Welcome to First Congregational UCC of Burlington
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A Memorial Service celebrating the lifeof long-time First Church member
Jackie Comstock will be held on
Wednesday July 2 at 1pm.
at First Congregational Church UCC
of Burlington – 38 S. Winooski Ave.
Lakeview Cemetery, Burlington at 10am on July 2.
- The service will also be available via YouTube Live Stream at: https:
//www.youtube.com/FirstChurchBTV - The live stream will start a few minutes before 1pm.
- A reception with refreshments will follow the Memorial Service.
- You can read Jackie’s obituary HERE
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You are invited to worship in person at First Church at 9am on Sundays (through the summer months) in our beautiful Sanctuary at 38 South Winooski Avenue in Burlington OR via the live-stream (or later recording) on the FirstChurchBTV YouTube Channel. Fellowship time follows worship at First Church.
Summer Worship at First Church! Blessed by the beauty of Vermont summers, one of the best ways to celebrate God’s creation is to get outside and be in it! To help maximize your weekend time, and in hopes of a slightly cooler sanctuary, worship will be at 9:00am every Sunday at First Church throughout the summer. Children’s programming and special music will continue throughout the summer months!
Worship on the Waterfront on July 20 and August 31… Celebrate summer with worship on the waterfront at the Community Sailing Center. A family-friendly, music-driven service will start at 9:30am (with bagels and coffee!) followed by sailing sessions, paddling, art activities, games, a cookout, and more! Wear sunscreen (and a swimsuit if you’re planning to get in the lake!) and bring a blanket or lawn chair for the post-worship picnic.
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The Order of Worship, Announcements, etc. for Sunday worship services will be linked below – prior to the worship service:
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An Ordination and Installation Celebration On Saturday July 12th, we will gather at First Church for a service of ordination and installation for Ava Bilton. All are welcome to join this joyful and meaningful event in the life of the Church. The service will be held at 11am.
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Dear Friends –
Ava’s ordination and installation is set for Saturday July 12 at 11am at First Church. To celebrate this significant moment and milestone in Ava’s journey, we are organizing a gift from the congregation that she will use in worship for years to come. (The planned gift is a commissioned pottery set – a chalice and plate for communion designed and made by a gifted Australian artist). Any funds donated over what is needed for the gift will be given to Ava as part of our collective gift.
Please send your donation by check to First Congregational Church, MEMO: Ordination Gift, or donate via Realm using this LINK and select Ordination Gift from the giving options.
With much gratitude,
Louise Brewster, Donal Dugan and Amy Mellencamp
Pastor Parish Relations Committee
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Where Two or Three Are Gathered In My Name
Head down to the Waterfront at 7:30am on the third Tuesday of July and August to share in a breakfast picnic! Bring your own meal, coffee or tea, and a chair or blanket and share in fellowship on the beautiful shores of Lake Champlain. AND that’s not all… Fellowship Breakfasts at the church will continue at 7:15am on the first Tuesday of each month – July 1 and August 5.
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Fiction? Non-Fiction? Why not both?!
Starting Wednesday July 16th, two book group offerings will be held over Zoom:
At 6:00pm, discuss a physician’s fictional parable for wise leadership and community building: In the Arms of Elders by William H. Thomas – a pick intended to inspire us to imagine new frameworks for building community.
At 7:15, gather to consider the non-fiction narrative Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder, and the ways that doctor Jim O’Connell created a community of care for his city’s unhoused population.
Copies of both books are available for purchase in the office.
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We’ve Got Peace Like a River! Since 2018, we have gathered with College Street Congregational Church every summer for a multi-generational faith formation experience – PEACE CAMP! This year, we are focusing our fun and fellowship over two evenings, July 23rd and 24th. Register at http://bit.ly/PeaceCamp25 or you can email abilton@firstchurchburlington.org for more information.
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Pull Together This Sunday (June 15) after the 9am worship, join Dragonboat Team Captain Baki Nelson in the Chapel to learn more about paddling with the First Church team in Dragonheart Vermont – one of the best ways to get connected within the church and enjoy the beauty of the Burlington waterfront. Can’t make it this Sunday? Email Baki, fn.info@icloud.com. Ready to sign up now? Here’s how to register with the Pull Together First Church team: http://bit.ly/DragonheartFCCB Dragonheart race day is Sunday August 3rd. Scholarships are available!
Let’s “Pull Together” and Support Our Paddlers:
Dragonboat donations – made by check to First Church, MEMO: Dragonboat – or online through Realm – CLICK HERE and choose Dragonboat from the fund options – will be used to support the participation and sponsorship of our paddlers. Thank you for contributing!
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All Choirs resume in the fall.
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Who is my neighbor? The one in front of you in need. Looking for a way to serve your church and community? Join our Good Neighbor Crew. Every morning and evening, we need folks to help us clean our grounds and check in with those gathered here in an effort to build relationships and maintain a safe space for all. Email Director of Congregational Life, Ava Bilton, with the days and times you’re available to serve, or signup in the Church Office.
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The FCCB Climate Justice Team offers articles via the Climate Corner (website page) to share ideas about what we can do to help preserve this beautiful world and the life on it that we’ve inherited. CLICK HERE to check out the on the First Church website Climate Corner
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Our FirstChurchBTV Outreach Team invites volunteers to donate meals for youth at Outright Vermont gatherings. Want to know more? Please contact Outreach Team member Louise Brewster at lrbrewster@gmail.com for details and potential dates.
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MEAL TRAIN: A First Church Pastoral Care Ministry!
Our PIPC – Partners In Pastoral Care – Team and affiliated volunteers known as: “Friends at First” have been busy in the ministry of providing meals for many years. In collaboration with our clergy, PIPC coordinates meal deliveries within our church community in response to various times of need. Interested in participating in an upcoming Meal Train? Contact: Lucy Samara at lsamara@firstchurchburlington.org
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NAME TAGS BUILD COMMUNITY Please drop by – or call the Church Office – 802 862 5010 ext 4 to request a name tag – let us know your specific name request (nickname, pronouns, etc.). Thank you!
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OUR THRIFT STORE – THE POSSIBILITY SHOP:
• Our Thrift Shop has a long history of serving the community and church!
Donations & Volunteers are needed! Please bring Possibility Shop donations to First Church any time between 10am and 3pm – Wednesday though Friday. Clean clothing and household items in good condition are always needed.
VOLUNTEERS INVITED:
• Greet customers in the midway (near Church Office) – a great opportunity for readers and knitters!
• Assist with the financial aspects of the shop, @two to three hours per month.
• Handle and help sell older, valuable items that are donated to the shop.
• Questions? call Karan Dewar 802-922-3821 or Brenda Fraser 802-862-4747.
Thank you.