Author: Caroline

As the last bag of yummy pasta dinners was carried out the DeWolf Room door on Saturday, February 19, the second year of FCC’s Food Fest came to a close. This new fundraiser was dreamed up as a COVID-safe alternative to our church’s traditional Harvest Moon Bazaar. Our dearest hope is that we will be able to hold our popular Bazaar when November 2022 rolls around. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.

Everyone involved in the 4 Food Fest take-out dinner events had fun. Fortunately they are all pretty good cooks, too. Many thanks to Chris Johnson, our FCC Chef Extraordinaire! Thanks to Jen Johnson and Ruth Fisher who chaired and organized all the events, including the Mini-Bazaar, Bake Sale and Holiday Arrangements. For all our cooks, workers, crafters, bakers, and floral arrangers — Many thanks for the long hours, the delicious food, the beautiful gifts and inventive holiday decorations: Chris & Jen Johnson, Ruth Fisher, Sug Grant, Sally & Bob Evans, Caroline & Robert Jacobus, Charlotte Burnham, and Sandie Campbell.

We are each like the tree that is rooted by the stream. We yearn for the water and reach out to it. We grow when we take into ourselves the nourishment of God’s love and mercy. We are, each one of us, rooted in this complex ecosystem of faith that is our community at FCC-Bristol. Out of this ecosystem, we take for ourselves, when we are in need. And we give to others, when we have what others need.

Whether through Sunday School or worship, through Fellowship events or the everyday path of neighbor helping neighbor, through the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Ecumenical Meals, the Dolphin Ministry, the Coffeehouse, and more, FCC-Bristol has played a central role in the lives of its member families and the wider community. How then do we respond to the central value that we place on our church? How do we recognize how rooted we all are in the life and love of this church? Through our pledges of time, talent and treasure.

In loving response to all that the church means in your life and in the life of your family, we ask you to prayerfully make a pledge toward the church’s 2022 budget that roots you deeper into the love of God and God’s mission in our world. Please bring your pledge card to church or get it to the Church Office at any time.

Thank you.

Your Stewardship Committee

Candles flickering, banks of red poinsettias, lighted garlands tied with bright red bows swooping along the balcony wainscoting, the pews filled with friends and families — all listening to a Bach prelude as everyone waited for the “Nine Lessons and Carols” service to begin.

The Christ Candle was lighted by the Evans family, and with the reading of the Prophecy from Isaiah and the singing of the first Carol, the retelling of the birth of the Christ Child began. In a tradition that began in 1926 at King’s College Chapel at Cambridge University in England, nine scripture readings alternating with nine carols once again told the hopeful story of the Birth Foretold, Mary and Elizabeth, the Birth of Jesus, the Shepherds and Angels, the Visit of the Wise Men, the Word Become Flesh, the final Declaration and Christmas Blessing by Rev. Breault, and the Closing Carol of Joy.

We wish you all a Joyful Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year!

On the Fourth Sunday in Advent, the children and other members of the church gave us all the precious gift of their reenactment of the Christmas Story. Directed by Susan Brosnihan and using a script created by Rhonda Waters, baby Raymond made his acting debut as Jesus in the manger, surrounded by his parents Lindsey and Doug, the choir of Angels, talented Sheep, caring Shepherds, wicked King Herod, and wise Magi. Pastor Deborah and Bob Evans narrated the timeless tale, interspersed with Christmas Carols that brought joy to everyone’s heart. The full service, including this glorious Christmas Story, can be seen here.

What a wonderful gift was given by the children of the Sunday School during last Sunday’s Stewardship worship service. Based upon an original production written by Susan Brosnihan using this year’s UCC Stewardship theme “Rooted in Love,” all of the children presented the dramatized story of “Seed and the Stewards of the Garden.”

Incorporating the foundational setting of the Garden of Eden, sad little Seed asks for God’s help to grow. The Stewards of the Garden — Earth, Rain and Sun — are called out to answer Seed’s prayer. But the results are mixed. One of the Earth stewards seems just too busy to help out little Seed. Fortunately another of the Earth stewards is happy to give Seed all the earth needed to give Seed a healthy blanket of soil to grow in.

Now what was needed was some water. But when one of the Rain stewards came by, she had a different use for all her water. She didn’t have much water to spare, so she only gave Seed a splattering of water. Not looking too good for little Seed. Fortunately another Rain steward came by and happily gave Seed all of the pure rainwater that Seed needed. Even when all of Rain’s water was used up, Rain wasn’t worried: “There’s more where that came from. God always finds a way!”

Finally it was time for the Sun to rise, bringing the light and warmth that Seed needed to grow to the fullest potential, a beautiful tree providing shade, shelter and food for all. Firmly rooted in LOVE.

Many thanks to all of the Sunday School children for all of the hard work you put in to bring us this powerful message. And many thanks to Susan Brosnihan and the Sunday School teachers who supported the children in their loving mission.