CentralNEWS/March 2010

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 3

296 Angell Street  Providence  RI 02906   401-331-1960

From Your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

With Ash Wednesday just last week, we are now in the beginning of the days of Lent, and I am reminded of the cycle of life…..Lent offers us a time to reflect, and to focus on how we have strayed from the people we want to be…created in the image of God. Lent nudges us to own up to our sorrows and regrets, to shame and confession, apology, remorse and atonement….

It is no secret that our Good Friday service is a lot smaller than Easter Sunday.  It is a sad, introspective time. But I always feel a little sorry for those who only are present at Easter… For encompassing the cross into our Easter celebration makes our joy ever so much more profound.  Easter is not just a miracle story with a very happy ending… We know only too well that suffering exists. That bad things happen to good people. That loss happens and that evil is real.

The angel’s announcement, “He is not here.  He has risen.”  is simply less real and much less powerful if you haven’t asked yourself, “Was I there when they crucified my Lord?”

Jesus of Nazareth suffered horribly.  Not just the physical pain of his death on the cross.  His feelings of abandonment, betrayal, loneliness must also have been present to him.  And if we are truly honest, don’t we need to ask ourselves….“might I have been among those who betrayed him or at least abandoned him?”

The grace of God made so clear to us in the Easter miracle is so much more real if we acknowledge our own imperfections in not being there when Jesus needed us. And so, I ask you to move through the days of Lent thoughtfully and prayerfully.  Come to the Wednesday meditations and share in the spiritual journeys of your fellow members.  Think about your stewardship of your time and talents and resources.  Come to Bible Studies and ask yourself….where have I fallen short in my journey?  And let us prepare together for the greatest celebration of all when we sing together on Easter morning, “Jesus Christ is Risen.”

Yours in Christ,

Rebecca Spencer

Easter SCHEDULE

Wednesday Meditation 5:30 – 6:00 pm

March 3               May Grant

March 10               The Rev. Kat Townes

March 17            Steve Calvert

March 24            Beth Taylor

Mini Retreat 6:00-8:30 pm

Wednesday, March 10

Refections & Response

Palm Sunday, March 28

Worship Service   10:30 am

Preceded by the outdoor procession with Jasper (the donkey), palms, choir, & children at 10:10

Maundy Thursday

April 1 7:30pm

Service of Tenebrae and Communion

Preceding worship, our Deacons invite you to a potluck supper in Chapel Hall.

Tenebrae, Latin for Shadows, is a service of lessons and is accompanied by the gradual extinguishing of light, The readings, preceded by Communion, commemorate the events of Holy Week: Jesus’ betrayal & arrest, His passion, trial & death on the cross. This is a moving & important service that allows us to walk with Jesus in those last days & hours of His life. It prepares us to celebrate the glory & the light of the Resurrection on Easter.

Good Friday

April 2 12 noon

Our adult choir sings the Faure Requiem

Easter Vigil Service

April 3 8 – 9 pm

Wilson Chapel

Easter

April 4

Ecumenical Sunrise Service 6:00 am at Swan Point Cemetery

Easter Breakfast 9:00 am

Children’s Egg Hunt   9:45 am

Festival Service of Worship 10:30 am with, organ, brass and timpani

Preludes begin at 10:10 am

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated on Sunday, April 18. A pastor/parent meeting will be held at 9 am on Saturday, April 10 in the Fireplace Room.  Please call The Rev. Rebecca Spencer, 331-1960, if you wish to participate in this Baptism.

From Claudia

I like to enter the season of Lent using a metaphor of being on a journey—a spiritual journey—during this season.  Now, that doesn’t mean that I am not on a spiritual journey during all the seasons of the church year, but this part of the journey always has a different feel to it for me.  And this particular year as I enter a more interior journey, I am also preparing for a physical journey, which will start two days after Easter.

On April 6 I will join a group that is traveling to the Middle East for sixteen days.  We will visit five countries: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Israel (including the Palestinian West Bank).  For me, it will be the trip of my lifetime!  Frances Munro from Central will also be taking this trip and we’ll look forward to sharing what we learn with all of you.  Some of this group of twenty people I’ve known for a long time, some for a shorter time, some not at all, but I dare say that we will know one another very, very well by the time this trip is over!

Our itinerary will begin in Beirut where we will visit Harissa Church a.k.a. “The Lady of Lebanon,” the National Museum, Pigeon Rock and the Jeita Caves.  From there we travel to Palmyra to see the Temple of Bel, and Damascus to the Saladin mausoleum, Kawkab, and the Umayyad Mosque.  In Bosra-Amman we will tour a Nabatean city and a Roman theater.  The day we visit Bethany we will see the “City of Mosaics,” Mt. Nebo, and Jesus’ baptismal site.  From there, we will visit Wadi Rum Desert and stay overnight in a traditional Bedoin camp.

The next day it’s on to Petra, which we will reach on horseback.  After Petra we will travel to Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, and the Garden of Gethsemane.  The next day we will be in Jerusalem’s Old City visiting the Dung Gate, the Western Wall, the Pools of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Antonia Fortress, and the Israel Museum.  Traveling to Nazareth we’ll visit Cana, Mary’s well, Joseph’s workshop (okay, okay, I know it’s not the REAL one!) before flying to Cairo.  In Cairo we’ll visit some Coptic churches on arriving.  In the following days we’ll go to the Giza Plateau, the Egyptian Museum, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and see the Colossi of Memnon.

Are you tired, yet?  And, this is only a preliminary itinerary!  As you read this schedule I’m sure that you’ve noticed that this journey will encompass historical as well as devotional sites which relate to the three Abrahamic faiths—Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.  It will truly be a trip of a lifetime, but if I look tired when I return, you’ll know why!

Yours on the journey,

Claudia

From Kat

As we were about to launch our inner tubes down the tubing lanes in Mt. Snow, VT, I asked Patty and Anna Tanalski if they had any tips for us first-time riders. Patty responded, “Just know you’ll be totally out of control. So just hold on and enjoy the ride…” I thought. Easier said than done!

Throughout the weekend, many of us struggled with the challenge of letting go. Whether it was gathering the courage to step off the chair lift on a snowboard; trusting another parent to shepherd our child down the slopes; letting go of our frustration with lines and traffic; releasing ourselves from the need to protect others from our children’s difficult behavior; or having faith that the trail would eventually lead to safety; we were all pushed to loosen our grip on our illusion of control.

As terrifying as these wilderness experiences can be, they are also liberating! Our family spent the afternoon cross-country skiing, something my husband and kids had never done before. I was amazed to watch my son, Royce, as he navigated difficult, hilly sections of trail, only to wipe out dramatically on smooth, flat areas. I finally asked him if his snow dives were intentional.  “Well yeah,” he said. “I’m practicing falling.”

As the day went on, Roycie seemed more and more fearless. He did not become an expert at falling; rather he became a pro at knowing the world would not end if he slipped.

Letting go and trusting God does not give us a guarantee that “everything will be okay” or that we will not experience pain. But it does release us from the unfair pressure and responsibility we put on ourselves to keep everything and everyone on solid ground (that’s God’s job!).

May God grant us the courage to journey through Lent as Roycie journeys through the snow—without fear, trusting that God and our community will accompany us and show us grace, even when we fall.

REFLECTIONS AND RESPONSE

A Lenten Mini-Retreat

Wednesday, March 10

6:00-8:30 p.m. in the Deacon’s Room

Mark your calendars for a Lenten mini-retreat!  Immediately following the Lenten Service we will gather together for a quiet retreat.  At 6:00 we will enjoy a soup and bread supper as together we begin to explore our reflections and responses to Lent and Holy Week.  After supper we will find a quiet place in the church to observe contemplative quiet.  At 8:15 we’ll gather together again for a time of sharing and prayer.  Please R.S.V.P. to Claudia (331-1960).

From Our Treasures

What a wonderful celebration we had for Don MacIntosh’s 100th birthday in February! In honor of Don, four of our Church members have given gifts to our Church totaling over $400! Thank you to these members for their thoughtfulness and all best wishes to Don for a loving and faithful witness for us all!

-John P. Boyce

Easter Breakfast

Please join us for our festive Easter breakfast. It’s an easy, delicious and wonderful way to start your Easter morning. Our youth groups will be serving and all proceeds will help to sponsor their Mission trip to Philadelphia in June.

Easter Breakfast

Chapel Hall

April 4 9:00 am

$10 Adults

$5 Children

Children under 3 free

$25 per family

New Member Orientation*

Wednesday, April 21

Faith Exploration*

Tuesday, April 27

New Member Sunday

May 2

*These meetings are held at the home of the Rev. Rebecca Spencer 15 Taber Ave at 7 pm.

Early Spring Sale

The Bursting Pomegranate Shop

Early Spring Sale — Sunday March 28

Stop by Chapel Hall after church on Palm Sunday to see the cheery new Easter and spring items!

All purchases support artisans & craftspeople in developing countries around the globe, a mission outreach of our Church.

STEWARDSHIP

The 2010 co-chairs Mary Hazeltine and Ann Scott kicked off Stewardship Campaign on Sunday, February 14th.  All members should have received a letter with their pledge card during the week of February 15th.  There will be Stewardship Moments during the service on Sundays 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, and 3/14.  Dedication Sunday will be on March 21, when members in attendance are requested to submit their pledges during the worship.  Following the service on March 21 there will be a Celebratory Lunch.  If you cannot attend on March 21, please help us by sending in your pledges in advance.  Pledges are important because they enable us to review our projected budget and to plan our programs and outreach.  Thank you in advance.

-Mary, Ann & the Stewardship Committee.

ARK Group

(Acts of Random Kindness)

This wonderful group is available to those who may have a need in our faith community.  It maintains a list of individuals willing to provide meals, rides, etc. for you on an as-needed basis.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact a coordinator: Jane O’Farrell (rsher02906@cox.net) or Gretchen Yealey (Gretchen_Yealy@brown.edu) or Claudia (331-1960).  If you have a need for some help or know of someone who does, please let Claudia know!  Volunteers are standing by!!!

LIBRARY NEWS

Have you wondered what to make for the next potluck meal at church? The church library (off the Fireplace Room) has the answer: a new book for you to borrow, The Church Supper Cookbook, Dewey number 641.5973 on the library shelf.

Salad? How about Spicy Peach Salad, made with canned peaches and gelatin? Sounds easy! Page 160.

Dessert? Have fun with the ingredients mentioned in the Bible, for Scripture Cake, page 212.

The book has full pages of delicious-looking color photos that make you want to start cooking at once, or at least plan your next contribution.

-Jean Edwards

Welcome!

Congratulations to Derek and Carolyn White, Their son, Silas, was born in February.

FROM THE DEACON’S BENCH

The season of Lent was for me, and for a long time, the least well understood time of the Church year. It was never clear to me what giving up chocolate, desserts, or other pleasures—as  some friends did—had to do with the “preparation” for Easter. Several years of living in New Orleans, with its months long Carnival activities (read: nonstop partying!) followed on Ash Wednesday by relative calm and “business as usual” didn’t help!

In recent years, and largely inspired by being a part of the Central family, I have found a new understanding of Lent. I have discovered it is a season rich with meaning and possibilities. It is a time set aside for reflection and of introspection. And it recalls the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. His time of contemplation sets before us a challenge and an example for us to look deeply at our own lives. Giving up some small pleasure, or making some conscious change in our lives during Lent, allows us to focus and concentrate more clearly. With meditation, prayer and scripture reading, we can focus more clearly on the meaning of our Christian lives, our sinfulness and our need for forgiveness. It is a self-imposed discipline to make us more aware spiritually, and open pathways in our preparation for Easter.

A passage from Bread and Wine—Readings for Lent and Easter summarizes it nicely for me. “First popularized in the 4th Century, Lent (literally “springtime”) is traditionally associated with penitence, fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. It is a time for “giving things up” balanced by “giving to” those in need. Yet whatever else it may be, Lent should never be morose—an annual ordeal during which we begrudgingly forgo a handful of pleasures. Instead, we ought to approach Lent as an opportunity, not a requirement. After all, it is meant to be the Church’s springtime, a time when, out of the darkness of sin’s winter, a repentant, empowered people emerges.” (published by The Plough Publishing House of the Bruderhof Foundation, Farmington, PA copyright 2003)

-John Peters

House & Garden Tour

Saturday, May 22, 2010,

12 noon to 5pm

(tickets on sale April 1)

House & Garden Tour

Sponsored by the Prudential and

Mission & Action Committees

The day will start with an organ concert by Patrick Aiken

at Central at  12 noon

Optional lunch at Hamilton House

from 11:30am – 1pm

THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL REFORM IN RHODE ISLAND

Temple Beth-El 70 Orchard Avenue

Thursday, April 7 at 7:00 pm

Panel:

Deborah Gist – RI Commissioner of Education

Dr. Warren Simmons – Director, Annenberg Inst. School Reform

Brown University

Michael Lazzareschi – Principal, Nathan Bishop Middle School

Moderator:

Elizabeth Burke Bryant, JD – Executive Director, Rhode Island Kids Count

Please mark your calendars, save the date, and join us for this exciting and informative event that is being co- sponsored by Central Church, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church & Temple Beth-El.

One Great Hour of Sharing

Stories from your neighbors around the world.

Haiti: working with the Haitian task force, the UCC has established an emergency relief fund for immediate support as well as longer-term work projects.

Hurricane ravaged communities along the US Gulf Coast continue to rebuild. One  person, one house at a time, volunteers and your donations are helping uprooted families return home.

In the Dominican Republic, with support from OGHS, families are learning how to best grow and sell the fruits of their labor. They are using what they earn to buy school materials for the children, medicine and basic health supplies.

For generations, the indigenous peoples of the Chaco region of South America have faced discrimination and exclusion. This offering, helps improve their well being, livelihoods, and food supply.

Zimbabwe: to fight a food emergency brought on by a complex humanitarian crisis, OGHS assists in building up food security to provide emergency aid and the tools to better grow food. By learning conservation techniques and how best to adapt to climate change, local farmers are taking the future of their country back into their own hands.

Central will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on Palm Sunday, March 28.

The First Christians

From Jesus to Christ:

The First Christians

Sunday mornings on 3/7, 3/21 & 3/28

9:00 a.m.

Fireplace Room

This extraordinary series continues to explore the life of Jesus and the movement that he started, challenging familiar assumptions about the origins of Christianity.  Go back in time 2000 years to the place where Jesus once lived and preached.  Experience Jesus’ life and the lives of his first followers, the men and women whose belief, conviction, and martyrdom created a major movement that transformed the mighty Roman Empire in only 300 years!

Step Forward! Campaign

It is very gratifying to receive donations to the Step Forward ! Campaign from Central members who have relocated to other parts of the country—but still love our Church and want to participate in its restoration with a gift.

One such individual, now a member of a Church in another state sent a donation to Step Forward! and writes, “I do feel that this is what I can afford…I am living very modestly. Thank you for thinking of me as a continuing member of Central it is definitely a leader in faith, care and concern for the future of all.”

Thanks to the gifts of many members and friends of Central, we have achieved sixty percent of our goal of $3,000,000. We hope to hear soon from those who have not yet pledged a gift, or who wish to make an additional gift.

Spring Cleaning

Saturday, March 27 is our Fall Church Clean-up Day

Please help clean the church building and grounds Saturday, March 27 from 9 am to 12 noon.  We need expert or not so expert help cleaning, dusting, washing windows, raking, weeding…you will surely find an area of interest.  A list of jobs is available. Coffee, doughnuts, and good company abound!  Call Wes Yando at 722-2357 with questions.

New Book Group!!

Monday, March 8

7:00-8:30 p.m. in Hamilton House Parlor

All are welcome!  Get in on the ground floor!  This group is so new that it doesn’t even have a name, yet!  At this year’s women’s retreat interest was expressed in a group that might read books that have a spiritual focus.  For our first book we will read and discuss When the Heart Waits by Sue Monk Kidd.  Questions?  Call Claudia.

Knitting Group

Angellic Knitters

Sunday, March 14

12-1:30 pm Deacon’s room

All are welcome: knitters, those who aspire to knit, and those who just want to experience fellowship and participate in the blessing of the prayer shawls that are lovingly made for others!  As an added bonus, if you’ve always wanted to learn how to knit we’ll teach you!  Questions?  Call Janice Libby or Claudia.

Food for Thought

Wednesday, March 25

7:00-8:30 p.m. at Claudia’s house

Food for Thought book group will be discussing The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler.  This collection of short stories by the likes of D.H. Lawrence, Flannery O’Connor, Margaret Atwood, Anton Chekhov, and others offers an interesting way to delve into the foibles of humanity and the moral implications of those foibles.  A compelling read…

Since we have been participating in the Eastside Marketplace’s Friendship Fund,

$11,127 has been received for Central’s mission outreach. Please remember to save your market receipts. A special thanks to Frannie Gross who tallies the market receipts, delivers them to Eastside Market, and to those who bring their receipts to church.

We plan to mail our April Newsletter on March 25 so it will be delivered before Easter. Please submit your articles to the church office before March 17.

New Members

We welcome our newest members who united with us in membership on Sunday, February 7, 2010.

Paul & Beverly Armstrong

Barrington, RI 02906

The Armstrongs are both Brown University professors. They enjoy reading, films, opera and traveling. Our music, sense of community and Rebecca Spencer brought them here. They are the parents of 3 children and their son Jack is an enthusiastic member of our children’s choir.

Emily Button

Providence RI             02906

Emily is a grad student in Brown’s Anthropology PhD program. She recently moved to Providence and enjoys running, cooking, reading novels and is a member of a Creole folk singing group. She enjoys Central’s wonderful music and wants to be a part of an open and welcoming community.

Tony & Renae Gregg

Pawtucket RI 02860

Tony is a Graphic Designer with CVS and Renae is employed by Arden Jewelry. She enjoys jewelry, fashion, art and home décor and Tony’s interests include art, design, and music. They chose Central because of its warm, inviting feeling. Their first child is due in April.

Laura Kerber

Providence RI 02906

Laura is joining as an Associate member and is currently a Brown University Geological Sciences student. She enjoys writing, reading, knitting, cake decorating, fire-dancing, and drawing. She was impressed with Jasper, the donkey, on Palm Sunday and by the many opportunities for community service. She is interested in Habitat for Humanity.

Peter & Sophie Lau

Rumford RI 02916

The Laus are employed by The Wheeler School. Paul enjoys history with a focus on civil rights, African American, US politics, and tennis. Sophie’s interests include reading, tennis and cooking.  The Gross and Hebb families recommended Central’s children’s program. They have 2 young children, Emmie & Thompson.

Angela Stickle

Providence RI 02906

Angela is a Brown University Geology grad student. Her interests include fire dancing, cake decorating, knitting, photography and learning the bass guitar. She enjoyed Central’s Holy Week activities including Jasper, the donkey, and continued to attend. She is interested in Habitat for Humanity.

Book Group

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group meets in March to discuss Barbara Kingslover’s The Lacuna.

For summer reading-Empire of Liberty by Gordon Wood is the selection for Thursday, September 30.

ARE YOU A GREENIE?

DO you have environmentally sensitive talent or experiences you’d like to share with others?  Would you like to help shape the environmental practices of the church? Please let one of our ministers know of your interests”.

Celebration VIII

Together Building Bridges

March 12-14

Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center

Burlington, VT

Mark your calendars for this very special event for women!!  Celebration is a New England UCC retreat for women ages 14 and up.  This event happens every 4 years.  The first Celebration was 32 years ago.  It attracts 1000 UCC women from all over New England to share worship, workshops, music and lots more.

Claudia is on the Steering Committee for this event and would be happy to give you a brochure and answer any questions.  Registration is now open at www.uccwomenscelebration.org

Prime Parking

Each Sunday morning, we reserve 3 parking spaces at the Diman Place entrance for those who need assistance. Please feel free to use them.

From the Deacons

The Deacons welcome conversation with you!

Our Deacons are responsible for the spiritual welfare and direction of the Church. The Board of Deacons meets monthly to consider issues related to worship, use of church facilities, the response of the Church to social issues and other matters of importance at Central. Deacons serve as mentors to confirmands, sponsors for children and adults in Baptism, prepare and serve Communion, assist the Ministers in the work of the Church and serve as pastor to the Pastors. Members of the Board of Deacons at Central encourage you to seek them out after worship, in committee meetings, by telephone or email so that you can share your thoughts and concerns about life at Central. Our current Board of Deacons include: Barbara Bayon, George Delany, Steve DeWitt, Staci Fischer, Joan Harrison, Larry Kellam, Laurel McLaughlin, Sherri Nelson, John Peters, Rob Schmidt, John Trevor and Maureen Whittemore.

We look forward to hearing from you.

CentralNEWS/February 2010

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2

296 Angell Street  Providence  RI 02906   401-331-1960

From Your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

I have always loved the old Talmudic story where the Rabbi asks his disciples, “How do you know that the night has passed and the day has come?” After thinking for awhile, the story goes, the disciples ask him,

“Rabbi, is it when you can see the difference between a sheep and a goat at a hundred yards?”

“No,” says the Rabbi.

The disciples try again.

“Is it when you can spot the difference between an olive tree and a fig tree at a hundred yards?”

“No,” says the Rabbi.

“Well, then, you tell us, Rabbi,” they plead.

He answers, “You know that the night has passed and the day has come when you can look into the face of a stranger and see a sister or a brother.”

The outpouring of help for our sisters and brothers in Haiti is overwhelming, and I write to let you know that as of now, our Church will be sending $4,000, made up of gifts from the Board of Deacons (whose funding comes from those who have given to our church in memory of loved ones) and from the Mission and Action Committee (whose funding comes from our pledges each year to the Church budget), plus over $7,000 from additional gifts of individuals in our Central family.  This will go directly to the UCC’s One Great Hour of Sharing, for immediate disaster relief.

Plus the gifts of children putting together the hygiene kits.  Plus the efforts of those who have given to other outreach organizations, like Doctors without Borders or Partners in Health.  Plus our own RI Conference mission in Fontemara.

And this is just our first outreach.  Later on, I know we will find ways to reach out to our sisters and brothers in Haiti.  And, further, I know that we will find ways to extend our reach closer to home for those who are in need.

Since I began this note to you with a story from our Jewish friends, here is something from Evelyn Underhill in a little book, “The Spiritual Life”…Most people spend their lives trying to conjugate the verbs “to want.’ ‘to have,’ and ‘to keep’ – craving, clutching, clinging – when all the Spirit wills us to do is conjugate the verb ‘to be’.

With great love and hope, I am faithfully, your sister in Christ, who wants us all ‘to be’…fully and abundantly,

Rebecca Spencer

ASH WEDNESDAY

February 17

Worship Service 7:30 pm

LENTEN MEDITATION

Wednesdays 5:30 – 6:00 pm

February 24        The Rev. Royce Tevis

March 3               The Rev. Kat Townes

March 10             May Grant

New Member Sunday

February 7

Please join the Membership Committee in welcoming new members to the Congregation at a luncheon immediately following the Sunday service on February 7. As is our custom, the luncheon will be a potluck, and members of the Congregation are requested to bring a salad, vegetable, side dish, or dessert; the Membership Committee will provide main dishes. Jim Silverthorn will lead a tour of the Sanctuary as part of the luncheon, providing background and many details about the artwork that fills the Sanctuary. The New Member Luncheons are an enjoyable time of fellowship and a relaxing way to meet and welcome new members to our Congregation. We hope you’ll join us! (For additional information, please contact Paul Barlow.)

New Member Orientation*

Wednesday, April 21

Faith Exploration*

Tuesday, April 27

New Member Sunday

May 2

*These meetings are held at the home of the Rev. Rebecca Spencer

15 Taber Ave at 7 pm.

Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday

New Orleans themed supper

6 – 7:30 pm February 16

Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children, $25 family

Come to a real New Orleans style Mardi Gras in Chapel Hall hosted by the New Orleans Mission Trip participants and WORD Fellowship. Come in costume for the parade and be prepared to begin the Lenten season with one last party!

All are invited to this fun family event

THE RABBI LESLIE GUTTERMAN

Our Guest Preacher, February 14

From Kat

Many people of faith are asking the question, “Where is God in the midst of tragedy?” In light of the earthquake in Haiti and the continuing economic challenges in our own country, what truth and hope can our faith offer? One place I turn to for consolation is scripture. The Psalms, Lamentations, the Gospels, Exodus—all of thes books offer insights into the poverty, hunger and pain in our world as well as the reassurance that God will not abandon us in though times. Yet many of us hesitate to open the Bible to read.

This article will attempt to debunk some of the myths and misunderstandings about the Bible that may be keeping folks from opening its pages and soaking it in.

Myth #1 The Bible is one LONG book.

Busted! The Bible is NOT one big book. It is actually a collection of 66 books, some of which are quite short. Sitting down to read 66 books is overwhelming. So start with just one that you’d like to add to your reading list. The books of the Bible are not a chronological series of sequels, so you can start with book 25 and not feel like you had to read the first 24 to understand the plot.

Myth #2 We’re not supposed to ask questions about what the Bible says.

Busted! The rabbinical tradition, of which Jesus was a part, encouraged questioning and even arguing with the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is meant to be read, digested, and engaged. It is not meant to be a one-way lecture, but rather a conversation between us, God, and our community.

Myth #3 You have to be a minister or have some knowledge of theology to read and “understand” the Bible.

Busted! Our great Protestant ancestor, Martin Luther, insisted on translating the Bible into the German vernacular so that everyone, not just priests, could read it. As UCCers, we still believe strongly that “God is still speaking” to us through scripture. Annotated copies are widely available-versions like the New Oxford Annotated Bible, which includes the text you’ll find in your pew Bible plus footnotes that give you background information, historical facts, and cross-referenced material. The brainy academic work of Bible scholars, translators, commentators, archeologists, and historical critics is all there for you.

Myth #4 The Bible is written using old or outdated language that is beautiful for worship, but is not accessible for everyday reading.

Busted! There are over 1000 translations of the Christian Bible, including many contemporary language translations that are easy (and even fun) to read. If you want to read the Bible cover to cover and laugh while you are doing it, I recommend Eugene Peterson’s The Message Remix Bible. With its snazzy plastic cover, it’s both durable and user-friendly. Our family actually read this at the breakfast table the other day and I now get requests “to read out of the fun version of the Bible that sounds like normal people talking.”

Myth #5 The Bible is a holy text meant for special occasions—worship at Church, weddings and funerals.

Busted! The Bible is meant to be a living text, not one that we enshrine on our shelves like a fancy piece of china we only take out on special occasions. It is okay to dog ear the pages, write in the margins, highlight favorite passages, and talk about it with relatives, friends, and coworkers. My guess is that Jesus would more likely praise a person who, in their morning reading, spilled coffee on the book of John than a person who kept their Bible safe, pristine, and unopened.

So now—what are you waiting for? Get reading. And may the word of God bring you comfort and inspiration!

From Claudia

Haiti and the devastating earthquake of January 12th continues to remain uppermost in many of our thoughts.  The outpouring of love and concern from so many of our members has been a wonderful example of the community here at Central.  The way our church reaches out to others in an ever-widening circle is nothing less that inspiring.

In addition to contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing, Central has been putting together hygiene kits to be sent to Haiti.  Already, there are hundreds of these kits on our stage that have been brought in to send to Church World Service which sent an urgent message of need for them through our own UCC Global Missions.  These are simple kits filled with a face cloth, hand towel, soap, wide-toothed comb, nail clipper, toothbrush, and 6 band-aids in a one-gallon Ziploc bag.

Individuals and families have put together these kits and I can only hope that those who receive them know that they are not only filled with these common necessities, but that they are also filled with our hopes and our prayers for the Haitian people.  Young children have come in with their parents to drop off kits.  Sometimes they are so small that Peg can’t even see the child over her counter in the office, but their hearts are large and they are learning the meaning of generosity.  Whether we are young or not so young, the message is the same to the Haitians who will receive these kits: we care about you, and we are thinking of you.

So, tonight when you are getting ready for bed, remember those who don’t have a place to hang their toothbrush… those who keep their toiletries in a Ziploc bag.  And then, I would invite you all to say a prayer not only for the Haitian people, but for all of us.  Pray that all humanity realizes that we are in this together.  Pray that we don’t have to have an earthquake or other natural disaster to remind us of that fact.  Pray that this will be a turning point, not only for Haiti, but also for the rest of us who inhabit this world in the way we respond to poverty around our globe.

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

“The life of Christian faith is a life of profound bother.  It is centered in the awareness that there is an incongruity between what is and what God has intended.”

–excerpt from an article by Walter Brueggemann

When we make the commitment as a family to ‘go to church’ each Sunday, and to raise our children in the context of a Christian community of faith, we are affirming the importance of living a “bothered life”.   After all, wouldn’t it be profoundly easier to NOT go to church? Why bother?! (Please don’t give this too much thought!)

Each Sunday morning when the children come to Children’s Time, and then race upstairs to their classrooms, this is a vibrant testimony of  each family of the importance of living out our faith in the context of a faith community.  Bringing our children to Church affirms the importance and value of every member of that community, no matter what age or stage, to be the ‘village’ in which our children are raised.  We bother to come because we want to lay down a Christian foundation for our children, as well as continue to grow in faith as adults. Our choosing “the bothered life” is an act of hope and faith, as we nurture the ‘future seeds’ of the Church community.

We have much to be thankful for!!

Blessings and joy,

Cathy Clasper-Torch

Director of Christian Education

DATES TO REMEMBER:

–CENTRAL PLAY GROUP:

Will begin meeting on FRIDAY mornings, starting in February, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

–CHERUB CHOIR

Continues to meet every Sunday morning, 10:00 – 10:20, in the Gathering Space.  All children, pre-school through 2nd grade are welcome!

–CHILDCARE

Available every Sunday morning from 9:00 am

Celebration VIII Together Building Bridges

March 12-14

Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center

Burlington, VT

Mark your calendars for this very special event for women!!  Celebration is a New England UCC retreat for women ages 14 and up.  This event happens every 4 years.  The first Celebration was 32 years ago.  It attracts 1000 UCC women from all over New England to share worship, workshops, music and lots more.

Claudia is on the Steering Committee for this event and would be happy to give you a brochure and answer any questions.  Registration is now open at www.uccwomenscelebration.org

MUSIC AT CENTRAL

Organ Update

What a thrill it was to have our organ completely back and playing for Christmas this year!

Although the organ works well and sounds wonderful, fine-tuning (literally and figuratively!) continues.  With an instrument of this complexity it takes several months for things to settle in.  January 18-20 technicians visited again to go through each pipe for tuning, and for fixing several minor mechanical issues.

One of the remaining items needing attention pertains to the three keyboards in the organ console.  The spring action that works each individual key is quite complex and unique to only a few instruments built around the same period.  While the keys operate properly, the touch remains uneven from key to key and several make a clacking noise when played.

Because of this, our technicians will recall the keyboards back to the Spencer Organ Company in Waltham, Mass.  In the intervening months since the console was reinstalled, our organ technicians have consulted extensively with an expert in this very specialized area and have learned the additional skills and techniques necessary to perfect the action.

We should note that because of the anticipated difficulties inherent in these keyboards, our contract specified that while every effort would be taken to restore them to fine working order, success could not be guaranteed.  Our organ restorers are fine craftsmen, however, and take great pride in their work, as well as having a great deal of admiration for our instrument and our Church.  Because of this they have gone above and beyond their contractual responsibilities to research and implement new solutions.

We will again be without the organ for three weeks while the shop completes the keyboard work.  This will serve as a reminder to all of us that much work has yet to be completed in our Church, and much money still needs to be raised to completely finish paying for the organ restoration!  In the meantime the piano will be used to accompany worship as we did last year.

Lent is a time of sacrifice and self-denial.  As we live without the organ again for a few weeks, let us be reminded of the needs in our Church, and most importantly in this recent time of great strife, the needs of the world, and respond generously with time, talent, and treasure, thankful for the gifts we have already received.

Book Club

Food for Thought book group will be discussing The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler.  This collection of short stories by the likes of D.H. Lawrence, Flannery O’Connor, Margaret Atwood, Anton Chekhov, and others offers an interesting way to delve into the foibles of humanity and the moral implications of those foibles.  A compelling read…

Date and time to be determined.

Flower Committee

Your Flower Committee has prepared the following list to help members and friends of the congregation continue their remembrances and to suggest dates that others might wish to consider. Please call the church office (331-1960) to confirm or initiate your request(s).

FEBRUARY

7            OPEN Scout Sunday

14            Judith Jamieson for Frances Steffes Jamieson

William Neil Jamieson

Lena Catherine Jamieson

Kathryn Steffes Johnston

James Alexander Harvie Jamieson

21            Wes Yando for Betsey Yando

*William Claflin for Albert Whitman Claflin

& Harriet Ames Fuller Claflin

Margaret Ames Fuller

Elizabeth Fuller Claflin Rowe

& William Leavitt Jackson Rowe

28            *Eunice Claflin for Robert Eastin Morris

MARCH

7              Don MacIntosh for Doris MacIntosh

14              Kim Greene for Andrew William Greene

21            OPEN

28            OPEN

APRIL

4            EASTER Memorial Flowers

11            OPEN

18            OPEN

25            Carolyn Cumming  for Dr. Harry E. Darrah.

MAY

2             *Janice Libby for Donald S. Libby

9             * Eunice Claflin for Catherine Berruex

Herbert Newell Couch

Eunice Burr Couch

16              *Marge Morse for

Phillip Williams Morse

Jori Morse

23               OPEN Pentecost Sunday

30              OPEN

JUNE

6            OPEN

13            Gerry and De Immonen for Mikko Luke Immonen

*confirmed

Crossroads need Casseroles

Casseroles are needed on Sundays in February and March for the Harold Lewis House run by Crossroads for elderly residents who have experienced intermittent or long term homelessness, sometimes spanning decades.  Please bring to the kitchen freezer on your designated Sunday one “Family Style” casserole (bought or homemade) for nine (9) residents, in an aluminum disposable pan. Please list ingredients on the covering. To sign up for a Sunday, please email Elizabeth Taylor. Thank you.

Book Group

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group meets on Thursday, to discuss Thursday, February 25 the group will discuss J.M.G. LeClézio’s Deser”.

What Our Members are Doing. . .

Sarah Kidwell has been named director of news and communications at Brown University. She was most recently a broadcast media specialist in Brown’s office of media relations. In her new role, she will manage the daily operations of the media relations team and oversee news stories and digital content about the University.

Greetings from the Hogans in Africa

The boys are adjusting very well to their new school and way of life. They are not thrilled with the navy uniforms complete with tie and long socks, and Joe and Dawn nervously sent them off to school on their first day. After some cajoling, and encouragement, they got into the swing of things and were reluctant to leave the basketball court at the end of the school day.

Dawn is eagerly taking daily Swahili lessons and now talks like a 2 year-old Kenyan child. She went to rounds at Moi hospital in Eldoret, what an experience!  The horror of AIDS there is full blown.  For her, it is like being on the wards in medical school before adequate treatment protocols for people with AIDS were established. There is lots of tuberculosis, mental illness, and malignancies. She has not yet found a niche, but is just starting to venture out.  Last week she went to a site 40 minutes away, an outpatient site for treatment of AIDS patients. This week she will travel 1 hour away to Weybuye where there is a new young Family Practice Residency program to work in their Diabetes Clinic and Family Practice outpatient clinic. They are adjusting to the 7,000 ft altitude and walk everywhere to shop, or get a driver/taxi-sometimes taking1/2 day to get simple shopping done.

Joe is in demand at AMPATH where he is involved in several research projects, helping his graduate student, Ann Mwange, finish her dissertation, and always being sought out for consultation and advice. He is enjoying his work in Eldoret,Africa, and hopes to get a few projects from Brown finished while there.

From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians

Sunday mornings on 2/14 & 2/21

9:00 a.m. in the Fireplace Room

This extraordinary series will explore the life of Jesus and the movement that he started, challenging familiar assumptions about the origins of Christianity.  Go back in time 2000 years to the place where Jesus once lived and preached.  Experience Jesus’ life and the lives of his first followers, the men and women whose belief, conviction, and martyrdom created a major movement that transformed the mighty Roman Empire in only 300 years!

Greenies Wanted

ARE YOU A GREENIE?  DO you have environmentally sensitive talent or experiences you would like to share with others?  Would you like to help shape the environmental practices of the church? Please let one of our ministers know of your interests.

Central Church Pictorial Directory

Our Membership Committee is planning a new pictorial directory for our members. You can sign up on Sundays in Chapel Hall or on our church Website www.centralchurch.us so you will be included in the new directory! Pictures will be taken in the Fireplace Room.

Thursday & Friday, February 18, 19, 25 & 26

3:30-9:30 pm

Saturday, February 20 & 27

10 am – 5:00 pm

Help Sojourner House

Sojourner House is requesting personal care items for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Needs include: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sanitary products or any other personal care type products. Please place your items in the Sojourner House box in Chapel Hall.

Hit the Slopes

February 19-20

NEOS and WORD Family Ski Trip

Mt. Snow, Vermont

Stewardship

We are very pleased to report that the distribution of a loaf of bread, a gift from the Stewardship Committee to each member of the church, on January 10th was a success.  This was the “sharing” portion of Stewardship’s 2010 – 2011 campaign “We Share Because We Care”.  The reports back from the “deliverers” (the members of the Stewardship Committee, the Membership Committee and some Deacons) were that members were very appreciative and felt that this was an extension of the caring and concern at Central Congregational Church.  If you were out of town or not at home, a card saying “Sorry we missed you” may have been left at your door and your loaf of bread donated to those in need.  Again, thank you to all who helped in this endeavor as well as thank you to all the members of Central for being part of this great community.

-Mary Hazeltine & Ann Scott, Co-Chairs Stewardship

Christmas at Central Update

Many thanks again to everyone who participated in Christmas at Central!  Our wonderful chairs and all who came and supported this effort made it a resounding success.  To date we have raised $4,000 toward our budget.  And, this does not include the money that was raised by WORD toward their mission trip.  Nor does it include the Music Committee’s fund-raiser for the restoration of our organ, or the money that the Bursting Pomegranate raised that is donated to mission projects!  All in all, it was an incredible day filled with the feeling of community that is such a special part of Central!

THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL REFORM IN RHODE ISLAND

Temple Beth-El

70 Orchard Avenue

Thursday, April 7

7:00 pm

Panel:

Deborah Gist

RI Commissioner of Educaiton

Dr. Warren Simmons

Director, Annenberg Inst. School Reform

Brown University

Michael Lazzareschi

Principal, Nathan Bishop Middle School

Moderator:

Elizabeth Burke Bryant, JD

Executive Director, Rhode Island Kids Count

Please mark your calendars, save the date, and join us for this exciting and informative event, which is being co- sponsored by Central Church, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church & Temple Beth-El.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Food Challenge

February 7

The members of Barrington Congregational Church have challenged our sisters and brothers from Central and Newman Congregational Churches to see which of the three churches can raise the most support for their local food pantry.

Please bring non-perishable food items in addition to your regular donations to church on Sunday, February 7.  The food will be counted during our New Member Potluck luncheon.

Conversations with the Deacons

The Board of Deacons of Central Church will be hosting a series of discussions to explore topics of interest to our congregation. Have you ever wondered who the deacons are and what their

role is in the Church community? Have you ever wondered how they are nominated? The deacons invite you to join us on Sunday, February 21 in the Deacon’s Room immediately following our church service to explore “The Deacon’s Role at Central Church”.

News for the Newsletter

Articles for the monthly newsletter are due in the church office on the 20th of each month. If articles are ready earlier, please feel free to send them in anytime before the due date. This will help avoid the last minute rush and ensure your information is included.

FROM THE DEACON’S BENCH

Like many, I have been transfixed and tremendously saddened by the tragedy in Haiti, which continues to unfold this week, as it will in the weeks, months, and years to come.  Never having experienced such a trauma, I know that I can’t really understand what it’s like for the citizens of Haiti through the two dimensional reality of TV and newspapers.  But there are some things that have stood out for me, and certainly issues that pertain to us as Christians.

It seems that in a crisis such as this one, the human condition is writ large: there is caring, compassion, faith; and there is chaos, frustration, desperation, and fear.  And none of these is subtle, for the physical and emotional context is just too powerful for muted responses.  Beyond the physical trauma and devastation is the psychological trauma, which will be woven into the collective Haitian psyche for generations to come.

I know that Christ ascended into heaven but I have a hard time believing that he spends all his time there.  He is needed more on earth, and even more so, in hell. I realize that this goes against standard theology, but doesn’t Christ go where he is needed? After all, this is a guy who likes to be useful.  I imagine he caught the first plane to Haiti and had no problems finding a place to land, and had his logistics worked out in advance.  I imagine he was with those who have been rescued, and with the many thousands who have perished.

The graphic images of complete devastation, injury and death, are very difficult to watch.  But I have found the images of looting and violence just as difficult, if not more so, because they reveal the underbelly of human nature.  A tragedy of this magnitude sets in bold relief the many rooms of the human spirit: the miraculous, the loving, the compassionate, the strong, and also the darkness of violence and desperation.  It has been said that the opposite of love is not hate, but fear.  And this situation is nothing if not tremendously frightening.  Do any of us really know how we would react if we were in similar circumstances?

It’s easy to have compassion for those who have lost loved ones, for those who are in tremendous pain, and especially for the children. Being a Christian in the face of suffering is the easy part.  The challenge is to have courage in the face of extreme fear and to feel compassion and empathy towards those who do things that we abhor.  This is where Christ leads the way, for he is the one who sets the example for the rest of us.  For if he can’t do it, how can we?  And if he can do it, how can we not?

As moral beings and as Christians we are required to see the world through a lens of love, compassion, and courage, completely free of prejudice, and to act from a place of faith, not fear.   This is what sustains us in the face of tragedies such as the one in Haiti.  And whether it’s looters in Haiti or on Wall Street, all deserve our compassion (which doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t hold people accountable for their bad behavior; Christ certainly did).   We can’t cherry pick our life experiences; that is not what our faith is all about.  The world can be beautiful, predictable, loving, but it can also be ugly, messy, and filled with fear.  Christians wade through all of it.

-Sherri Nelson

How Green is our Church?

While we’ve made great strides, there is more we can do.   The “Green Committee” encourages all committee members to attend the Interfaith Power & Light Conference on February 11th at 4:30 – 9:00 at LaSalle Academy.    With exhibits and panel discussions this annual event showcases the latest options and subsidies available to churches and synagogues in the common response to environmental concerns.  For more info go to www.riipl.org

Committee Faire

Sunday, February 14

During coffee hour following our Sunday service, come to Chapel Hall where each of our committees will have an informative display and some committee members available to answer your questions concerning their committee. Learn about the wide variety of opportunities for each of us to serve our Church and our mission!

Open and Affirming

On a note of acknowledgment, the national LGBT coalition of the UCC in Cleveland in recently reviewing our “Affirmation of Welcome” as printed in our bulletin each week and on our website has designated Central as an “Open and Affirming” Congregation of the United Church of Christ.

As many of you might remember, over ten years ago, our Deacons took the time to discern and articulate our current affirmation of “open to all… and welcoming everyone who chooses to worship here” and in the process were particularly thoughtful in their inclusive wording regarding: age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental facility, economic circumstance, or physical condition.

Being “open and affirming” has been and continues to be a key part of Central Congregational Church’s identity, but never the less, it’s always nice to be recognized for who and what we are, and we welcome this recent national acknowledgment.

Knitting Group

Sunday, February 14

12:00-1:30 p.m. Deacon’s Room

All are welcome: knitters, those who aspire to knit, and those who just want to experience fellowship and participate in the blessing of the prayer shawls that are lovingly made for others!  As an added bonus, if you’ve always wanted to learn how to knit we’ll teach you!  Questions?  Call Janice Libby or Claudia.

CentralNEWS/January 2010

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 1

296 Angell Street  Providence  RI 02906   401-331-1960

From Your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

I shared this prayer during our Christmas Eve services, and I thought it would be fitting as I write you this New Year’s letter.

The Work of Christmas

- by Howard Thurman

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flocks,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost, to heal the broken,

To feed the hungry, to release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations, to bring peace among brothers and sisters,

To make music in the heart.

Please know that here at your Central Congregational Church, we will be continuing the work of  Christmas in this new year of 2010. I would love to share ideas with you.

Warmly,

Rebecca

Our thoughts and prayers are with Betty Engen.  Her husband, Trygg, died in November.

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated on Sunday, January 31. A pastor/parent meeting will be held at 9 am on Saturday, January 23 in the Fireplace Room.

Please call The Rev. Rebecca Spencer, 331-1960, if you wish to participate in this Baptism.

New Members

New Member Orientation*

Tuesday, January 26

Faith Exploration*

Wednesday, February 3

New Member Sunday

February 7

*These meetings are held at 7pm at the home of The Rev. Rebecca Spencer, 15 Taber Ave.

COMBINED CHOIRS CONCERT

Orchestra and Choirs of Central Congregational Church and The First Baptist Church in America Patrick Aiken, Organ Stephen Martorella, Director

Josef Rheinberger: Organ Concerto in F Hubert Parry: I Was Glad Mack Wilberg: Requiem

Central Congregational Church 296 Angell Street, Providence Sunday, January 31, 2010, 2:00 PM Free and open to the public. Donations accepted for RIAGO Scholarship Fund

From Claudia

Sometimes the days after Christmas seem like a let down.  The parties are over, the tinsel is tarnished, the tree is out on the curb and our hearts may be filled with promise for a new year, but they also look back on what has been.  Sometimes I think that we are a lot like our Christmas trees.  We stand so proud and tall decorated with our finest ornaments and tinsel and lights, but we can only sustain that for so long.  All too soon our limbs begin to droop and our needles start to drop…It’s easy to feel let down at those times.

However, Christmas isn’t really over.  Inside our hearts it lives on (yes, even when our tinsel feels droopy!)  The season of Christmas may have moved into the season of Epiphany but that’s where the real “work” of Christmas begins.  In this dark time of year we celebrate the coming of the light—Jesus the Christ—into our dark, droopy, and at times dreary world!

Howard Thurman, theologian and poet, captures this perfectly in a section from the following poem, which has always been one of my very favorites:

The Singing of Angels

There must be always,

remaining in every life,

someplace for the singing of angels.

Someplace for that which in itself

is breathless and beautiful.

Old burdens become lighter,

deep and ancient wounds

lose much of their old hurting.

Despite all the crassness of life,

all the hardness and harsh discords,

life is saved by the singing of angels.

Wishing you and yours angels singing, breathless beauty, and music in your hearts as together we do the work of Christmas as members of Central Congregational Church here in this place in 2010!  The light of the world is ours to carry to a dark and weary world as we share what we have experienced with the lost, the broken, the hungry, and those who are prisoners of all kinds…

New Year’s blessings,

Claudia

Adult Sunday School

From Jesus to Christ:

The First Christmas

A new adult Sunday School Series starting Sunday, January 10  9:00 am in the Fireplace Room

Join Claudia as this extraordinary series explores the life of Jesus and the movement that he started, challenging familiar assumptions about the origins of Christianity.  Go back in time 2000 years to the place where Jesus once lived and preached.  Experience Jesus’ life and the lives of his first followers, the men and women whose belief, conviction, and martyrdom created a major movement that transformed the mighty Roman Empire in only 300 years!

From Kat

If Mary and Joseph had come to Providence instead of Bethlehem that fateful Christmas Eve, where might Jesus have been born? With the hotels full of holiday travelers, might the holy family look to our local homeless shelters for safety from the cold winter weather?

Unfortunately, even at Rhode Island homeless shelters, many families looking for a warm place to stay this Christmas still heard “There’s no room at the inn.” With the economy still recovering and unemployment still so high in Rhode Island, social services agencies cannot find enough beds or even floor space for the soaring number of homeless Rhode Islanders. For example, the Providence Journal reported on December 29 that more than 150 people have recently been turned away from the Rhode Island Family Shelter in Warwick, because the shelter is currently full.

As Christians, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ’s peace and radical hospitality, but what can we do to welcome the stranger and bring hope to the thousands of desperate people who are struggling to meet their basic needs? What does the Bible tell us?  What is our church community already doing? How can we get more involved?

These are some of the many questions the youth in cooperation with the Mission and Action Committee and Amos House will be addressing the weekend of January 23-24. On January 23 and 24, the WORD and NEOS youth fellowships will be holding their annual homeless awareness sleep out. Afterwards, Mission and Action is hosting the CEO of Amos House, an agency with many creative programs that address homelessness and poverty in Rhode Island. Come before church on the 24th to visit the youth homeless awareness camp and talk with our youth about what homelessness looks like in Providence and what we as a community can do about it. Then come after church for a warm lunch, where we will engage together the tough realities of homelessness in Rhode Island and talk about hands-on ways we can make a difference together.

Christianity 101

Beginning Sunday, January 10

10-10:30AM   Wilson Chapel

Want to brush up on your knowledge of the sacraments, theology, and the Bible? Starting January 10, Kat will be offering a speedy survey of our Christian faith, tradition, and practices. This 6-week course will cover Bible basics, theology, the sacraments, symbols of our sanctuary, and worship. Doughnuts and childcare provided.

Book Group

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group meets on Thursday, January 28 to discuss “Homecoming” by Bernard Schlink and on Thursday, February 25 the group will discuss J.M.G. LeClézio’s “Desert”.

MUSIC AT CENTRAL

Special Organ and Choir Concert

On Sunday, January 31, at 2 p.m., the R.I. Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present a very special concert featuring our own organ, organist, and choir, accompanied by full orchestra! The combined choirs of Central and The First Baptist Church in America will join us, conducted by Stephen Martorella.

On the program you will hear C. Hubert Parry’s famous anthem “I Was Glad.” We present this every year at Central on Gathering Sunday as the choir returns from summer vacation. This month you can hear the anthem accompanied by full orchestra and the combined forces of two choirs!

The choirs will also present the “Requiem” by contemporary composer and Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mack Wilberg. This evocative work sets the familiar Requiem text to music with sparkling harmonies and lush melodies in solo, choral, and orchestral parts.

To showcase our newly restored organ, we also present the “Organ Concerto in F” by Joseph Rheinberger. Rheinberger writes beautiful romantic melodies, most especially in this concerto featuring solo organ accompanied by the full orchestra.

The RI American Guild of Organists hosts the concert, which is free and open to the public; donations gratefully accepted. This will be an exceptional program at Central you won’t want to miss! Save the date now and invite a friend!

Knitting Group

Sunday, January 10 12-1:30 pm

Make it your New Year’s resolution to join us in the Deacon’s Room! All are welcome; knitters, those who aspire to knit, and those who just want to experience fellowship and participate in the blessing of the prayer shawls that are lovingly made for others! As an added bonus, if you have always wanted to learn to knit, we’ll teach you. Questions? Call Janice Libby or Claudia.

Celebration VIII Together Building Bridges

March 12-14

Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center

Burlington, VT

Mark your calendars for this very special event for women!!  Celebration is a New England UCC retreat for women ages 14 and up.  This event happens every 4 years.  The first Celebration was 32 years ago.  It attracts 1000 UCC women from all over New England to share worship, workshops, music and lots more.

Claudia is on the Steering Committee for this event and would be happy to give you a brochure and answer any questions.  Registration is now open at www.uccwomenscelebration.org

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

Greetings in this new year and new ‘season” of our church year: Epiphany! A warm welcome and HUGH THANKS to our new Church School Teachers for the Winter Unit:

GABRIEL’S GANG (pre-school class)

Janet Rankin, Martha Nichols, Jen Cookke

SHEPHERDS/PROPHETS (K-1st grade class)

Tracy Baran, Chris Falaguerra, Marcy Wemple

STARGAZERS (2nd grade class)

Emma Cotter, Lorraine Lalli, Nancy Jacobs, Jennie Newkirk

DISCIPLES (3rd grade class)

Amy Frazer

PEACEMAKERS (4th -5th  grade class)

D B Hebb, Amy Hebb, Debra Moorhead,

Perry Buroker

DREAM-MAKERS (6th-8th grade class)

Cathy Clasper-Torch

CHERUB CHOIR, pre-school through grade 2, will start up again on Sunday, Jan. 17 from 10-10:20 am in the Gathering Space (2nd floor).

PLAY GROUP for moms/dads and toddlers. If interested, please contact Cathy, 272-3942. This Thursday morning group will be shifting to FRIDAYS starting Friday, January 22.

ALL are warmly welcome!!

Blessings & Joy,

Cathy Clasper-Torch

Food for Thought

Thursday, January 28th

7:00-8:30 p.m. at Claudia’s house

This month Food for Thought book group will be discussing The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler.  This collection of short stories by the likes of D.H. Lawrence, Flannery O’Connor, Margaret Atwood, Anton Chekhov, and others offers an interesting way to delve into the foibles of humanity and the moral implications of those foibles.  A compelling read…

STEWARDSHIP

The 2010 – 2011 Stewardship Campaign “We Share Because We Care” will be kicked off on Sunday, February 14th by Mary Hazeltine and Ann Scott, Co-Chairs, of the Stewardship Committee.  The following 4 Sundays different members of the congregation will share a “Stewardship Moment”.  Sunday, March 21st will be Dedication Sunday when all of us will bring our pledges to church.  A celebratory lunch will follow the service.

After the service, Sunday, January 10th, 2010 a loaf of bread will be delivered to each member’s door as a gift from the Stewardship Committee to thank them for belonging and being a part of Central Congregational Church.  If you are not at home a card will be left at your door (sorry we will miss some of you) and your loaf of bread will be donated to those in need.

Women’s Retreat

- A Time to Relax, Rejuvenate and Reconnect

If you have been thinking about joining us for this annual get away, spaces are still available. You will have your own room, lots of free time, beautiful countryside to explore, a cozy fireplace to sit by, and no planning, cooking or deadlines to deal with.

WHEN:       February 5-7th, 2010

WHERE:    St. Benedict Abbey, Still River, MA

(an hour away off 495N; car pooling available)

THEME:     BE-ing IN TOUCH: with myself, with     others, and the God of my understanding

COST:         $165.00–includes room, 6 meals, materials

If full payment is an issue, we can offer a ‘reduced’ amount to assist.  Payment is due January 11th (fully refundable if you cancel by January 25th).  When you make your check out to Central Church, please note that it is for the women’s retreat. Checks can either be placed in John Boyce’s box in the office, or mailed in to John’s attention.   Once you’ve signed up, full details will be sent mid- to late January.

Find nourishment for body and soul.  Come BE with us! Questions?  Contact Gwen Kangis

Calling All Cooks

Casseroles are needed on Sundays in January, February and March for the Harold Lewis House run by Crossroads for elderly residents who have experienced intermittent or long term homelessness, sometimes spanning decades.  Please bring to the kitchen freezer on your designated Sunday one “Family Style” casserole (bought or homemade) for nine (9) residents, in an aluminum disposable pan. Please list ingredients on the covering. To sign up for a Sunday, please contact Elizabeth Taylor. Thank you.

What our members are doing. . .

Our new members, Joe & Dawn Hogan along with their three young sons–Jack, Luke and Patrick, are leaving on December 31st  for a 3 month working sabbatical to Eldoret, Kenya. Joe is a professor of Biostatistics at Brown and Dawn is a Family Practice doctor with Memorial Hospital. They will be living in an American compound set up by Indiana University and working closely with faculty and staff of Moi University School of Public Health.

This will be the first trip out of the country for the boys who will attend a private, Indian run, British based school compromised mainly of Indian and Kenyan students. It will be a culture shock and a tremendous broadening of their prospective on the world. They are all both excited and nervous.

The Hogans are pleased to have been so warmly received into the community of Central and will miss Sunday morning worship. Please keep them in your prayers for safety and good health during their time away.

The Deacon’s Bench

After the Carol Service last week, I came down from the choir loft to Chapel Hall in search of my family and some cookies.  On the way, several people, even some I didn’t recognize–I guess they noticed my black folder—let me know how much they’d enjoyed the choir’s music.  I nodded, smiled, and thanked them for coming to the service and for their kind words.

What I should have told them is that from where I stand—in the back row and off to one side—they had witnessed a miracle that night.  By way of explanation, here’s what I remember about singing “Silent Night” at the end of the service:

Silent night, Holy night…

[Am I in the right spot?

Maybe I need to move over a little…]

Round yon virgin…

[Look—there’s Harry!  Oh please, Lord, help my son not set anybody on fire with his candle!]

Sleep in heavenly peace…

[Uh oh, next verse is in parts.

First note is either an F or a B flat, I think, um…]

Silent…

[Oops, must have been a B flat.]

Shepherds quake…

[Is my candle straight?]

Radian…

[“Radiant beams” or “Radiance beams”?  or maybe “Radians beam”?  No, not that last one.]

Silent…

[Back to the melody now.  I wonder if I can hit the high note.]

Jesus Lord…

[Well, I almost hit that high note.]

At thy birth.

[Oh please, Lord, don’t let that kid set Harry on fire!]

While my short attention span, bad memory, and limited musical ability make me an extreme case, I believe that it’s at least a little bit like this for most of us.  I’d love to find the right words and notes automatically, not to be distracted by the thought of the children’s choir in flames, and to think only of the miracle of the incarnation as I sing the carol, but I’m not sure this is possible.  I keep practicing, but, try as I might, I am not ever going to be perfect.  The miracle is that when this very imperfect singer joins with other voices, the result transcends the limitations of any one voice and the music we make together can praise God and inspire those who listen.

This week, my uncle’s Christmas letter (which I hope he won’t mind me quoting) reminded me that:

The festival we are preparing to celebrate underscores the most profound and soaring realities: among them that light is shining brightly in the darkness, that God’s plan cannot fail, and that dawn will break in his own time.

It’s easy to miss the light in the darkness, to be so distracted by the failures and shortcomings we see around us that we lose faith in God’s plan.  Christmas comes into a world darkened by greed, hatred, and anger and the light seems too weak and diffuse to do anything about it.  I find comfort in the miracle of the choir.  I can’t see the reality of God’s plan from my narrow human perspective any more than I can hear the real sound of the choir from my corner of the bass section, but I have to believe that beyond this mess, there is a greater, more beautiful harmony.

So let’s sing together, work together, and pray together.  God’s plan cannot fail, even though we sometimes miss the high notes.

-Stephen DeWitt

Central Church Pictorial Directory

Our Membership Committee is planning a new pictorial directory for our members. Please watch for more information and save one of these dates so you will be included in the new directory! Pictures will be taken in the Fireplace Room.

Thursday & Friday, February 18, 19, 25 & 26

3:30-9:30 pm

Saturday, February 20 & 27

10 am – 5:00 pm

Parents’ and Families Meeting for the Homeless Awareness Sleep Out

Sunday January 10, 11:30AM-12PM

Come get organized and learn about what to pack and what to expect at the Homeless Awareness Sleep Out. All middle and high school students planning to participate in the sleep out are strongly encouraged to come!

Youth Schedule

January 23-24

WORD and NEOS

Homeless Awareness Sleepout

Saturday 5PM-Sunday 11:30AM

February 19-20

NEOS and WORD Family Ski Trip

Mt. Snow, Vermont

Help for Haiti

The RI Conference Of UCC churches Haiti Mission Task Force group is traveling to Haiti Jan. 28 – Feb. 3, 2010. They are seeking donations of the following:  soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other toilet articles, cell phones, lap tops, printers, school supplies, children and adult clothing item, vitamins, and art supplies for one of our translators who is teaching art lessons to children through the United Nations program for children in need. i.e. pastels, crayons, paints, paper, etc. Please contact Lora Spalt for questions and to make donations.

Mission Lunch

Sunday January 24 12-1PM

After taking a tour of the NEOS and WORD homeless awareness camp, join the Mission and Action Committee for lunch after worship on January 24. Our featured guest will be the CEO of Amos House, Eileen Hayes. Amos House is a nonprofit social services agency that provides services to the homeless and poor of Providence. In addition to helping people with basic needs like food and housing, Amos House facilitates creative programs like the Amos House Works, which trains people in the culinary arts, creates jobs, and raises funds for social service agencies using money earned from catering and school lunch programs. Amos House also hosts many Central Congregational Church members who volunteer there on a regular basis. Come learn about the awesome ways Amos House is living out the Gospel and hear about ways you can personally address homelessness and poverty.

Help For Sojourner House

Sojourner House is requesting personal care items for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sanitary products or any other personal care type products. Please place your items in the Sojourner House box in Chapel Hall.

CentralNEWS/December2009

VOLUME 17 NUMBER 11 296 Angell Street  Providence, RI 02906 401-331-1960

From Your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

I write this on November 23. Yesterday the boys and I were driving home and we noticed all of the lights that people were putting up – already, on November 22.  I said, predictably, “Wow, I can’t believe people are putting up lights already.  It isn’t even the first day of Advent.”  After a moment or so, Ezra said, thoughtfully, “I guess they really love Jesus.”  Maybe you had to be in the car at the time, but it struck us so funny as we kept driving by snow globes and reindeer and trees, to think of the families stringing up the lights and the elaborate decorations, doing this to signify their love for Jesus.  And then there was a jolly Santa Claus on a very small front porch all outlined in brilliant red and white lights, and I thought, you know, maybe we should not be so quick to think negatively about the whole jumping the holiday syndrome.

Maybe Jesus would find a way to turn this impulse we have to light up the dark night into something profound.  Maybe it is up to those of us who are a bit more effusive about our love for Jesus to find a way to include those who may not be as aware as we are.  After all, “He is the reason for the season.”

So, my note to myself and to you, my friends, for this last week before Advent begins, is that we redouble our efforts to love Jesus and to find ways to include others in that love. And every time I pass by a house that is gaily decorated, whether with blinking electric giant candy canes or a simple wreath on the door, I am saying a silent prayer that God’s love may enfold all who live therein.

Yours, in the spirit of a hopeful, expectant Advent,

Rebecca

Christmas at Central

Sunday, December 6 11:30 am – 2 pm

• The Lunch Room
• Grandma’s Attic
• Ye Old Bookcellar
• Toy & Sports Treasure Box
• Sweet Shoppe
• Gift Baskets
• Craft Workshop
• The Gallery
• Bursting Pomegranate
• Wreaths by WORD
• Local Artists & Vendors

Prayers For…

Our prayers and sympathy are with the family and friends of Sarah “Sally” Bosworth who died November 19, 2009.

A Memorial Service will be held soon.

May God’s comfort surround all those who mourn.

New Members

New Member Orientation*

Tuesday, January 26

Faith Exploration*

Wednesday, February 3

New Member Sunday

February 7

*These meetings are held at 7pm at the home of The Rev. Rebecca Spencer, 15 Taber Ave.

CAROL SERVICE

We will send out postcards in early December to remind everyone of the Carol Service on Sunday, December 20, at 4 p.m.

In addition, we will provide stamped postcards for you to invite family and friends as well! Look for members of the choir and Music Committee in Chapel Hall during coffee hour for yours.

ADVENT SERVICES

Wednesday, December 2nd, 9th, 16th

5:30 – 6:00 pm

These midweek services provide an opportunity to center and receive the gifts and blessings of Advent. It is a wonderful time to come for quiet and restoring of your soul during this busy time. These services are especially for those who seek God’s healing presence at this time of year. Please invite your friends to the quiet meditation of Advent.

BAPTISM

The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated on Sunday, January 31. A pastor/parent meeting will be held at 9 am on Saturday, January 23 in the Fireplace Room.

Please call The Rev. Rebecca Spencer, 331-1960, if you wish to participate in this Baptism.

From Kat

“Santa in the Manger”

When I lived in Tokyo as a child, my mother regularly prepared the communion bread for our services at Tokyo Union Church. She often took the bread left over from the services and fed our neighborhood pigeons—“They’ll be flying high today,” she’d say, laughing.

I have many fond memories of sharing church with my family in Japan, and the Sacrament of communion and our goofy tradition of feeding the birds was only one of the ways our family found comfort in an unfamiliar place through participation in the church.

Although many of us were born in the United States, as Christians, we are still outsiders in many ways. As the holidays begin to ramp up, the secular Christmas frenzy often comes into conflict with the quiet and thoughtful preparation we do during Advent.

In Psalm 137, the Israelites in Babylon lament, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” How can we experience our connections to God and each other in a time that is so full of the false promises of false idols, be they the lie that Christmas means “we’ll all get along,” the lie that our children will love us more if we get them the perfect gift, or the lie that Christmas means we will all be as shiny and happy as the ornaments on our trees.

I remember entering one store in Tokyo at Christmas time and being shocked to find a nativity set with Santa in the manger. What a fitting metaphor for the mixed messages we receive around Christmas time! Ours is not a faith that ignores the secular world; however, as Christians, we are called to testify to much deeper and greater reality than the secular Christmas can offer us.

Give yourself the gift coming to the 5:30PM services during the three Wednesdays of Advent this year. In contrast with the secular holiday season full of noise and blinking lights, our Advent services are quiet and candle-lit. Come at least once and experience the comfort of being with this family of faith as we meditate and reflect on our longing for God’s presence.

In love,

Kat

20’s & 30’s HOLY-DAY Party

Friday, December 11   6:30 pm

If you’re in your 20’s & 30’s (or feel like you are!), you and your family are invited to the Parsonage at 24 Diman Place for an evening of food and fellowship. Kat’ s husband will be smoking meat (and cooking veggie options as well). If you haven’t tried Royce’s BBQ yet, that alone is a reason to join us! Please bring a favorite side dish, dessert, or drink to share. Friends are welcome!

From Claudia

By the time you read this, Advent will have begun.  Preparations will already be beginning at church as we celebrate this season of reflection and anticipation.  Our little ones are hard at work on the pageant, the colors of the paraments and the clergy’s stoles have switched to purple, and the choir is hard at work rehearsing for this season.  Everything seems under control.  But is it really?

This waiting for God is a messier business than we often like to admit.  Just ask any of the Hebrew prophets.  Just ask Joseph…or Mary…  Like the unexpected timing of birth itself, God rarely comes in the way we expect.  And, like the prophets and peoples of old we wait—and in wonder we hope.

Eugene Peterson reminds us that “Wonder is the only adequate launching pad for exploring this fullness, this wholeness of human life.  Once a year, each Christmas, for a few days at least, we and millions of our neighbors turn aside from our preoccupations with life reduced to biology or economics or psychology and join together in a community of wonder.  The wonder keeps us open-eyed, expectant, alive to life that is always more than we can account for, that always exceeds our calculations, that is always beyond anything we can make.”

And so it is that we once again enter into this season of wonder that Christ comes again and again.  When we sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” may we be a community filled with wonder as we remember that Emmanuel means “God with us.”  God is with us all the days of our lives.  God breaks into our lives even now—in 2009… in all the messiness of our lives.  But isn’t that just like God?  In wonder and in joy we approach a humble, darkened stable and there we find the Light of the world!

Wonderingly yours,

Claudia

GOD WITH US

An Advent Mini-Retreat

Wednesday, December 9th

6:00-8:30 p.m. in the Deacon’s Room

Immediately following the Advent Service we will gather together for a quiet retreat.  At 6:00 we will enjoy a homemade soup and bread supper as together we begin to explore the meaning of God with us.  After supper we will find a quiet place in the church to observe silence in order to contemplate this mystery.  At 8:15 we’ll gather together again for a time of sharing and prayer.  Please R.S.V.P. to Claudia (331-1960).

BOOK GROUP

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group meets on Thursday, December 10 to discuss The River of Doubt by Candice Millard.

MUSIC AT CENTRAL

Carol Service

We present our annual Carol Service on Sunday, December 20 at 4 p.m., followed by a Silver Tea in Chapel Hall.

Once again, we present the story of the birth of Christ in scripture and song beginning with the creation story in the Garden of Eden. Passages of scripture find an echo in the familiar Christmas congregational carols and anthems sung by both our choirs, and accompanied by organ, harp, and cello.

Following “Oh Holy Night” & concluding prayers, the choir begins a candlelight procession to the Chancel as we sing “Silent Night.” The service concludes with the instrumental “Sleep of the Infant Jesus” with harp and cello.

This beautiful service offers a chance to retreat from the “holiday” hustle and bustle to peacefully reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Bring your family and friends to share this lovely tradition!

WORD Fellowship 9-12th Graders

Saturday, December 5   6:30-8:00 pm

WORD Fellowship & 8th graders interested in participating in the 2010 Mission Trip

Come decorate living wreaths to be sold the following day at Christmas at Central. This is a big fundraiser for our summer mission trip, and we can use your hands and your creativity! Pizza and drinks will be provided.

Thayer St. Rendezvous

Sunday, December 6   6:30 pm

Enjoy some pizza and begin the conversation about the Christmas Eve service we’ll lead. This is a KEY event. Don’t miss it!

Thrifty Bowl!

(Cosmic Bowling & Vintage Awesomeness)

Saturday, December 12  7 – 9 pm

We’ll meet at Salvation Army and see who can find the most awesome/ridiculous outfit or accessories for the least amount of money. Sporting our new looks, we’ll travel to East Providence Lanes for a game of Cosmic Bowling.

Friday, December 18   4 p m

Christmas Extravaganza!

Shopping for our adopted family, wrapping gifts, and watching “Charlie Brown’s Christmas”.

NEOS 6th – 8th Grades

Saturday, December 19 4-6 pm

Parent Free Last Minute Christmas Shopping

Join us for gift-making as well as last minute shopping at affordable spots around the city.

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

“Sacred infant, all divine,

What a tender love was Thine;

Thus to come from highest bliss

Down to such a world as this.”

–from hymn/carol “See Amid the Winter’s Snow”

In this part of our journey through the church ’seasons’ we wait and anticipate the coming of Light amid the darkness of our days and our times; the very incarnation of God, entering into “such a world as this.”  We light the Advent candles each week to represent the spirit of our ‘pregnant waiting’: the candle of HOPE; the candle of PEACE; the candle of JOY; the candle of LOVE.

As we light the candles, at home or at church, it is important to take time to reflect on the significance of each candle.  One way to deepen our understanding and appreciation is to look at them in contrast.  When you light the candle of hope, think about places of despair–in your own life or in the world.  Then light the candle.  Suddenly it is brighter and has a richer meaning!  And the same profundity will happen for Peace, Joy, and Love.

May Advent be a rich season for you and your family, and may the Light shine in our darkness!!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Sunday, Nov. 29th: the first Sunday in Advent; the first Sunday of Pageant practice during Church School for grades 2nd – 5th.   Junior Highs do ‘choosings’ or remain in worship.  Remember to take a ‘name tag’ from our ANGEL GIFT TREE in Chapel Hall!

Sunday, Dec. 6th: Continued Pageant practice during Church School. Also, please support “Christmas at Central” (directly after church) and do some Christmas shopping!

Sunday, Dec. 13th: Continued Pageant practice, includes GABRIEL’S GANG pre-schoolers, and K – 1st graders.  After worship, please stay for TREE DECORATING and CRAFT-MAKING, followed by ADVENT CAROLING!    Please BRING BACK YOUR ANGEL GIFT TREE GIFT THIS SUNDAY!

SATURDAY, Dec. 19th: 10:30 a.m. DRESS REHEARSAL FOR PAGEANT.  Meet in Chapel Hall to get your costume first.   We will run throught the play twice, and be done around noonish.  Parents of children in GABRIEL’S GANG (our ‘angels’ in the Pageant!) and SHEPHERDS/PROPHETS (our shepherds and animals in the Pageant!), and STARGAZERS (2nd grade, more Shepherds, etc.) must stay for dress rehearsal.

SUNDAY, DEC. 20th: 9:15 final Pageant run-through before 10:30 worship.

CHURCH SCHOOL resumes on Sunday, Jan. 10th, 2010!!

Blessings and Joy,

Cathy Clasper Torch, Religious Education Dr.

From the Deacons’ Bench

The holiday season is in full swing. We have enjoyed ourselves, eating and doing all the family Thanksgiving favorites and traditions. Some old ones, some new. We are now into the season of giving; which means running around to find the perfect gift, tree, or place to enjoy the day our Lord was born. For me it’s the time of year when the adrenaline kicks in because I have no clue what to give my loved ones on December 25th.  Each year I say I am not going to get stressed out. However, we all we know we do.

This year I have decided to give something far more precious and much less expensive. An item that can’t be bought at the mall or on the Internet… I am going to give my family more of my time. In the past, I have not been very good at giving this (my partner can certainly attest to that). It seems that we, as people, are more than ever involved in many activities, different groups and organizations. Not to mention our kids are in so many extracurricular activities that we sometimes go days without being together as a family unit.

So, I put some challenges out to every one; instead of or in addition to buying material things, this year, give the gift of TIME. Second challenge. . .

Make an effort to make it a very special holiday season for someone you know who is less fortunate. Take an extra few minutes to talk to someone who seems down, asking them “What can I do to make your load a little bit lighter?” You may find that just having someone to listen to them is all that’s needed.

Another way to make this holiday a very special one is to invite someone who may not have family in the area to spend Christmas with you and yours. Even better, invite them to join you for the Carol Service or to come to one of Central’s Christmas Eve services.

Whatever you do this holiday season, make it one that your family will remember and cherish throughout the coming year.

Happy Holidays and Peace to All,

-Larry Kellam

Knitting Group

Sunday, December 13th

12:00-1:30 p.m. Deacon’s Room

Make new friends and visit with older friends at Central as we chat over our needles!  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter relax with us and learn something new or share your knowledge.  Don’t know how to knit?  That’s okay!  We’ll teach you!  Questions?  Call Janice Libby or Claudia

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Trinity Repertory Theater,

Friday December 11th 7:30 p.m.

Join your friends at Central for a production of that perennial holiday favorite featuring Central’s own Benjamin Thornton as Tiny Tim!  Cost is $43 for adults, $10 for children and youth 14 years of age and under.  Questions?  Call Claudia.

Central Delegates Attend Conference

More than 80 delegates and clergy from the Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ met at the Four Corners Community Church in Cumberland on a very rainy Saturday in November for the Conference’s 2009 Autumnal Meeting, one of two held each year.

With the theme of “Going Green, with Gratitude”, the meeting opened with a worship service. Following the service, an informative presentation was given by Dr. Ray Frackelton, a member of Newman Congregational Church, and Chair of the RI Interfaith Power and Light. He discussed the potentially serious impacts of global warming and offered several ways of reducing the carbon footprints of individuals, families, and churches. In the small group discussions that followed, it was apparent that while Central needs to go further, much of what we have already accomplished through our Green Committee places us ahead of many other churches.

Later there were brief presentations on topics from last summer’s General Synod meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Among those topics were Global Mission Churches, and the benefits and value of being a Global Mission Church, presented by Central’s Mary Hazeltine.

Conference Minster, the Rev. Chuck Barnes, reminded delegates that, in every way, “The UCC is not them, but it is us!” Too often, he suggested, local church folks think the denomination offices and programs are distant and not related to our local church concerns. No, he insisted, “The UCC is not them, but it is us!”

After lunch, in a regular business meeting, the delegates unaimously approved a Conference operating budget for the coming year, reflecting challenging economic times.

Meeting attendees are made up of delegates, clergy and visitors from all of the churches in the Conference. Those from Central at this meeting included Frances & Gardner Munro, Mary Hazeltine, John Peters, Lora Spalt, James deBoer, Rev. Townes & Rev. Demick.

-reported by John Peters

COOKIE SWAP

Thursday December 17th

6:30 p.m. in Chapel Hall

Come and enjoy a fun way to cut down on the amount of baking you need to do and to socialize with your friends at Central at the same time!  Simply bake 6 dozen of one type of cookie (no brownies or bar cookies, please) and bring the cookies and the recipe to Chapel Hall.  We’ll swap cookies so that everyone goes home with a delicious variety of treats!  Don’t forget to bring a platter or container to bring your swapped treats home!  Questions?  Call Claudia.

Making a difference…

It is likely that few of you know me by face and still less by name; nonetheless, it is with much gratitude that I write to you now. I attended services at Central from January 2006 through August 2009, sometimes sporadically, sometimes every week.

When I matriculated to Brown in September 2005, I was eight months removed from the suicide of a close friend. My first months at Brown were difficult. Grappling with my friend’s death, in conjunction with a transition to a new city, a new school, and new friends, proved at times to be incapacitating. A few weeks prior to my return to Providence for my second semester, a return itself in doubt due to my fragile state of mind, my elder sister suffered a life threatening car accident that left her with a broken hip and a traumatic brain injury from which she has now largely, but not entirely recovered. It need not be said that when I did return to Brown in January 2006, I was in desperate need of a place in which I could feel at home, in which I could reflect, meditate and search for peace. I found such a place for an hour every Sunday morning at Central Congregational Church.

In the services, the music, the architecture, the sermons and the people of Central I found what I needed. Members of Central, seeing an unfamiliar face, would on occasion introduce themselves to me and invite me to stay for coffee hour after the service, and even though I never did make it to coffee hour, I felt warmly welcomed and deeply connected to Central. The kind, never pushy invitations let me know that this was a community that embraced me at whatever level of participation I chose.

I think far too often good deeds are done without the doer ever knowing what kindness and what differences they have wrought in the lives of others. Simply by being there, simply by being who you are, the community of Central gave me a place of contemplation and peace when I needed it most and when nothing else could.

This May, my departmental graduation ceremony was held in Central. I was pleased to be able to graduate within the halls of a community that had contributed so fundamentally to making my years at Brown as wonderful and formative as they were.

With gratitude and a sincere wish for the continued well-being of Central Congregational Church,

-David Fristof

Volunteers Needed!

For the past few months we have had just one or two volunteers helping with our monthly newsletter. Since we mail over 400 newsletters each month, the task of folding and inserting takes over 4 hours for our two volunteers.

We assemble the newsletter at the end of each month on Monday or Tuesday mornings and /or afternoons. If you can spare some time, please call the church office. More hands will shorten our task time! If you want to GO GREEN and receive this newsletter by email instead of US mail contact us at cccangell@centralchurch.us and we’ll sign you up or go to www.centralchurch.us and sign yourself up!

We need your help! Thanks.

Tree Trimming at Central

On Sunday, December 13, immediately following the church service, please stay and help us trim Central’s Christmas Tree.

There will be Christmas carols, crafts (stringing popcorn, decorating cookies, and more) and a light lunch. Please bring an ornament, so your family can be represented on the Central family Christmas Tree.  Don’t miss what we hope will become an annual holiday tradition! At 2pm, all are invited to go caroling to our shut-ins.

Adopt a Pipe

To support the Organ Restoration Fund / Capital Campaign, the Music Committee invites you to adopt one of the 3,456 pipes that make up our historic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ.  When you Adopt a Pipe – priced from $5 to $50 (with special $1 pipes just for kids) – you’ll receive a Christmas ornament – personalized with your name and the name of the pipe – to hang on Central’s Christmas Tree.  For $100 donations, we have personalized pipe organ banners that will hang from the balcony behind the tree.  To Adopt a Pipe, please visit the Music Committee’s table during coffee hour or call the church office.

Bursting Pomegranate Sale Dates

The Bursting Pomegranate Shop sells Fair Trade gifts and crafts from artisans in developing countries around the world, a mission outreach program of our church.

The Shop will be open in Chapel Hall after church on three Sundays this month:

• December 6  – “Christmas at Central”
• December 13
• December 20

Unusual gifts that do good for the world – come browse and buy!

Smile and Say ‘Central;

Participate in the new Church Photo Directory!

The Membership Committee is coordinating preparation of a new Church photo directory in early 2010 and needs a few volunteers to help with the work. If you would like to participate in this important activity, please contact Paul Barlow (334-8363; paul.barlow23@yahoo.com). Our first meeting will be in early December.

Are you a Greenie?

As Christians, we have an obligation to be good stewards of the gift of the earth and its resources. Do you have a passion for a particular green challenge or experience with a particular solution?  If so, we’d like to hear from you and let your experience be our guide.  Contact Rebecca, Claudia, or Kat.

Support for Vets

Central will receive the offering for the Christmas fund for veterans of the cross & the emergency fund during our Christmas Eve services.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON FOR THE BLIND

Thursday, December 3^rd.

Central provides the December activity in cooperation with INSIGHT, an agency which helps visually impaired persons develop skills to make living with limited vision easier. We need volunteers to act as greeters, coatroom attendants, and luncheon servers (9:00am-3:00pm). Sign-up sheets are available in Chapel Hall during Sunday’s Coffee Fellowship and in the church office during the week or you may call Marilyn Edwards, 751-2763.

The Angel Tree

The Angel Tree is up in Chapel Hall! This is our chance to brighten a child’s or teen’s holiday by selecting a tag with the child’s name, age, sex and purchasing a gift for him or her.

Please wrap the gift in traditional Christmas wrap and indicate the contents on the back of the name tag. Attach the name tag SECURELY on the package and deliver it to the church by Sunday, December 13. These gifts will be distributed by Christmas. Please call Cathy Clasper-Torch with questions.

Cub

SCOUT

Christmas

T r e e   S a l e

Friday   Saturday   Sunday

December 4    December 5    December 6

5 pm-9 pm         10 am-6 pm     11:30 am-5:30 pm

ALL SIZES OF BEAUTIFUL TREES

At

CENTRAL

Congregational

CHURCH

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

January 28th, 7:00-8:30 p.m. location TBD

This month Food for Thought will be discussing “The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler”.  This collection of short stories by the likes of D.H. Lawrence, Flannery O’Connor, Margaret Atwood, Anton Chekhov, and others offers an interesting way to delve into the foibles of humanity and the moral implications of those foibles.  A compelling read…

NEW MEMBERS

Please join us in welcoming our new members into our church family.

Omay & Gwen Elphick

Pawtucket, RI 02860

Omay is a regional sales manager for the alternative energy company, Alteris, and Gwen is a research scientist in immunology and teaches online classes for the State University of New York. They joined Central because the open, welcoming atmosphere supports their exploration and relationship with God. They have two children. Ian is 5 and Jocelyn is 2.

Dawn Hogan

Cranston, RI 02905

Dawn joins with her husband, Joseph Hogan. They are the parents of 3 young sons, Jack, Luke, and Patrick.

David Kim & Diane Hoffman-Kim

Providence, RI 02906

Diane is an associate professor of medical science at Brown and David is an associate professor of religious studies at Connecticut College. They enjoy music, singing, reading and having fun with their sons, Noah & Josiah. Diane is interested in lay reading and mission outreach.

S. Kathryn Townes

24 Diman Place

Providence, RI 02906

Kat is our new associate minister of Youth and Mission. She moved from CA with her husband, Royce, and two wonderful children, Royce and Madison. She is a Bible enthusiast and loves putting sacred texts into dialogue with daily living. She enjoys rock climbing, being outdoors, doing outreach, and working with Central’s youth groups.

Women of CCC

A time away for relaxation and renewal!!

Our annual retreat will take place February 5 – 7, 2010 on the bucolic grounds of St. Benedict Abbey in Still River, MA (just an hour from Providence). The cost is $165 for six meals, your own room and all materials. Our theme for the weekend is KEEPING IN TOUCH—with self, others, and God.

No cooking, planning, appointments, or deadlines for an entire week end! Just come, and find nourishment for the body, mind and soul.

Payment is due Jan. 11th (and fully refundable if you cancel by Jan. 25th). If cost is an issue, there are reduced payment possibilities available. To add your name to the list (or with any questions) contacts Gwen Kangis at gwen.plato@cox.net or 274-5253.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Pledges to date            $428,000

Pledge goal      $432,000

Thank you to all who pledged your financial support for the work of Central Church. If you haven’t yet contributed, please join in.

CentralNEWS/November2009

VOLUME 17 NUMBER 10
296 Angell Street Providence, RI 02906   401-331-1960

From Your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

Walter Cronkite was the one who said, in seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story….When I read that quote recently, I thought of Madame de Stael, French author and sponsor of intellectual salons in the mid to late 1700s who gave one of my all time favorite quotes……to understand all is to forgive all.

I have been thinking about these two insights and realizing how apt they are for our times. With all the controversy over our President’s receiving of the Nobel Peace Prize, with all the heated arguments over health care, with all the political and economic issues our own state faces in these times, how much can we learn by listening to the other side?

These are complicated times we live in. Does any one really have the precisely right answers to what our national policy ought to be in Afghanistan? Does any one really understand just how we can ensure that all Americans have enough to eat and a place to live?

Perhaps the art of listening needs to be picked up and dusted off. My fall resolution is to be a better listener. I may never be a great reporter like Walter Cronkite, but I like to think I could give a fair assessment of any particular situation. I may never be able to host Mme.’s famous Parisian salons, but we have a good and thoughtful time in our monthly book group!

When we are able to listen, really listen, we learn – not only about the other, not only about whatever the topic may be, but also about ourselves.
God, who never tires of listening to all of us, would, I believe, be glad to hear of our listening!

Yours, as the fall leaves drop among us,

Rebecca

The Members and Friends of Central Congregational Church joyfully invite you to the Installation of

Sarah Kathryn Townes at 4:00 pm, Sunday, November 15, 2009 at Central Congregational Church

A reception will follow in Chapel Hall

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ray Larson His sister, Judith Rouleau, died in September

Thanksgiving Festival Service 10:30 AM

On Sunday, November 22, we celebrate our faith in our traditional Thanksgiving Festival Worship. The Membership Committee encourages you to reach out with an invitation to friends and neighbors to join you on Thanksgiving Sunday–a Service that provides a wonderful opportunity in giving thanks to God for the abundance with which we have been blessed, to hear inspiring preaching, and to listen to fine music–and an experience that may enhance their own Thanksgiving traditions.

Preludes begin at 10:10 a.m. with a presentation of the harvest cantata, “The Sower,” by Harold Darke. Those sitting in the East transept have a view of “The Sower” stained glass window which illustrates this traditional parable. In the service we sing familiar thanksgiving hymns and anthems at Central including our anniversary hymn, “Thanks We Bring,” “We Gather Together,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The choir will also sing an inspiring work by Ralph Vaughan Williams at the offertory, “Song of Thanksgiving,” with narrator.

Come, ye thankful people, come…and bring a friend or two!

Thanks we bring! Friends we bring?

On the Sundays in November leading up to the Thanksgiving Festival, visit the Welcome Table in Chapel Hall to pick up invitation cards that you may hand out to friends, colleagues and neighbors—enhancing your own Thanksgiving tradition of sharing the abundance.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Tuesday, November 24 at 7pm Temple Beth EL, Orchard Avenue, Providence

From Claudia

As I write this it’s hard to believe that I was in New Orleans only a few days ago leading Central’s adult work trip to help in the rebuilding process. For many of us this was our third year. The participants were myself, Staci Fischer, Patti and Steve Calvert, Barb and Ralph Silvis, Sue Patton, Ann and Roger Avery, Tilda Hunting, Robin Bell Yerkes, Judy Glaubinger, and Frances and Ralph Munro. We were joined by Liz Nash who is the Associate Conference Minister of the Brazos Association in the South Central Conference of the UCC. We worked hard in unusual humidity and heat for October in NOLA. Our entire group worked together on Beecher Memorial UCC Church. The following are some thoughts from our week…

“A day of heat, sweating, fiberglass all over us (insulation in the ceiling)—finding new muscles, reconnecting with amazing friends. It is so disappointing to see so little progress in a year—in 2 years—it must be so easy to think that God and other people have simply forgotten you…” (Patti)

“It’s rewarding to be working on a church we first saw on our trip two years ago; even though there’s been little progress until just recently…Roger, Judy and I finished putting insulation in the bathroom: ceiling and wall. Messy, dirty, hot work in an area with no air circulating. When we finished, Roger wrote our message on a beam: “Central Congregational Church, Providence, RI: on Angell beyond Hope” and we signed it.” (Frances)

“We are grateful for a clean potty and pear scented soap at our work site and friends to keep us in good humor even as we are melting.” (Ann)

“We saw Ingrid’s completed house today. What a good feeling it is to know that she’s living in it now! One of our groups worked on it 2 years ago…” (Claudia)

“And NO MORE FEMA trailer!” (Staci)

“We are all awesome! Monday and Tuesday: Insulation…ugh…the fiberglass gets in and on your body—it itches! But we were great—insulating ceilings especially the Beecher bathroom, a most challenging place…The front entryway, with its 16 foot high ceilings is also more than daunting…Sue was fearless…Barb (and sometimes Ralph Silvis) taught Robin, Sue, Tilda, and Liz a lot about dry-walling. It’s information I shall forever cherish, and remember! I do love this work, and this cause. NOLA is worth it—I just wish the U.S. government and the Louisiana government agreed!” (Tilda)

“Dry wall and even more drywall—and screwing—forsooth!! Frustration with screws that wouldn’t… measuring, cutting—measuring, cutting—The crew is admirable! The project seems never ending, but we did make a dent.” (Robin)

“How is it that our electrical cords, T squares, pencils, wallboard shaver, ladders…All seem to have a way of walking off—or magically disappearing? It’s quite extraordinary!” (Tilda)
“Beecher Memorial is starting to look less like a gutted warehouse and more like it might really be a church! After days of insulating ceilings we are on to drywall. The minister’s study, some classrooms, the hallway, and even the sanctuary are changing before our eyes. As the drywall goes up we can see the progress and imagine the congregation returning and worshiping in the space that we are coming to know so intimately. We have groups scattered all over the building inspecting the studs in minute detail in order to put the “walls” up! Others are snaking wires through the building to have it ready for phones and computers. What a thrill it would be for us if some day we were able to come to NOLA and worship here!” (Claudia)

“Spent the day at Beecher church again—again passing house after house and even an elementary school with broken windows, boarded up entryways, no signs of life after 4 years. The President came to town today—we hope so much to set the example to say to everyone that we care—we are here—we haven’t forgotten you. Went to a coffee shop this morning in the well-to-do Uptown area—the owner asked what I was doing here and I said, “rebuilding in the 9th Ward.” He said that I might be “wasting my time” and that we should “think about whether certain areas should be rebuilt.” I must admit that I worry about that—but when you see people and a church, a place of sanctuary for the people in that neighborhood—any doubts melt away. While it started this week as a shell without even insulation, it has insulation to keep the heat out, (dirty) choir robes, a handbell set for children, and now—as a result of all our work—walls, a defined hallway, a sanctuary space with the beginnings of walls and a working toilet and sink. We’ve helped make it start to look like a church. There is so much work to be done—it remains overwhelming, but continually rewarding. Save NOLA!!” (Staci)

“It’s a gift to be able to all work at one site. Groups move and change from project to project—at least 3 or 4 at a time. Laughter echoes from room to room. Insulation now covered sheet by sheet with plasterboard. Rooms begin to look like rooms. It’s easier to imagine the space with its new pastor ringing with music and laughter. The lintels and studs are covered with the prayers and wishes of the many volunteer hands that help rebuild Beecher Memorial Church. We covered many of those prayers and good wishes with wallboard today—but they remain and will always be a part of the hopes and dreams of the parish. Amazing.” (Patti)

“Friday: House dedication of Katherine Robinson, a great way to end the week.”
“Katherine Robinson came home today after four long years and we got to celebrate with her. Even though a third of her neighborhood is still boarded up there was such joy at this party. After all our work and never seeing an end—we finally saw just how much our work means to each of the individuals we help. It is enough.” (Barb)

So, what did we learn? We learned once again what it means to be servants of others. We learned what it means to live in fellowship with others and to share everything… We learned what it means to live out our faith, not only through “God-talk”, but also through “God-walk”! And we are very, very grateful for one another and for a church family who encourages us to continue in the work. Thankfully, together we can make a difference! Patti’s prayer from our first workday may express it best:

“Dear God, Thank you for the blessing of meaningful work and wonderful, wonderful “family” to share the load. Forgive us our minor complaints, but why, oh why does it have to be insulation in 90 degrees with humidity? Thankfully, we are all at Beecher Memorial together. Your frail servant—Patti”

Blessings on the journey,

Claudia

From Kat

Whether it is through service on a committee, hands-on work in New Orleans, contributions to Haiti, or service at one of our many partner organizations such as Crossroads or Amos House, it is clear that the members of Central Congregational Church are passionate about mission!

Although we casually refer to our service work as “mission,” my sense is that our lived experience is closer to that of pilgrimage. We often travel far from home and leave behind the comforts of our local church and neighborhood. We do hard work (talk to the New Orleans folks about dry walling!), and we do our best to go with flexible attitudes, knowing that our journey will undoubtedly include some surprises. Most importantly, we go with open hearts, with the expectation that we will experience God in new and deeper ways.

On Mission Sunday, we were blessed with the voices of two of our younger members, Cameron Berry and Tom Rice as they shared their journeys of discovery and faith on last summer’s mission trip to Miami. Janie Lupica helped translate her experiences into kid-friendly language, and Samantha Viall gave us a visual presentation that included moving images of the WORD’s mission work and fellowship.

In talking about her mission trips with WORD, Cameron Berry shared, “Reflecting back on my experiences throughout high school as a WORD member, I can say with confidence that they have been the best, the most difficult, the most eye-opening, and the most rewarding of my life.”

There is a dangerous tendency for us to think that we, the ones doing “mission,” are participating in a one-way relationship in which we hand down blessings to those who have less. However, what Cameron expressed, and what so many of us have experienced through our work with the church, is that doing service also facilitates our own conversion, connection, and grace.

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

“Sing praises to the Lord,all you saints and faithful ones!”                                    -Psalm 30:4

The last two weeks in October, the Church School classes are busy working on their saints ‘posters’ for the All Saints Day procession in worship (Nov. 1st). We first ask ourselves, “What is a saint?” “Who is a saint?” “Do I know any saints?” “Could I be a saint, too?”

If you get out your Bible Concordance, and look up all the passages referring to ’saints’, you’ll find they are all in ‘lower case saints’, with no capitol “s”. These ’saints’ are the “faithful ones”, who strive to live and grow in God’s way. Their faith is vibrant and central to who they are and how they act in the world around them. In this sense, we are all called to be saints–”Lord, how I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in!”   So, on November 1st, you’ll see a procession of saints of all kinds: people whom we know and love, or people we have learned or read about in school that we greatly admire. These saints are real people that inspire us to be faithful to listening and doing what God calls us to do and be.

A new tradition last year was implemented in the ’saints project’–we now draw our saints not on poster board, but on large paper bags. After All Saints Day, we take our bags home and fill them with canned food items for Camp Street Ministries, for their Thanksgiving food drive in November. Thank you to Ruth Edwards and Mary Hazeltine for their idea and help rounding up 130 bags!

DATES TO REMEMBER

Sunday, November 1st, All Saints Day
Children should arrive at church by 10:15 to line up in Chapel Hall with their teachers/class for the All Saints Day Procession (during the opening hymn)

Sunday, November 8th, 15th, 22nd
Remember to bring your saints bags back, filled with food for Camp Street Ministries

Sunday, November 29th
Our first Pageant Rehearsal (for grades 2nd – 5th during Church School)

Blessings to al you saints of the Lord!

Cathy Clasper-Torch, Dir. of Christian Education

WORD

Scavenger Hunt! Sunday, November 1st, 7-8:30 pm
Video and photo scavenger hunt on Thayer St. and beyond. We’ll return at 8:15 to share our pics and finds!

Antonio’s Pizza & Leaf Raking Party November 8th
We’ll meet at 12 pm and head to Antonio’s on Thayer St. to fuel up for a big day of leaf raking.

Popcorn & Movie at the Parsonage, Sunday, November 22nd. 7-8:30 pm

We’ll watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”, enjoy some popcorn and cider and wrap the care packages being sent to WORD alumni.

Wreath Making- Saturday, December 5th, 6:30 pm
Come make living wreaths for Christmas at Central. Pizza & drinks will be provided!

NEOS

Christian Ninja Training
Sunday, Nov. 8th, 12-1 pm—church basement

Camp NEOS
Sunday, November 22nd, 12-1 pm
Come sing groovy camp songs, cook hotdogs (or veggie dogs) on an indoor campfire, tell ghost stories and enjoy some smores!  (At Kat’s house, the parsonage.)

“Hang Time”
Sunday, December 6th, 12-1 pm

WORD & NEOS go door to door
On Sunday, November 29th, we explore the community and have some fun teaming up to publicize Christmas at Central with doorknob fliers!

Darrell West Lecture Series

E. J. Dionne, Jr.
Darrell West Lecture Series
Central Church Sanctuary
Sunday, November 8 at 6 pm
Washington Post columnist, Georgetown University professor, and prizewinning author, E. J. Dionne, Jr. will discuss the future of religion. His topic: The Good News; The Future of Religion Is Not Extremism. ”The 6 pm event is free and open to the public. Dionne is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and excels in defining the strengths and weaknesses of competing political philosophies. His analysis of American politics and trends of public sentiment is among the best in the business. He believes America is about to enter a new progressive era, a period of reform in government and renewed civic activism in our communities.

Dionne spent fourteen years with the New York Times, reporting on state & local government, national politics, and from around the world, including stints in Paris, Rome, and Beirut.

In 1990, he joined the Washington Post as a reporter, covering national politics. His best selling book, Why Americans Hate Politics, was published in 1991 and won the Los Angeles Times book prize and was a National Book Award nominee.

Dionne began his op-ed column for the Post in 1993, and it is syndicated to more than 100 newspapers. He is a regular political commentator on television and radio, including National Public Radio.

He grew up in Fall River, graduated from Harvard and received his doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
Wine and hors d’oeuvres pre lecture RECEPTION for E. J. Dionne  & Darrell West 5 PM in the Fireplace Room. Tickets are $10 per person

NEW ARK (ACTS OF RANDOM KINDNESS) COORDINATORS!

Jane O’Farrell
Gretchen Yealy

Many thanks to outgoing coordinators Janis Loiselle, Lora Spalt, and Sue Kiniry!

BE PART OF WORSHIP

We are always grateful to hear from anyone who would like to participate in our Sunday morning worship by reading scripture. Please speak with a minister, call the church office, or contact John Chaney at church, if interested.

FROM THE DEACON’S BENCH

In the introduction to Spiritual Direction, the late Henri Nouwen, the noted Catholic priest and spiritual advisor, proposed three disciplines to further spiritual growth.  They are “the discipline of the Heart” (prayer),”the discipline of the Book” (reading the Bible), and “the discipline of the Church or community of faith”. Steve DeWitt and John Trevor both did an eloquent job of offering their thoughts related to prayer and Bible reading. As the third new deacon to contribute to The Deacon’s Bench, I would like to share my thoughts regarding the community of faith.
Central Congregational became my faith community ten years ago when a friend and I made the decision to visit several area churches on successive Sundays and return to the one that seemed to speak to us spiritually. Three Sundays later I found my “home”. Rebecca’s sermons spoke to me at a very personal level and anchored me during a challenging period of my life.

Without the routine of Sunday service, I am not sure that I would be able to sustain and deepen my faith in a meaningful way. Attending church has a way of redirecting my thoughts and actions for the week on a more Christian path. The last page of our Order of Worship lists the services, programs and meetings that offer us additional opportunities to explore our faith and connect with other members of our congregation and the wider community.
It was evident to me from the beginning that Central Congregational Church is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Christ was simple and clear about His expectations for those of us who would call ourselves Christian. From John 13, verses 34 and 35 of the New International Version of the Women’s Devotional Bible:  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Fulfilling this commandment is much easier to do in a faith community like Central Church because support and opportunity are both readily available.

As a congregation, we support each other and the community outside our doors.  Several years ago as the donations coordinator for Camp Street Ministries, I was faced with an overflowing clothing bin and no apparent time in my schedule to deliver them. No sooner did I have the thought than a fellow member of the Mission and Action Committee, without any idea of my dilemma, approached me with the offer to take on this task for that week. Many of you would have similar stories, I am sure.

In small or large ways this community allows us to “love one another”. Our members annually travel to New Orleans and Haiti to help people in need. The youth group participates in a mission trip that offers our youth the opportunity to experience the gratifying work that will lay the groundwork for a lifetime of service. Casseroles are delivered by members of the ARK group. Families transport flowers to shut-ins or make sandwiches for Crossroads. Grocery bags are filled at Camp Street Ministries. Breakfasts are served to the homeless at Amos House. Pennies are collected for the Heifer Project.  This Church allows us to care for one another without searching for opportunities.  “The Servant Song” could easily be adopted as the anthem for Central.

A deacon’s purpose is to assist our ministers in ways that will allow them to do their work more effectively. As one of the newest deacons, I begin the journey of expanding my own faith while assisting in creating opportunities for others in the faith community to grow spiritually. By my words and actions, I hope that Christ would recognize me as one of his “disciples”.

-Maureen Whittemore

COOKS NEEDED

Casseroles are needed on Sundays for the Harold Lewis House run by Crossroads for elderly residents who have experienced intermittent or long term homelessness, sometimes spanning decades. Please bring to the kitchen freezer on your designated Sunday one “Family Style” casserole (bought or homemade) for nine (9) residents, in an aluminum disposable pan. Please list ingredients on the covering. To sign up for a Sunday, please email. Thank you.

“POET’S PAGE”

New Church Website Addition
Ilse Kramer, archivist at Central Church for over 20 years, is now on-line as the Poet Laureate, Central Congregational Church! You are invited to make the Poet’s Page part of your regular experience on the Central Church website (www.centralchurch.us). In addition, on a topic of your choosing related to faith, any member of our faith community (young, old, or somewhere in between!) is invited to submit original poems or short essays to Ilse (250 word maximum).

Contact her at poetlaureate@centralchurch.us. To begin this venture, Ilse has posted a number of her original poems, and will continue to post poems relating to life at Central, her life, and Life as it unfolds. Thank you, Ilse, for bringing your creative understanding of the written word to all.

http://www.centralchurch.us/index/php/poets-page

WOMEN OF CCC

A time away for relaxation and renewal!!
Our annual retreat will take place February 5 – 7, 2010 on the bucolic grounds of St. Benedict Abbey in Still River, MA (just an hour from Providence). The cost is $165 for six meals, your own room and all materials. Our theme for the weekend is KEEPING IN TOUCH—with self, others, and God.

No cooking, planning, appointments, or deadlines for an entire weekend! Just come, and find nourishment for the body, mind and soul.

Payment is due January 11th (and fully refundable if you cancel by January 25th). If cost is an issue, there are reduced payment possibilities available. To add your name to the women’s retreat list (or with any questions), contact Gwen Kangis

Please call the office 331-1960 if you are able to share your Thanksgiving Dinner with a church member who is alone on this holiday. Or call if you are alone and would like to be part of a Central Church family Thanksgiving dinner.

Volunteers Needed!

For the past few months we have had just one or two volunteers helping with our monthly newsletter. Since we mail over 400 newsletters each month, the task of folding and inserting takes over 4 hours for our two volunteers. We generally assemble the newsletter at the end of each month on Monday or Tuesday mornings and /or afternoons. If you can spare some time, please call the church office and we’ll put you on our call list. More hands will certainly shorten our task time! We need your help! Thanks.

Central Communion in the Craigville Woods

Poison ivy
To the left and the right
Of our winding path,
And behind us a big, brown bear.

But in front of us
Is the wooden cross
And the cup and the plate,
And always the risen sun.

(Written by our poet laureate, Ilse Kramer, for the family retreat recently held at the Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod. The bear is a figment of Rose Dunlap’s {age 5} imagination.)

Help Support our Troops!
Our own Jesse Seiple is stationed with the Marines in Tbilisi, Georgia. His email is jesse.seiple@gmail.com). If you would like to help reach out to Jesse and his troops, here are some ideas to bring to Chapel Hall and we will send them off for you….

• Any foods that you don’t need a kitchen to eat….cup of noodles, beef jerky, etc….
• Candy and all sorts of snacks
• Protein powder drink mixes
• Reading material and DVDs

What our members are doing

Congratulations to . . .

Tracy Baran who recently received a Women of Achievement Award at the YWCA’s 5th annual Tools of the Trade Luncheon for her efforts to improve the lives of women, girls, and people of color.

Jim Scott who was inducted into the Packing Hall of Fame in recognition of significant contributions made to the advancement of packaging technology.

Can you help?

Sojourner House is requesting personal care items for women and children who are victims of domestic violence; Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sanitary products or any other personal care type products. Please place your items in the Sojourner House box in Chapel Hall.

IT’S TURKEY TIME AGAIN!

The volunteers at the Camp Street Community Ministries Food Pantry are beginning to make plans for the holiday. In the past, the Pantry filled 400 boxes with Thanksgiving appropriate food each year. This year they hope to be prepared to fill even more, if necessary. Therefore, we need our friends to work with us to make the distribution of Thanksgiving baskets possible. The items sought right now for the boxes are:

• Potatoes (instant mashed)
• Sweet potatoes (canned)
• Stuffing mix
• Dessert Mix
• Turkey gravy
• Canned Fruit

All non-perishable items are always welcome, but the emphasis for the next six weeks is on holiday food. We hope you can help! Thank you.

How can you help?

1. Buy a turkey (12-16 lbs.) and bring it to Camp Street or to the church Friday 11/20, Sunday 11/22, Monday, 11/23 or Tuesday 11/24.

2. Bring food items to church on any Sunday.
3. Write a check to Camp Street Community ministries–Thanksgiving food–and place it in the collection plate or bring it to Camp Street.

4. Turn in Eastside Marketplace Receipts for our participation in their Friendship Fund.

Please bring your receipts to the Church before Monday, Nov. 14.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON FOR THE BLIND THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3rd

Central Church is one of several organizations sponsoring a monthly activity in cooperation with IN-SIGHT, an agency which helps visually impaired persons develop skills to make living with limited vision easier.

Traditionally, Central has chosen to provide the December activity and over the years has developed step-by-step plans to make it a memorable event for hosts and guests alike.

We need volunteers to prepare casseroles, (recipes & pans provided), act as greeters, coatroom attendants, and luncheon servers (9:00am-3:00pm). Sign-up sheets are available in Chapel Hall during Sunday’s Coffee Fellowship and in the church office during the week or you may call Marilyn Edwards, 751-2763.

IMAGINE ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE

Erase the Hate is the simple direct message promoted in the Toledo, Ohio, area by a growing collaboration of religious, educational, and community organizations supported by a grant from the UCC’s Neighbors in Need offering last year.

Envisioning a discrimination and oppression free world, Toledo Ministries and the Erase the Hate Campaign promote a vision of community where all races, religions, and cultures live in peace, harmony & mutual respect.

The Moral Outrage of Poverty Taking a stand against injustice, New York City’s Poverty Initiative is a program dedicated to raising up generations of religious and community leaders committed to building a movement to end poverty. A key element to this program is that it’s led by the poor.

Learning Alternatives to Violence As a witness for justice, the Institute for Peace Studies, in Billings Montana, seeks through education to examine and promote alternatives to violence in the behavior of individuals, groups, organizations, communities, and nations. They visit large city high schools, one room libraries in rural towns, preschools at the zoo and churches and can sense within minutes children who are alarmed, prejudiced, or nervous.

They Could be Homeless Sue Kupfer, coordinator of Urban Mission Experience/St. Louis, a program for youth in grades 6-12, says she is “touched by the youth that come to work with us and the transformation that occurs for some as they experience how God’s love and grace touches lives.”

Neighbors in Need Helps these agencies.

With your help ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE. Central will receive the Neighbors in Need offering for the UCC on Sunday, November 22.

CHURCH CLEAN-UP

Saturday, November 21 is our Fall Church Clean-up Day

Please help clean the church building and grounds Saturday, November 21 from 9 am to 12 noon. We need expert or not so expert help cleaning, dusting, washing windows, raking, weeding…you will surely find an area of interest. A list of jobs is available. Coffee, doughnuts, and good company abound! Call Wes Yando with questions.

SANDWICH BRIGADE

Here comes….             The Sandwich Brigade

The Mission & Action Committee invites you to come to the church kitchen at 9 am on any Sunday in November to help make 200 lunches for Crossroads. This annual mission effort is a lot of fun and does a lot of good. Parents, bring your kids…Kids, bring your parents!

NEW MEMBERS

The following will unite with us in membership on Sunday, November 1. Please join us in welcoming them warmly into our church family.

John Cronin, Jr.
Sheba Karter-Cronin
Providence, RI 02906

John is a self-employed general contractor and Sheba is a property manager/nanny. John enjoys building, fishing, biking and gaming while Sheba’s interests include cooking and photography. They are the parents of a 2-month-old son, Francis, and hope to become part of Central’s church community.

Joseph Hogan
Cranston, RI 02905

Joe is a Brown University professor of biostatistics. His serious interests include social justice and theology and for fun he enjoys golf, basektball, and coaching. He is familiar with the UCC and feels Central is a good fit for him. He hopes to become involved with mission/social justice activities and possibly with religious education. He and his wife, Dawn, are the parents of 3 young sons, Jack, Luke, and Patrick.

Brian & Michelle McNamara
Providence, RI 02908

Brian works at the RISD Museum and enjoys art, ceramics, and reading. Michelle is a filmmaker and the owner of Fresh Focus Productions. The McNamaras hope to become involved in church life where their talents will best be utilized. They look forward to raising their 2 year old daughter, Audrey, in the midst of Central’s great community.

Diane Worthen-Hirsch
N Scituate, RI 02857

Diane is a teacher and grad student at Providence College who enjoys painting, reading, knitting, yoga and gardening. She feels very comfortable with Central and hopes to get to know members and participate in various activities. She enjoys working in our church school and is interested in working with Camp St. Her 5-year-old daughter, Amanda, loves Central!

New Member Sunday November 1

Please join us for a potluck luncheon immediately following worship as we honor our new members. Please bring a side dish or dessert. Membership Committee members will supply the main dishes.

PLANT & PROPERTIES UPDATE

Now that the Step Forward capital campaign has passed the halfway point, the Plant & Properties Committee would like to report on the accomplishments made so far. Many of these are visible—such as the renovations to the outside of the church with many new bricks and terra cotta; the parsonage at 24 Diman Place with a new entry bath, new heating and electrical; the organ which will supply great music for many more years; a fire alarm system that meets or exceeds state requirements and some that are not very visible—such as roof repairs and electrical updates.

As any homeowner knows, it is the last two projects—roof & electrical—that cost the most and show the least. We have currently put these problem areas on hold. The roof still has leaks, and the old open wiring continues to decay. We can continue with routine upkeep, but the major projects are waiting for an influx of more capital.

BOOK DISCUSSION

Messy Spirituality:
God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People
9:00 AM, Sunday, November 1st
Deacon’s Room

Last discussion session for this interesting book! Come join the fun even if you haven’t read it yet! “Spirituality is not a formula; it is not a test. It is a relationship…Spirituality is not about perfection; it is about connection… Spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God’s being present in the mess of our unfixedness…”

AUTHOR READING

The Plain Language of Love and Loss by church member, Beth Taylor

Please join us for a potluck luncheon after church on November 15 in the Fireplace Room, to honor Beth Taylor, a member of our congregation. Beth has written a powerful and moving memoir, The Plain Language of Love and Loss. Lunch begins at 11:45 and Beth will do a reading from the book with time for Q & A. Books are available for $15 in the church office and in Chapel Hall after church.

WISDOM FROM AN OLD FRIEND

We thought you might enjoy this article our former Associate Minister, Kurt Kirchoff, shared with his congregation.

Money is an inescapable part of our everyday life. It plays a major role in either taking us away from God or closer to God. Which of these it does, depends on our attitude toward and use of it. Jesus was keenly aware of this as–except for the kingdom of God–he talked more about money than any other subject.

Here’s a favorite story Kurt has shared before, but that’s still right to the point. It highlights a pervasive, but mistaken feeling we often have about money. A woman’s at an airport waiting for a plane. She buys a little snack bag of her favorite Oreo cookies. She sits in the waiting area next to a man she doesn’t know and on the armrest between them is the little bag of Oreos. Without saying a word, the man next to her reaches in and takes one. Startled, the woman immediately reaches for a cookie of her own. The man smiles and nods at her.

He apparently speaks no English, so she can’t talk with him. He reaches into the bag for another cookie. Angry now, the woman reaches in more aggressively to take another. Back and forth they do this until there’s only one left. Each time the man has taken one, the woman felt angrier. Now he takes the last one and breaks it in half, offering half to her. Insulted by this, she flatly refuses it. The man eats both halves and the woman is silently outraged. How could this oaf be so completely presumptuous about something that belonged to her?

Relieved to get away from him and onto the plane, she goes to her seat. She just wants to relax and try to forget about the whole thing. But reaching into her purse for the gum she always chews when she flies, she makes an unsettling discovery. The bag of Oreos she bought is still in her purse. The man hadn’t eaten her cookies. She had eaten his. She’d been so sure they were hers, but the weren’t.

That’s the way we frequently feel about money. We’re often so sure that it’s ours, but it’s not. If we think of it as ours and use it accordingly it takes us away from God. But if we remember that it belongs to God and use it in that light, it brings us closer to God.

As our annual giving campaigns remind us, we’re stewards of money, not its owners. God gives us money for access to enough of the goods of God’s bounty to enjoy for ourselves and our family, the ones for whom we have special responsibility. But any money beyond that God gives to us to give to others so that they, too, can enjoy the goodness of God’s provision so that they, too, can have enough.

How much is enough? Proverbs 30:8-9 give us the best guideline for that. “Give me, (O Lord), neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

Enough keeps us focused on our genuine needs, rather than on our endless and superfluous wants–our basic needs for food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education, and transportation, needs that every one has and needs to have met. Enough removes from us any temptation to be dishonest in trying to get what we need and, perhaps most importantly, keeps us mindful that we’re never self-sufficient, but always dependent–dependent upon God and other people.

Steadily and gratefully aware of this dependence that is so basic to our lives we’re given the right perspective on money. We’re free to share it so that all can have enough. Freed to share it, we move more in harmony with God’s reign.

BRING IN YOUR SHOE BOXES!!!

WORD is collecting shoeboxes to make Care Packages for our college students. If you have empty shoeboxes, please bring them to church before November 22. We will also be collecting goodies for the boxes—all are encouraged to bring small items for our college care packages!

Sign up to have your yard raked!!!

Sign up on the youth board in Chapel Hall if you would like WORD to rake your lawn on Sunday, November 8. We probably won’t be able to get to everyone, but sign up, and we’ll do our best to get to you! Leaf raking is free, but WORD fellowship graciously accepts all donations towards their summer mission trip.

Knitting Group

Sunday, November 8th
Make new friends and visit with older friends at Central from 12 – 1:30 pm in the Deacon’s Room as we knit our way into the fall! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter relax with us and learn something new or share your knowledge. Don’t know how to knit? That’s okay! We’ll teach you! Questions? Call Janice Libby or Claudia.

CCC Devotional for November:

“We look to the Word of God in scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its redemptive work in the world.”

Questions to ponder: Are there scriptures that come to mind that describe our work as a faith community? Where do we see the work of the Holy Spirit in our interactions with each other? With the church? With the wider community?

CHRISTMAS AT CENTRAL

“Christmas at Central” is coming Sunday, December 6th 11:30 am – 2 pm

Plans are well and happily underway for our third annual “Christmas at Central” FUNraising event! Please bring yourselves, your family and friends to enjoy a yummy lunch and an incomparable shopping experience.

Not only do we need your presence, we need your help! Donations are needed for the starred booths. Please call or email the chairperson to volunteer your goods and/or your help with setting up and selling. Chairpersons are still needed for Gift Baskets, and Craft Workshop. Find a friend and be a co-chair! Wherever your talents lie, this is an opportunity for you to use them for our beloved Church.

Artists and Vendors— if you would like your own table for your arts/craft, please call Claudia (331-1960)

If you have any ideas for, or questions about, this event, please contact one of the three general coordinators –

Claudia in the office, 331-3160 or claudia@centralchurch.us;

*The Lunch Room
Enjoy a delectable lunch while shopping! Chair: Janet Jagger

Wreaths by WORD
Lovely hand crafted wreaths
Chair: Kat Townes
kat@centralchurch.us

CentralNEWS/October2009

VOLUME 17 NUMBER 9

296 Angell Street Providence RI 02906 401-331-1960

From Your Senior Minister

“Merry Christmas!”…”Happy Easter”…. But what do we say when we greet each other during the church season of Pentecost?  Kat reminded us on Sunday of the Christian’s special greeting, our “secret handshake”.  We say, “May the peace of Christ be with you.”  For those who are contemplating the contagious-ness of the upcoming flu season, perhaps this special greeting is a way to avoid the possibilities of flu transmission…you can greet your neighbor in Christ with this simple yet profound phrase.

I actually like this idea because it reminds us of Who and Whose we are.  As Christians, we are a minority in this secular culture of ours.  If we greet each other with our own ‘secret handshake’ we remind ourselves and others of this special identity we share. It is a little like saying a simple, quiet grace in a restaurant.  We remind each other of the blessings we receive every day from our Lord.  (It does also embarrass the teenagers amongst us, but a little embarrassment is good for the soul!)

So let’s try to take some time in these weeks of Pentecost before Advent comes with a rush to cherish each moment we have been given…to give reverence to the gift of just being, not always doing, to remind ourselves of Christ’s peace given to us.

A colleague penned this brief prayer to remind us of the challenge of ‘Ordinary Time’…to sit in quietness and look and listen for God’s presence in our lives.

God, You Who are always whispering to us with words of wisdom and insight,

God, You Who are found in the subtleties of life around us,

Give us the courage – and that’s what it will take – to stop speaking and start listening for Your word of hope to us.

Give us the will to stop – even when the world calls us to go – and focus in on one moment at a time as we seek the peace that comes with recognizing that we stand in Your presence all of the time.

Call us to ‘just being’ time.

Give us the commitment to sacred reflection so that we better reflect the love of Christ in our ‘doing’ time.

God of Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, and Pentecost, help us to understand our lives in Your Light…Amen.

May the peace of Christ be with you,

Rebecca

Our prayers and sympathy are with the family and friends of

Pennell Eustis who died September 4, 2009.

A Memorial Service was held at Swan Point Cemetery on September 12.

May God’s comfort surround all those who mourn.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Beverley Edwards, her brother, Joel Flather, died in September.

Bette Selle, Her daughter-in-law,Héléne Selle, died in September.

New Members

New Member Orientation*

Wednesday, October 21

Faith Exploration*

Tuesday, October 27

New Member Sunday

November 1

*These meetings are held at the home of The Reverend Rebecca Spencer 15 Taber Avenue at 7 pm

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated on Sunday, November 1. A pastor/parent meeting will be held at 9 am on Saturday, October 24 in the Fireplace Room.

Please call The Rev. Rebecca Spencer, 331-1960, if you wish to participate in this Baptism.

Haitian Hoopla IV

RIC-UCC Haitian Task Force presents

HAITIAN HOOPLA IV

Friday, November 6    7:00-11:00 pm

Providence Marriott

Tickets $70 or 2 for $125

For Ticket information contact:

RIC-UCC 401-724-7700

From Kat

One of my favorite summer pastimes is walking among the aspen trees in Southwest Colorado. I cherish how the light filters through their shimmering leaves and how their delicate skin tells time with its scars. Aspen groves also capture my imagination, because although they appear to be many trees, a grove of aspens is actually one organism with many offshoots.

In the summer of 2002, there was a devastating forest fire that wiped out massive chunks of Southwest Colorado’s vegetation. Walking through the ashes the first summer after the fire, I noticed that the first green plants to spring up from the soot were the young aspen trees. Although many of the hillsides had burned, the wide-reaching aspen groves survived underground and on safer hillsides. Rooted to healthy ground, new life was able to emerge.

Central Congregational Church is clearly a place where such deep-rooted aspen-grove connectedness exists. Members who serve on committees also serve in food lines. People who greet children at coffee hour also care for our elders. The stories, history, and far-reaching service of Central weaves through generations. I am so moved by the way that Central, drawing from its healthy and well-established roots, continues to nurture new growth.

As the new year kicks into full swing, I sincerely look forward to working and learning with this beloved community as it continues to bless our living wilderness!

CCC Devotional for October:

“We acknowledge the risen Christ as the ultimate example of God’s grace, a gift freely given to all.”

Questions to ponder:  How do we express God’s grace in our everyday lives?  What does it mean to you to be “freely given” such a gift?  What does it mean to our church to be “freely given” the gift of God’s grace through the risen Christ?

Messy Spirituality: God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People

Sunday, October 4 9:00 a.m. in the Deacon’s Room

Come discuss this wonderful little book on spirituality for real people!  “Spirituality is not a formula; it is not a test.  It is a relationship… Spirituality is not about perfection; it is about connection…Spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God’s being present in the mess of our unfixedness…”  This book may be small, but it has a lot to say!

From Claudia

Imagine standing at the ocean without a cloud in the sky.  The ocean is oh so blue and the waves lap gently at the sand…  Then, imagine standing in a tiny village on the green surrounded by history.  Then, imagine sitting in an outdoor chapel surrounded by God’s wonderful creation.  For some of us those images and so many other ones are now part of wonderful memories of our weekend in September on Cape Cod.

As I led members of Central who participated in our Faith, Fellowship, and Fun retreat I was struck by not only the beauty of the place we were in, but also by the beauty of connecting deeply with one another.  That weekend was a wonderful way for us to stop all the busy-ness of our lives and to truly be present in the moment.  In such a beautiful place surrounded by such thoughtful participants, how could we do otherwise?

We shared stories from our lives and contemplated what it means to be God’s faithful people and to journey through this life together.  Along the way we laughed and prayed and played and prayed some more.  The hours of our days were punctuated by walking a few houses down the green to the Inn where Sarah prepared delicious food for us.  We walked on the beach, explored the village and the Cape, read books, looked at the swans in the pond, enjoyed the playground, and just relaxed with one another.  We even discovered another church on the beach baptizing an infant in the ocean—a very special moment…

We connected with our faith and with one another through our stories which were a constant theme throughout the weekend, both in our Saturday morning program as well as in our more “informal” times together!  On Saturday night we connected with a former member of Central who now lives on the Cape.  She read about the retreat in our newsletter and invited us to her parent’s house at sunset on a cranberry bog in Centerville.  There we heard more stories, even as we shared ours.  We laughed and talked over homemade ice cream with these wonderfully hospitable new friends!

Sunday we worshiped on the hill in the woods in the outdoor chapel.  The sun streamed through the leaves of the trees and we praised God for all these blessings and more.  The dappled sunlight and the towering trees surrounding us were good reminders to stop and to experience the beauty of creation.  It was a special time to think about God’s on-going story of humanity and to remember that we are all part of that story.

And so it is that we are now back from our retreat.  Monday morning I sent an email around to those who participated in it.  I said that I missed starting my day by having breakfast together and being with all of them!  The responses quickly came back. All of us were experiencing the same yearnings.  I think there is a need in each one of us to keep our connection from the weekend going.  There is a desire to continue to experience God’s presence through our memories of such a perfect weekend, as well as through our ongoing relationships with one other.

And so it is that my wish for each one of you is that you will pause in your busy lives. Stop and breathe in God’s creation.  Breathe it in deeply.  Reach out and take the hand of the person nearest you.  Recognize one another as beloved children of God and remember that we are connected through our stories as well as our faith. And, say a prayer for those who need such connections…for that is ALL of us!

Yours in Faith,

Claudia

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

What a great joy it is to be back in Church School, the classes brimming with your kids and their positive energy! A special THANK YOU to the Religious Education Committee for helping kick off Gathering Sunday with delicious breakfast munchies, and for each and every one of you who came and made a great first Sunday back!

A HUGE THANK YOU goes to the teacher volunteers for the fall unit:

Gabriel’s Gang (pre-school)

Heather Lynch, Tori Lee, Linda Loiselle,

Carolyn Birbiglia

Shepherds/Prophets (K – 1st grade)

Kristin DeShaw, Pamela O’Hara,

Diane Worthen-Hirsch, Sue Azar

Stargazers (2nd grade)

Jen Cook, Emma Cotter, Donna Lizotte

Disciples (3rd grade)

Harriet Pappas

Peacemakers (4th – 5th grade)

Perry Buroker, Beth Cotter, Debra Moorhead, Bill Templeton

Dream-makers (6th – 8th grade)

Cathy Clasper-Torch

As our program continues to GROW, so grows the challenge of keeping informed and in communication with you about special events, classroom news, announcements, etc. Please continue to read everything that comes your way, and feel free to call or email me with any questions about Central’s Church School program.

We begin our journey into the new church ‘season’ with great hope and joy!!

Love & Blessings,

Cathy Clasper-Torch, Dir. of Christian Education

October Treats

Pumpkin Picking!!

Wagon Ride!!  Corn Maze!!

Four Town Farm

90 George St. in Seekonk, MA

Sunday, October 25th at 1:00 p.m.

Come to Four Town Farm and meet your friends from Central Church to ride the tractor-drawn wagon out to the pumpkin patch to pick your very own pumpkin!  Stop at the corn maze along the way!  This is fun for ALL ages!  And, it’s free except for the cost of your pumpkin if you pick one!!!

WORD FELLOWSHIP

WORD Overnight Camping Trip

October 2nd –3rd     5 PM–11 AM

There’s nothing like smores and campfire stories! WORD Fellowship will be traveling to George Washington Campground for a rustic adventure starting Friday evening October 2 at 5 PM. We’ll grill food, share stories and music, play with a giant parachute, and sleep out under the stars (or a shelter).

Providence Bruins

Friday, October 16  7 PM

Meet at the church at 6:15 PM to carpool to the game. Tickets must be reserved by October 1, so please contact Kat if you’d like to go! (Adult chaperones welcome! Tickets are $13).

WORD Climbs

Sunday, October 25   4-6 PM

Rock Climbing at the Rhode Island Rock Gym.  Plan to meet a little before 4 PM to pick up gear and turn in waivers. We’ll get personal instruction from the pros and pace ourselves on roped and low-to-the-ground bouldering climbs. All abilities and comfort levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a friend! All are welcome!

Scavenger Hunt

Sunday, November 1    7-8:30 PM

Join WORD for a video and photo scavenger hunt on Thayer St. and beyond. We’ll come back at 8:15 to share our pics and finds.

NEOS

Putt Putt Golf

Sunday, October 4 after church

We’ll be joining the Religious Education Committee and other members of the church for a Putt Putt Golf adventure at Fantasyland in Seekonk. Sandwiches will be served at coffee hour, so stick around for lunch and then join us for an afternoon of fun! Although this is a church-wide event, there will be special activities (including a super-secret scavenger hunt) for NEOS only!

NEOS “Hang Time”

Sunday October 11   12-1 PM

Come to the Youth Room downstairs for ping pong, foosball, games, and fellowship.

NEOS Fall Fury

Sunday, October 18

Corn mazes, scavenger hunts, and tractor rides. Come to Morris Farm, 2779 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI 02889 at 2 PM for an afternoon of fun and adventure! Email Kat if you’d like to carpool to and from the church.

NEOS Movie!

Sunday October 25  12-1:45 PM

Come to the Youth Room for pizza, popcorn and a movie.

REBECCA’S NOON BOOK GROUP

We will meet on Thursday, October 29 to discuss “Middlemarch” by George Eliot.  All are invited to join in these lively discussions.

Help Re-Start a Life

“I was in prison and you came to me”, Jesus said.

“When did we visit you?” asked his followers.

“When you came to the least of these”, Jesus answered.

Members are invited to assist a program to help recently released ACI inmates. The Blessing Way, a highly selective faith-based program is one of the benevolences of our Mission & Action Committee. These items are needed for the short-term women’s residence in Providence:

Quilts for twin beds (a total of 4), bath and/or hand towels (any quantity), skillets (2) and glass mixing bowls. Please call Tracy Baran or email tcb@psh.com if you can provide any of these items.

Annual Women’s Retreat

WOMEN OF CCC—

REFRESH, BODY, MIND and SPIRIT

WHAT:  Annual Women’s Retreat

WHEN:            February 5-7, 2010

WHERE: On the gorgeous grounds of St. Benedict Abbey, Still River, MA

THEME: Keeping in Touch (self, others, God)

COST:            Friday afternoon-Sunday afternoon $165

(This would make a lovely gift— for yourself or someone you love)

Details will follow in upcoming newsletters, but don’t hesitate to contact Gwen Kangis.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Thursday, October 29

7:00-8:30 p.m. Hamilton House living room

This month we’re going to discuss fairytales!  And, what better place to do so than a “fairytale” house like Hamilton House (located next to the church)?  Please bring your favorite fairytale book or story to share with others.  Suggestions for books might be the novels of Gregory Maguire like Mirror Mirror or Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West or Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister or ???  Enjoy this enchanted evening with other book lovers!  Questions?  Call Claudia.

E. J. Dionne, Jr. at Central

E. J. Dionne, Jr.

Darrell West Lecture Series

Sunday, November 8 at 6 p.m.

E. J. Dionne, Jr. is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, and a University Professor in the Foundations of Democracy and Culture at Georgetown University. Dionne excels in defining the strengths and weaknesses of competing political philosophies. His analysis of American politics and trends of public sentiment is among the best in the business. He believes America is about to enter a new progressive era, a period of reform in government and renewed civic activism in our communities.

Dionne spent fourteen years with the New York Times, reporting on state & local government, national politics, and from around the world, in Paris, Rome, and Beriut.

In 1990, he joined the Washington Post as a reporter, covering national politics. His best selling book, Why Americans Hate Politics, was published in 1991 and won the Los Angeles Times book prize and was a National Book Award nominee.

Dionne began his op-ed column for the Post in 1993, and it is syndicated to more than 100 newspapers. He is a regular political commentator on television and radio, including National Public Radio.

He grew up in Fall River, graduated from Harvard and received his docotrate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

What our members are doing. . .

Congratulations to Sharon Rounds who was recognized in the Spring issue of Brown Medicine for her research in the area of lung blood vessel function and pulmonary hypertension—a clinical condition with grave consequences—and she has long been recognized as a leader in her field. Sharon is one of four women to have served as president of the American Thoracic Society. The ATS recently presented her with its 2009 Award for Scientific Achievement in recognition of her research in the role of endothelial cell vascular reactivity, inflammatory cell/endothelial cell vascular activity, and the factors that influence endothelial cell apoptosis.

Congratulations to Ann Woolsey, a long time curator and RISD Museum administrator, who was named interim director of the RISD Museum. In 2006 she became the Assistant Director for Planning and directed the Radeke building renovation project and represented the museum’s interests in the construction of the Chace Center.

We are always grateful to hear from anyone who would like to participate in our Sunday morning worship by reading scripture. Please speak with a minister, call the church office, or contact John Chaney if interested.

Knitting Group

Sunday, October 11th

12:00-1:30 p.m. Deacon’s Room

Make new friends and visit with old friends at Central as we knit our way into the fall!  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter relax with us and learn something new or share your knowledge.  Don’t know how to knit?  That’s okay!  We’ll teach you!  Questions?  Call Janice Libby or Claudia.

Who Do We Say We Are?

For new members, 50+ year members, those considering membership, or anyone who wishes to attend.

On Sunday, October 25 at 9:15 am in the Fireplace Room there will be a showing of the DVD “Celebration: Who Do We Say We Are?”. This DVD, the first in a series of proclamations about the nature of mission and ministry in the UCC, profiles three members from around the country and illustrates how their faith journeys intersect with the historic work of the UCC. These contemporary stories are supported by historical images that create a context that both informs and inspires. There will be a time for introduction, viewing, reflection and discussion.

We offer this opportunity not only to educate, but also to remind all of us what it means to belong to the United Church of Christ.

Cooks Wanted

Casseroles are needed on Sundays for the Harold Lewis House run by Crossroads for elderly residents who have experienced intermittent or long term homelessness, sometimes spanning decades.  Please bring to the kitchen freezer on your designated Sunday one “Family Style” casserole (bought or homemade) for nine (9) residents, in an aluminum disposable pan. Please list ingredients on the covering. To sign up for a Sunday, please email Beth Taylor at Elizabeth_Taylor@ Brown.edu. Thank you.

POET’S PAGE

New Church Website Addition

Ilse Kramer, archivist at Central Church for over 20 years, is now on-line as the Poet Laureate, Central Congregational Church! You are invited to make the Poet’s Page part of your regular experience on the Central Church website (www.centralchurch.us). In addition, on a topic of your choosing related to faith, any member of our faith community (young, old, or somewhere in between!) is invited to submit original poems or short essays to Ilse (250 word maximum).

Contact her at poetlaureate@centralchurch.us. To begin this venture, Ilse has posted a number of her original poems, and will continue to post poems relating to life at Central, her life, and Life as it unfolds. Thank you, Ilse, for bringing your creative understanding of the written word to all.

http://www.centralchurch.us/index/php/poets-page

CENTRAL SUPPER CLUB

The Social Committee is planning only a fall Central Supper Club this year. (Next spring a Progressive Dinner is being planned.)  Central Supper Club is small groups of 8 or 9 people who gather for a potluck dinner at a member’s home.  Some groups meet only once, and others have met two, three, or even four times at different group members’ homes.  The sign ups will be at coffee hour in early October or call the church office to register.  We hope you will join us to become a participant in one of these groups.

Help Sojourner House

Sojourner House is requesting personal care items for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sanitary products or any other personal care type products. Please place your items in the Sojourner House box in Chapel Hall.

BREAD OF HEAVEN

Deacons Maureen Whittemore and Joan Harrison are offering a unique opportunity for prospective bakers of any age—a chance to supply the bread for a communion service!

Two members of our congregation already showed the way last spring. They are Ginger Harkey (who also provided the original suggestion) and May Grant, who says “The aroma of fresh-baked bread has always provided a special communion experience for me. Baking this bread also gave me an opportunity to practice a new skill.”

If interested, please call Joan Harrison 751-2883, or email joanwharrison@gmail.com. The Communion dates for this coming year are October 4, November 29, January 3, February 17, February 21, April 1, April 11, and May 23. Those who need some hands-on experience are also encouraged to call Ginger Harkey or May Grant.

LITTLE BROTHER ORDINATION

On Sunday, October 11, at 6 P.M., the Central Congregational Church Sanctuary will be the site of the ordination of Brother Jakob Lazarus Thibault into the priesthood of the Little Brothers of Jesus Caritas. This is a part of the Old Catholic Church of North America – completely separate from the Roman Catholic Church.  Some of you have already met Jakob, as he has been attending some of our morning services.  He will be receiving his priestly vows on this date. In addition, Br. Jamie Francis Thibault and Br. Michael Timothy Grimmer will be professing vows to the community of the Little Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Caritas and receiving minor orders.

All are invited to this service, which will be open to the public. If you have any questions regarding the ordination, please feel free to contact Bob Iovino.

Simplify Christmas

Tuesday, November 3rd

Deacon’s Room   7:00-8:30 p.m.

Back by popular demand!!  This evening seminar will explore the question: “Whose birthday it is it anyway?”  The Christmas displays have been up since August.  What does this mean for those of us who celebrate this holy-day as Jesus’ birth?  Is there any way we can stop this (sometimes) run-away train of the “Christmas machine”?  Come find out ways you can take back Christmas from the materialism encouraged by ad agencies and others!  Questions?  Call Claudia.

FROM THE DEACON’S BENCH

It often seems that I am thwarted in my attempts to establish a conversational intimacy with God.  The sometimes frenetic pace of my life—what one of my favorite authors John Eldredge calls “The Spirit of the Age”—is such that there rarely seems to be enough time for meditation and/or serenity to listen for the still, small voice I yearn to hear with the provision of guidance and wisdom.  To this end, the idea of reading the Bible on a regular basis as a part of this pursuit seemed beyond my reach—something my busy schedule couldn’t possibly accommodate.

I so often underestimate God and the unusual, surprising ways He works in my life.

I have stopped believing in what I once considered chance or serendipity and now readily accept most of these events as God’s hand at work in some way.  I have also accepted events that might otherwise seem unremarkable, mundane or typical can have consequences that are anything but. So it was with my receiving an iPod as a Christmas gift in 2006—an occurrence that might otherwise be construed as not having even the remotest relationship whatsoever with significantly enhancing my spiritual life.

With the arrival of the iPod, I discovered the world of iTunes.  For those who aren’t familiar with the realm of iTunes, it is a free computer application and the clearinghouse for innumerable, downloadable audio (or video) segments known as “Podcasts.”  I delved into offerings available for a Christian seeking something inspirational to listen to on a 40-minute commute to and from work and what I found profoundly impacted my life.  A Podcast called “The 1-year Daily Audio Bible” (or DAB as it is also known) is the entire bible read aloud from beginning to end in exactly one year.  Each daily Podcast includes a section from the Old Testament, the New Testament, The Psalms and Proverbs read by Brian Hardin, a music producer based in Nashville Tennessee.  Each week he reads from a different translation, an aspect I have grown to appreciate over the nearly 3 years that I’ve been listening.

The Podcasts can last between approximately 20 to 30 minutes and I have come to feel that, along with daily prayer, my day is not complete without this time spent in the word of God.  In addition to the readings, Brian typically offers some context, reflection or interpretation on one or more of the readings depending on how the spirit moves him.  It is uncanny how frequently Brian’s reflections on or interpretations of a particular part of the scripture is directly applicable to my condition at that exact time or a situation with which I am confronted.  Initially, it surprised me but over the years has occurred far too often to be a something related to the universal condition of the listener.

The DAB Podcast ends with a prayer request called in by a member of the “virtual” DAB community—a community that has grown exponentially since it began and currently numbers in the tens of thousands.   Some of those in this virtual community are not blessed with a church like Central and the DAB website (dailyaudiobible.com) and on-line forums have become a gathering place for members of this community from around the world.  The requests can often be heart wrenching and often make me realize that the challenges I may be facing on a particular day pale in comparison to what others are struggling with in places far from Rhode Island.   A recent addition to the web site is a 24-hour virtual “prayer room” where people from around the world call in to pray for larger issues facing their community, country or the world.

I have begun to value this relatively brief time spent each day in the word is an integral part of my “Walk with God” and have realized this daily dose of the Bible has had a significant impact on my life and on my journey of faith.  It is complemented by the community of faith offered by our Church and the fellowship provided by our congregation.   As a recorded history of God’s interaction with man, the Bible is essential as a framework for which to know God and for me personally to establish the intimate relationship with God that I, like many of us, am seeking.

If you are interested in this resource and some of the other podcasts that I have found inspirational please don’t hesitate to ask me about them.  For those who might be less technologically inclined, I would be delighted to help you get started!

-John Trevor

EXPOSE YOURSELF TO ART

Art Sale, Silent/Live Art Auction & Cocktail Reception at Hamilton House

October 3 at 5:00 pm

All are invited to an exciting fundraising event to support the programs at Hamilton House. You won’t want to miss this eclectic collection of over 100 pieces of local art including watercolors, oils, pastels, sculptures, drawings, photography, collage, montage, jewelry and note cards. There’s something for everyone!

Enjoy a cocktail, appetizers and chit chat with their charming special guest, Marcello, the Providence Canal Gondelier.

Tickets are $25 and parking is available in the Wheeler lot on Hope Street.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Pledges to date                        $425,919

Budget-Pledges                        $432,000

To be raised                            $6,081

Several members historically wait until the fall to make their pledges. Last year the total of these pledges was several thousand dollars.

(223 pledging units)

If you have not yet made your pledge, please join us!  For more information, call the church office.

Mission Sunday

October 11

Come to church and support last year’s WORD mission trip participants as they lead worship and share their experiences of Miami. Current 8th graders will be able to join in the 2010 trip June 27-July 31.

CentralNEWS/Septembber2009

VOLUME 17 NUMBER 9

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

From Your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

I honestly don’t know which I enjoy more… watching Tom’s dog, Tres, try to catch the barn swallows swooping over him, or watching the birds working together in small teams teasing the dog. . . dive bombing him, coming up just ahead of him and then quickly darting off in a new direction. I am not too worried about him ever actually catching one of the lovely little birds, so after a little while of trying to decide what is more fun, I think it is time for me to either read or weed. Now there is another challenging decision as we have lots of weeds here and I also have a lot of books on my table waiting. The books are incredibly satisfying but there is something special about filling up the wheelbarrow with lots of juicy weeds and wildflowers and carting it over the fence to the cows who are always happy to receive my gifts. The wild grape vines are their favorites, I think, but they are also partial to dandelions and I confess, I have spent more time wondering why the wild rose and raspberry vines with all the thorns don’t seem to bother them.

As for reading, now there again, I’m currently in the middle of White Tiger and Olive Kittredege, but I am also skimming right through these two… Lost in the Middle? Claiming an Inclusive Faith for Christians Who are Both Liberal and Evangelical and Found in the Middle! Theology and Ethics for Christians Who are Both Liberal and Evangelical. These were co-authored by a friend, Chapin Garner, and I’ll be offering some groups centered around them in the coming months.

So you can see, dear friends, while I am so grateful for this summer time of different rhythms, I am aware that watching the birds and the cows gives me sustenance to come back and find ways with you to walk together in God’s ways. To further the mission of Central Church. To discover paths that bring others to the joy of knowing Jesus Christ in their lives. To know that wherever we go, we are surrounded by God’s love, and that we are called to share that love with others… to know we are forgiven and to work to forgive others. To know that our days are limited and that we can choose how to spend them.

I look forward to sharing the gospel with each of you in weekly worship, to being part of Patrick’s wonderful ministry of music, to support Claudia’s small groups of fellowship and faith, to welcome Kat and her exciting challenge of leading our youth in ministry and mission, and to see all of Cathy’s young charges gathering together to learn new lessons of God’s love. I look forward to hearing how the summertime has refreshed and invigorated you, and what your plans are to plunge yourself into the work and the wonder of being God’s child in the world. These are difficult economic times for all of us, and I add my prayers for those who are suffering in body or mind or spirit in these days. May all of us soar with wings like eagles, and like the birds of the air, know in our hearts that all will be well.

Yours in Christ’s love,

Rebecca

Our prayers and sympathy are with the family and friends of Ruth Lubrano who died August 9, 2009. A Memorial Service was held Central Church on August 15th.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Derek White His grandfather passed away in August

May God’s comfort surround all those who mourn.

GATHERING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

10:30 am Worship Service

The Reverend Rebecca Spencer preaching

New Member Orientation*

Tuesday, October 20

Faith Exploration*

Wednesday, October 28

New Member Sunday

November 1

*These meetings are held at the home of The Reverend Rebecca Spencer 15 Taber Avenue at 7pm

MUSIC AT CENTRAL

New Choir Members Welcome

Our Adult and Children’s Choirs Invite you to join us!

The Adult Choir meets Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:30 p.m. beginning September 17. We sing weekly on Sunday mornings starting with a 9:15 am warm-up, and approximately once a month for a special afternoon service of music. Some experience is helpful, but we welcome everyone to come try us out!

The Children’s Choir rehearses weekly at 5 p.m. on Mondays beginning September 21. The Children’s Choir also sings weekly beginning at 10 a.m. for a warm-up followed by the service. No experience is needed, and the choir is open to children entering grades 3 – 8.

From Claudia

September is such a wonderful month!  The weather is still warm and there’s such a feeling of anticipation in the air as friends return from summer vacations with wonderful tales of faraway (or not so faraway!) places.  There are kick-offs and back to school events and, of course, Gathering Sunday for our wonderful church!  Committees begin to meet, and often as we come out of those meetings, the warm air of the day has turned cool and we say to one another, “Fall is in the air!”

One of the things that came out of our leadership meetings this past spring was a conversation about our devotional times at the beginning of each committee meeting.  Committees handle this in a variety of ways and we collectively wondered what would happen if ALL of Central’s committees began their meeting times together in the same devotional reflections each month.

And so, we’re going to try an experiment.  Each committee has been asked to reflect on one sentence of our mission statement each month.  The idea is to open a very short discussion as to how each committee sees itself in the wider life of this church.  There are questions to ponder for each sentence, but they are only there to get the committee started.  The Leadership Development committee has been using these for their last few meetings and we have been pleased with the depth of our discussion as well as the connection we feel to the other committees in our church through these devotionals.

So, as our program year begins I am wondering if the experiment could be expanded.  What might happen if we ALL take some time to reflect on the same sentence, the same month?  The library committee wondered about this, too.  Stop in and visit the library sometime.  They will be featuring books that might help us all on our journey as together we contemplate what it means to be the body of Christ in this place called Central Congregational Church.

Yours on the journey…

Claudia

CCC Devotional for September:

“Central Congregational Church, a member of the United Church of Christ, believes in God Who calls the world into being, creates human kind in the divine image and sets before us the ways of life and death.”

Question to contemplate:

How does our belief in God inform the way we live and interact with others?

Thanks!

A special thank you to Laurel McLaughlin and those who participated in her summer Pilates classes held here in Chapel Hall. As a result, $239.25 was donated to our Capital Campaign.

From Kat

Greetings, and welcome back! I hope you all had a gloriously relaxing summer. I am thrilled to be the newest member of Central’s ministry team. My full name is Sarah Kathryn Townes, but most of my friends call me Kat. Sarah, Kat, S. Kathryn, Mom, and Sarah Kathryn are all names I respond to. I come to you from Berkeley, CA with a large clan that includes my husband Royce, 10-year-old Royce Jr., 8-year-old Madison, two dogs, and three cats.

As the Associate Minister for Mission and Youth, my primary responsibility is working with the young people of Central; however, I look forward to getting to know all of you in the wider church family. Central is a large church with countless gifted members—please introduce yourself to me and share with me what brings you joy!

Whether you are a young person, are a parent of a young person, know a young person, or are young at heart, I believe that you are a part of the youth ministry team at Central. No matter what your level of involvement in the high school WORD or middle school NEOS groups, you serve as a role model, example, and extended family member to the young people of this congregation.

There are a variety of ways to get involved with the youth program, including sponsoring someone on the mission trip, serving as an adult leader, participating in a hike, volunteering with the youth on a service project, speaking to WORD or NEOS about your own passion, or even just welcoming young people when they visit our church. Your insights, wisdom, and open hearts are assets to the ministry of the church, and I look forward to being your partner in ministry!

Thank you for all of your hospitality in welcoming our family, I look forward to continuing our journey with you and Central’s young people this year!

Kat

FAITH, FELLOWSHIP, AND FUN

A CCC Retreat for People of All Ages!

Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18th to 20th

There are still spots available for a weekend together at the beautiful Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod!  Imagine a weekend filled with a chance to grow in your faith, enjoy good food (all meals are included and prepared for you at the Craigville Inn), with time to refresh and renew yourselves!  Come alone or bring a friend or family member(s)! Our retreat weekend is reserved.  All that’s needed to make it complete is—YOU!!

Cost: $172 for adults, $133 for youths, children under 6 are free!  (Price includes all meals and our lodging.)

(Please let Claudia know if you are planning to attend this special retreat.  Space is limited, but there is still room; We need to give the Conference Center a firm number!)

GREETINGS, CHURCH SCHOOL FAMILIES!

The fruit of the Spirit is:

love,

joy,

peace,

patience,

kindness,

generosity,

faithfulness

gentleness

and self-control.

There is no law about such things.

-Galatians 5:22

Hoping your summer has been restful and rejuvenating!! Looking forward to seeing everyone for another great Church School year!!

Some DATES to make note of:

Thursday, September 10 – 9:30-10:45 am

Central’s PLAYGROUP begins; parents, infants, toddlers. Music, art, snacks, with

Cathy; upstairs room

Saturday, September 12 – 10:00 – 11:30 am

TEACHER TRAINING—held in the upstairs Gathering Space, for fall teachers.

Sunday, September 13 – 9:30 am

GATHERING SUNDAY MEETING

• for ALL parents, teachers, children
• breakfast munchies provided by RE committee
• meet in the Gathering Space (upstairs)

Sunday, September 13 – 10:30 am

WORSHIP and Church School

Classes begin for the new year.

Sunday, September 20 – 10:00 – 10:20 am

CHERUB CHOIR begins for pre-school – 2nd graders (in the Gathering Space)

Please bring your registration forms in no later than Gathering Sunday. And please let Cathy know when you’d like to be on a Church School Teaching Team! (Fall, winter, or spring). As you know, our program is a ‘co-op’, with each family participating at some point in the year.

Thanks & peace,

Cathy Clasper-Torch, Dir of Christian Education

FROM THE DEACON’S BENCH

A Little Space, Please

The words to a hymn have been stuck to my refrigerator door since the Sunday last year when Patrick passed out copies to the choir.  The hymn starts by complaining and making excuses.

Behold us Lord a little space,

From daily tasks set free,

And met within this holy place

To rest a while with Thee.

Around us rolls the ceaseless tide

Of business, toil, and care,

And scarcely can we turn aside

For one brief hour of prayer.

We know that quiet meditation is too often missing from our lives.  We see that it is important, recognize that it is part of what God expects from us, and truly wish we did more of it—but who’s got the time?  The writer says—and I say with him, “Lord, I’d really like to pray more, but, you know, I’m busy.”  What’s interesting here is that the hymn recognizes being overwhelmed as our normal condition.  There’s nothing particularly sinful about it.  There’s only so much time in the day, after all, and that ceaseless tide is rolling.  The writer asks for “a little space”, but doesn’t apologize for his inability to find that space by himself.  It isn’t always simple, of course.  I’m often guilty of wasting time, getting my priorities wrong, or just being dishonest with myself about what I’m really doing.  The sense remains, though, that despite all that, sometimes I’m just too busy.

So what do we do about it?  If it’s legitimate—at least sometimes–that we’re busy, then the solution can’t always be to sign up for a weekend retreat or to join a Bible study group.  These can be wonderful, but they are clearly the sort of thing that would go into that “little space” if only we had it.  Instead, the writer makes a surprising proposal.

Yet these are not the only walls

Wherein Thou mayst be sought;

On homeliest work Thy blessing falls,

In truth and patience wrought.

Work shall be prayer, if all be wrought

As Thou wouldst have it done;

And prayer, by Thee inspired and taught

Itself with work be one.

The hymn suggests that it isn’t really time we need after all, but a change in perspective.  If we can only learn to work the way God wants it done, “work shall be prayer”.  That little space we need so badly might be found within the “business, toil, and care” that crowd it out of our lives.  I find this inspiring–and challenging.   It’s much easier to see faith and work as separate, but overlapping, departments in our lives.  Since I’m a Christian, I don’t lie and cheat and I’m generally nice to my coworkers.  This, however, is something much deeper.  It isn’t that my faith affects the way I work, but that the way I work is an important component of my faith.

J.S. Bach expressed the same idea, I think, when he said, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. “  Bach was special, but it’s important to remember that music was his job.  Reading his biography, we learn that he had his share of mean bosses, lazy colleagues, and tight deadlines, never mind the pressure that comes from having 20 children to feed.   My work will never glorify God as spectacularly as his, of course, but anything that’s “in truth and patience wrought” can be offered to the glory of God, I think, and I am trying to learn how to do this.  And hopefully, someday, I’ll understand what it means for work and prayer to be truly one.

-Steve Dewitt

Darrell West Lecture Series

November 8

Our next speaker in the Darrell West Lecture Series will be Washington Post columnist, E. J. Dionne

SPONSORS NEEDED!

Sponsors are needed for our mission trip to New Orleans this coming fall.  This is one way you can participate, by supporting those who are representing you in mission!  Any amount is appreciated.  Please speak with Claudia if you would like to help.

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group

This group meets on Thursday, September 24 to discuss Orhan Pamuck’s “Snow” and on Thursday, October 29 they will discuss “Middlemarch” by George Eliot.  All are invited to join in these lively discussions.

Dates to Remember

NEOS Kick-Off Party

Sunday, September 13th 12-1:30PM

Stick around after church on September 13 for pizza and ice cream in the Fireplace Room. Come meet other kids and enjoy some fellowship!

NEOS Rock Climbing

Sunday, September 20 1PM-3PM

Rhode Island Rock Gym

Come join us for a rock climbing and rope-swinging adventure at the Rhode Island Rock Gym on September 20 after church. The rock-climbing trip is limited to 15, so please sign up soon by emailing Kat: kat@centralchurch.us.

Youth Visioning Meeting

Sunday, September 13

5PM-6PM

Come to the Fireplace Room and meet with others to share ideas about the upcoming year for the WORD and NEOS fellowships. Parents, youth leaders, church members, friends, volunteers, and idea people—all are welcome!

WORD Fellowship

Overnight Camping Trip

Friday, October 2nd – 3rd  5pm – 11am

There’s nothing like smores and campfire stories to bring a group together. WORD Fellowship will be traveling to George Washington Campground for a rustic adventure starting Friday evening October 2 at 5pm. We’ll grill food, share stories and music, play with a giant parachute, and sleep out under the stars (or a shelter). 15-person limit so sign up soon! Email kat@centralchurch.us.

WORD Potluck BBQ

Sunday, September 13

6 PM-7:30 PM

WORD members and their families are invited to the parsonage for a potluck barbeque. Come meet Kat’s family, including Jesus the dog, and enjoy some great food off the grill. Veggie options will be available! Email kat@centralchurch.us for more details.

Knitting Group

Sunday, September 13th

12:00-1:30 pm  Deacon’s Room

The nights are getting cooler, and it’s time to get out those needles and join your friends as we knit our way into the fall!  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter relax with us and learn something new or share your knowledge.  Don’t know how to knit?  That’s okay!  We’ll teach you!  Questions?  Call Janice Libby or Claudia.

Messy Spirituality:

God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People

Sundays, 9/27 and 10/4 9:00 a.m. in the Deacon’s Room

Come discuss this wonderful little book on spirituality for real people!  “Spirituality is not a formula; it is not a test.  It is a relationship… Spirituality is not about perfection; it is about connection…Spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God’s being present in the mess of our unfixedness…”  This book may be small, but it has a lot to say!

Books will be available for $11.50.  Please call Claudia to reserve your copy so that you’ll have time to read it before the classes begin.

Food for Thought

Thursday, October 29th

7:00-8:30 p.m. Hamilton House living room

This month we’re going to discuss fairytales!  And, what better place to do so than a “fairytale” house like Hamilton House (located next to the church)?  Please bring your favorite fairytale book or story to share with others.  Suggestions for books might be the novels of Gregory Maguire like Mirror Mirror or Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West or Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister or ???  Enjoy this enchanted evening with other book lovers!  Questions?  Call Claudia.

ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT

SAVE THE DATE for our annual women’s retreat:  February 5-7, 2010, on the beautiful grounds of St. Benedict Abbey in Still River, MA.  Look for details to follow later this year.  Any questions, call Gwen Kangis: 274.5253.

CentralNEWS/August 2009

VOLUME 17 NUMBER 7
296 Angell Street Providence, RI 02906   401-331-1960

From Your Associate Minister

I’m writing this article fresh from a week of theological discussion about spirituality.  Every year I help plan a theological colloquy around a different theme.  This year our theme was Spirituality and the Holy Spirit: A New Awakening for the Church?  People from all over the country attended this colloquy and the discussion was rich and full.

Spirituality can be a loaded word and we recognized that when we chose this topic.  Apparently, this is a theme that is near and dear to many lay and clergy hearts, though.  Almost 100 people participated in this weeklong discussion!

And so, I’m thinking about all the times I’ve had people say to me, “I’m spiritual, but not religious.”  Mostly, that happens when they find out I’m a “woman of the cloth”!  But, what does this really mean?  Because I’m curious by nature I did a little research.  Did you know that this is a peculiarly American concept?  Many who have studied this believe it stems from the 1960’s, a time of rebellion against organized anything—including religion.  However, Americans were not ready to give up on religion altogether and so we created this category of spiritual but not religious.

In time in some peoples’ minds, all things religious were relegated to the “bad” category, whilst all things spiritual became part of the “good” category in that it is the only real way to reach God.  Hmmm…  Soon, there were other categories of ways to experience God.  There is Jewish spirituality, Islamic spirituality, as well as Christian spirituality. Within the realm of Christian spirituality there are many practices, many of them dating back to earlier, if not the earliest times of the Church.

What’s a poor Christian to do in this confusing bounty of riches?  We can practice Celtic spirituality, centering prayer, contemplative practices, and on and on.  According to David Stendahl-Rast, “Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence.  But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being.”

While spiritual practices are all well and good, this is all about our experience of and relationship with God.  We would do well to heed Stendahl-Rast again, “Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual.”  We are—each one of us spiritual beings—people who are created to be in relationship with the God of all life!  And, we are not perfect…no, not us!  We are full of Messy Spirituality as expounded in Michael Yaconelli’s wonderful book.  We are people who are willing to give over our messy lives to God and through God’s grace are
completely in relationship with God!  This is spirituality that we can get our hearts around.  This is spirituality that is real and true.  May it be so for each one of us!!

Yours on the Journey,

Claudia

Our thoughts and prayers are with…

Bernie Buonanno – His mother, Martha, died in July.

Karin Robison – Her mother, Ruth Waldman, died in July.

Todd Hensley Weir – His former wife, Rosemary, died in June.
Todd served as our associate minister in the early 90s. If you care to send a card, his address is 102 Academy Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

NEW MEMBERS

New Member Orientation*
Tuesday, October 20

Faith Exploraiton*
Wednesday, October 28

New Member Sunday
November 1

*These meetings are held at the home of the Reverend Rebecca Spencer 15 Taber Avenue at 7 pm

THERE IS CHILDCARE EACH SUMMER SUNDAY DURING MORNING WORSHIP IN THE CHERUB ROOM.  CARETAKERS WILL TAKE THE CHILDREN TO THE PLAYYARD IF WEATHER PERMITS.

SPONSORS NEEDED!

Sponsors are needed for our mission trip to New Orleans this coming fall.  This is one way you can participate, by supporting those who are representing you in mission!  Any amount is appreciated.  Please speak with Claudia if you would like to help.

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group

This lively book group meets on Thursday, September 24 to discuss Orhan Pamuck’s “Snow” and on Thursday, October 29 the group will discuss “Middlemarch” by George Eliot.  All are invited to join in these lively discussions.

Welcome Kat!

We welcome The Rev. Kat Townes, her husband, Royce Tevis, and their children, Royce and Madison.

Greetings, Church School Families!

A THANK YOU to the Richardson family (Julia and Curt, Colby and Emily) for the delightful Teacher Appreciation Potluck they hosted in July for teachers and R.E. Committee members! It couldn’t have been a more beautiful night, with the moon rising over the water on Newport and Jamestown–and no rain!  Thanks, Julia and Curt!!

A THANK YOU to all of you who have returned your Church School Registration Forms sent out earlier this summer–and a reminder to those who haven’t yet done so to send it in ASAP.   Also, a heads up that Cathy will be calling parents this month to firm up the Teaching Teams for the New Year.

Blessings to each of you!!  Looking forward to Gathering Sunday, which is on September 13th–beginning with our 9:30 meeting the Gathering Space (for all church school families, kids, teachers), worship at 10:30 and first day of Church School classes.

Peace & Joy,
Cathy Clasper-Torch
Director Religious Education

HELP  WANTED!

As you may know, the ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) Group has been working for over two years ministering to members of our congregation through short term times of need with meals, cards, calls or driving.  There have been three coordinators for the program.  Through members in the church or the ministers, we hear that someone has a need, and a coordinator contacts members who have offered their services to “shepherd” the person/family through this sometimes joyous (baby arrivals), sometimes sorrowful and sometimes short term illness.  The shepherd contacts the family, determines the need and contacts other members who have offered to volunteer to provide what is needed.

Already, we have a great list of potential shepherds and there will be another outreach for additional volunteers in the fall.  Right now, however, we need three new people to work as coordinators.  It is a job that is done primarily through phone calls and e-mails.  Very few meetings!  The coordinators are notified of a need, one takes over and calls/e-mails members to find a shepherd who will assemble the people and talents that are needed to address the need.  It is not a major time commitment – however one never knows when a need will arise.  Sometimes many come at one time and, blessedly; there may be no needs for a lengthy period of time.

If you would like to learn more about this, you can call Lora Spalt, 751-8588 or Janis Loiselle, 331-0337.  If you can volunteer, please contact Claudia Demick at 331-1960.  It is a wonderful opportunity to minister to our congregation and you don’t even have to leave your house!

FAITH, FELLOWSHIP, AND FUN

A CCC Retreat for People of All Ages!  Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18th to 20th

It’s never too early to plan ahead to join Claudia and other members of our Central Church family for a weekend together at the beautiful Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod!  Imagine a weekend filled with a chance to grow in your faith, enjoy good food (all meals are included and prepared for you at the Craigville Inn), with time to refresh and renew yourselves!  Come alone or bring a friend or family member(s)! Our retreat weekend is reserved.  All that’s needed to make it complete is—YOU!!

Cost: $172 for adults, $133 for youths, children under 6 are free!  (Price includes all meals and our lodging.)

(Please let Claudia know if you are planning to attend this special retreat.  Space is limited and we need to give the Conference Center a firm number soon!)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT BOOK GROUP SUMMER READING!

August 23rd brunch at the Modern Diner,
364 East Ave, Pawtucket at 12:00 p.m.
NOTE CHANGE OF TIME  & LOCATION!
(Please RSVP to Claudia)

Remember the days of summer reading for school?  Come and read with us, and we promise there will be no book “reports” due!  Instead there will be wonderful conversation about a book with church friends and brunch…food for thought (and for our tummies!)  This month we will be discussing The Plain Language of Love and Loss by Beth Taylor with the author herself!

New Writer on Central’s Website, Welcome Ilse!

Beginning in early September 2009, our church’s website, http://www.centralchurch.us, will feature a new inclusion, the “Poet’s Page.” As the “Poet Laureate” of Central Congregational Church, Ilse Kramer, our long-time church archivist is devoting her time and talent to authoring poems displayed on this page. Among other topics, Ilse’s writing will explore the meaning of faith, the place of the Church, and the experience of her life as a Christian woman. As this new feature of our on-line church presence develops, Ilse will be asking members of Central who have an interest in creative writing to assist her with this venture. Expect to see this page launched before “Gathering Sunday.” Welcome all to The Poet’s Page!”

Congratulations to . . .

James & Rebecca Gorham. Their daughter, Hannah, was born in June
Andrew & Jenn Mazurkie. Their daughter, Annabelle, was born June 21
Jim & Ann Scott on the birth of their grandson, Evan James

CentralNEWS/May 2009

VOLUME 17 NUMBER 5
296 Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906   401-331-1960

From Your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

Last year researchers studied 34 students at the University of Virginia, taking them to the base of a steep hill and fitting them with weighted backpacks. They were then asked to estimate the steepness of the hill. Some participants stood next to friends during the experiment, while others were alone. Students who stood with friends gave lower estimates of the steepness of the hill. And the longer the friends had known each other, the less steep the hill appeared.

The report of this experiment came at the end of an article called, “What are Friends for? A longer life” that appeared in the New York Times. The article began with an observation that in our quest for better health, we often overlook a powerful weapon that can help us fight illness and depression, speed recovery, slow aging and prolong life: our friends.

From my pastoral perspective, I clearly see how friends look out for each other. . .and how they enhance one another’s lives. One will call me with a care or concern for another; one may suggest this or that might help so and so. From the Christian perspective, of course, friendship is even more important. Jesus calls us his friends. And so, dear ones, we are.

When we remember how much we are loved, it is so much easier to love someone else. When we realize how much someone cares for us, we can reach out a hand to another. Christian friendship goes far beyond anything we can now imagine or understand. It is what stretches us, what makes us go beyond our ‘comfort level’, as my children remind me when they are being patient with me as I attempt to learn one more technological thing. God loves all of us, and so therefore dear friends, we love one another even though that way may not always be easy.

For Love is of God and the one who loves is born of God and knows God. “No one has ever seen God. But when we love one another, God abides in us and God’s love is made perfect in our lives.”-1 John

So, as your pastor, I urge you to take a moment and let one of your long time friends know how much you appreciate him or her. And put on your to do list today–make a new friend. I look forward to hearing of the new connections you will make.

Yours, in Christian friendship,

Rebecca Spencer

Pops Concert Encore!

Broadway at Central

After the successful return of the Pops Concert last year, “Broadway at Central”, we will once again present our choir in a program you won’t hear in church!

Come and enjoy another side of our choir as we present an evening of music from Broadway shows that will not only entertain, but also educate.
We offer two performances:

Friday, May 29 at 8 p.m. with cabaret seating and refreshments; and Sunday, May 31 at 4 pm with a concert presentation of the music.

Tickets will be on sale in Chapel Hall on Sundays or call the church office.

Friday, May 29   8 pm
(doors open at 7:30 for refreshments)

First dress circle—reserved       $50
Second dress circle—reserved   $40
General Admission                 $25
Sunday, May 31   4 pm
All seats $10 ($25 for families)

Thank you for supporting our organ restoration by participating in this delightful fundraiser!

157th Annual Meeting

The 157th Annual Meeting of this congregation will be held at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, May 31, 2009.

The 2009-2010 budget will be presented for approval, the Nominating Committee will present the slate of candidates to be voted into office, and other items of congregational interest will be presented.

Childcare is available during the meeting if requested.

PENTECOST SUNDAY, MAY 31

Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the heads of the Apostles instructing them to go forth into the world and preach the Gospel. Wearing red reminds us of the flames of fire that appeared over them. Remember to wear red to worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 31.

From Your Associate Minster

Is it true that the April showers bring the May flowers?  As I write this I’m watching those April showers outside my window…And, the flowers do spring up in profusion by May, so I guess it all is true!  The rain is necessary for growth.

In the same way I’ve been thinking about human growth.  What does it take for us to grow in our Christian life?  About a year ago Cathy Clasper-Torch and I attended a religious education conference sponsored by the Massachusetts UCC.  The featured speaker was Elizabeth Caldwell.

Here’s what Caldwell has to say about growing in our faith in her book Making a Home for Faith:  “It has been said that growing in the life of the Christian faith involves a lifelong continuing process of encountering into the inexhaustible richness of the mystery of God and of God’s love. This process requires intention and practice, and is supported by participation in communities of faith.  We come to recognize and live in the Spirit as we participate more and more broadly and deeply in communities that know the nature of their situation, acknowledge it, express it, and live their lives in light of it.”

So, faith formation isn’t just for the kids!  It’s for all of us—the entire faith community!.  And, it should continue throughout our life.  Here are some formative activities or Christian practices suggested by Caldwell:

“Worshiping
Telling the Christian story
Interpreting Scripture
Praying, confessing sin, and reconciling
Encouraging others
Being in service and witnessing
Suffering with neighbors
Providing hospitality and care
Listening
Struggling to understand the context of life
Criticizing and resisting the powers of evil
Working together to create social structures that sustain life in accord with God’s will.”

Which formative practices do you participate in on a regular basis?  What might you add to this list?  The possibilities for growth in the Spirit are endless.  And, the flowers that bloom in May aren’t the only things that can grow.  We can, too.  May it be so for each one of us as we continue to grow in our faith and encourage others to do the same.

Yours in Faith,

Claudia

FROM THE DEACON’S BENCH

I have a confession to make. Sometimes I cry in church. Not a loud wail, of course, but a choking up and perhaps a tear or two. It might be during a moving hymn, a poignant reference in a sermon, or perhaps a thought about a church friend who offered a helpful word. And I’m not alone. On Easter Sunday a lady next to me leaned over and whispered, “Don’t worry if I cry a little during the service.” And I whispered back, “Don’t worry if I cry a little either.”

What does this mean? Why does it happen? The ability to feel deeply, to experience joy, to know sorrow, and to sense the full range of human emotion is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Tears may be present in the joy of a wedding, and in the sorrow of a funeral. Emotions are one of the ways in which we can connect with God. Tears can be cleansing. And tears can also be helpful in releasing tensions and pressures. The guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit often comes into our lives with an emotional component of some sort. Emotions need not always be bold and dramatic. A warm smile of a friend, a gentle touch, a thoughtful caring act—all have an emotional dimension that connects us to God.

One who continually blocks honest expression of emotions is somehow blocking an aspect of their humanity—and may be closing out this great wonderful gift of God.

Any one need a hanky?

-John Peters

Step Forward!

The good, even wonderful, news is that the organ restoration has been completed. The bad news is that cost remains to be fully funded. More bad news is that new roof leaks are being discovered in our grand church building that will need to be fixed. The good, even uplifting, news is that many have been able to “Step Forward!” with generous contributions to the Capital Campaign. And those contributions are received with sincere thanks! We are about half way toward our goal of being able to fully fund all of the priority restoration projects.

We hope that those who are still considering their gifts will recognize the importance—even in these difficult times—of helping in the effort to keep our church in good physical condition for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. Gifts may be spread over a three-year period.

Watch for more information in the Gallery and Chapel Hall about the campaign and restoration projects—coming soon!

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

“It is the wind and the rain, O God, the cold and the storm that make this earth of Thine to blossom and bear its fruit. So in our lives, it is the storm and stress and hurt and suffering that make us bring the world’s work to its highest perfection. Let us learn then in these growing years to respect the harder sterner aspects of life together with its joy and laughter, and to weave them all into the great web which hangs holy to the Lord.”           -W.E.B. DuBois

What beautiful words and images in these lines of W.E.B. DuBois. It seems to speak to every aspect of our lives, from the glorious spring season we’re entering into, to the unknown territory of our economic recession, and all the other challenges we face as parents and care-givers “in these growing years.”

Amidst all of this, I give tremendous THANKS to all you parents/members who have given of your time to the Church School program this year! An enormous thanks to the Winter Unit teachers!! And a welcome to the Spring Unit crew:

Gabriel’s Gang (pre-schoolers)
Cheryl Space, Nancy Brant, Kjesten Wiig, Lauren Karlsson, and Andrew Ryan
Shepherds (kindergarten)
Tracy Baran
Prophets (1st graders)
Lorraine Lalli and Lora Barlow
Disciples/Stargazers (2nd & 3rd graders)
Amy Frazer and Emma Cotter
Peacemakers (4th & 5th graders)
Barbara Nozaki and Joan Harrison
Dream-makers (6th – 8th graders)
Cathy Clasper-Torch

Some important MAY DATES to remember:

Sunday, May 3    4—5:30 pm
BOWLING TOGETHER
…at the “Bowling Academy in East Providence! This will be a blast, for all ages (Duck-pin bowling)! We are reserving 4 lanes for Centralites. Total cost per person for shoe rental plus TWO games is $7. See you at the lanes! 354 Taunton Avenue, East Providence  #401-434-5839

Sunday, May 10
Mother’s Day
During worship, the Cherub Choir will sing; and the 4th graders will be receiving their Bibles!

Sunday, May 17
Confirmation Sunday
(8th Grade Confirmation)
4th – 7th grades stay in worship

Love & Joy, Sun & Rain,

Cathy Clasper Torch
Director of Religious Education

IMMEDIATE NEED!!

Welcome Baskets for 18 people newly arrived from Nepal, Iraq, and Eritrea in Rhode Island via the International Institute. Items needed:

Non perishable foods: Rice, pasta, sugar, salt, tea, canned vegetables, cooking oil
Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion
Cleaning supplies: Dish soap, sponges, paper towels, laundry detergent, mops, trash bags

Families or groups are also invited to mentor a newly arrived refugee family to help them adjust to life in Rhode Island. As a mentor, you can greet the family at the airport with IIRI staff, cook a welcome meal for their first day, help furnish and set up their apartment, and work with the family on a regular basis to help with life skills—grocery shopping, tutoring, or engaging in community activities.

To deliver a Welcome Basket or find out more about mentoring, please contact Mary Ellen Lynch, International Institute of RI melynch@iiri.org 784-8649

Friday Film Fare

May 15    Fireplace Room    7:30 pm

“Friendly Persuasion” (1956)

For two years the Civil War has been elsewhere for Jess Birdwell’s Quaker family in Southern Indiana. With Confederate raiders looting, burning and their neighbors arming for defense, Jess (Gary Cooper), his devout wife (Dorothy McGuire) and deeply conflicted son (Anthony Perkins in a star making performance) find that fighting back is not the answer put to the test. Friendly Persuasion is a beautifully crafted portrait of gentle people and their pacifism in the flames of war.

LAST CHANCE!!!

LIVING THE QUESTIONS: Part III
Sundays, May 3 – 31
9:00 -10:00 a.m.
Fireplace Room

Oh, my soul. . .be prepared for him
Who knows how to ask questions.
-T. S. Eliot

If you missed LtQ parts one or two, here’s your last chance this year to experience “loving” those questions that are part of all of our lives. Come see what a meaningful faith looks like in today’s world.

Incarnation: Divinely Human            May 3
Prayer: Intimacy with God            May 10
Compassion: The Heart of Jesus’ Ministry    May 17
Creative Transformation                May 24
Embracing Mystery                May 31

One Great Hour of Sharing

The Wider Church Ministries Board of directors met in March to discuss governance issues. Peter Makari, their executive for the Middle East and Europe shared slides showing Palestinian homes about to be bulldozed for encroaching Israeli development, and spoke of an online resource “From War to Peace—Iraq and the Church’s Views” which talks of the impact of the war through the perspective of the churches.

Xiaoling Zhu, executive director for East Asia and the Pacific spoke of the seriousness of climate change in the Pacific. Many of the islands are only a few feet above sea level and will be washed away as the oceans rise. Many of the people still suffer from the effects of nuclear tests the French continued until 1996. The arrest, imprisonment, and death of pastors, accused of aiding terrorists continues.

He showed slides of the new Amity Press that works 3 large presses 24 hours a day. Large and small print Bibles are readily available and inexpensive. New churches are being built. He showed a new church building for a church that didn’t exist 2 years ago that has 6000 members! The WCM has helped convert a non-productive large tract of land into a sustainable farm with trees, farming, goats, and mushroom growing. It provides food for HIV/Aids families and houses are being built for these families.

The committee also talked about the floods in the Midwest and continued support of ongoing work in the Gulf area. Almost 10,000 volunteers have worked in the Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery and have contributed almost 275,000 hours with a dollar value of over $5,000,000. The UCC has received $6,153,757 to address the needs of people impacted by the 2005 hurricanes.

Thanks to the members and friends of Central Church, $3443 was received for One Great Hour of Sharing.

Thanks to the generosity of Central’s members and friends, 5 full boxes of school supplies weighing just under 200 lbs were shipped to the Afghan schools.

Knitting Group

Sunday, May 17
12 – 1:30 pm Deacon’s Room

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter, relax with us and learn something new or share your knowledge. Don’t know how to knit? That’s OK! We’ll teach you! Questions? Call Janice Libby or Claudia.

What’s the WORD?

News from the Sr. High Youth Group

The Youth Leadership Team has had an overwhelmingly positive response to WORD Fellowship’s upcoming summer mission trip, with 22 folks signed up for 20 reserved spots at D.O.O.R. in Miami.  We will leave Providence on June 28th at 9:20 AM, and we will return to T.F. Green at 9:45 PM on July 3rd.

If you are between 8th grade and 12th grade, or if you are an adult who would like to attend as an advisor, there still may be spots available.  Please contact trip leader, Sue Trombley if you would like to be added to the list, so we can try to make arrangements with D.O.O.R.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their initial mission trip deposits of $150, due in January.  Second installments of $150 are now due, along with signed permission slips and health forms.  Please let us know if you need copies of these forms.  If you have not yet made your deposit payment, please send the full balance ($300) to church ASAP, or, if you are experiencing a financial hardship, please make arrangements with the youth leaders to request a scholarship.

We are also looking for SPONSORS for all of the youths who are attending the mission trip.  Sponsorship is a great way to help our Church in its wider mission, support scholarships, make connections with our youths, and learn more about the good work they are doing on behalf of Central.  If you would like to become a sponsor (suggested donation $100, but any amount will help), please let the youth leaders know and we will match you up with a particular youth.

In addition to the mission trip there are a number of upcoming events this spring:

Sunday, May 10th
2 pm to 6 pm – WORD Outing
Saturday, May 23rd
Trip to TOMB in Boston (times TBA)
Sunday, June 7th
7 pm to 9 pm Parent/Youth Mtg. on Mission Trip

This is going to be a great trip and a great spring for WORD!!!

Peace,

James Gorham & the Youth Leadership Team

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group

Thursday, May 28

Book to be determined. Please watch our Sunday bulletin for the title

CentralNEWS/February 2009

VOLUME 17 NUMBER 2
296 Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906 401-331-1960

From Your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

Someone came up to me after a funeral recently and said, in a thoughtful way. “Rebecca, I am so glad that I came to this service, not only to honor the person who has died, but to take the time to ponder in my mind just what it is we are all here to celebrate. And to hope that when my time comes, that my life will have mattered.” In that pithy statement lies so much.

We all want our lives to have mattered. Whether it is making a difference in our world, or our community, raising thoughtful and loving children, or influencing someone else, we follow in Christ’s way when we choose to be his disciples. And knowing Who and Whose we are means our lives matter. There is a poem that speaks of the important numbers in our life…the year we were born, and the year we die…and yet there is something even more important. The ‘dash’ that is in between.  What we do with that time in between that is given to us.

When you next have a moment, take the time to wonder about your ‘dash’…the years in between your birth and your death. What are you doing with it? Are you choosing to follow in Christ’s way? Would He call you His disciple?

Perhaps it is just me, but it does seem as though in these bitter cold days, there is the opportunity to enter into thin times. Times we can ponder how our lives matter–to ourselves, to others, to God. Times when the boundaries of time and space seem to converge. Times when the decisions we make seem especially poignant. Having just returned from a conference where we discussed the history and the practices of Christian baptism, I am pondering that particular moment of thin time. That moment of commitment and challenge.

Wishing you many of those moments of thin time, of discernment, of discipleship. I am, faithfully,

Rebecca Spencer

Prayers

Our prayers and sympathy are with the family and friends of:

Ronald Eastwood who died December 9.
A Memorial Service was held in Warwick on December 13 .

Kathryn Owen who died January 8.
A Memorial Service was held at Central Congregational Church on January 17.

B J, Janet & Cindy Carter
Their brother-in-law and uncle passed away in January

May God’s comfort surround all those who mourn.

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

Please join us on Sunday, February 1 for a potluck luncheon immediately following worship as we welcome our new members and begin our Stewardship letter writing campaign.

The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated on Sunday, February 22. A pastor parent meeting will be held at 9 am in the Fireplace Room on Saturday, February 14.

If you wish to participate in this Baptism, please call the Rev. Rebecca Spencer, 331-1960.

New Members

New Member Orientation*
Wednesday, April 22

Faith Exploration*
Tuesday, April 28

New Member Sunday
May 3

*These meetings are held at the home of the Rev. Rebecca Spencer 15 Taber Avenue at 7 pm.

From Your Associate Minister

So, what does a Bulgarian Christian theologian, a Turkish Sunni Muslim imam, a Shi’ite Muslim from Iran, a Jewish Reconstructionist rabbi, and yours truly have in common?  I know this sounds like it could be the beginning of a bad joke, but the answer is that we all were part of the Building Abrahamic Partnerships (BAP) course that I was immersed in for eight days in January.  We spent twelve hours per day learning about each other’s faiths with the help of a faculty of four and a variety of guest presenters.  The faiths that trace themselves to Abraham were well represented in this diverse group of Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

And, we were a very diverse group!  Among our Jewish participants were two rabbis, a cantor in training, two people who have created groups that explore peace from a faith perspective in Washington, D.C. and in Israel, the wife of a rabbi, and her mother.  Many of these people had lived in Israel for extended periods of time.  Among our Muslim participants were several converts to Islam from this country, women from Yemen and Turkey, an imam from Macedonia, a Muslim chaplain from a major U.S. university who was also a Turkish imam, a young woman from Iran, and another man from Turkey.  The Christian group included five UCC ministers, three lay people, one of whom is the head of Habitat in Hartford, a Reform minister from Indonesia, a Pentecostal Christian from Indonesia who heads a program for young adults to promote peace, and a Roman Catholic spiritual director.

We counted our languages one day and we spoke seventeen different languages!  Multiply that by all those different cultures, religions, and life experiences and we were quite a “soup” of humanity!  In the course of time we ate together, learned together, laughed together and sometimes disagreed.  Did we come to any conclusions from this experiment?  I think the point of such dialogue is that it really requires putting aside our own pre-conceived ideas in order to enter into the type of conversation that isn’t looking for validation of our own pre-determined answers.  There is a real humility involved on the part of those who endeavor to enter into that kind of deep dialogue.  We need to be able to agree to “not know” together which gives us common ground.  We need to be open to one another as human beings.

Think how hard that really is.  We were an international group gathered together who already had the desire to learn and listen and yet we found it very difficult.  How much harder it is to do this with those who have no desire to listen to each other!  Perhaps at the end we have succeeded if we can look at one another and say, “Because I’ve known you I have been transformed forever.”  I know that I have been changed by my encounters in BAP.  Perhaps that should be our prayer for the world: that we might look into one another’s eyes and experience transformation.

Shalom, Salaam, Peace,

Claudia

LIVING THE QUESTIONS is back!!

Part II: Reclaiming the World
Sundays on 2/ 1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1
9:00-10:00 a.m. in the Fireplace Room

Back by popular demand, LtQ part II will explore the next “flight” of topics in chapters 8-14 in this series as we continue to ask “the questions for which there are no answers.”  Come join us as we explore what it means to be people of faith in the 21st century.  Each class is complete in and of itself.

10.  Evil, Suffering & A God of Love (2/1)
11.  The Myth of Redemptive Violence (2/8)
12.  Practicing Resurrection (2/15)
13.  Debunking the Rapture (2/22)
14.  Reclaiming the World (3/1)

SECOND CHANCE!!!
LIVING THE QUESTIONS: Part I
Thursdays, 5:45-7:00 p.m. in the Fireplace Room

If you missed LtQ part one this past fall on Sunday mornings, here’s your chance to experience “loving” the questions that are part of all of our lives.  Faith is a journey, not a destination and LtQ explores the traditions, theologies, and significance of Christianity in the 21st century and what a meaningful faith looks like in today’s world.

1. Invitation to the Journey (2/5)
2. Taking the Bible Seriously (2/12)
3. Thinking Theologically (2/19)
4. Stories of Creation (2/26)
5. Lives of Jesus (3/5)
6. A Passion for Christ: Paul (3/12)
7. Out into the World: Challenges Facing
Progressive Christians (3/19)

LET’S GO TO THE THEATER!

“A Raisin in the Sun”  -  March 1 at 2pm
Trinity Repertory Theater

“From their tenement apartment, the Younger family believes an insurance windfall is about to change their lives — but poverty and prejudice stand in their way. When the odds are stacked against them, will this family collapse or will they stand tall?”  This classic drama “changed American theater forever” according to the NY Times.

Group tickets cost $30 for adults and $15 for students.  If you are going you must let Claudia know by February 12th so that tickets can be purchased at the group discount price.

Step Forward!

Step Forward! is not to be confused with our annual Stewardship campaign which begins on February 1.  Stewardship gifts and pledges made are for the general operation of the church—salaries, mission, utilities, supplies, etc.
Step Forward! gifts will be used for the long overdue restoration of our historic building. All gifts are welcome. Please step forward to carry on the tradition of generosity to both campaigns assuring that Central Church is here for future generations.

MUSIC AT CENTRAL

Special Service of Music

Our Adult Choir will present a special service of music on Sunday, February 22 at 4 p.m. featuring two works of start contrast.

The Chichester Mass of American composer William Albright sets the traditional text of the Latin mass to music that expresses its mystic meaning. Often scored for eight parts, or two choirs, the music uses striking harmonies and techniques for a captivating presentation.

The Missa Luba of Guido Haazen completely departs from the rarified sense of the Chichester Mass to bring us a setting of the same text, but this time in a style based on unaccompanied singing with African drumming!

A reception in Chapel Hall follows.

CHOIR GOES >ON THE ROAD=

The Adult Choir Atakes their show on the road this month when we sing at the Shabbat Shira or Sabbath of Song service, on Friday, February 6, at 7:30 pm at Temple Shalon in Middletown.
Cantor Fred Scheff, who sings as one of our tenor section leaders, has invited our choir to sing at their Friday night service. In observance of the special Sabbath of song, the choir will present selections we sang at the Krystallnacht concert back in November.

Rabbi Marc S. Jagolinzer has invited churches in Middletown to join in this worship, and of course Central is most especially invited to make the trip across the bridge to share in this service of music featuring our own choir.

You will find Temple Shalom on 233 Valley Road in Middletown and at templeshalomri.org. An Oneg Shabbat, or collation, will follow the service.

Be an Organ Donor

So many of you have expressed excitement over hearing just the small portion of the organ that has arrived back from restoration. Although the instrument speaks only modestly through minimal pipework, it once again leads worship and has inspired us in the season of Christmas. Work continues for completion by Easter.

One creative way to look at the cost of restoring our organ is to consider it on a cost per pipe basis. Taking the overall cost of the project divided by the 3,456 individual pipes yields a figure of approximately $200.

Perhaps you might know some friends of our congregation or family members who might wish to give to the campaign, but not at the more substantial level of gift that a capital campaign would imply. The cost of a pipe, however, comes to a modest and approachable $200, which might appeal to potential givers.

Please consider encouraging your friends and family who love music at Central but might not otherwise contribute to our capital campaign to consider sponsoring one or more organ pipes. Perhaps you, yourself, might consider an extra gift to show your support of our pipe organ and the inspiration it brings to so many week after week, and will continue to do so for many, many years to come thanks to generous Aorgan donors.

WORD & NEOS

Friday & Saturday, February 13 & 14
Combined Ski trip to Mt Cranmore. We leave Central at 7 pm and will stay overnight at the Center Harbor Congregational Church then drive to Mt. Cranmore to be at the ski area for 9 am.

Shrove Tuesday, February 24
New Orleans themed supper. WORD will combine with the NOLA Adult Mission Group to host a supper in honor of Mardi Gras/Shrove Thursday. All are invited to this fun event!

Please call Jim Gorham (885-0945) if you are able to help with either event.

MEMORIAL   FLOWER    REQUEST

Would you like to remember a family member or friend with memorial flowers in the chancel for Sunday worship? Please choose a date and call the church office with your request or return the following form. A donation of $35 is requested.

---

Yes,  I wish my memorial to appear on Sunday,__________________

The flowers in the Chancel today
are given to the Glory of God
and in loving memory of
{Name(s)}

Signed__________________________________

Address________________________________

---

The Green Challenge Before Us

We all know that “Going Green” refers to a worthy endeavor intended to save fuel, save money and “save the earth”.    For Christians it is also — an act of faith.

For generations Christians held a view of the earth as God’s gift of an inexhaustible natural resource provided to sustain us.  But that view has changed dramatically within our lifetime.  Conservation of our precious resources is now an act of good stewardship that expresses our gratitude to God for providing the earth.  It is also a humble acknowledgement that the gift of the earth is ours to manage and preserve for our children.

“It is not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but must you tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet”? -Ezekiel 34:18

At a recent interfaith conference on developing a religious community response to climate change, called “Faith Lights our Way”, the Rev. Canon Sally Bingham of the Episcopal Diocese of California spoke of the role of religion.  She characterized the environmental challenges posed by global warming as “the single greatest challenge of our generation”.  Where do churches play a role?  Answer: In the lead.

In the struggle over civil rights in the 1960s, and over slavery in the century before that, the moral leadership of church was critical to: (1) changing the way the world viewed the problem; and (2) illuminating the difficult path out of the darkness of oppression and into the light of freedom.  Once again, religious communities need to lead.  How we treat the earth is more than an environmental issue, it is a moral issue.  The religious voice dictates moral authority and leads the way on issues that carry a moral obligation to act.  Our church must act and lead by example.

As you may know, we are actively engaged in the process of reviewing the “carbon foot print” of our Church.  Insulating, lighting, heating and water use are all a part of that ongoing effort.  But good stewardship of the earth requires that we do all that – and more.

Recently the Board of Deacons posed a challenge to each of our committees:  “Go Green.”  Meaning this:  contemplate how to make changes to the many ordinary and extraordinary acts that comprise the life of our church that will further conserve the earth’s resources devoted to sustaining our church, our church families, and our community.   And so, your committees are now engaged in a journey of deliberate reflection on the topic in order to challenge our assumptions about how we do everything in the life of our church.

This church that we think of as “ours” is “us”.   Our “Green Initiative” lives largely in our hearts and minds at the moment.  It will require a devotion of our time and labor to move the full scope of our intentions into actions in the months and years to come.  And once we do that, we must do it again, and again.  This is not a temporary project or limited campaign.  This initiative represents an ongoing commitment to consider how our stewardship of God’s earth must be considered in everything we do in our church, our homes, and our communities.

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it”
Psalm 24:1-2

To be good stewards of God’s earthly realm we must lead the way within our community of faith on Angell Street – and beyond.
-Bill Templeton, Senior Deacon

Welcome New Members

The following will unite with us in membership on Sunday, February 1. Please join us in welcoming them warmly into our church family.

Peter Heywood & Nancy Jacobs
Providence
Peter & Nancy are both professors at Brown whose interests include reading, world events, country living and family. They hope to grow in a church community and become involved with teaching here at Central. They are the parents of two young children, Wesley and Ela.

Brian & Lorraine Lalli
Providence
The Lallis are native Rhode Islanders who grew up on the East Side. Lorraine teaches at Roger Williams Law School and Brian at Rhode Island College. Much of their time centers around being with their immediate family. They find Central to be consistent with their personal beliefs. They have two small children, John and Serena.

Stanley & Martha Livingston
Providence
The Livingstons are retired. They have 5 children, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. Their interests include family and community service. They join their relatives, Paul and Adelaide Nicholson, in membership.

Benjamin & Mary Elizabeth Waite
Providence
Ben is an executive VP who enjoys skiing, golf, and mountain biking. Mary is a secondary school history teacher who currently stays at home with their young children, Sophie, Lucas, & Desmond. Mary enjoys history, parenting, animals, & mountain biking. Our children’s’ program, liberal explanation of faith & acceptance, and mission work brought them to Central. They hope to become involved in our children’s’ programs.