Dear Friends in Faith,
The Burlington fireworks, watched from North Beach, were beautiful. Gary and I biked from our home in the New North End to North Beach to join the throngs of people gathered to celebrate Independence Day. There were young families and groups of teens, older couples and gatherings of friends. “People-watching” before the fireworks began, I thought how the crowd assembled on the beach represented our country ~ diverse in age, race, political view, economic status, religious belief, but united. At the conclusion of the show everyone applauded and then, courteously, made their way out of the park. (Gary and I then had to bike home in the dark, which turned out to be more fun than we expected!)
Below you will find a prayer for unity of spirit and the ability to see God’s beauty in everyone. Further down are announcements about some events and opportunities in our church and community.
Your Friend in Faith,
Pastor Kristabeth
In a world which cares more
for the needs of self than others,
and is increasingly becoming
more inward-looking and fractured,
give us a heart for the vulnerable,
the refugee, the forgotten, the lost;
a heart that is based on yours,
poured out for the needs of many
and not for the comfort of a few.
Give us a heart which looks out
and sees your beauty in all people,
and welcomes them as a friend. Amen.
~ Faith and Worship
Pastor Kristabeth’s Schedule and Office Hours Week of July 9-15:
(Schedule may change as visitation needs and other pressing matters arise.)
Sunday: Worship 9:30am, Visitation Team Meeting 11am, Wedding Meeting 3pm
Monday: Office 8:30am-11:30am, Afternoon Off
Tuesday: Lectionary Group 9am-10am, Lunch Meeting
Wednesday: Worship at St. Michael’s 11:30am, Office 1pm-4pm
Thursday: Office 10am-2pm (11am Meeting with District Superintendent), Visit, Barnes & Noble Open Hours 3:30pm-5:30pm
Friday: Office 8am-10am, Writer’s Workshop 10:30am-12:30pm, Visit
Saturday: Pastor’s Sabbath
Worship Sunday, July 9 – Family Stories
Theme: And Two Become One
Scripture: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-40, 58-67, Psalm 45:10-17
Sermon: “A Match Made in….. Nahor”
Healing Prayer following Worship
Summer Worship Series: Family Stories – Bring Family Photos for Altar
Ancient Families, Modern Stories, Sundays June 18 – July 30
We travel with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, Leah and Rachel, hearing their stories and reflecting on our own stories in light of God’s great promise that they ~ and we ~ shall be a blessing to the world. During this series we will be decorating the church with family photos. Please bring in your family photos – modern or of past generations – so that together we may see the varieties of families that make up the family of God!
Church Picnic Sunday, July 23rd 5:30-7:30pm at Veteran’s Park Pavilion, Dorset Park, South Burlington: Hot dogs will be provided. Bring a dish to share! Sign up on the kiosk so we know how many hot dogs to prepare and to let folks know you are coming!
Lake Monster’s Game with Fireworks Saturday, August 19
Ticket Prices: $6.00 – Adults and Children under 12,
$4.00 Seniors and Children under 12
Deadline for Sign Up: August 1 (Sign-up sheet on kiosk)
See Tim Hess with any questions.
Children’s Table in Sanctuary
For those children who are too old for the nursery, but too young to be expected to sit quietly for an hour, we have set up an activity table in the sanctuary. Children are not required to be at the table. They are welcome to play at the table for part or all of worship, as they would like. There are coloring sheets, books, and games available. If you have an older child who would like to sit at the table and engage with the younger ones as a helper, that would be great too! We hope this creates a space in which parents can worship and children feel welcome and included. Children are a blessing to our church and our worship experience, with all the joy and enthusiasm they bring!
Nursery Care Volunteer Needed First Sunday of the Month
Our dedicated Nursery Care Provider, Sharon, takes the first Sunday of the month off so she can attend worship. If you would like to volunteer to provide nursery coverage on the first Sundays of the month please speak with Pastor Kristabeth. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Those under 18 may serve as nursery assistants under an adult’s supervision.
Donate to the Food Shelf: With children home from school for the summer break, need continues to be great. Place your donation in the shopping cart in the Gathering Space.
Come join the New Member Conversations!
Come if you are curious –
You might be wondering about our church history or
How does Faith UMC plan for the future?
Who decides what we’ll do next week, next month, next year?
What does membership mean?
How can I become more involved?
What are my spiritual gifts?
Who was John Wesley and why is he important to Methodists?
If you’d like some answers – let Tricia Waldron know you are interested by seeing her at church or calling 373-6114 or via email triciavt@myfairpoint.net.
Weekday Bible Study
For the past several years we have held a weekday Bible Study during the school year (September –June). At various times we’ve met weekly or every other week, in the morning or in the afternoon. In order to determine the best time for the study I’ve created a poll. Participation in the poll does not obligate you to attend! Please give your feedback as to what days and times would work best for you if you were to attend a weekday study: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C5P9SWR
(This study is for those available during the day. We will continue to have Sunday and evening studies for those who are occupied during the weekdays.) Thanks!
Bystander Intervention Training at Williston Federated Church
Training Active Bystanders (TAB) is a two hour training designed to help participants recognize when they are bystanders, analyze the situation in which they find themselves, and decide on an appropriate action they can take to interfere with interpersonal oppression and bullying as it happens. Active “bystandership” does not mean aggression but rather helping people in need. The program presumes we can change our communities by encouraging active bystander responses. Suggested donation is $10 per person. Contact Charlie Magill, cmagillvt@aol.com, to enroll or for further information.
