THE WEEKLY NEWS
May 23, 2023 | Volume 15 No. 21
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UCC Webinar—Seizing an Opportunity:
Strengthening EPA Protections in 2023
| As UCC congregations across the country embark upon collecting thousands of signed postcards for the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Climate Hope Cards campaign, this webinar will cover how the coming months at the EPA present a significant opportunity to save thousands of lives, address societal inequalities, and put the United States on a path to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on June 14th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. | | |
Guns to Gardens
Turning Guns Into Gardening Tools
| Join us for Guns to Gardens on June 10 from 10am - 2pm at Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH. Hosted by GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, the NH Council of Churches, and other partners, this event provides a convenient location for gun owners to voluntarily return their unwanted firearms for disabling and repurposing into gardening tools. State law prohibits law enforcement officials from destroying firearms, making it crucial for residents who no longer wish to keep firearms in their homes to have a safe and voluntary way to dispose of them. Learn more below about how to participate. | | |
June 12th Event on Economic Justice
Featuring Former UCC Economic Justice Minister Edie Rasell
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Join Pastor and former UCC Economic Justice Minister Dr. Edie Rasell, author of "The Way of Abundance: Economic Justice in Scripture and Society" for in-person presentations on economic justice and faith. The featured event will be on Monday June 12 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the NH UCC Conference office in Pembroke, with a Zoom option and light snacks. Limited discounted books available.
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On Sunday June 11, Edie will be preaching at the Community Church of Durham, UCC at the 10 a.m. service and later leading a discussion at the Meriden Congregational Church, UCC/Parish House from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Email economicjustice.nhcucc@gmail.com to confirm attendance at the Meriden gathering.
View Flyer Here
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Sacred Ally Quilts on Display at Congregational Library and Archives | See the Congregational Library and Archives' 170th anniversary Textile & Text exhibition from June 19th to 21st. Beautiful quilts by the Sacred Ally Quilt Ministry, along with historical artifacts from Congregational women's activism, will be on display. Admission is free, but you must reserve your tickets on Eventbrite. Additionally, join an insightful discussion with the Sacred Ally Quilt Ministry's leaders—Rev. Mark Koyama, Dr. Harriet Ward, and Kathy Blair—from 2-4 pm on Juneteenth (June 19). Registration for this in-person conversation is also free but limited, so secure your spot today on Eventbrite. Discover the fascinating history of Congregationalism through this captivating exhibition and discussion! | | |
Retired Clergy Luncheon Registration
Havenwood Heritage Heights | June 22nd
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The "Annual" Retired Luncheon sponsored by the Prudential Committee of the New Hampshire Conference United Church of Christ has not gathered since 2019! COVID interrupted many activities, changed our relationships, introduced Zoom meetings and even worship! BUT this year The Prudential Committee is once again inviting all authorized ministers who have served in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ, along with their spouses/partners to a special luncheon. All are invited to this year's Retired Clergy Luncheon on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Havenwood Heritage Heights. (The Facility is fully handicapped accessible!)
Although invitations have been mailed, we encourage you to register online if you prefer.
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Come Join the Celebrations on Saturday, June 17th! |
We'll celebrate Horton Center Alumni who "Go back to the Mountain..." , to hike up the hill at 9:00am, see some long-time camp friends and enjoy the natural beauty of Pine Mountain.
Sign up here for the 'Hike the Hill' Alumni event and receive a Horton Center gift
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We'll celebrate our first event of the summer, the Open House starting at 11:00am, where we'll gather and head up to Chapel Rock to have a worship service, Horton Center style. Then back at the camp, we'll enjoy a cookout, activities for campers, and tours of the campus.
At 1pm we'll celebrate Rueben Rajala who, after almost 10 years of serving as our dedicated Property Director, is retiring! Reuben has done tons of vital work to keep camp functioning and to improve the facility. He has left his mark on our camp and on our hearts too. We wish him all the best in his next adventure.
NOTE: bring any campers who might want to check out Camp before they come for their week! Camps are filling up so sign them up today!
See you on the Mountain!
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"How to be an Antiracist"
Join the All Church Read, Join the Antiracism Journey, Join the Movement!
| Join the Movement is urging everyone to participate in the All Church Read of Ibram X. Kendi's "How to Be an Antiracist" to move towards racial justice. The UCC adopted a resolution 20 years ago to become an antiracist church, and recent events show that there is still work to be done. Frontline Faith offers resources to assist in processing the book's ideas. People can join by forming a book group, hosting discussions, reading with a friend, or journaling. The ultimate goal is to see others as fully human and work together as people of faith towards racial justice. | | |
Come to Star Island This Summer!
Star Island in the Isles of Shoals, off Portsmouth, NH, is offering two conferences during the week of July 30-Aug. 30 this year.
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Star Gathering 1 Family Conference
"To Be Loved, We Must Be Known"
Looking for an opportunity to connect to beauty and inspiration? Join us for a special Star Island week focused on celebrating and nurturing the vision of Beloved Community. Through art, music, conversation, reflection, and fun we will create a more inclusive and intentional community, to help spread more empathy and understanding in the world.
Star Gathering Youth Conference
For Teens (9th grade through newly graduated Seniors)
"Acceptance of Self and Others"
This week we will look at relationships, self acceptance, acceptance of others, and ways to show our love.
Go to starisland.org for more details and to register.
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Save the Date with Carter Heyward
Free Daylong Seminar & Evening Lecture
| Save the date for an upcoming event on August 29th featuring author, Carter Heyward. The event will include a free daylong seminar and evening lecture revolving around Heyward's new book titled "The 7 Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism: A Call to Action". Join us at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Concord, NH for this thought-provoking seminar from 10am-4pm, followed by a stimulating lecture at 6:30pm. Registration details will be provided soon. Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to expand your knowledge and engage in meaningful discussions. | | |
Why Stories Matter
Clergy Convocation | Sep. 18-20, 2023 | Pilgrim Pines, Swanzey, NH
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Join the Rev. Dr. AbbyLynn Haskell and the Rev. Holly Tomilson as they share with us why storytelling is essential to humans. Pastors' lives are steeped in stories. Each week we read scripture filled with stories. We look for stories to help our contemporary congregations grapple with the ancient stories they hear. We hear our parishioners’ stories. Knowing their stories helps us to be more compassionate with their quirks. What are the stories that motivate and inspire us?
Save the date!
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NHCUCC New Branding and Guidelines
New Look, Same Message
| We're excited to announce that the NHCUCC has been working hard on a refreshed look, including a redesigned logo and structured brand guidelines. Our aim is to modernize our appearance while supporting the valuable work of our ministries and mission groups. By providing a standardized guide, we hope to enable our dedicated volunteer groups to create promotional content with a consistent voice, helping us to build stronger brand awareness. We look forward to this new chapter and the positive impact it will have on our community. | |
See the full guide and all new branding on our website under Resources & Links > Brand Guidelines. | |
UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS | |
UCC Climate Hope Webinar
via Zoom | Learn More
June 14 | | |
Spring Boundary Training
via Zoom | Learn More
June 17 | | |
Horton Center Open House
Horton Center | Learn More
June 17 | | |
Horton Center Hike the Hill, Alumni Homecoming
Horton Center | Learn More
June 17
11am to 4pm | | |
Retired Ministers Boundary Training
via Zoom | Learn More
June 21 | | |
Retired Clergy Luncheon
Havenwood Heritage Heights | Learn More
June 22 | | |
Horton Center First Day of Camp
Horton Center | June 25 | | |
General Synod 34
Indianapolis | Learn More
June 30 - July 4 | | |
Susan Garafolo, licensed Pastor at the United Church of Winchester and Member-in-Discernment in the Merrimack Association, has passed into God's eternal care. Susan also worked as a chaplain at Concord Hospital and Granite VNA. We encourage the entire New Hampshire Conference community to hold Susan's family, her colleagues, the United Church of Winchester, and the First Congregational Church of Hopkinton (her church of membership) in prayer. Information regarding remembrances will be shared once it becomes available.
O God, in your tender mercy, Hear our prayers
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The Rev. Paul Cullity has announced his resignation from the position of Pastor and Teacher of the Madbury United Church of Christ and his retirement from active ministry. Rev. Cullity will conclude his ministry in Madbury at a date to be determined.
The Rev. Kate Kennedy has announced her resignation from the position of Associate Pastor of the Congregational Church of Amherst, UCC. Rev. Kennedy’s last Sunday will be June 4th.
The Rev. Brian Grover has accepted the invitation of the Monadnock Congregational Church, UCC, in Colebrook to become their Pastor and Teacher. Rev. Grover will begin his ministry in Colebrook on August 1.
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Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm | |
The Weekly News is published to promote the mission and ministry of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ.
These announcements are intended to be brief, timely, and of a general interest to our Conference readers. Supportive links are provided whenever they are available. We encourage you to forward these materials to others in your church using the link below and to share them in your bulletins and local church newsletters.
Send your items to Communications@nhcucc.org.The deadline for submitting items for the next issue is Thursday at 12:00 PM.
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