News from the Pews, July 16th
- CSCC UCC
- Jul 18
- 6 min read
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New This Sunday: Let's Talk Looking for a chance to connect a little more deeply after worship? Join us for Let's Talk, a new weekly gathering hosted by Lacey and the Faith Formation Team immediately following our Sunday service. Rather than a Bible study or formal class, Let's Talk is simply an intergenerational space for authentic conversation. All are welcome. We'll reflect on the week's joys and challenges, discuss the morning's sermon, ask challenging questions, share personal stories, and enjoy one another's company. There will be light spiritual prompts to keep our conversations grounded, however the overarching goal is to facilitate meaningful connections, however they may arise. As an added bonus, the Coffee Hour will be hosted each week by the Faith Formation Team. Come for the coffee, stay for the conversation. Whether you join us for ten minutes or the whole hour, we'd love to have you. Come as you are, bring your questions, and let's talk. Sundays following worship for the month of JulyApproximately 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.(Location to be announced each Sunday) _______________ |
New Social Justice Book Starts on July 20th Hello Social Justice Book Group friends at CSCC and CCP….and a few other book group “regulars”. :) I’m glad to tell you about our next Outreach Team book group which will begin on Monday evening, July 20th at 7 pm on Zoom for 6 weeks - giving us all time to obtain the book (or Kindle version) - sale price on Amazon and elsewhere - and read as much as possible of the first two chapters. The book is “The Migrant’s Jail: An American History of Mass Incarceration” by researcher Brianna Nofil. It describes earlier migrant jails of the 20th century plus an additional chapter about ICE. You may be as surprised as I was where and for which migrants jails are described in the first chapter. The book that details how the U.S. built its massive immigration detention system through a century-long collaboration between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement, using local jails for detention in exchange for federal funds. The book argues this system, driven by political, economic, and racial factors, is deeply intertwined with mass incarceration, turning migrants into a commodity and creating financial incentives for communities to expand their carceral infrastructure. Nofil's research, based on extensive archival work, connects historical practices to the present, revealing how local politics and financial deals have enabled mass detention with limited accountability. CHAPTER ONE explores how rural jails profited from detaining Chinese migrants following the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. Local officials often used these detentions as a financial windfall, which created conflict with federal authorities focused on deportation. CHAPTER TWO examines how localities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries profited from the incarceration of Chinese migrants under the Chinese Exclusion Act. The chapter highlights that despite harsh, government-justified conditions and racialized stigma, migrants actively resisted their detention through legal appeals and protests. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85661792620 Blessings, Rev. Marjorie MacNeill, Outreach Team chairperson at seekrvt@mac.com or text 802-338-2756. (Note, the email is “seekrvt” - not “er”.) _______________ |
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_________________ Updates from President Nick Hardin Search Committee update The search committee for the interim bridge pastor has received from the conference the profile of its first candidate for that half-time position, Mr. James Ross. The committee will meet either in person or by email to discuss his candidacy. Pastor Ross is currently serving the protestant church at UVMMC and is a member of the First Congregational Church in Burlington. More to come..... Anonymous donor gives to our sound system We have received several microphones, both hand-held and wearable, for use in the sanctuary. They have been installed for a few weeks now, and we are eagerly hoping they improve the sound, and perhaps decrease the incidence of feedback noise. Many thanks to our anonymous benefactor. A new copier has been purchased for the office The current copier had numerous maintenance problems, mostly to do with the part of the copier that folds, staples, collates or otherwise finishes documents. This purchase was expensive, but the current machine has been obsolete for several years and has been a thorn in the side (a cross to bear?) for the Office Manager. It will be installed in a few weeks. ____________ |
Cleaning Service Parking Spot Please note and observe (especially if you come to the church for weekday evening events): One of the church parking lot spaces just outside the church office (the LAST one) now has a sign that says, “Reserved Parking -Cleaning Service Only-Monday through Friday 5-9 PM” It is important that they have this nearby spot since they are carrying in supplies and materials for the daily cleaning work. THANK YOU! _____________ |
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_______________ Youth Mission Trip OFF TO THE OCEAN From August 9–14, 2026, the youth from College Street Congregational Church and First Congregational Church will travel to Providence for their annual mission trip. During the week, they will partner in direct service projects throughout the city while staying at a local UCC church. After several days of meaningful work, the group will enjoy a well-earned day at the beach in Newport. Want to support our youth? Join us for a BINGO Fundraiser May 30! If you would like to contribute but cannot attend, you can make a donation online through the church giving page. Please select “Youth Mission Trip” from the dropdown menu. Thank you for helping make this transformative experience possible for our youth! |
________________ Fill Our Food Pantry
Several years ago the Youth Group built a Food Pantry and placed it on the corner of our church yard near S. Union St. It’s a great location and is often empty. This note is a rally call!
Let’s make sure there is food and/or other non-food items at least every Sunday. There is a link in the News from the Pews each week to sign up. When the link opens, scroll down for a shopping list of food and non-food items you can contribute. If can swing by and contribute during the week, that would be great too!
Thanks for your participation--Mary Alice Favro |
Rally and March Today, Thursday, July 16th at 6pm Stand with Migrant Justice, the May Day Strong Coalition, and others in Burlington for a march, rally, and vigil. We will meet in front of the Burlington City Hall before a march up Church St and a vigil in front of the U.S. Federal Building. The latest ICE killings reveal the violence and brutality inherent in the machinery of mass deportation. ICE and Border Patrol are working exactly as intended: brutalizing people, terrorizing communities, and separating families. This violence is at work in Vermont, where nearly 150 people have been detained since the start of the Trump administration, including five in the past week. Today immigrants and allies will rally to say “¡Ya basta!” No more killings; not one more deportation; ICE out! We will join together to honor the dead and fight for the living. |
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Dear friends, Vermont Interfaith Action is growing, and we're excited to announce two new opportunities to join the work! We are currently hiring for:
Both positions will play an important role in strengthening VIA's work across Vermont by building relationships, supporting community leaders, and advancing our mission of justice, equity, and human dignity. We would be grateful if you would share these opportunities with your congregation, organization, colleagues, and anyone in your networks who may be a good fit. Job descriptions: Burlington Lead Organizer (part-time, based in Chittenden County) ECWSP Program Manager (32 hours/week, remote in Vermont) Learn more about the positions and apply: Thank you for helping us connect with people who are passionate about community organizing, leadership development, and creating meaningful change throughout Vermont. With gratitude, Melissa Battah Executive Director |
July 12, 2026 https://youtu.be/USNGKoVaSEw
July 5, 2026 https://youtu.be/hgJKb4dSmjU
June 28, 2026 https://youtu.be/mcrd-IOP-5o
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ONGOING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES |
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Sign up to bring coffee, juice, and treats, and clean up after the service. |
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