Dear Friends in Faith,
Our warm fall week has turned quite chilly, with possibility of snow by the weekend! Those of us who like the warmer temperatures may not be too happy, while the skiers and winter enthusiasts among us rejoice. Still, the changing of the seasons reminds us of the great variety of God’s creation and God’s blessings. I pray that you have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend, and don’t forget to bundle up!
Below you will find a prayer celebrating many aspects of God’s creation. Please scroll down further to read about the upcoming activities of our Faith community.
Your Friend in Faith,
Pastor Krista Beth
For the wide sky and the blessed sun,
For the salt sea and the running water,
For the everlasting hills
And the never-resting winds,
For trees and the common grass underfoot.
We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendor of the summer fields,
And taste of the autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of the snow,
And smell the breath of the spring.
Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing
When even the common thornbush
Is aflame with your glory,
O God our creator,
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
~ Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918)
Pastor Krista Beth’s Schedule
Next week I will be in ministry in the community on Tuesday (Chittenden County Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force) and Thursday (Vermont Interfaith Action Clergy Caucus on the Moral Economy). Otherwise I will be keeping my regular Office and Open Hours.
Sunday Service November 16
Theme: Faithful Waiting
Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30
Sermon: Investment Income
Handbell Choir to offer Ministry of Music
Share Our Thanks with the Hungry
Our cornucopia will be on the altar for through the Sunday before Thanksgiving (November 23). Please help us to fill it to overflowing with non-perishable foods for the Food Shelf. Let’s make it a special Thanksgiving for others! ~ The Worship & Outreach Teams
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 23, 2014, 7:30 p.m. Burlington Area Ministerial Association
Celebrate Diversity & Community as Many Faith & Spiritual Communities Gather in Song, Prayer & Thanks!
First Congregational Church 38 So. Winooski St. Burlington, Vermont
Donations accepted in support of JUMP!
(An Interfaith Choir will Gather for rehearsal at 6:30. All are welcome to sing! )
Hanging of the Greens: Sunday, November 23rd
This year Hanging of the Greens will again take place the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 23rd! We will remove the Cornucopia food, for the food shelf, from the altar and dive right into the Christmas spirit. Everyone is invited to remain in the Narthex after church to kick off this annual celebration and help festoon the Sanctuary, Narthex and Brand Hall. We will again use the activity card process (remember each card has all the directions to complete the task). We are encouraging families to work together on each of these activities. There will be additional activities that are geared toward families with young children. Once all the activities are completed we will join together in the Sanctuary to welcome the joyous Advent season. Come EVERYONE, let’s work together as we prepare for the season of Advent! Please contact Bonnie Machia or Heather Hack if you need more information.
Advent Candle Lighting: Volunteers Needed!
Pastor Krista Beth and the Worship Team are looking for “families” who would like to participate in the Advent Candle Lighting during the Advent and Christmas Eve Worship Services. We invite you to define family in the broadest sense possible ~ recognizing that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ! Those who participate will come forward to light the candles. Krista Beth will provide readings to share as the candles are lit. Please speak with Pastor Krista Beth if you (or your “family”) are interested in participating on one of the following dates:
November 30
December 7
December 14
December 21
December 24 5:30p
December 24 7:30p
December 24 11:00p
Confirmation Meeting THIS SUNDAY after Worship
Confirmation is offered to all youth 8th grade age and above. Classes generally start in January and continue through May with Confirmation the Sunday prior to Memorial Day Weekend. We will hold an information meeting to gauge potential participation following worship on Sunday, November 16th. All interested youth and parents are welcome. If you have any questions in the meantime please speak with Pastor Krista Beth or Heather Hack.
An Interfaith Community Energy Mini-Fair – Nov 18
Tuesday evening, November 18 – 6:00 – 8:30 PM – a drop-in event Come to a drop-in Community Energy Mini-Fair co-sponsored by Ascension Lutheran Church – South Burlington, VT Interfaith Power & Light, Efficiency Vermont, and the South Burlington Energy Committee. Meet and learn from experts from Efficiency Vermont, Building Energy, SunCommon, the South Burlington Energy Committee, and others. Come to learn, network and enjoy the fun and excitement of meeting with neighbors. The Energy Mini-Fair invites area congregations, their members, and community neighbors to join in ramping up a community-wide campaign to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. We seek to build a network among area congregations committed to Creation care. We will share how congregations and individuals can care for the Earth and save money in their home energy bills. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sam Swanson (samswanson@aol.com) at Ascension Lutheran Church.
We are the Deodorant Church!
JUMP (Joint Urban Ministries Project) depends on us to provide deodorant to share with members of our community in need. (The Dollar Store is a great place to buy deodorant.) There is a basket on the Outreach Table in the Gathering Space where donations of deodorant can be placed. Thank you!
Faith Church Yoga Class Continues
Yoga class meets at 8:30am every Saturday in the Gathering Space or Sanctuary. All ages and experience are welcome. Bridget Kimsey is our talented and spirited yoga instructor. The fee per class is $10.
News for the Update
If your Team has news of an event or opportunity you would like to share through the “Update,” please e-mail me with the information by Wednesday. I will be happy to get it out. Thanks!
* If you wish to be removed from this distribution list, please let me know by replying to this e-mail. Thanks!
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Rev. Krista Beth Atwood
Faith United Methodist Church
899 Dorset St.
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 863-6764
www.faithsbvt.org
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:30am (Tuesday 10:00am) -12:00pm (Off on Friday)
Open Hours: Monday 3:30pm-5:30pm Barnes and Noble Cafe on Dorset St.
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
