We will be collecting an offering on Sunday, March 30th for our One Great Hour of Sharing. The theme for the 2025 One Great Hour of Sharing® is Be the Light. The United Church of Christ invites you to join this meaningful Lenten offering, which supports disaster relief, refugee assistance, and development ministries through Love of Neighbor. Please make checks payable to FCCV and put One Great Hour of Sharing in the memo line. Envelopes will be available on Sunday, March 30th or donate online under One Great Hour of Sharing.

Women’s Fellowship Crafty Wednesday

Our Wednesday night meetings to prepare for the fair were a huge hit. We've decided to meet once a month, sometimes to craft, other times for some fun fellowship. If you attend this church, you are a member of Women's Fellowship! All are welcome so stop in when you can.

Wed. 3/19- Crafty Wednesday- crafts for the next fair- snowmen perhaps?

Swing into Spring with Bible Study Resuming on March 17th

Monday Morning Bible Study will resume on March 10th at 10:45am. For Lent this year we will be watching and discussing Max Lucada’s 6-week series, In the Footsteps of the Savior. Join us and follow Jesus through the Holy Land and learn more about the places where Jesus walked. You will come to understand Jesus himself, where he came from, and why he went where he went. You will better experience his humanity and his divinity. Your faith will be enriched and your vision for your own life clarified. All are welcome to learn with us.

Sunday Night Live Returns! 

We’re excited to announce a new season of Sunday Night Live (SNL), running from March 9th through April 6th, every Sunday from 4:30–5:30 PM!

This 5-week session, "Countdown to Easter," is designed for children 12 months through 5th grade and is completely free to participate. Each week, kids will engage in fun, faith-filled activities as we prepare for Easter together.

The season will conclude with a special showcase on Palm Sunday, April 13th, followed by our Annual Easter Egg Hunt after worship—an event you won’t want to miss!

To register your child, please click here.

First Congregational Church of Vernon, UCC is having a Pancake Dinner on March 4, 2025 from 6-7pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is a free event and open to the community. It is hosted by the Advisory team.

*Gluten free pancakes are available.

Women’s Fellowship Crafty Wednesday

Crafty Wednesday Chocolate Event, Wed. Feb 12, 6:30-8pm

"Taste and see that the LORD is good." Psalm 34:8

We will enjoy the sweetness of fellowship, friendship and chocolate as we have a chocolate tasting, make Valentines, experiment with recipes for the next fair, and enjoy a hot cocoa bar. This is a great chance to stop in and see what Women's Fellowship is all about. All are welcome.

CPR/AED Class, February 2nd

There will be a CPR/AED class held at the church on February 2nd following worship. The event is free, and you can reach out to Delythe Kracke to sign up or contact the church office. Please sign up ASAP.

Innings and Outings Event-Hands on Drumming… Wednesday, January 29th from 6:30pm-8pm

Join Craig Norton of "Hands on Drumming" for a joyful, musical, danceable community drum circle! We'll play rhythms and instruments from around the world and experience fun improv games. Drum circles are a great way to bring people together to connect, get in touch with your inner musician and have a blast. Bring your own instrument or use one of ours. No experience necessary and all ages are welcome! We have enough drums for up to 30 people. To sign up please see Leanne Connolly or call the church office. The deadline to sign up is January 27th. 

Women’s Fellowship Crafty Wednesday

Our Wednesday night meetings to prepare for the fair were a huge hit. We've decided to meet once a month, sometimes to craft, other times for some fun fellowship. If you attend this church, you are a member of Women's Fellowship! All are welcome so stop in when you can.

Wed. 1/22 6:30pm- Crafty Wednesday- some sorting, rubber stamping, sharing ideas for the next fair

Join us on Saturday, January 11, at 3PM for the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival at Asylum Hill Congregational Church. This spectacular performance is a cherished tradition, filled with music, pageantry, and the spirit of the season. Learn more about the event at AHCC's website.

Details:

• Cost: $32 per person

• Space: Limited to 8 attendees – reserve your spot soon!

To sign up or for more information, please contact the church office. Don’t miss this memorable experience!

On Friday, December 13th at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall, art instructor Sandy Pourier will lead us in a guided painting class. The $35 fee covers everything you need to complete a lovely seasonal painting for your home.  Financial assistance is available for those who may need it.

Since this class is limited to 25 attendees, don’t hesitate to sign up by calling the church office.  If you attended our last “Paint Night” you know what a fun event this is.

We’re excited to share that the Innings and Outings Clue! event at the Mark Twain House on December 6th from 7pm - 9pm has been a huge hit, with all 14 slots now filled. During the event, we'll enjoy a thrilling game of Clue, featuring actors from Sea Tea Improv. If you have one of the reserved spots, Kate Fowler will be in touch with you soon regarding payment and additional details. There are still openings for the other two time slots at the Mark Twain House, which are suitable for ages 10 to 110 (according to their website). The cost is $31. If you’d like to attend, please use the link below to learn more and purchase a ticket. While you won't be with the FCCV Clue! team during their time slot, it promises to be a lot of fun and will definitely make for some great coffee hour conversation. https://marktwainhouse.org/event/get-a-clue-tours-featuring-sea-tea-improv/2024-12-06/

Crafty Wednesday: Make and Take Night

Come join the fun this Wednesday, December 4th from 6:30-8:30pm in fellowship hall. We will be making some simple Christmas crafts to bring home.

Holiday Fair, Nov. 2nd 

Gift baskets are assembled and wrapped! Now we are gluing, painting, cutting, tying and the more hands, the merrier. We meet on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm, and you are welcome to join us at any time. We have added an additional crafting time on Oct. 16th, 6:30-8:30, no skills required, snacks will be served!! We will also need help with set up, clean up and working the day of the fair. If you would like to help please contact Phyllis or email the church office at church.secretary@firstchurchofvernon.org. We are hoping for some donations of shallow containers for growing paperwhite bulbs. We are adding a new booth at the fair called Birds and Blossoms that will feature gifts for bird lovers (feeders, ornaments etc) and plant lovers (houseplants, bulbs for forcing). We have some very small pots available if you are taking cuttings from a houseplant and would like to share.

We will be including our ever-popular jewelry room again this year. We would greatly appreciate donations of any costume jewelry items. We are also collecting gently used fashion accessories such as scarves and purses/wallets. Donations can be left in the church office.

We will have several baking days before the fair, Including October 31st and November 1st. Watch the Tidbits for more details. Thank you to everyone for all the support we've been getting!

Trunk or Treat - October 27th

October is here! The leaves are turning, and the nights are cooler…. yes, it’s that time of year to celebrate two more annual FCCV Fall events. On Sunday, October 27th after service, we will hold “Trunk or Treat “on the side lawn near Center Road. If you would like to participate in handing out candy/treats after church from the trunk of your car, please contact Millie Oliphant or the church office so we can reserve a spot for you. Here’s your chance to dress up yourself and be a part of the festivities.

Also, if you are out and about in town, take a little detour and check out the scarecrow entries at the Strong Farm. Our Sunday Funday entry is on Peterson Road. (hint: skeletons).

Youth Group

Youth Group will meet on October 20th from 5pm-6:30pm in the youth group room located in the hallway leading to the balcony. This group is for all middle and high school students. To register please contact the church office.

Sunday Night Live

Sunday Night Live will meet this Sunday, October 20th at 5pm.

Memorial Garden Workday Saturday, October 19th

A fall workday is scheduled for October 19th from 9am-12pm. Bring your favorite tool and join us in the Memorial Garden to clean up this beautiful area so we can put the garden to bed for the winter.

October Inning - Talent Show! Friday, Oct. 18th at 7pm

Come to our FCCV Talent Show on Friday, October 18th! We have many wonderful acts for your enjoyment. The fun begins at 7pm and we know you will have a great time. Bring your friends and family to see some very talented FCCV friends. There will be singing, playing, jokes, sign language, skits, and even a mini game show. 

Senior Pastor Installation Service!

Join us at 3pm on Sunday, October 13th as we install Rev. Alisa Dickhoff as our Senior Pastor! A service will be held in the sanctuary at 3pm, joined by the Tolland Association, with a reception in fellowship hall to follow. 

Join us as we read and discuss New York Times Bestseller, "Kitchen Table Wisdom" by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. This highly acclaimed work was the winner of the 1996 Wilbur Award for Best Work of Spiritual Nonfiction. Facilitated by the Rev. Carol Mento, this discussion group will be available at two different times a week, on Sunday evening from 5-6:30pm OR Thursday mornings from 10-11:30am.

Elder Justice Forum on October 2nd at 7pm

Join us as we read and discuss New York Times Bestseller, "Kitchen Table Wisdom" by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. This highly acclaimed work was the winner of the 1996 Wilbur Award for Best Work of Spiritual Nonfiction. Facilitated by the Rev. Carol Mento, this discussion group will be available at two different times a week, on Sunday evening from 5-6:30pm OR Thursday mornings from 10-11:30am.

This is the last night for the season...…

On Wednesdays at 6pm, all are welcome for cornhole fun and fellowship in the grassy area across from Center Road School. Novice to experienced, all are welcome. Invite a friend.

Not a player, come spectate and cheer. If you have boards and bags, bring them along. BYO refreshments. See you on Wednesday, at 6pm.

Fall Festival

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 21st for our annual Fall Festival. This year’s event will include a mum flower sale, a bake sale, and a huge tag sale - an excellent opportunity to donate some previously loved items you no longer enjoy to the church.

Workers and helpers are needed for this fund-raising event. Perhaps you can bake or help sell cookies or mums? Maybe you would like to set up or work the tag sale tables? We would appreciate anything you can do. Contact the church office for more information.

Join Us for Cornhole…

On Wednesdays at 6pm, all are welcome for cornhole fun and fellowship in the grassy area across from Center Road School. Novice to experienced, all are welcome. Invite a friend.

Not a player, come spectate and cheer. If you have boards and bags, bring them along. BYO refreshments. See you on Wednesday, at 6:30pm.

Let's get together at Cassidy Hill Vineyard in Coventry CT on Friday night September 13th from 6pm to 8pm to enjoy their Friday Night Music Series. Pack some snacks, bring your lawn chair or blanket, and your friends. You can purchase Cassidy Hill beverages at the event. Note that no one under 21 is permitted and no alcohol other than Cassidy Hill wines are allowed. Parking is in a residential area so please do your best to carpool. Contact Greg Mias if you have any questions. Greg will be there around 5:30. Hope to see you there.

Join Us for Cornhole…

On Wednesdays at 6pm, all are welcome for cornhole fun and fellowship in the grassy area across from Center Road School. Novice to experienced, all are welcome. Invite a friend.

Not a player, come spectate and cheer. If you have boards and bags, bring them along. BYO refreshments. See you on Wednesday, at 6:30pm.

Join us on Rally Sunday!

On Sunday, September 8th, we will return to the sanctuary for 10am worship! Following the service, join us downstairs for our "Feed and Be Fed" program. We will enjoy food, fun, and fellowship while having an opportunity to get plugged in with fall programs and activities.