Conference Minister Corner

Read the whole message on nhcucc.org

Rev. Gordon Rankin | Conference Minister

This past week I got to spend some time with a group of international visitors. The visitors were a part of the U.S. State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) arranged by the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire. Gathered in the room with were visitors from Tajikistan, Lebanon, Georgia, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Poland, Kenya, Mongolia, Sweden, and Brazil. The group included Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders. Our conversation topic was promoting religious freedoms ...Read the full article here.

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 past years, many of our churches have been able to take advantage of Federal Nonprofit Security Grants to help with strengthening the security of their buildings. Such grants have proved valuable to our churches.

This past week Attorney Heather Kimmel, General Counsel for the United Church of Christ, wrote to all conferences to informs us that the terms and conditions for receiving federal grants have changed.  Attorney Kimmel writes: “I know that some of our churches have received and relied upon HHS grants, FEMA grants, and other types of federal grants to support their ministries. I know that some churches are planning to apply for federal grants under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Please encourage your churches to carefully review the terms and conditions of any federal grant they are choosing to apply for, with their own legal counsel. The terms and conditions for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program now require recipients and subrecipients of the funding, among other things, to cooperate with immigration officials, not engage in or promote programs that engage in DEI, DEIA, or “discriminatory equity ideology” within the meaning of the Executive Order, in violation of anti-discrimination laws, and not participate in discriminatory prohibited boycotts relating to Israel. HHS is also requiring certification of compliance with not engaging in DEI activity.”

We want all our churches to be aware that if you agree to receive federal grant money at this time, and your church is engaged in such things as Open and Affirming, racial justice work, and immigration and refugee support, there could be consequences that include, but are not limited to, needing to repay all such funds. I would strongly encourage the leadership of any church that is considering receiving federal grant funds that you review the terms and conditions with your church’s legal counsel. 

Gordon

Eccliastical Council - September 7th

As we continue our review of the committees that make up the Granite State Association, today we focus on the Committee on Ministry for Ministerial Authorization. This Committee picks up many of the significant tasks we associate with our former association: Committee for Church and Ministry.

Let’s spell this out in a little more detail. The Committee on Ministry for Ministerial Authorization (COMMA) is responsible for the following authorization processes:

• Commissioned Ministry
• Licensure
• Lay Ministerial Standing
• Dual Standing
• Privilege of Call

COMMA will approve all transfers of Ministerial Standing in to the Association and arrange for Installations of new designated-term or settled pastors. COMMA recommends any Authorized Minister who is seeking either governmental or professional endorsements. Additionally, the Committee has responsibility for oversight of the Annual Information Review Process and carries out Vocational Support Reviews (periodic check-ins with those who hold Ministerial Standing).

The Committee on Ministry is also the group that sets requirements for maintaining Ministerial Standing such as Boundary Training and Continuing Education Hours. The Committee is currently engaged in conversations about consistent requirements for all of those whose Standing is in the Granite State Association. An announcement of such requirements should be made sometime soon.

-Gordon

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 PEACE Institute.

All are invited! Saturday, October 4: 9am to 4pm, at the UCC Congregational Church of Laconia (18 Veterans Sq. Laconia, NH 03246).

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.

Click the image above to watch a moving, beautiful video where Dr. Hideko Tamura-Snider speaks eloquently about nuclear deterrence and the dangerous idea that nuclear weapons prevent war.

On August 6, 1945, 10-year-old Hideko Tamura learned more than anyone should ever know about nuclear weapons and the unimaginable destruction, terror, violence and pain they cause. Eighty years later, Hideko, who survived the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, is a beacon and ambassador for peace. She exudes hope and a love for life, nature and humankind, while helping the rest of us learn and better understand what she knows all too well from her own painful experience — that nuclear weapons must be abolished.

____________________

The Sensibility of No Nukes  

by the Rev. John Buttrick, published in the Concord Monitor August 9, 2025 

Today in our schools, children experience “active shooter” drills. These practices not only prepare the children for a statistically unlikely possibility, but unfortunately make the possibility seem more real and more frightening. However, there is another threat to our children and the whole population that is statistically possible but most of the time chosen to be ignored. It lacks any significant public debate or congressional discussion.  And yet it is much more dangerous than terrorism, climate change, or AI. It is the threat of nuclear war that has been with us for the last eighty years...Read the full article here.

____________________

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION 

You Can Help Move the U.S. Back from the Brink of Nuclear War 

There is a lot of violence and war-making that we are addressing every day. The existence of nuclear weapons makes the situation dire and our work urgently important.  

On October 19, 2019 at our NHCUCC Annual Meeting, the Peace with Justice Advocates presented the “Back from the Brink” Resolution of Christian Witness. That resolution was unanimously adopted. It grew out of the movement for a nuclear free world and that remains a core aspect of our mission.  

We are grateful to be here to advocate for the end of nuclear technology, given the distressingly close calls we have recently experienced. Israel/U.S. and Iran, India and Pakistan, Russia and NATO… we see how the risk of nuclear use and a new arms race is increasing. U.S. spending on nuclear weapons is skyrocketing - money that is needed elsewhere. The last remaining arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia, “New START” will expire in February 2026. 

The good news is that there is legislation to end this madness! U.S. House members can cosponsor H. Res. 317 and Senators can cosponsor S. Res. 323, both of which provide a framework for a safer, nuclear weapons free world. No NH Reps are signed on to either yet.  

You can take a stand to move all toward peace by joining with the Peace with Justice Advocates in urging our senators and representatives to more fully represent us seeking to pull the world back from the brink of nuclear disaster. 

Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Call (202) 225-5456 / (603) 935-6710 

Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): Call (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002 

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: Call (202) 224-2841 / 603-647-7500 

Sen. Maggie Hassan: Call (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204 

You can also join with us taking a national stand against nuclear weapons. The national Back from the Brink organization has developed a letter for local, county, and state elected officials to also join our in this call. You too can sign on to that letter.  

Now IS the Time to Take Action! 

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 17, 2025

Gordon will be worshiping

with South Congregational Church in Concord.

Conference Office

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

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