Church Office Closed

Church office will be closed Monday, February 16th in observance of Presidents Day.

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates…

Come join Women’s Fellowship tomorrow from 6:30-8pm in making an easy craft, create and share treats, and of course, go home with a box of chocolates. 

Celebrating 9 Years as an Open and Affirming Congregation – February 12th

This month we joyfully celebrate the ninth anniversary of our commitment to being an Open and Affirming congregation. Nine years ago, we made a public promise to live more fully into the wide welcome of Christ’s love — affirming people of every sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family structure, race, ability, age, and background.

Our Open and Affirming covenant is more than words on paper. It is a living practice that continues to shape who we are and how we show up for one another and our wider community. It calls us to listen deeply, to learn continually, and to stand in solidarity with those who have too often been excluded or harmed.

Over these nine years, we have grown in understanding and compassion, and we continue to strive to be a church where all people know they are truly seen, valued, and loved.

As we mark this anniversary, we give thanks for the courage and faith of those who helped lead this commitment, and for the ongoing work each of us does to make welcome real. May we continue to be a community where love is practiced boldly, inclusion is intentional, and every person can fully belong.

1926 Centennial #2

Today we continue our look into what was happening at the Vernon Center Congregational Church (now FCCV) in the year 1926, when our “ancestors” were celebrating the 100th year of the church building that stood where our current sanctuary stands:

On February 11, 1926, young people from our church joined youth from surrounding towns to acknowledge the 45th anniversary of the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor, a national organization founded in 1881 in Maine. This group was the forerunner of the modern denominational “youth fellowship” movement” that many of us are familiar with from our own growing up years.  

This local banquet took place at the Union Church in Rockville with one hundred twenty-five “endeavorers” from Vernon Center, Rockville, Ellington, Tolland and Coventry attending.  The Rockville Journal reports that “only the snow of the day before and an epidemic of measles prevented attendance from reaching one hundred seventy-five.” 

Join Our Choir!

Next practice will be Saturday, February 14th at 10am to sing during the Sunday, February 15th service at 10am.

The Choir is always looking for people to join in at any time! Choir will practice on the Saturday before each service, at 10am. We would love to have you! Everyone is welcome. 

Youth Group…Next Meeting is Sunday, February 15th

FCCV Youth Group meets in the youth group room located in the hallway leading to the balcony. They meet on the first and third Sunday of the month. This group is for all middle and high school students, and you don’t need to be a member for youth to attend!

For more information or to register click here.

Agape Lunch *New Program*

We are piloting a new program called Agape Lunch, on February 20th from 12-1pm. Come join in a shared meal, beginning with a prayer and ending with both hearts and stomachs full.

Each time we gather, people will pick elements of the meal to bring, and then share the full meal together (example of themes: finger foods, taco bar, "that's a wrap" (wrap ingredients)). However, for this first gathering, please bring a bagged lunch, and chips and drinks will be provided. More info can be found on our website, under “Programs”.

Any questions? Please call the church office, or contact Sarah R.G. at sromangreaves@gmail.com

🌟 Child Care Volunteers Needed! 🌟

Do you enjoy spending time with children and helping families feel welcome? We’re looking for a few more volunteers to help in our Child Care Room during worship—just once every two months! This is a meaningful and manageable way to serve our church community.

Interested? Please contact the church office or Kate Fowler to learn more.

Innings and Outings

Innings and Outings is a program in which you, the church community, suggest a fun thing we can do together (mainly for adults, but some programs allow kids). We try to offer both activities here at the church ("inning") and activities outside of the church ("outing").

The next Inning and Outing will be:
Chair Yoga in Fellowship Hall- March 14th at 2pm. $10

Call (church office) or email me (sromangreaves@gmail.com) if you have ideas.

Chair Yoga

Lisa Gaumond from Sweet Lotus Yoga Studio will be leading us in an hour of chair yoga, on March 14th, 2pm! It is $10 per person (please bring payment day of).  From their website:

"Chair yoga is a gentle, fun, accessible practice for all ages and bodies. In this class we weave together traditional yoga poses with functional and strength-building movements to strengthen our muscles, gain body awareness, and find better balance. Students remain mostly seated during the class, but will stand for supported balance practice and more advanced flows."

Call the church office or email me at sromangreaves@gmail.com to reserve your spot! 

My Body is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church

This Spring, we will be delving into the mind of Amy Kenny- disabled scholar (she uses identity-first language, in referring to herself*), Shakespearean lecturer and disability advocate.

Amy writes about her experiences within her community and especially within the Christian church. From well-meaning platitudes, to being prayed over without her consent, she talks about the general attitudes within the church concerning disability, and how we might flip the script to be more empowering and inclusive- not as an afterthought, but by default. Amy writes with wit and good humor, and her story is accessible and sure to keep you engaged.

If you are interested in joining this book study in the Spring, please indicate your availability below:
Availability form

*Please note that throughout the text, Amy chooses to use “identity first” (disabled person) language, to reverse the negative association with the word “disabled”.

In general, we refer to people how they would like to be identified, whether it is in this way or person-first (person with a disability) language.

Good News!

We have made donations to Cornerstone, HVCC, the Midwest Food Bank, and others, and we still have some funds remaining from the fair. If there is a non-budgeted or unanticipated expense that we could help with, please leave information about it in the Women’s Fellowship box. Thank you!

Food Donations

The Cornerstone and Hockanum Valley food banks are in urgent need of non-perishable food and personal care items. Suggested donations include cereal (not family size), peanut butter, canned goods, boxed sides (such as Rice-A-Roni or Knorr rice dishes), mac & cheese, and individual snack-size packs of cookies. Cornerstone is also requesting large reusable bags to help clients carry groceries. Donations may be placed in the bins located in the narthex or lower-level entryway. Please double-bag any heavy items.

Thanks for your generosity. For more information on how to help, and the up-to-date list of items needed at Cornerstone or HVCC, please visit the following websites Food Cupboard | Cornerstone (cornerstone-cares.org), Food Pantry — Hockanum Valley Community Council (hvcchelps.org).

Wednesday Walkers

Caregiver Support Group

A caregiver support group is being offered to members of our church. We meet every Wednesday in the church library from 1:30pm-3:30pm. This is a lay led group that is very supportive and caring and offers much needed help and encouragement to caregivers. If you are or recently have been a caregiver, consider joining us. Conversations are confidential.

Theology on Tap

Theology on Tap meets on Thursdays, from 6–7pm at Vernon Diner. We will gather in the indoor heated patio area (to the left as you enter). Our conversation will center on Gregory Boyle’s book, Tattoos on the Heart. No prep and no reservation required—come as you are, grab a bite to eat, and jump into the conversation.

Grief Support Group

The Grief Support Group continues to meet on Tuesdays at 10am in the Church Library. Anyone who has lost a loved one is invited to attend, and the group is not limited to FCCV members. ALL are welcome and you can bring other family members and/or a friend to the group. Any further questions, please call the FCCV Church office at 860-875-7580.

Cancellation of Church Services or Activities Due to Inclement Weather

Visit our Facebook page, you can watch WFSB Channel 3 or visit their website at wfsb.com.

Prayer Request

We strive to keep our prayer list as accurate as possible. If you have an update for us, to add or to remove someone, please contact the office by email or call (860) 875-7580. Or click here to fill out a form.