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Richmond Congregational Church, UCC
The Reverend Katelyn B. Macrae, Pastor

Love God ~ Seek Peace ~ Build Community ~ Welcome All

Image by Tess Starecheski - watercolor & salt

Dear Friends in Christ –
It’s Annual Meeting Sunday at Richmond Congregational Church. During worship our scripture calls us to be flavor enhancers – salt and light for God’s world. How are we called to enhance our community with God’s love in the coming year? Please join us after worship for a soup luncheon and rousing discussion and deliberation about our ministry together in 2020! We will hear special reports from our youth, Outreach Committee, Capital Campaign Committee and more.
Stay safe in the snow, and I hope to see you on Sunday!
With Peace,
Katelyn

Warning of Annual Meeting of the
Richmond Congregational Church, UCC
Sunday, February 9, 2020
11:30 am

The members of the Richmond Congregational Church, UCC are hereby notified and warned to meet in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, February 9, 2020 after the morning worship service (approx. 11:30 am) for our annual meeting and luncheon. At the meeting we will approve the consent agenda reports for 2019, discuss and vote on the proposed budget for 2020, and discuss and act on all other business brought to the meeting.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ANNUAL REPORT, or pick up a paper copy in the Parlor.

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 58:1-12
Matthew 5:13-20

CLICK HERE to see the Sunday Bulletin

Let us pray...

In Celebration of: Namo's permanent residency in the US, the good works of the Richmond Food Shelf & Thrift Store

With concern or healing for: Sarah (Leta’s aunt), Gina Haddock, Alice Sandwell, Libby (Phyllis' sister) & her husband, Margaret T's father, Mary & Martha's brother Ed, Cindy P's Aunt Mamie, Molly D's father, Anne P's parents, Mary (Ingrid's cousin), Martha Alexander, Donald White, Jr., and all those suffering with mental illness and addiction

For comfort and peace for: People who are struggling in the cold winter months, victims of violence and war around the world, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers

With hope for the up-building of Christ’s Church: The Richmond Congregational Church, United Church of Christ; The Wider United Church of Christ; Our Sister Churches and leaders in the Vermont Conference, UCC; Our Mission Partners and other local Faith Communities

For the willingness among all people to work for peace and an end to violence and racism in our homes, our community, our nation and our world.

Please let us know if there's someone who should be added to or removed from the prayer list.

Please contact Cindy Preston (snipe@gmavt.net) if you would like to be part of the conversation about the Parlor renovations.

(Artwork by Tess Starecheski)

Grounded in Faith, Growing for the Future

Capital Campaign Update

With joy and new hope for the future, we move to the next phase –
getting to work on our project list.

Service of Installation of
Rev. Elissa Johnk
as the Pastor of First Congregational Church, Burlington
38 S Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT
~
Saturday, February 8, 2020
1:30 PM Ecclesiastical Council
2:00 PM Service of Installation
~
All are invited to attend both the Ecclesiastical Council and the Service of Installation, as well as a reception immediately following the Service of Installation
A Special Offering will be received for the Champlain Association Member in Discernment Fund.

VT Interfaith Power & Light is co-sponsoring Faith Climate Action Day at the State House in Montpelier on Thursday, February 20, 2020, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. VT Interfaith Action and VPIRG are co-sponsors. It will be an excellent opportunity for people of faith to advocate together for effective action on the climate crisis. Much information about the day is on the Faith Climate Action Day page on VTIPL's website: www.vtipl.org/faith-climate-action-day/

Please register if you plan to attend this free event so we'll know how many people to expect. This is important so we have the right-sized space for the opening session. Here's the registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe90MYwN8LQ568HAKEI-hmFR_-4hxN-MQiYS-HJIbaHmU4NwA/viewform

Rev. Katelyn B. Macrae
Office Hours
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday by appointment
Call: 802-434-2053
Email: katelyn@rccucc.org

Tuesday - Friday
9 am - 1 pm

Jen Greenwood,
Office Administrator
Email: church@rccucc.org
Phone: 802-434-2053

Donate Now

Sunday Worship Volunteers**

Ministers: Everyone
Pastor: Rev. Katelyn B. Macrae
Choir Director: Esther Nui
Musician: Jen Greenwood
Deacon: Ed Roberts & Morgan Wolaver
Greeter: Tess Starecheski
Reader: JoEllen Swaine
Ushers: Connie van Eeghen & Linda Parent
Count Team: Harsh Shah
Coffee Hour: Denise Bouchard & Terri Schultz
Sunday School: Melissa Wolaver

**Interested in volunteering?**
Click the button(s) below or contact Jen Greenwood.

Spring RUG

Spring Sunday School

The Rummage Sale needs you!
We are seeking someone or a duo to organize our Rummage Sales this year - there's a binder with step-by-step instructions to help you along the way! Please contact Pastor Katelyn or Jen if you are interested in helping this incredible ministry.

We still need help!

Kathy Kort, Peter Swaine, and Phyllis Modley of the nominating committee are wrapping up recruitment for positions elected by the church. ALL members have been amazing in thoughtfully considering our suggestions when approached for a position. The good news is most positions are filled. However, we need TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS and a PRESIDENT. Cindy Preston is stepping down after 4 years of service. Both are ONE YEAR positions. The President coordinates planning the agenda and presides at the Annual Meeting and any special business meeting, and chairs Council Meetings. The President communicates closely with Katelyn and Jen to keep abreast of church issues and serve as an officer of the church to sign official documents. If you are interested in President or Council please let us know.

Wondering what to do with your redeemable bottles & cans after the big game? Bring them to RCC - we collect them year-round with the proceeds going into our mission trip fund! The drop area is on the right of the Church Street doors.

CLICK HERE for the January/February issue of the Messenger

Please submit your articles for the March/April (Lent & Easter) edition by February 20th.

The old pew bibles have been sorted, to find who donated them and to whom they were dedicated. Jen has a list - perhaps you can help us find homes for some of them? (We've already contacted those folks who are regular attendees.) Thank you in advance!

Costa Rica Mission Trip Feb 22 - Mar 2, 2020

Dear Friends of Richmond Congregational Church,
Thank you very much for the going-away gift of $1250 toward the Costa Rican Mission Trip. The funds will be used toward the construction costs of the 2 houses that we will build for the poorest of the poor in Nosara in coordination with Mercy Homes Ministry. Thank you also for donating the proceeds from the sale of the old choir chairs toward the trip. With the generosity of the folks at RCC and the many others who support this mission endeavor, we are now approaching our goal of $12,000 for the houses. Thank you! Please keep our trip of February 22 – March 2 in your prayers. Pray for our safety and well-being. Pray also for the health and well-being of the partner families with whom we build: the family of Milton and Scarlet and the family of Amelia.
Again, thank you for the love and hospitality shown Carolyn and me during our 3 months serving as Parental Supply Pastor. We hope to see you soon.

Blessings,
Neal Sadler

Our partner families are already working to prepare the building lots
in anticipation of our arrival

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION for construction costs.

Have you ever considered hosting an exchange student?

Cultural Homestay International, a nonprofit that matches high school exchange students from all over the world with families in the US. Many of our students come from Christian households and backgrounds, and feel most comfortable living with a family who attends church regularly (or even occasionally). A shared belief system is often a valuable way for students to form bonds with their host family when everything else around them is new and different from what they are used to.

Students are 15 to 18 and come for either one or two academic semesters. They bring spending money, health insurance, and the desire to experience American culture. Host families volunteer to provide room and board and a supportive family environment. Students attend the local public school and local support is provided to students, families and schools. Families can choose a student who is a good match for their student's interests and lifestyle.

Website: https://chinet.org/apa/blaynematty/

Anyone who is interested in learning more or has questions is welcome to contact Emily Trotsel, Vermont coordinator for Cultural Homestay International, by email (em.trostel@gmail.com) or phone at 570-650-9787.