News from the Pews, October 8th
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Welcome to Rev. James Ross II This coming Sunday, October 11th, we have the great pleasure to welcome Rev. Dr. James Ross II as our new bridge pastor. He has a long and distinguished career that encompasses working with religious organizations, non-profits, philanthropy, government, journalism and higher education. A more complete biography about how and why his various roles have led him to us is included in the most current Banner. We wish him a warm welcome to College Street Church! ____________ |
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______________ Have You Received Your Stewardship Letter in the Mail? Please read your stewardship letter and consider your much-needed support for College Street Congregational Church. Pledge cards have been sent out by email and there are cards in the back of the sanctuary. Let us know if you need us to mail a pledge card and we will sent it right out! We need each and every one of you to give what you can to support the work we all feel is so important. Stewardship Sunday is October 18th. Thank you! ______________ |
Update on Let's Talk Let’s Talk will meet on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday of each month. We will not meet on Communion Sunday. 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. Approximately 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.(Location to be announced each Sunday) _______________ |
Gone Fishin' (Well, Not Really) The Office Manager, Gail Stevenson, will be away from Monday, October 12th - Tuesday, October 20th. There will not be regular office hours. Email will be monitored but not phone messages.. If you have immediate issues, send off an email to gstevenson@collegestreetchurch.org. Please contact Pastor James for any immediate pastoral concerns at jdrossii@collegestreetchurch.org or 504-906-9123. We apologize for any inconvenience. ____________ |
New Book Group Starts October 12th on Zoom Our CSCC Outreach Team invites you to explore and discuss an introductory, personal, and faithful book, “The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear” by The Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, written in 2016 as he describes how and why he began his journey of forming “transformative coalitions for social justice” in North Carolina. We’ll meet for 6 Monday evenings (note: not 1st Mondays) in October and November - on Zoom at 7 pm - to discuss the book’s chapters plus some supplemental materials I’ll send weekly for those interested in knowing more about Rev. Barber’s more recent activity and teaching. We may continue our book study in January with one of Rev. Barber’s more recent challenging books if we wish. Please join us on October 12, 19, 26 plus on November 9, 16, 23. Let Outreach Team leader, Rev. Marjorie MacNeill, know if you wish to receive the zoom link for this series at seekrvt@mac.com or call her at 802-338-2756. And do feel free to invite interested friends. |
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_______________ FALL SEASON CHURCH CLEAN UP DAY Saturday, November 7th 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Opportunities for yard work, knocking down gardens, and raking outside, plus fall cleaning tasks inside. Please bring your own work gloves. Bring your favorite garden tools (optional). Come and go as you are able. A fun day of fellowship and accomplishments! _______________ |
Getting Ready for the Service Auction on November 15th Please be thinking about what items or services you could provide. It could be a dinner for two (or 4) delivered to someone's home, or two tickets to a concert, or a special meal or dessert treat, pickup at the date of your choosing, or a loaf of fresh-baked bread, or a golf lesson, etc. Of course, since the proceeds go to help the church, overbids are cheerfully accepted! And don't forget to volunteer to help out either Saturday or Sunday with set up or providing soup or bread. Sign-up here to bring soup, bread or a dessert. There are sign-up sheets at the back of the church-- forms on which to list your donated services or items. On you can just contact the office and we will sign you up for an item. This is always an entertaining and fun event, lots of excitement and laughs. We need your help! |
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_______________ 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 |
________________ Fall Fundraiser: Music to Celebrate Immigration Chittenden Asylum Seekers Assistance Network (CASAN)  College Street Congregational Church, Burlington October 10th at 7pm Doors open at 6pm Suggested $20 to benefit Asylum Seeking Families—Donate here in advance or at the door  |
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Solaris welcomes Aurora Chamber Singers, Bella Voce Women’s Chorus, Burlington Choral Society, Burlington High School Chorus, CVU Chorus, and Edmunds Middle School Chorus for a multi-choir choral event to support Feeding Champlain Valley. Donations at the door. ________________ |
Book Group on Christian Nationalism Beginning in October, join the Racial Justice and Healing Committee (Episcopal Diocese of Vermont) for a three-session book study on The Psychology of Christian Nationalism by Pamela Cooper-White. Sessions will follow a curriculum written by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Tackling the Truths of a Toxic Movement. In three short chapters, Cooper-White uncovers the troubling extent of Christian nationalism, explores its deep psychological roots, and discusses ways in which advocates for justice can safely and effectively attempt to talk across the deep divides in our society. Meetings will be held on Tuesdays Oct 13, Oct 27 and Nov 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Zoom and will include discussion of related questions. Each session will be focused on a different chapter of the book. This book study filled up fast when offered over the summer and spaces truly are limited so sign up soon. Copies of the book may be purchased on Bookshop.org or at your preferred book seller. You do not need to attend every session to participate, but registration is required. Register online. Note, Zoom links and discussion questions will be distributed to registrants ahead of each meeting. Please contact the Ven. Susan McMillan at sumac1961@gmail.com with any questions. ______________ |
______________ Support Steven Tendo While He Awaits His Work Permit Help Steven stay housed, fed and cared-for while he is waiting for his work authorization to be renewed. During this time, he is continuing his education to become a RN. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-steven-while-he-awaits-his-work-permit |
October 4, 2026 https://youtu.be/fjuHEZueMGU
September 27, 2026 https://youtu.be/Ri_P3kYqBXE
September 20, 2026 https://youtu.be/VLzwCiX14WI
Additional service videos can be found on our YouTube channel at |
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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