Give To United Church of Craftsbury

Annual Stewardship

The United Church of Craftsbury stands as a beacon of hope, love, light, and faith in this time of darkness during the past year of a COVID-19 pandemic, heart-wrenching human turmoil, and natural disasters. For the past 200 years, and as it is today, the church stands strong and unwavering through the grace and love of God. The beautiful spire, the reaffirming carillon bells, the simplicity of its austere beauty, the welcome of its open doors have been a loving symbol of the strength, community, and God’s love the church embodies.

The Church on the Common has been a place of comfort and joy, bringing together the community in welcoming all; neighbors and strangers. The year has been a formidable challenge, but the UCC family has rallied to serve the community and offer solace, sustenance, and strength without wavering in its quiet mission. Through the dedication of the church family, volunteers, Trustees, Deacons and Church Council, the United Church of Craftsbury continues carrying out its mission of fulfilling God’s work.

Because of the support of the Church Council and Deacons, in collaboration with community groups, Neighbor-to-Neighbor Taskforce, and generous volunteers, Monday meals are prepared in the church kitchen and distributed from the church building. Through this collaboration, food distribution continues. In order to reach the community unable to personally attend services, a stipend was approved for producing videos for recorded services. The Deacons also delivered flowers each week through the summer to shut-ins. The Crisis Fund helped support requests for individuals in need.

Through the vitality of its young, the oldest Sunday School group did fundraising for immigrants raising over $100. Backpacks and supplies were delivered to 22 children in the community. Sunday School was held, as well as the adult Lenten book study until the COVID closing.

The Trustees approved continued maintenance of our beautiful building with siding to be repaired on the West side of the church, replaced sections of rug in the sanctuary, and completed Green-Up of the church grounds. Remaining maintenance needs are planned with replacement of the toilet and flooring in the bathroom on the lower level.

The Ladies Union purchased a battery-powered speaker for outside services and funeral memorials, enabling activities with social distancing and safety. The Memorial Committee purchased a projector, speaker system, and video camera to use for services and ZOOM meetings, as well as, facilitating the recorded services to be sent by e-mail.

The Music Committee continued to organize special music for worship once we were able to return to in-person services in the church building. We enjoy a variety of music offerings. We are blessed to have Autumn Chamberlain and Bev Thurber leading the music of our services as well as once a month, John Rowell playing the new church organ.

The Prayer Circle is extremely active year round offering comfort and hope through the love of God as it responds to the many requests for prayers from the local community. The church family also shares its joys and gratitude in celebrating those special moments of life made possible by the blessings of the Lord.

In the distant past, community members made an annual pledge to cut and split the wood needed to warm the church. The church is heated differently now but the spirit of everyone helping in his or her own way is still very important.

“The roots of the United Church of Craftsbury are as firmly established as the roots of our community itself.” (A History of the United Church of Craftsbury, Anne H. Wilson) We need your help to nourish those roots planted two centuries ago, so that the church, through the grace and love of God, continues to thrive in 2021 in fulfilling its mission and God’s work for our next century of service. Our weekly offerings and summer tag sale were curtailed because of COVID, all further diminishing traditional avenues of support for the church.

As you can see, our faith family was very committed to not only surviving the challenges of the past year, but thriving in them. We aim to continue to provide support, encouragement and services in the year ahead. Therefore, we humbly ask: Will you make an annual financial pledge or gift, and lend your hands and heart to the joyful mission of the United Church of Craftsbury?

Memorial Donation

Please consider making a gift, in honor of a loved one. Memorial gifts into our endowment funds help sustain our church for the years ahead. We also offer a memorial book award fund that gives to area students to help for college. Please contact Pastor Kim to discuss options or any questions you may have.