Dear friends in Christ,
I hope you’re all doing well. It was wonderful to see many of you last night for Jambalaya! I’ve attached a few pictures from the night. Thank you very much to Ellen and to all our volunteers for a lovely night out with friends!
Ash Wednesday Service: Tonight 7pm
We’ve been monitoring the weather for this evening, and we’ve decided to still have the service tonight. Thank you to John who has agreed to stream the service to our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/middleburycongregationalchurch
We encourage you to watch from home if going out isn’t a safe option.
Soup and Scripture: Lent Bible Discussion on Parable of Jesus, 3/1
All Wednesdays in Lent starting on 3/1 at 7pm we will have a discussion on the parables of Jesus. We will be in the Conference Room and on Zoom.
On Wednesday 3/1 and Wednesday 4/5 there will be a soup supper at 6:30 preceding the scripture discussion. (Thank you, deacons!)
MCC Goes Axe Throwing: Saturday, 3/4
Mark your calendars! As a fellowship event on 3/4, we’re going to Oxford Axe Throwing followed by dinner. We will have childcare available at the church. (Some details are still being worked out pending group size.) We’ll meet at MCC around 4pm to carpool to Oxford.
Tickets are $32, but the cost decreases once the group reaches a certain size.
Please email: kmanzi@middleburyucc.org if interested!
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner: 3/17
Corned beef reuben sandwiches are back for St. Patrick’s Day this year! Stay tuned for more details soon about plans for the night!
Mission Projects
Sock-it-to-Homelessness: We are collecting new and gently used socks, including mismatched socks, for Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries. Socks are the most needed item of clothing for people experiencing homelessness. Donations can be left in the white bin near the Multiplication Table at the front of the sanctuary.
Mitten Line: We are collecting new and gently used hats, gloves, and scarves for GWIM. Donations can be left on the clothesline in the Social Hall.
Vote for MCC: Ion Bank Foundation Community Awards
For those with ION Bank accounts, you can vote for MCC to receive money! Keep in mind that for joint bank accounts each person on the account may vote. We’re listed in the Religion category. The link to vote is here: https://cap.ionbank.com/CAP/CAP.aspx
Tell your friends, too!
Turkey/Syria Earthquake Relief Aid
The United Church of Christ has issued an appeal asking for funds to support recovery and relief efforts for the people in Turkey and Syria devastated by the recent earthquakes. The UCC and its predecessor organizations and partners have a long history in the area. The link to the appeal and to donate is here:
General Comments
Today is the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, and I wanted to share a beautiful Ash Wednesday appropriate song called “Beautiful Things” by Gungor. Some of my friends in seminary introduced me to the song, and it’s a really lovely reflection on creation, life, death, and rebirth. You can listen here: https://youtu.be/gpOPkzplHRw
I also want to leave you with my favorite Lent poem, which I know I’ve shared before. It’s a good reminder that the Lord doesn’t want us to make ourselves miserable. The Lord wants us to have transformed lives.
To keep a true Lent
by Robert Herrick
“Is this a Fast, to keep
The Larder lean?
And clean
From fat of Veals and Sheep?
Is it to quit the dish
Of Flesh, yet still
To fill
The platter high with Fish?
Is it to fast an hour
Or rag’d to go,
Or show
A downcast look, and sour?
No; ‘tis a Fast, to dole
Thy sheaf of wheat
And meat
Unto the hungry soul.
It is to fast from strife,
From old debate
And hate;
To circumcise thy life.
To show a heart grief-rent;
To starve thy sin,
Not Bin;
And that’s to keep thy Lent.”
Peace,
Pastor Katrina