Judy Albright, Ruth Penfield - Design and Publishing
Elizabeth Davis - Editor
October 2024
New Things
Rev. Elizabeth gleiCH
Dear Church,
As the leaves begin to change colors and fall to the ground, I’m reminded of the quote, “the trees are about to show us how beautiful it is to let things go.” Every autumn, we witness this powerful lesson from nature—that sometimes, things must fall away for new growth to occur. As difficult as change and letting go can be, it can also be a beautiful, sacred process.
We are certainly in a season of change as we begin a new church program year. New faces have joined the Chancel Choir, our church school, and both the junior and senior high youth groups. We even have new staff members! With all of this comes excitement, but for many, also some trepidation. That “first day of school” feeling is one we know well—transitions, even joyful ones, can bring a bit of anxiety.
In my prayers lately, I’ve been meditating on 2 Corinthians 5:17: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!” God is at the center of all new beginnings. God is present in the trees that are changing and letting go of their leaves, and God holds our hands when we feel uncertain. God’s voice reassures us: “Behold! I am doing a new thing!” This reminds us that letting go and embracing the new is an essential part of life and faith.
This season invites us to examine our hearts and ask, “What am I holding onto that no longer serves me?” It encourages us to trust that God walks with us through every season of change. As trust this, may we also trust that we are all companions on this journey.
Peace,
Elizabeth
CHURCH COUNCIL Meeting September 11, 2024
We listened to the usual
Pastors' reports and Board reports, as well as the Treasurer's report. Everyone
has been busy with the start of the school year.
We accepted Mal Chase's resignation from Council with sincere thanks for his dedication and for all he has done for our church for many years. We elected Alyssa Sinclair to be our Vice-Chair until our next Annual Meeting.
We listened to reports on the Red Clover Children’s Center—they are looking for staff members—and on the upcoming Open House.
We had a long update on stewardship, followed by a good discussion on the campaign which will be starting soon. The Stewardship Committee started planning in April and has been meeting all summer. They have organized the budget differently this year, hoping it will be easier for church members to better understand how the money is spent.
We had a report on the plans for the sabbatical leaves that both of our ministers will have in 2025. This is the first time both ministers have had sabbaticals in the same year so extra planning has been required.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Foster, 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.
FROM OUR director
of children and youth ministries
May Poduschnick
September was a busy month for our church in so many ways. We launched our first Big Meeting on Communion Sundays, started our church school classes the following week, had our first Junior and Senior Youth Group meetings, and the nursery continues to be a hustling and bustling place.
Church School is off to a good start. We are blessed with an amazing team of teachers and helpers, and together, we can provide consistent and carefully planned lessons and activities and an inviting atmosphere for each student to learn and experience the love of God and love in this church community.
The nursery is always a lively and busy place with little ones, and we are always looking for additional adult volunteers in the nursery. You do not need to commit to years, just sign up as you are able; our nursery is open EVERY Sunday. Contact Robin Bentley (rbentley05@gmail.com) or myself (may@midducc.org) even if you are slightly interested!
The Second Big Meeting is on Sunday, October 6—which is also World Communion Day. We look forward to having all the church school kids together in one room as we continue our worship service kid-style. We will be back in the sanctuary to join in communion with the congregation.
We had a great first Junior Youth Group meeting with good energy and lots of fun. This group is excited about serving together and sharing these experiences. We will continue to meet every other Tuesday at church.
We look forward to lots of learning, fellowship, and fun (and some food to go with it all) on this journey together.
Grateful to be part of it,
May Poduschnick
from our music director
Ronnie Romano
Dear friends,
Music is off to a wonderful start this fall at MiddUCC! The Chancel Choir has been diligently preparing music and trying out new seating arrangements in the Sanctuary to improve our singing experience and sound quality. We are always looking for new members, especially tenors and basses!
Taizé is also back this fall, with one service each month on the final Sunday and a special Tuesday night service for Advent in December. All are warmly invited to join this time of prayer, candlelight, singing, and reflection.
I am grateful to be serving a community of so many wonderful musicians and to be making music at such a high level with you each week. Please contact me if you want to contribute music to services here. The more participation, the better!
Warmly,
Ronnie
We're Hiring, Spread the Word!
Do you have good communication and organizational skills? Are you someone with a strong affinity for teamwork and collaboration?
The Congregational Church of Middlebury is searching for a part-time Church Administrator. This position will provide administrative and communications support to the church, managing the day-to-day operation of the church office, distributing digital communications, and serving as the primary point of contact for church members and the wider community.
We encourage interested applicants to visit our church website to learn more about our church and for a full job description.
Hours: 30 hours a week, providing regular office coverage Monday through Friday.
Compensation: Negotiable. Commensurate with professional/life experience.
Projected start date: As soon as possible. Candidates should send a cover letter and resume to the attention of Pastor Andy Nagy-Benson at andy@midducc.org.
Bible Study: The Story of Abraham
Abraham is a deeply revered, if enigmatic, figure in the Bible. As the "father" of three monotheistic faiths -- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam -- Abraham's story is a rich landscape to explore. In this 8-week course, we will follow his journey from Ur to the land of Canaan, as told in Genesis (11:47 - 25:18).
Classes will be held in Unity Hall on Tuesdays, noon - 1:00, from September 24 to November 26. (No class on 10/8 and 11/12.) All are welcome!
a message from the green team:
Seminar on Navigating Climate Grief on Sunday October 20
Please join the Green Team for a special presentation and conversation about dealing with climate grief with Rabbi Jay Michaelson, who will speak with us live via Zoom.
We will meet in Unity Hall
after the morning service for those who wish to participate in person; for
those who wish to attend online, here is the Zoom link. Don’t hesitate to email Su
Reid-St. John at sureidstjohn@gmail.com with any questions.
Learning to Feel Like a Mountain: Navigating the Wheel of Climate Grief, Anxiety, Rage, and Love
Sunday, October 20, at 11:30
The climate crisis—what is here and what is soon to come—provokes a range of emotions. For those of us who accept the scientific data, it is a spiritual crisis as much as a political one. How can our fellow humans allow this to happen? How can we look our children and grandchildren in the eye, knowing the world we are bequeathing to them? It is neither psychologically nor spiritually wise to say that everything will be alright. Not everything will. But we can learn to coexist with this range of climate emotions so that we aren't debilitated, we can show up for one another and the Earth, and we can live our lives with joy and love. Here is an invitation to explore this spiritual work together.
Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson has been writing about climate change since 1998. He is a longtime teacher of spirituality and meditation and is particularly interested in the many intersections of spirituality and politics. In the climate area, he has taught widely on climate resilience, climate denial, and other ways in which human psychology intersects with this existential risk.
Green Team Meeting
The Green Team will be meeting on Monday, October 7 at 7:00 PM 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 sureidstjohn@gmail.com or leanna_maglienti@yahoo.com if you would like to be involved or learn more about our work.
get ready for crop walk
Addison County residents will be walking on Sunday, October 6th in Middlebury to support the 49th annual Addison County CROP Hunger Walk. This event is one of more than 1,000 walks taking place around the country to raise funds for Church World Service and their partner agencies that address food insecurity and disaster relief.
CROP Hunger Walk is open to everyone, and walkers are encouraged to enlist sponsors. The Walk route is 2.2 miles round trip, accessible to as many ages and abilities as possible. Registration will take place on the Middlebury Town Green starting at noon, and the walk will begin at 1 p.m. Visit the Addison County CROP Hunger Walk page to learn more, to register for the walk, and to make an online contribution.
75% of the money raised will support hunger relief globally. 25% of the money will support local hunger-relief efforts in Addison County.
Please join us in the fight against hunger. The steps we take and funds we raise will make a difference in the lives of others.
Here’s a link to register for Addison County’s CROP Walk 2024.
Countdown to the 2024 100th Anniversary Holiday Bazaar:
Saturday, November 2, 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Let's donate, volunteer, bake, talk with
friends and acquaintances, post the Bazaar Flyers and the Bazaar lawn signs
when available, and make this a unique, fun, diverse shopping experience for
the Middlebury area and the wider Vermont community!
What items might you want to donate or make? Below are some ideas for each table/room and the relevant chairpersons.
- Jewelry, Scarves, and Ties Table: Donate fashion and finer jewelry, scarves, and silk ties. Chairs are Glenna Emilo, Pat Zeliff, and Margaret Eagan.
- Crafts Table: Donate handmade and homemade items.
- Themed Gift Baskets: Create a unique gift basket for bidding on. Chairs are Chris Ketcham, and Bobbie Shinehouse.
- Book Room: Donate books (in good condition; no reference or textbooks). Chair is Janet Franklin.
- Plants and Garden Table: Donate plants and garden accessories. Chairs are Wendy Warren and Candy McLaughlin.
- Toys, Puzzles, and Games Room: Donate games, puzzles, and toys for all ages. Chair is Robyn Sattel.
- Quilt Raffle for the beautiful Roundabout Quilt: Purchase raffle tickets at Fellowship Hour every Sunday. Chair is Deb Farnham.
- Soups and Pies Table: Sign up to make a homemade pie and a quart or two of soup. Chair is Nancy Foster.
- Bakery Table: Sign up to do some tasty baking; donate your homemade jams, jellies, and preserves. Chairs are Maureen Williams and Alice Munson.
Questions? Watch for updates in the church’s weekly emails and community postings in the Addison Independent and Front Porch Forum.
To volunteer, contact the table/room chair you would like to help.
Feel free to contact Bazaar Chairs Ruth Penfield (ruthpenfield@gmail.com) and Judy Jessup (judyjessupvt@gmail.com) with further questions.
We are filled with gratitude and appreciation,
Ruth
and Judy
BAZAAR WEEK SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.: Donations can be dropped off at the North Pleasant Street entrance upstairs. Bazaar workers will be setting up spaces, sorting, and pricing merchandise and non-perishable food items.
Thursday, Oct. 31, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.: Workers continue to receive, arrange, and price donations.
Friday, Nov. 1, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.: Last day to drop off donated items! And the first day to drop off perishable foods, including baked goods (whole pies, etc.) and soups.
Friday 9:00 to noon: Theme baskets should be brought to the church. To make alternate arrangements, contact Chris Ketcham.
Bazaar Day:
Saturday morning, Nov. 2: Perishable foods (pies, soups, food table baked goods) can be delivered between 8:00 and 8:30 at the Seymour Street portico entrance. Workers should arrive and be in place by 8:30 a.m. for any last-minute instructions and final setup. (Workers should not park in church parking areas.)
DOORS OPEN Saturday, Nov. 2: at 9:00 a.m.! Bazaar runs from 9:00 to 3:00. Plan to come out to see all the wonderful offerings we’ll have for sale. Invite your family members, neighbors, and friends to join you!
Sunday, Nov. 3: Second Chance Sale and Quilt Raffle: Immediately after Sunday worship in Fellowship Hall, we sell items not sold on Saturday. We will also announce the lucky winner of the beautiful Roundabout Quilt generously donated by Dorothy Douglas!
On Sale Now! 2024 Quilt Raffle Tickets
This year’s 100th Bazaar anniversary quilt was made and donated by Dorothy Douglas. The 91" x 81" quilt is called "Round About" and is done in rose and green batiks. The fun part about this pattern is that it is made with triangle-shaped pieces of fabric and, when assembled, it creates the pattern of circles.
The quilt will be on display and tickets sold during Fellowship Hour on Sundays throughout October and at the Bazaar on November 2.
Tickets are $3.00 each, two for $5.00, or five for $10.00.
The drawing will take place on Sunday, November 3, in Fellowship Hall after worship (exact time to be determined). The sale of raffle tickets will be managed by our Raffle chairperson Deb Farnham. Buy some for yourself, your family members, and your friends. Your ticket could be the winner!
Contact Judy Jessup or Ruth Penfield with questions about the raffle.
MIDDUCC Lending Library Spotlight
Looking Up: A Birder's Guide to
Hope Through Grief, by Courtney Ellis
Looking Up is a meditation on birding as a practice of hope. Weaving together stories from her own life, including the death of her grandfather, with reflections on birds of many kinds, Presbyterian minister and author Courtney Ellis invites us to open our eyes to the goodness of God in the natural world and in our own lives. By "looking up" to the birds, Ellis found the beauty and wonder of these creatures calling her out of her darkness into the light and hope of God's promises.
Familiar and Unfamiliar Ways of Giving
As we enter the church’s annual stewardship month, members
and friends will be considering how to make the best pledge they can to support
our mission. In deciding how much to pledge, it can be useful to know the different
ways to fulfill a pledge.
Cash is the simplest way to give, and options include the following:
- U.S. currency and checks may be placed in the offering plate, delivered to the church office, or, for checks only, mailed to the church office at 30 North Pleasant Street. Please place cash in a sealed envelope with the donor’s name and purpose of the gift written on the front. For checks, please note the purpose of the gift in the memo space. Checks can be mailed on an automated schedule by using your bank’s bill payment service. Please be sure the checks include your name and the purpose of the check.
- Credit cards and PayPal may be used for online pledge payments at midducc.org/giving.
- Donor Advised Funds (DAF): Please contact the holder of your Fund about making a gift to the church. Since DAFs do not make pledge payments, please discuss your plans with our financial secretary to ensure appropriate crediting.
Contact Church Financial Secretary Irene Zaccor, treasurer@midducc.org , 802-388-7634, with questions.
Giving options with additional tax advantages[i] include the following:
- Direct transfer from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan: Federal law allows people age 70½ or older to make direct transfers up to $105,000 per year per person to charitable organizations from their IRA or other qualified retirement plan, without the withdrawal being treated as taxable income. Contact your retirement plan representative for instructions.
- Publicly traded stocks, bonds, and mutual funds: Unlike selling appreciated securities, when making a gift directly to the church, the donor is not assessed any capital gains tax. Contact your broker to make a direct transfer to the church’s brokerage account, as follows:
- Account: Congregational Church of Middlebury, Acct # HJ08160NJ, DTC # 0221
- Brokerage: UBS Financial Services, 38 Eastwood Dr., Suite 400, South Burlington, VT 05403, 802-860-5791
When you initiate your gift with your brokerage, please notify Church Treasurer Cathy Chase, treasurer@midducc.org , to assure appropriate crediting. Please include your full name and the full names of any other individuals to be credited with the gift; the name of your brokerage; the date you initiated the gift; the names of the securities and the number of shares you are giving; and the gift purpose.
- Closely Held Stock, Initial Public Offering (IPO) Stock, and Stock Options: The same tax advantages apply as with publicly traded securities. Because of complexities involved with donating these assets, to discuss making a gift, please contact the Gift Acceptance Committee (GAC) via its chair at sallyholland19702@gmail.com, 802-382-8797.
- Real estate and whole life insurance policies: For further information about these and other gift types, please contact a Planned Giving Committee member: John Emerson, jemerson@middlebury.edu, 802-388-7826, Sally Holland, sallyholland19702@gmail.com, 802-382-8797, and Tana Scott, 802-388-7014. Gift discussions will be with the Gift Acceptance Committee.
Thank you for your consideration. Your church will be most grateful for your pledge.
[i] The Congregational Church, UCC of Middlebury does not give financial or legal advice. Please consult your own financial and legal advisors.
Men's and LAdies' Lunch
The Ladies Lunch will be held at the church in the Russell Carpenter Room at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 17th.
There are three options for your meal:
1. Order and pay for your meal at Route 7 South Sandwich Shop by 10:00 a.m. and let them know it is for the Ladies Lunch. Someone will pick it up and bring it to the church. You can order and pay over the phone by calling (802) 388-3354 or by stopping by the sandwich shop.
2. Bring lunch from home.
3. Purchase and pick up lunch from a location of your choice and bring it with you.
You do NOT need to sign up. Questions? Contact Erika Garner at garnersvt@gmail.com
The Men's Lunch Bunch will be held at Rosie’s Restaurant on Thursday, October 17th at noon. If you plan to attend the lunch or have questions, please contact Mal Chase at patandmalchase@gmail.com.
Nursery Help Needed!
Have you noticed? The nursery has been full of babies and little tots on Sunday mornings this spring! If you are as excited as we are about the recent increase of young families in our congregation, and you would like it to continue, please consider helping in the nursery.
The nursery is staffed by two
(paid) youth workers and two adult volunteers. We need to expand our volunteer
pool to accommodate the wonderful addition of little ones we are enjoying. If
you are at least 18 years old and available to be in the nursery during worship
once every 4–6 weeks, please contact Robin Bentley on the Board of Christian
Development at rbentley05@gmail.com
Community Supper help needed
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.
We believe it’s not only important to make sure our guests are fed but that they are greeted warmly, listened to, and given a place to make connections. We try to make sure they leave knowing that there is always a special place for them at the table. Interested? See Deb Farnham (802-233-1283) or Dottie Neuberger to get signed up. Thank you!
Looking for another 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 at the office at office@midducc.org or Jeff Ellison at buildingmanager@midducc.org
plumb the depths of awe
An Invitation to Awe, curated by Katy Smith Abbott, is on view at the Middlebury College Museum of Art through December 8. The museum is open Tuesday–Friday, 10 to 5, and Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 5. It is closed on Mondays and November 27–29. Here are two upcoming exhibit-related events in October:
Ancient Beacons Long for Notice: A Conversation with Dario Robleto
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Robison Concert Hall, Mahaney Arts Center
In his prints, sculptures, and films, multi-disciplinary artist Dario Robleto incorporates a deep fascination with science, history, sound, medicine, and human empathy. His 2024 film, Ancient Beacons Long for Notice, is currently installed at the Middlebury College Museum of Art as part of the exhibit An Invitation to Awe. He will join Guest Curator Katy Smith Abbott in conversation as they explore Robleto’s conviction that “awe is a courtship with the unknown.”
Museum Lecture + Lunch Series: Artist Rose-Lynn Fisher
Friday, November 1, 2024 | 12:30–2:00 p.m.
Mahaney Arts Center (MAC), Room 125 and Lower Lobby
Join us for a talk by Rose-Lynn Fisher, an artist featured in the exhibition An Invitation to Awe, who uses microscope, camera, and mixed media to explore the realms within realms we inhabit, in work that evokes a continuum of interconnections and wonder. Afterward, stay for conversation over a light lunch in the MAC Lower Lobby. Cosponsored by the Department of History of Art and Architecture.
This event is free and open to all, but $5 donations are welcome.
Thank you, Katy, for inviting the college and wider community—including our congregation—to plumb the depths of awe.
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october 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.
Kathy Jewett October 1
Harper Smith October 1
Rich Carpenter October 3
Sara Kent October 4
Jim Robinson October 6
Tiffany Sargent October 6
Dana Scribner October 6
Chris Giorgio October 7
Deb Karpak October 7
Steve Abbott October 8
Diane Mott October 9
Melissa Mae Bartley October 11
Deb Farnham October 11
Lettie Kubacki October 11
Jane Campbell October 12
Rick Viens October 12
Al Zaccor October 12
Anna Hardway October 14
Aurelia Lyons October 14
Gail Miller October 14
Mark Orten October 14
Amy Emerson October 16
Mary Lou Webster October 16
Spencer Cadoret October 17
Evie Stinson October 17
Joe Smith October 19
Tara Affolter October 21
Tory Heatherly October 22
Michaela Kubacki October 22
Allison Swift October 23
Theresa Gleich Munn October 24
Wendy Warren October 24
Saadi McDowell October 25
Chris Ketcham October 26
David Hallam October 27
Kaitlyn Evarts October 28
Helmut Hietzker October 28
Sherry Klinck October 28
Christina Hardman October 29
Dory Gorton October 30
Kay Bussiere October 31
Churchill Franklin October 31
- to view birthdays for any month of the year SIGN IN to our online directory.
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october Anniversaries
Jennifer & Erik Bleich October 6
Jake & Brittany Dombrowski October 6
Churchill & Janet Franklin October 7
Jeff & Erika Garner October 9
Randy & Cynthia Stacey October 10
Beth Campbell & Steve Young October 13
Mark & Nicole Foster October 17
Holly Puterbaugh & Lois Farnham October 20
Mary Lou Webster & Bruce Jensen October 22
Bob & Mary Jo Champlin October 24
Read Last Month's Church Matters