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Hillside Street, Bennington, Vermont (802) 442-2559
"resolutely inclusive, spiritually alive, and empowered for ministry in the world." |
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Mid-November Newsletter
THE OPEN DOOR
"Behold, I have set before thee an Open Door"
"We are called by God to be resolutely inclusive, spiritually alive and empowered for ministry in the world."
Mary's Message
Giving and Pledging in Scary Financial TimesLet’s be honest. If “timing is everything,” this is probably the worst time to be asking people to make a pledge of a certain amount of money or to estimate how much they might be able to give to the church over the course of the coming year. To say that these are uncertain times would be an understatement.
And yet, I hope that you have received in the mail the envelope containing a letter inviting you to look within (yourself and the envelope), prayerfully consider how you might... [Read More]
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Profile - Inge FrickeINGE FRICKE was born in Landeshut in the eastern province of Silesia, then Germany, but now Poland. The town was nestled in the Riesen-Gebirge mountains where Inge learned to ski, swim, hike, and bike ride. As the oldest of four children she lived through World War II and avoided air raids. In 1944 when the Russian army was approaching, all schools were closed and children put in war effort jobs. Thus Inge was unable to finish middle school but was sent with 15 and 16 year olds through the... [Read More]
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SNOWBALL BAZAARtakes place Friday evening 12/5 from 6-8:30 and Saturday 12/6 from 9:30 -3:00.
What are you going to make or bake? We need all of you for some job!
Bakers - we will be looking for your tantalizing treats so get busy baking and freezing now! We will also need candy, jams, jellies, pickles etc.
Treasures - think about donating them to the Silent Auction or Lucky Chance Auction.
Crafts - we are looking for your wonderful Christmas and other items.
Helpers are needed to... [Read More]Board of Missions is sponsoring a CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE. The This project is an opportunity for us to give to area organizations that offer a specific service: Bennington-Riutland Opportunity Council (BROC), Council on Aging, Head Start, Homeless Shelter, Hospice, PAVE, Second Chance Animal Shelter, Sunrise Family Resource Center, The Tutorial Center, and the elementary school nurses. Gifts may be chosen on Sundays December 7 and 14 with all gifts to be returned by Sunday December 21. Gifts will be delivered to the organizations. Mid November open door: “SERENDIPITY” n. the knack of stumbling upon interesting discoveries“SERENDIPITY” n. the knack of stumbling upon interesting discoveries in a casual manner or in an unusual place…..the Snowball Bazaar—Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. We try to sell any and everything you can think of. Even if you haven’t used it in a long time—someone else may want it. Best-seller books and novels you’ve read, tools that are just gathering dust, kitchen items, strange “gifts”, games you’re tired of, puzzles you’ve made, knickknacks you’re tired of dusting,... [Read More]
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Bennington County ResourcesFor help with heating your home, call:
1) BROC - 447-7515 OR 1-800-717-2762,
2) STATE FUEL OFFICE 1-800-479-6151 or
3) SENIOR HELP LINE 1-800-642-5119.
For food shelf locations and assistance, call:
1) BROC 447-7515 OR 1-800-717-2762,
2) ECONOMIC SERVICES - 442-8541 or 1-800-775-0527,
3) SENIOR HELP LINE - 1-800-642-5119, or
4) VERMONT FOOD BANK - 1-800-585-2262. The Dove Programis a monthly food collection project in which local faith communities collect specific foods and other household items each month for clients of the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont. Many people with HIV live on disability income and have trouble making ends meet.
How it works:
On the blue board outside the Clayton Room at the church there are white doves with red ribbons. Each dove bears the name of the food or other essential item ($2-5) for an individual anonymously identified. You... [Read More]Workshops for wreath and centerpiece decorating Workshops for wreath and centerpiece decorating will take place:
Monday December 1 from 9am to 8pm,
Tuesday December 2 from 9am until finished, and on
Wednesday December 3 we will continue making centerpieces, sprays etc.
ONE OR TWO HOURS OF YOUR TIME WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
GREENS PRICE LIST -
Vermont Specials (wreaths with red bow, pine cones and dried berries) -
a) 8" - $15.00,
b) 12" - $18.00,
c) 16" - $22.00.
Plain wreaths -
a) 2" - $14.50,
b)... [Read More]Interfaith Council News It is with real excitement and anticipation that we await the opening of the Bennington Free Health Clinic by the end of 2008! When Dr. Richard Dundas approached the Bennington Interfaith Council with his dream of opening a free clinic, the council’s members responded with enthusiasm, knowing the urgent need for such care in our community and the mandate within each of our faith traditions to care for the sick and those in need of healing. First Baptist Church had been looking for new... [Read More]Friday, Dec.5 6:00-8:30 and Saturday, Dec.6 9:30-3:00----and SERENDIPITY !!!The leaves are falling, the furnace is on, and you’ve dug out the winter clothes---so that means that it is time to begin to think about the Snowball Bazaar (Friday, Dec.5 6:00-8:30 and Saturday, Dec.6 9:30-3:00)----and SERENDIPITY !!! Hopefully you already have a large sturdy box in some corner where you have begun to collect the slightly used “gems” that you will donate to the wonderful, madcap collection of stuff that we try to re-sell to our community.
Over the years our capable... [Read More]
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Neighbors in Need offering is still being received...Bring your envelope to church or mail it to the church office...Box 465. Many thanks. AN IMAGE OF THE STEEPLE INSIDE OUR SANCTUARYwas on the cover of the October 19 Sunday church bulletin. The photo was made by Lorna Cheriton lying on the floor directly under the steeple.
Also in this bulletin was a description of the stained glass windows. The Celtic Cross, a cross with a circle superimposed, is said to have originated in Ireland. The Maltese Cross, spearheads with points touching, dates back to the Crusades when it was used as the emblem on swords of the Hospitallers. The Cross and Crown symbolizes the reward... [Read More]JANICE CAMPBELL - New Beacon WriterFrom the Buckingham County Beacon in Virginia, we gleaned the fact that Janice Campbell is its new arts writer. The publication was filled with Janice’s writing about various art features in that area. It further states that Janice recently returned from living in Vermont and while there wrote for the Arts and Entertainment section of The Advocate based in the Berkshires. Janice has a degree in Art from Longwood University and is using photography, portraiture and pottery qualifications to... [Read More]Thanksgiving Dinner and Movie!There will be a Thanksgiving dinner for the Sunday night supper family and our church family on November 23 at 5pm. Sign-up will be in Webster Hall. For more info, call Ellen Barnard. The Next Open Door will be printed Dec 1Please have your submissions into the office by Friday November 28 and send the webteam electronic copies of the articles, ... [Read More]
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Preview of Next Issues Items, Please Check often for up to date information
"It's coming! The Christmas Giving Tree" The Board of Missions of Second Congregational Church is again sponsoring a CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE. This project is an opportunity for us to give to area organizations that offer a specific service: Bennington-Riutland Opportunity Council (BROC), Council on Aging, Head Start, Homeless Shelter, Hospice, PAVE, Second Chance Animal Shelter, Sunrise Family Resource Center, The Tutorial Center, and the elementary school nurses. Gifts may be chosen on Sundays December 7 and 14 with all gifts to be... [Read More]Ask Auntie Dear Auntie,
Last time I heard, the Crop Hunger Walk had over $3000 pledged but only $1959 had been turned in. What about the rest?
'Curious, somewhere between the Bennington Monument and Catamount Lane"
Dear Curious,
Treasurer Nora Parsons has sent the $3261 raised by the 2008 Bennington Crop Walk (plus all required paperwork) to Church World Service. After her exceptional effort to account for and tablulate this year's CropWalk monies, we can add Saint Nora to the Mission Board's list... [Read More]Your Information Can Be Posted HereCan't wait until the next issue of the Open Door, have something you just want to tell everyone about... [Read More]
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