Faith doesn’t have to stay inside the church walls. Traveling Theology on Tap is a new monthly gathering from Venice United Church of Christ designed to create space for good conversation, big questions, and real faith—all in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Each month, we’ll meet at a different local restaurant or brewery to enjoy food, beverages, and great company while exploring some of the tough questions many of us have wondered about: What happens when we die? Was Jesus real? Why is there so much evil in the world? Can I really trust the Bible? Pastor Barb will help guide the conversation, but this isn’t a lecture or a Bible study where you need to know all the “right” answers. It’s a place to ask questions, share perspectives, listen to one another, and talk openly about the things that actually matter. Whether you’ve been part of a church your whole life, are exploring faith, have doubts, or are simply curious, you are welcome at the table. Bring a friend, grab something to eat or drink, and join the conversation!  

When: Thursday, September 17th at 5:30pm

Where: 3 Bridges Brewing 1765 S. Tamiami Trail Venice, FL

Sign up now using the link below

Theology on Tap Sign Up Form

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Venice United Church of Christ
620 Shamrock Blvd., Venice, FL 34293

“All God’s creatures great and small.”

Join us for a joyful afternoon celebrating the animals who bring so much love, companionship, and happiness into our lives! Venice United Church of Christ invites our congregation, friends, neighbors, and community members to our Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4 at 3:00 PM.

Bring your beloved pets—dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and animal friends of all kinds—for a special blessing as we give thanks for the wonderful creatures with whom we share God’s creation.

This is a community event, and everyone is welcome, whether you are a member of VUCC or simply looking for a meaningful way to celebrate your furry, feathered, or four-legged family members.

For everyone’s comfort and safety, we ask that pets be appropriately leashed, crated, or otherwise safely secured while attending.

We hope you’ll join us for this special afternoon of faith, gratitude, community, and plenty of wagging tails!

Please use the link below to sign up for this event
Blessing of the Animal Sign Up Form

Clark Moore has recently passed away at the age of 90.

As a church family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time member and brother in Christ, Clark Moore. While our hearts are heavy, we find our ultimate comfort in the unwavering promises of Scripture. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39, which assure us that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We rejoice in the certainty that Clark is now resting secure in that inseparable love.

As we prepare to celebrate Clark's life, please leave your memories of Clark in the comments.

Clark Moore Obituary

Eleanor Muriel Langley Reed, of Dover, New Hampshire, passed away on July 28, 2026 at the age of 92.

As a church family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time member and sister in Christ, Ellie Reed, on July 28, 2026. While our hearts are heavy, we find our ultimate comfort in the unwavering promises of Scripture. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39, which assure us that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We rejoice in the certainty that Ellie is now resting secure in that inseparable love.

Please leave your memories of Ellie in the comments.

As a church family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time member and brother in Christ, Edwin P. LeBel, on July 14, 2026. While our hearts are heavy, we find our ultimate comfort in the unwavering promises of Scripture. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39, which assure us that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We rejoice in the certainty that Ed is now resting secure in that inseparable love. As we prepare to celebrate his life, we invite you to read the details of his legacy below.

Following is the obituary as posted by the funeral home:
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edwin P. LeBel, who left us on July 14, 2026. Born on December 19, 1946 in Barton, VT, Ed was a devoted father, brother, and friend who lived a life dedicated to his loved ones and his work. He grew up in Grafton MA, and then moved to Sanbornton, where he and his wife Kathy raised their family. He later wintered in Nokomis FL, before moving to Barnstead to live with family for the past 10 years.

Ed was a proud graduate of Champlain College and Western New England College, and spent many years as an accountant and auditor with the State of New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. Beyond his professional life, he was a long-time member of the Sanbornton Congregational Church and the Doric-Center Masonic Lodge in Tilton, where he created many lasting friendships.

He is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer Tedcastle and her husband Brian of Barnstead NH, and Christine Skloss and her husband Jason of Placitas NM, as well as his two grandchildren, Christopher and Benjamin Tedcastle. Ed also leaves behind 2 brothers, Kenneth Darling and his wife Donna, and Ronald Darling and his wife Mikina.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife; Kathleen (Whittemore) LeBel and his parents; Edwin A. and Suzanne (Lagace) LeBel.

A celebration of Ed's life and masonic service was held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Tower Hill Cemetery in Sanbornton.
In the days and months to come, we will keep his memory alive in our hearts and share stories of all the good times over the years. Rest in peace, Ed. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Welcome to Beyond Sunday Morning, the official blog of Venice United Church of Christ!
Faith isn’t meant to be something we experience only for an hour on Sunday. It is something that walks with us into our homes, our workplaces, our relationships, our celebrations, and even our struggles. That’s the heart behind this new blog.
Here you’ll find reflections on Scripture, thoughtful conversations about what being ‘faith-filled’ looks like, stories from our church community, practical encouragement for everyday life, and occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses into the ministries that make our congregation so special. We’ll also explore some of life’s biggest questions with honesty, curiosity, and grace, trusting that God welcomes our questions just as much as our certainty.
Whether you’ve been part of Venice United Church of Christ for years, you’re new to our community, or you’re simply searching for a place to grow spiritually, we’re glad you’re here.
Our hope is that Beyond Sunday Morning becomes a place where faith continues long after worship has ended—a place to reflect, learn, be encouraged, and discover how God’s love is present in everyday moments.
Thank you for joining us as we begin this new chapter together. We invite you to visit often, share posts with others, and continue the conversation. After all, church isn’t just something we attend on Sundays—it’s a way of living, loving, and growing together every day of the week.
Welcome to Beyond Sunday Morning. We’re so glad you’re here.

A Legacy of Faith and Service: Honoring a Pillar of Our Church Community
Our church family is deeply mourning the recent passing of one of our most dedicated, long-term members, Lowell Wentworth. Lowell entered eternal life on June 26, 2026. For decades, Lowell's presence was a constant source of strength, wisdom, and warmth. While we grieve this profound loss, we also find comfort in celebrating a remarkable life. Lowell leaves behind an enduring legacy that will shape our congregation for generations to come.

A Visionary Leader of Change
True devotion to a church means working to ensure its future. Lowell understood this deeply. An an incredibly active member, he never hesitated to step forward when the church needed leadership. Over the years, Lowell instituted numerous necessary changes and structural improvements that modernized our ministry and enhanced our fellowship. Whether spearheading vital facility upgrades or organizing/suggesting new programs, his forward-thinking approach kept our community vibrant, safe, and welcoming to all.

Loved By All
Beyond his impressive lists of achievements, it was Lowell's character that truly defined him. He was a man who led with love, kindness, and humility. He possessed a rare ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. His infectious spirit lifted our Sundays, and his wise counsel guided us through seasons of challenge. Lowell was, quite simply, loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

An Enduring Legacy
The physical changes Lowell brought to our campus are plain to see. Yet, his truest monument is the loving spirit he instilled in our church culture. He modeled what it means to be a servant-leader. He showed us how to embrace growth while holding fast to our foundational faith.

As we gather in worship, we see Lowell's handiwork everywhere. Venice United Church of Christ is undeniably a better, stronger, and more loving place because of his presence. We extend our deepest prayers to his family, and we pledge to honor his memory by carrying his legacy of love and service forward.

Special Acknowledgement from Pastor John Fairless
I met Lowell during my first term as Interim Pastor at VUCC in 2019. He was still on active duty recording the video for the services, and always impressed me with his diligence and planning. Both he and Alice were still actively attending in those days and my Sunday was always brighter for having the chance to speak with them. During my second term, I visited with Lowell and Alice shortly before her passing. Though communication was difficult with Lowell's loss of hearing, the same gracious spirit came through in the form of written notes we shared. Again, I left encouraged and could only hope that they received some portion of that same encouragement. Venice United Church of Christ is a better place because of the presence of Lowell and Alice Wentworth!

Please leave your memories of Lowell in a comment, so that we as a church community can come together to celebrate Lowell's life.

A Memory of Lowell Wentworth From Barb Quinn
In June 2002, Bob (my late husband) and I attended worship at VUCC for the first time.  We still had 3 more years left to work before retirement, but we had bought a condo at the Plantation in Venice with the idea of renting it out before we retired here as snowbirds.  We thought we would check out the local UCC while we were here working on the condo.
It was a low-attendance (quite low back then) summer Sunday, the minister was on sabbatical, and a quartet of handbell ringers provided some special music.  We sat in a pew with only one other occupant…Lowell Wentworth.  (Alice Wentworth was one of the ringers, so she was sitting elsewhere that day.)
Immediately upon the closing of the worship service, Lowell came over to us, introduced himself, told us about the recent renovation of the front of the sanctuary (to the way it looks now), and invited us on a tour of the 4 main buildings.  He was obviously very proud of being a VUCC member, and I believe he was the head of the renovation project, or maybe deeply involved in it. 
After the tour, Lowell took us to Fellowship Time in Naar Hall and introduced us to David and Caryl Duffy and Russ and Edie White.  Everyone was so friendly and genuinely glad to visit with us that we were hooked.  We knew that we had found a church home for our future retirement.
If Lowell had not approached us right after the worship service, we would have left immediately just as any other “new people” would do.  We most likely would have returned for another service in the future, but not with the same feeling of belonging that we carried with us from that day’s experience.  Lowell was the catalyst, and the rest is history.