Re-IMAGINING the Parish House in 2024 – “Uniting Community Connections ”

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is called to be a “united and uniting” church, guided by the following statements.

Purpose Statement (from the Gospel of Matthew):

To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.

Vision Statement:

United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.

Mission Statement:

United in spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.

Let’s consider these statements as we think about the Parish House and prepare to discuss how we, as a “united and uniting” and loving church will re-imagine its presence of love in downtown Laconia!

The Parish House Re-Imagining Committee

Re-IMAGINING THE PARISH HOUSE in 2024

April 7 at Coffee Hour and Conversation

As we celebrate our 200^th Anniversary, we continue to follow the theme “Founded in Faith, Forward in Spirit”! Since our vote to Re-Name the Parish House at Annual Meeting, there have been many views shared about ways to identify and renew the building. New Paint and awnings? New Name? New Signs? Please attend this meeting to discuss, listen, and share ideas about any and all of these topics as we move forward to Re-Imagine the Parish House! (There will be a Zoom available to those who wish to participate from afar.)

Surprised By Hope, bible study will not be starting on April 7, and

advertised previously. I was unaware of the meeting to name the Parish

House that was already scheduled, as well as a walk. Instead I will start

the Study on the following Sunday, April 14 after service, in the Library. I

apologize and hope this is not an inconvenience.

CLW

"CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE"

NHCUCC Women’s Fellowship Spring Gathering 

Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9:30 to 3:30 (lunch included)

Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC 

4 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH

Becky Field will share her pictures and stories of working with Immigrants and Refugees in NH

A panel of PSU students to speak on the youth perspective of Cultural Diversity

Phyllis MacDonald, Artist and Creator, art project will be "You Matter”

For Registration: Contact Trudie Bergeron 603-828-4200 The cost is $15.00

We would greatly appreciate if you do attend could you bring cookies or brownies to share during the reception?

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

COURSE BEING OFFERED IN LACONIA

Have you thought about how you can help the mental health crisis in the

Lakes Region? You can! Become a Certified Mental Health First Aider!

Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024

Time: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Place: The Congregational Church of Laconia, “Church Hall”

(Basement area of the Church)

18 Veterans Square, Laconia, NH 03246

Who: Open to the public ** Must be 18 years old or older

To sign up, email pamela@satoricomgroup.com. For more information on Mental

Health First Aid go to www.satoricongroup.com. Deadline to sign up is

MONDAY, April 8th . Upon completion of the course, participants receive a 3-year

certification as a Mental Health First Aider. The cost is $120 per person. All

materials are included. SPOTS ARE LIMITED!

*If participants bring a non-perishable food item for the UCC Food Pantry, they

will receive $5 off the cost of the class!

Help us build a more resilient community! Instructors Pamela Joyal and Abi Fannion will be

teaching people how to recognize and respond to someone who may be experiencing a mental

health event or substance use issue and how to apply the ALGEE action plan. #BeTheDifference

Vote for Climate Hope 2024 Art Contest

by Brooks Berndt | published on Dec 19, 2023

Register now!

The UCC is conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest. UCC children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color about the world and the environment in which they want to live. What are their hopes for the world? What is it that they value and want to have protected? What is it that adults should remember and take to heart when they vote this year We’ll accept art submissions from March 1 to April 16. An online award ceremony for finalists will be held on May 4, and the winning art will be featured on “Climate Hope Voter Pledge Cards” that church members throughout the UCC will collect during the summer and fall before Election Day.

Registrants will receive:

1. A printable “Vote for Climate Hope” art template.
2. A link to a video promoting the art contest.
3. Regular updates and resources about the “Vote for Climate Hope” campaign.

Questions? Email the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt.

Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest

To give our children and youth a voice this election season (while also reminding adults of their responsibility for the next generation when they vote), the UCC is conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest. UCC children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color about the world and the environment in which they want to live. Art submissions can be made from March 1 to April 16.

Register now to receive a printable art contest template, updates, and more!

FAITH FORMATION

On the Second Sunday of every month, we have Faith Formation class for all school-aged kids and youth. Everyone goes to the sanctuary with their families for the first 10 minutes or so of the worship service, and then we go together across the bridge to share and learn in a multi-age group. All are welcome whether you’re new to the Church or grew up here! We’d love to see you on March 10, April 14, and May 12.

CONFIRMATION

           Our church is the host and facilitator for this year’s Confirmation Experience. There are three youth from our church, and three more youth - one from each of these area churches: Plymouth, North Barnstead, and Center Harbor. It’s great for the youth to be part of a group, make new friends, and re-establish friendships from Horton Center as they learn about what it means to be confirmed. They discover more about their faith and developing beliefs during the group meetings and through monthly meeting with their mentors. They learn about the UCC and we introduce them to people from other faith traditions. One of their favorite parts of our time together is spending silent time in our sanctuary. And because they’re teenagers, we play games and have lots of snacks! We’ll keep you posted on the date for Confirmation Sunday.

Would you like to sponsor flowers

on the Altar on a Sunday in April?

If so call Louise Bastille 603-630-8804

The Altar Guild is responsible for the lovely flowers on the altar every Sunday. Following is a list of each month and the member to contact if you would like to donate flowers for one Sunday: January - Dawn Dupak, (973) 714-6871; February - Diane Wells, (603) 527-1401; March - Maureen Bastille, (603)293-0353; April - Louise Bastille, (603) 293-0182; May - in need of a volunteer to join the Altar Guild. Please contact Claudia Wright (603) 387-5275; June - Carolyn Hunt, (603) 524-5779; July- Margie Kreitler, (603) 260-3673; August - Mary Ellen Azem, (603) 455-0972; September - Catherine Tokarz, (603) 998-3811; October - Diane Lockwood, (603) 524-3076; November - John Gill, (603) 520-4248; December - Claudia Wright (603) 387-5275

CANCELLED BEEDE FALLS SPRING WALK

The altar flowers are in celebration of our Lunar Eclipse for all the science geeks out there

Hollis and Greg Thompson

Help! Fund-Raising Help Needed!!

Greetings friends. As we all know, our fund-raising efforts are very important to our

budget. We have 3 or 4 per year, depending on whether or not we decide to

have a 2nd Rummage Sale in the Fall.

Council feels that we need to have a Chair or point-person for each. We need at least 3 folks to step forward to head up the Spring Rummage sale and a Fall rummage sale.

If interested, please contact any Church Officer with your willingness.

Wayne Domin, Kathy Giovanni, Hollis, or John Walker.

PLEASE consider. Our fund-Rising efforts are very important. Thank You

Our church is providing a meal for Salvation Army on April 10th and we would appreciate volunteers to provide prepared food or ingredients for us to use to prepare a meal.

Come and Worship

We welcome and invite you to worship with us in any of these ways. 

!!! In Person !!! at 9:30 AM, or via Livestream

●      Via livestream through YouTube Sundays starting at 9:20 AM:

Go to YouTube and search for Congregational Church of Laconia

●      On our website www.laconiaucc.org any day and any time.

●      On Public Access TV Channel 25 Sundays at 4pm and 9:30pm

or Mondays at 5am.

If you are new to the church, please introduce yourself! Let the Church Office know if we can help you in any way! 603-524-0668. Seeking to be the church God desires for us to be.

Congregational Church of Laconia, UCC | 18 Veterans Square, Laconia, NH | 603.524.0668