Watch our services on channel 194
Saturdays at 7:00 pm and Sundays at noon and 8:00pm
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE HYGIENE KITS
FOR NEPAL
We have almost enough items to complete 50 Hygiene Kits.
We are still in need of:
hand towels and nail clippers.
The children will be helping pack these up on Sunday.
Monetary donations are also accepted for the shipping of these kits.
The cost is $2.00 per kit to ship.
Retreat Update
Saturday May 16th, sixteen of us met with Sandy Daly for a conversation about our hopes and dreams for the church. She took us through several interesting exercises that allowed us to celebrate who we are as a church and imagine what we might be about in the near future. She asked us to dream big and we did. I must admit as the ideas were translated into words on newsprint I got excited. There is a lot of energy and vitality in our church.
In the coming weeks these ideas and dreams along with those generated at the May 1-2 retreat at Hallelujah Farm will be complied and made available to the Church Council for review. In the coming weeks the Church Council will be sharing the next steps. I want to thank everyone who attended these two events. Together they are a great start toward developing our 2020 plan.
Graduation Sunday
Please note in your calendars that May 31 is Graduation Sunday this year. This is a very important tradition in our life together. It is always good to recognize those who are graduating and send them forth into the next phase of their lives with our love, prayers and support. We celebrate these seniors; Russell Johnson, Reed Rackliff, Brian and Erick Tucker, Robert Parizo, and Devin Copping.
New Members Class
Sunday I announced that I was approached by a person wanting to join the church. I'm delighted to let you know that two more people have come forward. "Where two or three are gathered I am there.." (Mt. 18.20) If you or someone you know would like to join this new small group growing in our midst please let me know. We can rest assured that Jesus will be with us.
Per Capita Dues
Immediately below under the banner Communications is some information regarding Per Capita Dues. As you will see we are always trying to be clever in explaining some of our local church's covenant obligations to the greater church. Your help is appreciated. There are per capita dues envelopes in your pledge box and we will have envelopes in the bulletins next Sunday.
A Good Read
Finally, let me tell you about the latest book I'm reading. For some reason this spring I have been keenly interested in words. I have found myself actually reading the dictionary from time to time. I think it all started with Lent and the six works we arbitrarily chose for each Sunday. It was fascinating to work with them in sermon preparation. The book is Consolations, The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte. I have mentioned the poet David Whyte before. Turns out he is quite good at prose as well. One reviewer writes, "This book overflows with generosity and courageous wisdom. Painstakingly written, deeply reflective, its words will halt the mind, opening the soul to the mystery and majesty of life." I wholeheartedly concur. So if you like words....
The youth group Mission Trip is one month away. We have an opportunity to raise some funds at Applebee's on Thursday, May 28 from 4:00-9:00 pm. Present the coupon below to your server on this one evening and we will earn 15% of the evening's sales. These will be available at the church office and in this Sunday's bulletin.
We will also be hosting a car wash in front of Busy Bubbles Laundromat owned by Jay Tosi on Friday, May 29 from 4-6.
Sadly this will be the last season of camping for Covenant Hills Christian Camp. If you have been before you know this is sad news, if you or you child or grandchild have never been, consider letting them experience this amazing camping experience in a beautiful spot in Vermont. I have been a parent of 3 campers, I have directed several camps and taken confirmation classes to this camp. I encourage you to visit camp this summer and see the beauty of this Christian camp.
Community Book Discussion Group
The New Jim Crow and Mass Incarceration
Wednesdays: May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24
7:00-8:30 pm at the Morse Block Deli
260 N Main St. Barre VT.
Registration fee $5 to cover meeting space rental. Refreshments will be available for purchase each week. As we discuss the book chapter by chapter, it is requested, but not required, that you read the book before each session. The New Jim Crow can be purchased at the Next Chapter Book Store in Barre or your favorite bookseller.
Brownie Sundaes at the
Barre Heritage Festival
Dear friends, After the success of last year's Brownie Sundae Sale at the Barre Heritage Festival, we have decided to bring this event back again in 2015. As of now, we are planning on selling on Friday, July 24 from 4 p.m. until we sell out. If there is energy to sell again on Saturday, we may consider that as well. Please let us know what you think. This year we will be taking donations for the following:
1. Baked brownies (regular and gluten free) to be dropped off the day of the day of the sale. If you can bake brownies, we are requesting that they are nut free and please bring them to the church uncut.
2. Chocolate sundae syrup, walnuts, sprinkles, M&Ms or other sundae topping.
3. Paper bowls, plastic spoons and napkins.
If you can work the sale on the evening of July 24 at any time for any amount of time, please let us know. And let us know if you would like to volunteer for Saturday. We would like to get this event more or less coordinated by mid-June.
To help out in any way, whether you want to work or donate or both, contact Hollie Friot (522-5921 or holliefriot@gmail.com) or Linda Kinary (479-9563). Next week's e-window will include a sign up sheet for donations and working. Thank you!
Seeking Focus Group Participants for Study
on End-of-Life Care
The Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, in partnership with the VNAs throughout Vermont, is leading a study to examine end-of-life care in Vermont and to understand Vermonters’ current experiences. The study is being commissioned by Madison-Deane Initiative, the education arm of VNA’s End-of-Life Care services which carries a mission to transform end-of-life care through education, collaboration and inspiration.
The study is seeking Vermont residents over the age of 35 who have experienced the death of loved one in Vermont within the past five years to participate in a focus group in central Vermont. You do not need to have prior experience with any VNA or home health services. The focus groups for this area is scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 7:00pm and will be held in the Montpelier area. It will last 90 minutes.
Your local VNA and home health and hospice agencies believe that the results of this study will inform health care providers about the care Vermonters desire for themselves and their loved ones at the end of life.
If you are interested in participating, please go to the link below. You will be contacted for additional information and all information will be kept confidential.
Drew Bernier as he continues to heal in Boston Children's Hospital. Becky Jones who has completed her treatment for breast cancer. Michael Cody's father who is in hospice care on Florida. Ritva Laflower and family her father funeral service is May 23rd. Priscilla Maxfield as she recovers from illness and prepares for surgery. Marylin Cooley 16 year old grandson Morgan who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome. He is having a hard time.
Pastoral Calls This Month: Boots Eikum, Marion Heath,
Maurice Jones, Jim Daniels
We pray for all those homeless, all those dealing with addictions, those with cancer, those who are lonely and those who are suffering from depression or illness.
If you have joys or concerns you like to add to this segment of this E-WIndow please let me know or email me at staff@barrecongregational.org
Women's Fellowship was blessed by their singing guests from the Senior Center on Wednesday led by Christine Litchfield. Jim Daniels, Ida Sanborn, Becky Jones along with Christine are members and friends of our church.
Your pledge dollars and contributions to the Barre Congregational Church, UCC make the ministries of our church possible.
Have you considered remembering the Barre Congregational Church, UCC in your will? You would leave a lasting legacy which would support the good works of our church.
The per capita contribution for each active member to the Vermont Conferenceand Washington Association of the United Church of Christfor 2015 is $12.99. It is very much appreciated when members
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