“Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul and
sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all.”
 -Emily Dickinson
 

Greetings from the Church President

I hope you are all doing well and practicing social distancing…remember 6 feet! 
Have a Heart - stay home or 6 feet apart. 
We have been directed by our Governor to Stay in Place and Stay Safe. I hope that you are all doing just that.  Although you can sneak out for groceries, medical appointments or trips to the pharmacy.  The other thing you can do is get out and enjoy spring.   After the snow storm, the weather has been lovely and the fresh air…oh the fresh air of Vermont.  Do get outside and breathe and walk and get some exercise. 

Sad News
 
On Friday March 27, we received the sad news that Pat Liao died Thursday evening.  It is suggested that expressions of sympathy may be sent to Pat’s daughter, Jennifer Dechen, 8 Lincoln Street, Springfield, Vermont  05156.  Continue to keep Jennifer and her brother, Peter Liao who lives in Shanghai, China, as well as, other members of the family in your prayers.  A service of celebration for the life of Pat will be held at a later date.
                                                                   Pastor Donald E. Harpster
                                                     
Prayer Concerns

Even though our community of faith is sheltering in place and will not be gathering for fellowship and prayers for the foreseeable future, there are many who need both our prayers and care.

We are all saddened by the passing of Pat Liao from COVID 19.  Please keep her daughter, Jennie and granddaughters, Avery & Arden in your thoughts and prayers. 
Brenda and Dick Dansingburg recently lost their granddaughter, Marina Kelley, after a valiant and life long struggle with health issues.
Jean Eggleston is recovering at home with her daughter, Kate and her partner.
We are grateful that Laura Caravatt is back in her home in Vermont.  Her son-in-law, Richard Holden, a physician in Connecticut, where Laura was staying developed a high fever.  He was later diagnosed with the flu and not COVID 19.  She has a neighbor who checks in on her, but I am sure would appreciate phone calls and well wishes
Richard Stewart has recovered from strep throat.
Evelyn Tucker is at Cedar Hill Nursing Home
Evelyn Verro is in a nursing home in Albany
Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Kathy Doyle, Annie Oakes, Herb Van Guilder,  Terry DeYoung,  Ginny Kottkamp, James Almond, and Judy Edwards continue to need our prayers, phone calls, cards, and emails or texts
In our larger community there are many who need our prayers
Pam Dundy is at home on oxygen.  She is most appreciative when volunteers can pick up her mail or help out with groceries
The family of Bob Kirkbride need our prayers as he died this past week from COVID 19.  He and his wife (who died earlier this year) were devout Catholics, but friends to the United Church.
Two members of the Josselyn Brothers Construction crew have become ill and we wish them a quick recovery.
We know the power of prayer.  If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email: Thomson131VT@gmail.com
 
Stuff the Mailbox!
 
To those who sent in their offering last week, THANK YOU so much. We do have ongoing expenses even though we are not meeting on a regular basis and we depend on an income. 
Please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149.  Imagine how good the Receiver of Offerings feels when she gets weekly envelopes with checks. After you mail the envelope, you will feel good too as you did your part to support our church and staff during these challenging times.  Thank you so much.
 
Up-date on the Building project.
 
As you know the Governor has issued the Stay at Home order so the construction on our building has slowed since last week.  It appears that the sheet rock is hung and the mudding started, but now we cannot expect to see major changes.  The window was not delivered anyway so….   It will get  finished when folks can get back to work.  We have waited a long time for this wonderful addition so we can wait a bit longer….especially since we are not able to hold services in the building anyway.
 
Reaching out to Help our Community
 
As the unprecedented pandemic of COVID 19 is affecting our everyday lives in ways we never could have anticipated, there will be many in our community who will need our help from picking up groceries or medications, taking out trash, a home cooked meal or even a phone call to brighten their day.   If you or anyone you know of in our community needs help in any way, please contact  Laura Lienhard  laura_lienhard@hotmail.com (802) 236-7310 or Linda Thomson  Thomson131VT@gmail.com (802)-228-6275
 
Some members of our church (could be you) will also be reaching out to the Membership/Friends of the church by phone to check in to make sure they are OK and as needed volunteer to help them with groceries, etc.  If you might be willing to help by checking in with some folks (calling or emailing), please contact George Thomson at thomson131vt@gmail.com or by calling 802-228-6275. Your help would be greatly appreciated. 
 
Continue to be Social!
 
We made need to practice “social distancing,” but we are a social congregation AND we can still be social. Please consider calling at least two friends or neighbors every day to check in or just be social!  I called some folks this week that I have not talked to  in a long time and each call was almost an hour.  People do miss the social connections so now is a great time to call.  It is a wonderful mission outreach and will make you and them feel good.  Try it and you will be rewarded. 

And as always:
 
If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net.
 
Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home: It would be greatly appreciated that if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster.

Greetings from the Church President
 
 I hope you are all doing well and practicing social distancing…remember 6 feet!
 
As I am sure you all anticipate, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will NOT be holding ANY services in our beautiful building until further notice. We will, however, be posting sermons/messages from Don on a regular basis. You may access them by going to the church website at http://www.unitedchurch.us and then clicking “Sermons” on the menu tab at the top right corner. This will be updated on a regular basis. The RNP Committee and Fred are working to update the rest of the website too.
 
Our prayer chain will continue and will be updated when appropriate. Please let Linda or Laura know if you have someone who you would like add to the list. In addition to the list, you might also pray for an end to this awful disease!
 
Prayer Chain
 
Even though our community of faith will not be gathering for fellowship and prayers for the foreseeable future, there are many who need both our prayers and care.
 
     Brenda and Dick Dansingburg who recently lost their granddaughter, Marina Kelley
     Pat Liao is hospitalized at DHMC, initially with heart issues and now with pneumonia               ​from COVID 19
     Jean Eggleston is recovering at home
     Laura Caravatt is back in her home in Vermont
     Fred Gilbertson from Williamsburg, VA, the brother of Ginny Kottkamp who has been                diagnosed with COVID-19
     Richard Stewart is recovering from strep throat and will be out of work as Sam’s is                    closed until the end of May
     Evelyn Tucker is at Cedar Hill Nursing Home
     Evelyn Verro in in a nursing home in Albany
     Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Kathy Doyle, Annie Oakes, Herb Van Guilder,       Terry DeYoung, Ginny Kottkamp, James Almond, and Judy Edwards continue to            need our prayers

In our larger community there are many who need our prayers
     Pam Dundy is at home on oxygen
     To the family of Bob Kirkbride who died this week as a result of COVID 19
 
We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com
 
Offering Please!
 
Since we will not be having church services, you will miss having the opportunity to place your offering in the offertory plate. Unfortunately, many of our expenses are fixed or ongoing so we will still be depending on income. It would be ever so helpful if you could continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. After mailing the check, you may choose to hum the doxology to yourself!! Thank you so much.
 
Up-date on the Building Project
 
Josselyn brothers is making great progress with the handicapped access project. If you haven’t been out and seen for yourself, here is what you have missed. First of all…It looks great. The design blends in so well with the architecture of the building and the color of the siding is an exact match (or at least so close that you would never know any different). The roofing is completed; the siding is 80% completed; the round window was back ordered but should be in on Monday; the insulation is complete; the sheetrock has been hung, taping and finish will take place next week; painting is to follow; stair materials are on order and we will fabricated at Josselyn’s shop next week; the lift schedule has changed and we are waiting for an update from supplier/installer. Although, we might not be back to church to use it, it is probable that the back-entry stairs will be usable in three weeks. This is all so exciting and will be such a wonderful addition once it is completed and we can return to our building. A Comstock Memorial plaque is in the works.
 
Easter Egg Hunt Cancelled
 
The collaboration event that we had planned to do with the Recreation Department of the Town of Ludlow is postponed until a later time. Thank you to those who volunteered to stuff eggs, hide eggs and man fun activities. You are not off the hook…they still plan to do the Easter Activities just not around Easter! Nick Miele, the Director of Recreation Department, expressed his sincere appreciation to us for our offer to help. Hopefully, we can fulfill this obligation later this year.
 
And as always:
 
If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net.
 
Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home: It would be greatly appreciated that if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
The service for this week has been cancelled, due to the uncertainties posed by the COVID19 risk in the community.  Please be safe, and care for each other.

As new information becomes available, it will be posted here, and in email updates.  If you are not currently receiving church emails, and wish to be put on the email contact list, please send an email to unitedchurch@tds.net.
_________________________________________________________________________
A warm welcome to all visitors.  If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at  802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net.  Please be sure to sign the guestbook located at the entrance to the church. 
 
Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home
It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. 
 
Upcoming Meetings/Events 
-Executive Board Meeting, Wednesday, March 25, 7:00 P.M.
-April 5 – Palm Sunday and Dedication of One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
-April 9 – Maundy Thursday Service, Social Hall, 7:00 P.M.
-April 12 – Easter Service at 10:15 A.M.
 
 Weekly Offerings
Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending
March 8 were $335.00. The costs for each week are $1,188.00. (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).
 
Altar Guild
Jean Eggleston will do the Altar Guild duties for the month of March.  
 
Coffee Hour  
A time of fellowship following the service of worship is held in the social hall. Coffee, juice and refreshments will be served.
 
________________________________________________________________________
Construction Progress
As you can see by the construction equipment out back, the handicapped access project has finally begun.  It is so exciting to have this started.
 
Until it is completed, we will all have to use the front entrance to the church.  We can still park in the back if space is available, but you will enter through the front door.
 
The Ludlow Health Center is graciously allowing us to park in the back of their building during church service times.  They do ask that cars be moved after services.  See map below.
 
The contractor said he will try to not completely block the door so we could use it as an emergency exit if necessary.  Richard will be keeping the walkways in the front cleared of snow for us all to use. We apologize for the inconvenience, but it will all be worth it, once the project is completed.  
 
Lenten Banner
The banner hanging in the front of the sanctuary represents the wilderness, reminding us of the forty days that Jesus spent there, fasting and being tempted by the devil. 
 
The palms are for Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  And the purple, the color of royalty is a reference to Christ the King.  The variety of purples and the black lettering remind us of the pain, suffering and passion that we remember as we pray during this season.   
 
Bordering the banner is the color of white that represents the anticipation of the Easter season.
 
EASTER FLOWERS
Flowers really contribute to the beauty and sacredness of our Church on Easter Sunday.  Donations for Easter Flowers can be given to Jean Eggleston. If the donation is in memory or in honor of individuals, please include a written notation of how you wish it to appear in the Easter bulletin on April 12. All are encouraged to help to decorate our Church as we celebrate and glorify our Risen Lord.  

Palm Sunday  - One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
 
Our offering makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer from disaster, conflict, or poverty. 
 
One Great Hour of Sharing ministries reach people worldwide, including the United States.  Together we provide disaster relief, health care, education, job training, shelter, schools clean water, and food.
 
Our offering to One Great Hour of Sharing helps meet the needs that make the headlines and needs that headlines ignore.  We dedicate our gifts to this ministry on Palm Sunday
(April 5), but the good work done by our gifts gives life again and again, and last much longer. 
 
An offering envelope is enclosed for your convenience.
 
 
Please Volunteer
 
The United Church is collaborating with the Town of Ludlow Recreation Department on the Easter egg hunt for the children of the community.  They need help filling eggs on Friday, April 3 at 4 pm at the Ludlow Community Center and also hiding the eggs on the Ludlow Elementary School  playground on Saturday, April 11 at 7 am.   Both activities will take approximately one hour of your time.  Please let George know if you are available to help with this community activity.  He can be reached at thomson131vt@gmail.com or at 802-558-9057.   The children of the town will be most appreciative on Easter morning.