members.

The Christmas Pageant is coming together beautifully! Speaking roles have been assigned, and rehearsals are underway. If any kids or youth still want to be involved, let me know soon as we can always have additional angels, sheep, cattle, and other non-speaking roles. Join us on December 15 for a stellar performance. Arrive early to get a great seat!

Thank you for being part of our vibrant church community!

May Poduschnick and all the Church School Volunteers

A heartfelt thank you to all volunteers, donors, as well as the shoppers among you, who contributed "time and treasure" to this year's milestone 100th Holiday Bazaar.

We are very happy to report that the Bazaar raised well over $15,000! This financial success was the result of the work of almost 50 volunteers to plan, publicize, arrange rooms, decorate, accept donations, organize and price items, then finally complete the many, many sales and clean up (whew!) after this milestone year’s Holiday Bazaar. A breakdown of the sales totals will be shared with you when the counting is complete and will also appear in our church’s 2024 Annual Report.

Thank you, thank you. Well done, Church!

-Judy Jessup and Ruth Penfield, 2024 Holiday Bazaar co-chairs

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 p.m. Christmas Eve Service or donate it to someone who you think might enjoy a bit of color this holiday season.

Our next Green Team meeting will be on Monday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. If you are interested in being a part of fulfilling our mission as a Creation Justice Church we would love to welcome you to our team! Contact any of our members (Eliana Cañas Parra, Diana Davidson, Hal Colston, Judy Jessup, Leanna Maglienti, Su Reid-St. John, Paige Russell) if you would like to be involved or learn more about our work.

As the holidays approach, we wanted to share with you some climate-friendly holiday tips:

1. Always turn off your holiday lights before you go to bed.

Consider putting them on a timer if you have trouble remembering. When you take them down, store them with care so you won’t have to buy new ones next year. And when you do need to replace your lights, choose LEDs, which use up to 70 percent less energy than the old-school incandescent ones. Not only do Christmas lights in the U.S. require a lot of energy—more than the national electricity consumption of many developing countries —but the light pollution they produce at night can be harmful to wildlife. If it’s time to dispose of old lights, they can be recycled at the local transfer station.

2. Consider second-hand gifting.

We’re not talking garage sale leftovers here, but things like vintage clothing and jewelry, antiques, and gorgeous old books. If you feel odd about it, ask the recipient ahead of time if they’re open to receiving used items as gifts. Also, be sure to put “used preferred” on your own Christmas list if you’re so inclined. There are a number of wonderful resale shops in Addison County including HOPE, Neat Repeats, Round Robin, Buy Again Alley, Junebug, Your Turn Resale Shoppe, and Sweet Charity. Check them out!

3. Swear off wrapping paper this season.

Instead of using gift wrap, use material you already have around your home, such as newspaper comics, old road maps, or scraps of leftover fabric. Have kids? Task them with decorating all those paper shopping bags you have hanging around. If you must use commercial gift wrap, opt for a gift bag and include a note asking the recipient to reuse it. Here’s why it’s so important: A large portion of the estimated 25 percent extra trash that is tossed out during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is composed of gift wrap, since a large percentage of wrapping paper (including anything decorated with foil or glitter) can’t be recycled.

4. For the person who has everything, consider donating to a nonprofit or giving the gift of an experience or helping hands, rather than buying more consumer goods. There are many worthy organizations in our area; some are concerned with the conservation and stewardship of our natural landscapes, and some promote environmental justice and a shift from a carbon-based economy. Through the Board of Mission and Social Concerns, our church has supported several such organizations in the past including Vermont Interfaith Power and Light and 350Vermont. The Green Team has promoted Green Up Vermont events for the past few years. Some ideas for helping hands include childcare, cleaning, shoveling, or stacking wood. Other experiences could include gift certificates to a local theater production or restaurant. As an added benefit, a donation or an experience will never need to be recycled or landfilled!

Come join on a Quest for the Spirit! Back by popular demand, Pastor Elizabeth will be leading a 7-week class on a variety of Christian meditation practices. The class will meet Mondays at 1:30 p.m. in Unity Hall, Dec. 2-16. All are always welcome. 

Our Gather & Share December theme is: 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! 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