ONLINE WORSHIP

• Sundays at 9:30am: Director of Faith Formation Hilah Clarke is hosting Church School for Children in all elementary grades on Sundays at 9:30am.  Use this LINK to connect: https://zoom.us/j/8028625010
• All Church Worship will be online at 10am on Sundays. 
  • Click on the YouTube icon to access the FirstChurch BTV – YouTube Channel.
    
  • Videos of worship services can be watched at any time (after 10am on Sundays).
  • Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
• If you want to call in to listen to worship, dial: 301-715-8592, then enter: 208-054-269#
• On Sundays – immediately following the 10am worship, we’ll host a Zoom Coffee Hour! 
  • CLICK HERE to join the Coffee Hour Zoom Meeting!
  • OR PHONE in to the ZOOM COFFEE HOUR: Call 301-715-8592, and enter 591-074-317#

Something New:

ONLINE PRAYER

Tuesday thru Friday at 12:30pm, visit our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/firstchurchbtv/ - to join a 10 minute prayer session led by Elissa.  

WEEKLY GATHERINGS

We are hosting regular 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. 

MUSIC MATTERS is taking an August hiatus and will NOT meet on August 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Tuesdays: Music Matters at 3 p.m., led by Director of Music, David Neiweem –  What a great opportunity to be in discussion with a master of church music.
– David will be including special guests in the weeks ahead. Please email David with your topic suggestions ([email protected]).
https://zoom.us/j/152915611
Call in: 301-715-8592, then enter 152-915-611#

Wednesdays: Outside Office Hours with Elissa, 2 to 4pm –  (NOT on August 5)
The Rev. Elissa Johnk is offering “Drive-by” (outside) office hours on Wednesdays from 2 to 4pm.
Please wear a mask – visiting will be in the church parking lot or on the “portico.”
No appointment needed!   Elissa is looking forward to reconnecting in person – come by for a visit!

Artful Faith is taking an August hiatus and will not meet on August 5, 12, 19 or 26.

Wednesdays: “Artful Faith with Hannah Sachs,” 3pm   You are invited to join Director of Creative Ministries, Hannah Sachs, each Wednesday at 3pm, on Zoom, for “Artful Faith.” This Zoom event will be an opportunity for close looking, open discussion, and spiritual reflection in response to selected works of visual art. Use this LINK to connect to Artful Faith with Hannah Sachs on Zoom.  You can phone in by calling: 1 929 205 6099, then enter 849 708 245#

Bible Study with Elissa is taking an August hiatus and will not meet on August 6, 13, 20 or 27.

Thursdays: Bible Study at 3 p.m., led by Lead Minister, Elissa Johnk.  Each Thursday (NOT on July 30)  we will explore the Bible readings for the upcoming Sunday worship.
– Connect to Bible Study with Elissa on Zoom using this LINK – or by phoning in: 301-715-8592, then enter 951-190-153#
https://zoom.us/j/951190153
Call in: 301-715-8592, then enter 951-190-153#

Choir rehearsals will NOT be held on August 6 & 13 – they WILL resume on August 20.

Let’s “Stay Tuned Together!”  All interested in singing are invited to join in weekly, Thursday evening at 7pm, Sanctuary Choir Rehearsals on Zoom.  Music Director David Neiweem ([email protected]) welcomes all to rehearsals.  Got questions? Email David to learn more.
ZOOM DETAILS:  LINK HERE: https://zoom.us/j/93601081116
Or phone in  1 646 876 9923  and then enter the
Meeting ID: 936 0108 1116#

Spirit Seekers will meet on August 7 & 14 – details below- before taking an August hiatus and NOT meet on August 21 and 28.

Fridays: Spirit Seekers at 3pm:  “Spirit Seekers” is planned to be an “On Being” style forum for folks to share their spiritual journeys and life stories with an interviewer, in order to foster deeper connections with one another.  If you have a story to share, or someone you’d like us to interview – please let us know by clicking here!     https://zoom.us/j/994109977   Call in: 301-715-8592, then enter 994-109-977#

Donna Lee is set to be our “Spirit Seeker” on Friday August 7 at 3pm. Donna joined First Church BTV in 1992 when the Rev. Bob Lee was called to serve as our Senior Minister and they moved their family to Vermont. Donna continued her work in education in Vermont, her specialty area being working with at-risk preschool age children and their families.  Donna is passionate about children, faith and speaking from the heart. This coming Friday – August 7 at 3pm – please  join in Spirit Seekers on Zoom and learn more about Donna’s spirited, faithful life.

Janice Clements will be our “Spirit Seeker” on Friday August 14 at 3pm

OUR NEW PODCAST: FIRST CHURCH PHONIC
CLICK HERE for First Church Phonic
First Church Phonic – offers you the opportunity to listen to:
– Spirit Seekers Interviews
– Story-tellers from May’s “Good Luck, Bad Luck, or No Luck at All!” – and similar future events.
– Yet More Light prayer times with the Rev. Elissa Johnk
– and more!

FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

Take a look at our current “First Church BTV – Family E-Newsletter” for links to all programs for children and youth – and some at home activities.

This content is also linked in a Sunday – Family Facebook Event – linked HERE

Sundays at 9:30am: Director of Faith Formation Hilah Clarke is hosting Church School for Children in all elementary grades on Sundays at 9:30am.  Use this LINK to connect: https://zoom.us/j/8028625010

Middle School: Hilah Clarke, Director of Faith Formation and Hannah Sachs, Director of Creative Ministries are coming up with new ways to stay connected with Middle School youth.  Stay tuned!

High School Youth:   Hannah Sachs , Director of Creative Ministries and Hilah Clarke, Director of Faith Formation, are making a plan – details coming soon! Stay tuned!

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? 
From now, until further notice, we will offer worship exclusively online. Our small groups, teams, task forces – anything for which you formerly came to 38 South Winooski Ave. will, henceforth, be conducted via Zoom or conference calls. 

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 HERE to 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.

Click HERE to Give Now

• 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.

RESOURCES:

• Center for Disease Control Guidelines 
• World Health Organization Guidelines 

To watch the August 9 Sunday Worship at 10am (or anytime after 10a.m.) – us this LINK  to the First Church BTV YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/FirstChurchBTV

Our theme on August 9 is “Celebrating Incarnation!”

• If you want to call in to listen to worship at 10am, dial: 301-715-8592, then enter: 208-054-269#
• Immediately following the 10am worship, we’ll host a Zoom Coffee Hour!     CLICK HERE to join!   OR PHONE in: Call 301-715-8592, and enter 591-074-317#

CLICK HERE to watch videos of past worship service on YouTube

Sundays at 9:30am: Director of Faith Formation Hilah Clarke is hosting Church School for Children in all elementary grades on Sundays at 9:30am.  Use this LINK to connect: https://zoom.us/j/8028625010

Learn more and stay current by subscribing to our weekly E-Newsletter using this LINK.

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CLICK HERE to watch videos of completed worship services.

In this time of physical separation we rely on your regular giving now more than ever.

Please help us by mailing in your gift, or clicking the GIVE NOW button below – then  select “Pledge Campaign” and make your contribution today!

You can also text FCCBUCC to 73256 to give a gift to FCCB using your text messaging.
Standard text message rates apply.

PLEDGING: May to December 2020 Pledges are invited in support of the ministries and missions of First Congregational Church.  The congregation voted in May 2020 to change our fiscal year to a  “Calendar Year” – our fiscal year will begin anew in January 2021.

Pledge online – or mail in your pledge – whatever path you take – your pledge is vital to support of the ministries of First Church!

If you have yet to pledge, please do:

•  print and use the paper, mail in form, linked below
• request a printed copy from the Church Office (802 862 5010)
• pledge online:
  • using your First Church Realm account, or
  • use the online pledge form linked below.
  • to access your First Church Realm account – please contact our Office Manager: [email protected]

CLICK HERE to open the 2020 Stewardship Brochure

CLICK HERE to make an online pledge for May to December 2020.

CLICK HERE to print a mail in Pledge Form for May to December 2020

CLICK HERE to read the Rev. Elissa Johnk’s Stewardship Letter

REALM: The First Church database is on Realm – your Realm Account enables you to update your contact information, sign up for events, keep track of your stewardship, and more.  If you have yet to access your REALM account, please contact Office Manager Caroline Catlin and she will assist you.

CLICK HERE for the April 26, 2020 Letter from Stewardship Team Chair, Steve Hyde

GENEROSITY,  WITNESS, PLEDGING (READ MORE HERE)
These familiar words are of particular importance now as we work together, as a community of faith, towards establishing our church budget for the next eight months – our May through December 2020 fiscal year….

As you will see in the Stewardship materials linked above – your Stewardship Team is asking that pledges are made by the end of April, or in time for Dedication Sunday – now set for May 3. We will have the opportunity to discuss a proposed budget for the balance of the calendar year in May and to vote on the budget at our Annual Meeting.

It is in the most challenging times that we need to heed Christ’s call to give: “Generous God, help us to never take for granted all that comes from you.  Give us generous hearts as we serve others in your Name. Amen”    
~ The Stewardship Team and Steve Hyde, Chair