Your Association will be considering and voting on a potential new Association structure this fall. 

Two Final Listening Sessions are taking place over Zoom. The first is on Thursday, September 19 at 7:00 pm. The second and Final takes place Saturday, September 21 at 10:00 am.

This is a major change to our structure aimed at boosting effectiveness and energizing our work. After careful planning, the task force believes this model is the best way forward for our churches. Please take time to view the material on the proposal at our landing page and join a listening session (above.)

The Granite State Jubilee is set to take place on October 19, 2024. This event is the Council's return to an annual interfaith gathering featuring keynote speaker Rev. Liz Theoharis. Enjoy a breakfast buffet, prayer stations, refreshed annual awards (nomination info below), and more. Youth are invited to participate in a Youth Delegation.

This is a ticketed event. Churches can purchase a ticket and bring an unlimited number of congregants for $240 - and will automatically be listed in the annual Donor's Program. Alternatively, Individual tickets can be purchased for $60.

The nomination form for the awards can be found here along with award descriptions. Award categories are: The Inclusive Love Award; The Compassionate Heart Award; and The Faithful Witness Award. 

Additionally, the Council is launching a new project addressing Christian Nationalism and associated ideologies this month via showings of the documentary film Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy. The showings are next Monday and Tuesday, September 23 and September 24, 2024. Monday's showing will be at the Littleton Opera House and Tuesday will occur at The Red River Theater in Concord. Events to be followed by a guided discussion. All are welcome, please join us!

The NHCUCC Immigrant & Refugee Support Group (IRSG) has JUST been notified that an asylum-seeker of very limited means, a father of three, has an opportunity to secure release from immigrant detention if only we are able to assist by paying his immigration bond of $8,500. Since 2018, the IRSG has been committed to trying to post bonds for our immigrant siblings held in NH by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) whose only "infraction" is trying to seek asylum, as is their international legal right. To date, we have assisted 22 such individuals in securing their freedom so they can continue to advance their asylum cases outside the traumatic and oppressive confines of immigrant detention. But, our Immigrant Bond & Support Fund coffers are almost fully depleted at this point. So, we fervently appeal to every caring and welcoming UCCer and congregation to help the IRSG raise $8,500 within the next few days for an urgent bond payment. Please help if you can! Donate Here

Questions? Contact Gail Kinney at 603-381-7324 or email irsg.nhcucc@gmail.com. Also, please let Gail know if you are making an online donation or mailing a check to the NHCUCC (with "Immigrant Support" in the memo line; send to 140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275) so we can keep track of how close we are to raising the needed $8,500. Thank you!

Over the last months of The Weekly News, you've learned that Pastoral Leadership Development Groups (PLDGs) have been forming. There are still some openings in the Parish Based PLDG and the other groups (Newly Called, Retired and MID groups) have rolling entries during the year according to the group process.

The NH Conference and PCS in Manchester offer PLDG focusing on a variety of settings in which ministry happens. Meeting ten sessions per year, each group provides a setting to develop leadership resilience personally and professionally in various ministry settings.

All PLDGs are led by skilled trained facilitators (click here to see a list). You will see groups for active parish pastors, clergy newly called to ministry and/or the NH Conference, members-in-discernment, retired clergy & those nearing retirement. The NH Conference underwrites this program through the Grace Scott Fund, and each participant pays $250 annual tuition (no fee for retirees). Tuition is $250 and is payable by the initial meetings in installments as needed (no tuition required for retirees).

To join a PLDG starting this fall, contact the facilitator of a group that interests you. For general questions about the program, reach out to PLDG Administrator David Reynolds at (603) 533-8377 or dbr@pcs-nh.org.

Now is the time to join a group, as they are filling up quickly. Come and nurture your leadership skills in a safe and trusting environment of a PLDG!

On Mothers’ Day weekend, five NH citizens chose civil disobedience and refused to leave the Dover office of Congressman Chris Pappas. For months they had sought out the congressman for conversation around the deadly conflict in Gaza and congress’ role in funding the massacre that has now claimed over 40,000 Palestinian lives. On Friday, May 10, the five were again dismissed by the congressman and his staff and refused to leave. They were arrested, charged with misdemeanor trespassing and subsequently arraigned in Dover. A trial is scheduled for October 29.

Join Janet Zeller, Amy Antonucci, Janet Simmon, Em Friedrichs and Dave Grishaw-Jones for conversation around their choices, their action on Mother's Day Weekend, and what happens next. All are welcome to join the Zoom call on Wednesday, September 25, 7-8 pm Eastern. Click Here to RSVP

Not In My Name, an organization of NH Jews committed to an immediate ceasefire and peace in Israel/Palestine is presenting two films that address the Palestine/Israel crisis through a personal lens. “Israelism” follows two American Jews raised to unconditionally love Israel. When they witness the brutal way Israel treats Palestinians, their lives take sharp left turns. The filmmakers of "When Olive Trees Weep” journeyed to the occupied West Bank in 2022. Background to the current crisis is given as the film examines the lives of people they met. The Palestinians share their stories of intergenerational pain, trauma and resilience.  

“Israelism” will be shown on September 19th at 6:45pm. 

“When Olive Trees Weep” will be shown on September 26th at 6:45 pm. 

A moderated discussion will follow each film. The events will be held at Red River Theatres in Concord, NH. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at www.redrivertheatres.org or bought at the door.  

https://youtu.be/bondvm3hvGM

https://youtu.be/-VectWsWc1Q

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!

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!

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:

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

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.