Church guide

The United Methodist Women will hold their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 17th from 9am - 1pm, Stop by for a cup of coffee and a freshly made doughnut. Homemade baked goods and hand crafted items will be available for purchase.

We are going to celebrate the pastoral transition during this Sunday worship with Pastor Nami. As a service of farewell, all are invited to join the worship if you know her in person or through ministry, for observing what God has done for us. All are welcome!! .Farewell Worship- 11 am at the First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro. . BBQ lunch party following the worship- 12:15 pm at the backyard

Prayers for Mother’s Day Loving God, we give thanks today for mothers! Thank you for mothers who gave birth to us, and women who have treated us as their own children. You teach us how to be good mothers, cherishing and protecting the children among us. Help us mother lovingly, fairly, wisely and with great joy. Help us raise our children to be the people they are born to be. We need your comfort here today, Lord, because some are missing mothers, some are missing children, some are parted by distance or death. Comfort those who have given up their child for adoption, or who chose not to give birth, and had an abortion. Comfort those who longed to be biological mothers, and could not. We pray for those here whose mothers have disappointed them; we ask for grace in relationships where there is pain and bitterness, for healing in relationships where there is abuse and violence. Help our congregation be a space where people can feel mothered, their gifts and talents appreciated and nurtured. Finally, we pray today for mothers around the world; mothers who cannot feed their children, mothers who are homeless or without a homeland; mothers who must teach their children about the dangers of bombs and bullets. Help us create a world where mothers can raise their children in peace and plenty. God of mothers, who created mothers, who came as a child and had a mother, God our Mother, loving us with a sweeter and deeper love than we have ever known, hear our prayer this day, Amen.

The memorial service of Pat Fisher

We are sorry to inform you that our beloved sister in Christ, Pat Fisher 83 went home to be with the Lord surrounded by her family and extended family at Vernon Green Nursing Home after an acute illness complicated by her Parkinson’s disease on Sunday, February 4, 2018. A celebration of our love for Pat and her journey home to the Lord will be held at: First United Methodist Church, 18 Town Crier Dr in Brattleboro, VT with Pastor NaMi Yu, officiating, on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 2:00–4:00PM. A private family internment will be held at Meeting House Cemetery in the spring. All friends are welcome. Memorial Service: Sat, Feb 10th at 2P.M. ( light snacks and refreshments will be served by the family and the church)

We lost our brother in Christ, Loren Waterhouse Mills, 89, passed away Friday morning, December 8, 2017 at Pine Heights Nursing Home following a period of declining health. A man devoted in his faith, he was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro where with his wife he was active in church functions throughout the years. He was a faithful and devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and a friend to many, well known for his spirit of friendship and kindly personality. A memorial service in celebration of his life will be conducted Friday at 8:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church on Town Crier Drive with Pastor NaMi Yu, officiating. Friends are invited to a visitation at the church on Friday from 6 P.M. until the start of the services. Burial in the family lot in Groton Village Cemetery will take place in the springtime when the cemetery reopens.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Loren Mills name may be made to First United Methodist Church, Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Memorial Service: Friday, Dec 15th at 8P.M. ( light snacks and refreshments will be served by the church)

Christmas Bazaar*^^*

The women of the First United Methodist Church will hold their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Featured will be homemade crafts, tree ornaments, "Unique Boutique," food table with fresh homemade donuts from our kitchen, applesauce, frozen apple pies, and many other Christmas items. Coffee, tea, and doughnuts will be available. Proceeds from the bazaar are donated to both local and church missions. The church is located at 18 Town Crier Drive, off Putney Road and is handicap accessible. There is ample parking. For more information, email [email protected] or call 802-254-4218.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are mourning today for the senseless loss of life in another act of mass violence; and what makes it even more painful is that it happened in a place that so many of us go to find refuge, safety, and peace. As the news unfolds with speculation about motive and details of the shooter's past, we are reminded of the problems we face with epidemic levels of domestic violence, a lack of resources for mental health treatment, and our propensity for violent acts. Today the world shines a spotlight on this particular tragedy, but let us not forget the thousands who become innocent victims of hatred and violence here and around the world each day. May we not turn to despair, but celebrate the sacred value of all life, and daily join in prayer for those who suffer, while doing all we can to be peacemakers. While we continue to search for answers, let us also remember that the light of God's love shines brighter than any darkness, and that we are called to shine that light in this world. Would you kindly join me in prayer for the community of Sutherland Springs, TX, and for all who continue to seek the refuge of God in times of fear and suffering. In Christ's love, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: I greet you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I evoked Psalm 46 in calling for prayers for those affected by the rainstorm on Sunday. Even as I was writing that letter this afternoon, a vicious act of terror was taking place in New York City. Police report that eight people were killed and more injured by a truck driven into cyclists and pedestrians on a bike path. Once again, I find myself affirming this passage and seeking God’s strength. I ask that you please join me in prayer for the victims, their families, the first responders, law enforcement, the truck driver, and all who have been affected by this horrible tragedy. As we lift up all those who are fearful, injured, or in mourning tonight, let us also pray for peace. May God grant us strength and refuge in these difficult days. In Christ's love, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. – Psalm 46 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: I greet you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though the sun is shining today, the effects of Sunday’s rainstorm can still be felt by many; power outages and damage from fallen trees have disrupted school, work, and home life. All of our camp and retreat centers, as well as several district offices, were directly affected. For some, this is a minor inconvenience; others face significant damage or loss. For all those dealing with the aftermath of this storm, please join me in praying that God brings patience and strength, and that recovery will be quick. In Christ’s love, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar

First day painting for the living nativity!!

Welcome our new district Superintendent, Rev.Jill Colley Robison!! http://www.neumc.org/newsdetail/vermont-district-welcomes-new-ds-9712557

We are always open the door, heart and mind to everyone!!

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” - Isaiah 40:1 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We greet you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Like many of you, we awoke this morning to hear the horrible and sickening news of the mass shooting in Las Vegas where at least 50 people have been killed and more than 200 were injured. As Conference leaders gathered for our regular Cabinet meeting this morning, we came together to write the prayer below. We are encouraging all of you to say this prayer at some time during the day – silently or aloud. May the abundant love and strength of God reach all those affected by this senseless violence and bring solace. All of us will be spending this evening in fasting prayer. The money we would have spent on our meals will be given to a ministry of the church that is on our hearts today. We humbly ask you to join us as you are able. Oh, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers. Our hearts cry out for those killed and injured in Las Vegas; for family and friends, for doctors and nurses, for emergency responders, for the family of the shooter, for those who escaped but are traumatized. Our hearts cry out. So help us, God of grace. Give us the courage to stand up and do something about the chaos that reigns in this world. Help us be the peace people crave in the midst of this evil we call division and war. Help us be the love people need to feel and hear when hate abounds. Take away the roots of violence in each of us and in this land. Let our prayers for non-violence and healing be turned to actions that confront all means of violence with the means of your peace and justice. Give us comfort that rises up out of your infinite grace with strength to breathe deep, reach wide, and transform broken human shards into redemptive community. Show us again how to rise, how to forgive, how to heal, how to be set free. We pray to you, the God of all comfort, to grant overwhelming peace. Shalom. Shalom. Shalom. In Christ’s love, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar Rene Wilbur Conference Lay Leader

VIGIL FOR LAS VEGAS Local faith communities are calling for a vigil to remember and mourn the lives lost and affected by the Las Vegas tragedy. Tens of lives were lost, hundreds were injured and thousands of lives were affected forever by the loss of loved ones. The nation mourns this tragedy and again questions the whys of this tragedy and seeks answers-- but for tomorrow night, Wednesday, October 4, this will be an opportunity to come together and mourn, to hear words of solace and to commit ourselves to building communities and nurturing children so that this is less likely to happen again. Centre Congregational Church on Main Street will host the 7PM Vigil. Clergy from many local faith communities will take part and Andy Davis will lead accompany music for the evening. Everyone is welcome.

Memorial Service for Ginny Taylor, Tomorrow morning(9/17) 11AM at the First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro. Please be present with us in remembrance of her.

Luncheon Reception at the church after the service. Thanks all for your hard work!

For those of you who were not able to be present at dear Shirley Woodcock's memorial service this afternoon. (Photo credit: Jim Meachen)

This is for you Patti, Lillian, Arnold, Bea and Peg.

Christi Catino and Pastor Cheryl singing The Prayer on Easter morning.

Our choir singing King Jesus Has Arisen for Easter morning.

A piece of our billowers' celebration of Easter morning that began our worship service.

If you've never seen our Drive Through Nativity, here is a quick and rough video as we change the guard on foot and portraying the second shift (where the first shift was shown in still photos elsewhere on our page). Many thanks to all who participated!