Tuesday Tidbits 5.16.23

First Congregational Church of Vernon United Church of Christ

Tuesday Tidbits

May 16, 2023

Vernon Town Brunch, May 21 and so much more…

Check out all of the wonderful things happening on May 21st in Vernon! You can start off the day with the 5K Annual Chicken Run at Strong Family Farm! Then, head over to Vernon Town Brunch at the First Congregational Church of Vernon, UCC for food, fun and games. And Arts Center East begins their 73rd Annual Exhibition of Traditional Realism opening May 21st- June 18th. There’s something fun for everyone happening in our corner of town. Hope you can join us!

Parking this Sunday

This Sunday we will host our first Vernon Town Brunch! Our parking lot on the Center Road side of the church will be closed to accommodate the activities being set up in that area. We ask that everyone park in the Hartford Turnpike parking lot (parsonage side of the church). Valet parking is available to those with mobility concerns. If you need access to the Center Road side entrance of the church for mobility purposes, please pull up to the entrance as usual and our parking attendant will let you in and then move your car to the other side of the church. If you are a driver dropping off folks with mobility concerns, you will be allowed entrance to drop folks off, then, park on the other side of the church. We appreciate everyone working with us to help VTB run safely!

Congratulations Reverend Doctor Robin Bird!!

On Friday, May 12, Robin graduated from Hartford International University with her Doctor of Ministry Degree (DMin).

Her dissertation gives a voice to women in ministry and is titled "High Heels on a Highwire: The Balancing Acts of Ordained Women in the United Church of Christ of Call to Ministry and Church and Their Stories of Why They Walked Out in Less Than Two Years".

Her journey towards this degree started in 2018. During the last 4 1/2 years, she was always the caring and loving minister to the congregation and navigated a global pandemic. What an accomplishment!

We are proud of our Senior Pastor...The Reverend Doctor Robin Bird!

Notes from the Advisory Team

The Team met on May 9 in person. Andy opened the meeting with a devotional. A summary of the meeting is below.

Reviewed the status of the first Vernon Town Brunch. Notice was put out on the Vernon Patch and flyers have been circulating around town. Everything is in place.
Reviewed an update to the Use of Facilities form. The Team is reviewing how we charge organizations to use our facilities. Also, whether we should open our facilities to for-profit organizations. There is no clear cut answer to that. We will be contacting the UCC on this issue.
Reviewed the status of Compassion Camp. We still need a few more volunteers.
Andy and Greg will start the process to draft up Alisa’s new call as an ordained minister. A team will be formed to review the details.
It was noted that many people are dropping things off in various places in the church like the basement and Sunday School storage closet. Please check with the office before dropping items off. We will look for volunteers to help with clean-up.
Robin will be away in early July to attend the UCC Synod in Indianapolis. Resolutions from the UCC that will be voted on during Synod in July will be shared in the June Tidbits to peruse.

Annual Meeting of the Tolland Association

Tolland Association Annual Meeting will be held at Columbia Congregational Church on Thursday, May 18th at 6pm and will include a potluck dinner. Everyone is invited to attend.

Spring 2023 Diaper Drive has been extended until May 28th.

Plant Sale

We have two hanging baskets left from last weeks plant sale. If you would like to purchase one, please contact the church office.

Sunday Funday

Kate will need a substitute for class on June 11th, July 9th, and August 16th. Please let Millie know if you can help us. The lesson will be provided or you can “do your own thing!”

Registration for Compassion Camp

2023 is NOW OPEN! Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs will be held at FCCV during the week of July 31-August 4. We have full-day (9-5) and half-day (9-1) options available. Join us for a fantastic week of exploring what it means to have compassion for ourselves, others and the world! Click on the link below for more information and to register.

Click here for Compassion Camp Registration

Thank you From Women’s Fellowship…

Women’s Fellowship would like to thank you for your participation in purchasing blankets. Your generosity will enable Church World Service to purchase 40 blankets.

Women’s Fellowship Scholarship…

A $500 scholarship available to a church member furthering their education. Applications may be picked up in the Church Office. Please return to the Women’s Fellowship mailbox by May 31. Contact Phyllis Chase with questions.

Wendy J. Lacey Silver Lake Scholarship Fund

You are invited to apply for scholarship aid to help make possible your camp or conference trip to Silver Lake! To apply, please complete the online application form. Application deadline is June 1, 2023. Click here to apply.

Thank you…

A thank you from The UCC was received for the generous gift given by the Line Dancing Group that held classes here at the church in the winter. A $2 per person donation was collected each week and the total amount was sent to the UCC Disaster Relief in Turkey and Syria. Thank you to all who donated.

Our Deepest Condolences to…

Delythe & Fred Kracke and family upon the passing of his mother, June Kracke.

The Onthank family upon the passing of John Onthank, a long-time member of FCCV.

Food Bank and Mission Bins

The Cornerstone and Hockanum Valley food banks are in urgent need for non-perishable food supplies and personal goods. The high cost of these items for our neighbors in need has left our food banks struggling to meet the demand.

Please drop off goods in the bins in the narthex or the lower-level entryway. Please note that heavy bags should be double bagged.

MOST NEEDED ITEMS

Spaghetti sauce in plastic jars (such as Francesco Rinaldi), canned pasta, cans of condensed soup, 4-packs of pudding cups, pouches of instant potatoes, salad dressing (small bottles, about 8 ounces), rice side dishes (such as Rice-A-Roni, Knorr side dishes), Pasta Roni or Hamburger helper, dry pasta (macaroni, spaghetti, noodles, etc.), Ramen noodles, canned vegetables, diapers size 5 and up, cans of beans (baked, black, cannellini, etc.), peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, cereal, boxes of macaroni and cheese, soap

Wednesday Walkers

Wednesday Walkers meet at 9am on Wednesdays at the Vernon Rail Trail parking lot on Church Street.

CORNHOLE meets every Wednesday at 6pm.

If you can't make it that early come when you are able. New or experienced, join us for fun and fellowship in the grassy area across from Center Road School. Don't miss out on the excitement!!

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

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

Theology on Tap

Theology on Tap will meet once a month through June, July, and August. Those dates will be posted soon.

Monday Bible Study

Our last weekly Monday morning Bible Study will be on May 22nd at 10:45am in Kellogg Hall. Watch the Tuesday Tidbits for dates during the Summer months when we will get together for Fellowship.

Grief Support Group

The Grief Support Group continues to meet on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. 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:

Lewis- Dave Bower’s brother who is in hospice care, Frank Boyken – Karen's friend, Mackenzie S, Harry – Linda's friend, Kathleen Iacoboni, Algernon J.B., Linda D, Eve B, Tony M, Nudie Bodette – Corey’s friend, David W, Brad – Monica's husband, Tony N - friend of Kathleen, MaryAnne Igoe - friend of Kathy and Tom Voss, Harold H – Nealie’s father-in-law, Ken C. - Rogers brother, Kay, Janis Root – Bess and Donna’s sister, Julian M, Bob K-Doe's friend, Nathan, Steven S, Nolan - Judy’s grandson, Richard B – Betsy's brother, Dee K, Joe S – Jane's friend, Jenni- Marjorie's friend, Mina - Bettye’s daughter-in-law, Chrissy and Ella-Jim's daughter and granddaughter, Sarah B, Martin E, Shannon C, Nicholas – Karen's grandson, Eddie - Phyllis’ brother, Donald M, Jim - Jane’s brother, Dave S, Joyce S, young Hannah, Marinos G, Susan H, Susan D, Caitlyn.

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 (church.secretary@firstchurchofvernon.org) or call (860) 875-7580. Or click here to fill out a form.

Pastoral Emergency

If you have a pastoral emergency, please call 860-817-1833.