Category: News

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On March 5, 2024, faith leaders from across all of Rhode Island's denominations gathered at the State House to make a joint statement to state legislators about the urgent and morally imperative need to pass current proposed legislation in support of the safe storage of weapons and a ban on assault weapons. FCC Bristol minister, the Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup, was among this impressive group.  Parishioners Sue and Tony Morettini numbered among the organizers, as volunteers in the Rhode Island Chapter of Moms Demand Action.  Parishioner State Representative Susan Donovan joined fellow legislators and other FCC Bristol congregants in the audience in support of the legislation.

Because surrounding states including Massachusetts and Connecticut have banned the sale of assault weapons, Rhode Island has become the “go to” state for the purchase of these weapons of mass killing.

Ministers spend their lives looking for the words that will move people to do the right thing. It is so impressive when one hears such a condensed outpouring of eloquence coming from 13 faith leaders. Among the powerful words from all of the ministers, the Rev. Elizabeth Lerner Maclay, senior minister at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, stated: “for those who ignore or resist these bills, your choices are undemocratic. They are irresponsible. We are not willing to wait for the mass deaths of our children, our congregants, our families, our people … to the unstoppably vicious and powerful projectiles of an AR-15 … and then pass this legislation.”

Rev. Soukup’s remarks drew upon one of her February sermons, holding up the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. regarding the necessity of joining love to power, recognizing the power of love, in the quest for change.

The statement signed by Rhode Island’s faith leaders, along with Everytown for Gun Safety and other advocates, calling on all Elected State Executive and Legislative Officials, and all Citizens of Rhode Island to uphold the universal truth that human life is a sacred gift of God and to pass gun-safety legislation this session, was read out. It stated, in part:

“We, the undersigned, and all those who stand with us, together and today proclaim that gun violence in our nation is a grave injustice that has caused the appalling loss of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives and inflicted insufferable pain on millions more.

“When these tragedies occur, we often send our thoughts and prayers…. It is not enough,” the statement said.

“It is, indeed, our moral obligation to take action to stop the needless horrors wrought by the many forms of gun violence…. those who die by gun suicide … [and those] murdered, wounded and scarred in spaces we have long thought were safe: places of worship, schools, shopping malls, roads, theaters, grocery stores.”

Many members of the press were present. Channel 12 televised a segment on this event during their evening news on March 5.

February 21 was the day of FCC Bristol’s annual Senior Luncheon, hosted by the Deacons Committee. More than 40 senior members and friends of the congregation gathered at noon to catch up, share stories, give thanks and enjoy a delicious meal provided by CP’s Catering of Bristol.

Everyone was especially happy to see our dear friend Sue, whose unexpected presence made everyone grateful. Another member whom we were so glad to see was Mike. Our members from the “Atria Aquidneck contingent” — Anne, Charlotte, Grace and Bob — were also mobbed with friends who wanted to hear their latest news and just spend some time with them. They follow us on-line each Sunday with our live-stream services, but we wish we could visit with them in person more often.

Many thanks to the Deacons for all their loving efforts to plan this fun fellowship event. We are grateful for any time we can get together — an even more so when there is yummy food provided.

February 4th was FCC Bristol’s 30th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration. Masterfully conducted by our own Maestro, H. Bennett Burnham, 20 musicians led the congregation in praising the Lord with a joyful song. Strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion — accompanied by Director of Music Nikita Sabinski — were played by members and friends of the congregation, ranging in age from at least aged 9 to some in their 80s.

The words of Psalm 92 were proclaimed: “O LORD . . . at the works of your hands I sing for joy” and the musicians raised their instruments. And the gathered worshipers raised their voices. And the old, rousing favorites rang out through the sanctuary: ”Lord, I Want to Be a Christian,” “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken,” “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” “America the Beautiful,” “Joyful, Joyful,” culminating in a hand-clapping rendition of “O When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Worship closed with the Prayer of Dedication which challenged us all: ”Help us to see and appreciate the diversity, beauty and transformative powers of all music and the arts as they lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing.”

This year, the Christmas Eve worship service filled hearts with the light of the coming celebration of the birth of the Messiah. The congregation shared in the singing of the old Christmas carols.

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Soukup told the children the story of the shepherd Hannah, with her trusted sheepdog Gideon, who saw the stars in the sky that led Hannah and the other shepherds to the manger where the new Messiah had been born. Meanwhile, back in the fields, Gideon, the rest of the sheep, and Shadow the Wolf, had their own Christmas enlightenment, learning to listen to each other and better understand what each cherished. 

After sharing Communion, Cara Massey sang a solo “O Holy Night” in the darkened sanctuary as the Deacons lighted each parishioner’s candle, bringing the light of Christmas into the world. After the congregation sang “Silent Night,” Rev. Soukup blessed all with wise words, urging those present to go out and carry on the work of Christmas — which was to spread the beauty of Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

Cookies . . . Cookies . . . Everywhere COOKIES! On Saturday, December 16, Bristol’s Annual Cookie Walk attracted a huge clientele. Church members generously brought their hundreds and hundreds of home-baked cookies to support this fundraiser. 

And, sneaking in on the night before were a gathering of special Christmas Elves who baked and decorated cookies all night long. At least that is what I heard . . .

On Sunday, December 17, the children of the Church School Choir and the members of the Adult Choir joined their talents to give us a rousing choral presentation of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” better known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Following this special worship service, the congregation joined in a Fellowship Potluck luncheon. Members brought delicious dishes and the Fellowship Committee and Deacons cooked up a feast which was enjoyed by everyone.

To the strains of the joyful Community String Project musicians, FCC Bristol parishioners and many members of the greater Bristol community gathered after church on Sunday, December 10 to share their love and help others through the annual Alternative Christmas event. By making donations to 8 area nonprofits either as Christmas gifts or in honor of a loved one, scores of attendees took this opportunity to support their favorite charitable causes while sending a message of love to dear ones.

Once again the year rolls around to the joyful anticipation of Christ’s birth. The crew gathers on the first Saturday of Advent, pulling out the boxes of ornaments, garlands, bows and candles. Setting up the Christmas tree, placing evergreens and candles in each window, hanging the garlands and bows from the Choir loft and the balconies, fixing the wreaths on the doors and the memorial tablets. But, best of all, setting up the welcoming Nativity scene in the Narthex. The little lamb is the most eager and comes right up to the manger.

The sanctuary windows on the south facade of the church have all been restored and installed. Check them out. They look like new!

The wood framing, which was so dry and had virtually no paint, was reinvigorated through New Outlooks’ amazing preservation process. The glass, which took quite a while to access, now fits perfectly. Each pane was custom cut to ensure the most airtight fit. We are so pleased with the “new” old windows.

We are grateful for all of the support that has been given by church members, by the Champlin Foundation, the Felicia Fund, and the Fidelity Charitable-Flanagan Fund. This support has funded the major portion of the window preservation effort. After the New Year, the Capital Campaign Committee will be planning out and starting the funding effort to complete the preservation of the sanctuary’s North and West facade windows.