Tuesday Tidbits 9/15/26

First Congregational Church of Vernon United Church of Christ

Tuesday Tidbits

September 15, 2026

Rally Sunday will be Sept 20th- rain or shine, we're making it happen!

You may have heard that we rescheduled Rally Sunday festivities. Join us now on Sunday September 20th, as we kick off our 2026–2027 program year with worship, food, fellowship, and fun for all ages.

After our worship service Sunday morning, head to Fellowship Hall for...

Exploring our Programs- with a chance to win a prize! – Visit all five program tables to collect stamps. Five stamps get you a raffle ticket to win a fabulous prize, and a FCCV grocery bag while supplies last.

Bingo – Join us for Bingo, and we will have more great prizes up for grabs!

Bounce House & Kids’ Activities – Kids can enjoy a bounce house outside of fellowship hall or the playground outside (both weather permitting), plus board games and coloring inside.

Lunch – We’ll provide sub sandwiches for lunch, and people have signed up to bring side dishes.

Ice Cream- For dessert, we will have an ice cream bar. Grab a few scoops and top them however you'd like!

Bring someone with you! Rally Sunday is the perfect opportunity to invite a friend, neighbor, or anyone who has been thinking about coming to church.

Worship, eat, play, connect, and celebrate a new program year at FCCV. If you can volunteer to help out that day- please contact Sarah in the Programs office if you can help out that morning (sromangreaves@gmail.com).

An Opportunity to Help a Family in Our Church Community

Many of us know Lisandra Laguna Lopez and her family, who have been part of our FCCV community for the past few years. As they continue navigating the immigration process, they have reached a point where the assistance of an immigration attorney is important—and the cost of that legal support is significant.

Lynn and Tom Sweet and Paul Shimer have been walking alongside the family and have helped secure an attorney. They are also contributing toward the legal fees and invite others in our church family to join them.

While we may not be able to address every challenge within our immigration system, we can make a real difference for a family we know and care about.

If you would like to help with attorney fees, please make your gift to FCCV and write “Immigration Attorney” in the memo. You may also speak with Lynn, Tom, or Paul for more information.

Thank you for helping us put compassion into action and care for our neighbors in a tangible way.

Advisory Team

The Team met on September 8th. Below are the highlights.

Judy started with an inspirational devotion.
Rev. Dr. Chuck Williams has started his position as Pastor of Congregational Care. His call has been signed, and his office is opposite the child care room.
Pastor Alisa's final 2026 sabbatical dates have been set. They are from October 26th to November 13th.
The Bake/Mum/Tag sale prep is going well.
The 2026 Stewardship campaign will begin on October 18th, with Giving Sunday on November 22nd.
There will be an informational budget meeting after worship on November 8th. Note that this is informational only. There will not be a budget vote.
We have hired a new maintenance person, Heather Pharham.

The meeting ended in prayer.

New Member Class

Interested in Joining FCCV? If you’d like to hear more about our faith community and explore becoming a member, we invite you to join our upcoming New Member Class. This two-hour gathering will be held on a Sunday after worship, scheduled for a time that works best for everyone. We’ll share lunch together, learn about FCCV’s story and mission, and get to know one another. If you’re interested, please contact Pastor Alisa or the church office.

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed!

Coffee hour fellowship runs September 13th – June 30th, and we need your help to keep it going!

There are three different ways to get involved:

Weekly Coffee Hour Leaders
Recruit your own group of volunteers to make coffee, set up, bring treats, and clean up for a week of coffee hour. This commitment comes around once every 6–8 weeks, depending on how many people sign up.

Coffee Hour Volunteer Coordinator
Help behind the scenes by building the volunteer schedule, sending out reminders, and finding substitutes when someone can’t make their week.

Team Member
Not ready to lead? We’ll add you to a team so you can pitch in with coffee, setup, treats, or cleanup when your week comes around.

If any of these roles sound like a good fit, please contact the church office to volunteer or ask questions. Thank you for helping make coffee hour possible!

Giving Statements Sent

Giving statements as of the end of August have been sent to members via email and for those requesting hardcopy via mail or delivered in person. Final 2026 giving statements will be emailed or sent out after year-end by mid-January 2027.

Email delivery is encouraged, but those requesting physical statements are provided. Notify the church office as needed to make any changes.

Dave Grigg, Asst. Treasurer

Neighbors in Need: Love in Action

What does it look like to be a good neighbor? Sometimes it means showing up, speaking out, sharing what we have, and standing alongside communities working for justice.

The United Church of Christ’s Neighbors in Need offering helps make that possible across the United States. One-third of the offering supports the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM), while the remaining funds provide grants and support for UCC churches and organizations engaged in advocacy, direct service, and justice work in their own communities.

On Sunday, October 4th, we will receive a special Neighbors in Need offering during worship. You may also give by mailing a check payable to FCCV with “Neighbors in Need” in the memo line, or by giving online through the link below.

Together, our gifts help neighbors near and far turn compassion into action.

FCCV Fall Festival, September 26th

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 26th for a Fall Festival. This year’s event will include a mum flower sale, bake sale, and a huge tag sale - an excellent opportunity to donate previously loved items you no longer enjoy to the church. If you have items to donate for the tag sale, please bring them to church starting on Sunday, September 20th through Friday, September 25th at noon. Items can be placed at the far end of Fellowship Hall near the childcare area. Please no books, clothing or flammable items. Only working electrical items will be accepted. Also, we are in need of grocery and smaller sized paper bags for the tag sale shoppers. If you have any to spare, please bring them to Fellowship Hall as well.

If you are interested in baking, helping with the mum or tag sale, contact Greg Mias or the church office.

Sermon Salon

It’s a few days after the Sunday service and you’ve pondered the message of the Scripture reading and the sermon, but there’s no one to share your thoughts with. Well, you are not alone!

As part of your FCCV Church Programs, we are currently exploring the development of a “Sermon Salon’ for those who wish to have a deeper discussion regarding each week’s sermon and Scripture reading. For more info, please contact Sarah in the Church Programs office (sromangreaves@gmail.com).

You are welcome to join us on Thursdays at 2pm, in the church library- starting on Thursday, September 17th.

Join the Choir!

Next practice will be Saturday, September 19th at 10am to sing during the September 20th service at 10 am

Love to sing? The Choir is always looking for people to join in at any time! Choir will practice on the Saturdays before each service, at 10am. We would love to have you! Everyone is welcome.

Next practice will be September 19th at 10am in the Sanctuary.

Theology on Tap – Starts September 24th, 6pm

Join us as Theology on Tap resumes on Wednesday, September 24th at 6pm at Vernon Diner, 453 Hartford Turnpike Vernon. We will gather in the indoor patio area (to the left as you enter).

This is a wonderful opportunity to gather for spiritual and theological conversation—all while enjoying good food and fellowship. For more information, please contact the church office.

Monday Morning Bible Study Has Returned!

Our summer hiatus has ended. We are currently learning about other religions, and following along in the Adam Hamilton series on Religions of the World. On Monday, we were happy to host Jake from Phap Hoa Buddhist temple, who taught us about the basics of Buddhism.

It is always heartening to see how alike we are in our values, no matter our belief system. spiritual or religious tradition. Buddhism has many practices that can be helpful for anyone of any faith- you can be a Christian and still practice meditation and mindfulness. If you'd like to see for yourself, they meet every Thursday from 7:30-9pm, at 85 Prospect Street here in Vernon. Anyone is welcome to drop in.

Come learn about other religions in this season of Bible Study! We meet on Mondays, 10:45am.

Apple Fest 2026

Mark this outing on your calendars, if you love everything fall, and everything apple!

The Apple Place in East Longmeadow is holding their annual Apple Fest, on October 3rd. We will gather from 12pm-4pm. There will be music from 2-4pm, and a corn maze will be open 12-6pm that afternoon. Great for all ages, there is a playground area for kids too. They have an assortment of baked goods (including gluten free) and ice cream that will be available for purchase (I have personally taste-tested both- and they are delicious), You may bring a chair, but some seating will be available.

Talent Show

TALENT SHOW Do you sing? Dance? Perform magic? Play an instrument? Speed draw? Whatever your talent may be, show us what you've got at our upcoming TALENT SHOW, on October 23rd at 7pm, in the church sanctuary. We will be looking for a few volunteers to help with the setup (moving the mic around) on the rehearsal October 21st at 6:30pm, and on the day of the show. We are also looking for people to help run the reception after. Contact Leanne or the church office to sign up!

Women’s Fellowship Holiday Fair - November 7th

Planning and crafting are underway for the holiday fair which will be on November 7th this year. If you would like to get in on the ground floor of organizing, please let us know. We would love new ideas and fresh perspectives.

If you have helped run a table on the day of the fair and would like to do so again, we'd love to hear from you...and you may already be on our list!

If you have a church group looking for a fun fundraiser, we would love someone to run the luncheon. We have instructions and a menu/shopping list, or feel free to try something different. It typically earns $300-$500.

250 Acts of Kindness

As part of the United States of Kindness campaign by Kindland, we have committed to doing 250 acts of kindness by the end of 2026.

For every kind act you go out of your way to do, bubble in one of the bubbles on the tracker (colored markers are by the suggestion box). You can also submit a shout-out if you'd like to bring attention to the kindness of someone else in the congregation. Do not include names if you wish to remain anonymous. These will be read during worship services.

For every new bubble and shout-out, we will add a heart to our kindness trail, as a more visible representation of how we are doing.

Here's our progress so far! We are up to 127 acts of kindness... please join in adding to our kindness trail, and soon we will have these hearts trailing out into the halls!

Church Programs Office

Members and friends of the church are welcome to stop by the Church programs office during Sarah's office hours, which are published here in Tidbits weekly (subject to change due to appointments).

Sarah coordinates our Innings and Outings program, which is for adults of all ages in the church to get together and do fun activities. If you have an idea for a fun activity we can do together inside or outside of the church, and you cannot meet during office hours, e-mail Sarah at sromangreaves@gmail.com.

Upcoming Innings/Outings:

October 3rd - Apple Fest 12-3pm

Historical Note

Centennial #9

Here is a photograph taken just prior to the Centennial Celebration of the building of the 1826 sanctuary. The caption says “A 1926 view of the interior of the church showing a painted scene in back of the pulpit and the reed organ with false pipes. The chandelier has been wired for electricity.” It is interesting that the furnishings, the chandelier and the backdrop are very different from the way the interior looked by the time the church burned in 1965. Pictures I have seen from the 1950s and 1960s show the sanctuary closely resembling what we see today. There must have been some intense redecorating at some point!

Food Donations

Many in our community are struggling to feed their families. Your donations to Cornerstone and Hockanum Valley Food Pantry help fill those empty shelves.

Suggested donations include cereal (not family size), peanut butter and JELLY in plastic containers, canned goods, boxed sides, Mac and cheese, and individual packs of snack sized cookies and crackers.

Please leave donated food items in the white bins in the Narthex or downstairs in the entryway. Double bagging heavy items helps our deliverers.
More information can be found at the website for Cornerstone (cornerstone-cares.org) or Hockanum Valley Community Council (HVCChelps.org). Thank you for your generosity.

Help for Our Furry Friends

They are especially in need of dry cat food.

The Vernon Pet Pantry has partnered with the Hockanum Valley Community Council to support pets in need. Sadly, many animals are going hungry or being left behind as families struggle to afford their care.

You can help by donating wet or dry cat and dog food, treats, or other pet supplies. Donations may be placed in the new plastic bin located in the lower-level entryway or dropped off directly at the Vernon Pet Pantry at HVCC.

New at the library from the bookworm-

Wednesday Walkers

We were missing some of our usual walkers this week who were vacationing and traveling. Four walkers joined us from afar and did their own walk. They sent us a picture to carry on our walk so they were with us in spirit.

Join us this week at 9am at the Church Street parking lot for the Vernon Rails to Trails.

Caregiver Support Group

A caregiver support group is being offered to members of our church. We meet every Wednesday in the church library from 1:30pm-3:30pm. This is a lay led group that is very supportive and caring and offers much needed help and encouragement to caregivers. If you are or recently have been a caregiver, consider joining us. Conversations are confidential.

Cornhole is Done for the Season

Cornhole is done for the season. Thanks to all who have participated.

Wednesday Night Craft Crew

Wednesday night craft crew next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:30pm.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast meets at 7am on Thursdays at the Vernon Diner.

Grief Support Group

The Grief Support Group continues to meet on Tuesdays at 10am in the Church Library. Anyone who has lost a loved one is invited to attend, and the group is not limited to FCCV members. ALL are welcome and you can bring other family members and/or a friend to the group. Any further questions, please call the FCCV Church office at 860-875-7580.

Remember to Pray for:

Amanda, Max and Alison- Emily’s friends, Steve and Nancy Bright, healing for Anna, Connie & Jeremy- Joe's mother and friend, Carole – Bettye K's sister, Kelly- Jeannie Peirce’s friend, Lenora- Ellen's sister, Val M, Burkie-Linda's friend, Doug- Addi's grandfather, Sue- Cindy S’s friend, Dana-Sandy D’s friend, Christina- Andy and Joanne’s daughter, Doug Bacon- Marilyn's nephew, Herb Slicer, Bill- Sue's neighbor, Mary-Marjorie's friend, Amy S- Joanne's friend, Kay and Horst, Leesa S, Shirley- Ginger's sister, Angie- Ruby-Richie-and Barbara K, Brandon, Lucy- Elly's sister, Bonnie and Paula-Millie’s friends, John Stevens- Susan Nolet’s brother, Betsy G, Delight C, Tammy and Jim, Marjorie F, Ernie & Janice—Nancy’s friends, Barb Fox, Pat L, Jim Muro, Lisa A, Nicholas—Karen’s grandson, Jane Morse, Thomas E, Pat M, Susie—Barb’s daughter, Linda D, Mary M—Pat Melville’s sister, Janis R, Steven S, Chrissy and Ella—Jim and Cheryll’s daughter and granddaughter, Donald M, Dave S, those living with HIV/AIDS, and all who are navigating a difficult season of mental health and their loved ones who walk beside them.

Prayer Request

We strive to keep our prayer list as accurate as possible. If you have an update for us, to add or to remove someone, please contact the office by email or call (860) 875-7580. Or click here to fill out a form.

Pastoral Emergency

If you have a pastoral emergency, please call 860-266-5761.