From the River's Edge
The Pastors' Blog
Politics in Peculiar Times
By Rev. Joe Zarro, Interim Senior Minister Like a lot of pastors right now, especially in the UCC, I struggle with how “political” prayers and preaching should be these days. We are trying to balance sanctuary and rest with civic engagement and social justice. It also feels absurd to ignore, or be silent about, the new levels of corruption, degeneracy and violence in our current American...
It’s Still Easter
By Rev. Racquel Ray, Associate Minister The season of Easter, or Eastertide, lasts for fifty days – until Pentecost Sunday. This is where the name for Pentecost Sunday comes from, the fifty days of Eastertide. Therefore, it’s still Easter! If you missed any of the Easter services here at Barrington Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, I am sorry. We had a robust Holy Week and Easter...
The Faith of a Donkey
By Rev. Joe Zarro, Interim Senior Minister It was great having “Liberty” the donkey (and “Miracle” the baby cow) join us for fellowship hour on Palm Sunday. Obviously, a donkey features prominently in the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and it made our Palm Sunday that much more special to have a real life donkey. But I must confess, I missed an opportunity to share something special about...
What is Your Sabbath?
By Rev. Racquel Ray, Associate Minister of Congregational Life As part of my on-going course work at Boston University, this semester takes a deep look into the meaning of Sabbath across Jewish and Christian understandings. Beginning with the Genesis account of Creation and the Deity’s determination to REST on the seventh day, the Jewish Law in-turn developed around Sabbath keeping. And,...
A Beautiful Lent
By Rev. Joe Zarro, Interim Senior Minister It is a season of fasting right now – not only did Lent begin yesterday with Ash Wednesday, it’s also the beginning of Ramadan when more than 1 billion Muslims observe the yearly fast (based on a lunar calendar). Traditionally, folks give up “sweets and meats” for Lent, but in both Catholic and Protestant churches the traditions have been changing...
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...