Conference Minister Corner

Read the whole message on nhcucc.org

Rev. Linda Hirst | Transitional Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call

We have a Lab “ish” rescue named Lola who does not understand the concept of rest. At first it was cute and we attributed her constant energy to her puppy stage. She’s now seven and it’s not as cute anymore. We are exhausted trying to exhaust her. Her favorite activity is catching the ball. She’s ridiculously adept at this. We throw the ball and unlike our previous lab she doesn’t just retrieve it and dawdle, or leave the ball somewhere in the woods for us to hunt down. Oh no. ...Read the full article here.

Friends in the New Hampshire Conference and Beyond,  

In the picture above, you see the beautiful faces of the youth and children who live at the Daisy Dube Children’s Home in Mt. Selinda, Zimbabwe. This picture is from when I was able to visit with them last November during my sabbatical time with our partners in the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe. Together we had a wonderful talk about the differences between Zimbabwe and New Hampshire, a tour where they proudly showed me their rooms, and a time to distribute some clothing that had been sent for them. Without question, their infectious personalities and their impactful stories captured my heart.  

On July 13th, tragedy struck the Daisy Dube Children’s Home. A fire quickly gutted the entire building. Little was left beyond cinderblock walls and a foundation. Thankfully, all the children and their caretakers were safe, but the building was a complete loss. The 22 children who resided at Daisy Dube were moved into a wing of the dormitories for nursing students at the Mt. Salinda Hospital. A couple of charitable organizations stepped up in a big way and were able to meet the immediate needs (clothing, school uniforms, etc.) for the children.  Yet these children remain displaced, and we want to help them come home.

Our partners in the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe have developed a plan to build four new cottage buildings on the site where the old orphanage building existed. Each cottage will house eight children and a caretaker. The plan to build in cottages is both a desire, as it helps provide better services, and a requirement of the government of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe government has in turn made the commitment that as the cottages are built, they will build a solar array to help power them. 

This is no small undertaking. The estimated cost for building each cottage (labor and materials) will be $80,000. The hope is to build at least three of the cottages before November when the rainy season will begin and potentially hamper building efforts. The three cottages will allow all the current residents of Daisy Dube to move into their new homes. So, we are hoping to raise $240,000 in the next couple of months.

With the support of the Board of Directors and Ukama Mission Group, I have agreed that the New Hampshire Conference, in cooperation with UCC/Disciples of Christ Global Ministries, will take the lead on an appeal to fund raise for the rebuilding of the Daisy Dube Children Home. As you can tell, our fundraising goal is ambitious both in amount and timeline, but the need, and God’s call to address this need, is clear.

And so, I have two asks to make of all our New Hampshire Conference churches as well as of the members and friends of our churches. First, please contribute. Gifts are welcomed from both churches and individuals. To give, you may send a check to the “New Hampshire Conference, 140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke NH 03275” with “Daisy Dube Appeal” in the memo. Or you can give online using our website at www.nhcucc.org. By clicking on the donate button, then the “Other Donation” button and writing “Daisy Dube Appeal” in the “Give to” box, your donation will go to this appeal.  

My second request would be that you let me know if there are those outside of our own church communities who you believe I should contact to support this appeal. If you would send such information to me at grankin@nhcucc.org, I’d greatly appreciate it.  

I would draw your attention once more to the picture above. Friends, these children need our help, and I have no doubt that through the grace of God we are going to provide it. I am profoundly grateful for any and every way you are able to help support this appeal for the Daisy Dube Children’s Home.  

Yours in Faith,

Rev. Gordon Rankin

Conference Minister

New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ

224^th Annual Meeting of the New Hampshire Conference

& 1^st Annual Meeting of the Granite State Association

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Geneva Point Conference Center

Theme: “Another Way”

Theme Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16

Keynote Speaker: Reverend Derek Terry, Acting Executive Director

UCC Open and Affirming Coalition

Registration opens: September 8 (at 5 pm)

Registration closed: October 6 (at 11:59 pm)

Please follow this link to read the Call to the Annual Meeting

In her wonderful book, “Braiding Sweetgrass,” Robin Wall Kimmerer speaks as a botanist and a member of the Potawatomi Nation. After writing about listening to the plants and the forest, she says, “We have to unlearn hurrying (p. 233).” In contemporary ministry, we feel there is too much to do and too little time to do it. Yet, the “hurrying” can inhibit awareness, communication, and caring.

Serving parishes and other ministries requires much spiritual strength these days. The Pastoral Leadership Development Groups (PLDGs) provide a place to develop that strength. A partnership between the NH Conference of the UCC and PCS in Manchester, the groups offer the opportunity to attend to personal and professional issues. For 17 years, the PLDGs program has nurtured silence, words, and skills to discover and re-affirm the deeper values of each participant.

Groups are available for Parish Based, Retired, Newly Called (to ministry or to the NH Conference), MIDs, and a new group starting for Licensed Ministers. PLDGs meet once a month from September to June for two hours. They are led by clergy with advanced training in pastoral psychotherapy, systems theory, and/or clinical pastoral education.

The coming year’s Parish Based PLDGs are forming now through October. The Newly Called, Retired, MID, and Licensed Minister groups have a rolling entry time and may be joined at any time during the year. Contact Rev. Dr. David Reynolds at dbr@pcs-nh.org if you are interested in joining a group or have questions. Click here to see a list of the groups and facilitators. Explore joining a PLDG where you can “unlearn hurrying,” and find ways to deepen your personal and professional self.

The Granite State Association calls for an

Ecclesiastical Council

to consider Cindy D’Andrea for Ordination

Sunday, September 7^th

at 3 pm

In-person: South Congregational Church, Newport

(20 Church St., Newport, NH)

Or on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84416783022?pwd=7pqMtxnABPVa9D4Yv7UbQ8Xch9jEh6.1

The Committee on Ministry (COM) for Ministerial Discernment has recommended Cindy D’Andrea to an Ecclesiastical Council of the Gathered Association for consideration of Ordination Pending Call. Authorized Ministers, Delegates and members of all Granite State Association churches are encouraged to attend, in person or via Zoom, for this time of discernment.

Cindy’s Ordination portfolio is available for review at:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/6hzqyitko9caddv54vofu/AOgep5FDc7EzggK26O7UqU4?rlkey=d2gj5l9tcr9pvlxjvccl4tco6&st=n4vg6a6n&dl=0. 

The COM for Ministerial Discernment has specifical asked the Authorized Ministers and Delegates review the following sections of the portfolio: Abstract, Spiritual Autobiography, Understanding of Call and Conclusion. Also please review the reflection on the first three Marks for Ministry: Exhibiting Spiritual Foundation, Engaging Sacred Stories, and Applying Theology to Real Life. Finally we ask they read the Report for the Chair of the Committee on Ministry for Ministerial Discernment.  

October 4, 2025

Sponsored by NHCUCC Women's Fellowship

This is a day devoted to expressing peace through the sharing of music, visual arts, culture, and communication. It is part of a global initiative inspired by the United Nations and PEAC Institute.

This global Live Peace concert has been planned hoping to bring billions from around the world together through cultural music and feel the transformative power of human connection.

All are invited!

Saturday, October 4th, 9am to 4pm at the UCC Congregational Church of Laconia, 18 Veterans Square, Laconia

Thank you to the following local musicians, who will preform the Live Peace Concert through the day:

K. Robert Bengston; Jazz Sanctuary house Band with Rev. Emilia Halstead; Suzuki Children’s String Orchestra, Director, Sue Ann ERB; Bristol UCC Joyful Noise Ukulele Band, Director, Debbie Doe; First Congo Blue Grass Band, Meredith, NH, Manager, Karen Sticht; and the Power Chords, director, Lorraine Barrows! In addition, we’ll hear from Dr. Jaylene Bengtson, local artist, of how the visual arts can bring awareness and inner peace.

Come for all or part of the day! Lunch will be available for a donation for those who attend. Concert donations received will help defray the cost oft he day, with a portion going to support the PEAC Institute.

Whether we are lay leaders or one with denominational standing, when we show up in public places representing the church, what we say conveys a lot about who we are and the faith community we are a part of. This course is designed to invite you into your own theological "deep dive" and to explore how you present yourself and your church in the ministry of presence and the fight for justice. In the program of study being developed by Ministry21 for all church leaders—lay, licensed, ordained—this course is considered a foundational course, as the call to action and ministry in the public square is central to pastoral and denominational identity in the UCC. For this reason, the course begins with reflection on the Marks for Faithful and Effective Ministers and those for our churches—how this central call affects your understanding of them and your personal ministry. 

This fall course is being instructed by the Rev. Dr. Gail Kinney and will be held in West Lebanon on Sept 6, Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6 from 9am—4pm. Cost $350 (scholarship assistance is available through the Conference for clergy and MIDs—connect with the NH Dean for Ministry21 for more information nhdean@min21.org).

Learn more about Ministry21, this course, and those being offered in the Spring of 2026 by following this link. Registration will be accessible through each course's information.

Ministry21 is a collaboration of the Vermont and New Hampshire Conferences, and is partially funded through the generosity of the Brown Endowment of United Church Funds.

SAVE THE DATE!

Tuesday, September 16, 6:30pm - The General's Son Speaks: Confronting Truth in Israel-Palestine with author Miko Peled at 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughn St, Portsmouth, NH.

Join us for a powerful and timely conversation with Miko Peled—Israeli-American author, human rights activist, and son of a celebrated Israeli general—who has become one of the most compelling voices for Palestinian freedom and justice. Drawing from personal history and political insight, Peled challenges dominant narratives and calls for justice, equality, and a future rooted in dignity for all.

The Peace with Justice Advocates are co-sponsors of this event organized by Not in My Name NH and NH Peace Action in partnership with 3S Artspace. Tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite.

NEEDED: Sustained Advocacy for Palestine -

Stop Weapons, Increase Aid

Over the Congressional August Recess, NH Peace Action will attend meetings with the staff of our Members of Congress to discuss Israel and Palestine. With House Reps our focus will be on H.R.3565 - the Block the Bombs Act and H.Res.473 - Calling for urgent humanitarian aid in Gaza. With Senators, we will hold them accountable (Sen Hassan) or thank them (Sen Shaheen) for their votes on the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval and ask them to support or introduce further efforts to stop weapons transfers and deliver a massive increase in supplies to Gaza.  

Your calls, postcards and Letters to the Editor greatly help to reinforce this urgent message.

Below are new developments so that you are able to advocate clearly and powerfully:

• July Gallup poll found that only 8% (eight) of Democratic voters approve of Israel's military actions. Less than one-third of Americans overall approve of Israel’s actions.
• UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that, as of last month, there were 757 settler attacks since January. Last month, settlers killed two American citizens, Khamis Ayyad and Sayfollah Musallet, and Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen who helped make the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land”
• B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group, published an extensive report in July concluding that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza through coordinated action aimed at destroying Palestinian society.
• Physicians for Human Rights-Israel published a legal-medical analysis detailing the deliberate and systematic destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure amounting to “genocide.”

Cite this information and more in your calls and postcards to reps:  

• Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 935-6710; 452 Cannon HOB Washington, District of Columbia 20515
• Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002; 223 Cannon House Office Building. Washington, DC 20515
• Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500; 506 Hart Senate Office Building Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
• Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204; 324 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

Ministries and Mission Groups Weekend: Friday, August 22nd-Sunday, August 24th

Ministries and Mission Groups Info Packet 

It's not too late to sign up for Ministries and Mission Groups Weekend at Horton Center! All members of NH UCC Ministries and Mission Groups are invited to the mountaintop for a weekend of relaxation, connection, renewal, and community building!

Apple Crisp Day - Fall Open House on the Mountain (September 27th)

RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/v8zvWCrX9MKwGHrr7

The site and trails will open for your enjoyment starting at 9am and ending at 5pm. 

You are welcome to come on your own, bring a friend, or bring your family! Come enjoy the foliage from a rocking chair on Madison Porch or take a hike up to one of the ledges and take in the view from up there. Bring everything you need for a picnic lunch, a book, a craft, your hiking boots, a musical instrument, or whatever else you need to make your day enjoyable. Horton Center will provide restrooms, coffee/tea/water, and delicious homemade apple crisp, of course! 

Pieceful Quilting and

Yoga and Meditation on the Mountain: September 5th-7th

Pieceful Quilting Info Packet 

Yoga and Meditation on the Mountain Info Packet

There will be two retreats going on simultaneously during "Work in Progress Weekend" at Horton Center: Pieceful Quilting and Yoga and Meditation on the Mountain. Regardless of which retreat you register for you are welcome to pick and choose activities from both program offerings to take part in. All retreat attendees will enjoy meals all together as well as some activities such as morning watch and evening campfires. We will practice welcoming and inclusive community building among all who attend the weekend! 

Shalom, 

Tivvi Pare 

(she/her/hers)

Horton Center Executive Director 

NHCUCC Christian Edu. Specialist

603-545-9660

Thursday, September 4, 6:00 – 9:00pm ET, Boundary Trainers for Ministers in Specialized Settings with Rev. Tara Barber and Rev. Anissa Glaser-Bacon

This training is open to ministers serving in specialized settings throughout the United Church of Christ. Serving in specialized settings requires particular attention to boundaries within the ministry setting and home church that are challenging and different from those serving as local church pastors. This training will focus on matters that relate specifically to issues that these ministers face, providing opportunities for clergy to reflect on best practices and growth in their practice of ministry.*Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.

Wednesday, September 24, 1:30 – 4:30pm ET, Boundary Training for Retired Ministers with Rev. Tara Barber and Rev. Melanie Oommen

Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. "A Sure Foundation", "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's new book, "The Jubilee Years" along with case studies, will provide the content of this training. Rev. Tara Barber will offer this focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry. Participants must be able to use zoom chat and breakout room functions.

Thursday, November 13, (9:00 am – 1:00 pm), The Minister’s Code as a Tool for Boundary Keeping

This advanced unit of Boundary Awareness Training will be offered via Zoom. Registration will open in mid-September and will cost $25. The training will be facilitated by Revs. Jonna Jensen and Gordon Rankin.

August 24, 2025

Gordon will be away on vacation August 18th - September 1st.

Conference Office

Monday - Friday | 9:00AM - 4:00PM

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