Bristol Fourth of July Committee
2020 Interfaith Service
Friday, July 3rd at 4:00 PM
First Congregational Church
300 High Street, Bristol
The Interfaith Service brings together the clergy from Bristol’s houses of worship in a patriotic, multi-denominational prayer gathering. The Bristol County Chorus together with the host church's choir provide the music and a speaker gives a talk about a relevant topic.
This year's speaker is Rev. Burton Bagby-Grose, Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church.
"I am inspired by First Congregational Church's welcoming spirit and deep commitment to including children and youth in all aspects of church life. I'm passionate about our dedication to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth by serving our community in Christ's name.
“And I'm passionate about interfaith dialogue. Jesus calls us to love ALL of our neighbors.”
“And I'm passionate about sharing with today's youth that God loves everyone: gay, straight, black, white, pink, or purple...."
“First Congregational Church is truly a place where spirit, heart, and mind meet.”
In the fall of 2017, our congregation voted to affirm God's call on Pastor Burton's life to become our senior pastor and teacher. He grew up in Houston and attended Howard Payne University, majoring in public relations and speech with a minor in radio/television. Pastor Burton attended Andover Newton Theological School, the oldest graduate school of theology in America. He majored in pastoral counseling and preaching for his Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton, a covenantal seminary of the United Church of Christ. He has completed additional studies at Harvard Divinity School and Yale Divinity School.
Prior to coming to First Congregational Church, Pastor Burton served as a United Church of Christ pastor and teacher in South Texas after serving the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ as Minister for Communications. He has also served as CEO of several non-profits and worked for the United States Congress.
A descendant of colonial clergy, Pastor Burton loves American history, both early and recent.
God has blessed Pastor Burton and his husband Ron with a beautiful daughter named Rosalee. They enjoy travel, hiking, gardening and playing with their three Scottish Terriers, Angus, Duncan, and Louisa.
The Interfaith Service will be streamed live on Facebook and archived on the First Congregational Church website.
Facebook: facebook.com/fccbristol.org
Church Website: fccbristol.org
Interfaith Participants
First Congregational Church, UCC
300 High Street, Bristol, RI
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Founded in 1680
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Rev. Burton Bagby-Grose, Pastor
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
399 Hope St, Bristol, RI
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Founded in 1718
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Rev. Canon Michael J. Horvath, Rector
First Baptist Church
250 High Street, Bristol, RI
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Founded in 1811
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Rev. Jacob Mc Guire, Pastor
St. Mary’s Church
330 Wood Street, Bristol, RI
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Founded in 1851
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Rev. Barry Gamache, Pastor
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Deacon Paul J. Bisbano
St. Columban's Retirement Center
65 Ferry Road, Bristol, RI
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Rev. John Brannigan, S.S.C., Superior
Saint Elizabeth’s Church
577 Wood Street, Bristol, RI
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Founded in 1914
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Rev. Marinaldo A. Batista, C. S. P.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
141 State Street, Bristol, RI
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Founded in 1917
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Rev. Henry P. Zinno, Jr., Pastor
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Rev. Stephen Battey, Assistant Pastor
United Brothers Synagogue
205 High Street, Bristol, RI
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Founded in 1900
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Cantor Joel Gluck
Freedom Road Baptist Church
10 Leila Jean Drive, Bristol, RI
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Pastor Mark Leary
Mt. Hope Church
574 Hope Street, Bristol, RI
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Pastor Joel Sedam
Interfaith Service Committee
For all inquiries regarding the Interfaith Service, please contact the event chairman: