Dear Church,

This is a 2022 recruitment letter. Yes, recruitment. I am writing to enlist you to increase the online visibility of our church. 

When my pastoral ministry began in 1998, a phrase like “increase the online visibility of our church” would not have made much sense. It does now. These days, the staff and I — along with our AV team — give ample time and attention to questions around how technology can help us amplify the spirit and values and mission of our congregation.

I am well aware that social media are not perfect. I am also aware that social media can help a church cast its message beyond its physical address. The more we like and comment and share — especially share! — our church’s Facebook posts with friends and family, the easier it is for people to get to know us. (Also, I don’t understand the algorithms involved, but reliable sources tell me that the more online activity our church enjoys, the more readily our church’s website and Facebook page will appear in someone’s online search for a church in our area.)

Ok, let’s talk reviews. If you have ever shopped online, you have probably read a customer review or two or ten million. If you have ever looked for a decent restaurant while traveling, you have likely scrolled through online reviews of “top-rated” restaurants. Well, if someone is looking for a community of faith to attend, they may do some holy scrolling.  True story:  during my COVID quarantine, I spied online comments about our church.  Most were good — phew! But, there weren’t very many.  Maybe it’s time to let the world know how you feel about MiddUCC.

In that spirit, I asked Rev. Elizabeth Gleich what advice she’d give us to increase the online visibility of our church. Here’s what she says:

  Please “like” our Facebook page!

To leave a review on Facebook, go here.

You’ll see a question on the left hand side of the page asking: “Do you recommend the Congregational Church of Middlebury (UCC)?” Click “yes” and leave a review!

For YouTube, simply “subscribe” to our channel.

Leave a Google review here.

I want more people to know who we are and what we’re up to. There’s plenty of goodness to share around here. Word of mouth still works, of course. But why stop there? The quality of online content may be what moves church-seeking souls to join us onsite and/or online this Lent and beyond. May it be so.

Peace,

Andy

On March 1 (after Church Matters went to print), a new Queen or King of 2022 was chosen. He or she will get a gold crown, a cake of their choice from Otter Creek Bakery, and hopefully a year of peace, love, and joy. I appreciate everyone rejoicing with me in the brilliant season of Epiphany. We now move into the season of Lent, which is a much more quiet and reflective time.

Outside the sanctuary door to the new addition, the children and youth can find a Lenten Leaf Jar. It will be filled with lots of leaves, all with different acts on them. Take one, do the act, and then tell me about it and get a prize! You can perform as many acts as you want during the 40-day season of Lent.

The Confirmation Class met at the end of February to discuss the different parts of a church service. What are the different parts? What order do they go in? Why are they important? Pastor Elizabeth and I will be taking the confirmation class on a retreat the weekend of March 25–27 to the Hallelujah Farm in Chesterfield, NH. This will be a time of group bonding and an opportunity to engage more deeply into our topics.

The Junior Youth Group met in February to discuss part of our covenant, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). We talked about the differences between what society says is the greatest versus the Bible. It was a rich and powerful discussion. We also met for a movie night in Unity Hall during their winter school break.

Jennifer 

“Go back and get the things you need, then you can move forward.” I would love to give this quote its due attribution, but honestly I cannot remember who said it. Even so, it made an impression on me. Perhaps you know where it came from, or have heard quite the opposite, “Don’t look back. Move on.” That’s what I’m used to hearing—the insistence that we must move forward. Deny yourself the option to turn around, and instead, look straight ahead."

While I agree that sometimes enough is enough and we really should do our best to move on from a cycle of thought, a behavior, a feeling, or a past tragedy in life, the idea of receiving permission to go back for something you need is really striking.

I’ve been planning music for 20 years now for church choirs, and as Lent is upon us, I was recently looking through our library, and musing over pieces we have typically sung during this season. This led me to YouTube, and to finding posted recordings of our virtual choir offerings from Lent 2021. That reminded me that Jeff Buettner and I were regularly recording hymns for our church services, and that sometimes, fairly often in fact, I had to stop partway through singing them (a real annoyance for the re-takes and edits required). The hopeful text was too much for me to sing. It was exactly the opposite of what I felt. “How Can I Keep from Singing?” Come on. “All My Hope on God is Founded,” well it had to be, because I felt very little hope of my own. “I’ve Got Peace Like A River” —I had the opposite of that, something more along the lines of turmoil like a volcano.

Looking back on it now is hard; and oh, how I do not want to go there again. But what I do go back to retrieve, to think on, to ponder, is the love and connection of a choir community, a church that deeply appreciates music, a church staff team determined to forge a path in uncharted territory, and an appreciation for technology and our use of it for good. This helps me keep moving forward. What do you need to go back for? What will help you move on?

“What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior liveth.

What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.

Since love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?”

– from “My Life Flows On” by Robert Lowry, 1869

Anyone interested in donating to the local food shelf at HOPE, these items are very much needed: peanut butter, apple juice, baked beans, and shampoo. Of course, all donations are appreciated. Thank you!

The Green Team is looking for both new and experienced gardeners willing to grow at least a dozen extra vegetable and/or herb seedlings this spring for our second annual Seedling Giveaway, which will take place in May. Last year, we focused solely on tomato seedlings, but this year, we’re hoping to broaden our offerings to include other vegetables and herbs as well, such as peppers, cucumbers, greens, squash, basil, parsley, mint, and rosemary.

We’re especially excited this year because not only will we be offering seedlings free to interested members of our congregation, but we will also provide seedlings to HOPE to give away to community members who visit their food shelf.

Intrigued but have never grown a plant before? This is a great time to give it a try! We can supply you with all the tips and advice needed to get you growing.

Helping members of our community grow their own food is a wonderful way to celebrate the fruitfulness of God’s green Earth and to help reduce carbon emissions. Please contact Su Reid-St. John at sureidstjohn@gmail.com if you can help. Thank you!!

This Lent: Think Twice: Buy Less, Waste Less

As we enter the season of Lent, the Green Team has been reflecting on both sacrifice and moderation. We continue to be unsettled by the constant drive towards consumerism and excess in our modern society, and we would like to offer the congregation an opportunity to reflect and perhaps change their habits during this holy time.

Did you know that in the US, every person produces about 5 pounds of solid waste every day? And did you know that between 30% and 40% of all food produced in the US is thrown away? There is certainly room for improvement in our daily lives as we consider what we buy and how we put it to good use.

Reduce and Reuse have always been the first two steps in managing garbage, and Recycle and Compost have always been the last. Before making a consumer purchase during these next few weeks, consider how long it will be useful and what its eventual endpoint will be in its lifecycle. If it will one day be bound for the landfill in Coventry, can you do without, or buy second-hand, or consider repairing what you intend to replace? Here in Middlebury, we have multiple second-hand stores to peruse, and there will be a Repair Fair held at the Hannaford Career Center on March 5. Check here for more information: https://www.addisoncountyrecycles.org/news/post/repair-fair

When purchasing food for the week, have a plan for all of the perishable items you bring home, know how to store them well, and consider having a regular night when all the leftovers are finished, rather than composted. If even one-fourth of the food currently lost or wasted globally could be saved regularly, that would be enough to feed 870 million hungry people in the world. More information about how to reduce food waste can be found here: https://www.addisoncountyrecycles.org/recycling/reduce-reuse/household-food-waste

This Lent, the Green Team encourages you to join us in caring for God’s good creation as we Think Twice: Buy Less, Waste Less.