The NHCUCC Peace with Justice Advocates Mission Group invites each of our NH churches to study and discuss becoming a Just Peace Church, in accordance with the Just Peace NH Conference Resolution adopted in 2002.

The Peace with Justice Advocates work to give churches guidance and courage to put their faith into action in the struggle for justice and peace. In this time of world-wide turmoil, in which our own country plays a significant part, it is crucial that we walk this journey guided by God’s word to “do justly and to love mercy.”

Learn More about becoming a Just Peace Church...

A group of eight people will be representing the New Hampshire Conference on our first Ukama visit to our partners in the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe since 2017. Their trip will begin July 22. They will return home August 7. During their time in Zimbabwe they will visit and worship with many partnered churches. They also will visit the mission stations at Mt. Selinda and Chikore, tour Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World heritage site, as well as a game preserve.  

Rev. Sara Marean and Rev. David Keller are the delegation co-leaders. Other members of the delegation are: Rev. Mandy Lape, Stephanie Westergren, Sarah MacKenzie, Lindy Keller, Shaun Hathaway, and Wren Marean. They have bios on the UKAMA Delegation page Here!

There is now a link on our website to follow the journey. (NHCUCC.org > Community > Ukama 2024) Content will be added daily, or as internet and personal bandwidth allow. Check it out here, and watch Facebook and The Weekly News for the highlights.

The funeral service for Art Urie will be held on July 18, 2024 at 11:00 am at the First Congregational Church Wilmot, NH located at 19 North Wilmot Road, Wilmot, NH.

All are invited to join together for a light lunch and time of fellowship following the worship service.

Individuals not able to attend in person are invited to join in via zoom. (Click Here)

Hello NH Conference! Your Board of Directors met on June 8, 2024. We were glad that most of us could attend in person at the Conference Office in Pembroke. It was a very full agenda, and here are some highlights of that meeting:

· We celebrated increased registrations for camping at Horton Center this summer! The Board also authorized funding to replace the well head at camp, which is very near the end of its life expectancy.

· We reviewed updates to the Ukama Covenant, and adopted them. They will be brought to Zimbabwe to be signed in partnership. Our delegation travels to Zimbabwe this month.

· Our new website is live! Please check it out if you haven’t already. Pages are still being populated, but it mostly complete.

· There was celebration for new staff members Sam Juliano and Cameron Keller, and deep appreciation for the work of Susanne Royer-McCarron as our Search and Call Administrator as she departs.

· Planning is underway for our Conference Minister’s sabbatical time, the first part of which will be taken toward the end of this year. We have identified a potential Sabbatical Conference Minister, and are working at delineating the duties between that person and our Associate Conference minister in Gordon’s absence.

· After a significant effort, the Conference has a new Record Retention Policy. We are thankful for the Working Group that shepherded the process. As one Board member said, “It ain’t sexy, but it’s important!”

· The Work of the Association Task Force is ongoing and progressing. We remain engaged in the process and are excited and hopeful about future outcomes.

· The Board approved, with some edits, a resolution to come before the Annual Meeting Titled: “A Lamentation and Call to Congregations for Discussion and Action about Gun Violence Prevention.”

There is lots of great stuff happening in our Conference! Where is the place that your time and talents can help?

Peace,

Jim

Rev. Jim Thomas

Conference President

The United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries requests applications for open positions on it's board of directors. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. Find out more about the UCCDM board member requirements, the mission statement and more by viewing their Call for Nominations and if you think you would be a good fit, find the application form here.

On September 16-18 at the Pilgrim Pines Camp and Retreat Center in Swanzey, NH, Clergy Convocation will be a time to gather with colleagues and reflect together on the changing nature and experience of “being called”-

How has this changed (or not) for us over time?

How have we been surprised and disappointed?

Together, how do we foster staying power- choosing to engage in ministry and life with joy and resilience?

We are grateful to have Leanne Tigert as our presenter for this event. Leanne has been engaged in active ministry in various setting for 40 years, and is now semi- retired. She has served in parish ministry, as seminary adjunct faculty, on national committees, as a pastoral psychotherapist, as author/ co- author of several books, and facilitator of the conference MID PLDG group. These days she can be found playing music in Celtic circles, on hiking trails, and playing with her grandchildren. There are still a few spots left, Claim Yours Today!

The Prepared to Serve Planning Team needs your help! We are seeking an organized person that could serve on a team to plan this impactful event. The group meets once monthly on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM, our next meeting being this Thursday. Most times meetings are held in a hybrid format allowing you to participate in-person at the Conference Office in Pembroke or over Zoom. If this sounds like it's in your wheelhouse, please email events@nhcucc.org.

Week 1 up at Horton Center has been a busy one! We had our youngest "Getting Started" campers with us for half the week to give camping a try (spoiler alert, they loved it and will definitely be back!), we were joined by a mission group from Mystic, CT who helped us with some projects around the site including the construction of private changing areas in our cabins, we had our middle school Climate Superheroes on site, as well as our Leaders in Training camp. Together we hiked, caved, worshipped outside at our beautiful ledges, and of course had the first s'mores of the season. The magic of Outdoor Ministries is happening at your camp! 

Registration is still open. Don't wait, sign up today for a week of camp! Don't have a whole week to spare this summer? Check out our half-week and weekend opportunities as well at www.HortonCenter.org

See you on the mountain! 

Shalom, 

Tivvi Pare (she/her)

Executive Director of Horton Center

www.HortonCenter.org 

603-545-9660

Calling All People who Want to Join Our Team! Reach out at apply@nhcucc.org. The position is listed below - salary and additional details are available upon request.

The New Hampshire Conference is a Racial Justice, Just Peace, Open and Affirming Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Search and Call Administrator

◘ 21 hrs / week ◘ Non-Exempt ◘ Benefits provided (Health, Dental, Pension) ◘

This role works in collaboration with the Associate Conference Minister and Conference Minister to manage the administrative aspects of the Search and Call process, including interacting with church Search Committees and with the placement office of the National Setting of the United Church of Christ.

If your congregation is like many, introducing technology - even out of worship - can be scary and tumultuous. With grandparent scams surging, ransomware attacks on large companies in the news, and a general unfamiliarity with tech, it makes sense that folks would be weary. Online life is next to unavoidable to a degree- and no matter who you are, or where you fall on life's journey, it is critical to stay safe online. GCF Global has tons of free training for every level of computer-user. Some, like this Avoiding spam and Phishing course, is designed to require very little computer knowledge beforehand. Also, it's all free and vetted for legitimacy by your Communications and Programs Coordinator. See All Training Topics Here and if this is helpful to you, share with a friend!

The New Hampshire Conference is accepting up to 10 Speak Out Videos to be played during the Annual Meeting. All videos must be sixty (60) seconds or less and adhere to these protocols. The deadline for Speak Out Video submissions is September 12, 2024.

These Video Speak Outs will be the only speak out opportunity at this year's Annual Meeting.

Churches that are celebrating an anniversary (in increments of 25 years), are invited to submit anniversary videos. All videos must be 120 seconds or less and adhere to these protocols. The deadline for submission of Church Anniversary Videos is September 5, 2024.