Mira Cabrera- Design and Publishing
August 2025
Eliana Cañas Parra
“If the only prayer you say in your life is, `Thank you,’ that would suffice.”
— Meister Eckhart
Dear Church,
This month’s book study on Anne Lamott’s book Help. Thanks. Wow: The Three Essential Prayers has had me reflecting a lot about prayer. As I write this, I agree with Mesiter Eckhart’s words. “Thank you” is a powerful and sincere prayer. It’s a prayer that captures how I’ve been feeling about my time here at MIDDUCC. And since gratitude is a practice, I’d like to practice with you all. I’ll start by mentioning some of the reasons I’ve said “thank you, God” lately. I’m grateful for what the last month and a half has brought to my life and ministry. I’ve witnessed from the front row seat what I already knew: that we love and care for one another, that we are in the business of being the church, and that it takes all of us to create something as strong and as beautiful as what we have going on in here. All of us. Thank you, God!
This place is home, and this summer has been a confirmation of it. And so, I thank God for you. For your words of love and support during my first year of Divinity School and for what will come during my second year. I thank God for the hard work that has gone into planning for our pastors’ sabbaticals. I thank God for a stellar staff who are helping me keep the ship afloat. I thank God for the many people who make up our church, for your time, your leadership, and the many gifts you bring. I thank God for your prayers and your trust- for allowing me to step into this role and grow. May the next few weeks continue to be a blessing to all of us.
Love,
Eliana
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE july 2025
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
At the July 9 meeting of Church Council, Deb Karpak discussed work she and others have been doing to update the procedures for buying a niche in the columbarium and the rules governing its use. She also showed council members a proposed informational brochure created by Church Administrator Mira Cabrera, and asked the council to approve a provisional fee structure – $2,000 per niche, and a $500 administrative fee per person (each niche can hold one or two people). The Council approved her request. The Board of Trustees has proposed disbanding the Columbarium Committee that oversaw the project’s initial operations and replacing it with a subcommittee of the Trustees. Most of the administrative work will be absorbed by the office and the pastors, and the budget team will provide financial oversight. Disbanding the Committee will require a vote of the congregation at the next Annual Meeting because its role is defined in the By-Laws. Deb shared with Council members a draft columbarium governance document, which is continuing to be revised and which will be voted on at the next Council meeting. Nine of the 110 niches have been sold, she said.
Church Moderator Leanna Maglienti said that, as of early July, about 20 individuals or families have indicated they are interested in participating in a church-wide retreat in September at the Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Retreat Center on Lake George. The church, which initially reserved 31 rooms at the resort, has reduced that to 25.
Michele Brown reviewed several items in the monthly budget reports. The Special Funds budget took in $20,000 when the church received a grant for the sanctuary window reconstruction. It also paid out about $30,000 for work related to heat pumps recently installed in Fellowship Hall and $25,000 for the final bill for the window installation project. Through the first six months of the year, Operating Budget expenses and income are close to projections. Council members approved the treasurer’s report.
Eliana Cañas Parra, who is serving as Pastoral Intern while our two pastors are on sabbatical, said there has been good communication among staff during the first month of her internship and that things have gone smoothly. She has started a book study group on Anne Lamott’s “Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers.”
Nancy Lee Ross said the Board of Mission and Social Concerns is looking for help orchestrating this fall’s CROP Walk, an annual Church World Service event that raises fund to fight poverty and hunger. CROP is an acronym for Christian Rural Overseas Program.
The All-Boards meetings in November and December will be held on the third Wednesday of the month, instead of the fourth Wednesday, to avoid conflicts with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Leanna said.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew Cox
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.
Save the date!
Welcome Sunday is September 7th! Please join us for church for the beginning of our program year, followed by our annual Welcome Sunday picnic! Details coming soon!
Children & Youth Updates
Our Parent Playdate had a great turnout in July! Eighteen adults and sixteen children (plus two teen helpers) gathered at Branbury Beach for a fun afternoon of beach play and grilling. There was no formal program—just time to enjoy the summer weather, the lake, good food, and one another’s company.
Summer Church continues with our Fruits of the Spirit series.
In Week 2, we had the privilege of learning about the life cycle of Monarch butterflies and seeing a chrysalis brought in by Pat Chase. In Week 3, we explored the fruit of the Spirit: Patience, as we waited for the butterflies to hatch and then released them after the service. Attendance has been variable, but the program is meeting a need for families who continue attending church over the summer. After all, church doesn’t take a break!
Our Nursery also remains open throughout the summer. While numbers are smaller, it continues to be a valuable space for the care of the littlest members of our community.
We are also preparing for Church School this fall and are currently recruiting teachers and helpers. If you are interested in working with children or youth, please reach out—I’d love to talk with you!
The first three weeks of August will be quieter, with no kids’ programming, but we’ll gear up again with Backpack Blessings on Sunday, August 24, followed by the launch of our new Church School year in September. We will be promoting a batch of nursery kids into our preK/K Church school class and launching our Junior Youth Group and Senior Youth group up again in September.
We’re looking forward to another exciting year with our children and youth!
May Poduschnick
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
All Church Retreat
Imagine…
You're sipping morning coffee with a friend, rocking gently on a wide veranda, gazing out over a shimmering lake. The scent of campfire smoke lingers as you roast marshmallows and swap stories and songs with fellow campers under the stars. You're gathered around a meal with your new “family group”—connecting more deeply than a passing conversation at coffee hour. Look around, and you don’t see strangers or Sunday acquaintances. You see church family—sharing, laughing, and growing together.
These are just some of the memories we hope you’ll take home from this year’s All Church Retreat—and registration is now open!
What’s the Retreat Like?
On Friday, July 18, Representatives of the Retreat Planning Team (Eliana, Nancy, and May) visited the retreat site—and it was everything you’d imagine a lakeside camp to be. The drive was easy and scenic (we took the Fort Ti Ferry!), just about an hour from Middlebury if you cross the Champlain Bridge. When we arrived, we saw groups playing tennis and pickleball, paddle-boarding and kayaking, relaxing on the veranda overlooking the lake, and enjoying delicious meals. The rooms and meeting spaces were welcoming, and the entire campus was buzzing with warmth and joy. It was a picture-perfect day.
What Will We Be Doing at the All Church Retreat?
Plenty! You’ll have time to:
kayak, hike, and craft
relax and explore
sing by the campfire
play games and connect
There is plenty of time that is not structured and you’ll have the freedom to choose how you spend it—and we encourage you to try something new with someone new!
And also join in some meaningful structured times:
Friday evening: We’ll kick off with dinner and a big group welcome (kids included!) followed by choice time: rest, games, campfire, or free time.
Saturday morning: Optional early morning vesper service in the chapel before breakfast
Then: breakfast, small "family group" time, choice time/organized children's programming, and the retreat concludes with lunch together
Saturday afternoon: Church retreat will officially be over but you are welcome to enjoy the facilities and activities on campus, the trails, or just relax with friends.
Still Have Questions?
Come talk to someone on the Retreat Planning Team—we’re happy to hear your suggestions or answer questions.
Register Now!
Rooms are limited, and we’d love for you to be part of this special weekend.
Deadline to register: Sunday, August 15, 2025
Gratefully,
The Retreat Planning Team
Nancy Adams, Susan Baker, Eliana Cañas Parra, Bronwen Kent, May Poduschnick, Jess L’Roe
August Preaching Schedule
As we wrap up the summer season, here is who you can expect at the pulpit over the next few weeks!
August 3: Rev. Dr. James Calvin Davis
August 10: Eliana Cañas Parra
August 17: Eliana Cañas Parra
August 24: Rev. Dr. Andy Nagy-Benson
August 31: Rev. Dr. Andy Nagy-Benson
Gather & Share: August's Theme – Personal Paper Products
Thanks to all your generous summer giving (and some wonderfully heavy jars of pickles), we’re only a few pounds short of Ton #1 on our way to this year’s 3-ton goal!
For August, our focus turns to something a little quieter but just as essential: Personal Paper Products. These are the kinds of items that often can’t be purchased with food assistance—and they go fast on HOPE’s shelves.
We’re collecting:
- Toilet paper
- Menstrual pads
- Baby wipes & diapers
- Tissues
- Paper towels
These aren’t glamorous items, but they matter—deeply. Your donations help restore dignity and ease the strain for families across Addison County.
Thank you for showing up in quiet, meaningful ways. Let’s keep the momentum going throughout August!
helping hands crew
Helping Hands WILL NOT meet in August after all. We will resume on September 8 from 10:15-12:30. Any questions you can reach out to Dorothy Douglas at jdmamidd@comcast.net or 802-989-0405.
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August Birthdays
Lois Farnham August 1
Alex Munteanu August 1
Natalie Peters August 1
Nicole Foster August 3
Louise Salant August 3
Robin Bentley August 5
Nyna Cole August 6
Matt Dickinson August 7
Kristie Skor August 7
Gail Hietzker August 8
Beth Campbell August 10
Brian Slavin August 11
Michele Brown August 12
Ben Marshall August 13
Andrea Perham August 13
Aaron Wright August 13
Camden Devlin August 14
Ralph Landwehr August 18
Alison Durst August 19
Seth Wright August 19
Lindsey Franklin August 20
Rosie Kemp August 20
Baker Nelson August 20
May Poduschnick August 21
Ceci Luksch August 24
Nancy Rucker August 24
Peter Ruffa August 24
Muffin Carothers August 26
Annie Garner August 26
Lauren Turner August 27
Jack Wallace August 27
Glenna Emilo August 29
Annie Magri August 30
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August Anniversaries
Eric & Julie Berg August 3
Mal & Pat Chase August 3; Celebrating 62 years!
Doug & Ginny Sinclair August 5
Al & Irene Zaccor August 6
Will Nash & Deb Evans August 7
Joe & Nancy Merolle August 8; Celebrating 61 years!
Ron & Nancy Rucker August 10; Celebrating 62 years!
Duane & Cathy Fowler August 11
Jim & Sarah Donnelly August 15; Celebrating 66 years!
Rick & Heather Viens August 21
Neil & Alyssa Sinclair August 22
Gus & Laurie Jordan August 23
Jim & Helen Wright August 26
Barbara Kent & Julie Tatkon August 28
Read Last Month's Church Matters