Beneficent
Congregational
Church
seeks
to be
a wellspring of
Christian faith
for a
diverse people
and
a
voice for justice,
in the heart
of the City
of Providence.
Downcity Providence
300 Weybosset
at the
intersection of
Empire, Broad
and Chestnut
Summer Picnic and Service at Irons Homestead
A great day is planned for Sunday, July 13! We will meet at the church at 10 a.m. (our regular summer worship time), but instead of a service at the church, we will carpool to Irons Homestead, our RI Conference UCC Camp and Conference Center on Snake Hill Road in Glocester, RI for worship and much more.
There, we will hold our worship service in the outdoor worship center, followed by a cookout in the pavilion. During the afternoon, you can swim, canoe, sail, fish, play games, walk the labyrinth -- or just enjoy a quiet, lazy afternoon with friends. In case of inclement weather, we can move activities into the Lodge.
The church will provide hamburgers, hot-dogs (and condiments)and drinks as well as paper goods. If you can, bring a salad, chips, desserts, or something else to share as part of the potluck. And don't forget your bathing suit and sunscreen.
Please call the church office (331-9844) if you plan to attend, and whether you need or can provide a ride.
God's Rainbow Promise & Pride Day '08
Beneficent will join a variety of local businesses, non-profits and organizations on Saturday, June 21st to celebrate the Rhode Island Pride Day, a celebration of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered community
The event features live entertainment by local and national performers, arts and crafts, a variety of food vendors, and representatives from several area organizations and social service agencies, including Beneficent church. The festivities, food and fun will once again take plan in Burnside Park (just north of Kennedy Plaza).
Volunteers are needed to help staff an information booth at the Pride Festival from 12 to 4:30 and to help at the water stop for the evening's illuminated parade as marchers and floats pass by Beneficent on their way to the reviewing stand at PPAC. If you're interested in being part of this great opportunity to share the good news of Beneficent's extravagant welcome AND have a good time doing so, or you just want to learn more, please contact Pat Falcon at falconpj@verizon.net.
Click here to view coverage of Pride Interfaith service and link to sermon.
Summer Pick Up Choir
Last summer we started a tradition of a small choir that introduced us to new hymns and anthems through the summer services.
Beginning June 22, we will continue this tradition. Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday mornings to learn and rehearse a short piece. This is a great opportunity to sing in a smaller, more informal setting and enjoy learning a wider variety of hymns and responses. We will gather in the choir room at 9:15 a.m. and rehearse for 30 minutes before the 10 a.m. service.
Green Power Partnership
People's Power & Light is a local non-profit energy alliance offering renewable energy to Rhode Island homes and businesses through their New England Greenstart program.
If you would like to respond to climate change by using green power in your home, you are invited to sign up through their partnership program with Beneficent. Using the church partnership program is not only easy but provides the additional advantage of donations by New England Greenstart to our church on behalf of new members ($10 the first year for each new member, up to $30 per member over three years).
Because we care for our planet, the responsibility is urgent as the impact of climate change becomes more evident. Contact the church office for more information on how you can start using green power in your home."
Friday Gong Meditation Continues
The Resonant Voices of the Spheres, a four-person gong ensemble, will hold its next monthly gong meditation on Friday, July 11th from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Round Top Center.
Please join Joy Quinn Blum, Paul Bissonnette, Stephanie Marisca Straight and Deb Stevens and their ten gongs, Tibetan bowls and other sound instruments for an amazing relaxing, refreshing, revitalizing evening! For more information, email gongvoices@yahoo.com.
Bread & Blessings Ministry
Bread & Blessings has six teams of volunteers which prepare 300 sandwiches on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays to be distributed early the next morning with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
If you are interested in volunteering for a Bread & Blessings team, please contact the church office for more information.
Grammy Peace Brigade(including grampas and other older adults) is demonstrating against the continued presence of the US in Iraq, Fridays noon to 1:00 p.m. in front of Providence City Hall. Contact the church office for more details.