District Update 16 AUG 2018
...speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs;
sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts;
always give thanks to God for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Ephesians 5: 19-20 (CEB)
Prayers
> Please continue to hold Pastor Michael Doran in prayer during his lengthy recovery. He is very appreciative of your prayers.
> For Danielle Rodrigues, lay supply at the Northeast Kingdom Parish, who had shoulder surgery yesterday.
> For family and friends of Rev. Maggie McCarey who died July 30, 2018. Rev. McCarey served Memorial (Swanton), Rice Hill, Sheldon, and West Swanton UMCs in the late 1990s. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, August 18, from 4:00-8:00 at the Central Park Pavilion in Schenectady, New York. Obituary.
District Prayer Calendar
Week of AUG 19
Northeast Kingdom Parish (Lunenburg, East Concord, & Gilman UMCs) – Supply
Orleans Federated – Alyssa May
Updates
Church Conference Schedule
Evie is working on the Fall Church Conference schedule. We may schedule some church conferences as soon as September and will go well into December.
Please let Evie know NOW any 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.
If your church conference could be scheduled in the afternoon on a weekday, please let Evie know that!
Grace UMC in Bradford receives UMF Grant
The United Methodist Foundation of New England has awarded Grace UMC in Bradford a grant of $2,312 to assist with 2 youth programs: a meal program by the youth for the children in the community and a culture inquiry program for the youth group.
The Foundation’s grants are awarded to help fund strategic, vital, and creative ministries in the Conference. Learn more about the Foundation’s Grant Program: Grants
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!
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.
Vermont Conference on Christianity & the Arts
The Vermont Christian Arts Council is relaunching an annual conference on Christianity and the Arts in Vermont to bring together artists and churches in Christian community. The conference features Vermont author Katherine Paterson, acclaimed Nashville singer-songwriter Christopher Williams, and a number of other working artists from a variety of artistic genres.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, Pre-Conference Art Show and Concert;
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, Conference with plenary talks and presentations, workshops
The conference will be held at the Hunger Mountain Christian Assembly in Waterbury Center.
For details about the presenting artists and registration go to: vermontchristianityarts.org
Is Someone You Know Attending the University of Vermont?
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
Of note from the UMCatalyst
Tip from Church Mutual: Background screening for employees and volunteers
Our insurer, Church Mutual, offers the following safety tip to churches: As the school year approaches, your church may be preparing to work more closely with youth.
This likely includes organizing staff and volunteers to teach or supervise minors. Do you follow these background screening best practices?
- Background screen all new workers who will be interacting with youth
- Re-screen workers on an annual basis to get up-to-date information
- Conduct background screenings at both a state and national level
Background screening is an important step in prevent youth abuse within your organization
View Church Mutual’s Background Screening page for more information.
See more information from Church Mutual
Help the NEAC when you buy school supplies
Purchase with purpose. Amazon donates to New England Conference of the United Methodist Church when you shop for back to school supplies at smile.amazon.com. Click the link to learn more.
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.
Positions Available
We are seeking a part-time, experienced administrative assistant to the Pastor (of Poultney UMC, Wells UMC, and Fair Haven UMC); office location is in Poultney, VT. Ability to work independently and communicate effectively required. For more information, or to apply, contact Jason Cook, 54 Wilson Avenue Ext. Poultney, VT 05764 or jatatomsawyer@msn.com. The position is available immediately and is open until filled. EOE. Please send letter of interest and resume to Jason Cook at the above contact.
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, 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.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 9:30 a.m.: Music Ministry Worship at the Springfield United Methodist Church, 10 Valley St., Springfield VT. IF you believe, then come fly away with us to a wonderful world! We welcome the “Clef Hangers” to share their gift of music. Don’t Miss It! For more information call 802-885-3456.
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 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!
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 19
Jill:
Tues., August 21: clergy interviews at St Paul’s UMC
Wed. August 22: clergy interviews at Faith UMC
Thurs., August 23: clergy interviews at Hedding UMC
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
