Habitat for Humanity in Waterbury

Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity(CVHFH) is opening a new ReStore in Waterbury that will help fund housing projects in our local community. We need your help to raise money to cover the costs of opening this store.

CVHFH has been building and renovating homes for folks in need within our community since 1989. The new ReStore on S. Main St. in Waterbury will provide a sustainable source of funds that will enable CVHFH to build additional energy efficient, affordable homes far into the future. At the same time, your support will help to increase economic stability in our region and redirect usable furniture, household items, and building materials from the landfill to local folks who need them.

Any donation you make will help us in opening the ReStore this June. Here is the link to use to make a donation: https://www.gofundme.com/f/new-waterbury-habitat-restore

The Kneeland Flats Habitat House the church helped build at the turn of the century and then recently helped put on deck railings.

A friendly chili contest – March 10

Just for kicks, the church council proposed and has set a date for our next chili lunch and friendly competition. A certain member of the council happens to be the twice, maybe three times champion! Is it time for a new chili champ? All of us, bar one, think so!

The plan is simple. Bring a crock pot or a regular pot of chili to church in the morning. The oven will be on and set to very low. Pop your pot in the oven or plug it in and join us for worship. We’ll have the coffee on following worship while we get set up downstairs. We’ll start eating at 11:30.

We do hope you can join us and bring along a chili to sample!

A note about our online bulletins

I realized last week that I have not communicated to you a change to the way I post our bulletins online. Because of copyright laws which allow some things, like hymns and poems, to be used for worship/one-time use and do not look favorably on providing public access to these things, I limit the amount of time the bulletins are out in the wild, so to speak! From now on, I will make the bulletin publicly available on Saturday at noon. The bulletin will automatically disappear from public view on Sunday at noon.

I’m sorry for that inconvenience. I am always happy to send you a copy of the bulletin if you need it for anything. Just let me know!

Annual Meeting 2024

The annual meeting of the Waterbury Congregational Church, United Church of Christ of Waterbury, Vermont has been called for Sunday, January 28, 2024 following worship, in the sanctuary and on zoom, to consider action on the following:

  • Article I. Discussion and action on the minutes of the January 29, 2023 annual meeting.
  • Article II. Presentation, discussion and action on the reports of the officers, boards, and organizations for the year 2023, except for the FY 2024 budget. (Links: Pastor, Membership, Liturgical Floral Minister, Business Administration, Christian Education, Deacons, Outreach, Finance, Treasurer and Trustees)
  • Article III. Presentation, discussion and action on the FY 2024 budget proposal.
  • Article IV. Presentation, discussion and action on the Nominating Committee’s report and slate of officers and board members for the year 2024.
  • Article V. Presentation, discussion and action on the Board of Business Administration’s proposal to hire Chuck’s Plumbing and Heating to install a new hot water heater with a recirculation loop to the dishwasher for up to $6000.
  • Article VI. Presentation, discussion and action on the Board of Business Administration’s proposal to replace the side door with a new one to be installed by Steve James for up to $1500.
  • Article VII. Presentation, discussion and action on the Trustees recommendation to distribute any investment gain in 2023.

Advent / Christmas 2023

Advent is about the birth of something sacred. For something sacred needs to be born: born from the mating of what is, and what might be. It needs a manger. So let us prepare a manger in our hearts for the birth of the sacred. — Davidson Loer

The four magical weeks of Advent begin on December 3 with the lighting of the first Advent Candle, the traditional candle of hope.

On the 3rd week of Advent (December 17), our children will lead us in a St. Lucia celebration of light. Usually held on the 13th, children in Sweden, carry in light (on their heads!) and food to honor the martyr Saint Lucy who descended into the Roman catacombs to bring light and food to the Christians hiding from the Romans during the first century of the church. Please bring some food to share with the Waterbury Common Market (food shelf). Our Santa Lucias will coming bearing St. Lucia bread which we will share during worship.

The Live Nativity this year will be on December 23 at 4:30 pm in the side yard between the church and the parking lot.

On the 4th Sunday of Advent, which also Christmas Eve, we will hold two services, one at 4 pm and another 7 pm. The early service will be our children’s service complete with a story whereas our 7 pm service will be Nine Lessons and Carols. Both will include the beloved “Silent Night” to candlelight.

Musical Events

Thursday, November 30 at 6 pm — Vermont Youth Opera Concert

Sunday, December 10, 3 pm — Waterbury Community Band Holiday Concert

Friday, December 15, 7:30 pm — The Mad River Chorale Holiday Concert, “Peace on Earth”

Sunday, December 17, 3 pm — Solaris Vocal Ensemble, “Rejoice!”

Other Events

Advent Workshop — You’re invited to come downstairs after worship on December 10 and make Christmas ornaments with our church school. There will be pizza and homemade cookies and all of the materials and instructions you’ll need to make one or several of five different international Christmas ornaments.