Annual Blueberry Festival - August 13, 2011

Join us for our Annual Blueberry Festival on Saturday, August 13th from 7-2:30, rain or shine.

A delectable blueberry BREAKFAST will start our day, complete with eggs, blueberry pancakes, potatoes, fresh fruit, yogurt, sausage, blueberry sauce, juice and coffee, all for the incredible bargain price of $7.00!

You can also purchase freshly picked local blueberries and BAKED GOODS like juicy blueberry pies, muffins, cookies, cakes, cobblers, breads, scones and buckles to take home at the Blueberry Pavilion.

Mounds of blueberry ICE CREAM will be for sale to cool you as you enjoy the festival.

Bring a lawn chair to enjoy spirited Christian MUSIC by Purpose, Middle River Gospel Band, Residential Jazz Band, Gin Mill Bill, Michael Mario and others beginning at 10am.

Hamburgers and hot dogs with chips and soda or water will be available for a quick and easy, $4.00 - $5.00 LUNCH.

A wide variety of amazing CRAFT VENDORS selling beautiful jewelry, precious pet items, gourmet chocolates, maple syrup, wooden products, and goat milk beauty products from the Foxy Goat will be on available.

We'll have fantastic fun games and creative crafts available FREE for CHILDREN.

CONTACT us by e-mail at the church office or call 802-254-4218 for more information or to join us as a crafter or musician. The church is located at 18 Town Crier Drive off Putney Road, across from the Shell Station and is handicap-accessible.

Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. All are welcome.

Methodist Men

Next meeting: Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6pm - Join us!

SILENT AUCTION & Dessert/Coffee

The Methodist Men’s Group is considering a silent auction and dessert/coffee for late September as a fundraiser for the church. We need a minimum of 20 (new or nearly new) items or services before the event can be scheduled. If you have an item, or service (lawn work, dinner, babysitting, petsitting, housecleaning, baking pies, etc.) to offer, please list here. Your offer will not be a commitment at this point; we need to know that there is sufficient interest.

Please contact Doug Reed through the church office to offer items for auction including: Item or service, Donor name, Suggested Value, and suggested opening bid.

UMW OFFICERS FOR 2011

President: Mary Anne Deer

Vice President: Marlene Rose

Secretary: Leslie Kramsky

Treasurer: Cynthia Clough

Publicity: Betty Stacy

Sunshine: Arlene Slate

Book & Magazine Reports: Priscilla Barnard

Food Coordinator: Lillian Hellinger

Bazaar Chairpersons: Margaret Fogg and Leslie Kramsky

Secret Pal Coordinator: Lillian Hellinger

Nomination Committee: Priscilla Barnard 2011
Betty Stacy 2012
Patti French 2013

UMW - 2011 Calendar

9/6 Potluck
10/15 Rummage Sale
11/19 Christmas Bazaar
12/3 Christmas Brunch

Bishop Weaver to preach at First United Methodist Church, Brattleboro VT - May 8th at 10am

In 2004, Bishop Peter D. Weaver was assigned to the New England Conference, which includes 550 congregations, in five states, committed to a vision of being “Transformed by the Holy Spirit…as we boldly proclaim Christ to the world.” In support of this, the Conference has reorganized itself in a more flexible, collaborative way for resourcing congregations and empowering District ministries. Over 15 million dollars has been committed in support of new congregations, the vitality of existing congregations, the four camping and retreat centers, care for retired clergy, and our international partnerships with West Angola and Nicaragua. Along with a number of boards and committees, Bishop Weaver serves on the Board of Boston University.

From 2004-2006, Bishop Weaver served as President of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church serving churches worldwide. At the global level working through the General Church and Council of Bishops, he has particular interest in the “END POVERTY” movement and is a part of the National Council on Foreign Relations work to relate faith and foreign policy matters. He has also served on the denomination’s General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, and chaired the Northeast Jurisdiction Strategic Visioning/Planning process.

Bishop Weaver is married to Linda Sells Weaver, They have eight daughters, eight grandchildren, and a dog.

For more information and his official biography and profile, or read the Bishop's Partners in Ministry column at http://www.neumc.org/pages/detail/318

Church Tag Sale - April 30th at 8am

Come check out numerous saleable and gently used items at great reasonable prices. All proceeds benefit the church's operating fund.

Easter Worship - Sunday, April 24th at 10am

Join us for a glorious time of worship honoring our risen King. We will enter the sanctuary with candles bringing the light of Christ back into our midst. The choir will present a Cantata interlaced with our church youth presenting a pageant entitled The King is Coming!

Easter Brunch - Sunday, April 24th at 8:30am

Join us for a brunch before worship, including an Easter Egg Hunt for the children.

Stations of the Cross - A Good Friday Service - Friday, April 22nd at 7pm

During this dark and contemplative service that began with St. Francis of Assisi we will "walk" through the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus.

Good Friday Ecumenical Service - April 22nd from noon to 3pm

ECUMENICAL GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
MEMBERS OF BRATTLEBORO AREA INTERFAITH CLERGY ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATING
APRIL 22, 2011
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
880 WESTERN AVENUE
WEST BRATTLEBORO, VT
NOON-3 PM
OBSERVING THE “SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST” IN 25 MINUTE SEGMENTS
WORSHIPPERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME AND GO DURING THE PLANNED INTERVALS
SPECIAL MUSIC INCLUDING A MASSED CHOIR (REHEARSAL AT 11 AM) Under direction of Peter Amidon
Host: Rev. Joseph Amico, First Congregational UCC
Liturgists: Rev. Lise Sparrow, Guilford Community UCC
Rev. Sandy Daly, Newfane Congregational UCC
TENTATIVE PREACHING SCHEDULE:
NOON “Father, Forgive Them: For They Know Not What They Do” Fr. Rich O’Donnell, St. Michael’s Roman Catholic
12:25 “Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise” Rev. Carra Bradt, Centre Congregational UCC
12:50 “Woman, Behold Your Son…Behold Your Mother!” Rev. Merritt Greenwood, St. Michael’s Episcopal
1:15 “My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?” Rev. Peggy Yingst, Trinity Lutheran
1:40 “I Thirst” Pastor Cheryl Meachen, First United Methodist Church
2:05 “It Is Finished” Rev. Susanna Knox Griefen, Dummerston Congregational UCC
2:30 “Father, Into Thy Hands I Commit My Spirit” Rev. Barbro Hansson, All Soul’s UU

Christian Seder - Thursday, April 21st at pm

Join us for a Christian Seder to commemorate the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. During this traditional Passover meal, celebrated by the Hebrews since the Exodus, the Hebrews give thanks to God for deliverance and redemption. The celebration commemorates the protection of God as the Angel of Death passed over every family protected by the Blood of the Paschal Lamb.

Bible Study - Wednesdays at 6pm

Join us for an ongoing Bible Study on Wednesday evenings full of creativity and hands-on work to both familiarize you with the sacred Christian text and contemplate its meaning in your life. There is no beginning or end so join us anytime!

Tenebrae Service - Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at St. Michael's Catholic at 8pm

Join us for a Tenebrae service at St. Michael's Catholic Church with participation by ecumenical partners from the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Clergy Association.

Palm Sunday Worship - April 17, 2011 at 10am

Join us for Palm Sunday worship, including joyfully parading back into our sanctuary after the winter heating season. There will also be a delicious potluck dinner following the service. ALL are welcome!

Hard to Dance with the Devil on Your Back

Join us for an after-worship Lenten study Sundays 3/20 – 5/1 from 11:30-12:30pm. Participants are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch. In every culture and time, persons of faith, of all ages, have summoned trials and tribulations to find the endurance and strength to “dance.” They have danced with the weight of the world upon their shoulders, sustained by God and others dancing near them. Hard to Dance With the Devil On Your Back is a seven-session Lenten study that looks at the transcendent struggle in the lives of believers, while helping us to enter the continually crumbling world surrounding Jesus and the disciples in the days preceding Easter. Books available on the signup table in our fellowship hall.

News for 3/6/11

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
BRATTLEBORO: Worship this Sunday, March 6th will focus on Risk-Taking Mission and Service as we continue a five-week sermon series at 10am and discussion group at 11:30 based on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase. The gospel reading from Matthew 25:31-40 will be read by liturgist, Leslie Kramsky. Pastor Cheryl Meachen's sermon will explore the love of God linked to the love of neighbor that calls us to works of charity, justice and mercy. Organist Ashley Paine will accompany the hymns, including Wounded World that Cries for Healing, on piano and our Estey Organ in the sanctuary. The children’s sermon, titled “Playing the ‘What If?’ Game” will help us think about the importance of service to others. All are welcome to join us for worship and also for a potluck meal to celebrate Mardi Gras following the service. There will also be an Ash Wednesday service at 6pm on Wednesday, March 9th to confess our sinfulness and remember God’s redemptive act through Jesus Christ. Check our website at gbgm-umc.org/brattleboro or contact fumc@sover.net or 802-254-4218 for more information. The church is located at 18 Town Crier Drive off Putney Road, across from the Shell Station and is handicap-accessible. Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. All are welcome

Results from December 2010 Lifeline Screening

Men's Group Fund-Raising Dinner for Pastoral Counseling Center April 10th

Men's group planning fund-raising dinner for Pastoral Counseling Center Sunday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Roast Pork, potatoes, mixed veggies, etc. $10 and $5 12 and under. Contact Doug Reed for more information.