Pastor’s Word

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister

What does Christmas mean to you?

I thought it would be fun to explore what the “true” meaning of Christmas is. Frankly, because Christmas is such a cultural phenomenon, there are many different, and sometimes conflicting, understandings of what it means. In fact, we each have our own understanding of what it means to us. For some of us, there may be obvious similarities, but I’m sure there are subtle differences based on who we are, how we were raised, and our personal experiences.

So, I went ahead and began to explore how different societal components interpret Christmas. Please keep in mind that this is my interpretation of how these various constituents either present or experience Christmas. They are broad generalizations and may be inaccurate compared with your experience of them. I found this to be a fun exercise and I invite you to join me in it!

Retailers

Christmas is about demonstrating the love you have for others through the giving of gifts.

Hospitality Industry

Christmas is about creating special memories that will last a lifetime and bring you joy now, and also into the future through fond memories.

Family & Friends

Christmas is about spending special time with the important people in your life.

Charitable Organizations

Christmas is about giving generously in ways that make the world a better place.

Entertainment Industry

Christmas is about spreading joy, love, harmony, and goodwill within the larger society.

Government

Christmas, along with Hanukkah, Kwanza, and any other tradition you wish to celebrate, is about being thankful for all the blessings that a prosperous and peaceful society provides for you and the hope that it will continue for years to come.

Children

Christmas is about presents, school vacation, fun, sweets, presents, and presents.

Parents

Christmas is about providing a happy, joyous, and perhaps meaningful experience for our children as a demonstration of our love for them.

Conversely, Christmas can be about the scarcity of resources and serves as a painful reminder that we cannot provide for our families as we would like.

Those Who Are Grieving

Whether we want it to be or not, Christmas is about those we miss. We may be able to celebrate with our loved ones still with us, but it is tinged with a sense of loss and loneliness and filled with memories of what was.

Social Media Influencers

Christmas is an opportunity to increase views. Whether focusing on campy traditions, discussing what fashion is best, or stirring up controversy, Christmas is rife with opportunities to sell oneself and one’s content.

The Bible

The Bible doesn’t actually mention or discuss “Christmas”. In fact, the early church was largely opposed to recognizing or celebrating birthdays of any kind. It wasn’t until the 4th century that Christians began the practice that became Christmas, and it wasn’t widely recognized until the 9th! Saying that, the Bible does talk about the importance of Jesus birth. And, as usual, the Bible provides us slightly differing views on the subject. For Matthew, Jesus’ birth is the culmination of God’s saving work, the one who was foretold throughout history, the long-awaited one. For John, Jesus is the cosmic creator, the one who was in the beginning with God, now made flesh, to live among us, and eventually bring about our salvation. So, while “Christmas” may not be a thing in the Bible, Jesus’ birth certainly is. And becomes the event that leads to the celebration of the holy-day.

The Church

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. That is it, in its entirety. It is not a celebration of family, friends, love, peace, gifts, generosity, or anything else. Those are all tangential meanings that all find their root in Jesus’ birth. Christmas is about God fulfilling God’s promise to bring about the redemption of creation. It is inescapably tied to Easter. Through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are saved. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus as a reminder of Jesus’ ongoing presence with us and his eventual return to finalize God’s redeeming work.

Me

If I am honest with myself, and you, then for me Christmas is about having a break after a very busy season. September through December is one of the busiest and most chaotic times in the life of the church. It can take a lot out of a minister (as it can many others, I’m sure). So, to be able to slow down for a week or more, spend some time with my family, and just regroup is precious. Don’t get me wrong, it’s also about cookies, family traditions, Christmas dinner, and seeing loved ones I don’t often get to see. I’m sure faith is wrapped up in there too, but since that is so intricately connected with work for me (and what much of the previous busy and chaotic months have been about), it can get a little buried. I wonder what my experience of Christmas would be like if I wasn’t serving a church? What would it mean to me? Would it be drastically different? I guess one day I’ll find out.

So, what does Christmas mean to you?

I hope you enjoyed this little experiment. I hope it made you think, reflect, and even chuckle a little. I’d be interested to hear some of your thoughts on all this. Do you think I missed the point on anything or anyone? Is your experience or interpretation different than mine? And what is your personal experience of Christmas? What does it mean to you? If you want, send me an email, and let me know. I’d love to hear it!

by Rev. Racquel Ray

Associate Minister of Congregational Life

I enjoy marking the dwindling daylight of December days. I observe the sunrise and sunset times and the low angles of sunrays that beam through the southern windows. My afternoon walks are hastened by the chill of shortened days. These are the shortest days of sunshine and longest nights of darkness in our region. These are the days of Advent and lights, soup and hot tea, a turnover in the church liturgical calendar year. There is a shift in the sanctuary; the lectionary resets and altar colors change from green to blue. Something is different. Something is coming.

There is a pair of kingfishers, halcyon birds, that come and visit our backyard each December at this time. The spring-fed freshwater pond used to be the local ice-skating spot in years gone by. The kingfishers dart and whistle breaking the golden sparkling stillness of the afternoon. They swoop to the water and back to the trees upsetting the backyard rhythm of blue jays and sparrows. They too are different.

There is a legend of the halcyon birds heralding days of calm free from storms and tempests. And in the case of my backyard during Advent, halcyon days are the days around the winter solstice and Christmas. When the kingfishers visit, the days are their shortest, darkest, and the calmest of the year. The first and second candles of the Advent wreath on my dining room table and on our church altar are getting short as well.

And then there is a shift. In these days, the morning sunrise is minutes later but the afternoons have shifted. One minute at a time, the afternoons are lengthening. The mornings won’t catch up until January. But, there is hope in the extended afternoon. Hope that the sunshine is returning, and a “light is breaking forth” as the prophet Isaiah proclaimed.

These same days are wrapped in Christmas preparations. Our packages and Christmas cards are sent to loved ones, friends, colleagues, and congregation members. The Christmas pageant plans are taking shape; script, sheep and shepherds, angels and archangels, manger and magi, Joseph and Mary are ready. We send our end of year gifts and pledges. We volunteer, we share meals, we donate winter coats and mittens. We bring flowers to the cemetery and lay wreaths for remembered veterans. We wait in expectation for the light to break forth in the Nativity as well.

Isaiah prophesies, “Is this not the fast that I chose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke: Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly, your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.”^[1]

At Christmastime, we are quick to offer peace to our neighbors, provision to the poor, hats to the homeless, and hospitality to our families. Do we receive the connection between Isaiah’s message and Jesus’ mission to feed, clothe, shelter the least of these among us? The Light that breaks forth in these halcyon days is not merely the sun. The Son, the promised, long-expected Jesus is breaking open the heavens and the virgin womb, connecting creator and creature, lifting creation and cosmos.

And, in the dwindling darkest days that envelop us, can we observe and deeply receive the hope that Light is merely a breath away? An afternoon walk, an inhale and exhale, a candle, a card, a package, a present, a wink and a nod, are all just an awareness awakening to the growing Light in our darkness. And one minute at a time, one person at a time, may we each call upon the Lord and so readily receive Him as we receive the sunshine of lengthening days.

[1] (Coogan, Brettler, Newsom, & Perkins, 2010) Isaiah 58:6-9

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister

“And God looked at all that God had created, and it was very good.” (Gen 1:31)

There is power in creating. We can feel it when we do it. Maybe it is because we were created in God’s image? Maybe it is because of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us? Or maybe God just made us to be participants in the divine creative process? Either way, we as human beings thrive on creativity.

The Bible begins with an act of creating. The very first words are, “In the beginning, God created…” What did God create? All that we know, all that we see, and all that is. And when God finished, God looked at all that God had created and realized, “Wow, that is really good!”

Have you ever been impressed with something you have created? It could be a piece of woodworking, or a really nice knitting project, or perhaps a home repair. Maybe you have planted a garden or sewn a beautiful garment. Or perhaps you have written a poem or birthed a work of art. Even preparing a delicious meal can be an act of creativity.

There is something that comes over us when we finish a creative endeavor, look back upon it, and realize, “Hey, I did that. And darn it, it’s pretty good!”

I used to do a lot of woodworking. I built tables, hutches, and an armoire. I built all of Seth’s childhood furniture for his room; a matching bed, dresser, and end table. I built oodles of items for church fairs and silent auctions. And there was always such a sense of accomplishment when I finished. Being able to look at something tangible, being able to touch it, hold it, use it, and then realize that “I”  made it.

I miss that. I don’t do much wood working anymore. I fix things around the house and repair stuff, but taking a pile of lumber and converting it into something functional and beautiful, that is a whole different feeling. I hope you can all relate with that. I pray you have all had similar experiences in your life, with whatever art, craft, or skill you possess. As I mentioned above, creativity comes through many different skillsets.

Of course, I should also acknowledge that in every project, and I mean every project I worked on, I experienced at least one moment of paralysis. For me, these moments always came at a point of transition in the project. I accomplished a major step, or completed a challenging task, and I just couldn’t continue. I came to realize that this was fear speaking. I was so proud of the work I had done that I was afraid to carry on. What if during the next step I blow it? What if I make a mistake and the project is ruined? What if I carry on and then don’t like it anymore? I began to expect these feelings and recognize them when they came around. I learned to just take a deep breath, relax, perhaps even take a day or two off. And then, after that, I was often ready, and even eager, to get back to work. You can’t rush creativity. It needs to come at its own pace.

And yes, sometimes I did blow it! Sometimes I did ruin a project or force a major turn in direction. But that just makes the success all the more satisfying when it is achieved.

There was a theological movement that came to prominence in the late 20th century called Process Theology. Process Theology is rooted in the creation story, in the idea that when “the heavens and the earth” were created, God was working with the “formless void” and the “deep.” God interacted with what already existed to create something new. This was a mutual process of creation in which God was not creating out of nothing, but rather working with what was already present. Process theology states that this is how God creates, not universally and individualistically, but in partnership with all of creation, including humankind. This means that we participate with God in the ongoing creative process. We are full and equal participants with God (and all of creation) in the unfolding of the future. This implies that our own creative processes (woodworking, knitting, cooking, sewing, etc.) are likely co-created with God!

Can you believe that? Your simple hobby, your artistic endeavors, are part of the divine creation! This leads me to my final thought…question, really:

What are you doing creatively in your life now?

I mentioned earlier that I used to do a lot of woodworking, but not so much anymore. My tools sit idle and my workbench gathers dust. My time now is often spent doing other things. And, frankly, I enjoy those things. But what have I lost in the process? How often do I have the opportunity to look at something and think, “Wow, I made that. And it’s really Good!” How often do you have that experience? How often do you take the time to make something with your own hands, to co-create with God, and think, “Hey, I did that. And darn it, it’s pretty good!”

And don’t let fear hold you back. Don’t not do something because you are afraid it won’t come out the way you want. Have faith that God is working with you. And even if it looks silly, even if you won’t ever show it to someone else, know that it is beautiful in God’s eyes. Because God got to create it with you!

by Rev. Racquel Ray

Associate Minister of Congregational Life

Let’s Talk About Money……said NO Pastor ever!  Well, that’s not entirely true, is it?  We can honestly say that for most of us talking about money is uncomfortable.  Especially in a church context, talking about money has become a rather taboo topic.

Sure, we hear about money during the annual church stewardship season.  Each church has a different approach for fundraising through an annual campaign of some sort.  There are stark differences in how each denomination handles ‘giving’.  And the spectrum runs from obligatory tithing to be ‘of good standing’ to mandated percentages to receive salvation, to generosity campaigns.  The theological arguments around money precede even Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for 30 silver coins.  When we turn to biblical answers for responsible stewardship, we often read of sharing resources as a community and tithing a ten percent offering.  A pastor once shared, “You can live better on 90% of your income with God’s blessing than you can on 100% without God’s blessing!”

Proverbs 22 begins with, “The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all” and includes, “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.”  Biblical answers often revolve around rich and poor dichotomies.  If the rich give their money to the poor all shall be well.  The problem is that many of us feel poor and don’t feel we have much to give.  So, what does it mean to be generous and to live generously?  How can we shift our mindset, our lifestyles, and our ministry from poverty toward prosperity?

We often hear statements about church and money connected to the concept of church closure.  There is also a repercussive reaction to save the church through fundraising.  We hear comments like, “We need more money.”  Pastors are often in the ‘hot seat’ to answer questions around fundraising.  How will you raise money?  How will you build the endowment?  How will you reduce the budget, cut expenses, reduce spending, and shrink benefits and salaries for employees?  And, because pastors are called to preach the gospel, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, house the unsheltered, and love their people we’re not often fiscally driven.  This usually results in churches turning to financial experts within the congregation who are great with numbers and hopefully are able to navigate the non-profit nature of church ministry and mission as well.  Often there is a gap between mission and money which results in church ‘bankruptcy’ and closure and a ‘poverty’ mindset.

I am bereaved every time I hear, “The church is dying.”  This statement is spoken often in the many places I visit: Yale Divinity School and seminarian campuses, denominational gatherings, social media outlets, and national news media.  The Church is dying? How do you feel about that statement?  I disagree with it and would offer this, “The Church is changing.”  And many churches would rather close (or die) than change.

The difference we need is philanthropy.  It is a shift from transactional stewardship giving to a future oriented relational and emotional giving.  We often give to church, a prescribed amount, pledged annually in response to the gratitude and joy we find in our church communities, in order to keep the programs and services going.  When we shift to a philanthropic mindset toward giving, we are investing in the potential mission of the recipient.  We may give to NPR because we believe in the value of unbiased reporting.  We may give to our alma mater because we want to see young people have the same opportunities to flourish as we enjoy, we may give to the arts because we believe in the value of cultural creativity.

What does philanthropy look like in a church context? It’s multi-faceted; individual giving to the church, the church giving to the individual, and the collective congregation giving to the larger community – locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.

We are privileged to be connected with a church that is very visibly intentional about our welcome.  “God’s Doors are Open to All” speaks to our outwardly facing advocacy and mission toward inclusion of ALL PEOPLE.

Our members are immersed in some of the most life-changing, community-affirming, and love-abiding institutions, organizations, and businesses in the region.  We are clergy members sitting alongside people in their most challenging life events in our work as chaplains.  We are presidents and CEOs of non-profit organizations working daily in marginalized communities providing basic needs and resources to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need.  We are artists, musicians, students, and activists.  We are parents and grandparents finding welcome and support for our young people.  We are a safe space for children and youth to gather and grow in their faith.  We are forward thinking, green and growing, community oriented, and partnership seeking.  We are a beacon of happiness and a reflection of healthiness.  We take a stand and make a statement.  We are a church that is growing, future-minded, and that stands as a visible example for others.

This church is NOT dying.  This church is changing.  We have an opportunity to not only grow into the future of the church but to be the future of the church and to stand as an example for others of how to do that successfully.

THAT is something I want to support.  I want to support a church that is heading toward a bright future.  What does the church of the future look like?  It is welcoming to ALL people.  It is fluid and flexible.  It takes a stand and stands with others.  It speaks the truth.  It cares for its members and friends.  It welcomes the stranger, feeds the hungry, shelters the unsheltered, heals the sick, and clothes the naked.

When I support the church, I’m not doing so to keep the lights and heat on and the bills paid.  I am investing in the people that make a visible difference in our community.  I’m investing in a future where this church is a beacon of justice, inclusivity, action, and education.  I’m investing in a living history that is both rooted and branching.  I stand with this church and support this church as a beacon of hope for the future.

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister

You have an opportunity on November 5th.

On that Sunday, the Open and Affirming (ONA) Team has invited Quinten Foster to come and speak with our congregation after worship. Quinten is the Director of Transgender Whole Healthcare at East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) and he has agreed to talk with us on understanding transgender identity.

As you may be aware, issues surrounding transgender rights and transgender care have become a major thrust in the so-called “culture wars” we are facing in this country. And these justice issues will undoubtedly play a significant role next year as we move into our next election cycle. For this reason, the ONA Team felt it was important to make understanding transgender identity a priority for our church as we continue to live into our Open and Affirming Status.

So what does it mean for a person to be transgender?

Transgender is a broad term that can be used to describe people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were thought to be when they were born. “Trans” is often used as shorthand for transgender…Some transgender people identify as neither a man nor a woman, or as a combination of male and female, and may use terms like nonbinary[, gender fluid,] or genderqueer to describe their gender identity. Those who are nonbinary often prefer to be referred to as “they” and “them.” 1

This experience is known as gender dysphoria in the medical profession.

While it may seem to many in our society that this is a modern phenomenon, it really isn’t. Transgender folks have been around for as long as human beings have been around. There have always been those who felt confined by, or misplaced within, the gender identity they were raised with. We just haven’t always had a word for it. The first publicly open transgender “celebrity” in the United States is widely accepted as Christine Jorgensen, who appeared on the cover of the December 1, 1952 edition of the New York Daily News. The headline read, “Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty,” following her return from gender affirming surgery in Denmark. She went on to become an actor, entertainer, and advocate. 2

It has been a long, slow, and VERY bumpy road for those who identify as transgender for the 70 years since that article was published. And while discrimination and threats have always been a part of the transgender reality in the US, it has only been more recently that widespread efforts to curtail the rights of trans youth and adults and been successful. So far this year there have been 547 bills introduced in 49 states that seek to restrict sports activities, bathroom access, medical care, and other basic human rights for those with gender dysphoria. Of those, 83 have passed, 125 have failed, and 366 are still active. 3 That is a lot of bills seeking to restrict one small (but equally valuable) portion of our population.

And yet, with all the publicity, legal wrangling, and media hype around transgender issues, there is still an amazing amount of confusion and misunderstanding surrounding persons who identify as transgender. I have heard many of these questions myself:

• How is it possible to for someone to be a man yet feel like a woman?
• What does it even mean?
• Why would someone choose to do this to themselves when life could be so much easier?
• Why can’t these people just accept who they are?
• It’s pretty obvious God made us man and woman. Who are they to think they can change that?
• I don’t even understand why someone would want to be different than God made them?

As I stated above, the ONA Team felt it was important to make understanding transgender identity a priority for our church if we are to truly live into our Open and Affirming identity. Our goal for the workshop on Nov. 5 is to provide a safe and healthy place where honest and compassionate dialogue can take place. Quinten, as our presenter, will share a lot of information with us to help deepen our knowledge and understanding of this minority community and their personal experiences. We will also encourage those present to ask relevant questions, inviting us to lean into some of the confusion or lack of clarity any of us may have on the issue. Again, we will be working closely to make sure this is a safe space for compassionate exchanges of ideas, knowledge, and experiences.

So, you have an opportunity on November 5th to learn, grow, experience, and flex your faith muscles as we explore this increasingly relevant topic. I hope you will take advantage and attend this workshop.

On a side note, as I was preparing to write this blog, I came across an interesting book. It is entitled, Understanding Transgender Identities: Four Views. What struck me about this book is that seeks to explore the issue of transgender identity from a variety of differing Christian perspectives. These perspectives range from what I would term traditional/conservative views to more affirming/inclusive stances. I have not read the entire book yet, but from what I have absorbed the authors and editors do a remarkable job providing a well written book that is respectful toward the diverse theological views it shares and the people it discusses. You may want to consider picking it up if you wish to explore the issue from a variety of Christian perspectives.

Hope to see you at our workshop,

Dale

1 https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-transgender-people-the-basics

2 Understanding Transgender Identities: Four Views,  ed. by James K. Beilby, Paul Rhodes Eddy, Baker Academic Press, 2019.

3 https://www.translegislation.com/

by Rev. Racquel Ray

Associate Minister of Congregational Life

Change is hard. For many of us, routines and regular habits are so ingrained in our daily lives that we tend to get comfortable in our ways. We may wake up at the same time every day or go grocery shopping on the same day each week. We go to church on Sunday morning and many people sit in the same pew every time. We walk the dog around the neighborhood on the same route. We drive to our destinations using the same paths we ‘always take’.

What happens when the ‘usual’ is disrupted? When change occurs, we feel anxious and sometimes stressed. We’ve all heard jokes about someone new at church sitting in ‘so and so’s pew’. We are thrown off when road construction detours our usual route. We tend to get uncomfortable with new things and changes.

On Sunday, our congregation will be voting on a new organizational structure for Barrington Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. This is new and it is change. And that may make some of us uncomfortable. I admit I bristled when I saw the proposal and didn’t see a role for the Associate Minister in the first draft! I’m still concerned about the role of Congregational Care and the ministries under that title while so much of my call falls into multiple categories.

And yet, we have so much work to do! If we are truly to live out our call to worship God, embrace all people, minister to one another, work for justice and peace, and render loving service to God’s world we must move through changes.

Just as we pivoted through the changes of becoming an Open and Affirming Congregation and as we pivoted though the changes of the covid pandemic, we now must pivot through the changes in our organizational structure. How did we do it previously? We talked through our options, we made challenging decisions, and we drew from each other for support through the process. And we will do it now as well!

One of the draws of the new structure is ‘inspired ministries’. This opens areas of new ministries – or restoring ones that have fallen away – with more fluidity than the former team-appointed-by-law-structure would permit. We now have the flexibility to try new things! Include new people in our ministries! And engage with our communities in a deeper way.

One of the initiatives of the Southern New England Conference, UCC is to develop covenantal partners. According to the SNEUCC, “We encourage local congregations and varied ministry settings, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, to form covenant partnerships with all who work for the common good in their local communities and throughout the world.” This is the idea behind community chaplaincy and is why I reach out to local schools, government committees, houses of worship, chaplain groups, businesses, senior living facilities, social service agencies, and veterans.

If we look at the groups that our congregation connects with, we already have many partnerships. Dale is one of the organizers for the Barrington Day of Caring. I have helped with the Barrington Interfaith Partners and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team. We partner with Federal Hill House and the Olneyville Food Bank, We Share Hope, Good Neighbors food pantry and soup kitchen, St. Vincent du Paul, Books are Wings, The Women’s Resource Center, TAPIN, and Crossroads Rhode Island.

Inspired by the words of church member and Executive Director of Federal Hill House, Kim Fernandez, what would it look like for our congregation to form a deeper relationship with the organizations with which we partner? We donate funds to these organizations several times per year. What would a Covenantal Partnership look like? How could we deepen our connections with our neighboring community? Could we volunteer our time with our partners? Could we invite guest speakers? Could we come up with some creative fundraisers?

We have a beautiful church building and campus – including a huge parking lot. Could we host concerts as a fundraiser for a Covenantal Partner? What about our big gathering space and kitchen? Could we share it with a Covenantal Partner for their meetings or events? Could we ask for a tour and go visit our Covenantal Partners and ask them how can we help?

This week, I met with the Plant Docs https://www.plantdocspvd.com/connect  a local nonprofit organization started in 2019 by Sandra Musial, MD, Suyin Lee, MD, and Steve Stein, MD to educate the public and medical professionals about how whole food, plant-based nutrition can prevent, improve, and reverse chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and certain cancers. Dr. Musial has offered to share her expertise with our congregation! She and I would love to partner to offer the Jump Start wellness program to our community in January – perfect time for ‘new year, new you’!

Covenantal Partnerships are reciprocal and community building. We are beginning a season of change and possible stress – yes. And, we are also beginning a season of wondering ‘What is next?’ and ‘What is possible?’

Today, we do not have every answer. But, we have vision, options, and hope. We may not know the direction and the path may be full of turns and pivots. But, whoever you are and wherever you come from you are welcome into the full life and ministry of our church. We’re on the journey together.

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister

What a great day we had in church last Sunday!

• The Bare Bones Big Band had us swinging in the aisles.
• The children were overflowing the chancel steps.
• The hearts of love were covering the bulletin board.
• New and familiar faces were crowding the pews.
• The hot dogs were overflowing.
• And the preaching was out of this world.

(OK, that last one was just a bit of self-aggrandizement. But the fact still remains: It was a great day!)

Paul writes in his second letter to the church in Corinth that, “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”

One of the things that was so special about the day is that it was the official start of our church year. It was a new beginning. A fresh start.

That’s where we are right now!

What will happen this year? What will become of BCCUCC over the next twelve months? Will we welcome new members? Will we see new children? Will we celebrate the lives of loved ones newly lost? How will we meet the needs of those hurting in our midst? In our community? Around the world? How will we witness to the love of Christ?

There are just so many opportunities, so many possibilities. Which ones will you take advantage of?

One of the things I’m excited about is working with our new Open and Affirming Team. We have special plans this fall to engage in ministries specifically focused on persons who identify as transgender or gender-queer. This wasn’t even something the church would have imagined when we voted to become “Open and Affirming” in 2010 but has become a major justice issue today.

And what about exploring a possible new church structure? This has been a process that has been in the works since 2019. Interrupted by the pandemic, this process will propose a new structure for our church that we hope will carry the church forward for the foreseeable future, with a model that is designed to be inclusive and agile, and responsive. If adopted, how will this new structure enhance our understanding and practice of ministry?

And then there’s Bible Study and Church School. Over the past year we’ve developed a wonderful little group of adults who really enjoy exploring the Bible and faith issues and asking deep questions. They’re a fun group. And Andrea has church school rocking. With so many kids each week there are no shortage of activities and classes being offered.

Did I mention fellowship groups? Our bereavement group has been going on for years and is now experiencing more turnout and support than ever. Youth Group was a roaring success last year and promises to bring the energy and excitement into our building again. And Women of Faith has for years come together to discuss contemporary women’s issues and how they live out their faith in their lives.

These are just some of the things I’m excited about following this year.

What about you? What are you excited about for this upcoming year? Is there a ministry of the church you want to support and get behind? Is there something we aren’t doing that you would love to start with a few like-minded folks? Right now, the possibilities are endless. The potential is immense. All it really takes is a passion and a willingness to stand up and say, “Here I am. Send me.”*

*In other words, feel free to talk with Racquel or me about your ministry ideas and we will do all we can to support you in your efforts!

So, let’s get this party started and look forward to whatever it is this year has in store for you and BCCUCC.

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister

Hopefully, most of you know about the significant structural changes likely coming to BCCUCC. I’m not talking about the building structure, but rather the governance/ministry structure. Every organization has a structure in which it operates. BCCUCC is no different. Some structures work better than others. In 2019, we realized ours wasn’t working that well anymore. It served us well for generations with only minor tweaks. Now, like any structure, it needs significant renovations.

Over the past few years I have shared through blogs, annual reports, and elsewhere that we are considering a new structure. Last June, our Governance/Ministry Task Force (GMTF) shared a presentation at the Annual Meeting outlining their work to date. Now, they are beginning to wrap things up and prepare for the next stage of their work. Before they do, however, they are asking for a vote.

On October 1, we are going to hold a special meeting of the Barrington Congregational Church, UCC, to vote on the GMTF’s proposed structure. The GMTF will be asking the congregation to commit to the new structure in theory with the intention of adopting it early 2024. This action will empower the GMTF to work on writing new church by-laws and governance policies as well as begin to recruit the individuals needed to lead our church into the future. The new by-laws and leadership slate are expected to be presented for follow-up votes at our annual budget meeting in January.

Between now and then, the GMTF wants to ensure that you have all the information necessary to make an informed decision on Oct. 1. This is what they have available now and planned for the coming weeks:

• A video recording of the presentation made at the Annual Meeting in June is currently available on YouTube.
• There is a website dedicated to the new structure. It has the latest information as well as a F.A.Q. for your perusal.
• There will be a series of handouts included in the bulletins throughout September.
• The GMTF will be hosting a Q & A Forum on 9/17 in Fellowship Hall at 11:30 during/following coffee hour.

We truly believe this proposed structure will provide us with the agility, flexibility, inspiration, and accountability that we need to be an active, engaged and vibrant church community.

by Rev. Racquel Ray

Associate Minister of Congregational Life

Jesus taught the disciples, “…do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink or about your body, what you will wear…Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your [God] feeds them…” (Matthew 6:25). He added, you will not add one hour to your life by worrying.

August is always a difficult time for me. On the one hand, I want to be fully present to the beauty of summer. I want to languish for hours in the garden or on the beach. I want to immerse myself in ‘junk reads’ – those juicy fiction books that beckon us to faraway times and places. On the other hand, I am called to get organized. I’m making lists of back-to-school supplies and sorting closets and drawers to make sure the children are ready for the coming weeks, and [this year] repainting my kitchen.

At church, this is the time of year for planning the upcoming program year, selecting curriculum, and adding lesson plans to the calendar. Yesterday, I realized that it’s my turn to return to the Lent in the Labyrinth devotional next spring.

August is not a good time for me to make major financial decisions or commit to more than I can manage. I don’t know where this tendency comes from?! Perhaps, years of planning for the school year as a child? Or, the excitement of returning to college as an adult? Or, decades of sending our own kids to school? Over the years I’ve learned this dynamic about myself and tend to schedule time to be outside. Jesus’ lesson on allowing tomorrow to worry about itself keeps running through my mind and I find myself putting down my pen or paintbrush and going outside.

There’s something special about the smell of Narragansett Bay, the plants along the East Bay Bike Path, the freshly cut grass on the soccer [field hockey] fields, and the tomatoes and marigold plants in my garden. The sounds of the mid-summer birds flood our yard we endearingly call ‘Ray Farm’. Around the pond, summer bullfrogs bellow through the night while crickets sing us to sleep. Occasionally, a pair of owls will call to each other across our back woods.

This week, our family observed the ancient mid-summer celebration of Lammas. Lammas or Loaf Mass was another example of a pagan Celtic harvest festival appropriated by the early church as a religious day. Traditionally, the Anglican and Roman churches used the first day of August to celebrate the first wheat harvest of the year hence the term ‘loaf’ mass. The first fruits of the harvest were offered for blessings. Wheat was ground and baked into loaves to be added to the celebration liturgy. At Ray Farm, we are currently harvesting zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, blueberries, blackberries, green beans, and herbs. Rather than wheat loaves, I made blueberry shortcake and zucchini pizza boats using up all of this week’s berries, squash, and tomatoes.

I have learned that connecting to the growing cycles have helped me connect with nature and the sacred. When I re-commune with the sacred, I am reminded of Jesus’ words and am able to return to a place of connection; letting go of future to-do lists. When I am immersed in gathering blackberries or canning fresh pickles, I am actually also at church. I am in prayer with praise and thanksgiving for the blessings of stewardship – to tend and to till – this bountiful harvest. In full communion with creation [at least for those moments] I am enjoying summer mindfulness. Occasionally, I may even sing a hymn.

by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo,  Sr. Minister

Not only did I survive my time at General Synod earlier this month, but I enjoyed myself as well!

If you missed my last blog, General Synod is the biennial national meeting of the United Church of Christ. Or, at least, it was. It is now the triennial meeting. But more on that later. At this meeting we receive reports from the national office on the state of the church and our ministries throughout the world. We also pass a budget, elect officers, and evaluate any resolutions that come before the body. Here are some of the things I would like to share with you as I reflect upon my experience:

Facts

• • The 34^th General Synod of the United Church of Christ met in Indianapolis, IN, from June 30-July 4.
  • There were 737 delegates representing local churches from 36 conferences. There were over 2000 attendees if you include special guests and visitors.
  • We voted on one bylaw amendment, a new General Minister and President, and 14 Resolutions of Witness.
  • My shortest scheduled day was Friday, which ran from 12:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
  • My longest day was Monday, which ran from 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM.
  • It took me three days to realize there were snacks available during our plenary sessions. This was not helpful. I ate too many fruit snacks and Snickers.

Friendship

One of the highlights of my time at Synod was reconnecting with old, and making new, friends. Many of you may not realize it, but I am an introvert. I REALLY like being alone. After spending each Sunday morning in church, I go home and hibernate. You may be able to imagine, then, what it is like for me to spend 6 days away from home with over 2000 strangers! Fortunately, I was able to carve out time for myself; to be alone or to gather with small groups of colleagues.

While in Indiana, I was able to reconnect with a clergy friend whom I was close with in CT but whom I also lost contact with once I moved to Rhode Island, and she departed our conference staff.  About four days in, I found someone who knew her contact information and reached out. We were thrilled to see each other and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant.

I was also able to develop deeper friendships with some of our conference clergy. As one colleague put said to me, “You know, we’ve known each other for years but I don’t think I’ve really ever gotten to know you! This has been great!” And I agreed! We often ate meals together and just found time to hang out. It was wonderful.

Astonishment

Did you ever think your vote didn’t matter? In some cases, that may be mathematically accurate; like when a resolution passes by 600 votes. Did your one vote make a difference? But what happens when over 700 people vote, and the vote passes by literally ONE vote. That happened. When voting on the bylaw change that impacted the frequency of General Synod meetings, the motion needed a two thirds majority to pass. This is always the case with bylaw changes at the national setting. When the votes were tallied, the change was carried by one vote. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like that in my 30 years of ministry! And, yes, there were hard feelings.

Resolutions

As I mentioned above, there were 14 resolutions of witness. These are resolutions that signify the Synod is standing in support of a particular point of view on an issue. I don’t have room to discuss all these resolutions, but you can find them all here. However, below are some interesting highlights I want to mention:

Gun violence prevention

One of our resolutions was voicing our support for Guns to Gardens and other examples of gun violence prevention. During the debate, an older man with white hair and beard came to the microphone. I believe he introduced himself as from the Midwest and happened to be wearing all red (maybe a coincidence?). In summary, he testified saying something like, “I am a veteran. I own guns. I own a number of guns. My wife also owns guns. There is nothing more that we enjoy than going to the range and shooting. I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Yet, this resolution is an example of reasonable gun legislation that I can wholeheartedly believe in. I urge you to support this resolution!” I share these words because they brought me hope. We can be so polarized on so many issues. Guns are one of them. Yet this resolution and this man’s words told me there can be common ground. I’d like to see people today find more common ground on more issues.

Plant-based Life

This was, I believe, the only resolution that didn’t pass at Synod. It was also a fascinating experience to listen to the debate and realize the issues presented go much deeper than I thought or realized. One piece of advice we received before flying to Indianapolis was to not prejudge any motion as we may be surprised by the insights presented by other members of our denomination. We are often inclined to evaluate a motion or resolution through our own lens and can learn a lot from those who come from another perspective.

The first thing to acknowledge is that the subcommittee in charge of previewing this resolution made extensive rewrites before sending it to the floor for a vote. The motion we voted on was about 90% different than what was first presented. Changes to this extent are unusual, and in this case, was a factor in the motion being defeated. The amended resolution was much more rigorous and made specific recommendations to local churches (and other levels of the denomination) of policies they should adopt or actions they should take. The more specific resolutions become, the harder it is for them to pass.

Additionally, as I mentioned above, the debate provided some interesting insights into why people would be opposed to this resolution. Arguments against the resolution came in three varieties: financial, economic, and cultural.

• • • The financial concerns were the ones raised by local churches. People shared that their local church did not have the finances to provide both meat-based and plant-based (salads were condemned as “not good enough” as an option) options at every event.
    • Economic concerns were raised by those who represented meat producing communities. These folk lamented meat-packing plants and whole mass-market meat industry, but said their communities consisted of small farmers who relied on people eating meat. These farmers would cease to be profitable, and their churches would close, if they were lumped together with the meat-packing industry (as was the case in the revised resolution).
    • Finally, several people criticized the resolution on cultural grounds. They argued that while the resolution was well meaning, it lacked cultural understanding and nuance. The resolution was considered colonialist and dismissive of the eating norms of minority cultures.

As you can see, what may seem a simple resolution supporting a vegetarian diet and condemning the exploitation of animals was far more complex for a great many of the delegates at Synod. Fascinating!

Digital Divide

This was the resolution for my sub-committee. It was a resolution lamenting the growing divide between those with access to, and the ability to use, highspeed quality internet and those without. It is a reality in our community, our state, our country, and around the world. Access to technology is creating greater advantages and disadvantages for people of all ages to overcome. The resolution passed our committee and the general plenary easily. However, I bring it up because it was such a weird and frustrating experience. My subcommittee spent a significant amount of time wordsmithing this resolution and debating things like punctuation and grammar. In the end, we spent three hours and forty-five minutes discussing this resolution only to make no changes and pass it unanimously. I honestly thought some people just had nothing better to do than discuss periods and commas for no purpose. Gosh, I love the church!

Hilarity

One example of hilarity (if I wasn’t so frustrated) is the example above. Another example was the next day, when we spent 30 minutes debating a resolution on the floor only to finally vote and find out the vote was over 700 in favor and three opposed. Only three opposed! And yet, we discussed it for half an hour. Oh, and no one raised any objections during that debate. It was just one person after another getting up and agreeing with the previous person. SMH. As I said above, I love the church!

So that’s about it! Synod was a great experience and, although it was more work, I enjoyed being a delegate over a visitor. I was more engaged and invested. However, these are only my reactions. Everyone’s experience is different. If you want to hear more about what happened at Synod or would enjoy hearing some other peoples’ takes the conference published blogs throughout the event that are still available on the conference website.

And, if you want to know more, feel free to reach out to me. Have a great day!