Mira Cabrera - Design and Publishing
October 2026
Turning back
Rev. Elizabeth Gleich
Dear Church,
Fall always seems to stir up gratitude in me. Maybe it’s the harvest, or the changing leaves, or simply the feeling that we are being invited to notice what is here before the season turns. There is an abundance to this time of year that makes me want to stop and say, “Thank you.”
Recently, I was talking with someone about thank-you notes. They told me they don’t write them because they don’t like feeling obligated to give thanks. I found myself thinking about that for a while. I agree: gratitude shouldn’t be an obligation. No one should be made to feel that they owe us a thank-you, and certainly no one should be punished for failing to express gratitude in the way we expect.
And yet, I also believe that gratitude is good for us.
There’s something telling about the story in Luke where Jesus heals ten people with leprosy, and only one comes back to thank him. Jesus notices. I don’t think this is because Jesus is keeping score. Rather, I hear in the story an invitation to something deeper: to notice what we have received, to turn back toward the giver, and to say, Thank you.
That feels particularly meaningful to me as we enter our stewardship season and begin our capital campaign. We will, quite appropriately, be talking about money. We’ll talk about what our church needs and about how we might each participate in sustaining and strengthening this community. But underneath those practical questions is a spiritual practice I want to pay attention to: What happens when we remember that everything we have is a gift?
Our money and possessions are part of that. So are our homes, our abilities, our time, and this faith community we share. Everything we have ultimately comes from God, and ultimately belongs to God. For me, that changes the way I think about giving. Stewardship isn’t simply about meeting a budget or fulfilling an obligation. It can also be an expression of gratitude.
This is something I’m trying to live into more intentionally this month. I hope to write more thank-you notes, to say “I appreciate you” more often, to notice the ordinary gifts that are easy to overlook and name them. It’s good for the soul.
So perhaps this October, alongside all our conversations about stewardship and capital campaigns, we might practice a little gratitude together. We might pause long enough to notice what we have received, from one another and from God, and find our way to say: Thank you.
Gratefully,
Pastor Elizabeth
CHURCH COUNCIL Meeting September 9, 2026
TBD
Respectfully Submitted,
Matthew Cox, Church Clerk
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Between annual meetings, the Church Council meets once a month to fulfill its responsibility to coordinate the church's programs and business. Council has the powers generally ascribed to a corporation's board of directors.
The Church Council is composed of the following Church members: Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, and the chairpersons of the six church boards. Also, there are three at-large members. One is elected every year and serves a 3 year term.
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The basic life and work of the church is under the direction and supervision of church boards, which meet monthly at the All Boards Meeting and report to the Church Council. Members of these boards are elected from the membership of the church.
FROM OUR director
of children and youth ministries
May Poduschnick
TBD
With Love,
May Poduschnick
Director of Children and Youth Ministry
from our music director
Ronnie Romano
TBD
Musically yours,
Ronnie
Adult Study: Faith & Money
TBD
First Midd UCC All-Church Retreat Recap
On September 19–20, our church family gathered for the First Midd UCC All-Church Retreat at Silver Bay YMCA on the beautiful shores of Lake George in Silver Bay, NY. The retreat began Friday evening with dinner and program time and concluded after lunch on Saturday. Some participants arrived early or stayed later to enjoy the peaceful setting and the many activities Silver Bay offers.
This retreat was created as a time for relaxation, renewal, and connection—and it lived up to that purpose. The program was intentionally laid-back, allowing space for laughter, fun activities, games, shared meals, and meaningful fellowship. Whether gathered around the dining tables, roasting marshmallows at the campfire, walking along the lakeshore, or joining in group activities, participants found joy in deepening their connections within our church community.
This short getaway reminded us of the blessing of being together outside our usual church setting and the importance of nurturing relationships within our congregation. Many expressed gratitude for this time and enthusiasm for making it a continuing tradition in the years ahead.
If you have ideas for future retreats—including timing, length, or program suggestions—please email may@midducc.org to help guide future planning. We hope to be back at Silver Bay next year! For more photos of the event, make sure to follow our facebook and instagram pages!
Green Team Social Hike
TBD
get ready for crop walk
The 50th Annual Addison County CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, October 5. Registration will open at 12:00 on the Middlebury Town Green, with walking group “team photos” at 12:30. The two-mile walk through town will begin at 1:00 p.m. CROP Hunger Walk, a program of Church World Service (CWS), invites walkers and donors to raise money for global relief efforts and for local organizations working to address hunger and food insecurity. With our support, CWS is able to work with their partner agencies around the world to alleviate suffering and respond quickly in the wake of natural disasters.
Here is the link to walk with or donate to the MiddUCC Team:
https://events.crophungerwalk.org/crophungerwalks/team/midducc-missions
Countdown to the 202 102nd Anniversary Holiday Bazaar:
Saturday, November 7, 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
The Church Bazaar needs your help!
The annual church bazaar is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a huge success! This beloved community event relies on the generosity of our wonderful volunteers to help with everything from setting up to selling to post-bazaar clean up.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the tasks during Bazaar week, including:
Set-up & Decorating: Help us transform the space by decorating and setting up tables the week leading up to the event.
Donation Collection: Be on hand to collect and organize goods donated by the community.
On-the-Floor Assistance: Lend a hand during the bazaar itself by assisting shoppers, answering questions, and helping to keep everything running smoothly.
Book Room Crew: Assist with the important job of transporting, packing, and unpacking books for the always-popular book room.
Breakdown: Help us pack everything up and break down tables at the end of the bazaar.
We also kindly ask for your donations of gently used goods. Your contributions are what make the bazaar so special and help us raise funds for our church community.
If you are able to donate your time or goods, please contact Grady Ross at grady.ross1990@gmail.com or sign up on the volunteer sheet posted in fellowship hall.
Thank you for your continued support!
BAZAAR WEEK SCHEDULE
Set Up, Arranging, Pricing Days:
Wednesday, November 4: Donations can be dropped off from 9:00AM – 5:00PM at the Upstairs North Pleasant Street entrance. Bazaar workers will be setting up spaces, sorting, and pricing merchandise and non-perishable food items.
Thursday, November 5: Workers continue to receive, arrange, and price from 9:00AM – 5:00PM.
Friday, Nov. 7: Friday is the last day to drop off donated items, and the first day to drop off perishable foods including baked goods (whole pies, etc.) and soups from 9:00AM – 5:00PM. On Friday, Theme Baskets should be brought to the church between 9:00AM – noon. (To make alternate arrangements to drop off Theme Baskets, contact Chris Ketcham).
Bazaar Day:
Saturday morning, Nov. 6: Perishable foods (pies, soups, food table baked goods) can be delivered 8:00 - 8:30AM at the Seymour Street Portico entrance. Workers should not park in the church parking areas. Workers need to be in place by 8:30AM for any last-minute instructions and final set up.
DOORS OPEN - Saturday, Nov. 7: 9:00AM – 3:00PM. Plan to come out to see all the wonderful offerings we’ll have for sale. Invite your family members, neighbors and friends to join you!
Sunday, Nov. 8: The Second Chance Sale & Quilt Raffle Drawing: Immediately after Sunday worship in Fellowship Hall, we sell items not sold at the Saturday Bazaar. Be on hand for the Quilt Raffle Drawing when we announce the lucky winner of the beautiful Quilt generously donated by Dorothy Douglas.
On Sale Now! 2026 Quilt Raffle Tickets
TBD
Stewardship Season
As we enter October, the Stewardship Team has been hard at work to help communicate our 2027 goals and how your pledges are used. Below you will find a preview of our Stewardship booklet! Where do your pledge dollars go? Read ahead for more information on how your dollars come together to support worship, community care, education, and our building.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands will meet on October 6th from 10:15 to 12:30. Bring gardening tools, as the gardens will need attention, as well as a bucket, for cleaning never ends in the building.
If you have only a few minutes to spare or can join us for the duration, all are welcome. You can reach Dorothy Douglas at 388-6257 or jdmamidd@comcast.net with any questions.
Now On View: Art in Unity 'Sacred Circle' Prints
You may have noticed new artwork along the hallway outside Unity Hall—welcome to the second Art in Unity pop-up exhibit! This installation invites us to bring creativity into our spiritual practice, with pieces that explore community, the natural world, and the creative process itself.
An exhibition guide is available at the Communications Table outside Unity Hall and at the top of the stairs outside the sanctuary. All works are for sale, and 20% of proceeds support Art in Unity—helping expand arts programming here at MiddUCC.
Email office@midducc.org or stop by the office if you would like to purchase artwork.
October Gather & Share Theme: International Foods
This month we’re honoring the many food traditions in our community by collecting shelf-stable ingredients used in global cuisines—staples that help families cook familiar, comforting meals at home. Please consider donating items such as rice (basmati, jasmine), dried beans and lentils, rice/udon/soba noodles, tortillas or masa harina, couscous or quinoa, canned tomatoes, coconut milk, shelf-stable broth, tomato and curry sauces, soy/tamari, and a variety of spices (e.g., cumin, paprika, chili powders, garam masala, adobo).
When possible, choose clearly labeled vegetarian/halal/kosher items. Unopened and within-date donations only, please.
Your gifts support neighbors across Addison County through HOPE’s pantry—thank you for giving in a way that respects and celebrates our community’s diverse tables!
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october Birthdays
Kathy Jewett October 1
Harper Smith October 1
Rich Carpenter October 3
Sara Kent October 4
Jim Robinson October 6
Tiffany Sargent October 6
Dana Scribner October 6
Chris Giorgio October 7
Deb Karpak October 7
Steve Abbott October 8
Diane Mott October 9
Melissa Mae Bartley October 11
Deb Farnham October 11
Lettie Kubacki October 11
Lumen Cabrera October 12
Jane Campbell October 12
Rick Viens October 12
Al Zaccor October 12
Daisy Jones October 13
Anna Hardway October 14
Aurelia Lyons October 14
Gail Miller October 14
Mark Orten October 14
Amy Emerson October 16
Mary Lou Webster October 16
Spencer Cadoret October 17
Evie Stinson October 17
Joe Smith October 19
Tara Affolter October 21
Tory Heatherly October 22
Michaela Kubacki October 22
Lindsay Jordan October 23
Theresa Gleich Munn October 24
Wendy Warren October 24
Saadi McDowell October 25
Alice Thurber October 25
Kipp Thurber October 25
Chris Ketcham October 26
Mira Cabrera October 27
David Hallam October 27
Helmut Hietzker October 28
Sherry Klinck October 28
Christina Hardman October 29
Dory Gorton October 30
Eben Jackson October 30
Churchill Franklin October 31
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october Anniversaries
Jennifer & Erik Bleich October 6
Churchill & Janet Franklin October 7
Jeff & Erika Garner October 9
Randy & Cynthia Stacey October 10
Beth Campbell & Steve Young October 13
Mark & Nicole Foster October 17
Holly Puterbaugh & Lois Farnham October 20
Mary Lou Webster & Bruce Jensen October 22
Bob & Mary Jo Champlin October 24
