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Scouting roots grow deep at Central. Central is the sponsoring organization for Scouts BSA Troop 28, which offers young people adventure, camaraderie, and mentorship in character. The troop has a strong outdoors program – including camping, hiking, climbing, canoeing, and skiing – and offers a number of merit badges and skill-building sessions. Troop 28 is open, inclusive, respectful, and – during the school year – meets weekly in the Makepeace Room.
Help our new senior minister get to know our congregation! We’re collecting photos of every Central member for a new digital directory. If you have an up-to-date(-ish) headshot, email it to photos@centralchurch.us along with your full name. (No group or family photos.) Or, stop by the Membership Committee’s “photo booth” during Coffee Hour, and we’ll take one for you. Just be sure to smile for the camera!
Clergy and delegates of the Rhode Island Association are invited to the Fifth Annual Meeting at Barrington Congregational Church (461 County Road). Worship will begin at 2 pm, followed by a business meeting and time for fellowship. On the agenda: connection and worship among UCC clergy and churches and votes on the proposed 2024 budget as well as officers and members of the Executive Committee, Committee on Ministry, and Nominating Committee.
Tree Trimming at Central is back – for the first time since before the pandemic. This year’s event, organized by the Music Committee, is also a fundraiser to help buy new robes for the Central Congregational Church Choir. Handmade Scandinavian Star ornaments will be on sale for $15 to $50. Please stay after Worship, put on some reindeer antlers, and enjoy refreshments as we joyously decorate our Chapel Hall Christmas tree.
The Block Island Sound brass quintet will present a special Christmas concert at Central on the first Sunday of Advent. The ensemble – two trumpets, two trombones, and horn – will perform familiar carols, both resounding and contemplative, joined at the conclusion by Central’s magnificent Aeolian-Skinner organ! The suggested donation is $20, and proceeds benefit the church. Come, invite friends, and enjoy the sounds of Christmas.
On the first Sunday of Advent, morning worship will include a special service of Advent Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion. In scripture and in song, we will take a closer look at prophecies and harbingers of the coming of the Messiah as we read and sing about the years of longing preceding Christ’s birth. “Let every heart prepare Him room!”
The Religious Education Committee is publishing a Daily Advent Devotional, so each of us can take a moment every day to reflect together and foster our Central community during the four weeks leading up to Christ’s coming. The committee will provide a lectionary passage for each day of advent, and is asking Centralites to contribute short reflections, poems, songs, or artwork based on these passages. Please sign up in Chapel Hall!
Rebecca’s Book Group will discuss “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America,” by journalist / historian Steve Inskeep. This book explores the political acumen of Abraham Lincoln via 16 encounters before and during his presidency, bringing to light not only the strategy of a great politician who inherited a country divided, but lessons for our own disorderly present. Join us in the Fireplace Room.
At our Festival Service of Thanksgiving, on Nov. 19, the Flower Committee will decorate the chancel and communion table with mums, gourds, pumpkins, fruits, and vegetables. They hope to make the festivities more meaningful by displaying items grown or contributed by Central members and friends. To help, contact Marilyn Edwards or Margaret Gardner. Please deliver items to the coatroom and place them in the boxes provided by Monday, Nov. 13.
There are two ways to share Thanksgiving this year. 1) Deliver a frozen turkey to Central’s kitchen by Wednesday, Nov. 15, 12 noon. We’ll donate it to a local food bank or soup kitchen. 2) Share Thanksgiving dinner with other Central members and friends. If you have extra seats at your table or will be without family this year, contact the church office and we’ll do a little “matchmaking.”
