Central News
January 2025 Vol. 33, No. 5
Download the PDF version of the January Newsletter
Join Us for Sunday Worship at 10:30 am!
A Good Word From Patrick
Hey folks! Happy New Year!
As a church, our new year technically began with the first week of Advent back in December. Either way you count it, new beginnings always carry hope. Whether we’re longing for the full presence of God to awaken in our lives or striving to cultivate habits that attune us to God’s presence, each New Year brings intention and promise.
Susannah and I arrived in Rhode Island just before last year’s first snowfall, on January 6. As the moving truck pulled away, snow started to fall. We rushed to stock up on essential groceries, bracing ourselves to be snowed in. Of course, we weren’t snowed in. By morning, the roads were plowed, the sidewalks salted, and life bustled on. That first full day in Rhode Island offered a glimpse into a different world – a stark contrast to southern winters, where green lingers, bulbs push through the ground in January, and a walk outside requires nothing more than a sweatshirt. Adjusting to a new church, a new denomination, a new city, and a new climate brought challenges but also a refreshing sense of wonder.
Change often surprises us that way. Sometimes, it rushes in before we’ve grasped its full implications, and we adapt as we go. Other times, change comes slowly, with exhaustive planning. Either way, it demands humor and humility.
I hope I never lose my wonder at snow softening the landscape. I hope I’m always a little awed by freezing temperatures. These small moments still my heart and remind me to pause. Habits like that are worth holding onto – and cultivating.
Wherever you find yourself entering this New Year, be kind to yourself. Change takes time and will bring challenges you can’t predict. Health doesn’t snap into place overnight, addictions don’t vanish because we wish they would, the perfect job rarely falls into our laps, and financial stability is an ongoing journey. Every step forward matters, no matter how small. As always, I’m grateful to walk this journey with you.
Be well, friends, and know you are not alone. See you Sunday. – Patrick
Video Streaming Update
Work, training, and practice continue in our efforts to produce a weekly live web stream. We have been recording most worship services since early in November and successfully live-streamed the Nov. 24 and Dec. 15 services.
Central will not promote the video stream until all technical hurdles are solved and we have enough trained volunteers. To that end, we are still seeking people interested in learning about the system, and we will be hosting training sessions in January. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Tom Viall or Don Wolfe. Once enough trained volunteers are in place, we can began to live stream every week on a reliable schedule. We will offer more updates as these goals are achieved.
In the meantime, you are welcome to view our efforts so far on the Central Church YouTube channel under the “Live” tab.
Seeking a Church Home?
If you are looking for a church – or know someone who is – we would love to talk with you about it at our Inquirers’ Meeting. It’s very informal. You’ll meet with our senior minister, Patrick Faulhaber, 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 call the Church Office at 401-331-1960, and Patrick will get in touch.
- Inquirers’ Meeting: Wednesday, February 5, 7:30 pm
- Faith Exploration: Wednesday, February 12, 7:30 pm
- New Member Sunday: Sunday, February 16, 10:30 am
The Deacon’s Bench
2024 may go down in history as the year of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI and large learning models like ChatGPT debuted late in 2022, it now seems that this technology is ubiquitous – promoted as a solution for our improved health to smarter online shopping and everything in between.
If you have followed AI at all, you’ve also likely read about some of the concerns voiced about the growing power of these systems. It can be very disquieting – especially when the very people behind the technology admit that even they don’t fully understand all of the aspects of how these systems grow.
As a lover of and supporter of advancement in technology, I’m fascinated not only by the science behind large language models (LLM) like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, but also the huge amount of disruptive change I and many others believe this new technology will bring. As with any leap forward, these changes will undoubtably have both negative and positive outcomes. We will likely see amazing advances in medicine, more individualized approaches to education, and better deployment of our limited natural resources. Yet you can’t help but consider the negative side of AI – like the purposeful manipulation of our media that has already started or the massive job displacements we will see in the near future.
Darkest of all is the fear that we have created, or are deep into the process of creating, something that could soon render us unnecessary or even dangerous participants in this new world.
As people of faith, we might tend to harken back to the cautionary tale of Genesis. Are we poised to take yet another ill-advised bite from the fruit of knowledge and will that choice expel us from Eden? I think not. First, the ship to paradise sailed a long time ago, and last I checked, we were not on it. Moreover, we’ve bitten into this new fruit and the financial juice of this tasty delicacy is already dripping down the cheeks of every venture capitalist in Silicon Valley. So here we are – on the fast track to create something that can possess all the world’s knowledge, perform calculations at amazing speed, and continually improve itself. At the core of all this disruption is the nagging yet unanswered question of what it really means to be sentient.
So, what is the human race to do? Maybe the best solution is a radical one: give AI some religion.
This is not an effort to usher ChatGPT into the UCC by repeating the Salem Covenant. That would be a selfish mistake (and it knows the Covenant already). Rather, the idea would be to instill those things common to nearly all religions within these large models.
You might be surprised to discover that at least Google’s Gemini already knows these commonalities (I asked it). Gemini identified belief in a higher power or powers, ethical codes, community, and a search for meaning and purpose as common to most all of the world’s religions. Understanding and embracing all the variations of these tenets has served the human race for a very long time and it might be to all our benefit to make these beliefs as foundational to AI as the Pythagorean theorem.
As we take this giant leap – or massive shove – forward, we as Christians must also continue to embrace our unique faith. With God’s help, the light will always overpower the darkness, and in this new world, God’s love will guide all creatures great, small, and even silicon.
However, out of an abundance of caution, I sent ChatGPT a Coexist bumper sticker for its server rack. Better safe than sorry. – Tom Viall
Save the Dates!
Installation of the Reverend Patrick Faulhaber: Sunday, Jan. 12, 2 pm, in the Sanctuary. Please join us after for a reception in Chapel Hall!
Congregational Meeting: Sunday, Jan. 26, 11:30 am, in the Sanctuary
Welcome, Beth!
Please join us in welcoming Beth Callaway, Central’s newest nursery worker. Beth will join us on Sunday mornings and for other special events, working alongside longtime team member, Kathleen O’Hara.
Beth is a dedicated educator and childcare professional with a wealth of experience in fostering early childhood development and supporting diverse learners. She has worked with toddlers and young students in inclusive classroom settings, emphasizing discovery, collaboration, and safety. Beth is a Rhode Island Certified Teaching Assistant with specialized certifications in Early Childhood Leadership from the Harvard School of Professional Development, Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
We are very pleased to have someone so skilled as caretaker for the youngest members of our community!
Epiphany Sunday
Please join us in Worship as we celebrate the Epiphany with Holy Communion. Sunday, Jan. 5, 10:30 am, in the Sanctuary
Confirmation Sunday
This weekend, the confirmation class reaches its final summit. The confirmands have written their faith reflections and will share some of them with the congregation as they lead the Worship service and are confirmed. Please stay after and personally greet Central’s newest members! Sunday, Jan. 12, 10:30 am, in the Sanctuary
New Nursery Hours
The Nursery will now open at 9 am on Sundays, so those with children may attend choir rehearsal, Adult Sunday School, and any other pre-Worship committee meetings or activities.
Fellowship Wednesdays with Patrick
Our senior minister invites you to join him each week for a time of fellowship, food, and faith-filled conversation! You’ll share a delicious meal ($5 per person) and, together, dive into the scripture from the previous Sunday’s sermon. Just bring your questions, insights, and appetite! If you need childcare, they can enjoy Kids Table at Midweek (see page 4). Rsvps, while not required, would be helpful so we have enough food. Questions? Contact Patrick. Wednesdays, Jan. 22 to Feb. 26, 6 to 7:30 pm, in Chapel Hall
Join the Snack Brigade!
Every Sunday in January, following Worship, the Mission & Action Committee will deliver fruit and snacks to Crossroads Rhode Island. Most meal locations are closed on Sundays, so Central’s Snack Brigade provides very necessary nourishment to the individuals in their care. Please sign up to bring 25 to 30 bananas, clementines, or individually wrapped snacks: Fig Newtons, peanut butter/cheese crackers, raisins, or other fruit snacks. On the appropriate Sunday, just place them in the boxes set up in the coatroom. To sign up, contact Tracy Baran. Thanks!
Amos House Breakfast Volunteers
Please consider becoming an Amos House Breakfast Volunteer! Amos House provides 400 meals every morning. And once a week, Central members meet in the Amos House kitchen to help assemble pre-packaged breakfasts. If you can volunteer every week, that’s great. But if you can only come occasionally, we welcome – and need – every extra set of hands. Questions? Contact Tracy Baran. Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8 am, in the Amos House Kitchen (460 Pine Street, Providence)
From Claudia
As we enter 2025, I’ve been thinking about the past year even as I look forward to the year that is to come. A new calendar year is beginning although the church has already begun its liturgical year. Advent and Christmas are over; Epiphany soon will be behind us.
I keep thinking about something I read a long time ago: Epiphany gives us a chance to contemplate those Wise Ones who traveled so far to worship the Christ Child, but it also gives us a chance to compare them with Herod. They both were seeking the Child, but for polar opposite reasons. The Magi journeyed in anticipation of the hope that Jesus would bring to the world. They lived into that hope by traveling a long way to worship the Christ Child and then returned home a different way. They were changed by their encounter.
Herod, however, was right there all along. He didn’t have to journey, and if he had, it certainly wouldn’t have been to worship the Child. He sought out Jesus in order to eliminate any possibility of a challenge to his own authority and power. Herod’s actions were inspired by fear. Such was his anxiety that he wanted to eliminate Jesus. We are told in the Bible that Herod was indeed afraid.
There are always choices to be made. When we choose to follow our Savior, we are invited into a journey of faith and hope. Herod opted not to make that journey. The Magi did.
As we move into 2025, may we travel through life with hopeful anticipation. May we travel alongside one another seeking to follow the One who came to show us the way: Jesus the Christ. How grateful I am that we journey together in faith. I couldn’t ask for better travel companions! May God bless you all in 2025!
In faith and hope – Claudia
Accolades
Last fall, Central’s Cheryl Space was awarded the Page Turner Award by the Rhode Island Center for The Book. The award “recognizes a librarian or educator who has made significant contributions to the center’s mission and has inspired a love of reading throughout Rhode Island.” The organization described Cheryl as “#LibrarianRockstar.”
Cheryl has served as Library Director of the Community Libraries of Providence since June 2018 – and is part of the team that launched the “Big Red Library Bus” into Providence schoolyards to provide enriching programs, access to popular reading materials, WIFI, math games, and other fun and engaging opportunities to help young people keep learning during the summer.
Cheryl has been a librarian for 30 years, spending most of her career focused on children and families. She graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and then earned her Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Read more about Cheryl in “Book Bans to Kids Reading: 5 Questions With Community Libraries of Providence’s Cheryl Space,” which appeared in the Providence Journal on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Adult Sunday School
This month, Adult Sunday School will continue to explore “From Jesus to Christ,” learning the story of the first Christians as their new movement dramatically changed the Roman Empire in 300 years. Questions? Ask Claudia. Sundays in January, 9 am, in the Fireplace Room. No class Jan. 12.
Food For Thought Book Group
Claudia’s book group will discuss “The Bookbinder,” by Pip Williams “a story about knowledge – who creates it, who can access it, and what truths get lost in the process.” Thursday, Jan. 9, 7 pm, in the Fireplace Room. Coming up Feb. 13: “The Ground Breaking” by Scott Ellsworth
Central Men’s Group
Open to all ages, Central Men’s Group is a monthly breakfast gathering – held on the third Thursday of each month – for fellowship and spirited conversation on topics ranging from current events and ethics to trends and shared experiences. If you have questions, contact John Trevor. Thursday, Jan. 16, 7:30 am, in the Fireplace Room
Not Just Supper
This month, Central singles will try their hands at duckpin bowling. Cost for bowling and shoes: $14 each. Please bring cash or Venmo to pay for dinner afterwards. Rsvp to Peter Woodberry, and let him know if you’d like to carpool from the East Side. Thursday, January 16, 4:30 pm, at Dudek Bowling Lanes (409 Child Street, Warren) and 6 pm at Palmer River Grille (382 Market Street, Warren)
Fourth Thursday Book Group
This month, the Fourth Thursday Book Group will kick off the new year, discussing “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder” by David Grann. This page-turning story of shipwreck, survival, and savagery culminates in a court martial that reveals shocking truths. Thursday, Jan. 23, 12:30 pm, via Zoom. Coming up Feb. 27: “Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom,” by Ilyon Woo
Women Gather
This month, our women’s fellowship will join Friends and Family Trivia Day sponsored by the Stewardship Committee. Let’s claim some tables and get our trivia on! Sunday, Jan. 26, 12 noon, Chapel Hall
Central Women’s Retreat
Mark your calendar! Central’s annual Women’s Retreat is scheduled for Oct. 25 to 27, 2025, at the Episcopal Conference Center in Pascoag. No cooking, planning, appointments, or deadlines for an entire weekend! Just nourishment for your body, mind and soul.
Poetry Corner: “Deserted”
My brother and I
alone in the museum
spot a pop-art Christ.
Thirteenth-century,
it’s red, white, and blue no less –
rapt, hanging, present.
– Jon Wolston
REcognition
Dear friends, As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to Central volunteers for their unwavering support, dedication, and love for the youth and children in our church. Your time, energy, and talents have been invaluable in shaping the lives of our young people this year. Whether organizing events, mentoring in confirmation, teaching and assisting in Church School, helping clean our space, chaperoning trips, or simply showing up with a listening ear and a kind heart – your efforts have made an impact in the lives of the next generation of this community and church. This year, we’ve accomplished so much together!
Service that Matters: We built new relationships with our neighbors and local nonprofits doing amazing work. I have watched young people lead our congregation in packing more than 100 Blessing Bags for Better Lives Rhode Island and in literally trying to give the coats off their backs to their neighbors living on the street at Church Beyond the Walls.
Spaces and Structures that Support Ministry: We cleaned the Education Wing and adjusted our Church School curriculum to make the space more welcoming each week for busy families. We added a new youth room where we held Confirmation Class this autumn. When one child walked into that space, I heard them say to the teen beside them “I can’t wait to be in Youth!” We passed a Safe Environment Policy to keep our kids, youth, staff, and volunteers safe. We adjusted timing and staffing to make sure our nursery was fully staffed and open during Adult Sunday School as well as Worship; and we added “worship bags” to make sure kids feel welcome in the sanctuary!
Community Building for All Ages: We welcomed new volunteers and families into our children and youth programming and watched attendance increase. In these renewed spaces, I have heard children and youth building community together in new ways – as one called it – “falling into friendship” with each other!
None of this would have been possible without your commitment and faithfulness. You have not only helped create a safe and welcoming space for Central kids, but have also shown them the love of Christ in action! Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus and for walking alongside me in this ministry. Your work is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated – not just by me, but by every young person whose life you’ve touched. I can only echo the phrase I heard from one of our youngest friends after the Christmas Cookie Decorating event: “Thank you for us!”
I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our entire church family for believing in and investing in this ministry. Your prayers, encouragement, and tangible support have been the foundation that allows us to make an impact in the lives of our kids and youth. You’ve provided not only resources, but also a spiritual home where young people can grow in faith and community. As we prepare for another year of ministry, I pray that God continues to bless this community, and I look forward to what is ahead.
With immense gratitude – Susannah
In the Gallery
This January, the Gallery at Central will present “Pilgrim Steps: Glimpses of the Journey,” by Mary Dorsey Brewster. Not simply a collection of the artist’s work, these oil paintings are a visual transcription of the pilgrimage process and the physical reality of moving across the land on foot. Specifically, the Camino de Santiago in Spain and St. Cuthbert’s Way in Scotland. An architect and founding partner of Brewster Thornton Group Architects, Mary painted on the side until 2022, when she retired to paint and travel full time.
Gallery Opening: Come, meet the artist on Friday, Jan. 10, 5 to 7 pm.
Presentation on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage: Sunday, Jan. 12, 12 noon, in Chapel Hall.
Friday Film Fare
In August: Osage County (2013), a tragic family death brings the three strong-willed daughters of the Weston family home to Oklahoma and to their eccentric but equally strong-willed mother (Meryl Streep) for a family gathering of repressed emotion, resentment, and long-suppressed revelation.
Darkly hilarious, yet also oddly touching, this film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tracy Letts inserts a lot of fun into the dysfunctional – which this family most certainly is. Meryl Streep’s breathtaking turn as Violet may be your new favorite Mommie Dearest. Let’s just say you won’t want seconds at this dinner table. [120 minutes; color; Rated R] Join host Jim Silverthorn on Friday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 pm, in the Fireplace Room.
Confirmation Breakfast / Rehearsal
Central’s confirmands and their families will enjoy a delicious, celebratory breakfast prepared for them by the Board of Deacons – followed by confirmation service rehearsal. Sunday, Jan. 12, 9 am, in the Fireplace Room
Mission Trip Information Session
Susannah Bales, Interim Director of Religious Education, will hold an information session on this summer’s CCC Youth Mission Trip scheduled for July 5 to 13. All sixth graders and older – along with their parents – are invited to attend. Sunday, Jan. 26, 11:30 am, in the Fireplace Room. Another session will be held on Feb. 23.
Fun City Trampoline Park
CCC Kids and Youth, get ready to have a great time jumping at Fun City! The 30,000-square-foot facility has activities for all ages! Trampoline to your heart’s content, jam at slam ball, or “swim” in the foam pit. Rsvp to Susannah (470-223-0337). Tickets are $24. Sunday, Jan. 26, 2 to 4 pm. Meet at Fun City (1275 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk)!
Kids Table at Midweek
As Central embarks on its new Fellowship Wednesdays (see page 2), kids and youth are invited to hang together each week at their own kid-friendly table – complete with crafts, games, and other fun activities. Wednesdays, Jan. 22 to Feb. 26, 6 to 7:30 pm, in Chapel Hall.
Scenes from Central, the Carol Service, and Silver Tea
Check out the photos in the pdf version of the newsletter.
January Events
| 2 | Christmas Undecorating | 1:00 pm |
| Board of Deacons | 5:45 pm | |
| 3 | Christmas Undecorating | 9:00 am |
| 5 | Adult Sunday School | 9:00 am |
| Stewardship Committee | 9:15 am | |
| Epiphany Sunday / Communion | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| 6 | Children’s Choir Rehearsal | 5:00 pm |
| Girl Scout Troop 178 | 5:00 pm | |
| Technology Committee | 7:00 pm | |
| 7 | Scouts BSA Scouts BSA Troop 28 | 7:00 pm |
| 8 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| Gallery Committee | 9:30 am | |
| Wellness Workshop | 10:00 am | |
| 9 | Food for Thought Book Group | 7:00 pm |
| Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 pm | |
| 10 | Gallery Opening: Mary Brewster | 5:00 pm |
| 12 | Confirmand Breakfast / Rehearsal | 9:00 am |
| Worship / Confirmation Sunday | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| Lecture: Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage | 12 noon | |
| The Rev. Patrick Faulhaber’s Installation | 2:00 pm | |
| 13 | Children’s Choir Rehearsal | 5:00 pm |
| Girl Scout Troop 178 | 5:00 pm | |
| 14 | Scouts BSA Troop 28 | 7:00 pm |
| 15 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| 16 | Central Men’s Group | 7:30 am |
| Not Just Supper | 4:30 pm | |
| Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 pm | |
| 17 | Friday Film Fare | 7:30 pm |
| 19 | Adult Sunday School | 9:00 am |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| Membership Committee | 12 noon | |
| 20 | Central Newsletter Deadline | 3:30 pm |
| Children’s Choir Rehearsal | 5:00 pm | |
| Technology Committee | 7:00 pm | |
| 21 | Plant & Properties Committee | 5:45 pm |
| Prudential Committee | 7:00 pm | |
| Scouts BSA Troop 28 | 7:00 pm | |
| 22 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| Bible Study with Patrick | 6:00 pm | |
| Kids Table at Midweek | 6:00 pm | |
| 23 | Fourth Thursday Book Group | 12:30 pm |
| Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 pm | |
| 26 | Adult Sunday School | 9:00 am |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| Congregational Meeting | 11:30 am | |
| Mission Trip Information Session | 11:30 am | |
| Stewardship Trivia | 12 noon | |
| Women Gather | 12 noon | |
| Fun City Trampoline Park | 2:00 pm | |
| 27 | Children’s Choir Rehearsal | 5:00 pm |
| Girl Scout Troop 178 | 5:00 pm | |
| 28 | Scouts BSA Troop 28 | 7:00 pm |
| 29 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| Bible Study with Patrick | 6:00 pm | |
| Kids Table at Midweek | 6:00 pm | |
| 30 | Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 pm |
The Church Office will be closed on Monday, January 20, for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.
Central’s Nursery will now open at 9 am on Sundays, so those with children may attend choir rehearsal, Adult Sunday School, and any other pre-Worship committee meetings or activities.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!