Rev. Andrew Ponder Williams Installed as Settled Pastor

Rev. Andrew Ponder Williams was installed as the settled Pastor for United Community Church, UCC on Sunday, October 16, 2022.  The service of installation had to be rescheduled from its original date of September 18 due to COVID.  Many of the persons participating in the service were fighting the infection, however they are all over it and were able to participate in the service.  The service was officiated by Rev. Doug Carter (Danville UCC) as Northeast Association Representative of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ.  Charges and covenants were given by the Northeast Association members, Members of United Community Church, UCC, and Rev. Andrew Ponder Williams.  Following the service a reception was held in the newly renovated fellowship hall.

Yard Sale Supports Kitchen and Lunch Programs

On October 1, the lawn in front of the church was filled with tables displaying a meriad of items.  Donated by church members, these items received new homes and also helped to fund the kitchen  repairs from the broken pipe and also fund the Wednesday Community Lunch and the Friday Sandwiches (to be started in November).  All items were “sold” via donations and we made over $2000.  In addition to the yard sale, there were various chili’s for tasting and purchase.  Several pies were also sold.  A big thanks to all who helped to make this a success.

Church World Service Depot

1 Churches contributed  825  kits towards the church Wrold Service mission.  United Community Church, UCC was the area depot where boses of school kits, hygiene kits and clean-up buckets were dropped off.  Wednesday, May 11 the eighteen wheeler from Church World Service picked up the 1523 pounds of kits.  Participating churches were Bradford Congregational Church UCC, East Burke Congregational, UCC, First Congregational Church of Haverhill, First Congregational Church Lyndonville, UCC, Greater Hartford UCC, Newbury Congregational Church, Peacham Congregational Church, United Community Church, UCC, United Congregational Church of Orford/Bethany Congregational Church of Pike, West Newbury Congregational Church.

Ashes and Joe to Go

Lent began on Wednesday, March 2.  Even with the cold weather, we offered Ashes and Joe (coffee) to go.  Several persons stopped by for a small container with ashes and a cup of hot coffee.

Christmas Pageant  – readers theater

This year’s Christmas pageant was a reader’s theater version.  members of the congregation were able to take part in the retelling of the Christmas story using scripts and simple costumes.  All ages were able to participate in this year’s pageant.

Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Approximately 200 persons were served a free Thanksgiving dinner on thursday, November 25, 2021.  Thanks to Chef Hale, the culinary department, and the culinary students at St. Johnsbury Academy for donating your time and talents to create a wonderful meal.  Volunteers from the community also donated veggies and desserts.  Under the auspices of Chef Hale, volunteers, grade school age through senior citizens, worked on Thursday morning to assemble over 150 take out meals.  In person diners were greeted upstairs st South Church hall and then went downstairs to the buffet line.  In the meantime, volunteers were assembling take out meals.  Many people picked up their meals however there were volunteers from the faith community who also delivered meals to those who were not able to get out.  This was truly a community effort.

Haunted Sanctuary

On Halloween there was a steady stream of trick or treaters of all ages walking through the “Haunted Sanctuary” at United Community Church.  Greeted by a ghostly “bride” looking for her groom, they were directed through the sanctuary via the south aisle past various “ghouls and goblins”, across the front and out the north exit door.  Some time during their visit they were treated to the beginning phrases of JS Bach’s Toccata in d minor played on our organ.  At the end of their tour, there was an option to have a Halloween photo taken by Barry Hayes.  Proceeds from the photo opt are going toward the replacement stove in the downstairs kitchen.  If you missed this event, maybe it will be back next year!

Lollipop Wednesdays 

After noticing all the students that pass the church on their way home, the staff decided that they all needed something special on “Hump” day.  Everyone needs a lollipop once in a while, so the staff stood on the sidewalk and offered lollipops to the students & adults that passed the church on Wednesday afternoon after school.  Each lollipop had a note on it that said “Have a Happy Day!  United Community Church”.  We will be out again next Wednesday to give this hump day pick-me-up to all who pass by.

UCC participates in Pride Parade in Burlington

United Community Church had a group of people travel to Burlington on September 5, 2021 to participate in the Pride parade.  Part of our group are involved with the Free Mom Hugs, so we marched up Church Street with the Free Mom Hugs group and helped out at their booth.

Youth Help serve Communion

Because United Community Church was going to participate in the Pride Parade in Burlington on the first Sunday of September, Communion was moved to August 29.  Rev. Kurt Herber had the youth in attendance help service the biscuits and juice.

Community Barbeque

Saturday, August 21, 2021  Spiritual Formation and Nurture hosted a community Barbeque on the South Lawn. We enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by Rod Sayles (after Greg Brown fixed the grill), potato salad, and delicious desserts.  There was much fun as we also played lawn games – corn hole, outsdie yatzee, horseshoes, bocci ball, ping pong.

Stars and Stripes Parade

Saturday, July 17, United Community Church participated in the Lyndonville Stars and Stripes parade.  We marched behind the banner that says ” Our faith is over 2000 years old, but our thinking is not”  Besides the traditional candy that was tossed to the spectators, small frisbees with the church’s logo and invitation to services were tossed.  Black Lives Matter and Progressive Pride flags decorated Greg Brown’s new truck and small ones were handed out to those who wanted them. 

Car Wash/Yard Sale for Kiwanis Pool

Saturday, June 5 the Outreach Ministry of the United Community Church sponsored a car wash and yard sale to help raise funds for the Kiwanis Pool in St. Johnsbury, pet project of the late Brent Beck, an active member of the Outreach Ministry.  Cars were washed by both young and older volunteers from 9 am – noon.  The yard sale was held on the front lawn of the United Community Church from 10 am to 3 pm.  Thanks to all the volunteers who donated items, sorted items, set up tables, sold items, and cleaned up afterwards as we beat the rain coming.  Including a large matching donation, this fundraiser netted over $5000  which will be given to the Kiwanis to help fund the pool.

Pride Ride 2021

United Community Church hosted the Free Mom Hugs Pride Ride 2021 on Saturday, May 22, 2021.  They left the parking lot of the church around 3 pm lead by the St. Johnsbury Police car.  The six cars and 18 people participated in decorated cars driving around St. Johnsbury.

Church World Service Depot 2020

Due to the Covid 19 closing, CWS did not pick up their school kits, hygiene kits, and clean up buckets in May 2020. Instead, an alternate date pickup was made in September. 5 Churches participated in this year’s kit collection, 1st Congregational Church of Haverhill, Bradford Congregational Church, Newbury Congregational Church, Peacham Congregational Church and United Community Church, UCC. We were able to send a total of 385 kits and cleanup buckets weighing 846 pounds.

Christmas Dinner 2018

Advent and Christmas Eve 2018

Labrynth Dedication

Holy Week 2018

Maundy Thursday – Light meal and worship

Good Friday – Labyrinth Walk at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

St. Johnsbury Academy Singers under the direction of Alan Rowe provided special music on April 8, 2018.  This service was a chance to reflect on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ through poetry and music.