Happy New Year to you and 
Blessings for the Season of Epiphany

 
As I was planning my January message to you about Epiphany, I heard the news that Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu had died in South Africa. I was crestfallen to realize that this giant of human rights was gone.  I felt as if a light had been extinguished in the world. Never had someone taken on a whole system of institutionalized racism, such as South African Apartheid, and yet always radiated such joy and love for all people.

Like so many, I cherished the opportunity to meet him when he came to Rhode Island for the Brown University/Providence Journal Public Affairs Conference in 1999. As the keynote speaker for the conference, he addressed an overflowing crowd in the First Baptist Church Meeting House. The next day he participated in a celebratory service at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, where I was a member. It was at this service that at last I met this amazing man as he danced around the church to the sounds of an African drumming circle. Nothing could contain his exuberance.
 

As a student of human rights history, a former Episcopalian, a graduate of the Episcopal Divinity School, a minister, and someone who is Queer, Tutu always loomed large in my life. His advocacy for racial justice in South Africa, his groundbreaking work and presence in the Anglican Communion, his time at my seminary, his example as a priest, and his vocal support of the LGBTQQ+ community influenced profoundly my faith life, my theology, and my ethical praxis. 
 
Yet, it was something he said during the Brown University/Providence Journal lecture that reinvigorated my belief in prayer. He was touring the U.S. after finishing his leadership of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In his lecture, he talked about the power of prayer to tear down systems of oppression. He commented about all the people he had met worldwide during the Anti-Apartheid Movement, who said to him, I am praying for you, for Mandela, and for South Africa. Tutu concluded that this global lifting up for justice had broken the walls of Apartheid. If prayer could do this, he declared, imagine what else it could do!

I realized, during the past few days, since his death at 90 years old, that the light Tutu brought in the world had not been extinguished with his death. It still shines brightly through his legacy of justice and God’s love for all human beings. May we continue to pray unceasingly for all sorts of walls of injustice to fall, and may we pick up Tutu's light and carry it now in all we do.

- Rev. Nancy Soukup, Interim Minister

Worship during January 2022

As we move through a rapid uptick in COVID cases in Rhode Island, our plans for January’s worship services remain fluid. At this time, we will livestream the first three Sunday services in January (1/2, 1/9, and 1/16) followed by a virtual coffee hour each week at 11:00 (Rev. Nancy will send out a Zoom link for these get-togethers). 

However, several themes will shape our worship in January. For several Sundays, we will focus on the light of Christ in us, at Amicable, and in the world beyond Amicable’s doors. On Sunday, January 2, we will kick off this theme with our annual Epiphany Service, which recalls the arrival of the Magi to visit the infant Jesus in Bethlehem.
In addition, we will place more Chrismons ornaments on the Chrismons tree in
the sanctuary.

Also during January, we will honor our Veterans as we had hoped to do so on Sunday, November 14, when a COVID exposure resulted in a virtual service. We are so glad to at last have this service of commemoration. Finally, we will continue our 275th Anniversary celebration with a speaker on Rhode Island’s early history. Look for more details about the January services in Rev. Nancy’s Weekly Announcements.

Many Amicable members came together to make possible this year’s Advent Chrismons Services and the “New Star” Pageant on December 19. Leslie Simonson and Sarah Martin developed the Chrismons Services this year with the assistance of Amicable’s children. The Chrismons ornaments of gold and white, which have adorned the tree in the sanctuary, have brought light and life to our Advent worship. Thanks goes to Leslie and Sarah for this rich offering, as well as our children and even some adults who made ornaments for the tree! The Chrismons Services continue on Sundays, January 2, and January 9.
 

Additionally, we are grateful for the participation of Amicable’s children and youth
who performed at this year’s “New Star” Pageant. We express special appreciation
to Vaughn Bryner, Music Minister, and the members of our Adult Choir, who sang Christmas carols during the production. Most important, we applaud the work of the Sunday School leadership, Mica Silva, who directed this year’s pageant, with the
good assistance of Sarah Martin, Mike McCoy, and Pat Campion. If Love was the theme of the Fourth Sunday of Advent, then love was certainly poured into this year’s pageant production. 

Mitten Tree and Bags of Hope Update

Friends and family of Amicable Church were very generous this Advent season. Eighteen duffle bags were purchased for Amicable's Bags of Hope mission for a total
of $450. As you can see the annual Mitten Tree mission was a great success! Two
very large bags were packed full of socks, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves.  The
bags were delivered to First Step Inn along with several bags of gently used mittens, hats, and scarves that were donated by ACTS.

Christmas Baskets

Thirty four Christmas Baskets were distributed on December 18 at the Tiverton library to community families that were in need. Surplus donations from the Thanksgiving Basket mission provided all the food for a complete Christmas dinner. Thank you to
all the volunteers and friends that contributed time, money, and product to make
this a success.

December Clean-Up

The Trustees wish to thank all those folks who came out on Saturday, December 4,
to help rake leaves, install the driveway markers, and tidy the kitchenette. They were
a big help in preparing the building for the winter.

Stewardship Campaign

Hello friends: Just a friendly reminder to those who have not yet made their pledges to the 2022 Church Budget: PLEASE: let us know what you plan to pledge soon! We are almost to our goals. We need your help to get there.
If you have misplaced a pledge sheet and wish another, please contact me at 
401-624-7367, and I’ll mail you one or simply contact the Church Treasurer,
Roger Gauthier at 401-624-2323, and let him know your intentions. You do not need
to pledge to be eligible for free offering envelopes from the church. If you would like
to have a set, just ask Roger. 

     Thank you,  Charles Simonson, Stewardship Team
 

Pledge forms and offering envelopes for 2022

Pledge forms for 2022 are available via email for those that would like one.  Offering Envelopes for 2022 are available as well.  If you have any questions about pledging or would like offering envelopes please contact the Church Treasurer, Roger Gauthier at 401-624-2323, r.c.gauthier@cox.net.

Ways to contribute:  pledging vs. using envelopes
vs. loose collections

Amicable’s members and friends can contribute financially in many ways; and in general, as well as to specific purposes (e.g. Operations, Benevolence, Christian Ed, an Endowment Fund, in Memoriam, an Honorarium, an established project such as Haiti Project, or Accessibility Project, etc.).

Pledging:

• Allows members/friends to indicate your planned contributions for the year in
  support of covering Operation and/or Benevolence expenses.
• Indicates frequency and amount of pledge (e.g. $x weekly to Operations and/or
  $x monthly to Benevolence).
• Provides income data to Treasurer, Trustees, and Deacons to better help them manage finances for the year.
• Is not a formal commitment but an indication of intent, so there is no official balance owed if the planned total (e.g. $10 wkly = $520 for the year, or $200 mthly = $2400 for the year) is not achieved by year-end.
• If a Pledger finds out during the year that they will not be able to meet their intended pledge, they may change their pledge (just inform the Treasurer – this helps with church financial management).
• Pledgers use numbered envelopes or checks so that the Treasurer can keep track
  of their contributions in order to provide status vs. your pledge.
• The Treasurer will provide the status of a Pledger’s contributions vs. their pledge periodically during the year.  The current plan is to provide this status quarterly, i.e. at the end of March, June, and September.  (E.g. “Your contributions through March (25% of the year) represent about 24% of your year’s pledge.”)  The plan is to provide this status via email whenever possible.  If a Pledger doesn’t want this periodic status, wants it more frequently, or wants a special status or detailed accounting at some point during the year, just let the Treasurer know.

Contributing & using numbered envelopes:

• Members/friends can certainly contribute without having to pledge.
• The use of numbered envelopes or checks by Contributors, even if you do not pledge, allows the Treasurer to keep track of your contributions in order to provide you with year-end records and tax-deductible information.
• If you would like to have a box of numbered envelopes, just ask the Treasurer.

Loose collections:

• This refers to cash that members/friends place in the Sunday offering plates
  without using numbered envelopes or checks.

Year-end contribution forms:

• The Treasurer will provide each known contributor (i.e. Pledgers and Contributors who use numbered envelopes or checks) with the specific status of the designations and total amounts of your contributions at year-end for tax deductibility purposes.
• All Pledgers, as well as those Contributors with at least $250 in total contributions
  for the year, will be provided a form, although a form can certainly be requested by any known contributor.
• The goal is to provide these contribution forms by January 21st.  IRS regulations state that a contributor should have all appropriate proof of contributions prior to declaring those on Federal Tax Forms.

Questions: Contact the Church Treasurer, Roger Gauthier at 401-624-2323.

Two New Groups Forming At Amicable

Join a New Prayer Circle at Amicable

Each Sunday, the Amicable congregation and friends thoughtfully lift up names for intentional prayer. These offerings are the fabric of our church's life, including members, family, and friends. We would like to extend this prayer circle into the week providing an opportunity to include more needs and concerns and have more impact than the Sunday worship service time permits.

You are invited to a Prayer Circle gathering each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Kimberly Poulton and Rev. Nancy Soukup will co-facilitate this time of prayer and meditation. This will be an in-person group with masks and social spacing. However, if COVID rates rise, then we will go to a Zoom meeting. If you are unable to attend the Prayer Circle on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., you may submit prayer requests to Rev. Nancy at nhsoukup@gmail.com.

Thank God it’s Friday (TGIF), Amicable Chat!
As we move through the pandemic and the countless stressors caused by it, there are few places to talk about the impact COVID has had on our lives. We invite you to join us for the Thank God it’s Friday, Amicable, Chat! on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. Bring whatever beverage tickles your fancy and join in conversation about moving through the COVID world or other life challenges you are experiencing. The first gathering will be Friday, January 7, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. Kimberly Poulton and Rev. Nancy Soukup will co-facilitate this chat. As we get closer to the first meeting, Nancy will send out the Zoom link.

Homelessness Awareness Mission Project

The Youth are beginning to work on the Homelessness Awareness Sleepout for Super Bowl weekend, Saturday, February 12, 2022. We have at least six participants aside from chaperones that will be spending the night out in the cold. Chaperones include Rev. Nancy, Mike, and Julie McCoy.

Money raised will, again, be donated to the First Step Inn and the youth will earn community service hours. (This year we will be using tents instead of boxes.) 

Traditionally we would also sell grinders to finance a mission trip, but since there is
no trip planned and, COVID is having such an impact on safe food handling we will
not be doing that, this year.

If you are interested in participating please contact Mike McCoy.

A Note about our Music Minister Vaughn Bryner

Vaughn Bryner has requested and been granted a leave of absence for the month of January from his duties at Amicable. Because it is a time between the major liturgical seasons of the church year and between the semesters of his academic teaching, it seemed like the right time for him to take off of all work for a much-needed period of physical, mental, and spiritual recuperation and renewal.
 

While Vaughn is on leave, Nancy Nicholson will be our musician through the end of January, and Nicole Oriol will provide vocal music for us. I thank them both for their service to our worship during the season of Epiphany.
 

I know all of us at Amicable wish Vaughn well on this break and look forward to his return in February.

-Rev. Nancy Soukup, Interim Minister

A.C.T.S. Thrift Shop to Close...

for one month. We will close on Saturday, December 18th and re-open Thursday, January 20th. Our team has spent 3 and occasionally 4 days each week working in (and for) ACTS for the past year. We are very much in need of a rest! We will of course still be there cleaning, sorting, organizing and arranging during this hiatus only without the pressure of being open to customers. 
 

And, as always, we NEED help to get ready for re-opening.

As you look to the new year please consider giving ACTS a bit of your time, an hour
or two here and there, in the weeks and months ahead. We desperately need help to stay in operation and continue our service to Amicable and the wider community. 
And of course, if you can provide one or more hours helping, please contact:  
Gail  ducks4jkj@yahoo.com (401-624-2260) or 
Martha  m.s.macnaught@cox.net (401-624-2323)

Amicable 5K

Registration is live (https://racewire.com/register.php?id=12507) and the link is also on our website www.amicable5k.weebly.com. The race is Saturday, April 2, 2022 and starts at 9:00 am behind Groundswell. The registration fee is $25 for both the in person event or if someone wants to participate virtually. All ages are welcome, runners and walkers, and dogs that are leashed and good with crowds. If you register by 3/1/22 you'll get a long sleeved shirt as part of your reservation.

Financial Notes of Interest - 2021

• A second Covid year, another abnormal year for both income and expenses.
• The 2021 Operation Account expected surplus for 2021 is approximately $26,000.
• This positive balance is primarily due to lower expenses, but also to some special income receipts, and both were due at least partially to the Covid effect.
• Even with holding only virtual services for about half of the year, pledged and donation collection receipts still ended at about 97% of the expected amount for the year.
• The major income and expense contributors to the Operation Account
  surplus were:
  • Higher income receipts than planned:
       -Thrift Shop: + $30,750
       -General Donations: + $1,000
  • Lower expenses than planned:
       -Minister (being without one for about 4 months): - $29,600
      -Secretary (being without one for the entire year): - $8,400
      -General Maintenance: - $8,200
      -Major Maintenance: - $6,200
      -Office supplies and expenses: - $2,800
      -Utilities: - $2,400
• Trustees were also able to avoid taking the second and third quarter General Endowment Withdrawals of $32,600.
• Trustees are planning to move the entire 2021 Operation surplus funds into 2022 as supplementary Operation Account income.
• The Benevolence Account was able to fulfill 90% of its planned contributions to SNE-UCC, RI Association, and continue to support UCC missions such as OGHS and NIN.  The Thanksgiving Basket mission was again very successful, with funds remaining that the Standing Committee will decide how to utilize for 2022.  The special Christmas Missions, “Bags of Hope”, and “Mitten Tree”, were also quite successful, both with donated items and monetary contributions.
• The Faith Formation/ChEd Account had very minor expenses in 2021 with Sunday School & Youth Group activities being very light for most of the year.  The Garey Scholarships (awarded and mailed out in June) were the primary FF/ChEd expense.  The Scholarships are funded by the yearly payout from the Garey Scholarship Endowment Fund.
• Thank you all for continuing your support and keeping Amicable’s spirit thriving.

- Respectfully Submitted:  Treasurer, Roger Gauthier 401-624-2323