Community Candle Vigil
For Recent Mass Shootings
A community vigil is scheduled to remember those murdered in Uvalde, TX, their families and to show support for educators and first responders.
The vigil will be held tomorrow, Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 6:30pm at the memorial garden of St. Christopher Episcopal Church, East Road, Hampstead, NH.
Bring a candle to hold during the reading of the victims’ names and tolling of the bell. Local clergy, SAU superintendent and others will share thoughts and reflections.
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Strengthen the Church Offering
This week we are collecting donations for the UCC special offering, “Strengthen the Church.” Monies collected are distributed to congregations nationwide to support their ministries, pastors and congregants.
The theme this year is “All Together Now,” reminding us to be the church in our world by
coming together and working together. Thank you for your generosity. If you are giving by check, please note "Strengthen the Church" in the memo line.
Enjoy this short video from the UCC about our mission.
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Strawberry Festival
Volunteers Needed
This Saturday is our annual Strawberry Festival. Are you ready for some Strawberry Shortcake? If you can help in any way this Friday, 6/3 and/or Saturday, 6/4, it would be greatly appreciated.
Things you can do to help:
Friday: Help with Setup starting at 5PM
Saturday: Help with Games - multiple timeslots starting at 8:30AM
Help with Bake Sale Table - multiple timeslots starting at 8:30AM
Help with Grilling - multiple timeslots starting at 8:30AM
Help with Raffle Table - multiple timeslots starting at 8:30AM
Help with Serving The Shortcake - multiple timeslots starting at 8:30AM
Help with Plant Table - multiple timeslots starting at 8:30AM
Help with Cleanup starting at 3:00PM
You can sign up here or you can contact the office at 603-329-6985 and we will help get you signed up.
Let’s make this event a huge success!
As always, thank you for your support,
Your Fundraising Team
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Worship Update
We hate to say this, but…
Have you heard…have you noticed? The Covid Positivity Rate has jumped from a 2% level to over 16% in the last several months – and that increase doesn’t include the many cases which are discovered via home testing!
As a church that cares deeply about those who worship here, we want to do the “responsible thing”; however, it would be difficult and even painful right now to “walk back” to when ALL Covid protocols had to be in place. We are enjoying the “gathering”…the singing…the coffee hour…and all that makes up our Sunday morning experience! So let’s try this: BABY STEPS!
- Social distancing
- Wearing masks when moving about in the sanctuary…and ESPECIALLY when singing
- Sitting in smaller groups…at smaller tables instead of longer ones during coffee hour
We can DO this! We have done this and far MORE in some of the worst of times! PLEASE do your part! We’re counting on you!
Thank you--
The Worship Team
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Worship This Week
Please join us in the sanctuary
or online at 10am for the
Celebration of Pentecost
Note that the positivity rate for Covid is again high in our county (over 10%). Please consider following Covid protocols until this latest wave subsides--see the Worship Team update above
Please join us for coffee hour after the service.
The service will be live streamed through Facebook Live here or on 3CX here.
artwork: One Sacred Community © Mary Southard
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Pastor Kathy Out
Pastor Kathy will be out of the office for continuing education the week of June 6th-12th.
Rev. Linda Lea Snyder will be providing pastoral coverage during these dates (ph. 203-927-5387). She will also celebrate worship with HCC on June 12.
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Office Closed
Monday, June 6th
The office will be closed on Monday, 6/6 due to Suzanne taking a vacation day. She will also be working remotely on the morning of Wednesday, 6/8 and be in the office later in the afternoon.
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In Memoriam
As many of you know, Harry Santacrose passed into eternal life on 5/11/22.
The service was held here at HCC last Saturday.
The family has requested that Memorial donations be made to Hampstead Congregational Church.
Harry's obituary can be read here.
Please continue to pray for Bernice and their family.
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Steeple Lit June 2 - June 8
The steeple is being lit in memory of Harry Santacrose by Kathy Waller
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Knitting, Crochet, and Hand Work Group
Beginning in August, we will be offering a Fiber Arts (knitting, crochet, hand work, etc.) gathering the 4th Saturday of each month from 10am-noon in Hadley Hall. All skill levels are welcome and no commitment is needed--drop in when you can. All in the community and area are welcome to attend.
Please pass the word! Our first gathering will be held on August 27th. For more information, contact Bea at 329-4241.
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June Birthdays
We are continuing to only list First names and last initial to minimize scamming issues with personal information being shared via electronic documents.
Happy Birthday to:
Roxanne M 6/01
Sue L 6/02
Allison L 6/02
Bridget M 6/07
Maria K 6/08
William M 6/15
Eric C 6/18
Seneca M 6/20
If you would like your birthday recognized, please call the office to make sure we have it in our records!
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More Pictures from Aubrey Zarella's May 15th Baptism |
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A Word from Peace & Justice
There are two items for consideration after the horrible week with two mass shootings.
Finally, here's an item from the NH Conference weekly newsletter.
UCC Webinar —Discerning and Deciding: Bold Climate Action
According to a recent UN climate report, the world has less than three years for its greenhouse gas emissions to peak and head into a relatively rapid decline. Careful discernment is needed on where to place our time and energy in seeking policies that will lead to a more just and hospitable world. This webinar will feature three leaders in the climate movement: Keya Chatterjee from the U.S. Climate Action Network, Miranda Ehrlich from the Sierra Club, and Jean Su from the Center for Biological Diversity. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, June 8th, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
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New Hampshire Conference UCC Weekly News
We thought you might enjoy reading the NH Conference UCC weekly newsletter. You can read it with this link.
Each week, we will update this section of our Weekly Word with the new link for the current newsletter.
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Food Drive to Support
Saint Anne Ecumenical Food Pantry
The New needs for the Food Pantry are:
canned ravioli (or similar)
coffee
salad dressings
cans of grated cheese
pasta sauce
flour
sugar
Please drop off any donations in the foyer of Hadley Hall
Thank you for all your support!
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Next volunteer opportunity will be on Wednesday, June 22. If you are interested in volunteering contact Jane DeRosa via email
janederosa@comcast.net.
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The Sonshine Soup Kitchen needs volunteers to prepare and package the food for "To Go Meals." We partner with Atkinson Congregational Church once a month on the 4th
Wednesday of the month to help out from 3-6pm.
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Blankets for Project Linus
For those of you who have been busy sewing, quilting, knitting, or crocheting, we have an new opportunity to donate those handmade items!
We located a national organization that has local chapters called Project Linus (https://www.facebook.com/projectlinussouthwestnewhampshire/). This organization's mission is "to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans". Blankets are given to children in need through NH.
*We welcome all styles of blankets made in child-friendly colors/prints.
*Crocheted, knitted, quilted (100% cotton or flannel), fleece….you don’t have to be an expert!
*Blankets must be NEW, HANDMADE and WASHABLE.
*Fabric blankets can be quilted by machine, hand or tied. If you are tying the blanket make sure the ends are trimmed to 1” and the knots are secure.
*Please do not add any embellishments to the blankets such as buttons that could be swallowed by a child.
*If you are using a no-sew fleece pattern, please be sure to trim off both selvages FIRST. Not sure what selvages are? Ask the clerk who is cutting your fleece to please show you, they’re those odd looking edges at the top and bottom of the piece you have, sort of raggy looking.
*We accept all sizes of blankets. We donate to children, infants through teen years, so any size is appropriate. Baby blankets are typically 36”X36” or 36”X42”, toddler-pre-teen are typically about 40”X60”, and teen blankets are at least 60"X72".
Blankets can be dropped off in the entry way of Hadley Hall.
Thank you for your support of this project!
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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!
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If you are on Instagram, please follow us, and let your friends know about us by sharing our posts! Click this link
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Scam Emails & Texts
Emails and Texts are often sent, saying they are from Pastor Kathy or another staff member. She (or the HCC staff) will never send out a generic email/text--she'll address it to your name. She will never ask you for money/gift cards over email nor via a text.
Also, any email from Pastor Kathy will always have her signature line on the bottom with her phone number/address.
If in doubt, please call the church or send an email to pastorkathyucc@gmail.com.
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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!
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Our Mailing Address:
61 Main Street
Hampstead, NH 03841
Church Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00am to 3:00pm
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Hampstead Congregational Church Website
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