Central News
April 2021
From Rebecca
Dear Friends,
Easter would break your heart, if your heart weren’t already broken.
Which is why the cynic, the atheist, the pessimist, all of them, cannot touch Easter.
Easter is, quite simply, out of their league. Out of all the brokenness on every bare hilltop and from every broken heart, Easter rises.
Just where the cynic, the atheist, the pessimist thought they had won, proved their point, had the last word, put promises to be kept forever away — there on that hill where losers lose, in that heart that felt it would never mend — there God kept the promise that God had made at time’s cradle.
Time has grown old for us in this past year of pandemic and polarization, division and sorrows. But in Easter daybreak, the old who are wise connect with the young who are innocent. We say, “He is risen.” And we answer, “The Lord is risen indeed.”
It is as if all in the world want to connect — birds of the air, fish of the sea, 2 and 4-footed creatures all above, beyond, and below — and we remember promises kept and the Life that keeps them.
The Lord is risen! Happy Easter.
Yours in Christ,
Rebecca
Music for Holy Week and Easter
This year as we return to in-person worship, we anticipate some of the inspiring music for
Easter.
While our choirs cannot yet gather to sing, we still will feature them virtually at Easter, along with live brass, and our section leaders singing throughout, so there will be no shortage of musical excitement.
On Palm Sunday we once again hear a congregational favorite “The Palms,” of Jean Baptiste Faure, not to be confused with his more famous contemporary Gabriel Fauré! We will present a movement of Stabat Mater of Pergolesi (see Good Friday below) sung by two basses.
Maundy Thursday brings us unaccompanied music including “O Vos Omnes” of Victoria, as well as the verses of Ah Holy Jesus sung in response to the scripture readings.
This year for our annual Good Friday music presentation, our two soprano section leaders will sing the “Stabat Mater” of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. This traditional text describes the suffering of Mary at the foot of the cross, and her deep devotion in sharing in Christ’s passion.
Beautifully setting the text in duets and solos with crisscrossing baroque harmonies, Pergolesi vividly expresses such deep feeling and emotion that can draw us all in the same spirit of Mary.
At Easter we hear an instrumental prelude with brass and organ, followed by hymns and anthems sung by our section leaders accompanied again by brass and organ, with our whole choir featured virtually at the offertory anthem “Light’s Glittering Morn Bedecks the Skies” by 19th Century New England composer and organist Horatio Parker.
Finally, on Sunday, April 11, we once again present our traditional service of Easter Lessons and Carols with familiar spirituals, hymns, and other anthems sung by our section leaders, alternating with scripture in a stirring retelling of the resurrection story.
We hope you will join us as we journey from Calvary to Resurrection at Central.
– Patrick Aiken
The Deacon’s Bench
With New Beginnings, New Perspectives:
“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
This is an often-invoked inspirational quote; A simple truth; A choice.
And wouldn’t life be wonderfully simple if situations always came with binary options?
And wouldn’t it be grand if those binary situations all had such obvious “right” choices?
But that’s not the life God created us to experience. God usually challenges us with situations which present many possible responses; and there is seldom one obvious correct choice.
In our example above, one could sit with the darkness for a while. Perhaps our eyes have been created such that they adjust to changing light, and we will be able to see a bit better if we just exercise some patience.
Or perhaps God wants us to hone our other senses and learn to function and navigate without our eyesight. Perhaps we’re being given the gift of challenge so that we can grow and learn.
In fact, as I write this and try to come up with other examples of truly binary choices in our lives, I struggle to find one. This is because those examples always come with my own bias of the choices. At first consideration, I quickly and easily find “the right answer”. But then I realize many people have made the other choice – the “wrong” choice…
Do I steal that car? Do I steal that food?
Do I sell illegal drugs? Do I knowingly sell defective products?
Do I embellish on my taxes?
Do I intervene in that altercation?
Do I eat the forbidden fruit of that tree?
For me, there are obviously right and wrong answers. But I then consider why people make the “wrong” choices. In fact, I must also acknowledge past situations where I, myself, knew the right answer and STILL made the wrong choice.
So many factors can drive the choices people make:
Have they been raised and educated with the same culture and values that I have?
Do they feel oppressed or discarded or victimized?
Are they hungry, or desperate?
Are they afraid?
No, God doesn’t make life’s choices easy. But God did bless us with all of the gifts we need to make those choices. We, unlike any other species, can think critically. We can analyze and evaluate. We can logically assume future results based on past experiences. We have a conscience. In fact, we are immensely blessed with God’s challenges, because we are blessed with solutions. But we are also blessed with free will (remember the forbidden fruit?).
So, in this Easter season, as I look forward to new blossoms and brighter days, I also look forward to the choices. I will try to be grateful for the challenges as well as the gifts – for just as the darkness allows us to appreciate the blessing of light, so too do our dark days and difficulties help us see God’s gifts in the brighter times.
Dear God, thank you for the gifts which make us so unique. Thank you for the trust you offer, that we will use your gifts and make good choices. We ask that you guide us and inspire us to use those gifts more consistently, to “honor the better angels of our nature”, and to look forward to a better and more loving world by making better and more loving choices. May we choose to seek God’s Grace and Love each day.
– Bill Connors
Help Amos House
Whether personal care items, food, or a pair of winter gloves, your in-kind donation makes a difference. Please note that in-kind donations are only accepted Monday through Friday, by appointment. Please contact the Amos House office at 401-272-0220 to schedule a drop off day that works best for you.
You Are Safe at Central
Central’s Regathering Task Force is on hand every Sunday during Worship to ensure we follow state safety guidelines. We are contact tracing, checking temperatures, and asking worshippers to double-mask. (We have extra masks available, if you need one). Also, we are keeping some doors open to improve ventilation. So please dress warmly!
Seeking a Church Home?
If you’re looking for a church – or know someone who is – we’d love to talk with you about it at our Inquirers’ Meeting. It’s very informal. You’ll meet with our senior minister, Rebecca Spencer, and others like you who think Central may be the right church home. No commitment necessary. To join us, fill out a pew card during Sunday Worship or phone the office at 401-331-1960, and Rebecca will get in touch.
Inquirers’ Meeting
Wednesday, April 21, 7 pm
Faith Exploration
Tuesday, April 27, 7 pm
New Member Sunday: May 2
Hallelujah Chorus
After our worship on Easter Day, join us on the West Lawn for an informal “Hallelujah Chorus” sing along! Weather permitting.
From Claudia
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed. Our Easter worship opens with these words and all the layers of meaning they hold for us as followers of Christ. The hope and promise of God’s redemption through Jesus Christ can never be proclaimed too often. We are truly an Easter people serving our risen Savior. The darkness of the cross is stripped away in the light of Easter. That is what we proclaim as we light the Christ candle at the Easter Vigil to usher in the dawning of our Easter celebrations of resurrection and life.
John O’Donohue wrote, “On this Easter morning, let us look again at the lives we have been so generously given and let us let fall away the useless baggage that we carry—old pains, old habits, old ways of seeing and feeling—and let us have the courage to begin again. Life is very short, and we are no sooner here than it is time to depart again, and we should use to the full the time that we still have.”
We have been through a dark time this past year, but also a time that was illuminated by the light of Christ in so many different ways. Again and again we heard of the many gifts of support and encouragement people extended to one another by reaching out to those who needed light in their lives. And those stories were and are bright spots in our human existence.
O’Donohue continues, “We don’t realize all the good we can do. A kind, encouraging word or helping hand can bring many a person through dark valleys in their lives. We weren’t put here to make money or to acquire status or reputation. We were sent here to search for the light of Easter in our hearts, and when we find it we are meant to give it away generously.”
May this Easter season light our hearts and bring us generous joy and love for those who walk this world with us. In the recognition of God’s most amazing gift of new life may we turn toward Christ’s light and may we lift it high for those around us. And, may we witness to the great good news of the joyful new life and peace that comes from knowing that the darkness does not prevail!
In Easter love and joy.
– Claudia
Reflections
From time to time, I hope you are able to reflect on the many good experiences that you have had at Central Church. Maybe it was a sermon or a Bible study, a piece of music the choir sang, making sandwiches for Crossroads on Sunday morning, serving breakfast at Amos House or dropping off food at Camp Street Ministries, etc. Many of your experiences come from being on one or more of the committees at Central Church.
Every year, at this time, we fill openings on Central committees. We invite you to become a committee member or just be friend to the committee and help out when needed or when you are available. For example, ways to lend a hand might be helping the Flower committee deliver flowers, helping Mission & Action plan an event or helping the Social Committee with preparations for a church event.
Our new slate of committee members and friends will be officially approved at our church annual meeting. We do hope that you will consider joining our efforts at outreach and other important tasks which support the vital life of our Central Church community. We hope to hear from you about your interest.
– Barry Bayon
Chair of Nominating Committee
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing special mission offering of the UCC involves you in disaster, refugee/immigration, and development ministries throughout the world. When a disaster strikes or people are displaced or made refugees by violence or extreme poverty, you are part of the immediate response and of the long-term recovery.
Through OGHS you engage in holistic development programs including health care, education, agriculture, food sustainability, micro-financing and women’s empowerment. Because the UCC relates in mutual partnership to churches and organizations through Global Ministries and worldwide response & recovery networks, your contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing put you in the right place at the right time for the relief.
Please consider making a donation to this great cause.
Task Force Update for Holy Week
The requirements for double masking and social distancing will remain in effect for all of the in-person services. The cloth mask should be worn on the outside, with the paper mask underneath.
Worshippers will be screened and admitted through the center doors on Angell Street and through the Diman Place entrance and the coatroom. For Palm Sunday and Easter services, parents may take children through 5th grade directly to the Fireplace Room or the nursery.
The State-imposed restriction on the total number of worshippers at any single service remains in effect and we will abide by it. Taking into account the 40% limit for places of worship and the spacing required, the maximum number of worshippers in the sanctuary will be in the range of 250, allowing for family units to sit together in pews designated for a lower number of unrelated individual worshippers. Congregants are advised to arrive early on Palm Sunday and on Easter, as seating will be on a first-come, first-seated basis. Attendees over the maximum number for the sanctuary will be directed to the overflow seating area in Chapel Hall. If the weather permits, chairs may also be set up on the West Lawn for extra seating.
Worshippers will now be permitted to speak unison prayers quietly, through their masks. Please stay seated during the hymns, which will be offered by our section leaders, as there can still be no congregational singing.
Congregants are reminded to bring their offerings for One Great Hour of Sharing to the Palm Sunday service. Ushers will now collect this special offering as well as our weekly offerings pew by pew. Worshippers are asked to use the hand sanitizer in each pew before and after passing the plate.
At the end of the service, ushers will dismiss the congregation, row by row, to avoid crowding at the exits. The congregation is requested to leave the Bulletins in the pews on Palm Sunday and the other services leading up to Easter.
We look forward to seeing you in church this Holy Week.
– Frances Munro
Ushers for Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday – March 28, 2021
Task Force Members
Bill Connors
Staci Fischer, MD
Mary Marran
Charles Rardin, MD
Ushers
Kazeem Balogun
Jeff Baran
Tracy Baran
Amy Frazer
Larry Kellam
Elizabeth Roberts
Peter Woodberry
Assistant Head Ushers
Kwaku Annan
Beth Cotter
D.B. Hebb
Bill Iuliano
Debra Moorhead
Maundy Thursday – April 1, 2021
Task Force Members
Bill Connors
Staci Fischer, MD
Assistant Head Ushers
D. B. Hebb
Debra Moorhead
Good Friday – April 2, 2021
Assistant Head Ushers
Bill Iuliano
Saturday Vigil – April 3, 2021
Head Ushers
Frances Munro
Easter Sunday – April 4, 2021
Task Force Members
Bill Connors
Staci Fischer, MD
Mary Marran
Charles Rardin, MD
Sharon Rounds, MD
Ushers
Kazeem Balogun
Jeff Baran
Tracy Baran
John Chaney
Amy Frazer
Elizabeth Roberts
Peter Woodberry
Assistant Head Ushers
Kwaku Annan
Beth Cotter
D.B. Hebb
Bill Iuliano
For all Holy Week Services
Head Usher: Frances Munro
Sound: JimSilverthorn
Re-Imagining Chapel Hall
Sunday, April 25th, 2021, will mark three years since the community breakfast in Chapel Hall launched the strategic planning process known as “Growing Central for Tomorrow.” Involving every committee at Central, the process led to the exciting goal of “Re-Imagining Chapel Hall.” The capital campaign to make this shared vision come to fruition was approved by the congregation on January 26, 2020.
Little did we know that a global pandemic would immediately sweep over the country, keeping us all very close to home over the past year. It is great testimony to the intrepid team of Central experts who have worked with Centerbrook Design and its lead architect, Jim Childress, that the planning for this wonderful project – with the help of Zoom and the internet – never stopped!
And now, we are thrilled to invite you to “Re-Imagine Chapel Hall” for yourselves!
With every COVID safety protocol in place, you are invited to stroll through a one-way display in Chapel Hall to see the creative and inspired new vision for this 180-year-old Central community gathering space.
On Sunday, April 25th, just after worship, this brief walking tour around Chapel Hall will allow you to see the space as it is, and how it will look as a Re-Imagined resource. The presentation is designed to be fun, informative, safe, brief, and – inspiring!
The exhibition will remain in place for several weeks, to allow anyone to enjoy the experience at their convenience, and in isolation if you prefer. You may drop by Central when the office is open, and walk through the presentation at your convenience. We guarantee you will be inspired!
Please note: No coffee or refreshments will be served.
Campaign Steering Committee: Carol Barton, Caroline Considine, Doug Davis, Rob Edwards, John Peters, Curt Richardson, Temi Sonubi, Sheri Sweitzer, The Rev. Rebecca Spencer
Design Team: Barry Bayon, Bill Claflin, Caroline Considine, Steve Eustis, Warren Jagger, Elizabeth Roberts, Barbara Thornton, Tom Viall, The Rev. Rebecca Spencer.
The Food Bank Needs our Help
The Food Bank needs our help more than ever right now. This information is shared from a Food Bank Volunteer.
1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac & Cheese in the box. But it needs milk & butter which is hard to get from food banks.
2. Boxed Milk is a treasure. Kids need it for cereal, which they get a lot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce & spaghetti noodles.
4. Canned Foods should be Pop Tops OR donate Can Openers.
5. Oil is a luxury needed for Rice a Roni which they get a lot of.
6. Spices, Salt & Pepper are a real gift.
7. Tea bags & Coffee are caring gifts.
8. Sugar & Flour are treats.
9. Important are fresh produce donated by farmers & grocery stores.
10. Seeds are great in spring & summer because growing can be easy for some.
11. Rarely is there fresh meat.
12. Tuna & Crackers make a good lunch.
13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but NEED sandwich bread.
15. Butter or Margarine are good.
16. Eggs are a commodity!
17. Cake mix & Frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
18. Dishwashing Detergent is very expensive & is always appreciated.
19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury & women will cry over them.
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.
Rebecca’s Book Group
Take part in a lively discussion of “Lincoln on the Verge” by Ted Widmer. Contact Rebecca for the Zoom invitation. Thursday, April 22, 12:30 pm.
Adult Sunday School
Join us for conversation around some of Jesus’ parables as we listen through new ears to them and are challenged in new ways by Jesus’ provocative stories. Ask Claudia for the Zoom link. April 11 through May 2, from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Women’s Retreat Group
Gathering in community to pray and to check in every Saturday “until we no longer need to meet like this!” Ask Claudia for the Zoom link. Every Saturday from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Food For Thought Book Group
Discussion of this year’s Read Across Rhode Island book, Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. All are welcome. Ask Claudia for the Zoom link. Thursday, April 8 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Looking ahead: May 8—The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
Caring & Sharing
Connecting virtually and sharing where we are in our lives. All are welcome. Ask Claudia for the Zoom link. Thursday, April 15 from 7:00-8:30 pm.
Stewardship Update
The Stewardship Committee would like to thank the more than 130 members and friends of Central who
have submitted your pledge for the upcoming fiscal year beginning May 1st. As restrictions around the state begin to ease and things start to get back to normal, it is significant to reflect on the importance of Central in your life. It’s been a tough year. Central has given us all so much, it is more important than ever to pledge and invest in our church’s present and future.
If you haven’t yet made your pledge for the 2021/22 fiscal year, there is still time. You can mail or drop off your pledge card at the Church Office. Or, you can pledge electronically using the secure form on Central’s website (www.centralchurch.us). Simply click on “Give” and select the “Why Pledge” option.
Thank you for prayerfully considering what you can give to Central.
Jeff Baran & Alex Arnold
Co-Chairs Stewardship Committee
Church School News
It is wonderful to have church school in person once again. We have seen different faces each week and I am hoping and expecting that the number of children attending will grow. For those who are not yet ready or able to attend in person church school we are now offering an online class at 9:30 each Sunday.
During church school, we are splitting into two groups, the preschool and elementary children stay in the Fireplace Room while the middle school children move to Chapel Hall. We have decided to keep sibling groups together so there are fifth graders in both groups.
Throughout Lent our consistent theme has been “covenant”. This is a perfect focus for a UCC church as we are gathered together in covenant with one another and God. The children heard and discussed Bible stories where God made a covenant, first with Noah and then with Abraham. We looked at our response to God and saw how we can always be thankful because no matter what happens God will always love us.
We finished up the time before Holy Week discussing the promise in Jeremiah of a new covenant to come, one in which God’s ways will be written on everyone’s hearts. There will be no one who does not know of God.
After Easter the children will focus on serving others. We will be learning about and then educating others about One Egg Haiti. We will share ideas of how we can help others participate in this mission program. We will spend time discussing other ways we can make a difference in God’s world and sharing that with the congregation.
The church is blessed with a very bright and caring group of children. It is wonderful to see them helping one another and including everyone. It is a pleasure to work with them and the terrific teachers committed to the faith formation of our children.
– Judy
Confirmation
The confirmation class continues to meet approximately every other week. The confirmands are a group of very engaged, committed, and reflective youth. It is wonderful to see them connecting our discussions with what they are learning in school. This month we are finishing our regular discussion meetings. We will focus on the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Pentecost and the beginning of the church. It is hard to believe that our celebration of Pentecost and the confirmation of these youth is at the end of May.
NEOS and WORD
The youth fellowships are continuing to meet. Both are beginning to meet in person. The groups have been quite helpful with our special activities on Palm Sunday and Easter. In place of traveling to another part of the country for our usual mission trip, this month we are looking for places and programs in Southern New England where our older youth can share their skills and talents. This year we are planning a “stay-near-home” mission event where the church will be our home base and throughout the week we will work at different sites.
The usual mission trip will be resuming next summer.
EASTER EGG HUNT
Children in fifth grade and younger are invited to participate in an Easter egg hunt on Easter morning at 9:45 a.m. The egg hunt will take place on the West Lawn between Central and Hamilton House. If you have any questions please contact The Rev. Judy Martowska.
APRIL EVENTS
| 1 | Maundy Thursday Service | 7 pm |
| 2 | Good Friday Service | 12 noon |
| 3 | Easter Vigil | 7:30 pm |
| 4 | Egg Hunt | 9:45 am |
| Music Preludes | 10:10 am | |
| Easter Worship Service | 10:30 am | |
| Confirmation Class | 11:30 am | |
| 5 | Technology Committee | 7 pm |
| 6 | Office Staff Meeting | 1 pm |
| Spiritual Companionship | 6 pm | |
| 7 | Gallery Committee | 9:30 am |
| 8 | Nominating Committee | 5:30 pm |
| Food for Thought | 7 pm | |
| 10 | Women’s Retreat Group | 7 p.m. |
| 11 | Church School | 10:30 am |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Confirmation Class | 11:30 am | |
| Adult Sunday School | 6 pm | |
| 13 | Eastside Clergy Meeting | 11 am |
| Office Staff Meeting | 1 pm | |
| Deacon’s Meeting | 5:45 pm | |
| 10:30 am | ||
| 15 | Caring & Sharing | 7 pm |
| 17 | Women’s Retreat Group | 7 pm |
| 18 | Church School | 10:30 am |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Adult Sunday School | 6 pm | |
| 20 | Office Staff Meeting | 1 pm |
| Prudential Meeting | 7 pm | |
| 21 | Mission & Action | 6 pm |
| Inquirer’s Meeting | 7 pm | |
| 22 | Rebecca’s Book Group | 12:30 pm |
| 24 | Women’s Retreat Group | 7 pm |
| 25 | Church School | 10:30 am |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| NEOS | 11:30 am | |
| WORD | 2 pm |
| Adult Sunday School | 6 pm | |
| 27 | Office Staff Meeting | 1 pm |
| Faith Exploration | 7 pm |
| 28 | Trustees Meeting | 4 pm |