You are invited to worship with First Church in person at 10am on Sundays in our Sanctuary at 38 South Winooski Avenue in Burlington OR on the FirstChurchBTV YouTube Channel. Worship services are live-streamed at 10am on Sundays on and the recordings are available anytime following the worship service. Fellowship time follows worship – in person outside on the First Church porch and lawns – and online on Zoom) following the live-stream of worship.
For information about our Sunday morning Nursery/PreSchool and Church School – use this LINK.
CLICK HERE to watch the Sunday July 25 worship service. CLICK HERE for the July 25 Order of Worship CLICK HERE for the July 25 Announcements
NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS
SUMMER GROUPS are STARTING! We are offering an array of Summer Groups focusing on a range of fun activities including nature walks, bike rides, potluck suppers, picnics, and boating trips. Use this LINK to learn more and to SIGN UP today to build community this summer!
SIGN UP FOR AN IN-PERSON VISIONING MEETING: In an effort to bring every voice to the table as we plan for the future mission and ministry of First Church – our Vision Team is coordinating in-person “Visioning Meetings” – at First Church – from July 25 through August 29 on Sundays at 11:30am. Your voice, your perspective, is important as we plan for the future ministries and mission of First Church!
If you have yet to participate in a Vision Meeting, please sign up:
Please email Vision Team member Susan Saunders letting her know which Sundays at 11:30am – between July 25 and August 29 – work for you – OR –
Sign-up on Sunday morning! A Vision Team member will be available after worship to help you sign up for available times, and, to answer Look for them at their own table, near the welcome table outside.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our Vision Team and our visioning process.
YES 2021! Rising middle and high school youth are invited to join us August 10 – 13 from 9 AM – 3 PM and say YES to what God is doing in this community! Each day will begin and end at First Church and include opportunities for fun, fellowship, and hands-on service! Please wear work clothes and bring a water bottle and a lunch. CLICK HERE to learn more and to sign up!
“We Make the Path By Walking It”
Elizabeth Emmett’s art show We Make the Path by Walking It, is currently on view in the First Congregational Church of Burlington – please plan a visit on Sunday morning or during our Office Hours, Tuesday through Friday 10am to 3pm.
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POSS SHOP Re-OPENS: We have good news to share! Starting on Wednesday June 2 – the Possibility Shop has Re-Opened! This summer “the Poss Shop” will be open – 10am-3pm on Wednesdays ONLY.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Requirements & Limitations include: Masks are required; physical distancing required; limited number of shoppers at a time (you may need to wait for your turn to shop).
DONATIONS: Please DO NOT bring Possibility Shop donations to First Church before July 1. If you have items that are just perfect for the Possibility Shop and you cannot hold onto them until July 1 for donation – contact Steve Hyde ([email protected]) and he will do his best to arrange to pick them up. Thank you!
What a team! Join 30 First Church MOW Volunteers! Click on the Meals On Wheels image to learn about becoming a First Church Meals On Wheels volunteer. Our First Church Meals On Wheels Coordinator, Al Weldon will help get you started!
What week works for you?
Click on the “Volunteers Needed” image to learn about watering and weeding at our garden for ONE WEEK this summer! Veggies go to Feeding Chittenden. Sign up today, and we’ll email any necessary details!
WEEKLY GATHERINGS
We are hosting regular and periodic gatherings using the platform “Zoom”. You should be able to join a meeting simply by clicking on the link below the event, and following the instructions. You can also call in using the numbers listed below each event. For more detailed instructions on how Zoom works, CLICK HERE.
THURSDAY – 9:00am Bible Study: All are invited to the Rev. Elissa Johnk’s Thursday morning Bible Study at 9am. The Zoom LINK is: https://bit.ly/BibleStudywithElissa
Or PHONE IN: 1- 301-715-8592, then enter 951-190-153#
OUR PODCAST: FIRST CHURCH PHONIC CLICK HERE for First Church Phonic – https://anchor.fm/firstchurchbtv– offering you the opportunity to listen to:
– Sermons
– Spirit Seekers Interviews – including recent Spirit Seeker guests: Helen Head, Becky Levasseur, Richard Gagne, Hilah Clarke and Carlanne Herzog! Listen online on HERE.
– Yet More Light prayer times with the Rev. Elissa Johnk.
– Story-tellers from May’s “Good Luck, Bad Luck, or No Luck at All!”
As people of faith, we understand that Science, Math and Reason are all gifts of God. As such, we trust the research that indicates we must do our part to flatten the curve. All of this has informed our decisions to do our part to lessen the advance of the Coronavirus. We are implementing the practices urged by the CDC and W.H.O., doing our very best to protect the health of all.
What does this mean?
Since late March 2020 we have offered worship exclusively online. Our small groups, teams, task forces – anything for which you formerly came to 38 South Winooski Ave. have been conducted via Zoom or conference calls. Now in June 2021 we are following the thoughtful plan towards re-gathering that we announced in April.
It’s time to re-gather physically! Stay tuned for updates on guidelines, but we are ready to welcome one and all back to the sanctuary starting Sunday, July 4!
Of, course, we understand not all of us will be able to be there physically, so we are committed to continuing to integrate our digital congregation, by live-streaming at 10am on Youtube! Our Zoom Fellowship time will continue after worship – as will in person fellowship on the front lawn at church! CLICK HERE for details about programs for children and youth this summer.
A Letter from Our Deacons About In-Person Worship
June 25, 2021
Dear Members and Friends of First Church
In a year of many firsts, changes and challenges, this congregation is about to embark on a new experience with much joy and celebration: First Church will be opening its doors again for live worship on Sunday July 4. The Deacons are excited to be part of this joyful and celebratory time, and want to share with you some information as to how our worship life will work, once we begin to welcome folks back within our church walls.
While many of our friends and neighbors cannot wait to walk into the Sanctuary and reclaim that favorite pew, we do expect some in our community will continue to worship virtually; some maybe for a brief period of time and some may continue permanently.
In addition to our physical re-opening, our ministry leaders have been working hard to adapt our worship to support an ongoing remote worship along with our live Sunday services. We want our tradition of radical hospitality to extend to folks who will continue to participate remotely on Sundays, to ensure all can access our time of worship, even if their physical presences is not possible due to issues of health, accessibility or distance. It is our goal to make remote worship an extension of our Sanctuary service, so that those worshiping virtually can share sacred time and space with those who are participating physically. READ MORE…
June 2021 RE-GATHERING UPDATE
“We will serve communion in pre-torn pieces, we won’t shake hands for the passing of the peace, and we have hand sanitizer in the pews. I think we have a good plan in place.” -Elissa Johnk, Trustees, 5/10/2020
I have heard it suggested that a pillar of wisdom is learning to laugh at yourself. If this is true, some of us should be emerging from these last 15 months like Solomon. None of us knew what was in store, of course, but for quite some time it has felt as if we were constructing a raft while already floating down the rapids, praying there aren’t larger waterfalls ahead.
“If all goes well, we will be able to welcome into the building anyone who wishes to physically attend worship on…” CLICK HERE to read the full letter
CLICK HERE for the June 3, 2021 Re-Opening Guidelines
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April 16, 2021 – Covid Update from the Rev. Elissa Johnk
Dear Friends –
This past week marked our two-year anniversary together, and it seems strange to think that the last year has been our own congregational version of a long-distance relationship! Instead of gathering in our beloved sanctuary, I have been invited into your homes for every meeting, every visit, every worship, every week. You have offered yourselves in testimony and witness, and I now know how it is you respond to forms of trauma and stress. While these are not the same things we would have learned about each other in any other year, in many ways, it has felt like many years of ministry condensed into one.
But I’ll tell you what I miss (beyond the obvious preaching to a present congregation, communal music, laughter, and prayers) – I miss the hallway conversations. The ways you get to know someone, and what is happening in their life, in passing. The details that are shared over a warm mug of coffee or tea, with children running just a little too fast around your knees. Like me, I am sure you are eager to get back to this – even if it means forgoing the warm mug.
To this end, I am pleased to tell you that the Covid Response Team (comprised of members of staff, Deacons, Building and Grounds, Personnel and Worship) has been working to establish a plan to get us back to one another as soon as it can be done, and done safely. Drawing on resources from public health officials, denominational resources, and the wider church, we have developed what we are calling our “PEACE Plan”, which establishes a five-part plan for a phased reopening.
P, or phased-in worship regathering, involves our worship LEADERS coming back to the sanctuary to record our worship for streaming. This will involve staff, lay readers, musicians, leaders, and our new A/V team, to begin to learn the new equipment. We anticipate this will start in late May or early June, as our staff will (hopefully!) be finishing their vaccinations by this date. Indeed, all who are in the building during this phase will be required to be fully vaccinated, to wear masks, and practice social distancing. There should be no more than ten people in the sanctuary at any given time.
Phase Experimentation will begin shortly thereafter, and will involve staff, worship leaders, and designated groups such as the Trustees, Deacons, Worship Team, or Faith Formation Team, gathering to test out what a hybrid regathering would be like, then discuss it later and make changes based on experiences and science. During this phase masks and distancing will be required, and all present will be required to have at least the first dose of a vaccine. There will be no more than 25 people in the sanctuary at any given time.
Once Phase Experimentation is underway, and we begin to work out the “kinks” of hybrid gatherings, we anticipate Phase A – adding the broader adult congregation – will occur shortly thereafter, hopefully in mid to late June. This is, of course, the phase we are all waiting for! And, as exciting as this will be for all of us, I want to remind us that this will not look like what it has in the past – there will be no congregational singing, or passing of the peace, attendees will have to register in advance, and masks and distancing will be required. To move into this phase, a few additional factors will have to be established:
most of the adult church population has been vaccinated with at least one dose,
the majority of the Chittenden County adult population has been vaccinated with at least one dose
No more than 2 percent positivity rate in the County, and 14-day downward trends
No known presence of vaccine-resistant variants in the area
The next two phases – adding Children, and Everyone! Everywhere! – also have a set of environmental and congregational “triggers”, which we will tell you more about as we get closer to those stages.
I want to reassure you that your Covid team has been incredibly thoughtful about putting together this plan. A summary of this plan can be found by clicking here. Please note, however, that this is not locked in stone. In fact, every part of this plan is subject to change, based on new information or circumstances. We are putting this out to you simply so you have a better sense of the guiding principles behind our decision making and procedures. Before each phase is complete, and we move to the next, conversations will be had between the Deacons, Trustees, and Covid Response team, to ensure we are safe to proceed to the next steps.
To help us ensure we are on the right track for you and your family, we have compiled a short survey we hope you will complete. This will help us evaluate our plan, and consider appropriate steps between phases. As it has been all year this is a congregation-wide effort, and we really do need to hear from you to make sure we most effectively focus our attention and resources moving forward.
There is an old joke that a man bought his wife a bouquet of 48 roses for their 50th anniversary. When she asked why 48, he said “one for every good year.” She looked at the bouquet and threw out a few more before giving him a kiss.
I know this year has been hard. But with the amount we’ve learned about one another, and ourselves, I would still call it good. So happy anniversary, friends. Here’s to the year ahead, in faith.
November 19, 2020 Covid Update from the Rev. Elissa Johnk
September 2020 Update from our Staff & Covid-19 Response Team
GUIDELINES FOR THE CONGREGATION
May 21, 2020: As the country begins to ponder re-emerging from our homes, I am reminded how grateful I am to live in Vermont, which leads the nation in successful response. As we are consistently reminded, however, now is not the time to lose our diligence. Even as restrictions are loosened, we are being asked to follow best practices – staying close to home, wearing masks, and limiting social gatherings. CLICK HERE for The First Church BTV Covid-19 General Guidelines including guidelines related to: Worship, Team Life, Office and Building Protocol, Pastoral Care, the Possibility Shop and Renters.
UPDATE FROM OUR TASK FOR FOR RE-OPENING
June 18, 2020: In her sermon on workplace relationships this winter, Elissa called worship our “staff meeting.” It is the place we come to “discuss the issues at hand, encourage one another, and equip ourselves for our particular jobs – spreading the love of God, serving God in the world, each in our respective assignments.” It has been just over three months since we were able to physically gather for “staff meeting”. CLICK HEREto read the full update from the Task Force for ReOpening
Transformation & Vision: Our Next Steps
June 2020: Few are the moments in one’s life that are so transformational that you know you are experiencing one in real time: saying “I do”, the birth of a child, the death of a beloved. They are moments so profound, so disorienting – so re-orienting – that you know you will be changed forever.
Pentecost, which we just celebrated in worship, was one such moment for Peter. Having denied even knowing Jesus three times, at Pentecost he finally had the chance to take it all back – to be who Jesus believed he was: the rock upon which even our church here at 38 South Winooski is founded. Here at First Church, we are in an extraordinary place, because we are living in the middle of two transformational moments at once. CLICK HERE to read Elissa Johnk’s Message: Transformation & Vision: Our Next Steps
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
For any prayer requests, emotional support, or other assistance you may need during this time, please email our Partners in Pastoral Care and Clergy at [email protected]
Our Partners in Pastoral Care and Deacons Teams are working together to be in regular contact with our members and friends during this time. If you haven’t received a call, or know of someone who is in need, please email [email protected]
GIVING
Your stewardship is more important than ever in this time. You can mail in your checks, or use one of the options below.
GIVE to First Church by texting: FCCBUCC to 73256 to give a gift using your text messaging. Standard text message rates apply.
BUILDING USE
JUMP – with COVID-19 precautions in place in Vermont – JUMP has created “JUMP FLEX” – so that phone and email can be used to connect people in need with valuable and much needed direct services.
Our AA and NA meetings will resume meeting at First Church when they feel comfortable after “stay at home” is lifted.
Small Potatoes continues serving Saturday morning breakfast and bag lunch (now outside) at First Church having made adjustments to menu and serving methods; volunteers have agreed to disinfect any space used following the meal.
The New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church has temporarily cancelled all in-person events.
The Possibility Shop is closed and can not accept any donations at this time. We are grateful to our volunteers, donors and customers for their generosity and patience.
The Office will be open from 10-3 Tuesday thru Friday, but most staff will continue working from home for the time being. To make sure that staff will be present, it is always good to call ahead (802-862-5010, ext.4) before visiting the church. Ring the doorbell when you arrive.
A small crew of volunteers will be regularly disinfecting the common areas for the safety of our office staff and volunteers.
You are invited to worship with First Church in person at 10am on Sundays in our Sanctuary at 38 South Winooski Avenue in Burlington OR on the FirstChurchBTV YouTube Channel.
Worship services are live-streamed at 10am on Sundays on and the recordings are available anytime following the worship service. Fellowship time follows worship – in person outside on the First Church porch and lawns – and online on Zoom) following the live-stream of worship.
For information about our Sunday morning Nursery/PreSchool and Church School – use this LINK.
CLICK HERE to watch the Sunday July 25 worship service CLICK HERE for the July 25 Order of Worship CLICK HERE for the July 25 Announcements
Our Re-gathering Team and Deacons recently updated our guidelines – they are linked HERE. You will see that we will be masking in the Sanctuary – providing space for folks who want to sit together and reserving space for those needing physical distancing and, we’ll be singing with masks on and offering outdoor and zoom options for fellowship following worship. CLICK HERE to learn more about why we’ll be using masks inside the church building and in worship.
RECENT SUNDAYS WORSHIP SERVICES:
CLICK HERE for the Sunday July 18 Order of Worship CLICK HERE for the Sunday July 18 Announcements
CLICK HERE for the Sunday July 11 Order of Worship CLICK HERE for the Sunday July 11 Announcements
CLICK HERE for the Sunday July 4 Order of Worship CLICK HERE for the Sunday July 4 Announcements
CLICK HERE for the Sunday June 27 Order of Worship
Our Director of Music Ministries Search Committee will be commissioned during the May 16 worship service. CLICK on the graphic below to learn about them and the group’s work.
In this time of physical separation we rely on your regular giving now more than ever.
Online/E-Giving& Giving by Check: One-time donations & recurring pledges – all of your donations fuel the missions and ministries of First Congregational Church.
TO GIVE ONLINE – connect to First Congregational Church’s secure Online/E-Giving system by clicking here. Use the drop-down menu provided in “Fund” to designate your donation.
YOU CAN TEXT YOUR DONATION: You can also text FCCBUCC to 73256 to give a gift to FCCB using your text messaging. Standard text message rates apply.
Or… GIVE by CHECK – made payable to First Congregational Church (to designate a specific use – such as the Pastoral Care Fund – or a special offering – use the MEMO line on your check) and mail to: First Congregational Church, 38 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
A Message from your Stewardship Team Chair: Dawn Plante
Our Stewardship Campaign theme for 2021 is “Building Bridges to Our Church’s Future”. Our staff and church leaders did not use the pandemic “stay at home” time to put our souls on hold. Instead, they have used these months as an opportunity to expand the ways we worship and connect with each other…READ MORE
PLEDGING: Our church leaders and Stewardship Team are inviting your January thru December 2021 Pledges in support of the ministries and missions of First Congregational Church.
CLICK HERE to make your pledge to First Church online – OR – you can pledge thru your First Church Realm Account. If you have yet to access your First Church Realm Account – please contact our Office Manager, Caroline Catlin at [email protected]
Or… MAIL in your pledge – CLICK HERE to access a printable copy of the pledge card to print and mail.
During Lent we will gather after 10 a.m. worship, looking to our history for inspiration to form a vision for the future… what has our discipleship looked like here at First Church? How will this history lead us forward?
The first three sessions – at 11:15 a.m. – are:
Sunday March 8: the Rev. Elissa Johnk on Discipleship.
Sunday March 15: Lucy Samara (and friends!) on Discipleship and Mission.
Sunday March 22: Hilah Clarke on Discipleship: Youth and Faith Formation.
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Our new Director of Creative Ministries is: Hannah Sachs
On Sunday March 1, 2020, Caroline Crawford (Church President-Elect for 2020-2021 and Chair of the Search Committee for Director of Creative Ministries) announced that Hannah Sachs has been selected to serve with us at First Congregational Church.
Hannah is a theatre director and arts educator who is passionate about serving God in creative ways. Originally from Virginia, she graduated with highest honors from Smith College with a degree in theatre directing, religion, and social change. Hannah then spent a year teaching in the Czech Republic on a Fulbright, during which time she met her wife, Renata.
In addition to more conventional theatre and art education work, Hannah has been blessed with many opportunities to use the arts in diverse ministry contexts–including serving in refugee camps, leading workshops for survivors of trafficking, and creating programs for individuals experiencing homelessness. In May, Hannah and Renata will both be graduating from Yale Divinity School. Hannah will have earned a Master of Divinity degree, along with certificates from the Institute of Sacred Music and Andover Newton Seminary.
Hannah Sachs will begin her work as our Director of Creative Ministries in June. She is absolutely thrilled to be joining First Congregational Church of Burlington’s vibrant community and is looking forward to collaborating with all of you in the beautiful work of creatively embodying God’s extravagant love.
Sermon Series: I & Thou – Creating Sacred Relationships
January 26 – February 23:
Discussion Group Opportunity
Based on a sermon and study series originally crafted by the Rev. Adam Hamilton, “I & Thou” is designed to help us engage one another in conversation about how the lessons and stories of our faith can teach us about the most important relationships of our lives.
Using both scripture and scholarship, I hope “I & Thou” helps you delve into one of humanity’s deepest mysteries – that we are made in and for relationship. And discipleship, like faith – and life itself – is born from awe, from encounter.
Attend worship on Sunday, and then enjoy this journey in free-form discussion with a small group (whenever your small group decides to meet throughout the week) and discover the power of faith in relationship.
To sign up to host a small group, or to indicate your interest in participating in a group, email Caroline: [email protected]. – The Rev. Elissa Johnk
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“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” – Matthew 2: 1-2
We’ll celebrate the arrival of the Magi at the manger during “Epiphany Worship Services” at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 5.
The 10 a.m. service will include K-5 Church School, Middle, and High School youth meetings (starting at 10 a.m.) before all ages gather in the Sanctuary for the “in person” arrival of the wise ones, followed by Communion.
Both worship services will include Communion – for all ages – with gluten free bread and un-fermented grape juice.
The Nursery/Toddler/Pre-School room will be open at 9:50 on the 5th for our youngest children. All ages are invited to be in the Sanctuary for the re-telling of the great story of Epiphany.
Star Sunday – January 12 – worship services at 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.
Get your star for next year—where will it lead you?
Don’t know what this is all about? You’re in for a treat!
Our new minister, the Rev. Elissa Johnk will lead this innovative, joyful worship for all ages.
Vermont folk artist and singer, songwriter Patti Casey will be our special guest, leading music, during the 10 a.m. – January 12 – “Star Sunday” multi-generational worship service.
The nursery/toddler room will be open and staffed from 9:50 through the worship service.
There will be an 8 a.m. worship service on Sunday January 12.
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You are invited to worship with First Church in person at 10am on Sundays in our Sanctuary at 38 South Winooski Avenue in Burlington OR on the FirstChurchBTV YouTube Channel. Worship services are live-streamed at 10am on Sundays on and the recordings are available anytime following the worship service. Fellowship time follows worship – in person outside on the First Church porch and lawns – and online on Zoom) following the live-stream of worship.
SIGN UP FOR AN IN-PERSON VISIONING MEETING: In an effort to bring every voice to the table as we plan for the future mission and ministry of First Church – our Vision Team is coordinating in-person “Visioning Meetings” – at First Church – from July 25 through August 29 on Sundays at 11:30am. Your voice, your perspective, is important as we plan for the future ministries and mission of First Church!
THURSDAY – 9:00am Bible Study: All are invited to the Rev. Elissa Johnk’s Thursday morning Bible Study at 9am. The Zoom LINK is: https://bit.ly/BibleStudywithElissa
OUR PODCAST: FIRST CHURCH PHONIC
Our Stewardship Campaign theme for 2021 is “Building Bridges to Our Church’s Future”. Our staff and church leaders did not use the pandemic “stay at home” time to put our souls on hold. Instead, they have used these months as an opportunity to expand the ways we worship and connect with each other…
Our new Director of Creative Ministries is: Hannah Sachs
