The Champlain Trio will open the Noon Music in May concerts presented by Stowe Performing Arts on Wednesday, May 1. The concert series, now in its fifth decade, is held in Stowe Community Church from noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday during the month of May.

The Aurora Chamber Singers will present its spring concert, “Seeds of Modernism,” at the College Street Congregational Church, 265 College St., in Burlington, on Saturday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m.

If you attended school in Montgomery, a Montgomery Elementary School potluck reunion will be held on Saturday, May 18, a noon at the Montgomery Grange Hall.

Every year, more than 1,000 survivors of sexual assault reached out to the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence member organizations across the state. Countless other survivors were unable to reach out for support, resources and medical care.

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As warmer weather approaches, it is a great time to consider how you use the outdoor spaces in your life. Whether you rent or own, use public land or private, there are things that you can think about to help make these outdoor spaces work better for you.

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Communities around the world are cultivating seed libraries. A surge in new gardeners and struggling supply chains during the pandemic caused the rise of seed libraries.

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Vermont has 16 new bear ambassadors thanks to Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife, a conservation organization that educates landowners and others about sound forest management and wildlife stewardship.

Nathan Wilson, son of Jim and Deena Wilson of Eden, has been nominated for a New England Emmy Award for his short film documentary, “Souls in the Game.”

Announcements

Lucius Charles Boyce, 81, of Johnson, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Copley Hospital in Morrisville after a short hospital stay due to complications from a fall.

Robert (Bob) Joseph Richardson, 69, of Jeffersonville, died on Friday, April 19, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Marcel Masse died peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Marcel was born on July 5, 1941, in Sweetsburg, Canada, and became a U.S. citizen in 1964.

Marvin Merle Tallman Sr., 81, of Martinsville, Va. died on Saturday, March 30, 2024.

James (Jim, Jimmy) Stanley Moffatt, 86, of Craftsbury, died on Saturday, April 13, 2024. He made the choice to leave this world on his own terms and his family, although shocked by the sudden loss, understands why he did so. We are sure that he has found peace and are glad that his physical suffering has ended. Jim, however, was much more than this last act.

Community Columnists

Road work has begun on Route 15 between Jeffersonville and Johnson. Expect delays if you travel that way. Even going from Waterville on the Hogback Road to Morrisville, you’ll run into some delays. I had to wait for about 10 minutes on Wednesday last week when I went over to my daughter’s house in Johnson. Just remember when you are delayed that when the road is all done it will be so much…

My hands got their annual-inaugural dirt digging. It happened while aimlessly and, albeit, blissfully walking from plant to plant, plot to plot. At first the stroll was an observational one, surveying casually the end-of-April happenings. I checked on the fruit trees, counted my elderberries and blueberries and inspected the flower beds.

The Lamoille Union dance crews will be hosting a kids’ dance clinic on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m.-noon. There’s a $20 fee to attend, and children ages 6-13 are invited to attend. Sliding fees and sibling discounts are available. The Lancer Dancers and Lamoille Union dance groups do not want finances to prevent a person from dancing. This event is a fundraiser to help the teams purchas…

Religion

“As we move into this month of Nisan and prepare our homes and our hearts for this Passover, may we turn toward one another, listening for each other’s questions, looking for each other amidst the broken fragments. And may we discover moments of sweetness in the search.”

Jesus and his disciples were not stealing or breaking Jewish law about not harvesting on the Sabbath when they picked and ate grain as they walked through the grainfields (Mark 2:23). The law allowed such gleaning and even provided for it. However, over 600 human interpretations of the law were added to their rules and became strong traditions.

Our service began with the call to worship asking us how we live when we have more than enough. We have no greater praise to offer than caring for God’s creatures and creation. We are told to worship God, the source of all being.

As pastor, it is a challenge with the religious language so many of us have been indoctrinated with. Words matter, and too often, words such as sin, wealth, repentance, judgement and even the name God have been misused, abused and caused harm.

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