Tuesday Tidbits 10/20/26

First Congregational Church of Vernon United Church of Christ

Tuesday Tidbits

October 20, 2026

A Place for Tomorrow: 2027 Stewardship Campaign

This past Sunday Pastor Alisa announced the beginning of FCCV’s annual Stewardship Campaign, when members and friends of our church have an opportunity to provide financial support for our community of caring, both now and in the future.

Pledge packets are being mailed this week. Along with a pledge card is a brochure which we ask that you read carefully and reflect on prayerfully. It will explain our theme, A Place for Tomorrow, and provide important information about the pledging process.

The decisions we make during this pledge campaign will have a huge impact on what we can do this coming year…and yes, in the “tomorrows” that will follow.

If you do not receive a pledge packet in the mail this week, please contact the Church Office (860-875-7580) and one will be provided.

As always, the Stewardship Team is happy to answer any questions you may have.

With thanks for your prayerful consideration,

Greg Mias

Judy Ramsdell

Steve Ruppert

Lynn Sweet

Pastor Alisa

Memorial Garden Workday Friday, October 23rd

A fall workday is scheduled for this Friday from 9am-12pm. Bring your favorite tools (rake, cutter, etc.) and join us in the Memorial Garden to clean up this beautiful area to get it ready for winter.

Talent Show- this Friday!

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. And come support all of your talented friends and neighbors! It's always a fun time.

Rehearsal will be October 21st at 6:30pm, and on the day of the show.

We are looking for people to help run the reception after (some nibbles and light refreshments). Contact Leanne or the church office if you would be able to help!

Donations on the night of the show will be going towards our work with Cornerstone, given the rising cost of food and supplies. We have a team of people who go there every second Saturday of the month, to make and serve food at the Cornerstone Community Kitchen.

Wear Your Costume to Church on October 25th

On Sunday, let’s wear our costumes to worship—even if you can’t participate in Trunk or Treat.

Trunk or Treat

Coming up this Sunday, October 25th, we will have “Trunk or Treat" on the side lawn near Center Road, after worship.

If you would like to participate in handing out candy/treats after church from the trunk of your car, please contact Sarah Roman Greaves (church programs office- sromangreaves@gmail.com) so we can reserve a spot for you. There is also a sign-up in Fellowship Hall at the Church Programs table. You are invited to come to church dressed up in costume to be a part of the festivities! Invite your friends and their families to join in.

Women's Fellowship will have a craft table, so that kids can enjoy seasonal crafts before or after they get their candy.

RAINY DAY PLANS: If it rains, all of our "trunk" displays will move into Fellowship Hall, and we will hold the event indoors.

Pastor Alisa’s Sabbatical

Pastor Alisa will be away October 26th–November 13th as she completes the remaining portion of her 2026 sabbatical. We are grateful for the care, dedication, and love she shares with our church community and wish her a restful and renewing time away.

All Saints’ Day

We will be lifting up the names of our loved ones who have passed on Sunday, November 1st for All Saints’ Day. If you would like your loved one to be lifted up during this time, please email the office by October 28th with their name and year that they passed.

Lifting up our Veterans

We will be lifting up veterans on Sunday, November 8th for Veterans Day. If you have a loved one that you would like to lift up in memory of or in honor of, please email the church by November 4th with the name of the individual, in memory of or in honor of, a picture of the individual and their time and place of service. We will share this during the service.

Vietnam War Memorabilia Display

Please join us in Fellowship Hall on November 8th during coffee hour for a special display of Vietnam War memorabilia from the personal collection of Marine veteran Roger Conley.

The collection features items Roger brought home from his two 13-month tours of duty during the early years of the Vietnam War.

Everyone is welcome, and feel free to bring a guest!

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!

Come to Sermon Salon, where we can explore our thoughts and questions together! Thursdays at 2pm in the church library. For more info, please contact Sarah in the Church Programs office (sromangreaves@gmail.com).

This week's sermon for discussion is below. If you need a paper copy, please contact the church office: "Becoming Together (sermon from October 18th 2026

Holiday Fair – November 7th

The countdown is on—less than a month to go until the fair! Here’s a look at what’s in store and how you can help. Stop in and see what it’s all about. We’d love all the help we can get—many hands make light work, and the fellowship makes it fun! If you’ve helped in the past, we may be reaching out to you. Or feel free to let Carol, Daryl, or Nancy know how you’d like to be involved.

Schedule of Work Sessions:

10/21 (Wed) – Basket pricing | 9:30am
Crafts – finish projects | 6:30–8pm
10/28 (Wed) – Finish pricing | 9:30am
Price crafts & make mixes | 6:30–8pm
11/4 (Wed) – Begin setup! | 9am
We'd love your help if you're available!
Decorate Fellowship Hall | 6:30–8pm
11/5 (Thurs) – Bake pies (bring your favorite
apple peeler/corer!) | 9am
11/6 (Fri) – Muffin baking | 9am
11/7(Sat) –FAIR DAY! | 9am–2pm (please
arrive by 8:30am)

We’re still hoping for more donations of unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. If you have something special to contribute, please leave it in the church office or the Women’s Fellowship closet. If it’s too large or cumbersome to bring in, we can arrange pickup. Thank you so much in advance for your help and enthusiasm!

Jewelry Donations for the Holiday Fair!

Do you have jewelry you no longer need? We are accepting gently used jewelry donations for our jewelry booth at the Holiday Fair!

Items may be dropped off at the church office. Please bring your donations in soon so the committee has time to sort and price everything before the Holiday Fair on November 7th.

For more information, please speak with Valerie Sexton or contact the church office.

49 More Acts of Kindness- can we do it by Nov 13th?

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. Could we complete our Kindness Campaign by November 13th- World Kindness Day?

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. We ran out of papers to write your submissions on, but they are now replenished- for this week, please email or see Sarah in the programs office (sromangreaves@gmail.com) if you have a shout-out.

We are tracking each kind act with a heart. Here's our progress so far! We are up to 201 acts of kindness... Studies show that we tend to think of other people as less kind, less generous, less altruistic than they actually are. To make our kindness more visible is to renew our faith in the goodness of our neighbors. Please join us in making a more visible culture of kindness- in this church and beyond!
Studies:
Recognizing Kindness and Generosity Increases Them | Psychology Today
Finding hope in a cynical world | Stanford Report
On the illusion of moral decline:
Are we worse people than we used to be? Big Brains podcast with Adam Mastroianni | University of Chicago News
Also, what can stop us from being kind?:
What stops people from being kinder?

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Thanksgiving food drives have begun for both Cornerstone and HVCC. Most needed items include: stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, gravy mixes, canned vegetables, canned fruit or pumpkin pie fillings and pie crusts. Donations of everyday staples also continue to be needed.

Let’s help Cornerstone & HVCC ensure our neighbors enjoy a warm and nourishing meal for Thanksgiving.

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.

Handbell Workshop a Success!

Our handbell workshop was a great success! We gathered last Saturday after choir practice and enjoyed learning about handbells and playing them together. It was a fun and rewarding experience, and we’re grateful to everyone who participated. We look forward to more opportunities to make music together!

Join the Choir!

The next practice will be Saturday, November 14th at 10am in the Sanctuary to sing during the November 15th 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.

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.

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.

Wednesday Walkers

The Wednesday Walkers had an amazing Fall morning to enjoy nature and community - good for body and soul. Every Wednesday at 9am at the Church Street parking lot for the Vernon Rails to Trails is the place to be. Don't walk alone. Walk with us!

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.

Women’s Fellowship

Women’s Fellowship will be holding a craft night tomorrow night, October 14th at 6:30pm. All are welcome.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

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

Theology on Tap

Theology on Tap meets on Thursdays, from 6 7pm 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.

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.

Monday Morning Bible Study

Feel free to drop by and bring a friend!

Join us every Monday (excluding holidays) at 10:45 a.m. in Kellogg Hall for our Monday Morning Bible Study.

Our current study is focused on learning what other religions believe and gaining a better understanding of different faith traditions.

All are welcome to join us! For questions, please contact Millie or the church office

Remember to Pray for:

All who are in a difficult season of mental health and their loved ones walking alongside them, animals living in shelters, all who are living with a chronic illness, Christina- Andy and Joanne's daughter who transitioned to hospice care, Judy T- Betsy's friend, Margaret E- for strength, comfort and healing, Joanne Myer-recovering from surgery, Gary and Althea- as they recover from Gary's surgery, Aleah- battling medical conditions, Norma- Ginger's friend, Rachel and Joe as they seek to start a family, Carson & Hudson- Devon's sons, Rich- Andy and Joanne’s son-in-law, Amanda, Max and Alison- Emily’s friends, 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, Sue- Cindy S’s friend, Dana-Sandy D’s friend, Doug Bacon- Marilyn's nephew, Herb Slicer, Bill- Sue's neighbor, Mary-Marjorie's friend, Amy S- Joanne's friend, Kay and Horst, 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, and Dave S

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.