Our Nursery/Toddler and PreSchool/Kindergarten Rooms are open and staffed every Sunday beginning at 9:50 a.m.  Families are asked to register and sign-in children for Church School, Nursery/Toddler and PreSchool/Kindergarten – before the 10 a.m. worship begins – at the Faith Formation Kiosk in the “Welcome Area” (located adjacent to the front of the Sanctuary – across the midway from the Church Office).

A BLESSING FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR: On Sunday the15th, the “Word of God for All Ages” will include a “Blessing of the Backpacks” – all are invited to bring their backpacks for a blessing as a new school year begins.  We will give each child/youth a small item to attach to their backpack as a symbol of the “blessing”.

     Got questions? Want to be added to email lists for details about our various opportunities for children and youth, please contact Hilah Clarke, Director of Faith Formation at: [email protected]

SERVE WITH US – BECOME A “FAITH FORMATION VOLUNTEER”:  We are blessed to have a wonderful “Faith Formation” team in place to support our Church School and youth programs.  In addition to a talented team of part-time staff who create a knowledgeable, consistent, caring presence on Sunday mornings, we are looking for people interested in serving with children on Sunday mornings.  To learn more about volunteering where we need assistance this fall – with our youngest children (Nursery/Toddler & PreSchool/Kindergarten) &/or in our Grade 1 through 5 Church School classes – please contact Faith Formation Director, Hilah Clarke at [email protected]  Thank you!

CHILDREN’S CHOIR – Laura Elder-Connors will be leading our Children’s Choir this year with rehearsals set for Sunday mornings at 9:15 in the Stone Room – starting on September 15.  Laura will be at the Homecoming Picnic and looks forward to singing with all elementary school age children.  Register for Children’s Choir any Sunday morning.
Got questions? Contact Laura at [email protected].

• YOUTH CHOIR – Ana Ruesink is leading our Youth Choir this year – rehearsals begin at 9:10 a.m. on Sunday September 15.  See Ana any Sunday or email her for more information at: [email protected]
• JOIN THE BELL CHOIR! The Austin Chimers Bell Choir weekly rehearsals are at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesdays at First Church. Interested in learning more? Come to a rehearsal – or connect with Bell Choir Director Jennie Coleman, [email protected]  any Sunday.
• JOIN THE SANCTUARY CHOIR! The Sanctuary Choir weekly rehearsals are at 7 p.m. on Thursdays at First Church and at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Come to a rehearsal to learn more – or connect with Music Director David Neiweem, [email protected] any Sunday.

Ten Days of Radical Hospitality
Friday Sept 20 thru Sunday, Sept 29:

     Starting on September 20^th, the Outreach team is hosting 10 Days of Radical Hospitality. We invite you to join us for:

 Participating Organizations Include:
Dismas House                               Ronald McDonald House
JUMP                                           The Possibility Shop
The Boys and Girls Club                  Anew Place
COTS                                           Habitat for Humanity
Outright Vermont                          Vermont Gleaning Collective

• Sunday September 15 –  “Radical Hospitality Training with Gary & Ava” – 11:30 to 1 pm – includes lunch – all are invited – no RSVP needed.
• Friday September 20:
  – DAY 1! Devotional begins – use online sign-up linked above.
  – Radical Hospitality Training with Gary & Ava – 3:30 to 5 pm for Possibility Shop, JUMP and other weekday volunteers and security staff – no RSVP needed.
• Saturday September 21 – Big Give Day! Join us at the church at 8am for a light breakfast, and then head out into the community in teams to serve with local organizations – use online sign-up linked above.
• Sunday September 22 – Saturday September 28^th – Various service opportunities throughout the community + Daily devotionals – use online sign-up linked above.
• Sunday September 29 – Radical Hospitality Sunday + Witnesses in Worship
• Sunday, October 20 – “Radical Hospitality Training with Gary” – 11:30 to 1 pm – includes lunch – all are invited – childcare available – no RSVP needed.

    In late June, the Rev. Elissa Johnk and First Church President Rob Backus teamed up to announced that the Rev. Gary Lewis will serve as our “Parental Leave Pastor” while the Rev. Elissa Johnk is on leave this fall.  Rev. Johnk and her wife Sarah are expecting a baby in late August.
While serving with us, the Rev. Lewis will lead worship services on Sunday mornings and will cover other key areas of responsibility including participation with our Executive Committee, Trustees, Deacons and he will lead staff meetings.  The Rev. Johnk will be on maternity leave from mid-August through mid-November.
The Rev. Lewis brings much experience to his ministry at FCCB.  Gary is known for his dedication to community ministry, mission, pastoral care and preaching, and for a warm, dry sense of humor.  He preached at “First Church” in March 2019; you can see a video of his sermon using this LINK or see the “Sermons Online” page on our church website. We are fortunate that Gary will serve with us this fall and are grateful for his availability.

     Gary and Betty Lewis, after graduating from Springfield High School (VT) and graduating from college (Albion and UVM respectively) were married, moved to Burlington and began raising a family (two daughters Karen and Kelly).
Gary worked in the management program of JCPenney when it was on Church Street and Betty continued her education and began a teaching career.  In 1979 they joined First Church Burlington and over the next 4 years taught Sunday School and Gary was on the Mission Committee.  In 1983 they moved to southern Vermont and became active in the Chester Congregational Church.  It was in that church that Gary sensed a call to the ministry and in 1986 the family moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania so he could attend seminary there.  Betty continued teaching over the next three years and in 1989, Gary accepted a call to the Vergennes Congregational Church, where he served until his retirement in May of 2018.

     Through the years Betty continued her profession in education with rewarding positions in literacy and culminating in the role of Special Education Director for the school district.  Throughout Gary’s time serving Vergennes, he was the Addison County Hospice Chaplain for 25 years (as a volunteer).   In 2005 Gary completed the Doctor of Ministry program at Hartford Seminary.  Their daughters  both graduated from Vergennes High School and both went to college (Karen currently works at Porter Hospital in Middlebury as their CNO and Kelly lives in South Windsor, Connecticut and works in Hartford as a Speech- Language Pathologist in a hospital there).  Both are married and each has a son (this Fall Colby will be 18 and Nathan, 12).
Gary and Betty now reside in Williston and have joined the Williston Federated Church, where they sing in the choir and try to behave!

 The Onion River Jazz Band
will get started in the Sanctuary at 9:30 a.m.
and will play during the
10 a.m. Jazz Sunday worship service!

Let‘s treasure this joyful time in worship and community!  We’ll enjoy the jazzy sound of the Onion River Jazz Band that – with founder Tony Hall – got their start at the very first Jazz Sunday in 1984. Take in the beauty of the “First Church” peony and Memorial Garden flower beds while strolling with a delicious scoop of ice cream… there may even been some dancing on the front walkway as the “ORJB” plays from the “First Church” portico.  Hope to see you there!