CentralNEWS/August 2011

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 7

296 Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906 401-331-1960

From Claudia

Summer has always been a time of reflection for me. In the midst of these “dog days” I always think about what has been and what is to come. This year has been full of exciting things—finishing my doctorate amongst them and James and my celebration of our 30^th wedding anniversary. However, one of the most exciting things this year is the fact that I have ministered together with all of you for five years!

And, they have been wonderful years. As I think back and also look to the future I am struck by how the church has grown in so many different ways in that time period and how that growth continues. It is a wonderful journey! When you called me to be your Acting Associate Minister in 2006 with the idea that I would work with groups of all kinds growing and deepening our faith journeys, who would have dreamed that part of that journey would have taken us to where we have been!

I am excited about all of the things we learned together as we studied Islam as a congregation for my DMin project. And, I am excited about all of the plans and ideas floating around in my head this summer for where we go from here! I am grateful to all of you for your conversations and ideas and support as I think about our journey together into the future.

In July I spent a week at a theological colloquy with colleagues from across the country. Inevitably, our conversations turned to our ministries as we brought old friends up to date on what has been happening in our lives and as got to know new friends and what form their ministries take. The theme this year was “God of Grace and God of Story: When Theology and Life Intertwine.” (Did you catch the clever way that the title connects to the well-known hymn? As one of the planners for this event I loved it when we came up with this title!)

God is gracious and the story of God’s love affair with humanity, which was begun so long ago, continues. It continues in our understanding of who we are as God’s people. It continues in our interactions with one another, not only within the church, but also in our interactions with those outside of the church—those who long to be connected to such a story. It continues in all the forms of ministry that occur in churches like Central— gathered congregations in all the far flung places of the world.

It continues in my ministry with you and your ministry with me. Here’s to the next five years and wherever God’s story takes us! I am so grateful to be on the journey with all of you…

Blessings,

Claudia

Thanks!

Thanks to the generosity of Central’s members and friends, $4,400 was sent to the UCC in basic support of our Church’s wider mission—Changing Lives. Central receives offerings for One Great Hour of Sharing and the Veterans of the Cross.

From Kat

Royce and I are currently enjoying a camping and rock-climbing trip up in Rumney, NH while the kids visit their grandparents in CA. We’re enjoying the chance to relax and appreciate God in Creation.

Leading up to our vacation, Kat led the WORD High School Youth Mission Trip to Chicago, IL with co-leaders Larry Kellam, Karen Hopkinson, Jack Schempp, Frances Munro and Matt and Jocelyn Gardner Spencer. Our team of adults and students served and learned about a variety of ministries including A Just Harvest, Trinity UCC, Interfaith House, Community Kitchen, The Night Ministry, and Interfaith Worker Justice. We look forward to sharing our experiences with you this fall on Youth Mission Sunday.

Coming up–our family is excited to share Vacation Bible School with you this August. There are still openings for volunteers interested in helping with art, music or outdoor fun, so please get in touch if you’re interested in contributing to this summer’s adventure.

Blessings and traveling mercies–I look forward to seeing you soon!

Kat

Thoughts and Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Beveridge, her mother, Carolyn Hall Beveridge, died in July

Andrew Mazurkie, his father, Stanley Mazurkie, died in July

New Members

New Member Orientation*
Wednesday, October 26

Faith Exploration*
Tuesday, November 1

New Member Sunday
November 6
*These meetings are held at the home of the Rev. Rebecca Spencer 15 Taber Ave at 7 pm.

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is an important part of our worship life together. In an effort to uplift our celebration of Baptisms in our community of faith, we will be offering Baptisms during the following Sundays of the church year.

Children’s Sabbath October 16, 2011
Sunday after Epiphany January 15, 2012
Sunday after Easter April 15, 2012

Meetings to prepare parents for Baptism will be held in our Fireplace Room at 9 am on the Saturday of the preceding week. Please speak with the Rev. Rebecca Spencer if you would like to be included in this very important part of life at Central–The Sacrament of Baptism.

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

Summer Greetings, Church School families!

While many of us urban-dwellers are quite far removed from the rhythms of nature, summer provides is with great opportunity to marvel at and observe things in a way we might not during the school year. Watching birds at the feeder, watering our gardens, eating things we’ve grown, watching a flower bloom gloriously and eventually die. If we tune in to the ‘song of nature’ each summer day, we’ll find an abundance of spiritual insights and guidance. I hope summer has brought blessings and epiphanies to each of you!

This month of AUGUST we look forward to VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, Monday, August 22nd – Friday Aug. 26th; 8:30 - 12 noon, pre-school – 6th grade.

Our main focus this year is the Apostle Paul, and his story and adventures. If you haven’t received your VBS registration form, please contact Cathy CT or stop by the church office to get one. Vacation Bible School is a great way for kids to connect and bond again and really jump-starts the Church School year. Hope to see many of you–friends and neighbors, too!! If you would like to help with VBS in any capacity, please let Cathy or Rev. Kat know.

August is also the month to put teaching teams together for the upcoming year. As you know, our Church School program is cooperatively-run, with all parents who have children in the program asked to be on a teaching ‘team’ for a ‘season’ (fall, winter or spring). If you’ve enjoyed your particular team, class grouping, or season and want to sign up for it again, please let Cathy know! Either way, Cathy will be in touch! We are so blessed by the incredible parents and members who support the Christian education program at Central!

A couple random reminders about things you may not know about or have forgotten:

• There is childcare every summer Sunday from (10 – 11) in the Cherub Childcare room for any child (any age who needs it)
• Sunday, July 31st worship is held at Community Baptist Church
• We do have an infant changing table on the first floor, which is located in an adjacent room to the childcare room
• Our church Library has a small but growing collection of books on parenting and spirituality
• Church School starts up again on Gathering Sunday, Sunday, Sept. 11th.
• Teacher Training for the fall is on Saturday, Sept. 10th, from 10 -12noon. Rev. Ruth Hainsworth will give a special presentation on storytelling during the training. All are welcome!
• Church School Registration Forms will be sent out in August. These need to be filled out anew each year.

Now, back to the glorious season of summer!

Love & Joy,

Cathy Clasper-Torch

YOUTH GROUP MISSION TRIP

On the youth group’s mission trip to Chicago, we encountered many different eye opening events and people that will remain with us for years to come. Part of our group went to night ministry, a program that hands out food in the nighttime hours to people in low-income neighborhoods. Other people in our group went to a soup kitchen, where we served people a hefty amount of food restaurant style, and also spoke to some of the diners one-on-one.

Our group went to Interfaith House, a home away from home type place that helped homeless people who recently left the hospital get back on their feet. At Interfaith, we did some landscaping and helped organize their garden, opening many new possibilities for the 64 residents.

But none of these events really stood out to me as a REAL eye opener. I think the biggest thing I noticed during and after the trip, was the feeling of acceptance throughout the whole city. Everywhere our group went, we were welcomed with a smile and, “Hi, how are you doing?” It was as if our group were long lost friends to these people, and all they wanted to do was welcome us. At Trinity UCC, the largest UCC church in the world, people in the Congregation welcomed us into their prayer circles, told us about their families, and wished us a safe and happy experience the rest of our trip. It was pretty much like that for the rest of our trip.

There was a person on the train who told us all about a fireworks show that was going to happen the weekend we were leaving. He told us how to get there, what time it started, and how good of a show it was.

This feeling of acceptance kind of bewilders me. How can people who live in poor communities, most of whom don’t have homes or jobs, how can those people welcome complete strangers? I think I know why—because if there is one thing they’ve been taught, it was being taught to love, welcome, and accept which is what we do not only here in Providence and in Chicago, but in everywhere in the world.

Liam Maloney, Youth Mission Trip Participant

FOOD FOR THOUGHT BOOK GROUP

SUMMER READING!

August 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

(please note earlier time!)

This month we are reading and discussing Day of Honey: A Memoir of Food, Love, and War by Annia Ciezadlo. This “riveting, insightful, and moving story of a spirited people in wartime is told with affection and humor…unraveling layers of culture, history and civilization…a banquet to be savored.” Come join us for conversation and a cookout on August 25 at Claudia Demick’s house.

Rebecca’s noon book group

Next meets on Thursday, September 29 to discuss “The Last Stand” by Nathaniel Philbrick.

Got Mission?

Have you Got Mission this summer? Be part of the numerous activities of the Mission & Action Committee. Our Mission activities continue through the summer, so please join us!

Hands-on Opportunities: In addition to donations, the M&A committee provides numerous opportunities for involvement in our Mission projects throughout the year. Each Tuesday, members serve breakfast at Amos House from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. Contract Tracy Baran  for more information.

On the first Saturday of each month, members serve with Habitat for Humanity for a half-day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., no experience required. Contact Sandi Seltzer for more information .

On the second Saturday of each month, members assist with the Mount Hope Learning Center cooking club from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Contact Janet Anderson for more information.

Members participate in the Camp Street Neighborhood Ministries food distribution on the last Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Contact Beth Taylor for more information.

Camp Street Clothing Collection. Donate new or gently used clothing for the clothing closet at Camp Street Ministries. Drop off your donations at the large wooden box in the hallway in Chapel Hall. Email Beth Taylor for more information.

Food Collection for Camp Street. Don’t forget your weekly food donations, to be brought up to the front of the church during the first hymn. The amount of those living in hunger in Rhode Island is growing each day—Camp Street needs your donations more than ever!

Sojourner House Appeal for Toiletries. Sojourner House has a critical need for winter and toiletry items for its residents and walk-in guests. Please consider donating: new or gently used blankets or sleeping bags, new or gently used coats (no other clothes please), toothbrushes, toothpaste (full size), bars of soap (full size), shampoo and conditioner (full size), shaving cream, disposable razors (for men and women), and feminine hygiene products. Please drop off your donated items at 386 Smith Street, Providence, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You can also place your donations in the Sojourner House box located in Chapel Hall.

See Tracy Baran or email her at to coordinate drop-off/pick up.

Dear Central Congregational Church,

We can’t tell you how much we appreciate your graciously allowing us to stay here for three nights. We will all remember this church fondly as the place we all met for the first time and got to know each other! We hope you will think of us on our journey this summer.

With Gratitude,

Providence to Seattle—Bike & Build

(This summer, 28-30 Bike & Build participants stayed overnight at Central Church as they began their Providence to Seattle journey. Bike & Build, a nonprofit organization, organizes cross country cycling trips to benefit the affordable housing cause in the US.)

Central on the Web

www.centralchurch.us

Have you browsed our church website lately?

Take a look!

We invite you to view The Poet’s Page where members have posted some of their favorite poems by authors they admire. Their comments are heartfelt and wonderful! If you have a favorite poem, please send it along.

LUNCH AND A MOVIE

Sunday, August 7 after worship

Mark your calendars for lunch and a movie after worship on August 7! The movie will be determined that weekend depending on what is showing. We will go out to lunch after church and then head out to the movies! Interested? Call Claudia to get on the list at 331-1960.

Vacation Bible School

August 22 – 26

8:30 to 12 Noon

Pre-school to 6^th grade

The Adventures of the Apostle PAUL

VBS Cost is $20 per family Tuition help available

NEW ORLEANS MISSION TRIP!!!

OCTOBER 9-15, 2011

Join your friends at Central from October 9-15 as we live out our faith rebuilding homes for our brothers and sisters in New Orleans. And, if you cannot physically join us, please consider being a sponsor of this important work.

Any amount will help rebuild lives! All donations will be gratefully received by those who have made getting the people of NOLA back on their feet their personal mission. Be a part of changing lives – your own, as well as those whom you will help…Questions? Call Claudia (331-1960).

Welcome