Dear Members and Friends of Sharon Congregational Church UCC,

We are in the midst of the fifty day Easter Season of the church calendar and it is SPRINGTIME in Vermont at last.  I am very grateful and want to thank our SCC Deacons as well as each one of you who helped to make our Lenten Season Holy Week services, and Easter worship so meaningful this year. Everyone worked very hard  and I know that the whole congregation is appreciative of our efforts.

Now, after taking a deep breath and laughing a lot on the Sunday after Easter, we re-turn our attention to the many ministries of the church and our preparations for your next pastor who we hope will be in place soon. Your Pastoral Search Committee continues to work very hard to find the right person to be your next called, longer time pastor. Meanwhile, there is much we can do together at SCC including some short term special projects and “spring cleaning” tasks. (See elsewhere in this newsletter for some ideas.)

Your Trustees and Deacons continue to meet regularly to take up the tasks of church finances and building/grounds upkeep as well as plans for worship and the spiritual health of the congregation.  I expect that your Mission Committee and your Christian Education Committee will meet with me very soon to clarify priorities regarding how we serve others in the community/world as well as how we teach/reach our congregation’s children and grandchildren. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome new church members as well as to baptize some young children this spring – and I look forward to other opportunities to welcome folks to SCC and offer the blessings of the church.

In the stories of Easter in the Bible, the Risen Christ appears to his followers to let them know that he is alive again among them. Most of these accounts include times when Jesus ate with his friends – just regular around-the-table times of sharing together.  So too, we gather at coffee hour, at Communion on 1st Sundays, and at community meals – the next of which is a Ham and Bean Supper on Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 28th beginning at 5 PM at Sharon Elementary School.  The SCC Supper Committee appreciates all the help it can gather for each supper and all those who attend and appreciate the great suppers they prepare.

See you there – or when we work together on special projects – or “see you at church” as one of my pastor friends always says.  Memorial Day Sunday is May 29th, Communion Sunday is June 5th,  Pentecost (the celebration of the Holy Spirit)  is June 12th,  Father’s Day on June 19th.  You are always welcome – and welcome to bring friends and family.  Blessings all, Pastor Marjorie