THE WEEKLY NEWS
August 22, 2023 | Volume 15 No. 33
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2023 Annual Meeting
Unveiling the Journey of 'Turning the Tables'
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Join us on October 21st for a day of transformation and unity at the 222nd Annual Meeting of the New Hampshire Conference, United Church of Christ. Embrace the theme 'Turning the Tables,' as we explore insights from Matthew 21:12-16, engage with dynamic speakers, and shape the future of our community together.
Read Official Call
For our 2023 Annual Meeting, 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 the protocols located in the link below.
Speak Outs
Get ready to secure your spot on September 5th when registration opens – a chance to be part of a meaningful journey that promises inspiration, connection, and growth. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gather, learn, and contribute to a brighter tomorrow.
Go to Event Page
Promotional Materials
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NHCUCC Confirmation Retreat | |
Explore the meaning of your beliefs and phrases like "God is still speaking" at the NHCUCC Confirmation retreat! Join youth from across New England for a weekend of growth, connection, and exploration.
When: September 29th - October 1st, 2023
Where: Horton Center, Gorham, NH
Designed for Grades 8-10, this retreat offers discussions, worship, music, and engaging activities. Uncover identity, church affiliation, and denominational understanding.
Key Info:
- Open to all Confirmands & Leaders
- Cost: $160/$180/$200 per person (meals, lodging, activities)
- Registration deadline: September 16th
Secure your spot: https://www.nhcucc.org/conference-ministries/christian-formation-ministry/confirmation
Empower youth to explore faith, identity, and lasting connections within the UCC community. Nurture their spiritual growth together.
Visit our website for details or contact Rev. Gordon Rankin at grankin@nhcucc.org or 603.225.6647.
Join us on this transformative journey!
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Join the Evening Lecture and Panel Discussion at the Carter Heyward Event! |  | |
Exciting Update! The "Carter Heyward Lecture and Seminar" on August 29th in Concord, NH, is generating remarkable interest. We're thrilled to share that all spots for the daylong seminar are now filled. But there's still a fantastic opportunity for you to be part of this enlightening experience.
Join us for the captivating evening lecture and panel discussion starting at 6:30 pm. Engage, learn, and be inspired as Carter Heyward shares her compelling ideas. Delve deeper into "The 7 Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism" with a vibrant panel featuring Rev. Robert Thompson, Rev. Dr. Lillian Buckley, Robert Azzi, and Rabbi Robin Nafshi.
Secure your spot for this evening of enlightenment and meaningful dialogue here. And if you were hoping to attend the daylong seminar, join our waitlist by emailing heidi@nhchurches.org.
Plus, don't forget our book group on August 23rd at 7 PM (Register Here). Elevate the discourse and contribute to a better understanding of crucial social issues. See you on August 29th for an unforgettable event that promises to leave a lasting impact!
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Community Safety:
What If Our Congregation Is Targeted?
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Amidst the increasing authoritarianism in the US, various forms of violence are being directed toward our sacred spaces. From legislative measures targeting queer and trans individuals to disruptive acts during religious services, the need for community safety has become paramount.
Join the National Setting's 2-part training series designed for faith communities of all traditions. Delve into the context of US authoritarianism, uncover the reasons behind the targeting of faith communities, and gain practical tools to fortify your congregation. Led by Christian, Jewish, and UUA SURJ-Faith leaders, this series will equip you with skills to create the world we aspire for while ensuring safety.
Session One: Understanding the Threat
Date/Time: August 23, 8-10pm ET / 5-7pm PT
Explore the rise of authoritarianism in the US and why faith communities are at risk.
Session Two: Building Community Safety Road Map
Date/Time: October 18, 8-10pm ET / 5-7pm PT
Create a road map for safeguarding your congregation over the next 1, 5, and 10 years. Learn practical tools for collective practice.
Register now to secure your place!
Note: Sessions will be recorded and offer participant support, live captioning, and ASL interpretation. For more safety training, consider our Get Ready, Stay Ready series (August-November 2023). Click Here for details.
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Family & Friends Retreat
September 1 - 4 Labor Day weekend!
| Come to Horton Center for a last hurrah of the summer and bring the whole family! We'll pack as much camp fun and excitement into the weekend as we possibly can. Plus plenty of time to hang out as a family and compete in Jon's "Briefcase Olympics"! Songs and smores around the campfire, hike the trails, play our new "9 Square in the Air" game or try our new "Gaga Pit" and more! Or just enjoy the view from a rocking chair on Madison porch. All this and Courtney's brownies too! Sign up now right here!! | | |
Pastoral Leadership Development Groups
Fall 2023 Offerings
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Pastoral Leadership Development Groups (PLDGs) will be offered in the fall of 2023 for ongoing professional support, personal growth as individuals in ministry, and building skills to sustain living out the call in these demanding times. These groups provide a safe setting to develop one’s identity and practice as a clergyperson.
PLDG facilitators are trained as pastoral psychotherapists, CPE supervisors, and/or specialists in systems theory as applied to the church. Groups will meet virtually, with an option to meet in person twice during the year, if participants decide. The groups are open to all Authorized Ministers of the NH Conference of the UCC. Tuition is $250, which covers ten meetings and is payable in full or in installments if needed (no tuition required for retirees).
In addition to four parish-based PLDGs, groups focused on three specialty areas are offered:
- Newly Called – for parish clergy who are new to ministry and/or new to the NH Conference
- Members In Discernment – for those discerning their call while in care of an Association of the NH Conference
- Retired Clergy – for those no longer serving in active ministry or will soon be entering retirement (two groups will be available this year).
Learn more here
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Tim Hughes Retirement Event
Sat, Sep 02 | Horton Center
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Come celebrate the ministry of Tim Hughes at Horton Center. Tim has been the Executive Director at HC for the past 6 years and in that time made a significant impact on the camp and all the campers who visited during his tenure.
We hope you will join us as we celebrate Tim Horton Center style:
- A service with a view on Chaple Rock
- Lunch with Courtney's famous brownies
- Sharing of gifts and thanks for Tim's service at Horton Center
- A campfire and other camp activities
Small gifts are welcome, but not expected. If you would like to contribute to a larger conference wide gift for Tim click here.
All walk-ins at this event are welcomed, but to help with planning we kindly ask for you to RSVP for the event by clicking here.
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UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS | |
| Star Island
Isles of Shoals | Learn More
July 30 - Aug 30 | | |
| Lecture & Seminar with Carter Heyward
UUA Church Concord | Learn More
Aug 29 | | |
| Clergy Convocation 2023
Pilgrim Pines | Learn More
Sep 18 - 20 | | |
| Registration Opens
2023 Annual Meeting | Learn More
Sept 5 | | |
| Registration Closes
2023 Annual Meeting | Learn More
Oct 5 | | |
| 2023 Annual Meeting
Grappone Convention Center, Concord NH | Learn More
Oct 21 | | |
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Holy One, all too often, even in our summertime vacations, we forget to sit, to allow your stillness to wash over us, to open our hearts to the peace that you provide.
Give us silence God.
In this silence let us breathe in the peace of this moment. In this silence let us return to the core of our beings. In this silence let us be in a place where we experience holy rest. In this silence let us let go, of worries, of concerns, of plans, of all the busyness of our lives. In this silence let us lift up those among us who are in places of suffering, whose minds, bodies and spirits need rest and holy reassurance. In this silence let us cry out with all beings who are oppressed, who long for justice and reconciliation, our earth and all who live therein.
In this silence let us simply be with you.
We pray for all this in the name of that peaceful presence, Jesus Christ, Amen.
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Pastor Amy Gardner has been called to serve the United Church of Warner. Pastor Gardner began her ministry in Warner on August 21.
The Rev. Ralph English accepted the invitation of the Union Congregational Church, UCC in Hebron to serve as their Transition Pastor starting September 1.
On June 25 Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz was called to be the Designated Term Pastor for the First Congregational Church, UCC in Littleton. Rev. Ilgenfritz will begin his new call in Littleton on September 5.
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Sunday Schedule: August 27, 2023 | |
The Conference Minister will be worshiping with our Anti-Racism Ministries Group who will be on retreat. | |
The Associate Conference Minister will be preaching at the Madbury United Church of Christ. | | |
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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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