Recently many gathered over zoom to share thoughts, reflections, hopes, and fears about the deadly conflict in Gaza and Israel. Out of that conversation many resources were named that people found helpful and together expressed a desire that they be shared with the larger NHCUCC community.



Here is a listing of those resources with a huge thank you to Rev. David Grishaw Jones for his vetting and contribution to this list.  Link to resources here

All clergy are invited to participate in a second Zoom conversation regarding the implications and impacts of the Israel-Hamas war. The Zoom conversation will take place on Thursday, November 30^th at 2 pm,  If you would like to participate in this Zoom Clergy Conversation, please register here and a Zoom link will be sent to you.

The Peace with Justice Advocates (Mission Group) have issued a call for congregations and pastors to join the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. See the statement here

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"Our two churches have long sought a just resolution to the conflict in Israel/Palestine. The current escalation only reaffirms the necessity of a lasting, durable, and just peace that affirms the rights, dignity, freedom, and equality of all the people there – Israeli and Palestinian; Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Druze – so that all may enjoy life in all its abundance."

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Get more global ministry news here

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The 2024 Prepared to Serve event is just around the corner, scheduled for February 24 at Pembroke Academy. As we gear up for another inspiring gathering, the Planning Committee extends a warm invitation to individuals eager to share their talents and insights as workshop presenters.

If you have a workshop idea that aligns with our mission to empower and support our community, we want to hear from you! Whether you are an experienced presenter or a first-time workshop leader, we welcome diverse perspectives and fresh ideas.

To apply as a presenter for Prepared to Serve 2024, simply follow the link to submit your workshop proposal: Presenter Application Form Link

Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to an event that aims to create new tables and foster positive change within our churches. Your unique perspective could be the missing piece that sparks meaningful discussions and inspires others.

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The Clergy Support Ministry Group of the Conference has made some significant changes to the 2024 Clergy Compensation Guidelines, including streamlining and shortening them for ease of use. We want to highlight some of these changes for you.

The most significant change is a revision to the housing allowance portion of the compensation package. Due to the continued rising costs of housing in New Hampshire, the minimum housing allowance is now 40% of base salary. However, we recommend, if possible, calculating the housing allowance based on fair rental value of housing in the county the church is located in. These figures and further information can be found in the Guidelines and Appendix. Link here

Other changes include a COLA for the base salary, an increase in the amount of compensation for pulpit supply ($250 + mileage), and a new section for very part-time churches called Sunday Plus. In addition, the paid holidays have been changed to include all major federal holidays.

We hope these new guidelines will be helpful for churches and clergy of the Conference.

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Changes are in the works in the New Hampshire Conference’s anti-racism efforts, coordinated by the Anti-Racism Ministries group (ARMg), part of the Justice and Witness Ministry. The ARMg’s mission, as expressed on their website (link here), is simple: Expressing God’s love through anti-racism work. This work involves both educating the ARMg members about anti-racism, encouraging churches and individuals throughout the Conference to engage in this work, and providing resources to support this work across the Conference.

My purpose in this article is to inform Weekly News readers about recent actions taken by the New Hampshire Conference Board of Directors, in consultation with the ARMg, that relate to some of the resources the ARMg is providing. Full disclosure: I am an active member of the ARMg and was President of the Board at the time these actions were taken. First, a little background.



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During the off-season of camp this year I made it my goal to visit as many of our New Hampshire UCC churches as possible for a Horton Center-themed Sunday worship service. This gives me an opportunity to connect with local pastors and congregations to spread the news about the amazing things happening at our summer camp. I love to share how the people in the pews can come be a part of the next life-changing summer on the mountain. On November 5th I had the pleasure of being with the Community Church of Dartmouth College for a Climate Justice themed service and on November 12th The First Church in Jaffrey invited me to co-lead a service with camp songs and camp messages of love and hope. January and February are nearly fully scheduled out but there are still openings in March through May to bring the magic of Outdoor Ministries to your church. Please reach out to me so we can schedule a Horton Center Sunday at your church for spring 2024!

Tivvi Pare - Horton Center Executive Director

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The New Thing Task Force Workshops

The New Thing Task Force is scheduling workshops at your congregation for 2024. Let us know if you’d like to host one of these: 

1. Spontaneity: Lessons from Jazz Improv 

2. New Forms of Church: Lessons from Quilting

3. Build the Spirit: Lessons from Theatre Improv 

We’ll help you work out how to fund this and how to involve other churches. Email ANewThingTaskForce@gmail.com

Annual Meeting Speak Out Video

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Cindy Bradley, the Administrative Assistant for our Conference, has announced her retirement effective March 15, 2024. In January, Cindy will have served on the Conference staff for nine years. Many know Cindy as the person who greets you when you arrive at the Conference Office or call the Conference Office, but her responsibilities have been broader than her gracious hospitality ministry. She has been the primary keeper of our database, Conference directory, and Conference calendar, overseen all mass mailings, been the primary person responsible for tenant relations, conducted the background checks for our pulpit supply list and Horton Center volunteers, provided the initiating leadership for our Administrative Assistants Day events and so very much more. We are abundantly grateful for the many ways Cindy has helped the work of the Conference thrive.

A celebration of Cindy's ministry is being planned and will be announced shortly after the first of the year. 

Information regarding the hiring of a new Administrative Assistant will also be announced early in 2024.

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The Pilgrim Press has the 2023 Advent-Christmastide devotional now available. Link to order

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