Vermont Neighbors in Need

The annual Neighbors in Need offering of the United Church of Christ goes to support the work of the Justice and Witness Ministry at the national setting. One-third of the funds raised go to CAIM, the Council on American Indian Ministries.

At the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Vermont Conference, it was voted that 100% of our Neighbors in Need offering will be sent to the national setting. Until this year, the Vermont Conference had withheld 25% of the offering for distribution as a Conference-wide Discretionary Fund to assist local churches and community action agencies in their work with persons in need.

For the past several years, Rev. Mark Pitton has capably handled those fund requests on our behalf. At his request, Mark has ‘retired’ from this duty. He is being replaced by three persons who are dividing Vermont into three areas of responsibility. Our job is to receive and review requests and pass on approved grants to Jim Thomas at the Conference Office. We will do so as long as the Funds are available.  We serve as good Samaritans on your behalf, binding the wounds of our neighbors and providing emergency aid as followers of the compassionate Christ.

Examples of emergency needs are: electric shut off; food or groceries; heating or cooking fuel; material goods such as work boots, school supplies, or other necessities; medical expenses such as prescriptions; rent or rent deposit; transportation expenses. It is expected that the client, the local church, or other agencies will contribute as much as possible given the situation.

Vermont Neighbor in Need Coordinators and Areas are:

Kate Coss      P. O, Box 542 Arlington, VT 05250  375-9707  dkoss@verizon.net
Churches of the South West, Windham-Union, and Windsor-Orange Associations; BROC and SEVCA

Bill Neil            P. O. Box Hinesburg, VT 05461  Home: 482-2284  Office: 482-3352  billandfaithneil@gmavt.net
Churches of the Addison and Champlain Associations; CVOEO and ACCAG

Peter Plagge            8 North Main St. Waterbury, V T 05676  Office: 244-6606 Home: 244-6936  peter_o_p@verizon.net
Churches of the North East, Washington, and Grafton-Orange Associations; NEKCA and CVCAC