Tuesday Tidbits 11/3/26

First Congregational Church of Vernon United Church of Christ

Tuesday Tidbits

November 3, 2026

Happy Birthday to all who have a birthday in November!

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 November 8th service.

To help celebrate the 251st birthday of the USMC which is November 10th, Elsa and Roger Conley will be providing a birthday cake to be served at coffee hour. Please join us on this special Veterans Day church 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!

Budget Informational Meeting - This Sunday, November 8th after Worship Service

The Advisory Team will present the proposed 2027 budget and review the status of the 2027 Stewardship Campaign.

A PLACE FOR TOMORROW

FCCV Stewardship Campaign 2027

Our Stewardship Campaign is off to a strong start! Over 34 pledges have already been made…more than last year at this time. We hope and believe this trend will continue, because we are confident that our members and friends have understood the message…FCCV will remain strong in the future if we sustain and strengthen the support we provide right now.

Last Sunday we heard from Greg Mias in the pulpit and from Tammy Fitch and Sharon Uldrikis via our Thursday Stewardship Email as they expressed their feelings about our church and the support they give and we appreciate their willingness to share.

Please take the time to attend an informational meeting next Sunday, November 8th presented by the Finance Group. This hardworking team has spent many hours preparing a tentative budget for the coming year. It’s very important that we understand the many factors that are taken into consideration as this budget is planned. Knowing facts about our finances can help you as you consider your pledge.

If you have not received a pledge card in the mail we urge you to contact the church office (860.7580) we’ll see that you receive one ASAP!

Thanks,

The Stewardship Team

Greg, Judy, Steve, Lynn, Pastor Alisa

To our church family:

We would like to thank all of you, our dear church friends, for your support during the difficult times we’ve recently experienced in our lives. It is God’s blessing to have all of you support us with your prayers, thoughts, food and visits. It is comforting to know that we are in your hearts. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Joanne and Andy Myer

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: "The 3 C’s - Concetta, Chickens and Communion” (sermon from November 1st 2026)

Pastor Alisa’s Sabbatical

Pastor Alisa will be away until 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.

Holiday Fair Preparations

Planning and crafting are almost done for this year’s Holiday Fair on November 7th, and we’d love for you to be part of the excitement! There is a sign-up sheet on the programs table, or reach out to Nancy, Daryl, Phyllis, Carol, Jackie or Delythe.

What happens when you help?

~You will meet new people.

~You will form lasting friendships and really get to know people as you work beside them.

~You will show the community how involved and friendly our church family is.

~You will support the church and the greater community.

Proceeds from last year's fair went far and wide:

Church pledge- $3,500.
Replacing nativity scene- $1,000.
VBS- $300.
FCCV Scholarship-$500.
Donations to Cornerstone, HVCC, Midwest Food Bank, Vernon Social Services, CT Coalition Against Homelessness- $5,800.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Wed. Nov. 4th- 9am- start set up
6:30pm- decoration party- Fellowship Hall
Thursday Nov. 5th- 9am- bake pies
Friday Nov. 6th- 9am- bake muffins
Saturday Nov. 7th- 9am-2pm THE HOLIDAY FAIR (arrive at 8:30am)

Have a special gift to donate? We’re still looking for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts to offer at the fair. Donations can be dropped off at the church office or in the Women’s Fellowship closet. Pickup can also be arranged.

Thank you so much for your generosity, enthusiasm, and support. Together, we can make this year’s Holiday Fair a wonderful success!

Poinsettias and Annual Memory Tree

Poinsettias will once again grace our Sanctuary during the Christmas season!

You are invited to purchase a poinsettia or dedicate a light on our Annual Memory Tree in honor or memory of a loved one.

Orders for poinsettias and Memory Tree lights will be accepted during Coffee Hour on Sundays beginning November 8th. You may also place your order by completing the form below.

The deadline for all orders is December 6th.

Thank you for helping us make our Sanctuary beautiful during this special season while remembering and honoring those who hold a special place in our hearts.

Kindness Campaign

We have completed our kindness campaign! The final count was 251 acts of kindness.

Over the past four months, you have been practicing kindness regularly- the kind that goes out of its way to help. The kind that remembers that one of our highest callings as Christians is to act as a neighbor to others. I hope you have found this experience to be a positive one. Stay tuned for the last of our shout-outs on Sunday. The hearts will be staying up a bit longer in celebration of World Kindness Day (Nov 13th).

Wall Art

On Sunday, November 8th, we’ll transition our wall art from Fall to Holiday. All art forms and themes are welcome! Thank you for sharing your talents with our congregation. We look forward to your submissions!

Monday Morning Bible Study

Monday Morning Bible Study will meet November 9th-23rd and we will not have class on November 30th.

In November we will continue with our current study on World Religions and then start Advent December 7th-28th. We meet Mondays in Kellogg Hall at 10:45am. All are welcome.

Game Night - November 20th, 6:30pm

Looking for something fun and relaxing to do on a Friday night? Come to game night, on November 20th, 6:30pm (Fellowship Hall)! We'll have light refreshments and snacks. You're welcome to bring your favorite board and card games to share with others.

There will be a sign-up to RSVP on the church programs table (not required, but appreciated!).

Sunday Night Live

Sunday Night Live meets every Sunday from 4:30pm-5:30pm. This faith-based program is for children ages 2 through fifth grade on Sunday evenings. Each session features a new program. A great option if you can't make it to Sunday Funday on Sunday mornings, or if you are looking for more fun activities for your child(ren). For more information click here.

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.

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.

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.

Weekly Programs

We offer a variety of weekly programs that are open to everyone! Whether you're looking to connect with others, grow in faith, or become more involved in our church community, we warmly invite you to join us.

For more information about any of our weekly programs, please contact the church office by email or call (860) 875-7580.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Remember to Pray for:

Don- Karen's childhood friend who is now on hospice, Deborah & Albert Hewitt- brother and sister in law of Linda T, The Bright Family, Judy T- Betsy's friend, Margaret E- for strength, comfort and healing, Joanne Myer-recovering from surgery, Gary A, 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.