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The bi-weekly newsletter of Barrington Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. |
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If your email platform only lets you see part of this email, then click on the following link to View as Webpage We don't want you to miss anything! You'll know you've reached the end when you see 'THE END!' in green.
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Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm. |
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Thurs, Nov 18
8 am Peaceful Pause and Prayer, Livestreamed
1:30 - 3 pm Women of Faith Reading Group meet, Library
7 pm RI Association Annual Meeting on Zoom (rescheduled)
Sat, Nov 20
9 - 11 am East Bay Kids Clothes and Toy Swap, Fellowship Hall
6 - 8 pm Senior Youth Group Movie Night
Sun, Nov 21 Thanksgiving Sunday
10 am Worship Service (in-person & online), Advent Arts during Church School time
Mon, Nov 22
11 am Bereavement Group meet, Fellowship Hall
6 - 7 pm Junior Youth Group, Fellowship Hall & Kitchen
Wed, Nov 24 - Fri, Nov 26
Office closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Sun, Nov 28 First Sunday of Advent
10 am All Ages Worship Service (in-person & online)
Mon, Nov 29
6 - 7 pm Junior Youth Group, Fellowship Hall
Tues, Nov 30
11 am Staff Meeting
Wed, Dec 1
Noon Deadline for eBridge
7 pm Membership Team meeting
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Thurs, Dec 2
1:30 - 3 pm Women of Faith Reading Group meet, Library
Sun, Dec 5 Second Sunday of Advent
10 am Worship Service with Communion (in-person & online), Church School
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Thurs Nov 18th thru Sun Nov 21st |
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RI Association Annual Meeting is Thurs, Nov 18th |
The Southeast Region of SNEUCC Annual Fall Gathering and the various Association meetings scheduled for Oct 27th had to be postponed as many people in the area were without power due to the storms.
A new date for the SE Region Annual Fall Gathering is tbd.
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Senior Youth Group 'Movie Night' |
Senior Youth Group meets this Saturday, November 20th in the Library for Movie Night. This is open to all High School students (grades 9-12) and they may bring a friend. Movie will be selected by the group. Popcorn provided. RSVP to racquel@bccucc.org
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Dale's last Sunday before his sabbatical |
We hope you will join us for worship this Sunday, November 21st which will be the last time Rev. Dale Azevedo will lead worship and preach for a while, as his 3 month sabbatical begins Nov 22nd. It's also Thanksgiving Sunday - so we invite you to come to worship remembering all of the people, experiences and things for which you're thankful. If you can't join us in person, we invite you to worship with us online. |
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Advent Arts for our church school children |
Advent Arts is Sunday, November 21st in Fellowship Hall during church school time. There will be some new crafts this year in addition to old favorites, so we hope all the children will join us for this fun event. |
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Multi-platform Worship - Sundays 10 am |
All are invited to join us for our multi-platform worship service at 10 a.m. every Sunday.
For those attending in person, we require masks be worn in worship (with exemptions for those under 2 or for medical reasons). We continue to take precautions to provide the safest conditions possible for everyone, and have new updated guidelines in place. If you plan to worship with us in person in the sanctuary we ask that you read them ahead of time.
For those who are not yet ready to return to our sanctuary, or are not able to, the services are livestreamed so they can be watched online at the same links as before: www.facebook.com/bccucc or https://bccucc.org/live-stream-2/. If you miss the service live, you can watch it later at the same links.
We invite you to join us for worship - in person or online.
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Just some of the new things in this eBridge! |
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Carriage shed work begins |
We're pleased to report that work is finally underway on the carriage shed repairs. Catanzaro and Sons have been working hard to repair and repaint them, and some additional repairs are still pending. The roof is also scheduled to be replaced. A before and some after pictures are below. Thank you to everyone who donated to the fundraiser that made this project possible. |
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Junior Youth Group meetings |
After a very energetic and fun Junior Youth Group meeting last week it is clear that we have several middle school youth who would like to participate in Youth Group. Junior Youth Group will meet weekly on Monday nights from 6-7 pm. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for Nov 22nd and 29th in Fellowship Hall. (No JYG on Dec 6th as school is closed that day.)
We need an adult chaperone to assist Pastor Racquel each week. And we can also use some volunteers to bring dinners on a rotating basis. Sign-ups are at church school and by emailing racquel@bccucc.org All youth in grades 6 - 8 are welcome to be a part of Junior Youth Group (JYG). |
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Office closings and staff vacation |
The church office will be closed Wed, Nov 24th - Fri, Nov 26th for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Office Administrator, Christine Wallis, will be on vacation from Mon, Nov 22nd thru Tues, Nov 30th.
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Stewardship Update & request for Giving Cards to be returned |
On a picture-perfect day, approximately 90 folks attended the Consecration Sunday Lunch on Nov. 7th to celebrate the culmination of the 2022 Stewardship Campaign.
To date, the church has received 67 Giving Cards from members and friends making a financial commitment for 2022. Almost half of these cards are increased commitments over 2021. The total commitment amount for 2022 so far is $297,014 – many thanks to those that have already made a commitment. We hope to receive many more Giving Cards so we can continue to build on the mission and work of our church. Giving Cards were mailed last week to those who were unable to join us on Consecration Sunday.
If you intend to return a Giving Card for 2022, we hope to hear from you as soon as possible. Our Finance Team and Church Council are working hard on the 2022 budget and many of their decisions are based on these financial commitments. You may mail in your Giving Card, place it in the Offering Plate, or email Financial Secretary Pat Stoddard (pat@bccucc.org) with your financial commitment and she will confirm receipt of your email and the amount.
Thank you for “Opening the Doors to Gratitude and Generosity”.
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Pastor Racquel Ray to become full time at BCCUCC |
Beginning Monday, November 22nd – when Dale’s sabbatical begins - Racquel Ray will move from being half-time to become our full-time acting Associate Minister and will continue to be full-time until a settled associate minister is called. We are grateful to Racquel for her willingness to take on this role and are confident that she will be able to lead and minister to us during Dale’s time away on sabbatical. She has also arranged for two other clergy to be further support if necessary.
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Our next All Ages Worship Service is on the First Sunday of Advent, November 28th at 10 am . Our Church School and Youth Group participants are invited to assist Andrea and Pastor Racquel with the service. Contact Pastor Racquel or Andrea if you're interested racquel@bccucc.org or andrea@bccucc.org
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Update to our COVID Safety Guidelines/Requirements |
As we continue to move forward in the pandemic, and also prepare for the Advent season, Church Council discussed and agreed to the following changes to our protocols at Church.
- In order to accommodate increased attendance, we will first have ushers seat people in every other pew. Once those seats are filled, ushers will seat in open pews.
- With the season changing and keeping windows open less feasible, we will be purchasing and installing HEPA filters in the corners of the sanctuary.
- We will continue to require masks be worn by everyone - with the exception of those under age 2, those with a medical reason not to, and those leading worship.
- Singing will still be allowed but done quietly
These changes will be in place starting Sunday, December 5th.
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You may have noticed that many of the same people are serving as ushers each week as we currently have a shortage of volunteers. We invite you to join them and become an usher. It’s a great way to serve the church and be a friendly face to all who come to worship in our sanctuary – especially newcomers! The more people who volunteer to usher, the less often each person will be on the schedule. Ushers are asked to arrive a little early to prepare the sanctuary for worship, hand out bulletins and seat people, collect the offering, and clear up after the service. All are welcome to serve as an usher and training will be provided.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Bethia Rosner at (401) 383-5538 or bethiarosner@gmail.com or speak with her after worship. Thank you.
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Walking and/or Biking buddy wanted |
A senior member of our congregation who lives in Riverside is looking for someone to walk and/or bike with. They’d be short walks (up to 1.5 miles) but he’d really appreciate the motivation of doing it with someone else. If interested or for more information, please contact the church office (401) 246-0111 or office@bccucc.org
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Advent and Christmas at BCCUCC |
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Advent Daily Prayer for Reflection |
Advent begins Sunday, November 28th and is the season in the church year when we prepare for the birth of Christ. To help with preparation we are making available ‘Advent Daily Prayers for Reflection’ based on readings for each week of Advent from the Revised Common Lectionary. Click on the links below to access them:
For those who would prefer a paper copy, there’s a printed version which can be picked up from the narthex table. Unfortunately, the printed version doesn’t contain the colorful images included with each day’s prayer – you’ll have to go online to see those.
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Advent Candle Lighters needed |
Volunteers are needed to read the short liturgy and light the Advent Candles on Sundays, December 5th, 12th & 19th, and the Christmas Eve 8 pm services. Volunteers should contact Pastor Racquel at (401) 246-0111 x 104 or racquel@bccucc.org. Individuals, couples or families are invited to do this. |
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Chancel Fund donations requested |
Every Christmas we invite the congregation to make donations to The Chancel Fund which is used to pay for the plants that decorate the sanctuary at Christmas, as well as the plants that are delivered by the Deacons to our homebound, sick and recently bereaved.
Donations to the Chancel Fund, in any amount, may be made in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving for, or celebration of, someone or something (a person, birthday, anniversary, etc). The donors and dedications will be listed in the Christmas Eve worship bulletin.
There are now two ways to make a donation to the Chancel Fund:
OR: Donate online from our church website. Use the Tithe.ly link on our donation page, designate your donation for ‘Chancel Fund (Christmas flowers)’ and then add your dedication in the memo box. Be sure to include who is making the donation as well as if it’s given in memory, celebration, or in honor of someone or something.
We ask that all donations and dedications be received in the church office by Monday, December 13th. Thank you for your donation.
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Christmas Eve Worship Services |
Our Christmas Eve services on Friday, December 24th, 2021 will be:
4 - 5 pm Christmas Story Stroll, Riverwalk (see below)
8 pm Service of Lessons and Carols with Choir, Sanctuary
ALL ARE WELCOME
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The Christmas Story Stroll is coming on Christmas Eve! |
As only BCCUCC can do, the Faith Formation and Youth Ministry (FFaYM) team has designed an outdoor live nativity for this year’s pageant from 4 - 5 pm on Christmas Eve. Called 'The Christmas Story Stroll' it will feature 5 stations depicting the different parts of the Christmas Story along the Riverwalk behind the education building and church. Beginning at the large commuter parking lot, the community is welcome to grab a warm cider, and listen to Christmas carols as they stroll the Christmas Story from Gabriel and Mary to the Magi visiting the baby Jesus in the Manger.
Sign-up sheets will be in the Narthex and on Sign-up genius (see below).
Volunteers are needed to depict the characters from the nativity story, plus a reader, at each station. All ages are welcome to sign up. Perhaps a family, or a particular group of people (say from a specific church team) might want to sign up to depict the characters at a particular station. Individuals are also very welcome to sign up. Sign up for parts
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Readers needed for Christmas Eve 8 pm service of Lessons & Carols |
Our Lessons and Carols service will be in the Church at 8 pm on Christmas Eve. This moving service will be accompanied by our talented choir and perhaps a soloist. Volunteers are needed for each of the readings. Please email Pastor Racquel racquel@bccucc.org or call (401) 246-0111 ext 104 to volunteer. |
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Opportunities to help - deadlines approaching! |
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TAPIN seeks monetary donations for their Thanksgiving program |
Pre-pandemic, BCCUCC would collect specific food items for donation to TAPIN’s Thanksgiving Food program. This year, due to COVID 19 restrictions, they are only able to provide gift cards to their clients. If anyone would like to help TAPIN, they would greatly appreciate monetary donations to purchase the gift cards that will help their clients buy Thanksgiving meals. Lately, their client numbers have increased significantly, and they hope to provide gift cards to everyone who needs one.
Tax-deductible contributions in any amount may be sent directly to Tap-In, P.O. Box 252, Barrington, RI 02806, or can be made on their website at www.tapinri.org
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The Giving Tree - deadline for donations is Nov 30th! |
The Mission and Justice Team is excited to again support the Women's Resource Center and domestic violence survivors and their families in Bristol County during the holidays. Their need is greater than ever due to the pandemic. As we are unable to meet in Fellowship Hall, donations should be given to the church office as cash, check, or online through Tithe.ly on the church website. The Women's Resource Center will use the donations to buy gift cards for families in need. We are hoping to bring holiday joy to as many families as possible.
How to make a donation: Checks should be made out to "BCCUCC" with "Giving Tree" written in the memo line. For online donations on the church website, click the link https://bccucc.org/donation/ to take you to the 'Giving to BCCUCC' page. In the middle is a link to Tithe.ly through which you can make a donation either using a credit card or directly from your bank. Use the drop-down menu to go to 'GivingTree.' The donation deadline is Tuesday, November 30th.
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Donate Red Scarves for HIV/AIDs awareness and to provide warmth |
The Knitting for Others Group will be knitting to support those affected by HIV/Aids in Rhode Island for World AIDs Day (December 1, 2021). AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI) is bringing the Red Scarf movement to RI, which seeks to end the stigma and raise awareness around HIV.
APRI is inviting the RI community to knit, make or donate RED scarves which will be displayed on the Providence Pedestrian Bridge on Sunday, December 1st from 6 am to 6 pm. This art installation will serve as a visual reminder of those lost and provide a distanced way for our community to come together in a show of support in a safe, impactful way. At the conclusion of the week, all scarves will be removed and donated to vulnerable community members to provide comfort and warmth to people who are at increased risk for HIV.
All are invited to donate red scarves which should be a minimum size of 6” x 60”. Scarves can be dropped off at the church office by November 29th. Red scarves can also be donated on December 1st directly to a volunteer at the Providence Pedestrian Bridge.
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'Peaceful Pause and Prayer' on hiatus until March |
During Dale's sabbatical, these online meditations will no longer be available live. However, all of the past meditations can be found at the following link: https://bccucc.org/live-stream-2/ Each meditation provides moments for reflection, music, scripture, and silence. Dale plans to resume doing PP&P live on March 1, 2022 after he returns from his sabbatical.
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Bereavement Group to meet |
The Bereavement group will meet on Mondays, November 22nd and December 13th from 11 a.m. - Noon in Fellowship Hall. The group is open to anyone (not just church members) who has lost a loved one at any time. New members are welcome. For more information, contact the facilitator, Betsy Brenner at jsbeeb@aol.com or 245-8031. |
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Women of Faith Reading Group |
The group will meet again on Thursday, December 2nd from 1:30 - 3 pm in the church library. The group welcomes women of all ages from BCCUCC as well as other churches and faith traditions. They will be reading and discussing sections of The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister. For more information please contact Jane Tonn at 289-2349 or jtonn2@cox.net. |
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Knitting for Others Group |
The Knitting Group will meet again on Tuesday, December 7th at 7 pm over Zoom. All knitters and crocheters are invited to attend and new faces are very welcome. For more information on the group, contact Nancy Arena at 401 246-0212 or nancy.arena@outlook.com.
Zoom info is not included here for security reasons. It was in the email version sent to the congregation.
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The Book Group will next meet Tuesday, December 14th at a location and time tbd. They will be discussing Deacon King Kong by Jamie McBride. For more information about the group - and to find out the time and location - contact Helen Schall at helenschall@hotmail.com or 401 245-4724. All are welcome to participate.
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From the Mission and Justice Team |
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Native American Heritage Month - Exhibition |
Beginning in the 1870s, the US government attempted to assimilate American Indians by putting their children into boarding schools. This often tragic story in our country’s history has recently become more public. Now the National Endowment for the Humanities highlights this history in a national touring exhibition – Away from Home: Native American Boarding School Stories.
The RI Tomaquag Museum is hosting the exhibit, which runs from 11/10/21 to 1/7/21, Tuesday – Saturday at URI University Club, 95 Upper College Rd., Kingston. For more information see www.tomaquagmuseum.org/awayfromhome Flier
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Be a part of the BCCUCC Green Team |
Are you passionate about the environment? Do you believe the church has an important part to play in caring for God’s Creation as a part of faithful discipleship? If you answered Yes, then please consider joining the BCCUCC Green Team. What is a green team? A Green Team (or Environmental Stewardship Team, or Creation Care Committee) is a core group of people in a congregation who are committed to raising awareness about the urgent need to protect God’s Creation and to work for environmental sustainability, justice and responsibility within the church and in the larger community. Green Team members can also offer each other a sense of community and moral support in these discouraging times.
If you would be interested in joining, or finding out more, please contact Helen Schall at helenschall@hotmail.com.
The Green Team will meet on Monday, December 6th at 7 pm in the library. All interested are welcome.
You might also like to explore additional resources around the green church movement at these links within the UCC and elsewhere:
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Members of the Barrington Community organize a Donation Drive in support of Refugees from Afghanistan |
Hi Neighbors! We are collecting items in support of the Refugee Dream Center in Providence this Saturday, November 20th from 9am-4pm at 84 Governor Drive, Barrington.
Currently, families have begun to arrive and will need assistance establishing a home. Below is a list of items that they are most in need of (they cannot accept used clothing or bedding): - NEW bedding - pillows, sheet sets, blankets, comforters (for children and adults) - NEW clothing, shoes & outerwear for adults/children/babies - all sizes - NEW small appliances (rice cooker, toaster oven, hair dryer, coffee maker) - Diapers and baby formula - Full size toiletries & feminine products - Non-perishable food (rice, vegetable/olive oil, pasta, marinara sauce, cereal, baby/toddler food) Think bulk amounts of products that can make a meal to feed a family.
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The Pastors' Blog 'From the River's Edge' |
The latest blog was written by Dale titled 'Plans for my sabbatical adventure'. If you missed it earlier you can read it here.
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East Bay Kids Clothes and Toy Swap |
The next swap will take place on Saturday, November 20th from 9 am - 11 am in Fellowship Hall. Please bring items to be swapped in clean and good condition. Trade in clothes, shoes or gently used toys, and get new (to you) items. Size newborn to age 12. There's a $5 donation at the door, but no-one is turned away. Masks must be worn.
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Keep up to date with our Conference - SNEUCC |
The Southern New England Conference, UCC (SNEUCC), publishes several newsletters - one of which comes out weekly and is titled '5 Things to Know and Share'. Read the latest edition at this link and sign up to subscribe and get it sent to your inbox.
Click on this link to see the archive of all of the different SNEUCC newsletters - and subscribe to any that are of interest to you.
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Masks are required in both the education and church buildings |
Masks are required for all participants in worship - with the following exclusions:
- anyone with a medical reason why they can't wear a mask
- children under the age of 2
- while leading worship
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Education building is open with some important requirements |
The education building re-opened on Sept 1st for church and public use with the following requirements:
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All visitors attending meetings or events shall wear appropriate masks at all times (Note: Visitors includes both church people and outside groups)
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Hand sanitizer shall be made readily available for all attendees (this is the responsibility of the organization/individual holding the event)
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An accurate copy of attendees and contact information shall be kept (this is the responsibility of the organization/individual holding the event)
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Weather permitting, doors and windows are to be propped open
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Any room or venue utilized by a group shall remain vacant for at least 20 hours before being utilized by a separate group.
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Church Office Hours: Open Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. Closed on Federal and State holidays.
Building Security: The Education building will remain locked at all times, even when the office is open. Please ring the bell for entry and we'll be happy to let you in - or use the code on the keypad if you have it.
Please remember that masks are required in the education building at all times for all activities and meetings. Thank you for your cooperation.
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