THE WEEKLY NEWS
September 5, 2023 | Volume 15 No. 35
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Registration Now Open!
Annual Meeting 2023
| 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. | | |
Clergy Convocation Registration Closing
Today Is the Last Day to Register!
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Clergy Convocation will take place September 18 through September 20 at Pilgrim Pines in Swanzey, NH. Admission is $175.
Join the Rev. Dr. AbbyLynn Haskell and the Rev. Holly Tomilson as they share why storytelling is essential to humans. Explore the biology, psychology, sociology, and ministry of stories; the spiritual practice of storytelling in the Biblical World and in the Jewish & Christian traditions; and tell stories of ministry. Let us gather this fall to share stories that inspire and motivate us.
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Pastoral Counseling Services 2023 Good Samaritans
Honoring the Rev. Jed Rardin September 14
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Pastoral Counseling Services (PCS) will be honoring the Rev. Jed Rardin, pastor of the South Congregational Church in Concord, at this yearβs Good Samaritan Awards celebration. These awards recognize people who are making outstanding contributions to the health, wellbeing, safety, and compassion of local NH communities. The celebration will occur on Sept. 14, 2023 (5-7 PM) at the Brookside Congregational Church in Manchester. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go to the website, pcs-nh.org.
Learn more here
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NHCUCC Confirmation Retreat
UCC: Is That For Me?
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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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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 oneβs 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 β for parish clergy who are new to ministry and/or new to the NH Conference
- Members In Discernment β for those discerning their call while in care of an Association of the NH Conference
- Retired Clergy β for those no longer serving in active ministry or will soon be entering retirement (two groups will be available this year).
Learn more here
Learn more about the facilitators and get group descriptions
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National Setting Job Opening
Generosity Officer of the Philanthropy Team of the UCC
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The national setting is seeking candidates to serve as a Generosity Officer of the New England Region of the United Church of Christ.
This is a full-time position with benefits. The candidate will live and work in the New England Region. The primary responsibilities are to work with individual donors who have expressed alignment with the values of the national setting; to work with congregations and Conferences around resources and support; and to encourage planned giving throughout the Region.
If you have further questions you can contact Kent Siladi, Director of Philanthropy at siladik@ucc.org
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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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UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS | |
Registration Opens
2023 Annual Meeting | Learn More
Sept 5 | | |
Clergy Convocation 2023
Pilgrim Pines | Learn More
Sep 18 - 20 | | |
Registration Closes
2023 Annual Meeting | Learn More
Oct 5 | | |
Building Community Safety Road Map
National Setting Training | Learn More
Oct 18 | | |
2023 Annual Meeting
Grappone Convention Center, Concord NH | Learn More
Oct 21 | | |
God of love, we pray for our children and youth as they begin a new school year and return to school routines, learning to be together once again. May they know your light, your love, your peace and guidance. May they know the support of the communities around them, finding open doors and compassionate faces.
Holy One, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
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The Rev. Lexi Boudreaux has accepted the invitation of the First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, UCC to become their Pastor and Teacher. Rev. Boudreaux will begin her ministry in Hopkinton on September 18.
The Grafton-Orange-Sullivan Association will meet on Sunday, September 17th at 2 pm at the West Lebanon Congregational Church for its fall meeting and an Ecclesiastical Council to consider Daniel Adam for ordination.
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor Morse passed into God's eternal care on Friday, August 25, 2023. A memorial service and Holy Eucharist will be held on Friday, September 29 at 2:30 at St. Davidβs Episcopal Church, 231 Main Street, Salem, NH.
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Sunday Schedule: September 10, 2023 | |
The Conference Minister will be preaching at the First Congregational Church of Pelham where the Reverend Carlos Jauhola-Straight serves as pastor. | |
The Associate Conference Minister will be preaching at the United Church of Winchester. | |
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Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm | |
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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