CentralNEWS/October 2010

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 9 296 Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906 401-331-1960

FROM YOUR SENIOR MINISTER

Dear Friends,

Having spent some time in the Pacific Northwest this past summer, and seen some mighty redwoods there again, this passage from author Hope Edelman came to mind when I was thinking about the change of seasons, the start of new school years for our children, and how quickly the year seems to be flying by.  Our fast paced world leaves little opportunity to reflect on our pasts, and this piece, titled “Motherless Daughters” spoke to me of how much we can learn from those who go before us, and of  how we are important to those who follow us.

“In the redwood ecosystem, all seeds are contained in pods called burls, tough brown clumps that grow where the mother tree’s trunk and root system meet.  When the mother tree is logged, blown over, or destroyed by fire – when, in other words, she dies – the trauma stimulates the burls’ growth hormones.  The seeds release, and trees sprout around the big tree, creating the circle of smaller trees.  These grow by absorbing the sunlight their mother cedes to them when she dies.  And they get the moisture and nutrients they need from her root system, which remains intact underground even after her leaves die.  Although the new trees exist independently of the former tree above ground, they continue to draw sustenance from her underneath.

“I am fooling only myself when I say my mother exists now only in the photograph on my bulletin board or in the outline of my hand or in the armful of memories I still hold tight.  She lives on beneath everything I do.  Her presence influenced who I was, and her absence influences who I am.  Our lives are shaped as much by those who leave us as they are by those who stay.  Loss is our legacy.  Insight is our gift.  Memory is our guide.”

It is hard to believe as I write this on  a gorgeous day that tomorrow is the first day of fall.  And as we look forward to that season, may we find insight from those who have left us as well as those who are with us now.  May we learn from our pasts to find new peace in the tomorrows we will live into.

May we resolve to grow where we are planted, find sustenance for ourselves and for those who we love, and leave this world a better place for us having been rooted for a time here.

Happy autumn days to all,

Rebecca

Our prayers and sympathy are with the family and friends of Hope M. Sorrentino who died September 10, 2010.  A Memorial Service was held at Swan Point Cemetery on September 15.

May God’s comfort surround all those who mourn.

New Members

New Member Orientation*

Tuesday, October 26

Faith Exploration*

Wednesday, November 3

New Member Sunday

November 7

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

Baptism

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

Children’s Sabbath          October 17, 2010

Sunday after Epiphany    January 9, 2011

Sunday after Easter          May 1, 2011

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

From  Kat

What a great start to the year! Thank you to all of you who came to serve at our 2010 church-wide Mission Day! Thank you also to those of you who have been attending the morning series on Global Mission. Mary Hazeltine and I will continue exploring what it means to be a Global Mission Church Sundays at 9AM through Oct. 17.

September kicked off the youth group year with lots of energy and enthusiasm. We enjoyed a barbeque together, painted the youth room, enjoyed “hang time,” and met to plan activities for the rest of the Fall. This October, we look forward to apple picking, rock climbing, sardines in the “haunted” basement, and many other activities. Updated calendars of events are posted in Chapel Hall and on the web site under “Youth.” Youth Confirmation for grades 9 and up will also begin this month!

In addition, this year, we’ll be hosting an Adult Confirmation program, starting Monday, Oct. 18. The program is for all adults wishing to journey deeper in faith and learn more about the Bible, Christian history, other faith traditions, the church, and the United Church of Christ. The program is open both to confirmed and unconfirmed adults and will meet Mondays, Oct. 18 – May 15 from 5-6PM during the children’s choir rehearsal.

I am thankful for all of your gifts of wisdom, faith, and presence, and I am looking forward to an active and Spirit-filled Fall!

Many blessings,

Kat

Muhammad’s Story

Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet

CCC Adult Sunday School

Beginning October 24 at 9 a.m.

Fireplace Room

All are welcome as we begin to explore the beginnings of Islam through the story of the 7th century prophet who changed world history in only 23 years!  Muhammad’s story continues to shape the lives of over 1.2 billion people today–7 million alone here in the United States.  This documentary took 3 years to make, and it will take us not only to the ancient Middle East, but also to the homes, mosques and workplaces of our Islamic neighbors here in our own country.  This is a thought-provoking and important work, and a good beginning to Central’s exploration of Islam!  Questions?  Call Claudia at 331-1960.

From Claudia

This month will be the beginning of our educational foray into varied aspects of Islam including its beliefs and practices.  In these tumultuous times the question of what we are to believe about Islam, as well as our own Christian faith in the light of Islam’s claims, is a valid question.  As we embark on this process of learning, I am reminded of the words of the educational reformer John Dewey who said, “Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.”

On October 24, Central’s adult Sunday School will enter into such an educational “life” as we consider the story of Muhammad and the founding of Islam.  Join us at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the Fireplace Room as we begin to contemplate how basic Christian and Muslim beliefs may intersect, as well as how they may differ.

Toward the end of this month the Food for Thought reading group will be discussing an extraordinary book called The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan.  Through our discussion we will begin to explore some of the ways that religious beliefs have played out in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.  I hope many of you will read this book and come to Jan Anderson’s house on October 21 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss it.

Then, after church on October 31 Frances Munro and I will be sharing photos and reflections on our recent trip to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Egypt.  While there we visited many different sites considered holy by Muslims, Christians, and Jews.  The Deacons of Central are kindly sponsoring us in this event with a soup and bread lunch.

In the coming months there will be many other opportunities to learn and to grow.  My hope is that you will take advantage of many, if not all, of them.  The philosopher Eric Hoffer (who always insisted he was “only” a longshoreman) once said, “In a time of drastic change it is the learner who inherits the future.  The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.”  It is not a stretch to say that we are living in such a time of change.  As we enter the future, may each one of us enter it grounded by contemplation of who we are as Christians, as well as learning to understand who our neighbors are.  Rather than being learn-ED, may we strive to be thoughtful learn-ERS!

Yours on the journey,

Claudia

Church School News

Church School is off and running–quite literally!–as we are blessed once again to hear the rumble of children’s feet as they tear up the stairs to their classrooms!   It’s great to be back together in the Church School wing again!!

We are so grateful for our creative and wonderful teachers for the fall unit:

GABRIEL’S GANG (pre-school)

Pamela O’Hara, Jen Cookke, Kathleen Hughes, and helper Emily Fitts

SHEPHERDS/PROPHETS (K – 1st gr.)

Diane Worthen-Hirsch, Nancy Jacobs, Lora Barlow, and helper Ben Frazer

STARGAZERS/DISCIPLES (2nd – 3rd gr.)

Amy Frazer and helpers Jia Wessen and Anna Tanalski

PEACEMAKERS (4th – 5th gr.)

Perry Buroker, Beth Cotter, and Jennie Newkirk

DREAM-MAKERS (6th – 8th gr.)

Cathy Clasper-Torch

Sundays to take note of in October:

Sunday, October 3rd — WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY –Rev. Claudia and some Deacons will be serving the Church School children and teachers communion during our Gathering Time.  This is a very special Sunday for us!

Sunday, October 10th – grades 2nd – 8th remain in worship for MISSION TRIP SUNDAY, presented by WORD Fellowship students.

The following two Sundays we will be working on our ‘saints’ posters in preparation for the procession on All SAINTS DAY (Nov. 7th)

Blessings & love,

Cathy Clasper-Torch, Dir. of Religious Education

RETREAT INTO READING

Monday, October 18

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

Join us for continued discussion of Messy Spirituality: God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People by Mike Yaconelli. This month we will discuss chapters 4, 5 & 6 in 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! Questions?  Call Claudia at 331-1960.

MUSIC AT CENTRAL

“Oh Be Joyful”

In the month of October our choirs will feature various settings of Psalm 100, which is often referred to by its Latin opening line “Jubilate Deo,” or in English “Oh Be Joyful in the Lord.”

The words of the traditional English translation regularly are used in worship in liturgical churches. In fact, here at Central the setting of the Jubilate Deo in our hymnal was sung weekly in worship from1973-1991.

Compare and contrast settings you will hear in worship by Benjamin Britten, Fred Gramann, Robert Roth, John Rutter, and William Walton in this joyful song of praise to God.

All Saints Band

On Sunday, November 7, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday with a procession to “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In” performed with the Central Band!

If you play an instrument and would like to participate, please join us!  Skill levels ranging from being able to play the melody only to professional musicians are welcome.  We will rehearse at 10 a.m. in the church before worship.  Please let Patrick Aiken know if you are interested and we will get you the music.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Thursday, October 21

7:00-8:30 p.m. at Janet Anderson’s

As part of Claudia’s doctoral project we will be discussing a remarkable book by Sandy Tolan called The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East.  This book is particularly timely in light of the resumption of Israeli/Palestinian peace talks taking place.

“What began with a simple act of faith between two young people grew into a dialogue of four decades that represents the region’s hope for peace and self-determination.  Written with grace and compassion, The Lemon Tree is a reminder of all that is at stake, and all that is still possible.”

Enjoy reading aloud?

Enjoy looking at friendly faces?

Join us as a scripture reader

for Sunday service.

Contact Judy Jamieson, 421-0782,

jjamiesn@providence.edu

THE REV. DR. JAMES A. FORBES JR.

Darrell West Lecture Series

Saturday, November 20 at 6 p.m.

The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. is Senior Minister of The Riverside Church and President of the Healing of the Nations Foundation. Forbes was the first African-American to serve as Senior Minister of this multicultural congregation. He is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches and the Original United Holy Church of America.

In national and international religious circles, Dr. Forbes is known as the preacher’s preacher because of his extensive preaching career and his charismatic style. In their March 4, 1996 issue, Newsweek magazine recognized Forbes as one of the 12 “most effective” preachers in the English-speaking world.

Dr. Forbes learned to preach and pastor in the parish. He has led numerous workshops, retreats, and conferences for the national Council of Churches of Christ USA, the National Association of Campus Ministry, the American Baptist Churches, The United Church of Christ, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Episcopal Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church. (USA). His sermons are aired weekly on WLTV 106.7 FM in New York City.

Calling all Shepherds!

Are you looking for a way to be more involved with the Church, but don’t have a lot of free time? Would you like to be a guide and mentor to new members of the Congregation? Great! The Membership Committee invites you to join us in the Fireplace Room for a Shepherd orientation session from 9:30-10:15 am, Sunday, October 24 to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of this important connection to our new members. Shepherds ensure that new members have someone looking out for them in their first weeks and months of membership at the Church by befriending them, staying in contact with them during the first year of membership, and helping them to find ways to participate in the life of the Church. It’s a great way to stay in touch with new members but not a very great time commitment, and you’ll find your own faith journey enriched in the process. Please join us for this short but informative session on October 24. Those who are currently serving as Shepherds are encouraged to attend as well. If you cannot attend, Paul Barlow can provide additional information (334-8363).

Attention all poets and storytellers!

The Poets Page needs poems and stories on the following topic:

“A Place I Love”

It is time to let your imagination fly high!

Please respond to IlseKramer@aol.com

For publication we would also need a very brief bio and an author photo.

New Orleans Mission Trip!!!

Last month marked the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Between the devastation of Katrina and the BP oil spill, sometimes it seems that New Orleans and the Gulf just can’t catch a break, doesn’t it? A group from Central will be in New Orleans from October 10-16 rebuilding homes for our brothers and sisters who have seemingly had more than their fair share of suffering.

If you cannot physically join us, please consider being a sponsor of this important work. Any amount will help rebuild lives by sending OUR members to NOLA. All donations will be gratefully received by those who have made getting the people of NOLA back on their feet their personal mission.

When we were there last October, person after person said the same thing to us, “God bless you for coming to help us.  Please don’t forget us. . .”

Questions? Call Claudia (331-1960)

RELIGIOUS VALUES AND POLITICAL DECISIONS

A forum co-sponsored with us by Temple Beth-El and St. Martins Church

Tuesday, October 12 at 7 p.m.

Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Street

The panel will include:

M. Charles Bakst, Retired Political Columnist for the Providence Journal

Scott McKay, Political Analyst for National Public Radio

Professor Coleen Murphy, of Roger Williams Law School- a specialist on how religious language affects Presidential elections

The Reverend Bernard A. Healey, Chief Lobbyist to the RI General Assembly for the Catholic Diocese

THE DEACONS’ BENCH

Earlier this summer, I received a large envelope in the mail etched with my sister’s perfect handwriting. I was not expecting a package, but knew to take my time, and not open it until I had a few moments to process its contents. Little did I know, a few moments would not be enough.

Almost three years ago I lost my mom, and discovered that there is never enough time. She left too soon, with six grown children and 10 grandchildren. I thought it unfair that my mom—who loved being a mom and relished being a grandmother—would never get to attend any grandchild’s college graduation, or wedding, or celebrate the birth of even one great-grandchild. And yet, in ways small and large, she continues to be here with all of us, each and every day.

My sister has the painstaking job of handling mom’s estate, and she works through the belongings meticulously, thoughtfully considering the right placement of every artifact of my mother’s life. And anyone who has ever lost someone significant knows, we truly don’t know what that person has held onto—until someone has the difficult job that my sister is doing remarkably well.

The envelopes from my sister arrived quietly, each one holds new treasure. Some have birthday cards that I sent years ago, vacation photos, and documents like my Baptism certificate. I gratefully learn something new inside each one. This time, there is a carefully handwritten note from my sister: “Dear Sandi, Enjoy this wonderful collection of cards sent in celebration of your birth! Take care, love, Nancy.”

I am stunned to discover that twenty cards were sent to my parents—and by extension, to me—in 1965 when I was born, the youngest of six children.

For you and baby

Congratulations

How wonderful for you!

You must be proud!

A prayer on the birth of your baby girl!

Best wishes. . .

I paused awhile on the card I found in my Nana’s handwriting—such a gift, twenty five years after her death, sitting in my hands was her love for me. I found one from her sister, my great aunt, and another from an aunt and uncle. But most of the wishes came from names I did not recognize, strangers shouting for joy at the notion of my birth. I read every word and wish, so grateful to my mom and my sister for their thoughtfulness and love.

As I sifted through images of pink ribbons and rattles, bunnies and lambs, and smiling baby girls, I kept thinking about the meaning of a line from a poem called the Optimists Creed: “I promise to live in faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.”

At the moment in time when these cards were sent, truly the whole world was on my side.

People who are known and unknown to me were happy that I was born. They were rooting for me, rooting for my family, sending cards and gifts, maybe even meals and other forms of help.

We all have days when we may not think anyone is on our side. We might miss a loved one, lose a job, get hurt, feel sick or face some other injustice. My little stack of cards is a good reminder that on any given day, there is someone rooting for us, somewhere. We don’t always know who, or where, or when. Perhaps someone we sit next to in church quietly prays for us, or a coworker sees our struggle and wishes us well, maybe someone stands up for us. And as Christians, we know that Jesus is on our side, every day: no matter what, he’s rooting for us.

In a recent church bulletin, these words reminded me again to strive to be my best self—

Not for my own good—but for the good of those who support me, even when I am not aware of their presence: “When we are discouraged …we are unable to be signs of joy or hope or good news. Forgive us and heal us, and give us grace to be earthly reminders of our love. Amen.”

-Sandi Seltzer

Stewardship Message

We Are Family

To the church of God that is in Corinth. . . together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- I Corinthians 1:1-7

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, our partner church in Mozambique sent a financial contribution to the UCC to help the people affected by the flooding. You see the people there knew about floods and the damage they could do, and they understood that we are one family in Christ. So, despite the limited resources of their churches, they wanted to send whatever help they could.

The first Sunday of October is World Communion Sunday. The third Sunday in October is Children’s Sabbath and the fourth falls this year on United Nations Day. This whole month reminds us that we are not alone in our individual congregations, nor are we alone as American Christians. We are part of a family that, from its very beginnings, included people of many nations, ethnicities and languages. The apostle Paul regularly reminded the churches of their connections with other churches, and he also asked them for financial contributions to help the struggling mother church Jerusalem.

All of us are one in Christ Jesus. We learn from one another, we rejoice with one another and we mourn with one another. We share our resources of imagination, of skills, of time, and of money with one another across the worldwide Christian community. Thanks be to God for our family in Christ!

(Written by Rochelle A. Stackhouse, Senior Minister of the Church of the Redeemer, UCC, New Haven, Ct)

A Letter From the Past

Bill Claflin has shared with us this letter from a scrapbook kept by Eunice’s father, Herbert Newell Couch. Herbert Couch was a professor of Classics at Brown University for many years was the Chair of the Classics Department. He was a Deacon at Central Church.

One page in the scrapbook was given to a letter from Helen Hogan Coome, our church organist in the 1920s, who married an Englishman (Mr. Coome) and went to live with him in London. They lived through the terrible bombing of that city in WWII; and she became involved in relief work, helping those whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed. In this work, she was warmly supported by the congregation at Central.

As a token of appreciation, she commissioned the Pendant in our Sanctuary by a London artist, and this letter tells the story. Helen Hogan Coome died in 1948, just a week before the window was dedicated.

Dear People of the Church,

The Pendant is on its way to you at last. It was my serious intention to come to you at the end of the war and bring it myself. Certain reasons, however, have made this impossible up to the present, and I do not want to keep it away from you any longer.

I have already told you about it in a letter long ago: during the attacks on London an artist of great reputation was willing to do it at a time when people were not building stained glass windows and a great many London churches were destroyed and being brought down in ruins. Nothing was coming into his studio and this little Pendant seemed to start up his work again. It is all about our church and commemorates its ministration. I am sending a description of its symbolic design, as it seems to me.

The project came to me one day when calling at the Royal Academy of Music to see the Principal, Sir Stanley Marchant, about the Fund’s relief work and he told me what difficulties artists were having because of the bombing. He showed me a Pendant of stained glass which Leonard Walker, R. I., had made for him. It incorporated the dome and certain features of St. Paul’s Cathedral, of which Sir Stanley was for years the organist, and it still the emeritus. I thought how fitting it would be if such a beautiful thing could be done for our church in Providence—its Spiritual Life: Dr. Bradford, its head: and its people: and at the same time help those who were victims of the war here. It was done. There is the copper dome, the two towers, a star of Bethlehem, the holly for Christmas, the altar, the candlesticks and the candles lighted by your faith which keep brightly burning: near the altar are the lilies of Easter and at the centre is the Cross of Christ, itself the Glory of the Church.  There is a stream falling from Heaven to earth, which is symbolic of the verses of the last chapter of Revelation and the words at the foot of the Pendant—‘And whosoever will, let him take the water of Life freely’.

Our church has been, and is, one which brings into its fold those who are in need of Spiritual Life—consolation and refreshment. It still leads me towards the higher life in its spiritual progress.

As the artist continued the work, he consulted me in every detail so that which is included is the church as I see it. On either side are two coats of arms: one of Yale University where Dr. Bradford graduated and the other that of the Union Theological Seminary where he received his professional training for the Ministry. Dr. Bradford’s initials are on the right hand side of the

Pendant—A. H. B.

There is something you will see when the sun is behind it; I saw it first at the artist’s studio about mid afternoon. Here, at our house, the sun was behind it about sunset time; then, about 26 stars show through the glass, and on the Cross the artist has arranged certain levels of glass where the Head, Hands, and Feet were and which in that light shine like bright jewels. At that time of the day our Church looks to me as ‘the new Jerusalem, descending from Heaven’ in Revelation.

I send my love to you and hope that the stained glass window will give you joy in your hearts as it has done in mine and in the hearts of those who have seen it here.

Most sincerely,

Helen Hogan Coome   (8th December, 1947)

Soup and Bread Luncheon

Sunday, October 31, 2010

11:45 a.m. in Chapel Hall

“Pilgrimage to the place of the wise is to find escape from the flame of separateness.”

(Jalal al-Din Rumi, Persian poet and mystic, 1207-1273)

The Deacons will be sponsoring an after church soup and bread luncheon so that Claudia and Frances Munro can share some photos and commentary during lunch about their recent “pilgrimage.”  In April, Frances and Claudia traveled to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Egypt visiting many sites considered holy by Muslims, Jews, and Christians.  Come and hear their thoughts about this amazing experience!

Art Supplies Needed!

The Religious Education Committee of Central is sponsoring a drive for new art supplies for the Islamic School of RI.  This school suffered terribly in the spring floods with chest-deep water on the first floor.

Let’s help our neighbors by collecting art supplies for the children who range from Kindergarten through eighth grade.  Please bring in items like colored paper, drawing paper, tissue or other “specialty” papers, markers, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, and paints or other art supplies.  There will be a box to collect supplies on the stage in Chapel Hall. Questions?  Call Claudia at 331-1960.