Rhode Island State Council of Churches

06/17/2026

RPM Voices in Newport for Juneteenth Celebration

he fourth annual Newport Juneteenth celebration will be held Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Adams State Park. The event, presented by Rhode Island Slave History Medallions (RISHM), will mark Juneteenth with a Rhode Island 250th-anniversary theme this year, expanding the celebration to honor the history of Black and Indigenous people across the state. The parade-ground program will continue with presentations by historians, live music and dance, youth activities, craft vendors, and food trucks.

The program will open at 11 a.m. with a parade of reenactors honoring the flag, followed by tributes from civic leaders, including U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, Gov. Dan McKee, and Newport Mayor Charlie Holder. After a gospel concert, keynote speaker Secretary of State Gregg Amore will address the audience.

Performances tied to the 250th theme span colonial music and militia, Narragansett Indigenous dancing and drumming by a Narragansett family, the Pokanoket Tribe, a djembe reggae concert by master African drummer Sidy Maiga and his band, and a gospel concert by RPM Voices of Rhode Island -- capped by a reenactment of the Battle of Rhode Island.

06/16/2026

If you read our bi-weekly UPDATE Newsletter, you know that EVERY issue always contains something interesting, informative and historical from the good folks (Ray Rickman, Rob Dimmick) at Stages of Freedome.

For over 10 years now!
And of course you know about the Swim Empowerment Program that they have championed for years.

Well, there are some changes in store for Stages of Freedom, read about them here: https://trinitymedia.ai/player/share/54d971f27b635fb6b7403a92e108c3b3d874

And yes, we will continue to post items from Stages of Freedom...their information and insight are THAT important!

The nonprofit organization will continue as a “teaching museum” highlighting local Black history through events and programs.

06/16/2026

Two of America's largest Presbyterian denominations are simultaneously grappling with Christian nationalism in June 2026 — from opposite directions. The Presbyterian Church in America, the theologically conservative branch, released a partial report from its Ad Interim Study Committee on Christian Nationalism, acknowledging internal debate and division within the denomination over what the ideology actually teaches and where it diverges from Reformed theological principles. The report calls for careful pastoral shepherding and notes that Christians of varying political convictions must be able to worship together in unity — stopping short of outright condemnation.

The Presbyterian Church USA, the more progressive mainline branch, is heading in the opposite direction. Its 227th General Assembly, convening from June 22 to July 2, 2026, will consider overture OVT-002 calling for a formal repudiation of white Christian nationalism "in all its forms" and amending the denomination's Form of Government accordingly. The PCUSA's Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy described the ideology as "a powerful and pervasive distortion of Christian faith" that poses "an urgent threat to values and freedoms in the United States." The divergent responses of the two denominations reflect a broader fracture within American Protestantism over the relationship between Christian identity, political power, and the constitutional separation of church and state.

Sources: byFaith Magazine (June 2026); Presbyterian Church USA News Service (May 2026); Presbyterian Outlook (April 2026)

06/15/2026

Lawmakers meet for the last time on June 11 for one more shot as passing bills and making new laws.

06/15/2026

06/12/2026

Learn more about the "power" behind the Power Couple!

06/11/2026

Tons of Pride events happening this weekend! Click below for more info!

Pride Shabbat @ Temple Habonim
Build with Pride @ South County Habitat for Humanity
UUCSC @ South County Pride Fest
Arnold Mills United Methodist Church @ Woonsocket Pride
Newman Congregational Church, United Church of Christ @ Seekonk Pride Fest
Rhode Island Gay Men's Chorus Concert @ Temple Sinai

Rhode Island’s faith communities celebrate Pride 2026!

06/11/2026

We are disappointed, but not surprised, that the Southern Baptist Convention has voted to advance a formal ban on women in ministerial leadership.

As the Rev. Dr. Amy Chilton, pastor of Phillips Memorial Baptist Church and theologian, notes:

"Denominational votes don’t determine who God calls and gifts. Acts 2:17 reminds us that it is the Spirit who equally calls.

Today my heart is with the girls and women who God will and has called to ministry - and who will have that calling denied by all male deaconates/boards/cabinets."

The sin of patriarchy grieves the holy spirit. We are gladdened, though, by the many women pastors who lead American Baptist congregations throughout Rhode Island, including the Rev. Sarah Reed Jay at Community Church of Providence, Rev. Tracey Griffing at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Rev. Lauri Smalls at Union Baptist Church of New Bedford, Rev. Dr. Amy Chilton at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, and the Rev. Dr. Jamie Washam at First Baptist Church in America.

There are, of course, many religious traditions who have paid close attention to the truth that God welcomes all into the work, ordained and lay. Our Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Unitarian, Quaker, and UCC communities are also places of radical inclusion.

Institutional and cultural beliefs and practices are often the most difficult to overcome, especially when they are rooted in fear-based thinking and un-sound doctrine. We continue to pray and work towards the day where all are fully included.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."