GET INVOLVED @ FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC of BTV
& in the WIDER COMMUNITY!
There are many ways to connect, put faith into action, work for social justice, and make a difference through service opportunities at First Congregational Church UCC of Burlington. Some opportunities are listed below; more are coming up this fall!
You can stay up to date by following us on Facebook &/or Twitter reading our E-Newsletter & E-Updates – use this LINK for information about how to subscribe.
New ideas for mission and social justice advocacy are most welcome. Please consider this an open invitation to step into service and community at First Church!
TAKING ACTION – This has been a year of marching for me – we marched with our high schoolers in DC last spring, in Burlington to “Bring Families Together” in June, and then stood in solidarity with our nurses in July. I’m working with Vermont Interfaith Action to keep track of upcoming opportunities and will do my best to keep you all informed of ways to take action. I invite you to join me on August 16 at the VIA – Vermont Interfaith Action – Statewide Convention in Randolph to learn more about what is happening at the intersection of faith and action around the state of Vermont.
Ava Kelly, Community Ministries Coordinator
The Joint Urban Ministry Project – JUMP: We have provided free space for JUMP’s Tuesday through Friday “drop in center” for 28 years! A core ministry of our faith community, JUMP provides thoughtful and practical resources for people in need – thousands of children and adults each year. First Church connects with needed, donated space, material items (toiletries, food), significant financial support through our Mission Budget and support of special events, and with much volunteer support. To learn more about volunteering, please contact Rebecca MacDonald. To learn more about this vital mission, visit JUMP’s website at jumpvt.org.
SMALL POTATOES SANDWICH CREW with Becky: Becky Winward coordinate
s our connection with Small Potatoes – our 30 year collaboration with the Burlington Friends Meeting to offer an every Saturday morning breakfast and bag lunch to all in need in the community. Becky is organizing a crew of sandwich makers for Fridays, August 24 – please send Becky an email and connect about the details.
Meals on Wheels
MEALS ON WHEELS with Al: Al Weldon coordinates our connection with Meals On Wheels making sure that we have pairs of volunteers for each of eight Meals On Wheels routes on the second Wednesday (morning) of each month. Substitute drivers and “runners” are needed – please be in touch with Al by email to learn more.
DISMAS HOUSE with Donal: Donal Dugan is newly coordinating our long-time connection with our Buell Street neighbors at Burlington’s Dismas House. Volunteers – on
their own – or two or three working together – are needed to prepare, donate and share dinner with the staff and residents (10 to 12 adults) of Dismas House on the third Thursday of each month. This can be a great activity for a family to do together; for decades, our youth have volunteered to make and share dinner at Dismas House a few times a year. Please be in touch with Donal to learn more about volunteering on August 23 – or on a future third Thursday.
Lawn Mowing Helpers Needed – Call Steve & Bob: Last year we saved about 
$2,500 by mowing the church grounds ourselves. We have included these savings in our budget for 18-19. What we need now are folks who would be willing to volunteer, on a rotating basis, to mow! If you are willing to support the church in this way please contact: Steve Hyde at or Bob Wolf. We have a great riding mower! If you are new to riding mowers, orientation is available!
Coffee Hour
Sunday Morning Hospitality Helpers with Steve: Steve Hyde is working on a new initiative to build a team of volunteers who will help Sunday mornings run smoothly over the summer months. To learn more about this effort to engage folks in brewing the coffee (with our amazing new coffee machine), making the lemonade, and helping to serve and clean up for a Sunday 9 a.m. worship service in August or September – please be in touch with Steve to learn more.
SERVE in the POSS SHOP with our GREAT TEAM: The Possibility Shop invites you to join our great crew of volunteers! Help is needed when the Poss Shop is open on Saturdays (once or twice a month from 10 to 1) and on Wednesdays and Fridays when we open from 10 to 3. For more information, stop in when we are open or contact Becky Winward. Thank you!