The following are opportunities for us all to stay involved and connected.  You can also check the most recent “Special Announcements” for additional ways to stay involved.  https://ucmvt.org/get-involved/newsletter/

Chalice Circles

All of our Soul Matters, Seasoned Souls, and Small Group Ministry participants are invited to participate in sessions via Zoom while the church is closed. Your facilitator will be sending the invite and link.

UCM’s Caring Network

“Don’t touch–stay in touch!”  We are forming small group “Caring Clusters,” of approximately five UCM households each, to support one another as we navigate life in response to COVID-19. Your group will be able to decide how and how often to communicate or assist, from just a weekly text check in, to someone assigned to buy and drop off groceries or prescriptions, to online meetings of any combo of members where you sip coffee and chat or play games. Go to this link to learn more and sign up to join a group.

Lay Pastoral

Our Lay Pastoral Care Ministry team has been reaching out to individuals in the congregation to check in, offer a listening ear, and find out what support you may need. If you haven’t been contacted by someone from the LPCM team and would like a phone call, please contact Rev. Joan at ucm.revjoan@gmail.com.

Weekly Check-In Calls

Rev. Joan and Lisa Kynvi (Student Minister) will be offering weekly times to gather with others to check-in on how you are doing as we all face the coronavirus pandemic and its challenges. Check-in calls will be on Mondays at 9:30AM led by Lisa and Thursdays at 4PM led by Joan. You can feel free to drop-in for either call (or both) on any particular week. Please e-mail Joan to request the Zoom meeting and call-in number

Climate Action Team

The UCM Climate Action Team currently has no plans to meet remotely during this time.  Questions or comments can be sent to ucm-climate-action-team@googlegroups.com.

Women’s Alliance

The Women’s Alliance usually meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month and is open to all.  We serve as a social and educational group, providing programs about community organizations, interesting travels of members and friends and topics of interest to our group.  We are a fundraising “arm” of UCM and run rummage sales and soup sales.  We support others through caring outreach and organize church receptions when asked.  We will resume meetings when the church year resumes.  For further information, please contact  Alliance president, Sandal Cate sandal@sover.net.

Community Lunch & Warming Shelter

A heartfelt Thank you to all the Community Lunch and Warming Shelter volunteers who continued to support our broader community even as most church activities were put on pause in response to COVID-19. Essential support is now being provided by city government and other social service agencies to those who are homeless and those who are food insecure in our community. We look forward to resuming these programs soon!

Montpelier Food Pantry

Montpelier Food Pantry continues to need donations of all staples, in particular hearty soups & main dish-in-a-can in pop top cans. Food may be dropped in the bins after check out at Shaw’s or Price Chopper.

Community Harvest of Central Vermont

The UCM Community Lunch program receives gleaned produce from Community Harvest of Central Vermont.  CHCV is looking for volunteers to help support their call center – you don’t even need to leave home.  If you would like to see what assistance you can offer register at https://www.communityharvestvt.org/volunteer.  They will work to connect you with the emergency response volunteer opportunity that works for you. According to  Allison Levins, Executive Director, the Covid-19 outbreak has had a significant impact of food insecurity. “Put simply, we are doing what needs to be done, pivoting our focus to support our food distribution partners. More and more people are food insecure as the economy stops. Congregate meals are being replaced by labor-intensive delivery systems. Because of our expertise in volunteer management, our existing systems, and connections to those who feel strongly about helping our neighbors, we have been asked to be involved in emergency response efforts in central Vermont.”