Tuesday Tidbits 6/30/26

First Congregational Church of Vernon United Church of Christ

Tuesday Tidbits

June 30, 2026

Happy Birthday to all who have a birthday in July!

Agape Lunch

Our next lunch gathering will be July 3rd from 12pm-1pm! Anyone can come, this is no elite club or private group- just people who would like some company for a meal. The potluck theme is "any salad"- and so, you can bring any type of salad! Fruit salad, potato salad, egg salad, pasta, bean... let Sarah know what you're bringing.

E-mail sromangreaves@gmail.com to RSVP

You are welcome to join us! Even if you'd like to just bring lunch from home and sit with us, we would love your company.

Next dinner gathering: July 24th, 5pm with ice cream at 6pm

Summer Services

This Sunday, July 5th, we move into Summer Worship hours. Our worship will be held on Sunday mornings at 9:30am. Join us July-August as we have some summer fun worshipping together in Fellowship Hall!

Church Office Closed

In Observance of the Fourth of July holiday, the church office will be closed on Monday, July 6th. If there is a pastoral emergency, please call the pastoral emergency phone number 860-266-5761.

Congratulations to Our 2026 Phyllis Chase Service Award Recipients!

We are thrilled to announce that Elly Swan, Bill Boutwell and Judy Ramsdell are the recipients of the 2026 Phyllis Chase Service Award! This award honors individuals who embody the spirit of selfless service. Elly, Bill and Judy truly exemplify that in all they do. From their behind-the-scenes support to their visible leadership and steady presence in our community, they make our church a stronger, more loving, and more welcoming place. Please join us in thanking and celebrating Elly, Bill and Judy for their faithful, generous service!

Appalachia Service Project Mission Trip – July 12–18

Next week, a team of youth and adults will travel to serve with Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Throughout the week, our volunteers will work alongside homeowners to make homes warmer, safer, and drier while building relationships rooted in compassion, dignity, and hope. During this time, Pastor Alisa will be away serving with the mission team.

We invite you to hold our entire team, the families they will serve, and everyone traveling in your thoughts and prayers throughout the week. We also encourage you to follow along with the trip by checking our Facebook page, where we'll share photos and updates as internet access allows.

Thank you for surrounding our mission team with your love, encouragement, and prayers as they serve in Christ's spirit of compassion.

VBS Videos

If you had a child in VBS last week and would like to view their video creations, please reach out to the church office.

Memorial Service for Shannon Conley Savoy

We invite our church family to continue holding Shannon Conley Savoy's family in your thoughts and prayers during this tender time.

A memorial service celebrating Shannon's life will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary at First Congregational Church of Vernon. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall, where all are welcome to gather in remembrance and support of Shannon's family.

You may view Shannon's obituary here.

Thank You

A heart felt thank you to all the wonderful church friends that brought us delicious meals during this difficult time when our daughter Shannon had passed. Your kindness was deeply appreciated. Thank you so much.

Elsa & Roger & Family.

Congratulations Dr. Cindy Dubuque-Gallo

Members of the Missions group had the privilege and honor to attend the dissertation defense of Cindy Dubuque-Gallo on Monday June 29th. We were proud to represent FCCV and the Missions group. A part of her research came out of her experience at church looking at the school lunch program. We are happy to express our congratulations to Dr. Cindy Dubuque-Gallo.

Karen Prewo and Nancy Baer

250 Acts of Kindness

Join us in completing 250 kind acts by the end of 2026, as a part of Kindland's United States of Kindness (USofKindness) initiative!

We are in the process of setting up a USofKindness display in Fellowship Hall, that you will see soon as we transition to worship services downstairs for the summer. Here is what you'll find there:

1.) We will have a kindness tracker. For every act of kindness you go out of your way to do, please color in a bubble on our kindness tracker. For every bubble filled in, you will see our trail of kindness grow longer...

2.) If someone in the congregation does something kind and you would like to give them a shout out, or if you would like to write about something you did as part of the kindness campaign, there will be a shout-out box and slips of paper to write on. These will be read during worship services, and so do not write your own name if you wish to remain anonymous!

3.) Next to the shout-out box will be lists of examples of things you can do to contribute. These are not exhaustive lists- anything you think of doing on your own is welcome!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me in Church Programs (sromangreaves@gmail.com).

-Sarah R.G.

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted" -Aesop

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:
Church Picnic August 15th, 11am-2pm

Save the Date: August 15th

Come enjoy a church picnic at Valley Falls! Besides enjoying the scenery at the park, the Friends of the Falls are offering us a tour of the heritage center.

Picnic: 11-1pm
Tour: 1pm-2pm.

Valley Falls is located right here in Vernon. Park in the lot at 300 Valley Falls Rd and we will have the food under the pavilion. BYO Comfortable lawn chairs or a picnic blanket!

Women's Fellowship

Baskets for the next fair are underway. We could use the following items: 1-2 afghans to go in a cozy winter basket, kitchen utensils. (wooden spoons, spatulas etc), candle sticks, jams and jellies. Thanks so much for all the treasures that have already been donated!

Calling all plant people! We are hoping that a few plant lovers can start some little cuttings from some of their houseplants over the summer. We can have a re-potting party closer to the date of the fair. Past favorites have been spider plants and succulents.

Food Donations Needed

Many in our community are struggling to feed their families. Your donations to Cornerstone and Hockanum Valley food pantries 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 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.

Wednesday Walkers

The Wednesday Walkers celebrated the beginning of the summer season and summer birthdays. Happy Summer! Happy Birthday!

Cornhole Fellowship

Located at the grassy area across from Center Road School

Join us every Wednesday evening (weather permitting) for casual, friendly cornhole games and great company! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total beginner, all are welcome — and don’t forget to invite a friend!

Not a player? Come hang out, spectate, and cheer everyone on! Note: We currently have one set of boards, so if you have your own boards and bags, please bring them along. BYO refreshments and let’s kick off these Wednesday nights with some laughs and friendly competition.

If you have any questions or if you want to be added to the phone list, please contact the church office (860-875-7580) or church.secretary@firstchurchofvernon.org

Caregiver Support Group

(Caregivers Support Group will not be meeting this week at the church)

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.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

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

Women’s Fellowship

Women’s Fellowship meets most Wednesdays from 10am -12pm to assemble gift baskets for the fair.

Theology on Tap

Theology on Tap is taking a break for the summer and will resume in September. Please check back for more information as we get closer to the start date.

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

Monday Morning Bible Study is taking a break for the summer and will resume in September. Please check back for more information as we get closer to the start date.

Remember to Pray for:

Emilio L- Emily and John’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, Jane Burr, Kay and Horst, Leesa S, Shirley- Ginger's sister, Angie- Ruby-Richie-and Barbara K, Bobby A- Althea's brother-in-law, Brandon, Lucy- Elly's sister, Bev and Robin D, Bonnie and Paula-Millie’s friends, John Stevens- Susan Nolet’s brother, Betsy G, Delight C, Tammy and Jim, Marjorie F, Joe, Ernie—Nancy’s friend, Barb Fox, Pat L, Jim Muro, Lisa A, Nicholas—Karen’s grandson, Dawn G—Betsy’s niece, Denise Marcus—Marilyn’s friend, Jane Morse, Thomas E, Pat M, Susie—Barb’s daughter, Linda D, Mary M—Pat Melville’s sister, Ken C—Roger’s brother, 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.