Growing in Faith, Giving, and Service

An Update from Moderator Mary Masi-Phelps

Your Church Council continues to be busy planning for the months ahead, and we are grateful for the dedication of so many people who help our church thrive. Here is a brief update on topics discussed at our November meeting.

One important focus of the council, along with the Pastor Parish Relations committee as well as volunteer Jess Babb, has been preparing for Pastor JT's upcoming sabbatical. We are pleased to share that worship coverage has been secured, with Rev. Virginia Child selected to lead Sunday worship during the sabbatical period. Rev. Child is an experienced preacher, having served churches in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Michigan over the last 40+ years. Her preaching is often focused on helping churches understand today's world, and she recently completed a term as an interim pastor in Brimfield, MA. We look forward to welcoming her in January! The council has also been coordinating pastoral care support and communication plans to ensure that our congregation remains well cared for while Pastor JT enjoys this time of renewal.

The council also discussed stewardship and ways to support members as they consider their annual pledges. The Stewardship Committee is developing helpful materials that explain the basics of giving, how pledging works, and how our congregation's ministry is funded. The goal is to make it easier, especially for newer members, to understand the role that financial stewardship plays in sustaining the life and mission of our church.

Service and outreach remain central to who we are as a congregation. Our committee members are beginning conversations about future outreach opportunities and fundraising efforts that will help us continue supporting our local community and mission partners. Recent and current outreach efforts, including Pumpkins with a Purpose, support for the food pantry and planning for Christmas family assistance, remind us how meaningful this work is and how deeply it reflects our congregation's values.

We are delighted to welcome Nancy Whitney as the new leader of our Growing Faith pillar. Nancy has been active in many areas of church life, including our adult book groups, and we are excited about the perspective, energy, and experience she will bring to this role. She will join council at our next meeting in December.

As we welcome Nancy, we also want to express our heartfelt thanks to Juliana Belding for her service as Growing Faith pillar lead as we “rebooted” our Faith Formation program for children. We are grateful for all she has contributed and wish her well as she steps away from this leadership position.

Finally, planning is already underway for a meaningful Advent and Christmas season, including Cookies & Carols, decorating the sanctuary, wreath-making, the Christmas pageant, and other opportunities for worship, fellowship, and celebration. We look forward to sharing more details in the weeks ahead.

Thank you to everyone whose time, talents, generosity, and spirit make our church community so vibrant. Together, we continue to grow in faith, serve our neighbors, and build a welcoming community for all.