The next Taizé service falls during Holy Week on Wednesday, April 1st at 7 p.m. in Unity Hall. Guest violinist Jane Kittredge will join us and we hope you will be there too!

Founded in 1940s France in the wake of World War II, the Taizé style of worship was created to foster unity among Christians of all traditions. The Taizé community served as a safe haven for refugees fleeing persecution, bringing people together through simple, contemplative worship and the minimalist monastic lifestyle. Pilgrims would sing the Taizé chants in their own language to reflect their personal relationship with God. Today, Taizé continues to inspire millions worldwide with its message of peace, reconciliation, and inclusion.

Our service features repetitive chants, reflective silence, heartfelt prayers, and the warm glow of candlelight. It’s a chance to step away from life’s busyness, immerse yourself in a contemplative atmosphere, connect with our loving God. 

We invite you to join Pastor Elizabeth for a four-week Bible study exploring the timely and deeply scriptural topic of immigration. Beginning Tuesday, April 14 at 12:15 p.m. in Unity Hall, this study will guide participants through the biblical theme of welcoming the stranger — examining what scripture calls us to as a community of faith. Together, we will engage, connect, and discuss immigration through a Biblical lens, exploring our call to hospitality, the principle of God's blessing beyond borders, and what it means to navigate faithful risk and sacred welcome. All are welcome! 

Nothing to Hide: Mental Illness In The Family, a touring photo-text display created by the award-winning Family Diversity Projects of Northampton, Massachusetts.

Nothing to Hide provides people coping with mental illness and their families an opportunity to come out of the shadows and into the public eye. The compelling stories of children, siblings, parents, grandparents and extended family members demonstrate strength, courage, integrity, and accomplishment in the face of adversity and stigma. Mike Campbell, pictured in the exhibit and who is Jaime’s dad says, "Living with mental illness is a struggle and a real test of your faith, but getting through it provides that the human spirit can survive." 

This powerful and moving exhibit travels nationwide to mental health centers, hospitals, high schools, colleges, universities, corporations, libraries and faith houses in an effort to help dispel harmful stereotypes, myths and misconceptions about mental illness. Nothing to Hide consists of photographs by Gigi Kaeser and text from interviews conducted by Peggy Gillespie and Jean Beard of people living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, major depression, and other serious brain disorders.

Now on display in the hallway outside Unity Hall and the church offices (30 North Pleasant Street). Stop by during office hours (M-F, 9-12) to view the exhibit.

The Middlebury Campus Newspaper did a great writeup on the exhibit, which is on display through March 31st. You can read the article here: ‘Nothing to Hide’ art exhibit on display at Middlebury Congregational Church through end of March - The Middlebury Campus

Spring is coming, so Helping Hands will be gathering on April 6th, from10-12, to uncover the gardens. All are welcome; please bring your garden tools, snips, gloves and rakes. Any questions? Give Dorothy Douglas acall at 802-989-0405 or email at: jdmamidd@comcast.net. See you then!!

For over twenty years, countless volunteers have cooked and served FRIDAY NIGHT COMMUNITY SUPPER at The Congregational Church of Middlebury, UCC. The free, hot meal runs from 5:00-6:00 every Friday in Fellowship Hall (accessible from Seymour Street). Friday Night Community Supper offers a space where everyone is welcome, neighbors get to know neighbors, and community happens. Come by for a delicious meal. Bring a friend. Bring the family. We hope to see you soon.

All Middlebury College students are welcome to attend a gathering each Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at the Scott Center (135 South Main Street), led by Pastor Elizabeth and church members Maya Troy and Kristie Skor. Questions? Email Elizabeth at elizabeth@midducc.org.

March is here and we have a new theme of giving for our HOPE food shelf collection: What's in your pantry??

As you shop and cook, take a quick look through your shelves — and consider picking up an extra pantry staple (or two) to share. Canned goods, pasta, rice, beans, soups, cereal, and other shelf-stable basics help keep our Food Shelf stocked with the everyday items neighbors rely on.

Bring your donations to Church and we'll make sure they reach those in need. Thank you for helping make sure every pantry in our community has something in it!