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.

Save the Date

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

Dear Church Members,

Just a short reminder to please sign up for a photo appointment for the new Church photo directory. Photos will be taken February 18-20 and 25-27. The photo directory will be a great way to connect names with the people we see at Church each Sunday and to build connections among Church members.

It’s easy to make an appointment online by linking to

https://signup.olanmills.com/familyinfo.aspx?chcontract=50293

or connecting through a link on the Church’s website. Once online, registration is pretty simple. Members can also sign up in person at our table in Chapel Hall during the next two Sundays (but sign ups end February 7).

Every participating member/ family will receive a free photo directory and 8×10 portrait photo, as well as an opportunity to purchase additional portraits if they’re interested in doing so.

If you have any questions, please contact Central member Paul Barlow.

We hope you’ll participate!

A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION will be held in Chapel Hall immediately following the worship service on Sunday, January 31, 2010. The purposes of the meeting will be to:

(1) approve a tentative Church budget for the 2011 fiscal year, and

(2) amend the Church bylaws to create a Conservation Committee as a standing committee of the Church and assign it various responsibilities.

Copies of the proposed tentative budget and proposed bylaw amendments are available

for examination in the Church office.

Church members are urged to attend and participate in this important planning meeting for our next Church year. Other persons are welcome to attend as observers. Child care will be provided.

A 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti just before 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 with major damage and loss of life feared. Striking 10 miles west of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, with a population of over 2 million, the shallow quake has been followed by several significant aftershocks.

Initial reports of damage are sketchy, but Haiti’s Ambassador to the U.S., his Excellency Raymond Alcide Joseph fears the earthquake is “a catastrophe of major proportions.” Mike Godfrey of USAID in Haiti reported seeing a “huge cloud of smoke and dust” over Port-au-Prince which appeared shortly after the initial earthquake and lingered for 20 minutes. Such a cloud is likely to arise from the cement dust released in the collapse of buildings.

Attempts by UCC and Global Ministries staff to contact partners and Global Ministries personnel in Haiti will continue into the night. Land and cell phone service is severely disrupted.

One Great Hour of Sharing funds are being rushed to our Haitian partners to support their initial emergency response. As damage assessments are made and plans for relief, recovery and rehabilitation are developed, additional OGHS funds will be shared with our partners.

On the more immediate, personal front from our Haitian task force; Suzanne Swanson reports that she has talked to Alex and Jeanette Dorisca who both report that they are unable to be in touch with people in Haiti at this moment. Suzanne will be doing a television interview with a local station during the day and will be mentioning that our Conference will be a place where donations can be sent. Because communication is so difficult we are not able yet to make wire transfers directly to our partners in Haiti.

I have also heard from Susan M. Sanders, Minister for Global Sharing of Resources and our One Great Hour of Sharing Administrator. Susan was our Annual Meeting presenter when we were in Kingston and one with whom we have deep respect for her work and savvy. Susan reports:

Dear Friends:

The earthquake which struck Haiti Tuesday afternoon appears to be devastating. Felix Ortiz, David Vargas and I continue to try to make contact with our partners and Global Ministries mission personnel in Haiti, but as of Tuesday late evening, have not yet had direct contact.

Initial emergency response grants from One Great Hour of Sharing funds have been approved and attempts will be made to transfer the funds to beginning Wednesday morning. As the extent of the disaster becomes clear we anticipate we need for substantial designated gifts

Susan M. Sanders

How to Help: We have two ways which your congregation can help provide emergency relief to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

1. Working with the Haitian task force we have established a emergency relief fund and the Conference and will be working directly with the Dorisca family to look for ways to be supportive immediately as well as longer-term work projects. It will take us a little while to reestablish connections with our local Haitian bank in order to be able to transfer funds. Please send to Rhode Island Conference Haitian relief fund, 8 Summer St., Pawtucket, RI 02860

2. Disaster relief ministries of the wider Church ministries of the national UCC church has already established funding routes to Haiti through their connections and as of this morning has already send funds from one great hour of sharing funding. They have a website where you can donate directly or you can designate funds labeled “OGHS – Haitian Relief” and send them to our Conference. Visit the website.

Either way we will be able to get funds not only to the region served by our Haitian task force and to all of Haiti through our One Great Hour of Sharing funds.

We will keep you advised when we are able to get more information from the Dorisca family.

Dear Friends,

The United Church of Christ has launched an emergency appeal for Haiti after a major earthquake struck the country yesterday. Thousands of people are feared dead and countless have been left homeless.

The need is massive. Your gifts are needed to support immediate and long-term relief.

The 7.0 quake struck 10 miles southwest of the capital just before nightfall on January 12. Our Global Ministries personnel, Kim, Patrick and Solomon Bentrott, have reported to us that they are safe.

It is still too early to know the full extent of the damage, but we are expecting very high loss of life, widespread destruction of homes, schools and other buildings, and major damage to key water, electricity and road systems.

Funds from the UCC’s One Great Hour of Sharing are being rushed to our Haitian partners to support their initial emergency response. However, your generous donations are needed to provide the greatest level of support for the victims of this terrible disaster.

Your prayers and monetary support are needed. Here is how you can help.

The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ

The Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte
Executive Ministries
UCC Wider Church Ministries

P.S. If you or your congregation prefer to make your gifts off-line, please send checks to “Wider Church Ministries” and marked in the memo portion “OGHS – Haiti Earthquake Relief” to Wider Church Ministries, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115; or send through your respective Conference office.

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.

You are cordially invited to join us this Sunday for a very timely, important guest presentation:

Event: Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Where: Central Congregational Church
Time and Date: 9:15, this Sunday, November 29
Location: Fireplace Room

Come and participate, listen, ask questions on the health-care debate, currently unfolding in Congress.

We look forward to seeing you here, Sunday morning!

Faithfully,

Barbara Bayon, Sherry Nelson, Rob Schmidt, Senior Deacons
Reverend Rebecca Spencer

On Sunday, November 8, the Adult Choir will sing an excerpt from “As the Leaves Fall” by Harold Darke.  We do this annually at Central except for last year when the organ was out for restoration and it wouldn’t have been musically feasible on the piano.

This is one of a few specific anthems we do at Central for which many in the congregation ask by name and look forward to each year.  “The Palms” on Palm Sunday is another.

We commemorate the loss of life among our veterans in this country on Veteran’s Day.  In the Church of England, they observe Remembrance Day on the second Sunday in November.  We present “As the Leaves Fall” at this time of year with its timely appropriate text and obvious metaphor in the seasonal falling of autumn leaves.

The text comes from a poem by Lieutenant Joseph Courtney who served in the English military.  World War I losses of life in England numbered well over 300,000, and the country’s collective mourning weighed heavily in those times and still today.  The author wrote this poem expressing that sorrow, but also the hope that we draw from our faith.

In the text, St. Michael, the patron saint of the military, summons his legion of angels to sweep up the fallen like leaves on an “unseen wind” to the throne of God, where Christ himself appears to raise them to new and eternal life.  The music poignantly paints these images, leading to a glorious culmination where the choir sings “there is no death.”

As Choirmaster for fifty years at St. Michael’s church in London, composer Harold Darke (1888-1976) likely knew well the church’s patron saint  and his iconic pageantry and legendry.  In addition to his distinguished choir service there he began the oldest and longest-running series of lunchtime recitals that continue even today, and served as interim Director of Music at Kings College, Cambridge, during World War II when its director Boris Ord was called to military service.

During the prelude to our Thanksgiving Festival Worship on Sunday, November 22, you will hear another of Darke’s works, “The Sower,” a harvest cantata.

This ten-year “vision” for Central Congregational Church was prepared to help us make sound decisions as we build on the progress that has made our church such a significant spiritual force in the lives of our vibrant and growing congregation. It is the product of almost three score of our members, who looked at the challenges facing us across the spectrum of our activities: mission, membership, plant and property and finance. Most of the issues and many of the preliminary conclusions that we presented in the interim report last June stood the test of re-examination , and we have attempted to answer the questions raised in the initial report. Some of the ideas we present are large, some not so large; but we deem every one worthy of your consideration as you think about our future.

Download a PDF of the full 10 Year Vision Plan