Conference Minister Corner

Read the whole message on nhcucc.org

Rev. Gordon Rankin| Conference Minister

A couple of weeks ago, when I attended the Council of Churches gathering regarding Christian Nationalism, I was asked to provide a summary statement at the end of the gathering. I did so highlighting a couple of things that I thought deserved a little more attention at the end of our afternoon together. But I have found that ever since, I’ve had one more thing churning around in my head that I wish I had spoken to. So, since I have the opportunity to do so in this space, here it goes…

I am privileged to hear of ways in which our churches engage in acts of social justice to stand up to the harms done by the Christian Nationalist movement. This is so very important. Please keep at it. Don’t let what I’m about to say diminish those efforts in any way.  

I do think there is another calling for those of us in the church when it comes to confronting Christian Nationalism. It is a calling that I believe the church is uniquely gifted for and, to be honest, I think it is one that only the church can do. Even if you are in a church community that doesn’t tend to engage in social justice work, this is still something you can do.

I would call on all of us in the church to do good theology. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to suggest we are not doing good theology. I’m trying to emphasize that we need to do it more. Doing good theology can no longer be left to the pastor and a couple of laypeople. We need everyone in to church to embrace doing good theology. read more...

Expressing Support for Our Transgender Siblings

In addition to our social media templates we've been promoting, we recognized Transgender Day of Visibility yesterday by publishing Love Notes we received from across the New Hampshire Conference on our Facebook and Instagram pages every 30 minutes. Check them out on our Facebook and Instagram, or if you don't have those platforms, click here to view them on our website

This very day we have birthed a new Association. The Granite State Association has come into being and will carry forward the faithful work of our seven legacy associations. There is a lot of work to be done and a lot to learn as we do the work of associations in a new way. Yet it is clear that the Spirit has been guiding our journey and we are confident that God’s grace will be ever present in the days ahead.

I been asked by some of you if I can provide some education about how the Granite State Association will work. My current plan is to provide an educational piece on approximately a monthly basis.

It seems like the best place to start is by talking about the “Conference acting as Association” model that we’ve adopted. In the UCC by-laws, there are certain tasks of ministry that are delegated to conferences and certain tasks to associations. The tasks that are delegated to associations are those related to the authorization of ministers and local churches. What the “Conference acting as Association” model does, is it says that it is the ultimate responsibility of the Conference to ensure that both the work that is delegated to the Conference and the work that is delegated to the Association is done to the best of our ability.  

For all intents and purposes, the Granite State Association is fully a part of the Conference. It will have unique work to do and a committee structure to support that work. It will also have all the resources of the Conference available to it in carrying out that work. Perhaps the most analogous way to think of this is to liken it to Horton Center. Horton Center is a ministry of the New Hampshire Conference which carries out the work of outdoor ministries. The Granite State Association is a ministry of the New Hampshire Conference that carries out to work that is delegated for associations to do.  

The way this impacts structurally is most clearly seen in the fact that the Conference Board of Directors acts as the Executive Committee for the Granite State Association. In other words, the Board of Directors will handle the governance and executive oversight matters for the Granite State Association. The actual tasks of authorization will be handled by four new Committees on Ministry (I’ll share more about all of these in upcoming months). The UCC Manual on Ministry is quite clear that our Committees on Ministry have final say on all matters related to authorization. So, the Board of Directors will be making sure the needs of the Association are resourced and our four Committees on Ministry, along with the Committee on Covenant and Connection, will be doing the work of the association.  

There will most certainly be times when we speak of “the committees of the Granite State Association” or “the budget of the Granite State Association”. These are distinctions being made for clarity of function, not to be descriptive of structure. Particularly in these early days we will want to make sure that we are intentional in faithfully stewarding all the functions that are the works of associations.

Oh, there is so much more that could be said, but that is for upcoming months. For today, let me simply say, Happy Birthday Granite State Association.  Happy Birthday.

Gordon

Don't Wait - Report Your Church Data Today!

With the software update that took place this year, many people have questions about logging into the yearbook reporting system. The National setting has updated their Instruction Sheet and has brand new helpful videos that walk you through the process, step by step. The cycle has been extended until April 11, but the Conference requests you complete your reporting by April 1st, to allow time to correct any discrepancies. Contact the Conference Yearbook Team if you need support at (603) 715-9520 or email yearbook@nhcucc.org, or book a support session here.

There is a lot going on in the world today, so we are resuming our Clergy Check-in opportunities. These are virtual (Zoom) gatherings for Authorized Ministers to talk about how modern events are impacting ministry, to share resources, and to learn of wider church initiatives. There will be two clergy check-ins each month, one during the day and one in the evening.

Clergy Check In Opportunity for April

Training and Coaching Cohort

The NH Conference is offering a training and coaching cohort to support churches on their journey toward vitality. Training and coaching will be led by Rev. Paul Nickerson, who has worked extensively with churches across the country, including in the NH Conference. 

📅 May 3rd, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

📍 Conference Center

This workshop will introduce five key areas of church vitality. Church teams (clergy and at least three lay members) will choose an area to focus on and receive six months of group coaching. Coaching includes monthly zoom calls, unlimited email coaching, and a weekly newsletter.

Focus areas include: Reaching new people, Engaging in vision/discernment, Funding your church’s future, Developing an effective church structure, Creating a discipleship program. Interested Churches should apply below.

The NH Conference will cover the cost of the workshop. Participating churches will be required to pay $500 toward the coaching fees.

Administrative Professionals Day 2025

Our Local Church Support Ministry Team and the Conference staff will be hosting our annual gathering for Church Administrative Professionals on Wednesday, April 30th at 10:00 a.m. at the Conference Office (140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke). Lunch will be provided. Join us to meet your fellow church administrators and learn more about the NH Conference and its offerings. This event is funded by the Local Church Support ministry at no cost to churches. However, we encourage churches to compensate their staff for a full workday if they attend.

To register, please complete the electronic form here. Please contact the office if you have any questions!

Clergy Day 2025

All clergy are invited to Clergy Day 2025: Coping in a Moment of Anger and Ambiguity, Facilitated by Rev. Michelle DeCoste and Rev. Joel Eaton

Tuesday, May 6th from 9am-1pm at the Congregational Church of Hooksett Please join us for this important day of connection and conversation The cost is $20. Registration and more information coming soon!

Clergy Convocation: Just Eucharist: Communion and the Church's Public Witness

On September 15-17, 2025 at the Pilgrim Pines Camp and Retreat Center in Swanzey, NH, Rev. Mary Luti will guide us as we consider "the many ways Communion can 'communize' us for just and courageous living in the world."

The Rev. J. Mary Luti, Ph. D. is a retired seminary professor and pastor, having taught for 20+ years in the fields of Christian History and Worship at the former Andover Newton Theological School (now Andover Newton Seminary at Yale), where she also served as Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Director of the Wilson Chapel. From 2000-2008 she served as Senior Minister of First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, United Church of Christ, in Harvard Square (MA). In retirement, she has served as the sabbatical or interim pastor in several churches in the greater Boston area. A member of the United Church of Christ Stillspeaking Writers Group, she is a regular contributor to the UCC Daily Devotional, and the author of books and articles on various aspects of Christian life, most recently editing a resource for the SSWG entitled, Do This: Communion for Just and Courageous Living. 

Registration will open June 11 at 9 a.m. There are 46 spots available, so sign up for reminders here.

It’s time to escalate the transformative power of active nonviolence: resistance, care for one another, cooperation, solidarity, allyship, creativity. Now more than ever, we have to tap into our potential to resist together, to support each other, and to stand up for the beauty and belonging of us all. 

The Peace with Justice Advocates ask you to Join us in making this commitment to RISE to the challenges of our times and SHINE:  In this unprecedented moment

I commit

to take concrete steps with others

to defy fear, confront cruelty, dissolve hate, 

and work for the well-being of all.

I commit

to connect, train, plan, and take action

to resist the injustices we face

with courage, goodness, and the power of nonviolent struggle.

I commit 

to learn from the examples of people around the world

who ended dictatorships with powerful nonviolent movements.

It has been done before. It can be done again. Therefore:

I commit

to rise to the challenges of this time and

to shine with the power of love, truth, and solidarity. 

Alarms are ringing. Time to rise . . . and shine!

These are unprecedented times. They require an unprecedented response. People are already taking nonviolent action in small and large, visible and subtle ways. 

You can, too.

Is your congregation talking about the reality of gun violence in your church and your community?

In 2023, 43,000 people in the U.S. were killed by gun violence, including 650 mass shootings. That number includes the 27,300 people who died by suicide using a firearm. The issue is real and all around us.

If your congregation is talking about the reality of gun violence and planning to take action, please email the Peace with Justice Advocates (janet.zeller@gmail.com). We want to share your leadership with other churches in the New Hampshire Conference.

Boundary Training Opportunities

Boundary Awareness Training 2.0: Through the Lens of Clergy Wellness | April 29 & 30, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. This advanced unit of Boundary Awareness Training is being offered via Zoom by the Southern New England Conference. The registration cost is $85. 

Foundations of Understanding Boundaries | Thursday, May 29th, 9 am – 1 pm

This basic unit of Boundary Awareness Training will offered via Zoom. Registration is open! The cost is $25. The training will be facilitated by Gordon Rankin. Sign Up Here

We're Back with a new edition of Christian Education News-from the Christian Formation Ministry of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. Read it today, and if you don't already get it in your inbox, you can click here to subscribe!

Registration is now open for all conferences, including three UCC conferences,

 on this beautiful island off the coast of Rye, NH!

SG 1 Family Week - July 27 - Aug 3

SG 1 Youth Week - July 27 - Aug 3

SG 2 Family Week - Aug 3 - Aug 10

SG Family Weekend - Aug 29 - Sep 1

•  SUMMER CAMP ... BUT IN A HOTEL! 
• FUN WITH FRIENDS, NEW AND OLD 
• WORSHIP IN THE CHAPEL, OR ON THE

ROCKS

•  SWIM, ROW, KAYAK, OR EXPLORE!
•  LET YOUR INNER ARTIST OUT TO PLAY
•  ENJOY A QUIET MORNING WHILE YOUR KIDS HAVE FUN AT PROGRAM

GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINES

Conferences before August 24, is April 15 Conferences after August 24, is June 15

Other conferences from June-Sept on other topics are also available.

Read all the the details online at www.starisland.org

Download a PDF flyer here

On March 23, the Grafton-Orange-Sullivan Association approved Rosalie Sainsbury for Ordination Pending Call.

The Merrimack Association will hold a Service of Installation for the Rev. Dr. Sadagopan as Pastor and Teacher of the South Congregational Church, UCC in Concord this April 6, at 3:00 p.m.

Rev. Sam Holland has been called to serve as the Pastor and Teacher of Cedar Hills United Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon. Share their joy and grief as they pack their belongings and family into a U-Haul and sedan in early May; Sam notes what an honor it has been to be a part of the NH Conference.

Rev. Mark Brockmeier has announced his resignation from the Community Congregational Church of Greenland. His last Sunday will be April 20.

April 6, 2025

Rev. Sara Marean

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Rev. Marean will represent the NHCUCC at the Installation of the Rev. Dr. Tanya Sadagopan as Pastor and Teacher of the South Congregational Church, UCC in Concord.  

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