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Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm.
Closed on Federal and State Holidays & where otherwise noted
Sun, Jan 7, 2024
10 am Worship Service with Communion, Church School
Mon, Jan 8
10 - 11 am Bereavement Group, Library
5 - 6:30 pm Barrington Interfaith Partners (BIP) meeting, Library and Zoom
6 - 7 pm Youth Group, Fellowship Hall and Room 9
6:30 pm Buildings and Grounds Team meeting, Vestry
Tues, Jan 9
10 am Staff meeting, Dale's office
7 pm Church Council meeting, Zoom
Wed, Jan 10
2 pm GMTF (Governance Ministry Task Force) meeting, Library
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Vestry
Thurs, Jan 11
8:30 - 9:30 am Coffee Chat, Thrive Tribe Cafe
Sun, Jan 14
10 am All Ages Worship Service
Mon, Jan 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Office Closed
Tues, Jan 16
10 am Staff meeting, Dale's office
10:30 am Book Group, Library
7 pm Deacons meeting, Library
Wed, Jan 17
Noon Deadline for eBridge
7 pm Mission and Justice Team meeting, Library
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Vestry
Thurs, Jan 18
8:30 - 9:30 am Coffee Chat, Thrive Tribe Cafe
1:30 - 3 pm Women of Faith Reading Group, Library
Sun, Jan 21
9 am - 12:15 pm OWL Class, Library
10 am Worship Service, Church School
| | If you can't be with us in person, please worship with us online |
Our Sunday morning services are livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. They can be viewed on our Facebook page or on our YouTube channel - either live or watched later.
Only once the service is over, can a recording of the service be found on our website. The Sunday worship bulletin is also posted to our website.
| | An Update on the New Church Structure from the GMTF |
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Well, January is here and our new structure is almost upon us! This is an exciting time. We have been hard at work getting things ready for the congregational vote following worship on January 28. As a part of that, we have a draft of the new by-laws complete, a number of our new policies written, and are well on our way with nominations. Our goal is to release an updated web page introducing the new by-laws this Sunday, January 7. We are currently finishing up a few details on that site and a special email will be sent to the congregation when that is ready. As it comes to nominations, we have most of our Ministry Coordinators lined up and are in conversation with a handful of potential Governing Board members. As you recall, the Governing Board is responsible for oversight of the Senior Minister and long-term strategic planning with the congregation. If you are interested, or know of someone you think might be a good fit for the Governing Board, be sure to pass that on to Vanessa Kiley (vanessakiley@aol.com) or Rev. Dale (dale@bccucc.org).
| | New Year, New You - Jumpstart Your Health! It's not too late to sign up!
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Are you interested in learning more about plant based eating? Are you struggling with chronic health issues and looking for nutrition support?
Rev. Racquel Ray invited Dr. Sandra Musial of Plant Docs to speak at the Dec 31st worship service. Following the service, a number of church members signed up to participate in a New Year, New You, plant based nutrition Jump Start Your Health! program. The class starts January 9th and runs for 4 Tuesdays in a row either remotely or at Plant City. The program also includes an order for labs before and after. Two of the classes are zoom cooking classes taught by Dr. Musial from her kitchen as students cook together in their own kitchens. It's not too late to sign up! BCCUCC congregation members are being offered the promo code of SAVE50 to get $50 off the price which you can enter when checking out. Sign-up is on the Plant Docs website found here along with more information about the program.
| | 2024 Contribution Envelopes |
For those who requested them, their 2024 contribution envelopes are ready for pick up.
If you haven't had a set of contribution envelopes before but would like to start using envelopes in 2024, please contact Financial Secretary, Pat Stoddard (pat@bccucc.org or 246-0111 x 102) and she will assign you a set.
| | In the event of bad weather...... |
We will always do our best to notify you of cancellations, especially if we ever need to cancel Sunday worship. Be sure to check your email, Facebook, and the TV and radio stations. You can also check the RI Broadcasters Closings list. However, in the event that we lose power and/or internet connection we will be unable to post these notifications.
Your safety is important to us, so if the weather is bad but church is going ahead, please don't come out unless you're comfortable doing so - even if you're scheduled to assist in some way with the service. Your wellbeing is the #1 priority.
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On Sunday, January 28 a Congregational Meeting will take place in the Sanctuary immediately following the worship service. The two main agenda items will be:
- to vote on the proposed new church structure (see earlier article An Update on the New Church Structure from the GMTF),
- to vote on our church's budget for 2024.
Please save the date and plan to be at this important meeting. Child care will be provided.
| | Girl Scout Cookie Sales - one day only at coffee hour!! |
It’s Girl Scout cookie season! We have several girl scouts in the congregation representing several troops. To be most inclusive to our kids, we would like to offer ONE cookie sale day during coffee hour on Sunday, February 11. Girl Scouts from BCCUCC may set up a cookie table during coffee hour to offer cookie sales to church guests. Please email Rev. Racquel racquel@bccucc.org to sign up. | | Thanks to all involved in the December 24 worship services |
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Thank you to the many people involved in making the worship services on Christmas Eve happen so that everything ran smoothly and worship was a good experience for all:
- to Paul Dennis, Jay Buckley and the workers at PRIDE heating and air conditioning for getting the new heating system installed and fully running in the church building in time for our December 24th services. We didn't want a repeat of Christmas Eve 2022 when worship had to be moved to Fellowship Hall as the church boiler was broken due to the floods of 12/23/22!
- to the greeters, ushers, and elevette operators for welcoming everyone and making worship accessible to all who came to worship with us.
- to our worship tech team who livestreamed the services to those unable to attend in person.
- to all who participated in the Christmas Pageant at the morning service, with special thanks to Joanne Ela and Elizabeth Azevedo for creating many new costumes and for organizing all of our costumes, to Liz Rosenholm for narrating the pageant, and to Andrea and Racquel for all of their work behind the scenes.
- to Jay Buckley for taking down the 'stable' after the morning service so the chancel area could be made ready for the evening.
- to the Chancel Team members who came in before the evening service to decorate the church with all of the poinsettias.
- to our music director, Matthew for providing music at both services, and to the choir for singing at the evening service.
- to the Advent Wreath candle lighters at both services.
- to the readers at the evening service of lessons and carols.
- and finally to Racquel and Dale for leading the morning and evening services respectively. They were two very different services, but each was meaningful in it's own way as we celebrated both the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve on the same day.
| | Thanks for donations to the Chancel Fund |
Many thanks to everyone who made a donation to the Chancel Fund this Christmas. The fund was used to pay for all of the Christmas plants that were delivered by our deacons to the homebound, sick and recently bereaved. The fund also paid for all of the poinsettias and other plants used to decorate the sanctuary from Advent through Christmas, as well as the boxwood wreaths on the front doors of the church. Thank you to the Deacons and to the Chancel Team for their roles in these ministries
| | Thanks to YOU our church will help change the lives of about 50 friends at Crossroads RI |
Thank you BCCUCC for your donations of about 50 spice baskets. Our magi and many volunteers delivered the baskets to Ric Wild on Christmas Eve morning as part of the Christmas Pageant. Racquel can’t wait to hear the stories that come back to us from Crossroads! May all of the spices warm the hearts and kitchens of our neighbors. | | Thanks to YOU we're able to help more of our neighbors |
The Mission and Justice Team would like to thank the congregation for their generous donations to the Giving Tree and to the Mitten Tree this Christmas.
All monies donated to the Giving Tree went to The Women's Resource Center who help domestic violence survivors and their families in Bristol and Newport Counties.
Two large trash bags and two smaller paper bags of hats, gloves, and scarves were donated to the Mitten Tree in the sanctuary. They are being given to Kim Fernandez, Executive Director of Federal Hill House where they will be distributed to the clients and also to clients of the two food pantries affiliated with Federal Hill House. Any extras will be donated to Amos House.
| | Thank you from the lay staff |
Once again the congregation has been generous in their donations to the Staff Christmas Gift for which we are most grateful. Your donations remind us of how much our work is appreciated, which means a lot to us. We all enjoy working at the church which is blessed with two caring clergy, and a wonderful and supportive congregation.
Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2024, and with many thanks from Christine, Pat, Andrea, Matthew, Jay, and Frank.
| | From the Mission and Justice Team | | Climate Future Film Festival |
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The BCCUCC Green Team invites you to join them at the First Unitarian Church, 1 Benevolent St, Providence on Sunday, January 7 at 12:15 pm for the Climate Future Film Festival. This free two-hour event will feature 10 short films that explore the full range of human and artistic responses to climate change. In narratives, documentaries, dark comedies and animations, filmmakers from four continents explore the emotional undercurrents that so often characterize our responses to climate change. The hope is that viewing these films – and taking part in the discussions they spark - will help people move beyond such feelings and toward climate activism. The 10 films were selected by a 25-member panel of teachers, artists, psychologists, and business and climate leaders, including Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org Festival organizer Jim Stahl will introduce the series and be on hand afterwards to answer questions. There will be one 14-minute intermission and refreshments (including popcorn) will be available. If interested in attending contact Helen Schall at helenschall@hotmail.com or (401) 245-4724. For additional information, click on the links below:
| | UCC Webinar - 'Primary Season: Prioritizing Climate Solutions' |
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Recent headlines have highlighted a "waning enthusiasm" among voters who have helped propel environmental justice champions into office in previous elections. A decline in enthusiasm has been noted among Black, Hispanic, and young voters. Among voters concerned about the climate crisis, dissatisfaction and anger have arisen as fossil fuel projects in Alaska and Appalachia move forward.
In this UCC webinar, we will focus on what can be done to create the momentum needed for champions of climate justice to be elected into office. We will look at how climate solutions can be prioritized in the primaries, so that policies in accord with environmental justice values can be advanced.
Our featured webinar guests include speakers from the League of Conservation Voters, the Black Voters Matter Fund, and the Green New Deal Network. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on Wednesday, January 10 at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
| | Urge Congress to Pass a Clean 2024 Budget! |
Congress has been stalling on passing a 2024 budget since September 2023. With multiple continued resolutions and a long speaker of the House change mid-term, Congress has been greatly delayed in passing bills and funding important aspects of government that contribute to the care of God's creation. We need a budget passed for 2024 that will invest in clean energy, conservation for ocean, lands and endangered species, and continue essential programs. Send a message to your Congressional representatives now urging them to pass a clean budget before January 19. Take Action here:
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Ongoing groups and events
(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. Upcoming dates are: Monday, January 8. For more information contact one of the facilitators, Betsy Brenner at betsybrenner3@gmail.com or 245-8031, or Aubrey Atwater at aubreyfolk@aol.com or (401) 392-1909, or Rev. Racquel Ray at racquel@bccucc.org (401) 246 0111 x 104. | |
The Book Group next meets on Tuesday, January 16 at 10:30 am in the church library. They will d iscuss Solito by Javier Zamora. 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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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. To learn more, speak with our m usic director Matthew Marion after church or at (401) 954-7107 or mmarion1811@gmail.com. Or speak with any choir member - they'd love to have you join them. Come make a joyful noise to the Lord! | | Coffee Chats with Racquel and others |
On Thursday mornings Rev. Racquel and others meet at Thrive Tribe Café, 60 Maple Ave, Barrington from 8:30 – 9:30 am for coffee and conversation. All are welcome to join them any time they can make it. Note: they still meet even when Racquel is away.
| | Knitting for Others Group - in person and via zoom |
The Knitting for Others Group meets both in person and via zoom on the first Tuesday of each month, and next meets on Tuesday, February 6 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, contact Nancy Arena at (401) 246-0212 or nancy.arena@outlook.com.
Zoom info needed tis not included here for security reasons. It can be found in the email sent to the congregation.
| | Loaves and Fishes Backpack Program |
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BCCUCC continues the collection of food bags to be given to the families of 25 students at DelSesto Middle School in Providence who are experiencing food insecurity. 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 food 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. Thank you to those who supported December's collection.
Please use January's SignUpGenius link to sign up to donate specific items, being sure to indicate how many of an item you can donate. If you need help signing up please call the church office (401) 246-0111.
The deadline for January food donations is Sunday, January 21 and the packing of the bags will take place on Wednesday, January 24 at 4 pm in Fellowship Hall for anyone interested in helping put the bags together. Contact Jay Buckley pbuckley6@cox.net or 578-6533 if you can help, or with any questions.
| | Women of Faith Reading Group |
The group welcomes women of all ages from BCCUCC as well as other churches and faith traditions. They meet for discussions on books, faith and life on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 1:30 - 3 pm in the church library. Their next meeting is on Thursday, January 18. For more information - including what they're currently reading - contact Jane Tonn at 289-2349 or jtonn2@cox.net
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The Youth Group (for grades 5 - 8) gathers most weeks throughout the year on Mondays from 6 - 7pm in Fellowship Hall and Room 9. Youth group meetings consist of fun and fellowship, simple dinner (usually pizza) and a closing prayer service. When the weather permits, they'll meet on the terrace, labyrinth, and playground. Note: There is no youth group when Barrington Public Schools have a day off.
Following the holiday break, they'll next meet on Mondays, Jan 8, 22 & 29, 2024. All youth grades 5 - 8 are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Rev. Racquel Ray at racquel@bccucc.org or (401) 246-0111 x 104.
Don't forget that youth participating in any programs at church must be registered. Registration form
| | 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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The latest blog was written by Dale and titled 'What Does Christmas Mean To You?'. If you missed it earlier, you can read it here.
| | Want to know more about our children and youth programs? |
Printed copies of the booklet are available for pick up from the narthex table in church, or from outside Andrea's office. If you have questions, please get in touch with our Faith Formation Director, Andrea Bullard at andrea@bccucc.org or (401) 246-0111 x 107m who'll be happy to answer them.
| | Sunday mornings at BCCUCC | | Services livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube |
All are invited to join us for our multi-platform worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings - either in person or online.
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 and it's been posted to the Livestream page of the church website https://bccucc.org/live-stream-2/
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The Nursery is available 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.
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Our regular church office hours are Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm. Closed on Federal & State holidays.
The church office will be CLOSED on Monday, January 15 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
| | | 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, Jan 17, 2024. Send information to Christine at office@bccucc.org.
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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 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.
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