|
| |
The bi-weekly newsletter of
Barrington Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
| |
|
Office Hours: Open Mon - Fri, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm.
Closed on Federal and State Holidays & where otherwise noted
Fri, Feb 7 & Sat, Feb 8
Outside Use of Library & Rm 9
Sun, Feb 9
10 am: Worship Service & Church School
11:30 am - 1 pm: Confirmation Class, Library
Mon, Feb 10
10 -11 am: Bereavement Group, Library
5 – 6:30 pm: Barrington Interfaith Partners Meeting, Library
6 – 7 pm: Youth Group, Fellowship Hall & Rm 9
Tue, Feb 11
10 am: Staff Meeting, Dale’s Office
Wed, Feb 12
7:30 pm: Choir rehearsal, Vestry
Thurs, Feb 13
8:30 – 9:30 am: Coffee Chat, Plant City in Barrington Center
Fri, Feb 14
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Sun, Feb 16
10 am: All Ages Worship Service
Mon, Feb 17 President's Day (Office Closed)
School Vacation Week (2/17-2/21)
No Youth Group
Tues, Feb 18
10 am: Staff Meeting, Dale's Office
10:30 am: Book Group, Library
7 pm: Deacons Meeting
Wed, Feb 19
Noon: Deadline for Bridge Announcements
7:30 pm: Choir Rehearsal, Vestry
Thurs, Feb 20
8:30 - 9:30 am: Coffee Chat, Plant City in Barrington Center
1:30 - 3 pm: Women of Faith Reading Group, Library
Sun, Feb 23
10 am: Worship Service, Church School
11 am: Girl Scout Cookie Sales at Coffee Hour
For the complete church calendar visit http://bccucc.view-events.com
Send calendar information to office@bccucc.org
| |
Upcoming Worship Services | |
Stream Sunday Services
Sunday morning services are available online for anyone who can't make it in person. To see our service live on Sundays from 10 - 11 am, visit our Facebook page or our YouTube channel.
Recordings will also be added to our website following the service.
| |
|
|
Inclement Weather Protocol Reminder
Local weather reports may be calling for snow/ ice/ treacherous travel conditions as we continue through the winter months. Should morning worship or church school be cancelled due to inclement weather, we will keep you informed via email, through the RI Broadcasters website (https://www.ribroadcasters.com/News_and_Events/Closings_Delays), our Facebook page, or through the local news broadcasting stations and websites.
| | | |
Sunday, February 9th
*Potential for inclement weather*
10 AM - Worship & Church School
What a blessing – O, ancient doors!
Reminder: We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, but please keep an eye on your email or news broadcasts prior to arriving at church. Most importantly, your safety is a priority, so please do not travel to attend worship if you feel it may be unsafe. If you cannot attend in person, you can always watch it virtually (LIVE) on our Facebook Page, or on our YouTube Channel.
| | |
Sunday, February 16th
10 AM - All Ages Worship
What are you grateful for?
Rev. Dale Azevedo is planning a wonderful all ages worship service focusing on gratitude for Feb 16th. This will be an interactive service with participation for people of all ages. Dale is always looking for folks, young and old, who would like to participate by sharing a reading or a prayer! If you, your child, grandchild or even a new guest you bring along would like to read or participate, please reach out to Dale at dale@bccucc.org (401) 246-0111 x 103.
P.S. Don't be nervous to step up! All materials necessary will be prepared for you beforehand, and if you have any questions or need a helping hand through it all, Rev. Dale can help! For anyone who isn't up for participating, we are excited to invite you to come to morning worship to smile, relax, and be reminded of all we have to be grateful for, even during challenging times. We look forward to seeing you!
| |
Update & Transition Plans for Rev. Dale's Retirement
Dale’s final Sunday before retirement will be April 27th, 2025. The Deacons and Governing Board are working diligently on transition plans and will keep everyone updated as more information becomes available.
(The following has been submitted by Laura Ward, Governing Board Chair and Pat Stoddard, Deacons Chair)
We want to update you on where the church stands as we transition from Rev. Dale’s retirement to plans for the coming weeks and months. According to the church’s by-laws “The Deacons shall ensure that pastoral care and preaching is provided until a successor is called to fill a vacant position on a permanent basis”. This will include hiring an Interim Senior Minister and may also include hiring what is traditionally called “Pulpit Supply” (bringing in various ministers to assist with pastoral care and preaching) to supplement the important work that Rev. Raquel continues to do for our church and the wider community.
The Deacons will be working in collaboration with the Governing Board as we begin this process. We are setting up a meeting with Rev. Patty Kogut, the Area Conference Minister, Southeast Region of the Southern New England Conference, UCC. This is an important first step in a process that is likely to take at least 12 months. We will continue to update the congregation as more specific plans develop and ask for your prayers as we begin this thoughtful journey.
-Laura Ward, Governing Board Chair; Pat Stoddard, Deacons Chair
| |
'From the River's Edge' with Racquel
Don't miss the latest Pastors' blog, "Lift Your Lamp Beside the Golden Door", by Rev. Racquel Ray.
"In a country where we have declared to be created with inalienable rights to choose life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness it is remarkable that we should need to talk about the limits of those freedoms. Yet, here we are in the course of human events where we, as a church community, must decide where we stand." Read More
| |
Cookie Time!
All BCCUCC Girl Scouts are invited to join GS Troop 245 in hosting a Girl Scout cookie sale during coffee hour on Sunday, February 23rd from 11-12. Each Girl Scout / Troop will be responsible for managing their own sales and cookies. Contact Rev. Racquel Ray for more information at racquel@bccucc.org.
| |
Winter Congregational Meeting | |
The Winter Congregational Meeting Recap: The meeting was held Sunday, January 26th following morning worship. A quorum was in attendance and the September meeting minutes were approved. The 2025 annual church budget was presented, and, after some discussion, the budget was unanimously approved. The Solar Team presented an update on phase 1 of the solar project and is expected to be operational in the next 3-9 months. Phase 2 of the project is anticipated to be started in the next year. Finally, the congregation unanimously voted to elect Joe Judge to serve as the Assistant Treasurer beginning on or around March 15th. To view the full meeting minutes provided by our Church Clerk, Click here | |
The 2025 Winter Congregational Meeting Minutes can be viewed here.
The 2025 budget can be viewed here.
| |
Getting Involved & Giving Thanks | |
Join the Chancel Team
The Chancel Team is seeking new members! You will get to assist others in honoring loved ones with flower donations in their memory (and the time commitment is quite reasonable!). Please speak with Beth Buckley at coffee hour or call at 247-0324 if you would like to learn more about this fulfilling opportunity to serve.
| |  |
Our Staff Thanks You!
Once again, the congregation has been generous in donations to the Staff Christmas Gift for which we are most grateful. Your donations remind us of how much our work is appreciated and how blessed we are to work with such a wonderful and supportive congregation. We thank you all! -- Sara, Pat, Andrea, Frank, Barbara & Matthew
| | |
2025 Greeters Wanted
Want to get more involved? Sign up to be a "Greeter" for an upcoming Sunday morning worship! Contact Trinki Brueckner trinki49@gmail.com, (401) 447-4742 or speak with her after service for more information and available dates.
| |
Happy Valentines Day!
During coffee hour on February 2nd, many gathered in Fellowship Hall to make valentines for our homebound, recently bereaved or sick church members, and college students. We thank the Deacons for hosting and providing the materials for this fun and uplifting event!
| |
Your Donations Make a Difference
It's easy to make a donation online. Simply go to the donation page on our website at www.bccucc.org/donation/ and click on 'Donate Now' under the TIthe.ly option. Be sure to click on the drop-down box in Tithe.ly to choose where you'd like your donation to go - options include Deacons Fund, Memorial Gift, Pledge, Gift etc. Thank you for your financial support of BCCUCC!
| | |
Upcoming Group Gatherings | |
Bereavement Group (Monthly)
This support group is open to anyone (not just church members) who has lost a loved one at any time and new members are always welcome. The group will meet again on Monday, February 10th from 10 - 11 am in the church library. For more information contact one of the facilitators, Betsy Brenner betsybrenner3@gmail.com or 245-8031, or Aubrey Atwater at aubreyfolk@aol.com or 392-1909.
|
Youth Group
The next Youth Group meeting will be on Monday, February 10th from 6 - 7 pm There will be NO Youth Group on February 17th in observance of President's Day. Youth Group will resume again on February 24th.
| |
Veterans Coffee & Conversation at Atria (Monthly)
Rev. Racquel invites you to join her for coffee and donuts with the Veterans at Atria Bay Spring Village. We meet once per month for coffee and conversation - and donuts! The stories and living history are profoundly sacred. Please email or call Rev. Racquel at racquel@bccucc.org or (401) 246-0111 x 104 for more information and dates for upcoming group gatherings.
| |
Book Group (Monthly)
The Book Group will next meet on Tuesday, February 18th, at 10:30 am in the church library. The book discussion this month is History of the Rain by Niall Williams. All are welcome to join! For more info about the group, contact Helen Schall at helenschall@hotmail.com.
|
Women of Faith Reading Group
Women of Faith Reading Group will next meet on Thursday, February 20th from 1:30 - 3 pm in the church library.
The group will continue to review this month's book, "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate, following having to cancel the group meeting on February 6th for inclement weather. For more information, contact Jane Tonn at 289-2349 or jtonn2@cox.net
| |
Knitting for Others Group (Monthly)
The Knitting for Others Group will meet both in person and via zoom on the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 4th from 6:30 - 9 pm. Feel free to stop into the library or join the call at any time and stay as long as you like. All knitters and crocheters are invited to participate and new faces are very welcome. For more information on the group or the Zoom login info to participate, contact Nancy Arena at (401) 246-0212 or nancy.arena@outlook.com.
| |
Choir Rehearsals (Weekly)
If you enjoy singing, why not join the church choir - no audition needed! Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm in the Vestry for an hour or so. To learn more, speak with our music director Matthew Marion after church or at (401) 954-7107 or mmarion1811@gmail.com.
| |
Coffee Chat (Weekly)
Join Rev. Racquel and others on Thursday mornings 8:30 - 9:30 am at Plant City in the Barrington Shopping Center for conversation and companionship. Contact Rev. Racquel with any questions racquel@bccucc.org
| |
Copies of the Bridge and Pastors' Blogs
If you're visiting us at Sunday morning worship, be sure to check the Narthex when you come in for some of our latest news as well as printed copies of recent Pastors' blogs and Bridge newsletter.
| |
Deadline for Bridge Updates
Deadline for the next Bridge newsletter is Wednesday, February 5th.
Please send information to office@bccucc.org.
| |
2024-2025 Church Calendar
Our church calendar can be viewed at http://bccucc.view-events.com Please notify the office at office@bccucc.org or 246-0111 with any meeting/event information etc. so the calendar can be kept up to date. Thank you!
| |
Don't miss out!
View our latest bulletins, announcements, video streams and more through the following channels:
| |
News from the Conference & National UCC | |
|
Keep up with our Conference (the Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ), you can read the latest edition of the newsletter "5 Things to Know and Share" at this link and sign up to have future editions sent right 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.
| |
|
Rev. Dale Azevedo Senior Minister dale@bccucc.org (401) 246-0111 x 103
Rev. Racquel Ray Associate Minister for Congregational Life racquel@bccucc.org (401) 246-0111 x 104
Sara Bagwell Office Administrator office@bccucc.org (401) 246-0111 x 101
Pat Stoddard Financial Secretary pat@bccucc.org (401) 246-0111 x 102
Andrea Bullard Faith Formation Director andrea@bccucc.org (401) 246-0111 x 107
Matthew Marion Music Director mmarion1811@gmail.com
Church Office Hours: Open Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm.
Closed on Federal and State holidays.
Building Security: The Education building remains 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.
| | | | |
