The Old Meeting House of East Montpelier

06/11/2026

The Old Meeting House and Bethany Church, UCC are proud to be selected to co-host a 2026 Vermont Reads Event!

The book is Charity and Sylvia, by Tillie Walden. Created from historical archives, Charity and Sylvia is a groundbreaking biography that is also the story of 19th century America. For 44 years Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake lived together as life partners in small town Vermont. Charity and Sylvia features themes of Vermont’s (and America's) early history, the importance of friendships and family networks, the role of religion and faith in communal life, and the evolution of LGBTQIA+ identity.

We will have 40 copies of the book to share between the two churches. Details to follow!

06/10/2026

OMH! I will already be away by the 16th. I highly encourage those who are able to join Bethany Church, UCC and Devon Thomas in standing in solidarity with Pastor Steven Tendo. -d.

Blessings, Bethany Congregation,
Rev. Steven Tendo is a Ugandan pastor who lives in Vermont. Earlier this year, ICE attempted to deport him. After a public outcry from his Vermont neighbors, he was released. Rev. Tendo has a check-in at the St. Albans office this Tuesday, June 16th, and there is a fear that ICE will attempt to deport him again.

I will be canceling our Bible study on the 16th so that I can stand in solidarity with pastor Tendo, and I invite anyone who can make an early rally in St. Albans to join me. I pray that with the eyes of our community upon them, ICE will leave Pastor Tendo to continue living his life here in VT.

Blessings from your Pastor,
Rev. Devon Thomas

06/08/2026

You are ready, you are capable, and you are deeply, unconditionally loved! ❤️ Grateful for the abundance of spirit in this Children’s Sunday, bringing our youngest members deeper into our worship practice, and blessing our graduating seniors for the journey ahead.

05/31/2026

Love these kids! Next Sunday is Children’s Sunday, a celebration of our Christian Education programming, and a warm recognition of the changing lives of our 5 senior youth.

05/30/2026

So what happened on Pentecost?

With a gale force wind, the spirit herself tore across the land, spreading through the ranks of those gathered in faithful witness to the life and power of Christ.

What did she do?
She didn’t instruct them to go out and create a structure of power and hierarchy.
She didn’t bless favored nations.
She fulfilled Joel’s prophesy: I will pour out my spirit on every kind of people.

How did God do that?
Through the removal of barriers to participation.

05/29/2026

Love is:
- the ground of kindness and compassion?
- the beating heart of peace?
- the fuel that lights the fire of generosity and hospitality?
- the way of inclusion that welcomes all people?
ALL OF THE ABOVE!

(adapted from "Love Is" by Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler)

05/27/2026

May 28th at 7:30 - Join Mary Bonhag in a special concert at Ohavi Zedek, in support of their Full Circle Preschool program.

May 28th at 7:30pm - Join us at Ohavi Zedek for a special benefit concert in support of Full Circle Preschool, featuring acclaimed Vermont soprano Mary Bonhag. Celebrated for her “supple expressive voice” and extraordinary musicianship, Mary brings a rare blend of artistry, warmth, and spiritual depth to every performance.

https://ohavizedek.org/event/mary-bonhag-recital/

05/22/2026

Exactly what it says, friends. Plants and pies, this Sunday starting at 11. The pies go fast!