THE WEEKLY NEWS
May 7, 2024 | Volume 16 No. 17
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Letter from the Editor: Hi! I am Sam Juliano, and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading The Weekly News, one of the best ways we can keep you informed about current goings-on. Please send newsletter submissions to Our communications email, and feel free to drop me a line here should you have questions or concerns. Stay tuned for further details, including a new website for the conference, to come in short order. Without further ado...
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We Welcome Cameron Keller
We are grateful that Cameron Keller has agreed to provide some temporary administrative help around the Conference Office as we continue to search for a new Office Administrator. Cameron stepped into this role on May 2, 2024 and will be at the Office Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. As is understood with a temp position, we don't know how long Cameron will be with us but we are thankful for his help while we have him.
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We Wish Susanne McCarron Well In Retirement
Susanne McCarron, our Search and Call Administrator, has announced her retirement effective late June. Susanne has faithfully served our Conference Staff for the past two and a half years. Over the new few weeks, we will announce Susanne's exact retirement date and opportunities for members of the Conference to express their appreciation to her.
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From The Chair of our Board of Directors | |
Hello NH Conference! Your Board of Directors met on April 13, 2024, and here are some highlights of that meeting:
- The biggest news is: The Conference administrates the Consolidated Investment Fund (CIF). This fund offers our congregations a church-based option for growing their investments, while also providing the same service for Conference investments. Together these investments total nearly $30 million. Since 2016 we have partnered with the Missionary Society of Connecticut’s Consolidated Trust Fund (CTF) as our investment manager. In the past year, the CTF has made the decision to close.
Over the past nine months, our CIF Oversight Committee has met to explore options for a new investment partner. Several options were considered and vetted. At our April 13th meeting, the Board voted to select United Church Funds (UCF) as our new investment partner. This transition will happen over the next few months, and participating congregations are being notified of their options as we move forward. UCF has competitive fees, a long record of excellent performance, and is an affiliated ministry of our United Church of Christ. The Board wishes to thank the members of the CIF Oversight Committee for all their efforts to help this transition, and to the CTF for being excellent stewards of our investment assets over the past 8 years.
- The work of the Association Task Force continues, with ongoing ‘listening sessions’ on Zoom to listen to member’s questions and concerns. Next up is forming a transition plan, timeline, and finances. The hope is to have a fully formed plan for the Associations to vote on in November 2024.
- Camper registrations for Horton Center are up compared to this same time last year. We’re looking forward to a busy, full, fun time this summer. The Board will be visiting Horton Center on July 5th to get some time on top of the mountain.
- This summer we anticipate having a delegation of 9 people visiting Zimbabwe as part of our Ukama partnership, led by our Associate Conference Minister Rev. Sara Marean.
- Planning is underway for part one of Conference Minister’s sabbatical, which will occur between November 4 2024 and January 6, 2025.
- We welcome Sam Juliano to our Conference staff! Sam will be serving as our Communication and Programs Coordinator.
There is lots of great stuff happening in our Conference! How can you participate?
Peace,
Jim
Rev. Jim Thomas
Conference President
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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 Sessions to be held via this zoom link
May 15th and 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...
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We Are Family Listening Tour |  | |
What does a future of flourishing for the whole human family look like?
How are you and your church building toward that future?
What gifts and skills are you bringing to that work and where do you want to grow?
What lineages and histories live in your bones?
What stories do you have to share to encourage and challenge others on this journey?
These are just some of the conversations that will be had as part of the UCC National Ministries Racial Justice and Join the Movement Listening Tour! For the next year, Rev. Dr. Velda Love and Dr. Sharon Fennema are traveling across the country to join in dialogue with UCC communities of every shape and size to hear more of our denomination’s story of love in action. We’re excited that New Hampshire is their first stop! Through story-sharing and discussion, we will learn more about how to work together as equally valued members of the human family to transform inequity and injustice in our world and foster flourishing lives for all. As beloved members of the Body of Christ, we hope you’ll join this circle of discovery and sharing to remember and believe WE ARE FAMILY!
Join the conversation!
May 19, 2024 - 3 PM
First Congregational Church - Hopkinton, NH
1548 Hopkinton Rd, Hopkinton, NH 03229
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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
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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...
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Nonprofit Security Grant Applications Now Open
Grants up to $150,000 to strengthen security of church facilities.
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The NH Department of Safety, Grants Management Bureau is accepting applications from eligible nonprofit organizations until Noon on May 31, 2024. Allowable costs for this grant are specific to physical security enhancements on real property (including buildings and improvements) specifically in prevention of and/or protection against the risk of a terrorist attack. Learn more and get instructions to apply here
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Would your church be interested in using “Compassion Camp” VBS Curriculum that the Conference purchases? The Christian Formation Ministry group has researched the possibility of offering a curriculum to you at a much reduced cost. We plan to purchase a multi-entity license (based on the number of groups that participate) that churches could use. Depending on how many participate, we expect to be able to offer it for approximately $50 per VBS group. Whether your church works independently or joins with other churches to form one combined group, we’d like to help make it happen!
Contact us at christianformationministry@nhcucc.org with questions. We need your confirmation so that we only pay for groups that are certain they will use it! Please let us know by May 15 if you can commit and that you have people who will organize and run VBS this summer. Spread the loving kindness of Compassion Camp!
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2024 Combatants for Peace and the Parents Circle-Families Forum | |
On May 12th, Combatants for Peace and The Parents Circle-Families Forum host the 19th Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Day Ceremony. The theme this year is the stories of children whose lives are being upended and their future hopes uncertain. Just three days later, on May 15th, Combatants for Peace will host the 2024 Joint Nakba Remembrance Ceremony. The theme is “liberation.” How do we collectively liberate ourselves from occupation, oppression and violence? The NH Conference Peace with Justice Advocates Mission Group is a sponsor again this year and encourages joining both ceremonies.
Learn more about the Joint Memorial Day Ceremony
Learn More about the Joint Nakba Remebrance Ceremony
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Small Acts of Caring Mean a Lot
to Our Immigrant Neighbors
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In 1954, Kitty Kallen popularized "Little Things Mean a Lot," underscoring the power of small gestures. Our NHCUCC Immigrant & Refugee Support Group (IRSG) echoes this sentiment, recognizing the profound impact small acts of kindness have on asylum-seekers and immigrants in our community. Teaming up with the American Friends Service Committee-NH, our volunteers support over 80 detainees held by ICE in Dover's county jail. Your $27 donation enables us to provide essentials like food, personal care items, or phone calls to those detained. These contributions uplift spirits and make a tangible difference. Ron Schneider, a volunteer, shares a story of how simple gestures like providing underwear or repairing a sewing machine can greatly impact individuals. What small acts of kindness can your congregation offer? Let creativity guide you! For more details about IRSG, email irsg.nhcucc@gmail.com.
Please donate here.
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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.
Clergy Convocation Mission Group
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The Association Restructuring Task Force
Wants to Listen to You
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Please join us for a Listening Session about the possible Association restructuring plans. We need your feedback, concerns, and hopes. There will be 2 more Zoom sessions at different times of the day and week. We hope that one of them will be convenient for you.
Please use the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84904679136
Tuesday, May 14 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 16 1:00 pm
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Camps for Elementary Campers
at Horton Center
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Do you know a camper who is entering 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade in the fall? 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 elementary-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.
We will see you on the mountain soon!
Shalom,
Tivvi Pare (she/her)
Executive Director of Horton Center
www.HortonCenter.org
603-545-9660
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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 | |
| 223rd Annual Meeting
Geneva Point Center | October 26
Save the Date | | |
PRAYERS FOR THE ASSOCIATION RESTRUCTURE | |
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Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)
"Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."
Friends, as you pray with us this week about the idea of the Conference Acting as an Association, we invite you to ponder what you love about the Association. What do you love about the Conference? And then let's pray together for the augmenting of what we love even as we move toward something that may not look like what we used to know.
When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, their world was so full of uncertainty and change. What do we avoid with passion? Uncertainty and change! What can we be sure of? God's Presence! What does not change? God's Presence! Please pray this week with grateful hearts for the constancy of God's even as we face an uncertain world.
May God's Peace guard your hearts as we pray together.
The Association Restructuring Task Force
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In honor of Break the Silence Sunday we share this Living Psalm 22:25-31
My voice shakes, and still I sing;
to God I offer my praise,
though the memory of my cries of pain,
my despair and grief,
the Holy One had abandoned me,
my voice shakes, and still I sing.
The scars ache, and still I sing;
to God I kneel in worship,
remembering the words of my enemies,
their encircling threats,
body and soul torn apart,
the scars ache, and still I sing.
My soul is weary, and still I sing;
to God I offer my life,
knowing that, even in the pit,
I fed on unseen grace,
holding me, never alone
my soul is weary, and still I sing.
—
By Rev. Moira Finley
http://breakthesilencesunday.org
breakthesilencesunday@gmail.com
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The Rev. Renee Rouse has announced her resignation as Pastor and Teacher of the Northwood Congregational Church, UCC. Rev. Rouse’s last Sunday in Northwood will be Sunday, May 12.
The Rev. Dawn Adams has been called to serve the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, UCC as Pastor. Rev. Adams will begin her call in Wolfeboro on May 19.
The Rev. Dr. Dana Mann has announced her resignation as Pastor and Teacher of the Federated Church of Marlborough. Rev. Dr. Mann’s last Sunday in Marlborough is May 19.
On April 14, Walt Hampton was called to serve as pastor and teacher of First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC in North Conway. His tenure began immediately.
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Sunday Schedule: May 12, 2024 | |
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The Rev. Gordon Rankin
The Rev. Gordon Rankin will be on vacation this Sunday.
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The Rev. Sara Marean
Rev. Marean will be preaching at the Northwood Congregational Church, UCC where the Rev. Renee Rouse serves as Pastor and Teacher.
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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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