Briefs

Vermont Insight Meditation Center
to offer several fall courses this fall

BRATTLEBORO -- Vermont Insight Meditation Center is offering several public courses this fall.

In "Introduction to Insight Meditation" on Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. from Sept. 18 to Nov. 6, teacher Cheryl Wilfong will explain the basics for practicing not only meditation, but also compassionate and mindful living.

In "Recognizing and Cultivating a Joyful Mind" on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. from Sept. 11 to Nov. 13, teacher Jack Millett will explore a spectrum of lessons from the Buddha to the Dalai Lama as well as the James Baraz book "Awakening Joy."

In "Integrity, Tranquility, and Wisdom: The Power of the Buddha’s Eightfold Path" on Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. from Sept. 19 to Dec. 5, teacher Manny Mansbach will explain the Buddhist principles of ethical integrity that lead to a peaceful heart and mind.

Vermont Insight also offers morning meditations on Tuesdays and Thursdays, bimonthly sangha sittings on the first and third Sundays of the month, and monthly daylong retreats.

For more information, visit the website www.vermontinsight.org. To register, call the center at 802-254-7077 or e-mail information@vermontinsight.org.

Services change to 10 a.m. Sunday
at Christ’s Church in Saxtons

SAXTONS RIVER -- Beginning on Sept. 9, Sunday morning worship at Christ’s Church will take place at 10 a.m. Leading worship will be the Rev. Ivy Merrill of Keene, N.H., who has filled in several times this summer while the church is without a permanent pastor.

On Sunday, Sept. 16, Elaine Bowen, a church member and graduate of the Vermont Academy of Spiritual Training, will lead the service. Rev. Merrill will return on Sept. 23 and this service will be followed by a potluck lunch.

On Sunday, Sept. 30, a special service of worship will be held in the Saxtons River Historical Society, the former Congregational Church. Richard Anderson, a history buff, will recall some of the events in the past of the two Protestant churches in the village. It is hoped to have the historic Jesse Woodbury tracker organ in playing condition for the service, which will include long-time favorite hymns.

The public is welcome to attend all services.

Annual Community Fair takes place today at
Congregational Church of Westminster West

WESTMINSTER WEST -- The Congregational Church of Westminster West will hold its annual Community Fair on Saturday, Sept. 8. Planned as a fun event for all ages, highlights will include the Grafton Cornet Band, Bubble Magic with Rob Merman, the much bally-hooed "Whack a Corn Cob" game, and many crafts for sale.

The sanctuary will be temporarily transformed into an art gallery featuring local artists which will be available to the highest bidder in the silent auction. A chicken barbecue luncheon will be served outdoors and can be supplemented by goodies from the baked goods table. Bargain hunters will enjoy the Golden Elephant Sale, as well as the library book sale. Local talents will be displayed in the parade, the vegetable creations contest, and the talent show, which ends the day. All proceeds go to the church. For information contact Nick Keil or Laura and Betsy Bryant Williams.

The community will gather again on Sunday, Sept. 9, for the annual Post-Fair Hymn Sing. Beginning at 10 a.m., this worship service will consist largely of hymns chosen by participants. The Rev. Susie Webster-Toleno will lead the service, which begins at 10 a.m. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Jennifer Hed on the piano. The service will be followed by a fellowship time with coffee, juice and refreshments.

For more information, contact the pastor at 802-579-8356 or susiewt@gmail.com.

Pastor Meachen’s sermon Sunday is
’Poverty, Wealth and God’s Economy’

BRATTLEBORO -- Worship this Sunday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church will be based on James 2:1-10 and 14-17. The scripture will be read by Lay Leader, Douglas Reed.

Pastor Cheryl Meachen’s sermon will be "Poverty, Wealth and God’s Economy." She will explore the admonition in the text to keep from partiality, favoritism and judgment based on appearance and wealth, and the place that faith and works play in people’s religious lives and in their economic status.

Next Sunday, National Back to Church Day will be celebrated with a free Block Party Barbecue following church at noon. All are welcome.

For a ride e-mail the church at fumc@sover.net, or call 802-254-4218. Visit the website at gbgm-umc.org/Brattleboro to sign up for the e-newsletter.

The church is located next to Renew Salvage at 18 Town Crier Drive off Putney Road, across from the Shell station and is handicapped accessible.

Rally Day to be celebrated in Newfane
by blessing of backpacks and new year

NEWFANE -- The First Congregational Church of Newfane will celebrate Rally Day on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. with a blessing of the Backpacks and the School Year, balloons and a special coffee hour cake. The Rev. Hamm’s sermon will be "Good News in Hard Times" with scripture reading from Mark 7:24-37. Congregational hymns are "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," "Strong, Gentle Children" and "Will You Let Me Be Your Servant."

Guest organist will be Michael Gould of South Newfane who will accompany the choir as they return for the church year. The Sunday school curriculum for fall will tell the story of God’s people beginning with creation and running through God’s plan in the patriarchs, Exodus, kings and prophets, concluding with a study of God’s son, Jesus Christ.

Events for the upcoming week include Heritage Festival pie making at 9:30 a.m. on Monday with Al-Anon at 7:30 p.m.; Sew What’s meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday; Monthly Senior Luncheon at noon on Thursday with Handbell rehearsal at 5:15 p.m. and vocal choir rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. Further information may be found on the church website www.newfanechurch.org or by calling 802-365-4079.

’Generations of Faith’ program to begin
this weekend at St. Michael’s RC Church

BRATTLEBORO -- Saint Michael’s Roman Catholic Church at 47 Walnut St. in Brattleboro is set to resume its parish intergenerational faith formation program, "Generations of Faith" (formerly the religious education program). This program is for the whole parish, including children, teens, and adults. Registration will take place after all the Masses this weekend. The first Faith Festival will take place on Sunday, Oct. 7. Students in grades 1 and 2 should register for First Communion classes and students in grades 9 and 10 should register for Confirmation class. Registration forms for these two classes will also be available at this time.

Also this weekend, after all the Masses, the Knights of Columbus will be handing out Rosary Rings to everyone. On Sunday, following the 8 and 10:30 a.m. Mass, they will be serving their monthly pancake breakfast.

Weekend Masses are on Saturday at 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information call the Parish at 802-257-5101, e-mail stmike@together.net, or visit www.stmichaelvt.com.

Halifax Union Society to hold closing
services for the season on Sunday

HALIFAX CENTER -- The Rev. Dr. Marcia Dorey will lead the closing service at the Halifax Union Society this Sunday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited.

Refreshments will be served. Scripture this week addresses mercy, non-discriminatory compassion with both the rich and the poor, and a personal need for both faith and good deeds.

The church is located at the intersection of Jacksonville Stage Road (uphill from the town offices and school in West Halifax) at the intersection of Stowe Mountain Road. The building itself is 156 years old. Non-denominational services have been held there since 1891.

For further information contact HalifaxUnionSociety@gmail.com or call 802-368-2455.