Come see Roscommon Soles on February 28th at the Stone Church Coffee House — IRISH MUSIC & DANCE!!!!!
Come join us for our Lenten & Easter Services & Events
Join the Lenten Book Group — Books Supplied
Short Book — BIG message. We invite you to dip your toe into the exciting subject of Restorative Justice by attending 4 gatherings, either in person at Guiteras House or via ZOOM, on Monday, March 2 through March 30 at 6:30pm. We will explore a process defined by Howard Zehr, based on ancient practices designed to open up constructive dialogue between conflicting parties.
Wouldn’t you like to learn something new, something as important and pertinent as a way to help find understanding and perhaps even agreement for seemingly unresolvable conflicts?
Serving the justice needs of the world is a key mission of Christianity. Here is an opportunity to learn more about how we can all contribute to it. Join us on Monday, March 2 at 6:30, either at the Guiteras House or via ZOOM. If you think you would like to join the group via ZOOM, call the office and let Barbara know so that we can be sure to email you the link invitation to the meeting.
FCC Senior Luncheon filled with hearts and love
More than 30 of our church’s most seasoned members gathered on Friday, February 13 for the annual Senior Luncheon.
It is always a welcome time of fellowship, when we can sit over a plate of delicious food and enjoy hearing the latest news and future plans of our dear friends.
Caterers for the event were the Common Pub. Their food was absolutely delicious and their service was kind, thoughtful and prompt.
We were especially happy to see some members who have been following our services via Live Stream rather than brave the cold winter winds. It was great to see Michael, now 99 years old, and Pat, and Tom.
We are already looking forward to next Valentine’s Day, when we can again let all of our senior parishioners know how much they are appreciated.
Two FCC members win big in Gymnastics Championships
The Mt. Hope High School gymnastics team won first place in the 2026 Rhode Island state championship on Saturday night, Feb. 14, at Rhode Island College. Two of the members of this outstanding team are our very own Kara Pisasale and Naty Quezada-Grant.
The Huskies were the unmatched best team throughout the winter season. They finished unbeaten in regular meets and continued their winning record last weekend with a team total of 140.225 to claim the school’s second state title.
The team earned their way into the 2026 New England Gymnastics Championships scheduled for Saturday, March 7, at Fitchburg (Mass.) High School.
Responding to the congratulations directed at her team, Kara Pisasale responded: “Thank you so much! We’re super excited!”
MHHS head coach Nicole Daniello said of Mt. Hope’s entry in the New England State Championships: “We finished No. 1 in the state, so the entire team is going. It’s super exciting.”
You can read the full article in the Phoenix HERE.
Children’s Christmas Pageant features Kitchen Fire!
Council President Amy Halt and Deacon Katherine Harcourt rewrote Clement Moore’s classic Christmas poem to answer our children’s many questions about the church’s recent fire. They turned it into a stirring message of communal caring and action that brought the FCC church family together to meet the challenge of unforeseen disaster. So, with municipal police and volunteer firefighters, instead of shepherds and their sheep,
and with church members responding to an early morning fire, instead of 3 wise men, the words of the revised FCC Night Before Halloween Christmas Pageant, are printed below for your pleasure.
If you would like to see the pageant, click the start button on the video below.
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Christmas pageant
Twas the night before Halloween
And all through FCC
Not a creature was stirring
Not even mice in the pantry.
The kitchen was dark
and the dishes were clean,
The children were home asleep
Dreaming of candy on Halloween.
The dishwasher was silent,
Asleep, until “zing” . . .
Was it a power surge that kindled
a flame that made the alarms ring?
And Reverend Nancy in her kerchief
And Nikita wearing his cap
Had been all settled down
For their Hallows Eve nap
When on the church lawn
There arose such an uproar
As the Bristol police and fire department
Tried to get in the door.
The fire alarm was sounding,
Smoke was billowing out
Of the kitchen which was burning.
But thankfully its doors were shut.
The moon that rose over
the bell tower that night
Illuminated all those
Who came to battle the firefight.
But what to their wondering eyes did they see
When the kitchen doors were opened
Exposing all of the casualties?
Well, that wooden coffee cart,
So little and stout,
Was untouched by the flames.
It had no embers to rout.
More rapid than eagles
Some church members came
When called by emergency
Responders by name.
Now Sandie Campbell,
Now Charlie Tupper,
Now Roger and Donna Dubord too.
And Rev Nancy
broke speed limits.
She practically flew!
To the top of High Street
On a night in the fall
They came straight away rapidly fearful of all.
As dry leaves in the yard fluttered on by
What a relief it was to see the bell tower standing so high.
In such a twinkling, life’s hurdles are rough
And FCC has known challenges more than enough.
Yet we drew a collective breath
As we all stood around
In the yard on November 2nd,
what hallowed ground.
What to do, what to do, when trouble’s afoot?
Nancy cursing the stove didn’t cause
All to be covered in soot.
There was so much to do with the upcoming season
-- Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Jesus is the reason!
We had community commitments
And the Harvest Bazaar
What about the Cookie Walk?
Well now we weren’t going far!
But a church is not just made
Up by a building.
It’s the people within
It’s the love. It’s a feeling.
A church should spread the message
Of God’s love sent down
In the form of a baby.
Not a king with a crown.
So instead of lamenting,
We all went to work.
No time for fomenting.
We didn’t go berserk.
We just relied on the strength
Of God’s love in each other.
With the helping guidance of
Reverend Nancy, Roger, and one another,
We adapted and changed
Our plans to accommodate
The repairs to be made.
We did not curse fate.
So now we all can exclaim:
We have seen God’s love in spite
Of our Halloween Eve!
Merry Christmas tonight!
Christmas Carolers Bring Cheer to Minister
It was a windy, chilly night. A skim of snow lay on the ground. One by one and two by two, the carolers headed toward the welcoming lights of the Tockwotton senior care facility on the bay across from Providence. Their destination? The 3rd floor, where our minister, Nancy Soukup, was recovering from an unexpected operation.
It was Wednesday, Dec 10. Four couples and a dear friend from UCC gathered by Rev. Soukup’s bedside, opened their little Christmas hymnals, and started singing. Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem. With much laughter and sharing of stories, and song after song, our love and appreciation of our minister — and our hopes for her speedy recovery — poured forth, filling the room and spilling out into the hallway for others to share.
Following the visit with Rev. Soukup, the carolers meandered through the dark night down to the end of the peninsula where their flashlights joined a phalanx of cars on the promontory behind them in beaming a “Good Night Lights” 10th Anniversary message of love to the children across the bay, high up in the hospital rooms of the Hasbro Hospital. Good Night Lights is a ministry of love created a decade ago by our congregation member Steve Brosnihan, who provides professional counseling for these young patients using his skills as an artist. During these past 10 years, the Good Night Lights program has grown to cover the sending of flashing, long-distance messages of support every night of the week from groups around the state.
Sending out light into the darkness and joyful song into the silence, we wish you all a loving Christmas celebration and a healthy and happy New Year.
Trivia Night is always a hoot! Come join us on Jan 9th
Join us on Jan 24th for a special night of music.
Gazillions of Christmas Cookies for Your Delight
Your choice of delicious cookies will be waiting for you at the church at 300 High Street in Bristol on December 20th. Come early for the best selection.
A mini-bazaar of hand-crafted hats and mittens, shawls, scarves, plus Christmas arrangements for your table will also be available for last-minute shopping.
This is the easiest way we know of to get a huge variety of yummy, home-baked cookies and crafts to delight your family and friends over the holiday. Every donation helps the church carry out its missions throughout the year. Thank you.