BCCUCC News
Violence or Vote
By Rev. Racquel R. Ray Watching. Waves of worry wash over us. That will never happen here...Right?? Lurking, lingering… Stirring, recalling… hasn’t history seen this before? Why does this look familiar? Why does it look new? Brown bodies know, they carry the violent history in their DNA. Indigenous bodies know. Jewish bodies know. Veterans bodies know. There was a day when white bodies weren’t harmed. Women’s bodies know. ...
Weather Alert: 1/25/26
There is a significant winter storm watch in effect for our area this weekend. With the safety of our congregation and visitors in mind, we have decided to cancel the morning worship service and all other activities at BCCUCC scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026. The Winter Congregational Meeting will be postponed and will be held immediately following morning worship in the sanctuary on Sunday, February 1, 2026. We look forward to seeing you next Sunday, February 1st at 10 am for our...
Minneapolis MARCH
By Rev. Joe Zarro, Interim Sr. Minister In worship the past 2 weeks, I’ve been asking for prayers for a dear friend of mine, Rev. Susan Hayward. Susie and I met at Harvard Divinity School, and not only did she invite me to parties and trips, she also invited me to church – First Church Somerville became the church I regularly attended then served as student minister thanks to that invitation. We have stayed in touch for the past 17 years. Initially, she worked in Washington DC at the US...
Teamwork: Get into the Game
By Rev. Joe Zarro, Interim Senior Minister In this year’s Stewardship Campaign, we are going to celebrate the best aspect of team sports: community and shared purpose. Our theme “One Team, One Goal” highlights both our unity and diversity, how we are all have different parts to play but are one team working toward the same goal: faithfulness to God. We all want what is best for our church, our communities, our world. We know it’s God’s will to love and serve our neighbors, to do justice and...
An Essay of Our History
An essay by Rev. Racquel Ray submitted for Doctor of Ministry work at Boston University, September 2025 The land upon which the [Barrington Congregational Church] church is built has a long and poetic history. “As the first leaves of sassafras and strawberry emerged in the Wampanoag country during the spring of 1623, a leader stepped forth to confront Plymouth colonist Edward Winslow...all were preoccupied with the illness that had overcome a beloved man, Ousamequin, or Massasoit (his title) -...
Be Careful Who You Hate, It Could Be Someone You Love
By Rev. Racquel Ray, Associate Minister of Congregational Life You may have heard this truism before. The United Church of Christ sells shirts with this on it on their webpage here. In the letter to the ecclesia in Ephesus 6:10-20, we read that conflict within the church is nothing new: Finally, be strengthened in the Redeemer and in the strength of God’s power. Put on the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against blood and...
Barrington Congregational Church, UCC Joins Nationwide Sun Day Mobilization to Celebrate Sun Power & Clean Energy
From Coast to Coast: Thousands Unite to Demonstrate that Clean Energy is Ready Now On September 21, Barrington Congregational Church, UCC will participate in Sun Day, a nationwide celebration of clean energy progress. We'll be joining communities across the country to showcase the businesses, organizations, and families that are already leading the way to a clean energy future. Spearheaded by renowned environmental activist and UCC Pastor Bill McKibben, and organized by a broad coalition of...
![God Has You and Me, [Siblings], in God’s Hands](https://bccucc.org/wp-content/uploads/rb1.png)
God Has You and Me, [Siblings], in God’s Hands
By Rev. Racquel Ray, Associate Minister of Congregational Life Beloved, we are in God’s hands. I’m reminded of the church school song, [God] has the Whole World in [God’s] Hands and the lyric of this title. As I look around the church campus at Barrington Congregational Church, UCC, I see several projects: Solar installation, ADA bathroom upgrade, Heating system upgrade, Air Conditioning replacement, and gardens and flowers all being maintained in the heat of summer. There are work crews all...