Reichert Bible Talk this Sunday

This year's Rabbi Reichert talk is coming up on Sunday!
The following is from the press release:

  

Rev. Dr. Susan McGarry to give annual Rabbi Reichert Talk 

The Reverend Susan McGarry will deliver the annual Rabbi Victor E. Reichert Bible Talk at the Ripton Community Church at 4 pm on Sunday, October 26.  For the past two years Reverend McGarry has served as the rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on the Green in Middlebury and has a PhD in Ancient and Biblical Studies from the University of Michigan.  In keeping with the Rabbi’s tradition, Reverend McGarry has entitled her presentation “A Talk About the First Mass Market Text in the Bible,” challenging her listeners to discern what “text” that might actually be.

 “We will be examining divine revelations and their progress toward useful community literature.  ‘What was said, when was it said, and how it was recorded,’ are all-important questions for Bible study.  When and how the biblical material becomes useful to the community will be the subject of this talk as well as the more speculative question, ‘why.’”

 The annual Reichert Bible Talk is a tradition that reaches back to the years just after World War Two, when poet Robert Frost invited Rabbi Reichert to visit him at the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference in Ripton. Frost had met Reichert while giving a reading in Cincinnati, where Reichert was rabbi of the Rockdale Temple, the oldest synagogue west of the Alleghenies, from 1924 to 1964. Their friendship deepened, and Rabbi Reichert and his wife Louise eventually bought an old one-room schoolhouse near Bread Loaf as a summer cottage.  For many summers, the Reicherts attended the nearby Ripton Methodist Church, and Rabbi Reichert would give a talk in the late summer on one of the books of the Jewish Bible, of those scriptures common to Jews and Christians. The “Bible Talk” became an annual event, and the Ripton congregation named Reichert the church’s “Rabbi in Residence.” Since Rabbi Reichert’s passing in 1990 at the age of ninety-three, Havurah—The Jewish Community of Addison County, and the United Methodist Church of Middlebury, East Middlebury and Ripton have collaborated to sustain this ecumenical tradition, co-sponsoring the Bible Talk every year. 

The Ripton Community Church is located on Route 125 in the village center.  Call Norm Tjossem at 802-388-0338 for further information. 

(thanks to Norman Tjossem)  

Fairpoint workers on strike

Unionized Fairpoint workers went on strike today, protesting the company's stance towards health care policies.

Fairpoint says to expect no interruption in service.

At least one picket line is in Vermont.

A community first aid class coming up

Saturday after next is a valuable class, led by a community first responder:

Saturday October 25

9AM – 4 PM

First Aid, CPR and AED Class

Ripton Community Church 

Friends of The Ripton Church are sponsoring a First Aid, CPR and AED class that is certified by the American Heart Association. This class covers general first aid issues, medical emergencies, injury and Environment emergencies.
The class will be taught by Ed Sullivan, Ripton EMT.

$5.00 for the class. Donations to the continued restoration of the building would be appreciated.
To reserve your place please call 388 1062.

(thanks to Norm Tjossem)

An alternative Nobel is sent to Ripton

Ripton resident Bill McKibben took home a Right Livelihood Award, often called an "alternative Nobel Prize".

Over the last ten years he initiated and built the first planet-wide, grassroots climate change movement. With the organisation 350.org at its core, this movement has spread awareness and mobilised political support for urgent action to mitigate the climate crisis that is already unfolding.

Congratulations to our friend and neighbor!

Ripton Ridge Run ahead

The Ripton Ridge Run is happening next Sunday!

On October 12, starting at 12:30, the Ripton Elementary School will see runners, walkers, and friends assemble. There will be a 10.4K run, 5K run and 5K fun walk.  Check-in starts at 11 am.

Registration: pre-registration discount and on-line registration end Monday, Oct. 6th.  On the 12th, race day, registration starts at 11 a.m. Fees include lunch, long-sleeved t-shirt, awards and raffle.

The Run is still looking for volunteers to help that day or ahead of time.

See the Run's website for more information, http://www.riptonridgerun.org, or call the elementary school at (802) 388-2208.

(thanks to Barry King)