District Update 8 AUG 2018
and be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
Prayers
District Prayer Calendar
Week of AUG 12
Newport United – James Merriam
Newport Center UMC – Supply
North Ferrisburgh UMC – Kim Hornung-Marcy
Northfield UM Parish – Doni Copenhaver
Updates
Bishop Devadhar visits Vermont
Last Thursday and Friday, August 2 & 3, Bishop Suda Devadhar and his wife, Prema, visited several sites around the Vermont District.
Their first stop was breakfast in Windsor on Thursday. The following is from a Facebook posting by Rachel’s Kitchen, the community mission of Rachel S. Harlow UMC in Windsor, VT:
Bishop Suda Devadar, the spiritual leader of the New England UMC and his wife Prema, assisted this morning. We served 51 meals including a room full of children from the Windsor Rec Center. We have already set a record this week with 125 meals served, and we still have one more day to go. Rachel's Kitchen is a community mission that was started by Rachel S. Harlow UMC in Windsor, VT.
Among other places visited was Covenant Hills Camp in Cabot.
Click here for some pictures from these 2 stops on the Devadhar’s tour. (If you have pictures from the Bishop's visit, please share them with Evie at vmtdistrict@neumc.org!)
Why People Do (or Don’t) Go to Church
We have our opinions about why people don’t attend church. Now the Pew Research Center has released a study with data: Why Americans Go to Religious Services.
Now’s your chance…
Evie is working on the Fall Church Conference schedule. The church conference schedule may begin as soon as September and will go well into December.
This is your chance to let us know dates and days of the week to avoid because of events or activities that would interfere with preparing for and/or holding your church conferences.
These might include your Consecration or pledge Sunday, special worship events, fall dinners (e.g., chicken pie), holiday bazaars, other major fund raisers, etc.
If your church conference could be scheduled in the afternoon on a weekday, please let Evie know that!
Email Evie at vmtdistrict@neumc.org.
Would you like some help planning Laity Sunday this year?
The date for Laity Sunday is October 21 so let’s start planning on SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018 at 9 AM at Faith UMC, 899 Dorset Street, South Burlington.
This is meant to be a planning session for anyone who is responsible for ~ or would like to plan ~ their Laity Sunday worship service. Lay Leaders who aren't necessarily involved in other Conference areas are invited to attend. This will be a time to gather ideas and learn about resources available to help with planning the day.
District Lay Leader Tricia Waldron would like to hear from you if you plan to attend so we’ll know how many handouts to copy. Please send her a note at twvt78@gmail.com.
Bishop’s Day to Celebrate Mission in the District
Plan to come to the Shelburne United Methodist Church on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2:00 - 5:00, for a shared celebration with Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar.
Join us for a time of worshipful work that will be a celebration of mission shares, mission trips, and mission efforts. Several groups from around the district will speak about their variety of missions (local, national, international).
Come be inspired and return home with new ideas for your local church!
Is Someone You Know Attending UVM?
Do you have a loved one attending the University of Vermont this fall?
Many youths leaving for college are both excited and a bit apprehensive. New challenges confront those living away from home for the first time. Time management, homesickness, developing effective study habits, stress caused by student debt or sickness, and increased exposure to alcohol and drugs in a university setting can all take their toll.
Make sure your loved ones are aware of Pastor Joe Cotner, and the Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM) on campus as they seek to handle their college difficulties and feel a need to share in fellowship with other students and “explore higher meaning” during their educational time at UVM.
CCM at the University of Vermont is an ecumenical ministry supported directly by the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, The Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church, USA and the American Baptist Church.
Website: CCM at UVM, email: ccm@uvm.edu
Advanced Retreat-Leadership training
Advanced Retreat-Leadership training will be offered Thursday November 1 – Saturday, November 3 at the Stoweflake in Stowe, Vermont.
This training is recommended for anyone who has attended previous retreat leader trainings or has some experience in leading retreats or other spiritual formation experiences. It is facilitated by Dr. Susan MacKenzie.
Learn more and register
District Events
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Shelburne UMC: Bishop on the District. Let’s celebrate the mission ministries in our district!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 9:00 – 11:00: HUB Kit Party at Trinity UMC, Montpelier. All are welcome to come and assemble hygiene kits. Donations of hand towels, wash cloths, soap, nail clippers, band aids and gallon zipper plastic bags especially needed are. Click here for the specific details of the items.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 9:00 - noon: Consultation at Covenant Hills: please join the conversation on how to make Covenant Hills a vital ministry into the future.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 9:30- 3:00: District United Methodist Women, Day Apart at Northfield UM Parish. Mary, Martha, & Me. Come and look in new ways at the Mary and Martha in each of us.
Local Church Updates
Items listed here are also included on the District Local Church Events Webpage. Send information to vmtdistrict@neumc.org.
Position Available
Hedding UMC Barre VT seeks a committed Christian musician to provide musical accompaniment for congregational hymn singing and choir anthems at worship services as well as gathering, prelude, offertory and postlude music. Familiarity with and interest in a variety of worship music styles including traditional, contemporary Christian and praise and worship. Ability to play hymns contained in our hymnals (United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, Worship and Song) as well as to bring new music and alternative styles to our congregation. Contact heddingumc@hotmail.com for more information.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, AUGUST 10-12: Revival Weekend at Highgate Methodist Church
(Route 78 Highgate Center Vt). Join us for a carnival themed weekend: “Jesus— The Best Ride in Town”.
- FRIDAY (August 10): Teen activity: Kayaking.
- SATURDAY (August 11): 9:30 a.m. Vacation Bible School activities throughout the day, 8:30 p.m. family movie outdoor (weather permitting) with refreshments for minimal charge.
- SUNDAY (August 12): 9:30 a.m. REVIVAL service- personal invitation to all, 11:30 a.m. at Highgate Sports Arena Gore Rd. Highgate. Please join us as we have a fun filled time of community and softball. Great time to be had by all. Hot dogs, chips, and soda for a minimal charge offered. Welcome to play or simply cheer.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 7:00 p.m.: Ernie & Jason Couch - Revival Concert at the Montgomery United Methodist Church (20 Fuller Bridge Road, Montgomery Village, VT). This is a father and son duet from Nashville, TN, who travel around the country. Come and enjoy. (The church is now air-conditioned!) By donation.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 7:00 p.m.: solo performance by Colin McCaffery at the Moretown UMC (962 Route 100B). McCaffery is a native Vermonter, song-writer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. Concert will be preceded by a cookout 5:30 – 6:30. Free will donations. 802.839.0560.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 11, 7:00 p.m.: VT Christian Music and the United Methodist Church in Winooski present A 100 Year Celebration Christian Concert featuring Tori Harper with hit song “Joy” and local favorites Over Orange Heights and Jason O’Brian. Tickets starting at $15/ea - available online (http://www.vtchristianmusic.com/tori-harper-show/).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9. 5:00-6:30 pm. Monthly Community Dinner hosted by the United Church of Underhill (7 Park Street) with specialty hot dogs, potato salad, and many more treats. Come for the food; stay for the friends and fellowship! Dinner is free; donations gratefully accepted.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 4:30-6:30 P.M.: Sparerib Dinner at Carolyn’s Highgate Methodist Community Center (Route 78 Highgate Center Vt). Macaroni salad, corn on the cob, dinner roll, and cheesecake for dessert. Cost $8.00 p.p $5.00 under 12. Call 868-4921 to reserve. Eat-In/Take-Out.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 5:00-6:00 p.m.: Free Community Supper at the Springfield United Methodist Church (10 Valley Street, Springfield, VT). Free 2nd Saturday Supper. Menu: hot dogs, coleslaw, pasta salad, beverage and dessert. Everyone is welcome! For more information call 802-885-3456.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 5:00 p.m.: annual Peach Shortcake Supper at the Pownal United Methodist Church, (corner of Rt 346 and Church Street). The family style dinner begins at 5PM with continuous serving. The menu includes: grilled chicken breasts and thighs, baked Ham, pineapple sauce, baked beans, potato and Jello salads, rolls, coffee, iced tea or lemonade, and homemade peach shortcake. Tickets available at the door: $12 for adults, $6 for children 4-10 years, and free for children 3 years and under. Take outs available at south side entrance: $12 for adults, $6 for 1/2 portion dinner. Questions: Contact Mary Louise at 802-823-7769. Remember how good it was last year!
NOW – AUGUST 10, Tuesdays, 6:00 – 8:00, Wednesdays, 11:00- 3:00, and Saturdays 9:00 – 2:00: Bag Sale at Clouds of Clothes Thrift Store at the Highgate Methodist Community Center (3327 Rte 78, Highgate Ctr, VT). Fill a small bag for $3 and a large bag for $6 – great for school shopping!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11: Springfield’s Sidewalk Sale – The United Methodist Church (Springfield) will be joining downtown vendors in this sale. We will have homemade baked goods, plus additional items for sale. Stop by and see what we have to offer or just say hello. Hosted by the Rev. Gerry Piper and the United Methodist Church 10 Valley Street, Springfield, VT. For more information call 802-885-3456.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 9:00-2:00: Shirley’s Cleaning Out Craft Benefit Sale (4013 Route 78 Highgate Center Vt). New handmade crafts (crib blanket, quilts, tablecloths, pot holders, aprons, placemats, and accessories. (Sale benefitting Highgate Methodist Community Center expansion. Free giveaways.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29–30. The United Church of Underhill will host its annual Old-Fashioned Harvest Market—a full weekend of fun for all ages. The festivities kick off on Saturday, September 29 at 9AM with the Harvest Market parade. Stay for kids games, hayrides, tag sales, arts vendors, and the tastiest food around. A brief worship service open to all occurs at 9:30 on Sunday morning. We can't wait to see you there!
District Office Schedule
Week of August 12
Jill:
Tues., August 14: clergy interviews at Middlebury UMC
Wed. August 15: clergy interview and meetings
Evie: In the office Monday – Thursday, 8:30 – 3:45.
To have a notice included in an Update, email vmtdistrict@neumc.org.
Previous District Updates are available on the website.
