Dear friends in Christ,
I hope you’re all doing well this week. It was wonderful to see many of you this past Sunday for Homecoming. We have a number of things happening in the life of the church:
New Members/Church Info Meeting: 9/18
We’re planning on receiving new members this fall. If you are interested in joining the church or want to learn more, we’re planning an information meeting after worship this Sunday, 9/18. Let me know if you’re coming! If you’re interested in joining the church and cannot make that meeting, please also be in touch with me (kmanzi@middleburyucc.org) so we can make things work.
Sunday School Registration
Sunday school resumed this past Sunday, but registration is still open. Registration can be completed online here: https://middleburycc.breezechms.com/form/SundaySchool
Book & Bake Sale and Book Donations
The Mission Board is hosting another book and bake sale, this year on October 22nd. Through October 9th we’re collecting: soft and hard cover books of all shapes and sizes in good condition. puzzles, CDs, and DVDs. (Please no encyclopedias.) There is a bin outside the church office where donations can be dropped off.
Get Your MCC Liberty Puzzle
As part of our Stewardship campaign, we’re selling MCC Liberty puzzles. A picture of the puzzle is attached. (It comes without the words on it.) Get your heirloom-quality, laser-cut wood MCC Liberty Puzzle in time for Christmas giving! Order by Sept. 25 at https://www.middleburyucc.org/giving-to-mcc/puzzle/
Volunteers for the Office
We are looking for volunteers who would be available to help out in the church office as we sort what comes next for staffing.
Some of the things we’re looking for coverage on are: being in the office set times to answer the phone and let people in, making copies, sorting the mail, etc.
If interested please contact Sal S, chair of Trustees (chemdocsal@gmail.com) or Ellen A, chair of Church Council (spirit2000@aol.com)
Homecoming Volunteers: Thank you!
I want to thank all our volunteers who helped make our celebration this past Homecoming possible! Thank you to everyone who lent us tents and activities, and thank you to everyone who cooked, set up, and cleaned up. I’ve attached the photos ShawnaLee took on Sunday, including the silly photo, which is quite silly. If anyone took any photos on Sunday that you’d like to share, please send them along to me.
General Comments
This week we’re back following the lectionary, the ecumenical calendar of scripture readings for worship, and the gospel lesson is Luke 16:1-13, the parable of the dishonest manager. This is arguably one of the most confusing texts in the whole Bible. St. Augustine, flummoxed by the parable, is often credited as saying: “I can’t believe that this story came from the lips of our Lord.” I skipped the parable the last time it showed up in the lectionary, but this Sunday I’ve decided to give it a go. So, come this Sunday to see if we can glean some worthwhile meaning from a story about a manager who cheats his boss.
I hope everyone has a good week!
Peace,
Pastor Katrina