From the River's Edge

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister Those of you who have been attending worship at BCCUCC since before the pandemic may remember the Sunday when I asked everyone to get up and change seats. That morning, I divided the pews into four sections and labeled each section according to a part of our mission Statement. The sections were divided as follows: South: Worships God South-central: Cares...

by Rev. Racquel Ray Associate Minister of Congregational Life   In the days of Noah, God promised, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind…as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:21-22). However, changes are happening to the earth which do threaten human flourishing. Ice caps are...

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister If the stories I was told in seminary were true, then in the late 1980's the United Methodist Church conducted a survey of its membership to determine which hymn in its new hymnal was the most beloved and which was the most disliked. The results of this survey were hilarious and "How Great Thou Art" was rated BOTH the most beloved and the most disliked....

by Rev. Racquel Ray Associate Minister of Congregational Life   Have you ever had a big idea?  I’m talking about a life changing, once in a blue moon, out of this world idea!  An idea so great that it would change the course of your life and the lives of your families and friends for future generations.  After thinking through all the scenarios and possible outcomes, you were ready to Go...

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister “Ask someone at the table a question (any question) and then share with them something you admire or appreciate about them.” These were the words on the bottom back of the card I drew from the pile at our table. Today was our first Lenten Lunch, and what a wonderful lunch it was! It was wonderful because the food, company, and conversation were each...

by Rev. Racquel Ray Associate Minister of Congregational Life   The Song of the Snowdrop Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker (1895-1973) Deep sleeps the Winter, cold, wet and grey: Surely all the world is dead; Spring is far away. Wait! The world shall waken: it is not dead, for lo The Fair Maids of February stand in the snow!    February is here. The month of transitional days begins with the...