HCC Weekly Word

July 3rd Weekly Word

Worship This Week

Please join us

in the Sanctuary

or online at 10am for

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Coffee hour will be held

after the service.

The service will be live streamed

on Facebook Live here

or on 3CX here

Reader: Linda Tilden

Coffee Hour Hosts: Linda Tilden

As we continue to recognize our volunteers, this month we would like to acknowledge the Worship Team. This team, consisting of Deb Sawyer, Judy Dobson, Brad Robie, Rick Little, Linda Tilden and Kari Allard, works to make sure services run as smoothly as they can, so that they are enjoyable and meaningful for all of those worshipping, both in-person and on-line (and many thanks to Joey and Julian for making the on-line option possible!).

From the scheduling of the lay readers and coffee hour hosts to ensuring

there is a minister in the pulpit when ours is unable to be present, quite a bit of effort

goes into assisting with the planning of the services and our fellowship time.

Many thanks to the Worship Team!

Rev Paige's Corner: Outdoor Ministry

This week I am at Horton Center as one of the Dean's for "Sr High: Choose Your Own Adventure". I can't tell you how many weeks I have volunteered at Church Camps like Horton Center. With the exception of Covid time, I almost never miss a summer. As a young person, I went to a variety of camps - YMCA, 4H, and more. But it was a Methodist Music Camp that really changed my life. There I found "my people" - fellow geeks who loved making music and were interested in God. Camp was a safe place where I could be myself (which wasn't my experience of school in those days.) There I deepened my understanding and scripture. Like many others, it was a church camp that seeds were planted that grew into a call to ordained ministry. And I made friends that outlasted my days as a camper and blessed much of my adult life. Those gifts have made me deeply committed to outdoor ministry and giving back by volunteering year after year.

In New Hampshire, we are very blesed to have Horton Center. The land at the top of Pine Mountain was donated for use by the New Hampshire Conference many years ago and has become sacred space. Of course, no one congregation could run such a program by itself. It takes all of our NH UCC churches working together to support this program with funding and volunteers. This summer, so far, we have 242 campers signed up. And it isn't too late to sign up for a week or a weekend. There are opportunties for adults and grandparents as well as young people. There is a longstanding women's weekend and returning this year is a men's retreat.

I would invite you to pray for camp staff, volunteers and campers this summer. Send cards and care packages if you wish. (If you don't know any campers, let me know and I will get you a name.)

With blessings!

Rev Paige Besse-Rankin

Peace & Justice

The New Hampshire Center for Justice and Equity published a report: Challenges to Homeownership in New Hampshire. Some of the report is focused on challenges of NH communities of color, but it addresses the broader population's challenges as well.

The median price of a home in NH is $514,000 which requires an annual income of $175,000 to afford. But the median income of all NH families is only $96,523. The debt-to-income ratio continues to climb as housing prices outpace income. A ratio of 44% pushes families out of mortgage eligibility.

Because homeownership is not only an economic advantage, but also a determinant of health and wellbeing the report pivots to describing several programs in the state to assist families with achieving homeownership.

Blessings, Debra

Full article

Missions Opportunities:

Saint Anne's Food Pantry

Thank you all who continue to donate food for St. Anne’s Food Pantry! They have updated their needs list: Salad dressings, Coffee, Mayonnaise, Cans of Grated Cheese, Flour, Sugar, Gluten Free Items, Juice Boxes, Spices, Cereal (no oatmeal).

St. Anne’s Food Pantry has also updated their

Amazon Wish List

in addition to listing items here.

Please no expired items. Non-perishable items only.

Drop off is in the foyer of Hadley Hall.

Connect on Facebook

Are you on Facebook? Do you follow Hampstead Congregational Church? Please like our page to know about all the great events in the church. Liking also supports our church when people check us out. If you are already connected, share our good news!

HCC Facebook Page

Help Us Continue Our Mission at HCC

Want to get the word out about what’s happening at HCC? If you want to publicize your event or remind the congregation about something, please email the office (hcc1752@gmail.com) by Wednesday at noon so that your information can be included in that week’s Weekly Word. Feel free to send in information up to three weeks in advance of an upcoming event. We want all of the congregation (not just the Team leaders) to be empowered to get the word out about all the activities that are happening at Hampstead Congregational Church!

Our Mailing address:

61 Main Street

Hampstead, NH 03841

Church Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00am to 2 pm

Hampstead Congregational Church Website