Innings and Outings: Cassidy Hill Vineyard, Friday, September 12th

For anyone interested, a group of us will gather at Cassidy Hill Vineyard in Coventry (454 Cassidy Hill Rd, Coventry, CT) on Friday September 12th (5:30pm) to listen to "Jaded". Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on- we will sit together. Friends welcome.  Alcohol is available- no one under 21 y.o. is allowed at the concert and no outside alcohol, but you can bring food. They have recently upgraded their parking area, but it wouldn't hurt to carpool. You can contact Sarah Roman Greaves for more info: sromangreaves@gmail.com

Wednesday Craft Night: September 10th at 6:30pm

Women’s Fellowship meets every Wednesday at 10am to make crafts for the fair. Wednesday night crafts will start again on September 10th at 6:30pm. Come join the fun! No skills required and snacks are provided! Craft ideas are always welcome.

Rally Sunday – Sunday, September 7th 

Get ready to kick off our program year in style! Join us for worship at 10am in the sanctuary, then come downstairs for lunch, church program and service sign-ups, and a whole lot of fun — including a bounce house!

Bring your friends and family and celebrate the start of a fantastic new church year together! Lunch is provided and all are welcome to join!

Monday Morning Bible Study Spring and Summer Updates

On June 16th, we will be taking a field trip to Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth CT. (We will carpool from the church. For more information, please call the church office.

We will be on break and won’t be having classes in July or August. However, on August 4th, Karen Prewo has offered to have our group over to her lovely home again.

When we return in September, we will be doing Adam Hamilton’s 6-week study entitled “Making Sense of the Bible”.

Monday Morning Bible Study Spring and Summer Updates

On July 14th, we will be taking a field trip to Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth CT. (We will carpool from the church. For more information, please call the church office.

We will be on break and won’t be having classes in July or August. However, on August 4th, Karen Prewo has offered to have our group over to her lovely home again.

When we return in September, we will be doing Adam Hamilton’s 6-week study entitled “Making Sense of the Bible”.

Monday Morning Bible Study Spring and Summer Updates

On May 19th, at 10:45am, we will learn about lavender and what role this interesting ancient herb played in Biblical times while enjoying a “lavender treat”.

Then on June 16th, we will be taking a field trip to Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth CT. (We will carpool from the church. Details will be discussed at our May meeting).

We will be on break and won’t be having classes in July or August. However, on August 4th, Karen Prewo has offered to have our group over to her lovely home again.

When we return in September, we will be doing Adam Hamilton’s 6-week study entitled “Making Sense of the Bible”.

Save the date (and your old documents!) Saturday, May 10th Shred Event/Flower Sale

Bring your boxes of items to be shredded for $10/box, the truck will be here from 9am-12pm. Shop for your flowers for Mother's Day or drop in to our bake sale from 9am-2pm. We would love help (and warm weather!) at the event. And bake sale donations would be gratefully accepted.

Memorial Garden Workday

Spring workday is scheduled for April 26th from 9am-12pm. Bring your favorite tool and join us in the Memorial Garden to clean up this beautiful area.

Fraud Prevention 101: Staying Safe in Tax Season

Join us on Sunday, April 6, at 11:30 AM for a special 30-minute presentation by guest speakers from AARP on fraud prevention. During coffee hour, they will share practical tips on how to recognize scams and protect yourself—especially during tax season when fraudsters are most active. Don’t miss this important and timely conversation!

We will be collecting an offering on Sunday, March 30th for our One Great Hour of Sharing. The theme for the 2025 One Great Hour of Sharing® is Be the Light. The United Church of Christ invites you to join this meaningful Lenten offering, which supports disaster relief, refugee assistance, and development ministries through Love of Neighbor. Please make checks payable to FCCV and put One Great Hour of Sharing in the memo line. Envelopes will be available on Sunday, March 30th or donate online under One Great Hour of Sharing.

Women’s Fellowship Crafty Wednesday

Our Wednesday night meetings to prepare for the fair were a huge hit. We've decided to meet once a month, sometimes to craft, other times for some fun fellowship. If you attend this church, you are a member of Women's Fellowship! All are welcome so stop in when you can.

Wed. 3/19- Crafty Wednesday- crafts for the next fair- snowmen perhaps?

Swing into Spring with Bible Study Resuming on March 17th

Monday Morning Bible Study will resume on March 10th at 10:45am. For Lent this year we will be watching and discussing Max Lucada’s 6-week series, In the Footsteps of the Savior. Join us and follow Jesus through the Holy Land and learn more about the places where Jesus walked. You will come to understand Jesus himself, where he came from, and why he went where he went. You will better experience his humanity and his divinity. Your faith will be enriched and your vision for your own life clarified. All are welcome to learn with us.

Sunday Night Live Returns! 

We’re excited to announce a new season of Sunday Night Live (SNL), running from March 9th through April 6th, every Sunday from 4:30–5:30 PM!

This 5-week session, "Countdown to Easter," is designed for children 12 months through 5th grade and is completely free to participate. Each week, kids will engage in fun, faith-filled activities as we prepare for Easter together.

The season will conclude with a special showcase on Palm Sunday, April 13th, followed by our Annual Easter Egg Hunt after worship—an event you won’t want to miss!

To register your child, please click here.

First Congregational Church of Vernon, UCC is having a Pancake Dinner on March 4, 2025 from 6-7pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is a free event and open to the community. It is hosted by the Advisory team.

*Gluten free pancakes are available.

Women’s Fellowship Crafty Wednesday

Crafty Wednesday Chocolate Event, Wed. Feb 12, 6:30-8pm

"Taste and see that the LORD is good." Psalm 34:8

We will enjoy the sweetness of fellowship, friendship and chocolate as we have a chocolate tasting, make Valentines, experiment with recipes for the next fair, and enjoy a hot cocoa bar. This is a great chance to stop in and see what Women's Fellowship is all about. All are welcome.

CPR/AED Class, February 2nd

There will be a CPR/AED class held at the church on February 2nd following worship. The event is free, and you can reach out to Delythe Kracke to sign up or contact the church office. Please sign up ASAP.

Innings and Outings Event-Hands on Drumming… Wednesday, January 29th from 6:30pm-8pm

Join Craig Norton of "Hands on Drumming" for a joyful, musical, danceable community drum circle! We'll play rhythms and instruments from around the world and experience fun improv games. Drum circles are a great way to bring people together to connect, get in touch with your inner musician and have a blast. Bring your own instrument or use one of ours. No experience necessary and all ages are welcome! We have enough drums for up to 30 people. To sign up please see Leanne Connolly or call the church office. The deadline to sign up is January 27th. 

Women’s Fellowship Crafty Wednesday

Our Wednesday night meetings to prepare for the fair were a huge hit. We've decided to meet once a month, sometimes to craft, other times for some fun fellowship. If you attend this church, you are a member of Women's Fellowship! All are welcome so stop in when you can.

Wed. 1/22 6:30pm- Crafty Wednesday- some sorting, rubber stamping, sharing ideas for the next fair

Join us on Saturday, January 11, at 3PM for the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival at Asylum Hill Congregational Church. This spectacular performance is a cherished tradition, filled with music, pageantry, and the spirit of the season. Learn more about the event at AHCC's website.

Details:

• Cost: $32 per person

• Space: Limited to 8 attendees – reserve your spot soon!

To sign up or for more information, please contact the church office. Don’t miss this memorable experience!

On Friday, December 13th at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall, art instructor Sandy Pourier will lead us in a guided painting class. The $35 fee covers everything you need to complete a lovely seasonal painting for your home.  Financial assistance is available for those who may need it.

Since this class is limited to 25 attendees, don’t hesitate to sign up by calling the church office.  If you attended our last “Paint Night” you know what a fun event this is.

We’re excited to share that the Innings and Outings Clue! event at the Mark Twain House on December 6th from 7pm - 9pm has been a huge hit, with all 14 slots now filled. During the event, we'll enjoy a thrilling game of Clue, featuring actors from Sea Tea Improv. If you have one of the reserved spots, Kate Fowler will be in touch with you soon regarding payment and additional details. There are still openings for the other two time slots at the Mark Twain House, which are suitable for ages 10 to 110 (according to their website). The cost is $31. If you’d like to attend, please use the link below to learn more and purchase a ticket. While you won't be with the FCCV Clue! team during their time slot, it promises to be a lot of fun and will definitely make for some great coffee hour conversation. https://marktwainhouse.org/event/get-a-clue-tours-featuring-sea-tea-improv/2024-12-06/

Crafty Wednesday: Make and Take Night

Come join the fun this Wednesday, December 4th from 6:30-8:30pm in fellowship hall. We will be making some simple Christmas crafts to bring home.

Holiday Fair, Nov. 2nd 

Gift baskets are assembled and wrapped! Now we are gluing, painting, cutting, tying and the more hands, the merrier. We meet on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm, and you are welcome to join us at any time. We have added an additional crafting time on Oct. 16th, 6:30-8:30, no skills required, snacks will be served!! We will also need help with set up, clean up and working the day of the fair. If you would like to help please contact Phyllis or email the church office at church.secretary@firstchurchofvernon.org. We are hoping for some donations of shallow containers for growing paperwhite bulbs. We are adding a new booth at the fair called Birds and Blossoms that will feature gifts for bird lovers (feeders, ornaments etc) and plant lovers (houseplants, bulbs for forcing). We have some very small pots available if you are taking cuttings from a houseplant and would like to share.

We will be including our ever-popular jewelry room again this year. We would greatly appreciate donations of any costume jewelry items. We are also collecting gently used fashion accessories such as scarves and purses/wallets. Donations can be left in the church office.

We will have several baking days before the fair, Including October 31st and November 1st. Watch the Tidbits for more details. Thank you to everyone for all the support we've been getting!