Mira Cabrera - Design, Editing, and Publishing
March 2026
Where Light Comes at Last
Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson
Dear Church,
As the story goes, back in the third century, a Christian named Anthony heard a Sunday sermon about selling one’s possessions, giving the proceeds to the poor, and following Christ. In response, he sold his possessions, gave his money away, and followed Christ into the wilderness of an Egyptian desert.
What followed was remarkable. Other seekers sought out Anthony, and a community of Christian hermits and ascetics took shape. These Desert Fathers and Mothers shared a common desire to plumb the depths of the spiritual life and to know and love God. They dove deeply into the recitation of Scripture and practices of prayer. Their insights, collected in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, exude a holy thoughtfulness.
I find my way back to that book in Lent to enjoy the spacious interior landscapes of prayerful reflection. In a world filled with clutter, noise, and hustle, the season of Lent offers us time to pause and pray and be in God’s peaceful presence. I see this season as a grace-filled invitation to know and love God. Lent is a time for spiritual growth and renewal. Whether it includes giving up an old habit or taking on something new, Lent (which means “spring”) invites green shoots of faith.
The Lenten journey is particular to each of us. Last year, I wrote a haiku each day in Lent as a way of paying attention, as a practice of prayer. (This year, it’s a daily walk.) Last Easter afternoon, I added one more:
I have seen the Lord
In this valley of shadows
Where light comes at last
God guide us through the wilderness to the bright sound of Easter singing.
With faith, hope, and love,
Andy
P.S. Spring arrives in Middlebury on March 20th at 10:46 a.m., technically speaking. Crocuses are coming!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE February 2026
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
At its Feb. 11 meeting, Church Council discussed the role of the church and its pastors in the current political climate, which has grown increasingly fraught following the recent shooting deaths in Minnesota of two American citizens by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Pastor Elizabeth attended demonstrations in Minnesota last month protesting federal immigration enforcement actions there, and Pastor Andy participated recently in an interfaith vigil and demonstration at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in St. Albans.
Both pastors said they wanted to know if the Council would support their participation in demonstrations in the future, and also whether it would view their involvement as an extension of their work for the church, or as something they do on their own. Council members broke into groups of four to discuss written questions the pastors prepared. The first was, “When your pastors engage in acts of resistance or solidarity, to what extent do you see them as representing the congregation versus acting as individuals.” A second question asked if the Council would like the church to inform the congregation of opportunities to attend protests and to participate in related activities. No Council member voiced opposition to the pastors joining demonstrations, and several said they were pleased at their involvement. Council members also said they would welcome receiving information from the church about upcoming protests. The congregation has taken no formal position on immigration enforcement, they said; people can decide for themselves whether to participate. Council members discussed designating portions of the building as private spaces, to discourage immigration agents from entering them when the church hosts public events. The Council agreed to continue the conversation.
Moderator Leanna Maglienti said that, by the end of March, trustees hope to have detailed cost estimates for replacing the roof over the original church structure. She said she’d like to have the congregation vote on a construction plan as soon as possible.
Janet Franklin said she would like the church to publicize arrangements it has with Neat Repeats and Buy Again Alley, two local consignment shops. People making donations to the stores may request that a portion of the proceeds from their gifts be directed to the church.
Michele Brown told Council members the church will use about $2,700 next month from the Organ Repair and Improvement Fund to pay for repairs to the church organ.
Pastor Elizabeth called the Council’s attention to the church’s plan to hold a Women’s Retreat on May 8 and 9 at the Silver Bay YMCA on Lake George. Leanna said she will sign a contract with the YMCA this month and submit a downpayment check for $1,230. Pastor Elizabeth thanked the Council for its support of her recent trip to Minnesota to participate in immigration-enforcement protests.
Pastor Andy said he will lead a four-part class next month in Unity Hall on The Social Gospel, an early 20th Century religious movement dedicated to achieving a more just society. He said Eliana Cañas Parra, a church member-in-discernment at Yale Divinity School, is hoping to serve as an intern here this summer. She would work without a salary. Pastor Andy suggested the congregation consider undertaking a special collection and donating the proceeds to support Yale internships. Eliana is looking for temporary housing.
Council appointed three people to vacant positions in the church. Robert Foster will serve a one-year term on the Board of Trustees; Bill Thurber will serve a one-year term on the Board of Christian Development; and Will Nash will serve as Church Historian. Leanna said the nominating committee is working to fill three other vacancies on church boards.
Respectfully Submitted,
Matthew Cox, Church Clerk
-
Between annual meetings, the Church Council meets once a month to fulfill its responsibility to coordinate the church's programs and business. Council has the powers generally ascribed to a corporation's board of directors.
The Church Council is composed of the following Church members: Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, and the chairpersons of the six church boards. Also, there are three at-large members. One is elected every year and serves a 3 year term.
-
The basic life and work of the church is under the direction and supervision of church boards, which meet monthly at the All Boards Meeting and report to the Church Council. Members of these boards are elected from the membership of the church.
Children & Youth Updates
Lent is here, and children in our program went home with Lenten Bags filled with six symbols and six cards explaining each symbol, along with scripture, questions, and reflections for each week of Lent. We hope this season will be a time of thoughtful reflection for everyone—from our youngest members to our elders. The symbols are simple and tactile, serving as reminders throughout the Lenten journey:
Soap – clean hearts and new starts
Cross – Jesus’ love and sacrifice
Footprints – following Jesus
Coin – giving and generosity
Heart – love and kindness
Bread – hunger and sharing
To learn more, please visit the bulletin board outside my office and respond to the three questions about prayer, fasting, and giving. We would love to hear from everyone!
Junior Youth Group is moving right along as we continue learning about our neighbors’ faith traditions. In February, we explored the UCC tradition, and in March we will welcome guest Chaplain Zahra Moeini Meybodi, the Muslim chaplain at Middlebury College, who will share with us about Islam. We are also looking forward to our JYG planning retreat at the end of March in Cornwall.
In addition to our regular meetings, JYG have or will participate in several special activities, including helping set up and serve at St. Stephen’s Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, attending the Stations of the Cross at St. Mary’s, and practicing foot washing on Maundy Thursday at St. Stephen’s. We will culminate the season with our festive Easter celebration and egg hunt on the Town Green. More details on these festivities will be shared soon.
The nursery continues to be a lively and welcoming space for our littlest members. We are eagerly preparing to welcome the next group of babies to join us downstairs.
Parent Playdate remains a popular gathering for both adults and children. Pastor Elizabeth leads the program portion, while a wonderful team of volunteers helps cook, clean, provide childcare, and ensure everything runs smoothly. We are deeply grateful for the many hands that make this time possible. It is a special opportunity for young families to connect, share a home-cooked meal, and enjoy fellowship together.
We continue to look forward to our time together as a Church family—on Sunday mornings, Saturday evenings, Sunday evenings, and whenever we gather together.
Gratefully,
May
Member Bio: May Poduschnick
I am thrilled to be part of the staff of Middlebury UCC having attended the church for more than a dozen and serving as a volunteer teacher for the past 8. My background and experience are varied, from working in International Health organizations to starting a Chinese language and culture program, to leading intergenerational Music and Movement classes, and just plain communications desk job. I never imagined I would be working with children and youth at my beloved church but then again you never quite know where God will lead.
I have four children of my own, from elementary age to college age and I am married to Rik Poduschnick, who has been my biggest support. I love biking around everywhere, cooking up a storm, connecting to old and new friends and growing roots in this community.
May officially became a church member in April 2025, and serves as Director of Children & Youth Ministries. She's also active in many other capacities--including helping organize church retreats, the Nifty Fifty group, as well as the monthly Affinity group. She's an incredible cook, a joy to be around, and an uplifting presence to everyone in her path.
Nifty Fifty
Are you in your 50s (give or take a few years)? Are your kids out of the house, halfway out, or at least driving themselves places? Do you miss those days when sports games, concerts, and birthday parties magically doubled as social time?
Welcome to Nifty Fifty—a chance to reconnect, build new friendships, and enjoy this stage of life together!
We gather once a month on the third Friday evening, rotating homes and locations for an evening of fellowship, laughter, games, and good conversation with fellow nifty folks who are in a similar season or have a few years of this season under their belt.
Our next gathering is March 20, 2026 (location TBD). For more information, email may@midducc.org.
Music Ministry Updates
As I sit down to write this edition of Church Matters, I find myself still in the afterglow of last week's Ash Wednesday service, which featured Faure's Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine. Over seventy singers gathered in the choir corner and organ-side balcony pews to blend their voices together, singing with six marvellous strings and our stalwart pipe organ. From the very first notes of the Cantique to the final chord of In Paradisum, I felt transported to another realm and could feel that many others in the room were right there with me.
This was a community event in every way. The service featured our very own Chancel Choir, additional singers from our congregation, and many more volunteer singers from Addison County and beyond. Most choral singers know the Faure Requiem intimately well and have sung it more than once in their lives, which allowed us to put this project together with just three rehearsals. Choral singing is an act of resistance in many ways, as it brings together people from all walks of life to unite their voices for a common purpose. It reminds us that when we stop to engage with beauty and awe, so many of our problems fade away and we find ways to move forward, together.
Meditating on eternal life and death feels like an appropriate way to start the season of Lent. To me, Faure's Requiem feels introspective, pensive, and dark at times, but also exceedingly hopeful. The opening figures in the final movement draw the ear and eye up as they float toward heaven, and the soprano voices glide effortlessly over the already buoyant texture. The lower voices in the choir ground us as the train gently pulls into the station, beckoning us with open arms. We have journeyed through the woes of life but have found a sense of peace and rest. We have finally made it home.
I hope that you may carry this music with you throughout Lent. Let the music serve as a guiding force in your daily lives. Remember the common truth which unites us all: one day, each of us will die, and everything we know and love will cease to exist. With that in mind, what a joy it is to behold the wonder and mystery of life with each breath that we take. What a gift we have all been given to have crossed paths to create such music as this. I am grateful to each of you for your presence, your ears, your voices, and your love.
-Ronnie Romano, Music Director
Member Bio: Ronnie Romano
I've loved music since I was old enough to climb onto the piano bench in my grandparents' house and watch the player piano work its magic. After begging my mother for piano lessons, I played classical music for many years before eventually getting wrapped up in choir, musical theater, and jazz in high school and college. Middlebury College brought me here to Vermont from my home state of New Jersey. Currently, I spend most of my musical time conducting and playing the piano, but I also love to sing, compose, and play the organ. Outside of church, I direct the Wellspring Singers and the Middlebury College Community Chorus. In NYC, I work with the vocal ensemble Choral Chameleon as Director of Education. I am thrilled to serve this incredible community!
Ronnie Romano is the Director of Music here at The Congregational Church of Middlebury, UCC. He is an active member of the church (joined in April of 2025), and participates in the Art in Unity group, where he has helped host popular music & poetry events.
New Memorial GiftS to the Endowment
The Historian's Desk...With Gratitude
In this month's Church Matters, we wanted to highlight the 2025 Historian's Report, written by Leanna Maglienti for the Annual Report, a tribute to longtime Church historian (and Church Matters contributor) Mal Chase, who passed away in January.
"Mal Chase served with distinction as our Church’s Historian from 2018 through 2025. In 2025, Mal contributed multiple articles to Church Matters featuring a compendium of our church moderators, church clerks, our earliest settled pastors, and the concerts that have been held in the sanctuary, as well as sharing historical sketches from the earliest versions of our membership directories, once known as our “Manuals.” His most recent contribution featured the architectural history of our church building and its Palladian windows. With his characteristic good humor and curiosity, Mal provided some detail behind his work as the Church’s Historian in that article:
From the Historian's Desk
Now, I’ll admit, not all of my time on various boards and committees has been thrilling (i.e. note-taking). But through it all, I’ve come to understand the relative priorities of our many church activities. That’s helped me focus my efforts on the projects that spark some joy—like tracking down long-lost documents from our past. One such project began with a tip about where the church’s historical records were stored. Armed with optimism and a flashlight (just kidding—sort of), I dove in… only to find the records weren’t all there. While that could have been discouraging, it actually became the spark for a larger project: writing a full history of the church and rallying others to help uncover the pieces we’re still missing.”
May we all find such joy in service of our community!
Respectfully submitted, on behalf of a grateful congregation,
Leanna Maglienti, Moderator"
Thursdays at Noon
Art in Unity presents Sacred Pause: Music and Quiet Reflection for These Times. Come join us for a six week Lenten contemplative series with music by Ronnie Romano, Director of Music; a variety of readings including poetry and Scripture; and quiet space for prayer and reflection.
Every Thursday from 12 noon to 12:45 p.m. in Unity Hall. February 26, March 5, 12, 19, and 26.
Monday Evenings Starting March 9
Pastor Andy will be leading a four-part adult education class next month on the Social Gospel. (The Social Gospel was a religious movement led by Walter Rauschenbusch in the early 20th century that aimed to mobilize American Christians to work for a more just society for all.) In this course, we will engage Rauschenbusch’s theology and explore the Social Gospel’s relevance today. Classes will be held on March 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Unity Hall. For those unable to attend in person, an online option is available: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82012554325.
Easter Flowers
Help us celebrate Easter by filling our altar with beautiful spring flowers! Tulips and daffodils are now available to order online or by contacting Lisa Evarts 802-349-5788/ lisajevarts@gmail.com.These flowers will decorate the altar on Easter morning in honor or memory of loved ones, or simply to celebrate the joy of the season.
Choose from red, white, purple, or pink tulips, or brighten the sanctuary with cheerful yellow daffodils.
Each flower is $20, and payment can be made online or by cash or check payable to Midd UCC.
PLEASE PLACE YOUR ORDERS BY MARCH 12.
Thank you for helping us make Easter morning especially beautiful and meaningful!
Organization Spotlight from the Board of Missions & Social Concerns
The Board of Missions and Social Concerns has a budget, which comes from the annual budget, which comes from you. The donations we make are therefore on behalf of you. Through this series, we’re showing you where we donated to last year so you can connect to these organizations and the ways in which they change our world for the better.
This month we are highlighting Friends of PEB.
Imagine a country under 100 years old with a long history of social divisions and poverty. 76% of its GDP goes toward debt payment, another large segment to defense (they don’t get along with their neighbor), and a meagre 2% is left for education. There are essentially no national schools, only possibly madrasas for the boys. UNESCO reports approximately 250 million children out of school in the world and 133 million (53%) of these are girls. Pakistan has more than 25 million children out of school, which means that 1 out of 10 of unschooled children in the world are from Pakistan, which has only 3% of the world’s population. The government can’t fix this problem even if they had the will to do so, given the money available from their budget. Imagine the prospects of a child and the impact on the country...
The Presbyterian Education Board is the outgrowth of the work of United Presbyterian missionaries from Scotland and the U.S. in the second half of the 1800’s. They worked in the Punjab, then part of India but now in Pakistan, and quickly focused on education, beginning with girls, from the lowest castes. It is now administered by the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. To quote their mission statement, “our vision is to provide, in an enduring way, the highest quality education responsive to the holistic growth of each child, while preparing it for the demands of the future.” To achieve this PEB administers 25 schools and serves over 6,000 students (girls and now also boys) in the Punjab. Approximately 58% of these children are Muslim and 42% Christian; they sit side by side in an atmosphere fostering respect and tolerance. Each receives the mandated religious education in their own religion within this framework.
The Friends of PEB is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in the U.S. Its focus is fundraising, networking with interested churches and individuals, and supporting the PEB in many ways. Last August 31st, Mrs. Veda Gill, the executive director of PEB, and Cheryl Burke, the executive director of the Friends of PEB, came to our church service. Veda gave a heartfelt Mission Moment (her mother was an orphaned “untouchable” who, through missionaries, was placed in a boarding school and educated, giving both her and her daughter a future...Veda was a university professor prior to joining PEB). She and Cheryl then joined May Poduschnick and the kids for a kid-centered information sharing. We’re sorry if you missed it, but it gave a good illustration (especially in their video) of why we think this is worth our support.
We chose to provide scholarships to two students, Iris and Isaac, both in grade four at two different schools and (at this point) hoping to be doctors. Almost all students come from families who can’t afford the schools’ fee without this help—very cheap from our standards---thereby giving them a possible future helping a struggling nation.
New Member Sunday is on the Horizon
Do you consider The Congregational Church of Middlebury your spiritual home? Have you been attending worship, participating in church life, and wondering what it means to become a member? If so, we invite you to take the next step!
We will be welcoming new members during worship on Sunday, March 29th, and we would love to officially celebrate your commitment to our faith community. Becoming a member is a meaningful way to deepen your connection to the church, express your faith, and join others in our shared ministry.
To learn more about church membership, join us for a Prospective Member Meeting on Sunday, March 22, after worship in Unity Hall. This gathering is an opportunity to ask questions, meet others exploring membership, and discover what it means to be part of our congregation. Childcare can be provided; just let us know ahead of time if you anticipate needing care.
If you're interested or have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Elizabeth or Pastor Andy. We look forward to welcoming you!
Family Fun Night
The Board of Christian Development will hold a 2nd annual Family Fun Night from 4 to 6 on Saturday, March 14. This month, Parent Playdate will be incorporated.
Planned are a Corn Hole tournament, Jenga, Twister and other games, as well as a mass paper airplane launch in the Sanctuary. Finger foods and drinks will be provided by BCD. Anyone wishing to bring a snack to share may, but this is not required. Corn hole teams must include at least one (1) pre-high school member.
Come out and beat the winter blues!
Gather & Share: March Theme is What's in your pantry?
As you shop and cook, take a quick look through your shelves — and consider picking up an extra pantry staple (or two) to share. Canned goods, pasta, rice, beans, soups, cereal, and other shelf-stable basics help keep our Food Shelf stocked with the everyday items neighbors rely on.
Bring your donations to Church and we'll make sure they reach those in need. Thank you for helping make sure every pantry in our community has something in it!
This Month's Birthdays
Dan Brown March 1
Larry Jones March 1
Aimee Diehl March 3
Steve Jewett March 3
Kisung Davis March 4
Erika Garner March 4
John Nuceder March 4
Jessica Allen March 5
Pat Chase March 5
Lily Flint March 7
David Phelps March 7
Colleen Ringquist March 7
Andrew L’Roe March 9
Nathan Orvis March 10
Mark Foster March 11
Anthony Garner March 11
Annie Moore-Cox March 11
Winston Stattel March 11
Mhairi McMurray March 12
Paige Viens March 13
Martin L’Roe March 14
Katharine Scribner March 14
Jake Dombrowski March 15
Wayman Norton March 15
Sue Cady March 17
Lisa Rader March 17
Bob Stetson March 18
Ryan Gillen March 19
Brynn Kent March 19
Royce Wedge March 19
Judy Albright March 21
Matthew Berg March 21
Sawyer Cadoret March 22
Seaver Cadoret March 22
Beatrix Jo Lyons March 22
Sofia Stefani March 23
Elizabeth Davis March 24
Meredith Prouty March 24
Andi Lloyd March 26
Peter Carothers March 27
Hudson Cinotti March 27
Easton Wedge March 27
Ione Brownsword March 28
Tana Scott March 28
Sally Jacobs March 29
Conor Stinson March 30
David Edwards March 31
This Month's Anniversaries
David & Patty Hallam March 4
Matt & Stacie Baldwin March 7
Matthew Cox & Annie Moore-Cox March 14
Felipe Chavez Carrillo & Patrick Marshall March 18
Alan & Cindy Marshall March 18
Phil & Kathy Heitkamp March 25
Richard & Ruth Westfall March 27
-
Church Calendar
Type content here...
-
Church Activities
Type content here...
