|
Friends of the Vermont Conference
|
|
|
|
The Vermont Conference stands in mutual covenant with the 144 churches, eight associations and the national setting of the United Church of Christ. Since 1795, the Conference has sought to equip, train, and support its members to do mission and ministry locally and globally.
In the 21st century, this has included such things as Annual Clergy Convocation, the VAST Program, Summer Lunch Program, support to the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council, Search and Call assistance, Annual Meeting, camping at Covenant Hills, Healing Ministries, New Pastor Support Groups, Camp Agape and Camp About FACE, Covenant Hills, the work of the Uprooting Racism Task Force and much more. There’s also all the ‘behind the scenes’ things that happen too like pastoral care to pastors. The list goes on and on.
The annual Friends of the Vermont Conference Campaign is a way for individuals and churches to donate directly to the ongoing work of the Conference. 100% of the contributions stay in Vermont to help fund those programs, missions and ministries that touch and change lives throughout our beautiful state.
In 2011, we asked some current Friends of the Vermont Conference to tell us why they contribute. Here are some of the responses:
In this space where I've been asked to write about why I support our wonderful Vermont Conference as a "Friend of the Vermont Conference," I've actually been prompted to think about last year, when I was not able to give for a variety of reasons. This past Sunday, as my two congregations celebrated All Saints' Sunday, we included these words in our call to worship: "When we question everything we once held to be true, the voices of our ancestors in the faith speak the creeds for us, until the day we find our faith renewed." This reminds me of one of the great values of faith lived out in community - when we are feeling besieged, and struggling to hold on to our faith, our neighbor in the pew can have faith enough for both of us. Then, when the tide turns and we find ourselves full of a vigorous faith, our strength can uphold the one who once held us. The same is true of our financial health. Last year, when our family's income was cut rather drastically, we had to assess our giving very carefully, and even ended up cutting our support of the Vermont Conference. We simply couldn't do it, and so we relied on the financial health of our neighbors, so to speak. This year, I'm grateful to be able to reconsider that decision, and to be one of the ones who is able to give again, knowing that as I do so, I'm lifting that load off of someone else whose burdens are heavier this year. The Vermont Conference offers so much ~ I am strengthened by the collegiality I find here, and my ministry is supported by the people and resources of the Vermont Conference. If you're in a position to give this year, I ask you to be as generous as possible.
Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno
Pastor of the the Congregational Church of Westminster West & Christ's Church, Saxtons River, and co-chair, Ministerial Standing & Standards Committee
In 1992 I retired after 30 years of teaching, and I looked forward to some free time in September. Then one summer Sunday in church, Rev. Charlie Parker said, "I am in absolute despair; we desperately need help with our church school." As I left worship, I said, "Darn it, Charlie; of course you know I'll help." And then he said those magic words, "Call the Conference for help." I did, and we soon had wonderful personal help as well as curriculum resources. I've been calling the Conference ever since. Later, when Charlie died suddenly, a Conference Minister came down and led the remaining Lenten services for our grieving congregation. I have tried to "give back" by serving two terms on the Conference Christian Education Board as well as serving on the Executive Committee of the Windham-Union Association. I know that the Conference is always there for our churches, and so I try to give as generously as possible to support "Friends of the Vermont Conference."
Winnie Vogt
Dummerston Congregational, UCC
I was welcomed into the Vermont Conference by Hal Harrison when I came to be a student summer pastor in Randolph in 1979. Two years later, Bill and I moved to the Northeast Kingdom, had a baby boy, and I was ordained into ministry while serving the Brownington Village church. Ever since, the Vermont Conference has been family to me. Colleagues have offered support and encouragement. Conference staff have inspired and led through seasons of change. Christ's spirit never ceases to move, across the white spires, green mountains, and flowing waters of our beautiful state. The Vermont Conference is a vital carrier of the gospel for me, and I am proud to support it as a friend forever.
Rev. Martha Beckwith Peck
Pastor, United Church of Newport
I guess people find it hard to support services that are not always the ones they may see being used on their behalf; however, as a lay leader in a small Vermont church, I have used the Conference services many times: help each time our church has searched for a pastor, administration of my VAST classes, the Youth Group materials I researched with help from the resource center, and the training of church treasurers. These vital services would not have been there without the small, but dedicated Conference staff. So I made the decision to give directly to support the Friends of the Conference in addition to the broader support for OCWM. It was just the right thing to do.
Jeremy Schrauf,
Member, Conference Nominating Committee and Treasurer, Windham Union Association
The reason that I give to the Friends of the Vermont Conference, United Church of Christ is quite simple: My ministry, my spirituality, and my life without the Vermont Conference, United Church of Christ would be greatly diminished. You see, it is the Vermont Conference that enables me to connect more frequently and more deeply with friends, colleagues, other UCC churches, non-UCC churches, and with God. What have these connections looked like? They've looked like Conference Minister Rev. Lynn Bujnak baptizing my son ... they've looked like deeply meaningful educational opportunities and small groups ... service opportunities in response to Hurricane Irene ... colleagues to call and ask, "so now what do I do"... a deeper sense of call and purpose ... and they've looked like Jesus and I getting to know one another better through it all. Why do I give to the Vermont Conference, United Church of Christ? Because it's very much worth having in my life.
Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen
Pastor, United Church of Underhill
What a great witness to the covenantal work we do together as the United Church of Christ in Vermont.
Contributions are accepted at any time of the year and are fully tax deductable. It’s as simple as clicking on the “Donate” button on this page. One time donations are gratefully accepted, and it is also possible to schedule regular contributions to become a Sustaining Friend. Donations may also be mailed to the Conference office – simply put “friends” in the memo line. We are humbled by and appreciative of your support.
Legacy gifts to the Vermont Conference also help long term funding of Conference efforts. For example, a significant gift from the estate of Joseph P. Fairbanks given over 150 years ago still provides income which is used for the relief of ministers. If you would like to know more about estate planning and how you might make a difference for generations to come, please be in touch with Jim at the Conference office (thomasj@vtcucc.org).
Click here to read the 2011 Friends of the Vermont Conference Campaign letter.
The 2011 Friends Committee - Rev. Carole Carlson, Rev. Rona Kinsley, Rev. Doug Carter, Rev. Dr. Lynn Bujnak and Mr. Jim Thomas.
|
Stewardship