THE WEEKLY NEWS

October 31, 2023 | Volume 15 No. 43

Conference Calendar

Conference Classifieds

Local Church Events

CONFERENCE NEWS

Conference Ministers Clergy Conversation

Israel-Hamas War

On Thursday, November 2^nd at 2 pm, your Conference Ministers will be convening a Zoom Clergy Conversation. The focus of the conversation will be the Israel-Hamas War, the stresses it is creating regionally and globally, and how we as faith community can be supportive of our Jewish and Muslim siblings in faith. If you would like to participate in this Zoom Clergy Conversation, please register here and a Zoom link will be sent to you.

10B

Calling all NH UCC Confirmation-Age Youth!

Conference Wide Confirmation Programing

We are excited to offer this Conference-Wide Confirmation Program to any youth who are interested in taking part in this Confirmation experience! Whether you come from a church with a confirmation class and you're looking to continue that learning and faith exploration with our group OR if you are the only confirmation-age youth at your church and you want to be a part of our awesome community, you are welcome! This program is designed to supplement ongoing work and learning with your local church. We will gather together once a month either over Zoom or in person for fun, exploration, learning, bonding and faith discovery. You won't want to miss our final gathering and worship service aboard a sailboat in June 2024!

See what months are scheduled to be in-person or over Zoom

Email Tivvi Pare for more information and to sign-up for this FREE program: tpare@nhcucc.org

10A

The Immigrant & Refugee Support Group Offers Opportunities to Learn About and Assist Asylum-Seekers

At our 222nd Annual Meeting, the Conference's Immigrant & Refugee Support Group (IRSG) briefly described this unique and consequential ministry of the NHCUCC, especially our multi-pronged support for asylum-seekers who become ensnared in ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention in NH. As we all endeavor to live into our biblical call to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger, the IRSG hopes every NH UCC congregation and association will feel a sense of partnership with our asylum-seeker support activities and the work of the Conference's Immigrant Bond & Support Fund. There is a role, large or small, for everyone! To learn more, register for our 75 minute Zoom presentation - Dignity and Freedom for Asylum Seekers in an Inhumane Immigration System: The Role of the NHCUCC - on Tuesday evening November 14, 7-8:15 p.m.

10C

From Greenwashing to Environmental Justice at UN Climate Conference

UCC Webinar

The President of the upcoming UN Climate Conference is the CEO of the one of the world's largest oil producers and is currently working to aggressively expand his company’s production. In this webinar, panelists will not only provide a critical assessment of the greenwashing and corporate capture of this conference, but they will also cast an alternative vision and pathway forward. The world deserves and desperately needs a UN process dedicated to the advancement of all peoples, a core principle of the UN Charter. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on November 8^th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

10B

Fall Boundary Training Opportunities

Advanced and Basic

By request, the national setting has added another BAT for those considering retirement or who are already in retirement. Join the national setting for a focused conversation on boundary topics faced in retirement – identity, leaving well, exempt status, as well as a refresher on the Ministerial Code, power, and accountability. Led by Revs. Tara Barber, Melanie Oommen, and Anissa Glaser-Bacon.

Monday, November 6, 5:30-8:30pm ET – Boundary Training for Retired Clergy

Ending a Ministry Well:

(An Advanced Boundary Training Session)

Facilitated by: the Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz

Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Format: via Zoom

Fee: $25.00

The Foundations of Understanding Boundaries:

(A Basic Boundary Training Session)

Facilitated by: the Rev. Gordon Rankin

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Format: via Zoom

Fee: $25.00

10B

Register now for UCC Polity Class

A course in UCC History, Polity, and Theology will be taught at Maine School of Ministry, January Term 2024, led by Rev. David Gaewski, a retired conference minister. This course is ideal for Members in Discernment or those considering Privilege of Call representing the United Church of Christ. Four Saturdays in a row, from 9:00-3:30, using Zoom. Distance learners welcome.

UCC Polity, History, and Theology

Online (Zoom), 24 contact hours

Instructor: David Gaewski

Saturdays Jan 6, Jan 13, Jan 20, Jan 27

Fee: $350

Registration: Link found at https://www.maineucc.org/mesom/

Questions? Contact Dean Malcolm Himschoot: mhimschoot@maineucc.org.

10D

The Fruits of the Spirit are ALIVE at Horton Center!

2023 Horton Center Video

Watch our BRAND NEW 2023 Horton Center video to see and hear about the amazing things happening at camp.

Please consider giving to the Horton Center Annual Appeal to make more summers like this possible.

Click HERE to make a contribution that will change lives!

10A

October Newsletter

UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS

Ending a Ministry Well

Zoom

Learn More

Nov 15

The Foundations of Understanding Boundaries

Zoom

Learn More

Dec 5

Conference Calendar

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers for World Peace

Collected at the NHCUCC Annual Meeting October 21, 2023

Prayers for all children and all parents. We are all children and many of us are parents. May we all look on each other as being children – our beloved children and their siblings and cousins and friends – and as being the beloved children of God. How can we harm each other if we knew each other as siblings?

Prayers for understanding, for just policies, for mercy and kindness and justice in all our policies, diplomacy, and dealings with others.

Prayers for our national leaders that they may think of others more than they think of their own selfish wants.

Prayers for Palestinians and Israelis and that the media would be brave to speak the truth to power.

Prayers for the children.

Prayers for all the children of the world.

Prayers for the people of Israel and Gaza.

Prayers for the people of the Ukraine and Russia.

Prayers for NH Jewish persons & congregations feeling vulnerable and afraid.

Prayers for NH Muslim persons & congregations feeling targeted and afraid.

Prayers for Israel & Palestine.

Prayers for Palestine and Israel – may the dignity of all be restored and violence cease.

Prayers for the people of Yemen. May they find common ground to end their civil war.

Prayers for the people of Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel

Prayers for the immigrants and refugees

Prayers for the victims of sex trafficking – both children and adults.

Prayers for the Palestinian people.

Holy One, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

ACROSS THE CONFERENCE

The Revs. Susan and John Gregory Davis have announced their resignation as Co-Pastors and Teachers of the Meriden Congregational Church, UCC, and their retirement from active ministry. Their last Sunday in Meriden will be June 2, 2024.

The Rev. Paula Gile has announced her resignation as Pastor and Teacher of the Sanbornton Congregational Church, UCC and her retirement from active ministry. Rev. Gile’s last Sunday will be December 31.

On November 12, the Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz will be Installed as Pastor and Teacher of the First Congregational Church, UCC in Littleton. The service will be at 2:30pm after the North Country Association Fall Meeting.

On November 5 the Caroll-Strafford Association will hold their Fall Meeting at First Parish Church, Dover at 3:30pm.

On November 5 the Southwest Association will hold their Fall Meeting at Nelson Congregational Church at 3:00pm.

On November 12 the Rockingham Association will hold their Fall Meeting at 2:00pm at the Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Brentwood-Kingston.

WIDER CHURCH RESOURCES

United Church of Christ	Click Here
Association of UC Educators	Click Here
Global Ministries	Click Here
UCC Volunteer Ministries	Click Here
Responding to Media Inquiries	Click Here

CONFERENCE MINISTERS

Sunday Schedule: November 5, 2023

Rev. Gordon Rankin

The Conference Minister will be preaching at First Parish Congregational Church, UCC, in East Derry where the Rev. Deborah Roof serves as Pastor and Teacher. In the afternoon, Rev. Rankin will be attend a meeting of the Carroll-Strafford Association

Rev. Sara Marean

The Associate Conference Minister will be preaching at the Jackson Community Church, UCC, where the Rev. Gail Doktor serves as Pastor and Teacher. In the afternoon, Rev. Marean will represent the NHCUCC at the Southwest Association Fall Meeting.

Conference Center

Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Gordon Rankin

Conference Minister

Sara Marean

Associate Conference Minister

Cindy Bradley

Administrative Assistant

Diane Tinkham

Christian Formation Resource Specialist

Lydia Frasca

Finance Officer

Susanne McCarron

Search and Call

Tivvi Pare

Horton Center Executive Director,Christian Education Specialist

Thaddeus Sieverding

CTE Specialist

Phone Number:

603-225-6647

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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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