Author: Caroline

So many of us are joyful to return to the sanctuary, able to worship together in person and catch up with the news from dear friends. But returning to the sanctuary has also put straight in front of our eyes the sad shape of our worship space – the major cracks in the plaster at just about every window that resulted when the old and sagging foundations were jacked back up in 2011, and also the dull and flaking paint on walls and ceiling, and the missing window putty and deteriorating Gothic windows.

The Facilities Committee has advised us that these repairs cannot be put off any longer. So we have launched the 2021 Capital Campaign to raise the funds for these two projects. The target goal being requested from the whole congregation in the form of pledges is $80,000. This represents 20% of the total cost of $385,000 for the two projects, as determined by quotes from experienced contractors.

The FCC Bristol congregation has a long history of devoted commitment to maintaining the campus of our church, most recently by raising $1.2Million in 2010-2014 toward restoring the foundations and many other systems in the church and Guiteras House. In 2019, you again generously supported the restoration of the Narthex at a cost of $20,000. Thank you.

You will soon receive a request and pledge card in the mail for the 2021 Capital Campaign. A donation of any size is welcome and can be paid over 3 years or sooner, as you wish. You can contribute a dollar amount or make a gift of stocks, bonds, or other assets. We are also making available the opportunity to use the restoration of each of the 10 Gothic windows as a way for church families to commemorate or memorialize a loved one: by funding the restoration of one window at a cost of $7,500 (or $2,500 in each of 3 years) you can have a permanent memorial plaque affixed to the sill of the window of your choice.

We already have pledges from the congregation of more than $40,000 and have received a grant award of $10,000 from the Felicia Fund. Other grants are being pursued. $60,000 has been identified by our Treasurer from Endowment Fund earnings for these projects.

We have all been touched in life-affirming ways in our sanctuary. And we each have a stake in ensuring that our sanctuary is repaired and made strong for the future. We ask you to prayerfully consider the value of our church sanctuary in your life and in the life of the Bristol community and to make a pledge toward the 2021 Capital Campaign. We are grateful for all you have contributed to the church over the years and will be grateful for a donation of any size to help meet our current capital needs.

June 13, 2021 was “Graduation Sunday” at FCC Bristol. The in-person congregation and live-stream viewers celebrated this milestone in the lives of our five high school graduates: Ella Drawbridge, Zoe Fournier-Swire, Mikey McGowan-Roach, Alyssa Wheeler, and Erica Wheeler.

Rev. Deborah invited those present to step up to the chancel to receive the congratulations of the congregation along with gifts of shawls that had been hand-knitted and blessed by the members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Present to receive their good wishes and shawls were Zoe Fournier-Swire and Mikey McGowan-Roach. Jen Johnson, Adria Sartrys and Ruth Fisher presented the gifts from the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Erika Wheeler was the valedictorian of the Mt. Hope High School graduating class. Several of the other FCC Bristol graduating seniors were among the highest academic achievers in the class.

Congratulations to each of these young women as their achievements are recognized and they move on to the new challenges and rewards in their lives.

After after 15 months and much work by the Reopening Committee to keep everyone safe, FCC Bristol’s doors opened up on Sunday June 6^th and we were able to come back together in person. It was a joy to just be able hear the liturgist read the scripture lesson, to listen to the minister’s sermon, and to hear friends voices and catch up on the news – in person, even if we were all still wearing masks and social distancing, in an effort to safeguard any who may not have yet been able to be vaccinated or who were concerned about COVID-19 variants.

It brought back to mind the old children’s rhyme:

Here is the church.

Here is the steeple.

Open the doors

And see all the people.

Live-stream services, available through the website home page, will continue to be offered every Sunday to anyone who wishes to join the service from home.

High Street passersby at FCC Bristol on the afternoon of Saturday, June 5^th saw children of all ages racing around the front lawn, passing through the obstacle course (including a challenging water barrier!) laid out by Susan Brosnihan, chalking up the sidewalks with artwork (I’m looking at you, Natty), practicing their baseball swing, tossing bean bags to win corn hole points, and other outdoor games. The tantalizing smell of grilling hot dogs and other yummy refreshments drifted across the lawn. The laughter and screeches of children and adults filled the air. It was an exciting start to summer on a lovely, sunny day.

This 4 minute video of stained glass colors splashed by the moving sun onto the carved stone interior of the Washington National Cathedral was sent to me by a dear friend. The sampled orchestral sound accompaniment is perfect. It touches the heart. Well worth viewing.