One place for information on the effort you have heard so much about this year, hosted on the New Hampshire Conference Website. There are more listening sessions and several documents for your perusal. Check it Out Today!

Smith Memorial Congregational Church, UCC, is excited to introduce Time Together Thursdays, a monthly Memory Café designed for individuals with memory loss illnesses and their care partners. Launching on October 3rd, the café will provide a safe, supportive environment with refreshments, a simple Christian service, activities like pumpkin painting and sing-alongs, and access to helpful resources. Held on the first Thursday of each month from 1-2:30 PM, the event is free and limited to 8 pairs.

Additionally, join us for My Loved One Has Dementia, a free community conversation on Saturday, September 21st at 2 PM to discuss understanding dementia and the importance of caregiver self-care.

For more information or to register, Read the Announcement or contact Rev. Donna Vuilleumier at pastor@smithmemorialucc.org or 603-464-3529.

In a recent visit to Zimbabwe, delegates from the New Hampshire Conference witnessed the growth and vibrancy of the UCCZ churches, with new roles like Evangelists and increasing numbers of women clergy. Amid economic challenges, the church is thriving through major construction projects, including the foundation for Gazaland University, fish farming as a sustainable business, and efforts to address drought conditions. The warm hospitality of their hosts made the experience feel like a family reunion.

Curious about the stories of resilience and hope? Click here to read the update from Rev. David Keller!

Following the launch this spring of the digital local church profile portal, MESA continues to offer monthly general orientations to the new system for search committees. Please reach out to Rev. Jeff Nelson, Minister for Ministerial Calls and Transitions (nelsonj@ucc.org) if you have questions. The training schedule for the rest of the year is:

September 11, 7:00 -8:00pm ET; registration here.

October 9, 7:00 -8:00pm ET; registration here.

November 6, 7:00 -8:00pm ET; registration here.

** Due to AM21, there will not be a December training

NH Hunger Solutions, in collaboration with the NH Council of Churches, is creating a list of LGBTQIA+ affirming, church-based food pantries across the state. While The New Hampshire Conference is an Open and Affirming Conference of the United Church of Christ, and one of many denominations under the Council’s umbrella are LGBTQIA+ inclusive, the organizers are particularly interested in knowing if volunteers and staff have completed sensitivity training to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all, including queer individuals.

If your church operates a food pantry and would like to be included in this list or you want to learn more, please contact Lisa at the New Hampshire Council of Churches by emailing lisa@nhchurches.org This initiative will help ensure that food assistance is accessible, inclusive, and supportive for everyone in need.

Thank you for your support!

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

You have an opportunity to work for peace in our world and in our communities through nonviolent action. Collaborate with UCC friends from across New Hampshire. There is a place for you - to work for a Ceasefire in Gaza, Gun Violence Prevention and to promote Just Peace Churches. Click Here for more information about the NHCUCC Peace with Justice Advocates Mission Group or contact Janet Zeller at janet.zeller@gmail.com.

What is Confirmation Retreat? 

Horton Center's Confirmation Retreat is a weekend-long 

experience for confirmands or young folks considering 

confirmation to come together to learn more about themselves and their beliefs, the United Church of Christ, (UCC) and to have a chance to connect with others in a beautiful outdoor space that offers lots of fun and exciting opportunities! 

Who goes to Confirmation Retreat? 

Students in grades 6-high school graduation who are currently in a confirmation program or are thinking of being in a confirmation program are welcome to attend the Confirmation Retreat. Adult mentors of confirmands are also encouraged to come! 

Registration Details and More are available on the flyer, or by going to www.HortonCenter.org 

See you on the mountain!

Tivvi Pare (she/her)

TPare@nhcucc.org

603-545-9660 

Seacoast Based Regional Youth Group Launch

A Joint Initiative by 2 area UCC Authorized Ministers

We are thrilled to announce a new initiative aimed at uniting the youth across the Seacoast region. Pastor Jenn Mazur from North Church, Portsmouth, and Pastor Wes from Stratham Community Church, are coming together to form a progressive Christian youth group.

All interested youth in grades 8-12 are welcome to come and see what it’s all about! The first session takes place Sept. 22, 2024 at 3:30-5pm, and is to be held at the Stratham Community Church at 6 Emery Lane, Please feel free to spread the word within your congregations. A Permission Form can be found Here

Please direct any questions and RSVP to Pastor Jenn at pastorjenn@northchurchportsmouth.org or Pastor Wes at westleyconn@strathamchurch.org.

The Rev. Stacey Kullgren has accepted the call of the Federated Church of Marlborough to serve as their Designated Term Preacher and Teacher. Rev. Kullgren began her ministry in Marlborough on July 27.

An Ecclesiastical Council for Cherie Shaw will take place September 22nd, 2024 at 3 pm at the Canterbury United Community Church.

The Hillsborough Association of the New Hampshire Conference will hold a Service of Installation for Rev. Karen Landry as Pastor and Teacher to Deering Community Church on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 3 PM

The Merrimack Association will hold their fall meeting at the Congregational Church of Laconia on October 6th at 1:30 PM, after which they will install Rev. Eliza Tweedy at 3 PM

The Rockingham Association will hold their fall meeting at First Parish Congregational in East Derry, NH on Sunday October 6th at 1:30 PM.