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Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Closed on Federal and State Holidays or where otherwise noted
Unless otherwise noted, our Sunday morning services are livestreamed
for those unable to attend in person. They can be viewed on
Only once the service is over, can it be found on our website.
The Sunday worship bulletin is also posted to our website.
Sat, Jun 3
11 am - 4 pm Boy Scout Troop 2 Car Wash, Parking Lot
Sun, Jun 4
Deadline for KLF Scholarship applications
10 am Worship Service with Communion, Class on the Grass
Mon, Jun 5
6 - 7 pm Youth Group, Room 9 & Fellowship Hall
7 pm ONA (Open and Affirming) meeting, Library
Tues, Jun 6
10 am Staff meeting, Dale's office
6:30 - 9 pm Knitting for Others group, Library and via Zoom
Wed, Jun 7
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Vestry
Thurs, Jun 8
8:30 - 9:30 am Coffee Chat, Thrive Tribe Café
11 am Memorial Service for Alex Robertson, Sanctuary
Sat, Jun 10
9 am - Noon: East Bay Kids Clothes and Toy Swap, Fellowship Hall
Sun, Jun 11 Baccalaureate Sunday and Father's Day
8:45 am FFaYM meeting, Library
10 am Worship Service with Recognition of our High School Seniors and Awarding of the KLF Scholarship; Class on the Grass
After Worship: Annual Meeting, Sanctuary
2 pm Ordination service for Gabrielle Sclafani, Sanctuary
After service: Reception in Fellowship Hall
Mon, Jun 12
5 - 6:30 pm Barrington Interfaith Partners (BIP) meeting, Zoom
6 - 7 pm Youth Group, Fellowship Hall and Room 9
6:30 pm Buildings and Grounds team meeting, Vestry
Tue, Jun 13
10 am Staff meeting, Dale's office
7 pm Church Council meeting
Wed, Jun 14
Noon Deadline for eBridge
4 pm Packing of bags for LFRI Backpack program, Fellowship Hall
7 pm Old Testament Bible Study with Dale, Library
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Vestry
Thurs, Jun 15
8:30 - 9:30 am Coffee Chat, Thrive Tribe Cafe
Fri, Jun 16
5 - 9 pm Outside use of Fellowship Hall
Sun, Jun 18 Confirmation Sunday
10 am Worship Service with Confirmation, Class on the Grass
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Our regular church school programs end with Jubilation Sunday, but on Sundays June 4, 11 & 18 ‘Class on the Grass’ will be offered during 'church school time'. This is an all-ages group that will meet on the playground (or inside if bad weather) with a craft and snacks.
| | Kathleen Lynne Fodor Scholarship - application deadline is June 4 |
New this year, there will be just one scholarship awarded worth $1000 and it will be awarded to either a graduating high school senior going on to further education or to a student already in college. Those who have been confirmed and are members of this church are eligible to apply. Application deadline is this Sunday, June 4 and the scholarship will be awarded on Baccalaureate Sunday, June 11.
Download an application form. The form can also be downloaded from the Church Resources page (under the 'About' tab) on our website www.bccucc.org or a copy can be picked up from the narthex table. We thank the family and friends of Kate Fodor for their support of this scholarship fund created in her memory.
| | Check out the Prayer Garden when you come to church |
During Lent the congregation was invited to write prayers on seed papers each week. Following the service on Palm Sunday, all of the seed papers were planted in our new prayer garden, located along the south wall of the church. Thanks to the sun, rain, and regular watering by Pat Stoddard when needed. there are now lots of shoots coming up! Looking forward to seeing what flowers bloom later. | | Youth Group invites rising 5th graders to join them! |
Kids who will be in 5th grade next year are welcome to join the group for either or both of their June meetings on Mondays June 5 & 12 from 6 - 7 pm, which will be the last meetings for this program year. Families and siblings are welcome to come as well! They will be outside weather permitting. More details about Youth Group are in the 'Ongoing Groups / Activities' section later in this publication.
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A while ago, Dale suggested getting our Open And Affirming (ONA) Team back together to explore how we can expand our support and affirmation for the LGBTQ+ community within and outside our church. We’re excited to announce that we have a great group of folks who are interested. Our first meeting will be Monday, June 5 at 7 pm in the church library. And it’s not too late for you to jump on board if you are interested. We are just at the opening stages of our work and are open to new folks and new ideas! Consider joining us!
| | Annual Report is on it's way! |
Our church's 2023 Annual Report is currently being compiled and will be emailed to the congregation a few days prior to the meeting, with some printed copies available on Sunday, June 11 for the Annual Meeting.
Thank you to the clergy, church officers, and ministry team leaders who have submitted reports for inclusion. Anyone who has yet to do so is reminded to please send it to Christine a.s.a.p. at office@bccucc.org. Thanks.
| | Wellness Wednesday Walking returns! |
Beginning Wednesday, June 7 please join Rev. Racquel for this weekly wellness walk. We meet at the Shaw’s parking lot (near the noticeboard) in the Barrington Shopping Center at 7 am and walk the bike path for about an hour. The group does not meet if it is raining and will end when school resumes in the fall. | | SNEUCC Annual Meeting registration due |
Registrations are due by June 7 for the SNEUCC Annual Meeting being held on June 17. More details under 'Conference Happenings' later in this publication. Participation in-person is very much encouraged this year! Watch a video, just released, on the reasons to register.
If you are not able to participate in-person but would like to attend virtually, please contact Rev. Racquel racquel@bccucc.org if you would like to join BCCUCC members for a watch party in the church library on June 17.
| | Memorial Service for Alex Robertson |
Very sadly, congregation member Alex Robertson passed away on May 24 following a courageous battle with brain cancer.
A memorial service for Alex will be held on Thursday, June 8 at 11 am in our sanctuary. A reception will follow at the Rhode Island Country Club.
Condolence cards may be sent to his wife Michelle at 18 Knapton Street, Barrington RI 02806.
| | East Bay Kids Clothes Swap |
The next East Bay Kids Clothes Swap will be on Saturday, June 10 from 9 am - Noon in Fellowship Hall. It’s a place to trade in clean (non-stained) clothes and shoes and get clothes the next size up! Ages newborn to 12 years old. Give what you can, take what you need! Toys can also be swapped. The swaps are now held seasonally so you don’t want to miss it! $5 donation at the door but no one turned away. More info https://www.facebook.com/EastBayKidsClothesSwap To volunteer with the swap, email RIkidswap@gmail.com
| | Sunday, June 11 will be a busy day!! | |
On Baccalaureate Sunday, June 11 we will recognize our graduating high school seniors at the 10 am worship service.
The Kathleen Lynne Fodor Scholarship will be awarded during the service and the deadline for submitting an application for the scholarship is Sunday, June 4 - see article under 'Sunday June 4' above for more information about the scholarship.
If you're a high school graduate and haven't yet contacted Dale ( dale@bccucc.org) to participate in Baccalaureate Sunday, please do so by June 4 as he needs you to complete a few questions by June 7.
Congratulations to all in our church family who are 2023 graduates at whatever level. For a full list click on this link.
| | Our Church's Annual Meeting |
Our church's Annual Meeting will be held in the sanctuary on Sunday, June 11 immediately following the worship service. All church members are encouraged to attend and childcare will be provided for those who need it. Of particular note is that at the meeting the Governance Ministry Task Force will introduce for discussion some proposed changes to our church structure (see article below the warrant). We hope that all in the congregation will be able to attend.
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Warrant for the 2023 ANNUAL MEETING of
Barrington Congregational Church, UCC
The annual meeting of the Barrington Congregational Church, UCC, Barrington RI, is hereby called to take place on Sunday, June 11, 2023 in the sanctuary immediately following worship. The business to be transacted is as follows:
ARTICLE I: To call the meeting to order.
ARTICLE II: To share a discussion from the Governance Ministry Task Force on the work they are doing in regard to a proposed new church structure.
ARTICLE III: To ask current officers and team members to stay in their current roles until January 2023.
ARTICLE IV: To consider any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
ARTICLE V: To adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted: Susan Seader, Clerk
| | An introduction to the proposed new structure for BCCUCC |
The GMTF (Governance/Ministry Task Force) is excited to share with you what we have been working on for much of the past year. This work actually dates back to 2019 with the Vision 2020 Team before the work was paused, like everything else, due to the pandemic. At this year’s annual meeting on June 11, we will unveil a solid sketch of the structure we are working toward.
This structure is designed to be more agile, responsive, and inclusive providing opportunities for ministry that work better for families now and into the future. It will create less burnout on our most active folks, make it easier for busy people to become involved, and increase our capacity for long-term and strategic planning.
At the annual meeting, we will share our vision and provide opportunities for questions and feedback in anticipation of a vote for acceptance to be held in September. So, don’t miss it. Mark your calendar now for June 11, immediately following worship. We hope all of you, members and non-members alike, will come and learn about our plans. Dale has promised a briefer sermon to get us into the annual meeting more quickly, and childcare will be provided.
| | Ordination Service for Gabrielle Sclafani |
Church member Gabrielle Sclafani will be ordained in our sanctuary on Sunday, June 11 at 2 pm, and a reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
Gabrielle grew up in our church and is the daughter of deacon Carol Strakosch. She was always very involved at BCCUCC until she moved away for college and graduate studies, but now she's back working in the area and worshiping with us. We look forward to celebrating with Gabrielle this final step of her journey to ordination.
All are invited to the service and reception.
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Food donations needed for Backpack Program |
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Thank you to the families that helped fill our 25 monthly bags of food in May that went to students at the DelSesto Middle School in Providence.
Our next collection will be the last for the school year and the deadline is Sunday, June 11. We continue to partner with We Share Hope (https://wesharehope.org) to provide food to those in need & also with Books are Wings who donate free books for the students. (https://www.booksarewings.org)
BCCUCC supplements the donations to fill the bags. We collect the following items in the box in the narthex as you go up the stairs to church: peanut butter, bread, jelly, oatmeal, canned tuna, rice and beans, pasta and sauce, fruit cups, granola bars and shelf stable pudding. Please use this sign-up genius link to mark which items you plan to bring or call the church office to sign up (401) 246-0111. Please be sure to indicate the number of items you are signing up to donate.
Packing of the bags will take place on Wednesday, June 14 at 4pm in Fellowship Hall for anyone interested in helping put the bags together. Contact Jay Buckley at pbuckley6@cox.net or 578-6533 if you can help, or with any questions
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The Old Testament Bible Study with Dale had it's first two sessions but it’s not too late to join in. This six session study Exploring the Bible: Introducing the Old Testament is being held every other Wednesday at 7 pm in the library, and the rest of the sessions are on Jun 14 & 28, Jul 12 & 26. Come as you are able. This is an interactive exploration of major themes in the Old Testament, what the writings meant to its contemporary audience, and what impact it can have for us today. The classes are fun and informative! RSVP to Dale if you would like to participate or if you have any questions (dale@bccucc.org or 401 246-0111 x 103).
RSVPs are required to make sure there are sufficient materials!
| | Confirmation Sunday is June 18 |
We hope you'll be able to join us for worship on Confirmation Sunday, June 18 when four of our young people will be confirmed at the 10 am worship service and become official members of our church. There will also be the traditional dove release outside at the end of the service. | | More players needed for our church's co-ed softball team |
BCCUCC participates in the Barrington Houses of Worship Softball League each summer and is in need of more players. Any interested men aged 30+ or women aged 16+ who would enjoy playing for BCCUCC are invited to contact Steve Peck at steve@peckmarketing.net or (401) 454-9725. Games are played Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays starting Monday, June 19 when BCCUCC will play St. Luke's. All games begin at 6 pm at Bicknell Field, located at the end of Walnut Road off Lincoln. It’s fun and new players are always most welcome. 2023 Softball Schedule
| | From our Mission and Justice Team | | Wear Orange in support of Gun Control |
Gun Violence Awareness Day was founded to honor survivors and victims of gun violence. It originally began on June 2, 2015, on what would have been the 18th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton. Pendleton was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago on January 29, 2013, just a week after she had marched in President Obama’s second inauguration parade.
Why Do People Wear Orange? Not long after Pendleton was killed, her friends began to wear orange as a tribute and commemoration of her life, as safety orange is the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.
We WEAR ORANGE to honor Hadiya, and all of the other people who are wounded or killed due to gun violence.
| | Help Tap-In Celebrate! Volunteers needed |
It's our 40th, and we're doing lots to mark the occasion, including holding 3 open houses over the course of the year. These events will celebrate the anniversary while increasing awareness of the work we do to serve those in need in the East Bay Community. Tours of the facility will be offered as well as cookies and beverages.
We will need VOLUNTEERS to help with these events, and if you can help, please notify Beth Clark (cell 401-523-7842 or email ejcbeth@gmail.com). There are a variety of ways you can help from donating baked goods to helping with facility tours, so please consider contributing some time to these special and exciting ventures.
Open House Date: June 11
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Tap-In
Future Dates: September 9 and November 4
| | Don't miss the Golden Rule's visit to Bristol, RI |
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The 39 foot ketch is a national project of Veterans for Peace and is currently making its way along the Eastern Seaboard, spreading a message of hope for a world free of nuclear weapons and a peaceful, sustainable future for all. Learn more at https://vfpgoldenruleproject.org/
Tuesday, June 13 “Bristol Welcomes the Golden Rule Sailboat for Peace: Envisioning a Nuclear-free World”.
The Golden Rule will be in Bristol for a visit from 11 am - 2 pm and is sponsored by East Bay Citizens for Peace and St. Michael’s Church. They invite you to join them for any or all of the Bristol events!
11–11:30: Welcoming Ceremony at Rockwell Park (or Maritime Center if raining)
- Introductory Remarks - Nancy Hood, East Bay Citizens for Peace
- Land Acknowledgement – Susan Rotblat-Walker
- Pokanoket Blessing – Dancing Star, Sachem
- Music – Barry Brown, Joyce Katzberg, Nancy Hood
- Presentation of Bristol’s Proclamation of Welcome – Councilman Aaron Ley
- Remarks by Golden Rule Crew
- Prayer for Peace – Rev. Deborah T. Breault, Term Minister, First Congregational Church
11:30–12:15 Music and visits onboard the Golden Rule Sailboat
12:30-2:00 Community potluck at St. Michael’s Parish Hall with Golden Rule crew
Presentation by Helen Jaccard, Project Manager
For more information: 401-253-8257
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The latest blog was written by Racquel and titled In Memoriam. If you missed it earlier, you can read it here. | |
Ongoing groups / activities
listed alphabetically
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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 meets once a month from 10 - 11 am in the church library. They next meet on Monday, June 19 and will then take a break until September. For more information contact either of the facilitators, Betsy Brenner at betsybrenner3@gmail.com or 245-8031, or Aubrey Atwater at aubreyfolk@aol.com or (401) 392-1909. | |
The Book Group next meets on Tuesday, June 20 at 10:30 am in the church library. They will d iscuss Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin. Book Review
For more information about the group contact Helen Schall at helenschall@hotmail.com or 401 245-4724. All are welcome.
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Why not join the BCCUCC church choir? No audition is needed and all voice parts are welcome. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm for an hour or so, in the vestry (the room below the sanctuary). To learn more speak with our music director Matthew Marion on a Sunday or contact him at mmarion1811@gmail.com. You're also very welcome to speak with any of our current choir members - or just come along to a Wednesday evening rehearsal. They'd love to have you join them! The choir will sing in church through June 18, then take a break over the summer.
| | Coffee Chats with Racquel will continue thru the summer |
Rev. Racquel invites you to join her at Thrive Tribe Café, 60 Maple Avenue, Barrington from 8:30 am – 9:30 am on Thursday Mornings for Coffee Chats. She will be there every Thursday morning unless otherwise noted, and hopes to see you any time you can make it! All are welcome. Coffee Chats will continue through the summer. While summer schedules vary and participation is flexible week to week, many of us will continue to share coffee and conversation through the summer. You are most welcome to join us! | | Knitting for Others Group meets in person and online |
These knitters get together on the first Tuesday to knit items to be donated - prayer shawls, baby hats, etc. They next meet on Tuesday, June 6 from 6:30 – 9 pm and participants have the option to either meet in person in the church library or meet over zoom. Feel free to stop by the library or join the call at any time and stay as long as you like. They use the church's video conferencing equipment which makes it easier to have conversations between those participating online and those in the room. All knitters and crocheters are invited to participate and new faces are very welcome. For more information on the group, contact Nancy Arena at (401) 246-0212 or nancy.arena@outlook.com.
The zoom information needed is not included here for security reasons. It was in the email sent to the congregation.
| | Wednesday Morning Prayer Services have been paused |
We will revisit this ministry in the future. For specific prayer requests please contact Dale (dale@bccucc.org or 246-0111 x 103) or Racquel (racquel@bccucc.org or 246-0111 x104).
| | Women of Faith Reading Group not meeting over the summer |
The group is taking a break over the summer and will resume meeting in the Fall. For more information contact Jane Tonn at 289-2349 or jtonn2@cox.net
| | Youth Group - last meetings this program year! |
The Youth Group is led by Rev. Racquel and welcomes all in Grades 5 - 8. They've gathered most weeks throughout the year when school is in session on Mondays from 6 - 7 pm for fun and fellowship, a simple dinner (usually pizza) and a closing prayer service.
The last Youth Group meetings for this program year are on Mondays, June 5 & 12. Kids who will be in 5th grade next year are welcome to join the group for either or both of our June meetings. Families and siblings are welcome to come as well! We will be outside weather permitting. For more information, contact Rev. Racquel at racquel@bccucc.org or (401) 246-0111 x104.
| | SNEUCC Annual Meeting - registration deadline is June 7 |
Registration is open for the 4th Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference, to be held Saturday, June 17 at the DCU Center in Worcester. An online option is also available. Visitors are invited to attend in addition to delegates.
The meeting will include messages by UCC General Minister and President Nominee Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson and SNEUCC Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin; engaging worship; and two sets of breakout sessions, one on "Mapping Your Church's Path Forward" and one on "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion." There will also be a Children's Program, a Marketplace and some pre-meeting events.
| | Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center |
Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center is an outdoor ministries site of the Southern New England Conference, UCC, located in Sharon, CT. Use the following links to find out more about what they offer:
| | 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.
| | 2023 Bristol County Chorus Spring Concert |
The Bristol County Chorus will be presenting a spring concert on Sunday June 4 at 3 pm at the First Congregational Church, 300 High Street, Bristol, RI. Under the dynamic and engaging leadership of Nicholas Rocha, this season’s program, entitled “The Open Road”, will be influenced by Celtic music focusing on themes of journeys and travels arranged to inspire.
Tickets are $20.00 in advance, and $25.00 at the door, and are available locally at the George Hail Library in Warren and at Paper Packaging and Panache in Bristol.
| | Sunday mornings at BCCUCC | | Services livestreamed to Facebook, website and YouTube |
All are invited to join us for our multi-platform worship service at 10 am. Masks are optional but we do ask that if you're feeling unwell or have symptoms, that you please stay home and watch online. We continue to run large HEPA air filters in the sanctuary and also have HEPA air filters in most spaces in our Education building.
For those unable to join us in person, the services are livestreamed so they can be watched online - either live or later - at
Please note that the service can no longer be watched LIVE on our website. However a recording of the service can be watched once the service is over when it gets posted to the Livestream page of the church website https://bccucc.org/live-stream-2/
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The Nursery is open every Sunday morning to provide loving care for infants and children aged 0 - 3 years old. Parents/guardians are welcome to drop off their child/children in the nursery located in the Education building before going to the worship service.
The Nursery Nook, located directly below the sanctuary, is another option for parents with wiggly children of any age to retreat to and still hear the service on the loud speaker down there.
We love the sound of children in worship so parents are welcome to keep their infants and children with them in the sanctuary if they wish. For those who would prefer to worship without distraction, we provide these other options.
| | Deadlines for Announcements and eBridge |
The deadline for receiving information for inclusion in the eBridge and the Sunday Announcements is Noon on the Wednesday prior to publication.
Deadline for next eBridge is Wed, June 14. Send information to Christine at office@bccucc.org.
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We encourage the congregation to wear nametags to help get to know each other. If you would like a nametag please contact the church office at office@bccucc.org or call (401) 246-0111 and let us know what name you’d like on the nametag and your preference for a clip, pin or string holder. Nametags are stored on the rack in the vestry hallway, or you can keep it in your car or purse where you can easily find it on a Sunday morning.
| | Online donations to the church through our website |
Our church website ( www.bccucc.org) is capable of accepting online donations. Watch a brief video (30 secs) on how to do this, or read the following instructions: There’s a red ‘DONATE’ button on the right side of the black menu bar near the top of each page of the website. Clicking on it will take you to the ‘Giving to BCCUCC’ page. In the middle is a link to Tithe.ly through which you can make a donation to the church either using a credit card or directly from your bank. (No need to set up an account). You are also able to designate where you would like your donation to go (pledge, gift, memorial gift, Deacons’ Fund, etc). | |
Questions? Contact Pat Stoddard, Financial Secretary at pat@bccucc.org or (401) 246-0111 x 102.
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Racquel racquel@bccucc.org (401) 246-0111 x 104 Associate Minister for Congregational Life
Christine office@bccucc.org (401) 246-0111 x 101 (or just stay on the line) Office Administrator
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.
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