Central News
May 2025 / Vol. 33, No. 10
Sunday Worship Will Remain at 10:30 am Throughout the Summer
Download a PDF Version of The June Newsletter
A Good Word from Patrick
Hey folks, On the first clear day after a week of rain, I brought my mountain bike down to the Big River Management Area in West Greenwich to spend some time in the woods and do some training for an upcoming race. About halfway into my ride, after passing through a small parking lot with a single car hidden under low foliage, I rolled onto a rare dry stretch of trail where I could finally pedal without slipping through mud or wrestling over technical roots and rocks.
Just as I started to pick up speed, I saw a figure stretched out across the trail – motionless. As I got closer, I saw that it was a young man, maybe in his early 20s, propped on his side by a small school backpack, with an empty gallon of wine beside him. Almost immediately, I started reviewing emergency response scenarios in my head – very aware that I was alone in the woods with a dying phone and a perfect stranger. I put the bike between us and started tapping his foot, calling out for him to wake up.
He did. He sat upright, made glassy eye contact with me, offered a dazed smile, and said, “I am Lucifer. You are Lucifer. We are united together.” Which thoroughly freaked me out. And still, I felt even more compelled to make sure he was okay. I asked if he knew where he was, if he was safe, and if he could take care of himself. He told me he would – for me.
I have to admit, a big part of me just wanted to ride past him, especially once I saw he was unconscious. All the possible outcomes weighed heavily. Would he be alive? Would I need to make a life-or-death decision? What if he woke up violently? What if he’d overdosed? It felt lonely and scary and far beyond anything I’d expected that morning.
I’ve been thinking about that moment ever since – not because I handled it perfectly, but because of how messy it was. Everything in me wanted to disappear into the trail and keep moving. But the Gospel keeps calling us to stop, to notice, to ask the questions that make us uncomfortable: “Are you okay? Can you take care of yourself? Where does it hurt?” Even when the answers are unsettling, God meets us in those places where compassion outweighs fear.
There’s no tidy ending to this story. I rode away unsure of what would happen next. But maybe that’s the point. Faith doesn’t always wrap things up. Sometimes it just invites us to stop, to notice, and to care – even in the middle of the woods, on a trail, with a stranger whose voice speaks in unsettling ways. Somehow, even in this, God was present.
I’ll see you Sunday – Patrick
Summer Innovations at Central
Sing in the Summer Choir: During summer, the Central Congregational Church Choirs are on hiatus. So this year we are introducing a “Summer Choir.” Every Sunday morning, beginning June 15, singers of all ages can gather in the chancel at 10 am for warmup exercises, and a brief rehearsal of the service’s hymns and the occasional introit. The Summer Choir will lead the singing as we begin Worship and then be seated among the congregation. We welcome “regulars” and newcomers alike! It’s great way to try out your singing voice as well as a low-key (no pun intended) way to help lead music during Worship.
Wednesday, June 4, marks the last of our weekly Midweek gatherings until fall. But never fear; Summer Midweek is here! In July and August, we will get together once a month for a special program designed for kids, teens, and adults alike. We will share a meal at 6 pm as usual and then turn our attention to a story of our faith from the Bible. We’ll end each evening out on the West Lawn, making s’mores around the firepit. Yum! There may even be some music involved. But these and other details are still to be determined. So stay tuned. In the meantime, save these dates: Wednesdays, July 23 and Aug. 13, 6 pm, in Chapel Hall.
The Deacon’s Bench
Reflections on a “Church Home”: Recently I attended the Wisdom Luncheon, celebrating an older and wiser population of Central Congregational Church. We served, sat, and listened. I was teary as Ed Bishop, Jerry Brown, Caroline Considine, Temi Sonubi, and Jim Silverthorn spoke of finding a church home at Central. Listening was a treat and affirmation. It led me to reflect on my arrival at Central in the late 1990s.
I was a recent transplant to Providence after graduate school at UMass Dartmouth – a young person who had an exciting, first, real job. I was reconnecting to church and considering baptism as an adult. I walked up the steps of Central and thought, “Wow! This is too grand. It feels too fancy for me architecturally. So formal and intimidating. Very catholic.” LOL.
In I went through the big front doors, where I was greeted by a tall, white-haired man with a friendly smile and a booming “Welcome.” He shook my hand and introduced himself as Dick Lundgren. He was the sign I was looking for. Within minutes, Dick had asked my name and recruited me to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. He then pointed and directed me to go sit with his sister, “Annie [Blivin], the one with white hair on the left side of the pews in front of the pulpit.”
His greeting and welcome softened any trepidation about Central and its intimidating exterior. I attended Habitat with Dick and others on the Saturday crew. We learned to dry wall, backer board, and tile. Ultimately, we helped build two homes on the south side of Providence. It was a really rewarding process – learning in community, building and being with families that would live in those homes. Ann got me into the rhythm of the Social Committee, and I easily became close with her family. She was a friend at first, mother figure, and grandma too.
Both Dick and Ann are gone now, along with many folks with whom I started this journey at Central. But as I sat with volunteers and Wisdom Lunch guests, I was reminded of these two wise and down-to-earth people who helped make Central feel like my home away from home.
Central’s community is strong – with groups old and new – and continues to evolve with Patrick at the helm. Each of us can be a comfort and community-builder at Central. It just takes one person at a time, And for this, I am truly grateful.
Happy Spring and Summer! – Torin Mathieu
Wanted: Sumer Scripture Readers
Central needs scripture readers for June, July, and August worship services. Let your voice ring out this summer … once or as often as you like. Contact Judy Jamieson or the Church Office – or sign up on the Welcome Table in Chapel Hall.
Mission & Action
Amos House is expanding its Older Adults Shelter to 40 beds! For many, this means access to nursing-home or other medically supported living, as well as other specialized housing. There’s a particular need for:
- Pajama bottoms – men and woman, sizes up to 3X
- T-shirts – men and women, all sizes
- Combs and hair brushes
- Shower caddies
These and other needed items are on their Amazon Wish List.
However, you are welcome to shop locally or anywhere else on line. Just ship or deliver to Jessica Salter, Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer, Amos House, 460 Pine Street, Providence, RI 02907. And, if you need a pick-up, simply email Jessica. Or, if you prefer to send a monetary donation, make sure to specify that your gift is for the Older Adults Shelter. Amos House will do the shopping for you. Thank you!
Summer Bible Study
This summer, Claudia’s Bible Study Group will explore The Gospel of Luke, the third of four New Testament Gospels relating the origins, birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Luke stands out from the other Gospels with its emphasis on inclusivity, historical context, and literary style. Luke also presents a more expansive and literary narrative, focusing on the marginalized and offering broader historical context. Come to one session or to all of them. Sundays, June 29 through Aug. 10, 9 am, in the Fireplace Room
- June 29: Opening Stories
- July 6: Preparing the Way
- July 13: Disciples and Community
- July 20: Restoring to Wholeness
- July 27: God’s Character and Reign
- July 31: Costs and Joys of Discipleship
- August 3: Jerusalem
- August 10: The Gospel
Annual Church Meeting
Please plan on attending Central’s Annual Church Meeting. On the agenda: electing church officers and committee members and approving the annual budget. A luncheon follows. There’s no charge, so please RSVP to the church office or sign up in Chapel Hall. Nursery care will be available. Sunday, June 1, 11:30 am, in the Sanctuary. Lunch after in Chapel Hall.
Pentecost Sunday
On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the wonder and mystery of God, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the powerful gifts and movements of the Holy Spirit. Please wear red in celebration of the tongues of fire – and to remind us of God’s never-failing love for us and the love we are called to show to all people. After Worship, join us on the West Lawn for the releasing of the doves and the Church Picnic! Sunday, June 8, 10:30 am, in the Sanctuary / West Lawn
Annual Church Picnic
Central’s Church Picnic is a wonderful celebration of almost-summer. After Worship we’ll enjoy the fresh air and warm weather as a community of faith. Please bring tasty picnic sides or sweets to share. The Religious Education Committee provides hotdogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, and beverages! To help, contact the Church Office. Sunday, June 8, 11:30 am, on the West Lawn.
Your Neighborhood Food Pantry
Every week during Sunday Worship, Central collects non-perishable food items for Your Neighborhood Food Pantry, a local organization that serves Providence neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Please place your donations in the baskets at the front of the church during the second verse of the first hymn!
Midweek
Our senior minister invites Centralites of all ages – and their friends – to join him Midweek for fellowship, food, and faith-filled conversation! Adults will share a meal at 6 pm and then dive into the previous Sunday’s scripture reading. Kids and youth will eat dinner at their own table and then enjoy crafts and games. RSVPs, while not required, are helpful so we have enough food. Wednesday, June 4, 6 to 7:30 pm, in Chapel Hall
Amos House Breakfast Volunteers
Please consider becoming an Amos House Breakfast Volunteer! Amos House provides 400 meals every morning. And on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 am, 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 am, in the Amos House Kitchen (460 Pine Street, Providence)
From Claudia
Today is still spring, but I have been working on our summer schedule in the midst of a rainy nor’easter. It seems a little strange to be looking at dates for all sorts of studies and events in June, July, and August when I just put on a sweater because I was cold!
Mark Twain once said, “In the spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside 24 hours.” As a fellow New Englander, I understand exactly what he means. But spring is already here. No more winter even though my hands feel like ice right now as I type this!
I’ve been thinking of the way the Song of Solomon from the Hebrew Testament put it more than 1,000 years before Jesus was born: “For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”
We may not have turtledoves around here, but I hear the mourning doves cooing from their nest on top of our arbor early in the morning every day. They are larger than real turtledoves, but they will do nicely to put me in mind of the wonders of God’s creation in our own time and in the time so long ago when that line of poetry was written.
And, I think of the hope that spring and summer can engender within us. I don’t know about you, but hope is what makes me able to rise every day. Hope gives me courage and the will to continue on. It wasn’t so different for our ancestors in faith. In Romans 12:12 Paul told the believers to “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
I don’t know if it is hope that made our doves rebuild their nest in the arbor a week or so ago when the grackles raided their first nest and ate all their eggs, but the doves quickly re-nested. They seem to have an innate perseverance that is so inspiring.
As we stand poised at the edge of our lives may we persevere in hope and, yes, in joy as we observe the creation around us. May we take to heart the words of Rachel Carson, “There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring [and summer] after winter.” May it be so for each of us and for those we love.
Yours in faith – Claudia
Musical Notes
Choir Recognition: On Sunday, June 1, we will recognize our Adult and Children’s Choirs during Worship. Their dedicated weekly service in church brings us inspiration and joy through the power of music. We thank them for their many gifts shared so faithfully with our congregation.
Children’s Musical: On Sunday, June 8, Central’s Children’s Choir will present “Once Upon a Parable” with words by Grace Hawthorne and music by Terry Kirkland. The musical tells of a rich person’s preoccupation with things that don’t matter. Discovering what really counts, the rich person learns a valuable lesson, and you might, too, as our Children’s Choir tells the story through drama and music.
Rhode Island PrideFest
Central is a longtime supporter of Rhode Island PrideFest, which will take place on Saturday, June 21. And, we are in need of volunteers to help staff our booth! There are three shifts available: 10 am to 12 noon (set up), 12 noon to 2 pm, and 2 to 4 pm (clean up). For more information or to volunteer, please call or email the Church Office. If you can’t volunteer, please join us at the festival and cheer us on!
PrideFest offers fun for the entire family! The gates open at 11:45 am, at the new Providence Innovation District Park (near the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge) with access to more than 250 non-profit organizations – including Central – businesses, and food vendors.
PrideFest Kids Zone will be open from 12 noon to 3 pm with activities – provided by the Providence Children’s Museum – to entertain children and their families. Local, regional, and national acts will perform on the main stage throughout the day. The Illuminated Night Parade kicks off at 7:45 pm with a dazzling display of floats, performing artists, marching groups, and businesses that wind through downtown Providence and culminate under the historic marquee of the Providence Performing Arts Center.
Adult Sunday School
The Adult Sunday School will continue to discuss “Where is Christianity Heading?” Phyllis Tickle – an American author and lecturer whose work focuses on spirituality and religion – has proposed that every 500 years, there’s a theological “rummage sale.” See what fellow Centralites think. Contact Claudia with questions. Sundays, June 1 and 8, 9 am, in the Fireplace Room
Food For Thought Book Group
This month, Claudia’s book group will discuss “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America,” by Amanda Jones. Part memoir, part manifesto, this is the inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity. Questions? Ask Claudia. Thursday, June 12, 7 pm, in the Fireplace Room
Coming up … July 10: “Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy,” by Nathaniel Philbrick. Aug. 14: “Here One Moment,” by Liane Moriarty.
Women Gather
In June, Central’s women’s fellowship will join in the fun at the annual Church Picnic! Look for your Women Gather friends’ table. Then, in July, we’ll get together to tell stories about our best summers ever! Sundays, June 8 (West Lawn) and July 13 (Fireplace Room), 12 noon
Central Men’s Group
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. Questions? Contact John Trevor. Thursdays, June 19 and July 17, 7:30 am, in the Fireplace Room
Ice Cream at Eskimo King
Bring the whole family! We’ll meet at the picnic tables, near the playground. Choose from 200 flavors of ice cream – soft or hard. Wednesday, July 2, 6 pm, at Eskimo King (29 Market Street, Swansea, Mass.) – where “Ice Cream Rules!”
Brunch / Lunch at Diego’s
Let’s meet after Worship for “fresh Mexican fusion food” and fascinating conversation at this Wayland Square eatery. Check out the extensive menu and RSVP to Claudia. Sunday, July 6, 12 noon, at Diego’s (192 Wayland Avenue, Providence)
Ice Cream Sundae Sunday
I scream! You scream! We all scream for ice cream! Especially in the middle of summer. Plan to stay after Worship for our annual Ice Cream Sundae Sunday. We’ll provide the ice cream; you bring some toppings to share! Sunday, July 20, 11:30 am, on the West Lawn, weather permitting.
Poetry Corner: I Seemed to Be Happier Then
It’s been a long stretch
for this tired old bloke
since I last kicked my heels up
or let alone spoke.
Tomorrow I’ll locate
scrawny children in tatters!
I hear what you give
is what really matters.
– Jon Wolston
REach: Extending Faith, Friendship, and Fellowship This Summer
Every Sunday, I pray: “God, have me speak the words You need me to say, and have them listen to what You need them to hear.” Today, I ask for your prayers and help over the summer, so I can reach people who need to be reached, especially those who I have not met yet or might need a special visit. Because in religious education, we’re called not just to teach but to reach minds, hearts, and communities with the love and truth of God.
As we move into the warmth and excitement of summer, I plan to intentionally reach out to Central families and kids, reconnecting beyond the classroom and continuing to build relationships that nurture the connection and trust based on our mutual love for God through our faith. Whether it’s sharing a sno-cone at our food truck outing, having a conversation after Worship on Sundays, or picking up trash with our youth and community – I hope to meet families where they are in both the everyday and the sacred.
But our reach doesn’t stop at the church walls. Coming up is our service trip to West Virginia. This is more than just travel – it’s a powerful opportunity for our young people to stretch their hearts, serve others, and witness the impact of faith in action. In West Virginia, our youth will work hand-in-hand with people whose lives look different from theirs, but whose needs and hopes echo our own. Through service projects, prayer, and fellowship, they’ll experience what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Christ.
We also plan to strengthen connections with communities closer to home. Through youth events with other churches, shared worship nights, and collaborative service projects, we hope to give our youth the chance to see faith as something lived out in different ways.
In all of this, we are practicing the kind of reach that Jesus modeled – reaching out to the lost, the lonely, the hurting, and even just the curious. My hope is that this summer becomes a season not just of activity, but of meaningful connection – with God, with each other, and with the broader world He has called us to love.
Let’s reach out with love together – Cristina
CCC Youth Team-Building
In preparation for the Youth Service Trip to West Virginia (July 5 to 13), there will be two team-building events to help CCC Youth get ready. These are mandatory for those going on the trip. But all Central members and friends – both youth and adults – are welcome to join in.
Community Clean-up Day: CCC Youth will partner with other local organizations to spruce up our neighborhood – while they work on team-building and improving community connections. Register with Cristina by Sunday, June 8. The event will be Saturday, June 14, 9 am. We’ll meet at Central and leave from there.
Team- and Project-Building: Join CCC Youth as they work on actual building, as well as team-building. They’ll practice listening to instructions, using tools, and creating physical projects. Please RSVP to Cristina. Sunday, June 22, 11:30 am, in Chapel Hall
Kids Table at Midweek
We have one more weekly Kids Table at Midweek … until fall, that is. Kids and youth – including the Children’s Choir – are invited to hang together for dinner at their own kid-friendly table in Chapel Hall. At 6:30 pm, choristers will move to the Choir Room for their final rehearsal (also until fall) – while the others remain in Chapel Hall for crafts, games, and other fun activities. Wednesday, June 4, 6 pm, in Chapel Hall.
But be sure to come for Summer Midweek when we’ll enjoy supper, s’mores, and more! And make a joyful noise in the Summer Choir on Sunday mornings at 10 am.
One Egg a Day
The Church School’s special collection for the Egg-a-Day Childhood Nutrition Program in Haiti ends June 8. $35 provides one egg for one Haitian child every day for a year! Just pick up a plastic egg in Chapel Hall and return it with your donation inside by Sunday, June 8.
Glow Night
CCC Kids and Youth will connect with friends old and new as they enjoy an evening of glow-in-the-dark games and fellowship. RSVP to Cristina by June 8. And be sure to wear neon! Friday, June 13, 6 pm, at Seekonk Congregational Church (600 Fall River Ave, Seekonk)
CCC Youth Lunch Out
All Central middle and high schoolers are invited to meet up at Coffee Hour on the Chapel Hall Stage before walking over to a nearby restaurant for food and fellowship: Sunday, June 29, 11:30 am, Zinneken’s Waffles (194 Angell Street) and Sunday, July 27, 11:30 am, Shake Shack (249 Thayer Street)
Food Truck Night
Enjoy delicious meals, live entertainment, and more! Take a ride on the historic carousel, hop onboard the Carousel Express train (weather permitting), and enjoy Hasbro’s Boundless All-Abilities playground. Attendance is free; just pay for what you eat and drink. Bring a chair or blanket for comfier lawn seating. Friday, July 18, 5 pm, at the Roger Williams Park Carousel Village (1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence)
Save the Date
Providence Children’s Museum: Aug. 17, 2 pm (100 South St., Providence)
Author Philip Eil to Speak at Central
Just a reminder that the Fourth Thursday Book Group will be hosting Philip Eil – author of “Prescription for Pain: How A Once-Promising Doctor Became the ‘Pill Mill Killer’” – as its featured speaker on Thursday, June 26, 7 pm, in Chapel Hall. The evening will include a question-and-answer forum open to the audience and book signing. The event is free and open to the public.
“Prescription for Pain” follows Eil’s twelve-year investigation into Paul Volkman – a graduate of the prestigious University of Chicago and former classmate of his father – who became the central figure in a massive “pill mill” scheme linked to the overdose deaths of 13 patients.
CCC Players present “The Real Inspector Hound”
This month, the newly formed CCC Players present “The Real Inspector Hound,” the first theatrical production on the new Chapel Hall stage – directed by Liam Newberry and featuring a cast of Centralites. This one-act play by Tom Stoppard, one of the leading playwrights of the last 70 years, is a parody of stereotypical parlor mysteries in the style of “The Mousetrap,” by Agatha Christie. It follows two theater critics who are watching and reviewing a country house murder-mystery whodunit. They become involved in the action, causing a series of events that parallel the play. Admission is $5. There are two performances: Saturday, June 7, 2 pm and 7 pm, in Chapel Hall.
June Events
| 1 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Adult Sunday School | 9 am | |
| Stewardship Committee | 9:15 am | |
| Worship / Choir Recognition | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| Annual Church Meeting | 11:30 am | |
| All-Church Luncheon | 12:15 pm | |
| 4 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| Midweek | 6 pm | |
| Kids Table at Midweek | 6 pm | |
| Children’s Choir Rehearsal | 6:30 pm | |
| 5 | Board of Deacons | 5:45 pm |
| 7 | Play: The Real Inspector Hound | 2 pm |
| Play: The Real Inspector Hound | 7 pm | |
| 8 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Adult Sunday School | 9 am | |
| Worship / Pentecost / Children’s Musical | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| Releasing of the Doves | 11:30 am | |
| Annual Church Picnic | 11:30 am | |
| 11 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| Gallery Committee | 9:30 am | |
| 12 | Food for Thought Book Group | 7 pm |
| 13 | CCC Youth: Glow Night | 6 pm |
| 14 | Community Clean-up Day | 9 am |
| 15 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Summer Choir | 10 am | |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| 17 | Prudential Committee | 7 pm |
| 18 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| 19 | Central Men’s Group | 7:30 am |
| 21 | Rhode Island PrideFest | |
| Festival | 11:30 am | |
| Illuminated Parade | 7:45 pm | |
| 22 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Summer Choir | 10 am | |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| CCC Youth Building Project | 11:30 am | |
| Better Christian Politics | 12:15 pm | |
| 23 | Technology Committee | 7 pm |
| 25 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| 26 | Fourth Thursday Book Group | 7 pm |
| 29 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Summer Bible Study | 9 am | |
| Summer Choir | 10 am | |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| CCC Youth Lunch Out | 11:30 am |
July Events
| 2 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| Ice Cream at Eskimo King | 6 pm | |
| 5 | Youth Service Trip to West Virginia | |
| 6 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Summer Bible Study | 9 am | |
| Summer Choir | 10 am | |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| Lunch at Diego’s | 12 noon | |
| 9 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| 10 | Food for Thought Book Group | 7 pm |
| 13 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Summer Bible Study | 9 am | |
| Summer Choir | 10 am | |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| Women Gather | 12 noon | |
| 16 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| 17 | Central Men’s Group | 7:30 am |
| 18 | CCC Youth: Food Truck Friday | 5 pm |
| 20 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Summer Bible Study | 9 am | |
| Summer Choir | 10 am | |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| Ice Cream Sundae Sunday | 11:30 am | |
| Newsletter Deadline | 3:30 pm | |
| 23 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
| Summer Midweek | 6 pm | |
| 27 | Nursery Opens | 9 am |
| Summer Bible Study | 9 am | |
| Summer Choir | 10 am | |
| Worship | 10:30 am | |
| Church School | 10:30 am | |
| CCC Youth Lunch Out | 11:30 am | |
| 30 | Amos House Volunteers | 6:30 am |
The Church Office will be closed Friday, July 4, for Independence Day.