THE WEEKLY NEWS
May 21, 2024 | Volume 16 No. 19
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ONA Concerns Mission Group Wants To Hear From You | |
The ONA Concerns Mission Group is aware of numerous incidents where churches faced opposition due to their LGBTQ+ acceptance. Some experienced theft or vandalism of rainbow flags, vocal opposition in community meetings, or internal conflicts. This aligns with rising political attacks, particularly against transgender individuals. We aim to support affected churches and address these issues by understanding their extent. Church leaders are encouraged to share their experiences via email at onaconcernsmissiongroup@nhcucc.org or johnmwr@hotmail.com. Your input will help us gauge the scope of the problem and develop appropriate responses.
Thank you,
John Rowe, Chair
ONA Concerns Mission Group
5B
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Our Immigrant Bond & Support Fund Needs to be Replenished! | |
Recently, the NHCUCC’s Immigrant Bond & Support Fund paid an $8,500 bond to assist yet another asylum-seeker gain freedom from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. Like so many other asylum-seekers in our midst, this gentleman simply aspires to be free from harm and to live in a country and community where he can survive and thrive, protect and care for his family, earn a living and become a contributing member of society.
It is a privilege to have the resources to be able to do this biblically-inspired work. But, our Fund is now significantly depleted. So, please give what you can today online, or mail a check to NHCUCC (memo: Immigrant Support), 140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275-3711.
To enable us to pay the $8,500 bond, our Unitarian Universalist friends at the South Church UU in Portsmouth provided us with a loan of $4,000 so we could help our immigrant neighbor secure his freedom. (Once all immigrant court proceedings are completed, which may take years, the bond will be returned to us, and we will then repay the loan to the Portsmouth UUs.)
This special NHCUCC Fund is dedicated to supporting asylum-seekers in ICE detention in NH, providing bond payments when we have the means, occasionally assisting with legal fees in particularly critical circumstances, and providing some modest and short-term post-detention support. This work matters! The need is urgent and ongoing, and our Fund would not exist without the generous support of NH UCC members, congregations and allies. For that, the Immigrant & Refugee Support Group is profoundly grateful.
For more details about IRSG, email irsg.nhcucc@gmail.com.
5B
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NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AWARDS | |
For the past three years, the Environmental Justice Mission Group has presented Environmental Justice Awards at the Conference Annual Meeting, celebrating climate justice and earth stewardship throughout the state. Nominees and winners do not need to be members of UCC congregations, underscoring the critical collaborative effort needed to face the climate crisis, uniting faith communities, school and college efforts, and community groups. We seek nominees who have distinguished themselves in Earth Care, Education, Advocacy, and/or Activism. Please contact Mission Group Chair Rob Grabill with nominations, questions or comments at: coachgrabill@gmail.com
5B
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2024 Annual Meeting Resolutions | |
The Board of Directors invites you to submit your resolutions to be considered for inclusion in the agenda for the 2024 Annual Meeting. Resolutions should be sent to Conference Minister Gordon Rankin (grankin@nhcucc.org) and follow the linked guidelines. The deadline is May 28th to submit a resolution.
Read the resolution guidelines here...
4G
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Cultivating Refugia: Building The Resilient Church | |
What: Small Church Leadership Community
Who: Congregations in Northern New England
When: September 2024 – June 2025
Cost: Offered free of charge for participating congregations
In biology, the term “refugia” refers to “little pockets… where plants and creatures hide from destruction, hidden shelters where life persists and out of which new life emerges.” The BTS Center is pleased to offer an opportunity for small congregations in Northern New England to join us on a ten-month journey — an invitation to delve deeply into our missions and identities in a climate-changed world. Participating congregations will explore the concept of refugia and consider how it might shape their mission and identity. Learn more and apply here. Applications are due by May 28, 2024
5B
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Introducing Ministry 21
Equipping 21st Century Leaders for Ministry in a Changing World
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If you’ve attended Conference events lately, you’ll have noticed that many of our churches are lively and joyful regardless of the size of the congregation. We have so much spirit, joy, and courage to offer the communities in which we serve! We are actively engaged in the ministry Jesus did, feeding bodies and souls, working for justice and safety for marginalized peoples, resisting the powers of war and divisive hatred, and worshiping faithfully. To support the needs of these amazing churches for skilled leadership, our Conference is joining with our UCC neighbors in Vermont to develop Ministry21…
Informational Session to be held via this zoom link
June 3rd at 7pm
Meeting ID: 631 691 2038
Meeting Passcode: Min.21VTNH
The Vision:
Ministry21 aims to break down barriers and expand opportunities for discernment and learning for ministry across our two Conferences. Our collaborative effort seeks to:
- develop a holistic program of discernment and learning for the whole church.
- address the social and cultural realities of being faith-filled people in communities that are increasingly secular.
- foster a community of learning and collegial connections beyond “classroom and coursework” engagement.
Courses will be offered with a combination of in-person and online, asynchronous engagement, designed to meet diverse learning styles and entry points.
Learn More about Ministry 21...
4D
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Learn About Common Global Ministries
Welcome Mission Co-Worker Paul Chimhungwe this summer.
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Are you interested in learning about Common Global Ministries? Would you like to hear about our partners’ work in Botswana? Here's your chance: Mission Co-Worker Paul Chimhungwe is available to come to your church to preach, share a presentation, or lead a learning event for your church! Mr. Chumhungwe is available on June 16, June 23, July 7 and July 21. If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please contact Rev. Sara Marean at smarean@nhcucc.org
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Save the Date for Clergy Convocation | |
Authorized ministers, mark your calendars for Monday, September 16 through Wednesday, September 18.
Spend two and a half days at the beautiful Pilgrim Pines Conference Center in picturesque Swanzey, NH. Join ministry colleagues in worship, play, and learning. This year's presenter, Leanne Tigert, will engage us in thoughtful reflection upon our experience of "being called;" and how that has changed (or not) for us over time.
Respectfully,
The Clergy Convocation Mission Group
4D
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Camps for High School Campers
at Horton Center
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Do you know a camper who is entering 9th-12th grade in the fall or who just graduated high school? Do they love spending time outside, meeting new friends, and trying new fun things? Give them the incredible gift of a week at Horton Center! All summer long we have awesome camps for our high school-aged campers. Check out the whole camp schedule HERE.
Don't forget! We have lots of scholarship support we are excited to share. Reach out to Tivvi (TPare@nhcucc.org) for more information.
SAVE THE DATE - The Horton Center Open House is on June 15th from 11am-4pm. All are welcome! Let's fill the mountain for our summer 2024 kickoff!
WILDERNESS FIRST AID at Horton Center (June 8-9) is still open for registration. Sign up today HERE!
Shalom,
Tivvi Pare (she/her)
Executive Director of Horton Center
www.HortonCenter.org
603-545-9660
5A
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Applications for New Office Administrator
Now Open
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The New Hampshire Conference seeks candidates to serve as our Office Administrator. The Office Administrator is the primary host and hospitality provider for events held at the Conference Office, maintains the Conference directory database and calendar, completes bank deposits, provides administrative support for the Conference Annual Meeting and Prepared to Serve events, arrange for periodic bulk mailings, and many other administrative tasks to support the mission and ministry of the Conference. A position description is available upon request.
The Office Administrator position is a 37 ½ hours a week, non-exempt position. Salary information available on request. Full benefits (health and dental insurance, pension, etc.) are provided.
Interested candidates should submit a resume (with references to contact) to the Reverend Gordon Rankin, Conference Minister, at grankin@nhcucc.org.
The New Hampshire Conference is a Racial Justice, Just Peace, Open and Affirming Conference of the United Church of Christ.
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UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS | |
| Transitional Ministries Luncheon
New Hampshire Conference, UCC Office | June 6, 12:00 PM
RSVP to Gordon Rankin | | |
| 223rd Annual Meeting
Geneva Point Center | October 26
Save the Date | | |
PRAYERS FOR THE ASSOCIATION RESTRUCTURE | |
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Paul writes in II Timothy : “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” (NRSVUE)
The Task Force has been blessed these last few weeks with the many participants in our listening sessions. Honestly, there was no “fight” – and we have not “finished the race”! We have kept the faith, we believe, and we will continue to do the good work that God has set before us. If you were unable to attend any of these listening sessions, fear not! We are still listening! Send an email to the conference so that it be forwarded to us, if you have any concerns or questions. Please know that we continue to covet your prayers. We thank God for all of the feedback that we have received. We will continue to review and refine this process of reimagining an all-inclusive Association.
Will you join with us in prayer: Creating, Redeeming and Sustainer God, continue to lead us in your light as we continue to reimagine a structure that is inclusive and provides fertile ground for the seeds of Your will here in New Hampshire. Be with us as we discern and develop a path that is fertile ground for your churches throughout our Conference. Be with our church leaders, both lay and ordained, and be with all those who follow Jesus Christ in word and in deed. We pray all of this with grateful hearts, Amen.
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The need for peace. As we look forward to this Memorial weekend we remember, Holy One. We remember and mourn times of war and we pray that you might send your Holy Spirit upon your children in current military service. We ask that you hold in your great heart, dear God, all those whose lives are forever altered by the horrors of war, by ethnic and racial tension and discord, by conflict in places near and far. We pray for our enemies, that they might know your ever present love, giving to all people the power of forgiveness and new life. We pray that a renewed desire for peace might burn within our hearts; that a vision of understanding and celebration of the diversity of your people might rest upon us. | |
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The Rev. Dr. Dana Mann has been called as Transitional Pastor of the First Parish Church, Congregational, UCC in Dover. Rev. Mann will begin her ministry on June 2nd.
The Rev. Donna Muise will serve as the Transitional Pastor for the First Congregational Church of Rochester, UCC, beginning June 3rd.
The Revs. Susan and John Gregory-Davis have announced their resignations as Co-Pastors and Teachers of the Meriden Congregational Church, UCC. Their last Sunday in Meriden will be June 2nd.
The Hillsborough Association will hold a Service of Ordination for Traceymay Kalvaitis on Sunday, June 2nd at 3pm at the United Church of Christ in Keene.
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Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm | |
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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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