News from the Pews, September 24th
________________ Head Start Programs Are Under Threat--Sign a Petition? The federal government is proposing changes to Head Start that would roll back benchmarks that keep the program safe and high-quality. In Vermont and across the country, this critical program supports children from the lowest-income families with child care, education, and developmental support-- and the rental fees support our church's bottom line! There are decades of data that support the program's effectiveness. As far as we know, our own in-house program has not been targetted. If you can, please share why you support Head Start in Vermont. Use the template form here to submit your public comment this month. You may use the pre-formatted letter or amend it as you wish. Thank you! _______________ Stewardship Letters Have Gone Out--The Check Is in the Mail Well, not really, but the stewardship letter is! Please look for yours, open it and consider your much-needed support for College Street Congregational Church. 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! ______________ Youth Witness this Sunday, September 27th This summer, Will and Lacey took two vans full of middle and high school youth to Providence, RI, for a mission trip. The youth worked in kitchens feeding people experiencing homelessness, sorted clothing donations and made personal hygiene kits, helped at food pantries, cared for community gardens, and cleaned and prepared spaces for children and families. And, of course, there was time for fun, too—including an afternoon at the beach in Newport! As Will reflected, “We had done so much good work—and had so much good fun—together during that time.” This Sunday during children's time, the youth will share their own reflections on the trip and tell us where they saw, felt, and experienced God along the way. What did they notice? What surprised them? Where did they encounter God in the people they met, the work they shared, and the time they spent together? Please welcome our young people and join us as we listen to their witness and testimony from a week of service, community, and faith. _______________ Liturgy Leadership Training September 27th After Church Lay leadership during worship has always been an important tradition at College Street Church. If you're interested in carrying on this tradition by reading scripture or leading a unison prayer or responsive reading some Sunday, then this training is for you! Rev. Debbie Ingram will offer guidance on why the various worship elements are included, what they are trying to achieve, and how best to approach them when you're leading. This 45-minute training session will be held in the sanctuary on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11:15 am to 12 noon. No registration necessary; all members and attendees are welcome. Come to build your confidence and enhance your enjoyment of helping to lead worship! ______________ Farewell to Pastor Jessica on October 4th On October 4th we will be bidding farewell to Pastor Jessica Derise, our interim pastor for the last 18 months. More details will be forthcoming, but please mark your calendars. ______________ Neighbors in Need Offering/World Communion Sunday Oct. 4th We will receive the UCC Neighbors in Need offering on Sunday, October 4, which is World Communion Sunday. The forebears of the UCC worked with American Indian tribes in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin and Nebraska. There are 20 UCC churches on reservations there as well as one multi-tribal urban congregation in Minneapolis. One-third of the resources from this justice-focused offering will provide support for these congregations. _________________ Can You Help With The Service Auction on November 15th? The Holiday Service Auction is a popular and fun event--and is budgeted to contribute $3,000 to the bottom line. It involves lunch in the Assembly Room followed by a good-hearted auctioning of donated services and goods. Examples from the past include favorite baked goods, doll clothing, tickets to concerts or shows, opportunities to attend dinner or lunch at someone’s home, invitations to go boating on Lake Champlain, and offers to clean yards or shovel driveways and walks. Of course, since the proceeds go to help the church, overbids are cheerfully accepted!
We need volunteers to help carry this off--runners, soup and bread cooks, people to set up and take down tables and chairs on the day, table decorations, etc. There are sign-up sheets at the back of the church, forms on which to list your donated services or items. We need your help! ______________ 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  ______________ 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 Watch Previous Worship Service Videos September 20, 2026 https://youtu.be/VLzwCiX14WI
September 6, 2026 https://youtu.be/UIuF7qm6u5o
August 30, 2026 https://youtu.be/Q5EaxWeFa3Y
Additional service videos can be found on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiETDo7WeiouRSgZhsNI_yQ ONGOING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES 
If you are interested in helping serve youth, you can learn more and sign up by clicking here. 
Click here to sign up to put food in the church pantry located on the corner of the church yard..  Sign up to bring coffee, juice, and treats, and clean up after the service. |
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