Conference Minister Corner

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Rev. Gordon Rankin |Conference Minister

“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

This past week I was privileged to join a gathering of 50 or so leaders from across the United Church of Christ. The event was called “A Tent of Our Own”. I don’t know that there is a succinct way to describe what the gather was, so I’ll just say it was an exploration of our authentic, yet diverse identity as the United Church of Christ and how we live that out in the context of our world today. 

One of the words that is most frequently used in our UCC churches is the word welcome. But at this gathering, we found ourselves uncertain whether we all have the same definition and use of the word welcome. We spent a good bit of time in small groups drilling down on that word. I wanted to share with you a few things that stuck out to me...Read more on nhcucc.org 

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 3, 10:00AM – 3:00PM

📍 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.

Clergy Day 2025 - Register Today!

All clergy are invited to Clergy Day 2025: Finding Ballast in Overwhelming Times, Facilitated by Rev. Michelle DeCoste and Rev. Joel Eaton, Chaplains at Havenwood Heritage Heights.

This event will take place on Tuesday, May 6 from 9AM - 1PM at the Congregational Church of Hooksett Please join us for this important day of connection and conversation The cost is $20.

In the midst of overwhelming and difficult times, we as clergy, and the communities we serve, are like ships in turbulent seas. During our time together we will explore spiritual practices that help us find ballast in the storm...Click to Read More and for Registration Information

Pastor Niemöller said first they came for the communists.... Today they are coming for the transgender people among others.

The ONA Concerns Mission Group will host a morning for strategy at the Conference Center in Pembroke on May 10 from 9 AM - Noon. Please join us and work with us to develop strategies to provide support for our trans, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, and nonbinary family members. Only together can we protect ourselves from the unjust forces at work in our country.

Many of us feel the need to stand up for our 2SLGBTQIA+ siblings but aren't sure how and don't want to be standing alone. So please join us to discuss strategies that can provide effective support to those under attack. Please let us know if you can make it - RSVP to ONA@nhcucc.org.

Led by Rev. Dr. Velda Love and Dr. Sharon Fennema, this workshop will explore how intention and impact shape our communication and relationships, equipping us to build a Just World for All.

You are invited to join female and non-binary clergy from around the Conference for a relaxing evening of food, conversation and connection with the Rev. Dr. Velda Love, UCC Minister for Racial Justice and Lead for Join the Movement, and Dr. Sharon Fennema, Curator for Join the Movement, on Sunday, May 18 from 3-7pm in Concord, NH. 

Open to all female and non-binary clergy currently serving in the NH Conference. Limited to 40 attendees. Register Now

"There is Another Way" | Wednesday, April 30, 7PM

Not in My Name NH will host a film screening of There is Another Way. This film tells the story of a group of visionaries (Combatants For Peace) who refuse to surrender to violence and injustice, and in doing so show that another path is possible - for them, for us, and for all humanity.

3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, NH.

Doors open 6:30PM, film starts 7:00PM.

Tickets $12 in advance at 3S Artspace, or at the door

The Peace with Justice Advocates Mission Group is co-sponsoring these showings.

NHCUCC Peace with Justice Advocates Mission Group is proud to sponsor the 20th Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Ceremony. Join us TODAY April 29, 2025 at 1:30PM EST as Combatants for Peace and the Parents Circle co-host the 20th annual Joint Memorial Day Ceremony. This gathering offers a profound alternative to division and despair, proving that even in times of deep suffering, solidarity is not only possible but imperative.

Learn more: https://www.afcfp.org/2025-joint-memorial-day-ceremony

Register Here: https://secure.everyaction.com/I4SeKiKQlkqsCmGck8ovHw2

The Joint Nakba Remembrance Ceremony is a unique opportunity to commemorate the pain and tragedy of the Nakba (“catastrophe” in Arabic), when in 1948 more than 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled from their homes, became refugees, and had their villages and cities destroyed. In Israel, even mentioning the Nakba is completely taboo, however, Combatants for Peace believes that peace and reconciliation involve a sincere and honest reckoning with this history that didn’t end in 1948 but continues until this day.

Learn More: https://www.afcfp.org/2025-joint-nakba-remembrance-ceremony

Register: https://secure.everyaction.com/RUJGPRawKk2heJohjRmXfw2

Get 20% Off this title from Chalice Press 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

Recession-Proof Your Congregation with a Fundraising Plan

Read the whole article on nhcucc.org

By Rev. Andrew Warner | How do we lead our churches in these “interesting times”? The uncertain and unpredictable financial news can give leaders pause. Tariffs – on, off, on, off – seem like a blinking red light. But the implications for individual congregations remain unclear even as economists and analysts foresee an increased likelihood of recession this year. 

I often turn to the insights of Patrick Schmidt of FreeWill. Patrick recently led a webinar on “How to Recession-Proof Your Non-profit” (recording available here – https://www.nonprofits.freewill.com/resources/webinars/recession-proof-your-nonprofit-2025).  

Click to Read More on nhcucc.org

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 9AM. There are 46 spots available, so sign up for reminders here.

Boundary Training Opportunities

Boundary Awareness Training 2.0: Through the Lens of Clergy Wellness | April 29 & 30, 6:30 – 8:30PM. 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, 9AM - 1PM

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!

Congratulations to Tivvi Paré, Executive Director of Horton Center and Faith Formation Specialist, who received her Certificate in Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leadership from the Southern New England Conference, on Sunday, April 13.

The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Magill has announced her resignation as Pastor and Teacher of the Small Church Collaborative (Rindge Congregational and Ashburnham Community Church). Her last day will be July 27.

The Rev. Dr. Deborah Roof has announced her resignation as Senior Pastor and Teacher of First Parish Congregational Church, UCC in East Derry and her retirement from active ministry. Her last day in East Derry will be May 18; there will be a celebration of her ministry on May 4 from 2 - 4PM at First Parish.

The Rev. Jim Thomas has announced his resignation as Pastor and Teacher of Atkinson Congregational Church. His last day will be September 7.

May 4, 2025

Rev. Gordon Rankin

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Gordon will be assisting Rev. Michael Lowry, pastor, with worship at East Congregational Church in Concord. In the afternoon, Gordon will be attending the celebration of the former Hillsborough Association.

Rev. Sara Marean

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Rev. Marean will be preaching at the United Church of Jaffrey, UCC where the Rev. Mark Koyama serves as Pastor and Teacher.  

Conference Office

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