At its January 14 meeting, Council discussed the church’s roof-mounted solar panels. Nancy Foster asked why the power they generate doesn’t cover more of the church’s electric bills. Erika Garner and Ian Phair explained that the church has expenses related to the panels that need to be repaid before significant savings kick in. The church leases the panels from Vermont Solar Fund at a cost of over $600 a month, they said. It also pays to participate in the Acorn Renewable Energy Co-op project, using funds borrowed from the church’s Special Funds. Payments on that loan will amount to $5,785 this year. The church also pays the Co-Op an annual fee. 

Council agreed to transfer $675 from the Unity Hall Piano Fund to pay for a humidity system that will reduce the frequency with which the church needs to tune the piano in Unity hall. It also agreed to use $1,835 from an Unrestricted Reserve Fund to pay for a de-escalation training session the church sponsored last year.

Pastor Andy Nagy-Benson told Council members about a course he is co-teaching this month at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary that will focus on writing in a time of climate change. Pastor Elizabeth Gleich said that, in the wake of a fatal shooting this month in Minneapolis of a woman protesting the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, she plans to participate next week in a gathering in Minnesota of ministers from around the country.

Council members discussed four proposed amendments to the church’s by-laws. One would dissolve the Columbarium Committee, since its duties are now being performed by the church staff and Board of Trustees. The second would reduce, from twelve to nine, the number of members of the Board of Membership and the Board of Pastoral Care. The third would replace language requiring the Board of Deacons to appoint two junior deacons with new language saying the deacons “may” make such appointments. The fourth would allow the church to appoint a sixteenth member to the Board of Deacons who would serve as an online deacon and coordinate online communication during worship services and the online fellowship hour that follows Sunday services. All four amendments were approved by the Congregation at this month’s Annual Meeting. 

Ian Phair said 193 members of the congregation made donation pledges totalling $517,018 for 2026. That exceeds the stewardship campaign’s goal of $510,000 and represents a 92 percent participation rate. 

Erika Garner and Michele Brown presented Council with a proposed budget for 2026 totalling $762,552. They said church members gave about $18,000 more than they’d pledged in 2025, which helped to create a surplus of $20,275 that is being applied to this year’s budget. Investment income from church endowments rose by nearly $6,000 from last year because of changes in the way withdrawals are calculated. Based on anticipated demand, the church plans to increase spending on Friday night Community Suppers by about $8,000. To cut costs, the budget reduces, from $45,000 to $40,000, the amount the church will send this year to the United Church of Christ’s Wider Mission Fund. Janet Franklin asked how the reduction would affect the larger UCC organization. Pastor Andy said that, even after the $5,000 reduction, our church’s contribution would be the largest in the state. The budget contains a 2.5 percent cost of living increase for church staff. It also proposes contributing $540 toward Pastor Elizabeth’s cellphone costs; until this year, only Pastor Andy received that subsidy. Last year the church spent $9,821 to cover the church’s needs during sabbaticals both pastors took, an expense it won’t incur in 2026. For the first time, the budget sets aside $10,104 to help hourly staff pay for rising health insurance costs. The congregation approved the budget at the Annual Meeting. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Matthew Cox, Church Clerk

The Columbarium at the Congregational Church of Middlebury is a sacred, permanent resting place for cremated remains, created for those with a connection to our church community. Located between the sanctuary and Unity Hall, this beautifully landscaped space offers an atmosphere of peace, reflection, and remembrance.

As a church ministry, the Columbarium reflects our commitment to walking with one another through all stages of life—from baptism to death—offering a faithful, environmentally conscious alternative to traditional burial. Cremation uses fewer resources, and the Columbarium provides a lasting place where loved ones may visit and remember at any time.

Niches may hold one or two urns, and arrangements are handled through the church with care, dignity, and pastoral support.

To learn more about reserving a niche, costs, or how the Columbarium works, please contact the church office and request a Columbarium packet.