Tuesday Tidbits 8/18/26

First Congregational Church of Vernon United Church of Christ

Tuesday Tidbits

August 18, 2026

Congregational Meeting

There will be a congregational meeting immediately following worship on Sunday, August 30th in Fellowship Hall to vote on the Search Committee and Advisory Team’s recommendation to have the Reverend Dr. Charles Williams as FCCV’s Pastor of Congregational Care.

This is a part-time position of 15 hours per week. The primary responsibility is to support members and friends of the congregation through illness, grief, transitions, celebrations, and the ordinary moments of life. In addition, the pastor will offer occasional support in worship, programs, and broader pastoral leadership as needed.

Updates to the 2026 budget will also be review at the meeting.

Three More Sundays of Summer Services

For the next three Sundays, we will be worshiping downstairs in fellowship hall at 9:30am. On September 13th, we will be moving back upstairs for worship at 10am.

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed!

Coffee hour fellowship runs September 1st – 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!

Agape Meals

We will be holding an Agape Meal on the 21st of August (this Friday), for a lunch gathering from 12pm-1pm. The theme will be "Recipes of the World". Make something from anywhere BUT the U.S.A.! Explore and share food from around the world. Someone has asked if you can purchase something already made- you are encouraged to do so if you would like to, for this gathering.

For those who would like to make something, here are some ideas:

Here are a few links to some recipes:30 Mouthwatering Easy International Recipes for Global Flavors - Elsie's Kitchen
94 International Recipes to Make When You're Craving Global Cuisine

Please RSVP to let us know that you can make it! These gatherings are a great way to get to know people from around the church, but also, just a way that we can share food and time together.

“How Great Thou Art Wall” Change

Artists, please start thinking about our next installation on our “How Great Thou ART Wall”!

We will be changing the artwork on September 6th, and a suggested theme is Fall. However, all works and artistic styles are welcome!

We encourage a variety of art forms, including: weaving, embroidery, photos, glass, acrylics, watercolor, pastel and water based oils.

We appreciate everyone who has participated and shared their creativity with us. We look forward to seeing your upcoming contributions and another wonderful display of local art!

Monday Morning Bible Study is Returning

Our summer hiatus will be ending soon and we will resume classes on Monday, September 14th at 10:45am in Kellogg Hall. All are welcome.

The Bible study group will have a planning/social meeting at Karen Prewo’s home on Monday, August 31st at 10:45am. Please let Karen know if you will be joining us. For any questions about the group please contact the church office or talk to Millie.

Join the Choir!

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. Schedule is coming soon.

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, 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.

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.

There are two ways we are counting acts of kindness. 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 91 acts of kindness...

Thank You

I wanted to thank everyone for their help with the church picnic this past Saturday.

Karen Prewo did a lot of planning and organizing behind the scenes to secure our picnic location, being a part of our community but also a Friend of Valley Falls. She served as our guide for the tour as well! Karen was the one who suggested a church picnic at Valley Falls- know that many of the fun things we put on come from you all! Our programs, events and gatherings are a testament to the vibrant, friendly and active community here at FCCV.

Special thanks also to Al Newton for bringing the church grill in his truck, Millie for chopping and packing the watermelon, Tom for grilling, Stephanie for all of her help bringing everything to and from the picnic that morning and afternoon with me, and to every single person who offered a hand for setting up and cleaning up. Many blessings to you all.

In gratitude,

Sarah Roman Greaves
Church Programs

Thank You for Your Donations

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the recent gift card collection organized by Vernon Social Services to support families in our community. Together, we donated $575 in gift cards to Target, Kohl’s, Walmart, and TJ Maxx— helping families purchase back-to-school clothing and essentials. Your generosity is making a real difference and helping many children start the 2026–2027 school year with confidence and success.

We are sorry for the short notice.

—The Missions Team

Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to Lynn, Bev, Kathy and Monica for taking the time to clean all the toys in the childcare room. Your effort helps keep the space safe and welcoming for our little ones—we truly appreciate you.

Historical Note

By August 19, 1926 the celebration for the Centennial of the building of the new church was only a month away and the fundraising for this event was ongoing as reported in the Rockville Journal:

An entertainment of varied attractiveness rendered by local talent with the help of experienced entertainers from Manchester will be given for the benefit of the centennial fund at the Mother Church, Thursday, August 25th at 7:45 pm Daylight Time. Ice cream and homemade candy will be on sale, both before and after the entertainment.

Another note in the Rockville Journal announced that pastor of the Vernon Church, Rev. Eels would preach on August 27th on the topic

“Evolution as taught in our public schools.” That would have been interesting wouldn’t it?

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:
Summer Concert at Cassidy Hill Vineyard, August 28th 5:30pm-8:30pm (rain/postpone date: Sept 11th)

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. If this is something YOU would be interested in, please contact Sarah at the Church Programs office (sromangreaves@gmail.com).

Summer Concert at Cassidy Hill Vineyard

*Cassidy Hill Vineyard is currently closed due to permit-related issues- please be on the lookout for if we need to reschedule to our rain date of September 11th*

Relax and unwind on a Friday night with a concert at Cassidy Hill! This is a favorite recurring Outing for many in our community. Plan to bring a lawn chair to sit on, and pack some snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. They may have food trucks available, and there are alcoholic beverages available for sale (no outside alcoholic beverages allowed). Those under 21 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Leashed dogs are welcome. Come with friends, and look out for others from FCCV!

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 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.

Message from Cornerstone’s Volunteers:

Cornerstone of Vernon is looking for some items for their Back-to-School Boutique. They are in need of the following donations:

Ladies razors and shave gel
Men’s razors and shave gel
Bar soap
New clothing and new sneakers of any size good for 1st grade to 12th grade. Sneakers needed the most are for small boys’ and girls’ sizes 13, 12, 1, 2, 3 and 4

Items can be dropped off at Cornerstone.

Wednesday Walkers

Last week the Wednesday Walkers joined many people on the trail - runners, cyclists, walkers all enjoying a beautiful morning smiling and greeting each other. It truly is a special community! Come join this community at 9am at the Church Street parking lot for the Vernon Rails to Trails.

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

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 on Wednesday mornings will be switching from making gift baskets to making some crafts for the fair. Join us any Wednesday between 9am-12pm and see what we're up to.

Also keep your eyes on the Tuesday Tidbits....we hope to resurrect our Wednesday night get-togethers starting later in August. We are focusing on making items along the following themes- snowmen, cardinals, chickens, sea glass and angels. If you have any ideas for crafts, let us know!! We're always eager to try something new.

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.

Remember to Pray for:

Kelly- Jeannie Peirce’s friend, Lorraine Doyle – Terri's cousin, Lenora- Ellen's sister, Val M, Burkie-Linda's friend, Doug- Addi's grandfather, Sue- Cindy S’s friend, Dana-Sandy D’s friend, 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, 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, Ernie & Janice—Nancy’s friends, Barb Fox, Pat L, Jim Muro, Lisa A, Nicholas—Karen’s grandson, Dawn G—Betsy’s niece, 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.