Mardi Gras Brunch – February 23rd
Feb 23rd – Mardi Gras Brunch for the whole congregation immediately following the service. The education committee will be cooking pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit and all the trimmings. Come and eat up before Lent begins. There will be activities for the children. Bring your Mardi Gras beads and plan to have a delicious and fun time.
ASH WEDNESDAY is February 26
Observed 40 days before Easter (excluding Sundays), Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent in Christianity. This period represents Christ’s time in the wilderness where he fasted and faced temptation. Oftentimes, during this period, different groups of Christians cease to use certain comforts or make a similar resolution to give something up or do something special for the period of Lent.
This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 26, 2020. Williston Federated Church will hold a brief Ash Wednesday Worship Service beginning at 6:45pm.
For those who may not be able to attend this service, Pastor Paul Eyer will be available to administer “Ashes on the Go” from 5:30 – 6:30pm. Look for signs to the Sanctuary. All are welcome! Want to learn more about Ash Wednesday? Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gVMeeHIvQ8
Lent Adult Education Opportunity Begins February 27
Please join us for Adult education during Lent on Thursdays, February 27th—April 2, 5:30 to 7:00pm. There will be a soup supper served on these evenings. The study, led by Pastor Paul, will focus on the Book of Acts and the Letters of Paul. A primary resource for this study will be the Great Courses Video series featuring Professor Bart.
New Member Informational – March 8th
If you are new to the church community, or have been worshipping with us for years, and are interested in joining the church, there will be an informational meeting March 8th in the sitting room, beginning right after worship and concluding around noon. Child care will be available.
At this meeting you will learn more about what church membership means, hear a bit of the history of WFC and our denominational connections to the United Methodist and the United Church of Christ and have an opportunity to meet with others. Being a full member of the church is not a requirement for participation in all aspects of worship, serving on committees, providing outreach and service to others. It is an opportunity to make a public statement of Christian witness.
If you are interested in attending and would like a “Membership Information Packet” in advance, please speak to Pastor Paul or a member of the Membership Committee: Carol Bouchard, Carol Burbank, Gary Lewis, Ruth Magill, Sally Metro, Elaine Pellechia, or Vicki Trueman.
Women’s Breakfast March 14th & Bedding Drive with Guest Speakers from Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Calling all women. Please save the date for the Annual Women’s Breakfast March 14th 8:30 -10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall. Our guest speakers will be Bob Brosseau, Dan Parot & Mike Lemieux, from the Chittenden County Chapter of Sleep In Heavenly Peace. A sign up sheet for planning purposes is on the bulletin board or contact Carol Burbank or Carol Bouchard. We encourage you to bring a friend and come hear the inspiring story of how three friends, who had a vision, have made a huge difference in our community.
The Chittenden County Chapter of SHP was formed in August of last year by Bob, Dan & Mike who had heard about the program and felt called to make a difference in a child’s life. As of February 15th they, along with many volunteers, have built ~167 and delivered 135 beds, mostly in Chittenden County, including beds for the children of the Somalia refugee family that WFC helped resettle after a devastating fire. There were still 58 unfilledrequests for beds but that number changes daily.
There are several ways that we as individuals, or as a church, can help get kids off the floor including: sponsoring a build, volunteering at a build, donating money or bedding. The Missions & Social Concerns Committee voted to donate ½ of the Christmas Eve Offering to SHP. That money, along with money donated through the Alternative Gift Fair, totaled nearly $1000, enough to build 5 beds. As part of our 5th Sunday Mission event, folks will have the opportunity to participate in a church sponsored build day March 28th. As part of our women’s breakfast event, please consider teaming up with a friend to purchase new twin sheets, blankets, comforters or pillows. If you can’t attend the breakfast but would like to donate bedding, there will be a box on the table near the entrance to Fellowship Hall through March 14th.
RUMMAGE SALE APRIL 3RD AND 4TH
Spring is just around the corner. It’s not too early to start spring cleaning your closets and while you’re at it, set aside those items that you no longer need for the annual church rummage sale.
We will be seeking gently warn clothing for all ages, clean and in good condition, as well as linens, shoes, jewelry, purses: think textiles, no household items please. Donations will be accepted beginning March 30th. Please do not leaves items before then. More information and a sign up sheet will appear mid March. Sponsored by the Women of the Church. Contact Carol Bouchard with any questions
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER – WHAT IS IT? April 25, 2020
Have you ever held a dinner party where you didn’t know who was coming? Have you ever expected to attend a dinner party not knowing who the host(s) might be? Here is your chance!
The gift of community is not an accident. It is built face to face. Join us to continue to build our community. You may choose to be a guest or a host. Guests will arrive at church at 5:45pm on Saturday, April 25, 2020 to receive their assigned host (destination). The host will prepare a meal for a set number of people who will arrive around 6:00pm that evening.
The agenda is a social evening.