From the River's Edge
The Pastors' Blog
Happy New Year!
By Rev. Joe Zarro, Interim Senior Minister It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but I’m wishing you a “Happy New Year” because this Sunday marks the beginning of a new Christian liturgical year. Advent has many meanings, and one of them is “beginning.” It is the beginning of our sacred calendar, and it’s also the beginning of a lot of exciting Advent and Christmas themed activities. Check out the...
It’s Relational, Not Transactional
By Interim Sr. Minister Rev. Joe Zarro “The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 I have a special disdain for prosperity gospel preachers, the kind that tell...
One Team, What Goal?
By Rev. Joe Zarro, Interim Senior Minister On October 19, I kicked off our Stewardship Season with a sermon on Teamwork – how we are all part of the body of Christ, that we have different gifts and abilities, and it’s only when we come together, and practice our faith in community, that we are whole (1 Corinthians 12). I need this church – not only as a pastor dependent on the church for my...
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...
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...
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...