United Church of Craftsbury Staff

Pastor Kim

Sunday, March 22, 2020 marked my third year pastoring the wonderful United Church of Craftsbury. That particular Sunday, because of the restrictions and concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic, we didn’t meet in the sanctuary for worship, but we did and do continue to worship God together every Sunday from wherever we are in unity with God’s spirit. We continue to provide video services by email or facebook. We deliver or mail paper copies of the services to the homes of those who don’t use the internet or computers. We also have returned to in person, social distanced, and masked services in the sanctuary for those who feel comfortable doing so. Certainly, this experience has limited the activities of all of us in many ways, but we continue to listen and respond to God’s call to serve and love God’s children in a variety of ways. 

I continue to look for ways I can connect meaningfully with the Craftsbury Community. I’m proud to be a part of the impressive work of the Neighbor to Neighbor committee that gives such great effort to meeting the needs of everyone in the community. I enjoy helping to deliver soup on Monday nights and I am so glad our church has been able to be a central location for picking up masks, food donations, and volunteer safety supplies. 

Another great group I am privileged to be a part of is The Craftsbury Mental Health Resource Group. They are a valuable resource for everyone’s mental health and support. We look for ways to keep the community informed and connected when facing difficulties around depression, anxiety, suicide and other mental health challenges. We are so lucky to have such an active and diverse group of individuals committed to providing outreach and resources. 

The members of our church family enjoy offering encouragement, support and friendship through phone calls, cards, flowers, and visits. Please be sure to contact me if you know someone who could use an added dose of cheer and compassion.  802-535-4757 or mamaof3.larose@gmail.com

My goals while in the position of pastor are to lead inspirational and relevant worship services that help everyone feel connected to God and the Holy Spirit. I want to support our faith family along life’s journey while each member explores their own personal relationship with God. Thirdly, I hope to continue to nurture the strong ties between the church and its amazing community; looking for ways we can work together to meet the needs of the people of Craftsbury and beyond in meaningful and purposeful discipleship.

I look forward to continuing to meet the wonderful people of Craftsbury and the surrounding communities. Please join us for worship on Sundays when you can or for some of the other events we offer.

Pastor Kim Larose

Bev Thurber, Accompanist

Bev Thurber graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and taught English in Massachusetts and Vermont, retiring from Craftsbury Academy in 2020 where she taught for thirty years. She served as choir director for youth and adults at the Church on the Common from 1993 to 2003 while her husband Ben was the pastor and has continued to fill in for music over the years, including baccalaureate services, weddings, hymn sings and funerals. Presently she plays for the Sunday services and special occasions a few times a month while working craft store shifts and managing her husband’s art business. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, she has lived in Craftsbury for 31 years where she and Ben raised their two sons, Benji and James. Their blended family includes ten children and dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren, most of whom live out of state. She enjoys gardening and writing but especially appreciates the Church on the Common’s “family” and outreach.

Autumn Chamberlain, Accompanist

Scott Vogel, Jr., Videographer

Michelle Warren, Church Secretary & Treasurer

Michelle moved to Craftsbury with her husband Patrick in 1989. She was involved in the RE committee at the church in the 1990s, helping with vacation bible school and other projects. She started working at the church as the custodian. Although Michelle no longer is the custodian, she took on the secretary position and treasurer position, with Cheryl Bailey’s assistance. She also works as the Craftsbury Town Clerk. Michelle is the chair of Craftsbury’s Website Committee and also one of the founding members of the Craftsbury Mental Health Resource group, following her son’s passing in 2017.