Central News
August 2020
Vol 28 No 11
From Rebecca
How I miss your presence, dear members and friends of Central! How we all miss each other’s voices, ideas, thoughts, smiles and laughter, handshakes and hugs, solidarity in days of sorrow, caring and compassion when the going gets rough. But even the COVID-19 pandemic, a pause that has changed so much of our lives as individuals and as a society, the amazing strength of the Central community is clear. You have risen to the challenges of the day with creativity, generosity, and graciousness. We have found ways, both large and small, to connect, to make another’s life a little better.
As I write this in late July after another steamy hot day, I think of the many small groups we host at Central, the many personal connections that thrive … each finding ways to pray together, to act together for the good of the whole, to uplift one another and support others, to challenge tired assumptions and find new ways to truly be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. Your generosity of time, talent, and treasure – and your commitment to the work and teaching of Jesus Christ in 2020 – makes Central a shining beacon for peace, justice, and compassion for all people. Central Congregational Church has stood on Angell Street as a witness for God’s love since the 1890s (prior to that, we were on Benefit Street beginning in 1852) and because of your faith, we are able to extend our witness in 2020 toward the future. The doors may have been closed for the past few months, but your hearts and minds have been open. Through so many individual acts of reaching out to others and as a community, we are making a difference. We are witnesses to profound love for ALL God’s children. The murder of George Floyd has been a catalyst for us all to find ways to work together so our lives truly reflect God’s love. The continuing progression of COVID-19 through the globe, the racial oppression we have witnessed and lived through and are working to eliminate, the grief for those who have died during the pandemic, and the economic concerns we share for those whose livelihoods are uncertain … these “threaten to undo us,” in the words of Martin Luther’s great hymn, “A MIghty Fortress is our God” based on Psalm 46. “But God’s truth abideth still, God’s kingdom is forever.”
Evil and sin exist still, in new and old forms of racism, white supremacy, prejudices, and oppression of all kinds. The pandemic has still to run its course and our country is almost paralyzed in polarization. But let us remember “We will not fear, for God hath willed God’s truth to triumph through us … The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth.” While sadly we cannot even heartily sing together these ringing words in worship now, due to the virus, we can soak in their truth in our hearts and minds and take courage from them. We have been given gifts of strength and generosity, gifts of insight and action. May we use all our gifts now and in the days to come to reflect God’s incredible love for us all.
Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find news of our Task Force’s preliminary planning to regather in the fall. Please be in touch if you have ideas, concerns, or questions. I look forward to “seeing” you, however that may happen, soon!
Yours in faith,
Rebecca
Regathering at Central
Many people have been wondering when and how Central Congregational Church will reopen. In actuality, the church has never been truly closed. Yes, we have been socially distanced, but we have always been spiritually connected. So when we are finally able to worship together in person, it will be a “regathering” rather than a reopening.
Our Task Force on Regathering is led by Frances Munro with the able assistance, ideas, and perspectives of Bill Connors, Dr. Staci Fischer, Mary Marran, Dr. Charley Rardin, and Dr. Sharon Rounds. They have been working with senior minister Rebecca Spenser throughout the past few months to create the best possible policies and procedures that will enable Central members and friends to worship together safely. These plans will not only ensure the health of all individuals and families, but also abide by Rhode Island’s rules and regulations. The goal, of course, is to move forward while continuing to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Details are still to come, but the Task Force foresees interesting changes for Central’s future gatherings.
One thing is certain: in-person worship during this pandemic will involve some risk. Individuals who live in multi-generational houses, those with compromised immune systems, and those who are older than 65 will want to discuss this with their families. Each one of us has a different level of risk tolerance, so it will not be a simple or easy decision. Members of the Task Force, as well as our ministers, are available to discuss any questions or concerns.
We thank you for your flexibility and your willingness to work with the Task Force as it navigates these challenges. As soon as regathering plans are finalized, we will send out detailed communications. We are eagerly looking forward to the fall when Central Congregational Church will worship together once again!
Global Ministries
Last year, Central donated $10,000 to support of the ministry of Monica and Tom Liddle, mission workers with Global Ministries. Today, their Godly work with the Protestant Church of East Timor continues – made possible by donations to Disciples Mission Fund and Our Church’s Wider Mission, as well as your special gifts.
The Rev. Tom Liddle develops pastoral leadership for rural congregations, preaching and organizing outreach ministries in health and education. Dr. Monica Liddle travels to remote areas, providing medical training and directing patient care.
It’s not fate, bad luck, or a shortage of money that prevents people of East Timor from receiving decent health care. This country invests less per capita than any other country in the world. The wealthy go abroad. For the rest, even basic medicines are often in short supply.
Still, the Liddles often feel they are barely able to scratch the surface of the work that needs to be done. Ultimately, what they offer is their presence and prayers, which in and of itself goes a long way.
Farewell, Tony
In June, our long-serving sexton Tony Medeiros offered his resignation, effective in July after his vacation. While we miss Tony, his good cheer and work ethic, his honesty and integrity, we understand his wish to find other employment – and appreciate the many years he tended to Central’s buildings and grounds. We wish Tony and his family all the best in this new chapter of his life.
Fortunately, we have found Joe MacNamara to fill in for Tony on a part-time basis during the summer months. If you see Joe while he is mowing, weeding, or cleaning, please welcome him!
In Memoriam
Our prayers and sympathy are with Bill Mott and his family on the death of his father, peter Mott.
Our prayers and sympathy are with the friends and family of Jack Schempp.
Our prayers and sympathy are with the friends and family of Ed Luciano.
Our prayers and sympathy are with the friends and family of Stanley Sorrentino.
Our prayers and sympathy are with the friends and family of Mary Moore.
Requiescat in pace.
Corona Archive
Since April, archivist John Chaney has been collecting written narratives, observations, and photographs from Central congregants about the effects of COVID-19 on their everyday lives – especially as members of a faith community. This is an opportunity not to be missed: to speak in first person to those who come after us, so they can better understand this pandemic. Your contribution is not just welcome, but needed. Please submit your materials to Lauren at lauren@centralchurch.us
Upcoming Lecture
Prerna Singh – Mahatma Gandhi Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Brown University’s Watson Institute and author of “How Solidarity Works for Welfare: Subnationalism and Social Development in India” – will speak at Central about India’s current religious and political climate. Details are still to come, but mark your calendar now. Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6 pm.
Ever Flowing Streams
Now that the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences have merged to form the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ (SNEUCC), you can stay up to date on SNEUCC justice and witness news via “Ever Flowing Streams,” a brief and sharply written weekly e-newsletter. To subscribe, go to www.sneucc.org/news and click on “Newsletters.”
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 phone the Office at 401-331-1960 and Rebecca will get in touch. We will be combining the usual spring membership meetings and luncheon with our fall gatherings.
Inquirers’ Meeting
Wednesday, October 21, 7 pm
Faith Exploration
Tuesday, October 27, 7 pm
New Member Sunday
November 1
From Claudia
In “Earth Prayers: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations from Around the World,” Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon share “Chinook Psalter,” a blessing:
May we today be touched by grace, fascinated and moved by your creation, energized by the power of new growth at work in your world.
May we move beyond viewing this life only through a frame, but touch it and be touched by it, know it and be known by it, love it and be loved by it.
May our bodies, our minds, our spirits, learn a new rhythm paced by the rhythmic pulse of the whole created order.
May spring come to us, be in us, and recreate life in us…
In June, I wrote about the dove in our arbor, sitting serenely in her nest even though her safety and that of her eggs were threatened. Here’s an update: The dove and her mate took turns sitting on the nest, and in due time the eggs hatched. The parents fed them faithfully; the two chicks grew and then fledged. New growth at work in God’s world!
The nest was empty, but the dove parents were still around, working on the nest, cooing each other on. Then they left and didn’t return … until a week ago. They resumed work on the nest, again with much cooing. As before, they are taking turns sitting on the nest.
We are touched by grace in so many different ways. There is a bounty in the growth all around us in a world that transcends much of our worries about the world. Doves still nest, crops still grow, and comets appear amidst the stars in the sky. The rhythm of life continues even though many of us have adapted to a new rhythm of work and living because of COVID-19. And, our creating and creative God continues to call us to new life and gives us the grace to live into it.
May it be so this day and always, dear friends! – Claudia
Youth Volunteers
Volunteers have always been the heart and soul of Central Congregational Church. Now, as we are actively searching for new directors of Religious Education and Youth Leadership, several church members have offered their time and talents to help “fill” these position until we have our new team in place.
Barbara and Barry Bayon, Claudia Demick, Caroline Patterson Inlow, and Larry Kellam have volunteered to create a strong Confirmation program for our ninth graders starting this fall. They will be reaching out to families and teens to begin planning a transitional Confirmation program that will ensure our rising high schoolers have a supportive plan in place for their Christian faith formation.
In addition, several Centralites have offered to help with other youth programs, as well as with our church school children. If you would like to support either or both of these efforts, please reach out to Rebecca.
Volunteers are also heading up our two search committees. Mark McLaughlin is spearheading our search for Religious Education Director; Larry Kellam, for Youth Leadership Director. Each position is part-time; however, we are also considering combining the two into one full-time position. Please contact Mark and Larry with your thoughts and recommendations.
Foster a Family
Hundreds of children in the state of Rhode Island are in need of loving, caring, stable families to support them – many with behavioral, developmental, emotional, and intellectual challenges and related special needs. Enter the Groden Center Treatment Foster Care program. Since 1993, this nonprofit program has provided a broad range of individualized services to meet the needs of children and adolescents with challenging emotional and behavioral issues – with the goal of developing family relationships, independent living skills, and community connections.
The program provides specialized training for prospective foster parents and ongoing support services that include behavior therapy, social skills training, medical and psychological care, and educational coordination. Together, foster parents and the Groden Center work on a plan towards permanency, preparation for adoption, or family reunification.
If you are interested in learning more about Groden Center Treatment Foster Care or becoming a licensed foster parent, contact Danna Spencer at dspencer@grodencenter.org or 401.274.6310, ext. 1429. Or, check out the website (https://grodennetwork.org/fostercare/) and take the “Foster Parent Orientation Self-Assessment Quiz.”
During this time of social distancing, many Central committees and groups are meeting via Zoom or GoToMeeting. To be notified about any of the following virtual meetings, contact Claudia.
Women’s Retreat Group
The women of Central are invited to gather in solidarity to pray and check in every Saturday – until we no longer need to meet like this! Saturdays throughout August, 7 pm
Summer Bible Study
It’s not too late to join Summer Bible Study as we go virtual. This year, we will take a look at the books of Nehemiah and Esther in the Hebrew Testament – learning how Nehemiah’s work for God prospers and how Esther wins a beauty contest and saves her people. A different topic each week. Week 1: Hearing and Doing. Week 2: The Diaspora. Week 3: Using Everyday Power to Do Good. Books are $3 each. Sundays August 2, 9, 16, 9:15 am
Great and Small
Your children or grandchildren – all ages through fifth grade – are invited to join in the fun and connect with their faith via Zoom. Contact Claudia. Sundays August 2, 9, 16, 10:45 am
Food For Thought Book Group
Join us for a lively discussion of “Faithful Place,” by Tana French. In this internationally bestselling crime novel, an Irish detective learns you can go home again, but would probably rather not. Thursday, Aug. 13, 7 pm
Caring and Sharing
Join women of all ages who come together in supportive fellowship and activities. This month, we are connecting virtually and sharing where we are in our lives. All are welcome. Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 pm
Rebecca’s Book Group
We’ll discuss “Rebel Cinderella: From Rags to Riches to Radical, the Epic Journey of Rose Pastor Stokes,” by best-selling author Adam Hochschild. This astonishing but forgotten true story tells of an immigrant sweatshop worker who married an heir to a great American fortune and became one of the most charismatic radical leaders of her time. Thursday, Aug. 27, 12:30 pm
August Events
Central’s virtual Worship services are broadcast on YouTube. All other meetings are held via Zoom or GoToMeeting unless otherwise indicated.
| August 1 | Women’s Retreat | 7 pm |
| August 2 | Summer Bible Study | 9:15 am |
| Worship | 10 am | |
| Great and Small | 10:45 am | |
| August 3 | Technology Committee | 7 pm |
| August 8 | Women’s Retreat | 7 pm |
| August 9 | Summer Bible Study | 9:15 am |
| Worship | 10 am | |
| Great and Small | 10:45 am | |
| August 11 | Regathering Task Force | 5:30 pm |
| Deacons Meeting | 5:45 pm | |
| August 13 | Food for Thought | 7 pm |
| August 15 | Women’s Retreat | 7 pm |
| August 16 | Summer Bible Study | 9:15 am |
| Worship | 10 am | |
| Great and Small | 10:45 am | |
| August 18 | Prudential Committee | 7 pm |
| August 20 | CCC Men’s Group | 7:30 am |
| Caring and Sharing | 7 pm | |
| August 22 | Women’s Retreat | 7 pm |
| August 23 | Worship | 10 am |
| August 27 | Rebecca’s Book Group | 12:30 pm |
| August 29 | Women’s Retreat | 7 pm |
| August 30 | Worship | 10 am |