THE WEEKLY NEWS
May 28, 2024 | Volume 16 No. 20
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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...
4E
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Suzanne McCarron's Retirement | |
Susanne McCarron, our Search and Call Administrator, has announced her retirement. Her last day as part of our Conference Staff will be Thursday, June 20th. Please take some time over the next month to offer your well wishes and prayers.
Cards can be sent to Susanne's attention at the Conference Office (140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03261) or affirmations and appreciation can be sent to her email, smccarron@nhcucc.org.
5A
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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 TODAY.
5D
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Retired Clergy Luncheon Reminder: RSVP Today! | |
The Retired Clergy Luncheon will be held at Havenwood Heritage Heights on Tuesday, June 18th at noon. As this is a catered event, you must RSVP by May 30th in order to have a meal available to you. Please call 603-225-6647, email: events@nhcucc.org, or return the postcard we mailed out by May 30th to be included. Thank you.
5B
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2024 Annual Meeting Video Submissions
Information for submitting Speak Out and/or Church Anniversary Videos
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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.
5A
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Clergy Convocation
Reclaiming our Call: Living into New Contours in a Post Pandemic Era
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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?
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We are greatful to have Leanne Tigert is 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. Registration opening June 11th at 9 AM! There are only 46 spots available, so sign up for reminders here.
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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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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 | | |
All of our graduates. For those graduating from high school and college and graduate school we lift prayers of thanksgiving for you! The ways you will and are changing the world, following the Spirit, engaging in making the world more just and equitable, inspire us, bringing us a sense of hope for the future. May God’s blessings be upon you, hope travel with you, and love abide in your heart. | |
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On Sunday, June 9 at 3pm the Merrimack Association will install the Rev. Alexandra Boudreaux as Pastor and Teacher of the First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, UCC.
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 this Sunday, 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 this Sunday, June 2nd.
The Hillsborough Association will hold a Service of Ordination for Traceymay Kalvaitis this Sunday, June 2nd at 3pm at the United Church of Christ in Keene.
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Sunday Schedule: June 2, 2024 | |
Rev. Rankin will be celebrating an end-of-year ritual with our Conference confirmation group. | |  |
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Rev. Marean will participate in the Service of Worship at the Meriden Congregational Church, UCC where the Revs. Susan and John Gregory-Davis serve as Co-Pastors and Teachers.
In the afternoon, Rev. Marean will represent the NHCUCC in the Ordination of Traceymay Kalvaitis.
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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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