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Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Closed on Federal and State Holidays or where otherwise noted
For those unable to attend worship in person, our Sunday service is
Only once the service is over, can it be watched on our website.
The Sunday worship bulletin is also posted to our website
to make it easier to follow the service when watching online.
Thurs, May 18
8:30 - 9:30 am Coffee Chat, Thrive Tribe Cafe
7 pm Mission and Justice Team meeting, via Zoom
Sun, May 21 Jubilation Sunday
9:30 am Sing and Celebrate Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
10 am All Ages Worship Service with Sing & Celebrate Choir (in person and online)
After Worship: Hot Dog Picnic, Ice Cream Truck and more! Fellowship Hall &Terrace
After Worship: Church School Registration for next year, Fellowship Hall
Mon, May 22
6 - 7 pm Youth Group, Room 9 & Fellowship Hall
Tues, May 23
10 am Staff meeting, Dale's office
Wed, May 24
10 am Wednesday Prayer Service, Sanctuary
4 pm Pack bags for Loaves & Fishes Backpack program, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Vestry
Thurs, May 25
8:30 - 9:30 am Coffee Chat, Thrive Tribe Café
Noon: Women of Faith Reading Group Lunch, Library
Sun, May 28
Strengthen the Church offering
10 am Worship Service (in person and online)
Mon, May 29 Memorial Day
Office Closed
Tue, May 30
Deadline for Annual Reports
10 am Staff meeting, Dale's office
Wed, May 31
10 am Wednesday Prayer Service, Sanctuary
Noon Deadline for eBridge
7 pm Old Testament Bible Study with Dale, Library
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal, Vestry
Thurs, Jun 1
8:30 - 9:30 am Coffee Chat, Thrive Tribe Cafe
12:30 pm GMTF (Governance Ministry Task Force) meeting, Library
Sat, Jun 3
9 am - 3 pm Boy Scout Troop 2 Car Wash, Parking Lot
Sun, Jun 4
Deadline for KLF Scholarship applications
8:45 am FFAYM meeting, Library
10 am Worship Service with Communion (in person and online), Class on the Grass
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Please join us this Sunday, May 21 as we celebrate the end of our Church School year.
- Ben Flynn (church member and 2022 high school graduate) will be coming to tell us about his recent experiences volunteering at orphanages in Ghana & Tanzania.
- The Sing & Celebrate choir will be singing.
- We will be recognizing our fantastic Church School teachers.
- After the service the party will continue on the terrace as Chef Dale Azevedo and his sidekick Fred Rocco man the grills for our hot dog picnic.
- The ice cream truck will be back with ice cream for everyone.
- There will also be a bouncy house and lawn games (weather permitting).
- Church School registration for next year begins (see below).
We hope you can be there for this special morning of worship, food, fun and fellowship as we celebrate our children and youth.
| | Church School Registration for 2023-2024 begins |
Andrea has streamlined the Church School registration process for next year. If your child/children were registered for the 2022-2023 church school year, all you have to do is review that form, change the grade, make any necessary updates and initial it! Look for the registration table in Fellowship Hall at the picnic on Jubilation Sunday, May 21. If you’re new and would like to register your child/children for next year, the necessary form will be at the table.
Please note that our insurance requires that all children and youth participating in any program at BCCUCC - from nursery through high school - be registered each year.
| | Food donations deadline for Backpack Program |
Thank you to the families that helped fill our 25 monthly bags of food in Aprilthat went to students at the DelSesto Middle School in Providence.
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, May 24 at 4pm 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
| | Welcome to our newest church members! |
At our Sunday, May 7th worship service ten adults officially joined Barrington Congregational Church, UCC to become our newest members.
To help the congregation get to know them, each new member was asked to provide a brief bio for publication, and these can be found along with their photos at this link. We're delighted that our newest members and their families wanted to make BCCUCC their official church home, and we're really glad that they're here!
| | Rev. Dale Azevedo will be out of the office from May 22 thru Memorial Day. | | Strengthen the Church offering |
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The Strengthen the Church (STC) offering will be taken on Sunday, May 28. This offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. By your generosity to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ. As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.
This year's theme is 'On Holy Ground'. Learn more from the bulletin inserts on May 21 & 28 or read them at this link.
Checks may be made out to ‘BCCUCC’ with ‘Strengthen the Church’ in the memo line and can be either put in the offering plate or mailed to the church office at 461 County Rd, Barrington RI 02806. Online donations may be made from our church website at www.bccucc.org/donation/ Click on the Tithe.ly ‘Donate Now’ link and choose ‘Strengthen the Church’ in the dropdown menu. Thank you.
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The Old Testament Bible Study with Dale had it's first session on May 17 but it’s not too late to participate. 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 May 31, 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!
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We’re looking for individuals, couples or families to be greeters at our Sunday morning worship service. The only requirement is to arrive early for the service, smile, and welcome people! If interested, please contact Trinki Brueckner at trinki49@gmail.com or 447-4742, or find her at coffee hour with her clipboard! Thanks.
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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.
On May 28, there will be nursery care only.
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A month 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!
| | Ordination Service for Gabrielle Sclafani |
Church member Gabrielle Sclafani will be ordained at BCCUCC on Sunday, June 11 at 2 pm, and a reception will follow.
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.
| | Wanted: Two more delegates to SNEUCC |
Our church can send 3 delegates to the SNEUCC Annual Meeting on June 17 being held at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. An online option is also available. We have one delegate so far and are looking for 2 more. If you're a church member and interested in being a voting delegate for SNEUCC, please contact Dale (dale@bccucc.org) or Tom Strolla (ostrolla@cox.net) for confirmation.
In addition to delegates, visitors are welcome to attend the meeting. For more details and to register visit www.sneucc.org/2023AM or see the article later in this publication under 'Conference Happenings'.
| | Baccalaureate Sunday - honoring our high school graduates! |
Are you, or do you have in your family, a graduating high school senior? If so this announcement is for you! We will be recognizing our high school seniors at our worship service on Baccalaureate Sunday, June 11 and we invite our high school seniors to attend.
If you are a high school senior, there are three things you need to do:
- RSVP to the church office by Sunday, May 28 (office@bccucc.org or 246-0111);
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Download a copy of the questions for the graduate introductions and return to Dale by Sunday, June 4; (copies also available from the office)
- Don't worry about wearing a gown to church - regular church clothes will suffice.
If you have any questions, contact Dale ( dale@bccucc.org). And Congratulations!
| | Kathleen Lynne Fodor Scholarship - application forms available |
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 Sunday, June 4 and the scholarship will be awarded on Baccalaureate Sunday, June 11 (see above).
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.
| | Graduation information requested for newsletter | We like to recognize those in our church family who are graduating from high school, college, graduate school etc, by publishing the names and graduation information in our newsletter. If you or a family member is graduating this spring, please send the information to the church office at office@bccucc.org by Sunday, May 28. Information needed is name of graduate, high school or college from which they’re graduating, what college or further education they will be attending, or what degree they are getting, and any future plans if appropriate. | | BCCUCC's Annual Report & Meeting | |
The clergy, church officers and team leaders are reminded to please submit their individual reports to the church office by Tuesday, May 30 for inclusion in our church’s 2023 Annual Report. The reports should cover the period June 2022 – May 2023. Please email your report to Christine at office@bccucc.org or mail to the office. Thank you. Previous year's Annual Reports
| | Save the date for 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 so we have a quorum. The warrant with the agenda will be included in the next eBridge. | | From our Mission and Justice Team | | Sacred Ally Quilts on display in Rhode Island |
Nine United Church of Christ congregations in New Hampshire have collaborated to create a project to “prove that racism is not the only reality.” Through a series of quilts that display the last words of George Floyd, they offer a visible symbol, a graphic reminder, of the need for racial justice. Read more about it
The quilts will be on display in Rhode Island, hosted by Newman Congregational Church, at 100 Newman Avenue, Rumford, RI in collaboration with The Rhode Island Council of Churches. All are welcome.
Saturday, May 20, Exhibit Open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- 10:00 AM: Opening remarks and a Racial Equity Storytime.
- 11:00 AM: Avid quilter Joan Potter will lead a discussion and demonstration about political quilts.
- 1:00 PM: Felipe Agudelo and Venson Jordan will lead a discussion titled: Why the Lives of Black Lives Matter: A Discussion about Care, Humanity, and Race.
Sunday, May 21, Exhibit Open Noon to 4:00 PM
- Noon: Music performed by Geoffrey Greene
- 2:30 PM: Closing ceremony
| | The Barrington Pollinator Pathway: Creating Resiliency with Corridors of Habitat |
Did you know that our Green Team is creating a Pollinator Garden in a corner of our church grounds?
| | Take Action Online for Environmental Justice |
Low-income and BIPOC communities are disproportionately affected by fossil fuel pollution, leading to higher rates of asthma, toxin exposure, and lack of safe water. Rhode Island can protect these communities with the Environmental Justice Act (S770/H6196), one of CARI's top-priority bills this year. Modeled after legislation that already passed in New Jersey, the act makes sure that families already dealing with the health impacts of living with polluted air and water can finally be heard in decisions about siting new polluting facilities in their neighborhoods.
On May 4th, the RI Senate passed S770 by a landslide vote of 31–4. Now let's get it to pass the House!
Click here to automatically draft a letter to your State Representative.
| | In case you missed it earlier.... | |
Big changes coming to BCCUCC ?
A message from Dale first published in the May 4th eBridge.
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For those of you who have been around a while, you know that now is usually the time that the church is gathering names and nominations to fill our ministry teams and leadership for the coming year. However, that is not happening this year. Over the past year a Governance/Ministry Task Force (GMTF) has been working diligently to prepare a major overhaul of our church structure. This is a continuation of the Vision 2020 work that began prior to the pandemic. The GMTF is moving closer to sharing a model for ministry that we hope will greatly reduce the number of elected positions, increase participation from our members, and streamline our bureaucracy while creating a flexible ministry model that honors our “congregational” heritage.
That is a mouthful, but what it means is that, barring a few exceptions, we will not be electing new officers or ministry teams at this year’s annual meeting on June 11. Instead, we anticipate a presentation by the GMTF outlining their ministry model for the future. They will refine that model through the summer, garnering feedback from the congregation, and hope to present a formal structure revision at a congregational meeting early in the fall. If that model is adopted, we will put together a new slate of officers and elected positions to be voted on in January of 2024. In the meantime, the Church Council has asked all church leaders and team members to stay on for an additional 6 months until the new elections are held.
This notice is just a brief acknowledgement of the situation, and we look forward to sharing a lot more information with you in the months ahead. If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to Tom Strolla (Moderator) ostrolla@cox.net or to Dale Azevedo (Sr. Minister) dale@bccucc.org.
| | 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
| | Additional 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 some additional 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 usually played Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays starting late June beginning 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.
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SNEUCC Sending Youth to General Synod
Any BCCUCC youth interested in going?
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The Southern New England Conference is accepting applications from youth who want to take part in Youth @ Synod, the national gathering for young leaders ages 14 to 18 who want to connect with teens from around the country while experiencing the vibrant diversity of the wider church. The event is part of the United Church of Christ General Synod, taking place in Indianapolis, IN, June 30 to July 4. Significant scholarship support is available. Learn more
Rev. Dale Azevedo will be attending Synod as a delegate. If any youth is interested and has questions, please contact Dale at dale@bccucc.org or (401) 246-0111 x 103.
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The latest blog was written by Racquel and titled Youth Group is Great! 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 |
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.
| | 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.
Zoom information is not included here for security reasons. It was in the email sent to the congregation.
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All are invited to join Rev. Racquel on Wednesday mornings at 10 am in the sanctuary for a brief prayer service to pray for the congregation and clergy, the community, family and friends, and themselves. | | Women of Faith Reading Group |
The group will meet for the last time this program year on Thursday, May 25 at the earlier time of Noon for lunch in the church library. For more information contact Jane Tonn at 289-2349 or jtonn2@cox.net The group will not meet over the summer. | |
The Youth Group is led by Rev. Racquel and welcomes all in Grades 5 - 8. They gather most weeks throughout the year on Mondays from 6 - 7 pm for fun and fellowship, a simple dinner (usually pizza) and a closing prayer service.
Youth Group next meets on Mondays, May 22 and June 8. For more information, contact Rev. Racquel at racquel@bccucc.org or (401) 246-0111 x104. Note: Youth participating in programs at church must be registered.
| | SNEUCC Annual Meeting - all are invited |
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.
| | Free trees for Barrington residents |
Barrington's Resilience-Energy Committee still has some beautiful Red Maples (Acer Rubrum) to give away free to its residents. They're 2 - 3 feet tall, roots are in water (not potted), & ready to plant. At maturity they grow to 40 - 60 feet, are a clean tree, and in autumn they have the crimson foliage that people love. The trees can be picked up in the town hall basement using the side entrance, next to the cemetery, during town hall office hours: Mon. - Thur. 8:30 - 4:30 and Fri. 8:30 - Noon.
| | 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/
| | Please leave the back center pew empty | By leaving the back center pew empty, it allows access from one side of the sanctuary to the other when needed - before during and after worship. This avoids worship leaders and others having to either walk across in front of the altar or having to leave the sanctuary at the back and traversing the stairs before coming back in to the sanctuary on the other side! | | |
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, May 17. 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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