thE-Steeple October 2017

Inside this issue:

Message from Pastor Barb 1

Message from Pastor Eyer 2

14 Days of Prayer 3-4

Centering Prayer 5

Crosses for Back Packs 5

Corn Roast Pictures 6

2017 WFC Directory 7

Apple Pie Making 7

Chicken Pie Dinner 7

Christmas Bazaar 8

Womens Book Club 9

Poverty in an Unequal Economy 9

Help Save Our Steeple 10

Recipes 11

Calendar 12

Williston Federated Church

United Methodist Church and United Church of Christ – Federated 1899

An Open and Affirming, Reconciling Congregation

Mission Statement ~ Our church is a community which seeks, welcomes and gathers people to share the Gospel of

God’s love, enables people to find fullness of life through Jesus Christ, goes into the

world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ, and responds actively

to human need.

Grace and peace to you all!

Once again, I offer these words from my colleague, Steve Garnaas-Holmes:

“Where two or three are gathered in my name,

I am there among them.”

—Matthew 18.20

Where there is relationship,

where there is love, there is Christ.

Where there's conductor and ground—

electrical flow.

Loving community is Christ,

each of us the fourth member

of the Holy Trinity.

Not “beside,” Jesus says, but among:

in the in-between-ness,

in the exchange of energy

between us,

the power of forgiveness,

the light of gratitude, honor, affection,

the death and resurrection

of giving and receiving.

Gather in that name, that mercy,

and feel the Beloved

humming between you.

This is what I’ve found at Williston Federated Church, again and again: the en-

ergy of Jesus’ love, the embodiment of the Trinity. This is what WFC is, at its

best: a loving community that shimmers with gratitude, honor, affection and for-

giveness.

And this is my prayer for you, today and always: that you may feel the Beloved

humming between you. Pastor Barb

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YOUR DREAMS FOR A DAY

OF NEW BEGINNINGS:

An Invitation from

Pastor Paul Eyer

A time of new beginnings offers a time for

new hopes and dreams. As we prepare to

begin our ministry together, I invite you to

write down your hopes and dreams for Williston Federated Church. And then I encourage

you to submit those thoughts to the church office (via email at office@steeple.org, via regu-

lar mail or hand-delivered).

My first Sunday with you will be October 29, a day on which many churches will be ob-

serving the 500th anniversary of the posting of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses,” the event

which launched the Protestant Reformation, a profound new beginning.

I hope that you will offer your own “theses” giving voice to your hopes and dreams for Wil-

liston Federated Church and perhaps for the wider church as well. These “New Theses”

will then be compiled and many will be posted at the entrances to the church for Sunday,

October 29.

(NOTE: in 2017, we rejoice that we serve side-by-side with our Catholic brothers and sis-

ters in many meaningful ecumenical ministries. Each year Williston Federated and other

Protestant Churches join with local Catholic churches for a community-wide Thanksgiving

service. And Pope Francis has personally participated in some Protestant celebrations of

the Reformation in this 500th anniversary year. In observing “Reformation Sunday” on Oc-

tober 29, we will focus on ongoing opportunities to reform and advance the church—our

church and the church universal—while at the same time honoring our Christian brothers

and sisters of every denominational stripe. )

There is still time for your “theses” to be included. I look forward to hearing your hopes

and dreams for the church, I look forward to seeing the “New 95 Theses,” and I look for-

ward to serving as your pastor!

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PREPARING THROUGH PRAYER:

An invitation to “14 Days of Prayer”

From Pastor Paul Eyer

Williston Federated Church, Williston, VT

The beginning of our ministry together is now just weeks away—I am very excited about what

God has in store as we move forward together! Jackie and I look forward to being with you very

soon!

As we prepare for this new beginning, I have been thinking a lot about a church that I visited this

summer. This predominantly African American church, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is

engaged in an amazing array of ministries, particularly addressing the needs and enhancing

opportunities for children, youth, and adults in their inner city community.

On the summer Sunday that I visited, hundreds attended worship. The church and its pastor have

such credibility in the community that they are looked to for leadership, particularly (but not

only) in moments of crisis. (Listen to National Public Radio’s interview with New Shiloh Bap-

tist’s pastor, Rev. Dr. Harold Carter, Jr.: http://www.npr.org/2015/05/03/403946574/amid-

baltimore-protests-a-little-spotlight-of-joy.)

I was deeply impressed by this church and its pastor. And then I learned that for decades, daily

prayer has been taking place in New Shiloh Church (7 days a week, 365 days a year). Each

day—rain, shine, or snow—two or three or more members of the church gather at the church to

pray. (And we KNOW what Jesus said about “where two or three are gathered…” Matthew

18:20.)

So I suggested to the pastor that there might be a connection between those frequent, faithful, fer-

vent prayers and the remarkable impact of that church on the community around it. The pastor

agreed.

As I prepare to join you in ministry in just a few weeks, I wonder what would happen if we were

to take a page from New Shiloh’s playbook. What might happen if we were to commit our-

selves to daily prayer for the fourteen (14) days leading up to my first Sunday as your pastor

on October 29?

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PREPARING THROUGH PRAYER: An

invitation to “14 Days of Prayer”

From Pastor Paul Eyer

Williston Federated Church, Williston, VT

Sue Leister and Pastor Barb Lemmel have agreed to help coordinate and facilitate these daily

prayer sessions that will begin Sunday, October 15 and continue (at least) through Saturday,

October 28. Here are more details:

“14 Days of Prayer”

Purpose: to lay a foundation of prayer for the beginning of this new ministry

together

Timing: from Sunday, October 15 through Saturday, October 28

Objective: to set the stage for our first Sunday together as pastor and congregation

on October 29

Game plan: on each day (including weekends) beginning with Sunday, October 15

and continuing at least through Saturday, October 28, one or more parishioners will

gather at the church for a brief time of prayer for Williston Federated Church and its

new pastor. Of course, prayers can and will be offered for other joys and concerns

as well. (For example: we should, of course, continue to pray with intensity for

victims of recent natural disasters, even as we discern practical ways to respond with

generosity and long-term help.)

Long-term hope: that regular, purposeful prayer will be a cornerstone undergirding

the many meaningful ministries of Williston Federated. (Might it be possible that

this practice of daily prayer would extend beyond October 28?)

And even if you are unable to come to the church to pray, you are OF COURSE invited and

encouraged to pray at home. As the example of Jesus reminds us, “pray always…” (Luke 18:1).

I enthusiastically encourage you to participate in these 14 Days of Prayer. May we saturate

Williston Federated Church with prayer as we prepare for our new ministry together!

In prayerful expectation,

Rev. Paul Eyer

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CROSSES FOR BACK PACKS (and diaper bags) On Sunday September 10 the children in the worship service received a small olive wood

cross for their back packs.

These crosses came from Israel. The following is from the web site: “ We are blessed to

be able to offer affordable and beautiful Christian handicrafts made by talented local

Christian artisans. This area of the world has very little to offer in employment and hope for a future. We

are blessed to offer the talented Christian artists in this region with employment opportunities to support

their families and build a future.

We pray that our blessings become a blessing to you as you share these magnificent crafts and gifts with

your family, friends and loved ones.” The company name is Zuluf.

Enjoy the next page…. Pictures from our September Corn Roast!Enjoy the next page…. Pictures from our September Corn Roast!

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Apple Pie Making

In preparation for the Chicken Pie Supper

on Oct. 14th,

we will gather in the church kitchen

October 2nd.

beginning at 4:30 PM, to make apple pies.

Bring a bowl and your favorite peeler.

Snacks provided.

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Chicken Pie Dinner

Save the Date of October 14 for this year’s chicken pie

supper. Our customers are already calling for res-

ervations so please be thinking about how you would like

to contribute to make this dinner another sold out suc-

cess. We’ll need chicken pies, pumpkin pies, and lots of

potatoes and squash.

There are many ways to help and have fun, so watch for

the sign up poster which will appear very soon.

There will be two seatings again this year at 5:00 and 6:00 PM with takeout available. Call

Carol Bouchard at 862-7400 to make a reservation for the dinner including take out. Be sure

to call early. It is always a sold out event. Thank you, Lois Mason

2017 WFC Directory Available

An updated directory of church members including address, phone & email is now

available. There are a few copies on the table in the hall. Contact the church office if

the supply is gone or you would like to have one mailed to you.

Please check your information and if there are errors, contact the church office so

that we might update our database.

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Christmas Bazaar November 18th 9 AM - 2 PM

Here is a preview for the Christmas Bazaar November 18th, sponsored

by the Women of the Church.

Craft Table - Chairperson, Carol Bouchard - We need hand made items such as mittens,

scarves, ornaments, jewelry, wooden items, Christmas or other holiday decorations.

Bake Sale Table - Chairperson, Rebecca Dubois - We need all sorts of baked goods includ-

ing pies, cakes, cookies, candies, breads, jams, pickles, fudge etc. The bake sale table is one

of the most popular. Please package cookies, bars, fudge etc. in small packages.

Plant Table – Chairperson Needed (someone to organize and price donations the day before

the event) We are looking for houseplants, dried flowers, wreaths, gourds, gifts for gardeners.

Attic Treasures – Co-chairs, Ginger Isham & Sylvia Maloney – We are looking for small

items: collectibles, old linens, jewelery, Christmas decorations, small treasures.

Silent Auction - Sponsored by the youth – Donations of goods & services are needed. Some

ideas are: yard work, computer help, babysitting, pies, art work, tickets to a local sporting

event, a weekend at a camp, a dinner in your home. Be creative. Proceeds benefit the youth

group. Click here for a link to the donation form.

Ready to Go Meals – Co-chairs Vicki Walker & Polly Malik. A variety of Take home meals

will be available. This will be our only sale of Take Home Meals so stock up on your favor-

ites. We also have canned goods - your favorite jams and pickles. Proceeds to benefit the

Community Dinner Fund

Solmate Socks – Lynne Balman is selling these mismatched socks to

benefit Dragonheart Vermont, a breast cancer survivor group.

Lunch - We will be serving home made soups, pulled pork & pulled

chicken sandwiches and chili. Donations of soup are needed.

Set Up – Thursday, Nov. 16th 1-4 and Friday, Nov. 17th 9-4 - Card Ta-

bles and holiday table cloths are needed. Bring your donated items and

come help us set up.

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From the Peace and Justice Center

Poverty in an Unequal EconomyPoverty in an Unequal Economy

WhenWhen--October 12 ThursdayOctober 12 Thursday

WhereWhere-- Main Street Landing Gallery, Main Street Landing Gallery,

60 Lake Street 2nd floor60 Lake Street 2nd floor Join Equity Solutions and PJC for a deeper understanding of the root causes of poverty and economic

inequality, so that we are ready to implement innovative and equitable responses in our work and com-

munities.

Get ready for storytelling, interactive activities, light bulbs to go off, and a renewed energy towards a

“we are all in this together” approach. For more information please contact program@pjcvt.org

Women's Book Club for October

Hi Ladies,

The choice for the October meeting is "Rules of Civility" by Amor

Towles. The following is part of a summary of this

book from goodreads.com:

"On the last night of 1937, twenty-five-year-old Katey Kontent is in a

second-rate Greenwich Village jazz bar with her boardinghouse room-

mate stretching three dollars as far as it will go when Tinker Grey, a

handsome banker with royal blue eyes and a tempered smile, happens to

sit at the neighboring table. This chance encounter and its startling conse-

quences propel Katey on a yearlong journey from a Wall Street secretar-

ial pool toward the upper echelons of New York society and the execu-

tive suites of Condé Nast--rarefied environs where she will have little to rely upon other than a

bracing wit and her own brand of cool nerve.

The date for this gathering will be chosen by the hostess. Would someone like to volunteer for

that meeting? Contact Lois Mason .

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PROJECT ~ PROJECT ~ HELP SAVE HELP SAVE

THE THE STEEPLESTEEPLE

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT

TO ACCESS THE WEBSITE BELOW

INFORMATION ON OUR GOALS TO SAVE THE WILLISTON

FEDERATED CHURCH STEEPLE

http://www.steeple.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/

WFC-Steeple-Project-pdfview-6-1-17.pdf

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Butternut Squash Pizza with Hazelnut Dough

1 cup very thinly sliced peeled, halved butternut squash

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Coarse salt

1/4 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal

1 ball Hazelnut Pizza Dough

6 to 10 small or torn sage leaves

1 to 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

Garnish: hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven, preferably convection, to 500 degrees. Drizzle squash with oil, and season with salt; toss.

2. Spread cornmeal on a baking sheet. Stretch dough into a 9 1/2-inch round; transfer to baking sheet. Drizzle

dough with oil, and arrange squash on top, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Bake for 6 minutes (10 minutes if not using

convection oven). Meanwhile toss sage with garlic, and drizzle with oil to coat. Sprinkle sage mixture over pizza.

Bake until crust is golden brown and cooked through, 6 minutes more (10 minutes more if not using convection

oven). Garnish with hazelnuts, and drizzle with oil.

Kale, Cranberry, and Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash

2 large acorn squash

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1/2 tablespoon maple syrup

pinch of salt

1/2 large yellow onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

3 cups chopped or torn Tuscan kale

1 cup vegetable broth

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1-2 cooked Italian sausages, cut into bite-sized pieces (I used vegetarian)

3 cups stuffing mix

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out and discard the seeds with a spoon. Drizzle or brush cut edges and

inside of squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil and syrup. Sprinkle with salt. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and

roast for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and celery

and saute until softened. Add the kale and continue to saute until tender, adding a tablespoon of water and cover-

ing if needed. Add the vegetable broth, cranberries, sausage, and stuffing mix and stir to combine. Cook for one

minute and remove from heat.

Fill roasted squash with the stuffing. If there is extra stuffing, bake it in a small casserole dish. Cover stuffed

squash with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes longer to brown the top.

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