We Have Work to Do

Greetings, beloved community, It has been a struggle to know how best to respond to the remarkable election we’ve just experienced. There is so much anger and sadness abroad – I feel it in waves, and encounter people suffering from fear and despair who come from all walks of life.…

Poetry from our church family

To the Faithful (This poem was written by Pia Rabin and offered to the community for reflection.)     Listen to the song of the rain blessing the fields and the forests Listen to the song of the angels blessing the Lord of the rain Listen to the song of…

What I did on my summer sabbatical…

Greetings! It’s so good to be back and engaging in the life of this congregation and community after thirteen weeks of sabbatical time. During my time away, I was fortunate to have some times of deep spiritual exploration combined with opportunities for simple relaxation with my family. The Lilly Endowment’s…

A love letter to the congregation

May 1, 2016 Dear church family, It’s hard to believe it’s already May, but the calendar doesn’t lie. As you probably know, my sabbatical begins on May 9, with a special “sending service” on the morning of May 8 at our regular 10:00 worship time.  I do hope you’ll be…

A Day of Directed Discernment

As part of our renewal grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., our congregation will be engaging in an ongoing process of discernment seeking to understand new ways to live our call to be a spiritual sanctuary for our entire community. We are a Protestant Christian congregation of the progressive United…

Black Lives Still Matter

Last summer and fall, many area churches posted Black Lives Matter signs on their property as a statement of solidarity with those who are most impacted by racism in our country. You may recall that the sign caused a bit of stir when someone who was visiting our community tried…

Called to Compassion

Greetings! As I write this reflection, it is the last day of February ~ Leap Day! ~ and the eve of the primary elections in Vermont and so many other states. This election cycle seemed to start earlier than any I recall, and it has been a rough one. It’s…

Fearless Love

Greetings! It’s hard to believe we find ourselves on the brink of a new church year once again, especially given how mild the weather has been. I have a friend in Halifax whose forsythia has been confused into blooming this week! And yet, here we are … back on the…

Times Like These, or Why I Pray

(written by Rev Susie Webster-Toleno, preached more or less as is at CCWW 11/15/15) It may well be that I spend too much energy and care on interactions with people ~ some actual friends, some who are nearly strangers to me ~ whom I encounter on social media (mostly Facebook).…