Conference Minister Corner

Read the whole message on nhcucc.org

Rev. Linda Hirst | Transitional Associate Conference Minister

Something is on the Horizon

There are a lot of wonderful words out there that can be used to describe what’s happening during Advent, but few are better than this by Jan Richardson:

“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before ... What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.”

Can you see it? ...Read the full article here.

Immigration Enforcement in Churches

A couple of weeks ago, it was reported that the Department of Homeland Security has informed the US Attorney’s offices in Massachusetts and New York to expect increased immigration enforcement activity in places of worship during the winter holidays. This would have the potential to affect places worship throughout New England and New York.

In light of this, I wanted to re-share with you a resource is available on our website: https://www.nhcucc.org/post/what-to-do-if-ice-shows-up-at-our-church. This “What to do if ICE shows up at our church” page still contains all the current guidance we would suggest at our places of worship, the guidance as to how to handle such situations has not shifted over the past 10 months.

Should such an immigration activity take place at your church, please do inform me as soon as possible. We want to be able to let other places of worship know what has happened. Also want to offer, as needed, some coaching regarding interactions with the media.

Please let me know should you have questions.

-Gordon

Prepared to Serve 2026:

Presenter Registration Closes December 4

The Prepared to Serve Planning Committee is excited to announce that the Prepared to Serve Presenter and Exhibitor Form is live! This year’s theme “Another Way” is based on the scripture passage found in Jeremiah 6:16:

“Stand at the crossroads and look:

Ask for the ancient paths,

Ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

And you will find rest for your souls.”

As we look forward to this year’s event, we would like to ask you to consider sharing your gifts and being a presenter. We believe the popularity of this event is due in large part to the wonderful selection of workshops offered. This year, we are changing the workshop template a little.

In 2026, our Prepared to Serve Workshops will follow our theme more closely by focusing on our new pathway system, the Four Pathways of Care: Self, Church, Local Community, and the Wider World.

• Self: workshops should focus on individual care, such as self-care, clergy support, or personal growth. Class subject examples could include writing seminars, crafts or art classes for relaxation and meditation, or spiritual growth sessions.
• Church: workshops should focus on supporting a church community. Class subject examples could include financial trainings for churches, intergenerational worship, marketing or technology education, or pastor/staff job search.
• Community: workshops should focus on the local community, such as towns or states or multiple churches in an area. Class subject examples could include social justice issues in New Hampshire, environmental protection for local pollinators, or connecting with other church communities in your area.
• Wider World: workshops should focus on subjects that affect our national or global community. Class subject examples could include anything related to Ukama, social justice lessons on a national scale, or global ministries.

These categories are intended as a guide rather than a limitation! If your workshop doesn’t seem to fit neatly into one, reach out to us to discuss.

If you have any questions about registration or the event itself, please contact The New Hampshire Conference office at (603) 225-6647 or email ckeller@nhcucc.org. Presenter Registration closes on December 4th, 2025, so please sign up soon!

We hope to see you at Pembroke Academy on February 28th, 2026 for Prepared to Serve!

Presenter and Exhibitor Registration: https://nhcucc.regfox.com/2026-prepared-to-serve-presenterexhibitor-registration

Capitalism Converts Christianity by Gray Fitzgerald

Capitalism Converts Christianity tells the story of the church's unconcious, unacknowledged enslavement to the values and behaviors of capitalism. But Capitalism Converts Christianity also shows the transformation that is possible in the church's beliefs and behaviors around money and possessions. The book tells two kinds of stories: accounts of countries, industries, and corporations that committed unspeakable crimes for profit, and conversion accounts of saints who followed Jesus' teachings about money with love, courage, and faithfulness. These surprising conversion stories inspire us to become agents of transformation in the culture in which we live; they help us align our lives more closely to the values found in the scriptures we espouse; and finally, these stories help us live into transformation, imagining what God's kingdom on earth could look like.

Register for an opportunity to grow and strengthen your skills for leadership!

Ministry21 has three upcoming course offerings, each addressing an aspect of leadership in the church in a way that speaks directly to the specific realities encountered by churches and faith leaders in NH and VT—the two most secular and oldest states in the country. Ministry21 courses are developed to offer support for learning and space for growth to all leaders of the church—lay, authorized, and Members in Discernment. Our goal through each class is to foster covenant, connectivity, and learning for all leaders within our two conferences.

Meeting People Where They Are: Exploring Context, Theology, and Ministry that Propels Us into Ministry Outside of the Church with the Rev. Gayle Murphy, founder of the New Things Task Force and a clergy person who has spent the last seven years learning how to minister to those identified as “the nones.” --- This course conveys the very foundation for why Ministry21 exists—the realities of age, secularity, volunteerism and more—and explores the hope that exists when imagination and a heart for creative risk-taking is present in a congregation. While it will not provide all of the answers to success in outreach, this course will provide many examples of effective and thriving ministries (a note of caution…they look different than what you expect…).

Course meets: Jan 17, Feb 14, Mar 28, May 9 

Pastoral Care and Ethics with the Rev. Jonathan New --- This is an essential course for anyone engaged in or considering engagement in licensed ministry or who is an MID needing coursework in the theology and ethics of Pastoral Care as well as seeking to deepen pastoral identity. It will also lay out a framework for healthy caregiving for lay-leaders seeking to develop congregational care goals. For ordained clergy, this is a space to look at pastoral caregiving through a different lens and to ask critical and brave questions of your existing practice. Drawing on the wisdom of literature and poetry and the writings of authors such as Howard Thurman and Henri Nouwen, this class will invite students to think creatively and imaginatively about the tensions between self and other, speech and silence, desire and detachment. The goal is to help participants find the paths that will lead them into wholeness and integrity in ministry.

Course Meets: Jan 24, Feb 28, Mar 21, Apr 18

We Each Do Something

"I am only one, but still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

—Edward Everett Hale, former Chaplain of the US Senate

The Non-Binary Reality

Addressing hard issues through synthesis, a process not of right or wrong (binary) but recognizing the many points of view.

by the Rev. John Buttrick

(published in the Concord Monitor November 16, 2025)

The country and the world are at the juncture of a new era, according to Thomas Friedman. He has written in a recent New York Times op-ed, that he favors describing the new non-binary era as, the “Polycene.” It was coined by his friend, Craig Mundie, the former head of research and strategy at Microsoft. Friedman observes that living in a binary world, with only choices of either/or, is becoming a pattern of the past. It would seem that much of the political and social stress we are experiencing today may be the result of choosing winners and losers in a new non-binary polycene era. I have come to recognize that I, myself, have sometimes limited myself to binary reasoning to express my opinion. I introduce two possibilities and set up one to be the best option. While this method may explain my opinion, it also may leave out some of you readers, who feel more comfortable choosing the opposite option in the binary equation. Choosing a side, results in two camps at odds with each other. They become losers or winners.  

People who see themselves as winners believe the binary approach to disputes is the only tried and true way.  For example, the Heritage Foundation insists on a binary world consistent with either/or choices. Its Project 2025, insists that sexuality is a binary reality. Therefore, the Project seeks to maintain binary thinking by “deleting the (non-binary) terms like sexual orientation and gender identity (‘SOGI’), diversity, equity, and inclusion (‘DEI’), gender, gender equality, gender equity, gender awareness, gender-sensi-tive …” This effort is consistent with the view that people can be only a man or a woman. There is no compromise. They fear any suggestion that there is such a thing as nonbinary personhood. And also, it’s possible they may fear that their own personhood might be perceived differently than simply being a man or woman. Finally, claiming to be on the “right” side of a binary issue gives them power and influence. 

While Project 2025 reasons that the world has been created binary, Friedman observes the polycene era, with its recognition of many iterations of a condition or situation, requires nonbinary reasoning that leaves binary thinking wanting. This alternative seeks a synthesis of all the approaches to an issue, that may reveal a truth or new understanding. Synthesis is not compromise. It is an inclusive understanding derived from the contributions of many points of view.  

An example of expanding from either/or to both/and is the discussion of gun control in a meeting I attended. The framework for the discussion was binary: either guns are acceptable in society or they are unacceptable. Unable to agree on either point of view, the discussion shifted to seeking compromise. Would it be acceptable to restrict gun possession or use background checks before sales of guns? Would it be ok to restrict some gun models? However, the group could not reach a compromise. Then the group began to speak of all the iterations around the issue of guns in America. For example, safety, recreation, hunting, possible victims, mental illness, terrorists, people with special needs, conspiracy theorists…. Then we realized that much of the discussion included elements of fear. Some owned guns for safety from shooters. Others fear what guns can do. Some fear possible gun accidents. Some of those with suicidal ideation fear having access to a gun. It became logical that the problem is not guns or no guns, but fear: fear of guns, fear to be without a gun, fear of gun possessors, fear to declare gun free zones, fear of different cultures, different ethnic origins, terrorists, and even political parties. Neither binary thinking nor compromise can cover this multiple of issues. The only possible solution is to seek a synthesis that includes the commonality of fear.

The complexity of issues in this polycene era are legion. The days of either/or solutions are no longer enough. Compromises are unsatisfactory, only leading to more obstinate binary situations. A diverse population; with diverse values, political loyalties, and social commitments; calls for solving disputes through the synthesis of their many points of view on an issue. In the polycene era, win/lose will give way to win/win – no one left out or left behind. 

“When you see something that is not just, not fair, or not right, you have to do something. You have to say something. Make a little noise. It's time for us to get into good trouble, necessary trouble.”

— John Lewis, leader within American civil rights movements & former congressman

Gun Violence Prevention Resources

The 56-page guide to assist you and your congregation.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

NH UCC Christian Educators Community of Practice

Next Zoom Gathering: Wednesday, December 3rd, 7pm 

RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/dJwVYu4YHPT5u3im6 

All Christian Education staff, volunteers, and lovers are welcome to join us to connect, share, and support one another as we get back into the groove of youth groups, intergenerational happenings, and more in our places of worship! Together we'll build community, exchange ideas, and offer support to each other. 

Please share this information with the CE leader in your home church so we can loop them in! 

Upcoming Faith Formation Events: 

• NEAUCE Annual Business Mtg. (November 12, 6:30pm, Register for Zoom Link here) 
• Help us plan for the future of the New England Association of United Church Educators!
• Youth and Young Adult Leadership Symposium
• APCE (Association of Partners in Christian Education) Annual Event (January 21-24, Pittsburgh, PA) 
• AUCE Members receive a $175 discount! Learn more about AUCE Membership HERE.

Questions? Email Tivvi Pare: TPare@nhcucc.org 

HORTON CENTER UPDATES

HORTON CENTER HAPPENINGS

Summer 2025 at Horton Center was a season deserving of celebration! 

With more campers, more summer sessions, more fall retreats, more amazing memories, and more transformative moments spent in Christian community out in God's Creation this summer has left us with full, full hearts, minds, and spirits. The amazing ministry that happens on Pine Mountain each year would not be possible without the generous support of people like you! Please take a moment to read our full Annual Appeal Letter by clicking here.

Each and every gift made in support of Horton Center is gratefully appreciated and put to good use! This past year donations and grant funds made the following possible: 

• Scholarships for every camper and family in need 
• Work on a new Song Book 
• Smaller bows for our youngest archers at camp! 
• Partnership with Catawba College's Discover Program to hire 2 young adult Faith Formation Specialists

Help us reach our $25,000 Annual Appeal Goal today! Donate Online by clicking here. 

Shalom, friends!



Tivvi Paré 

(she/her/hers)

603-545-9660

TPare@nhcucc.org

NOW HIRING

The New Hampshire Conference seeks candidates to serve as our Communications and Programs Coordinator. The Communications and Programs Coordinator provides logistical organization for Conference events and programs (including Annual Meeting and Prepared to Serve), maintains the Conference technology infrastructure, and publishes Conference communications including the Conference website and Weekly News. A position description is available upon request.

The Communications and Programs Coordinator position is a 30 hours a week, non-exempt position. Salary information available on request. Benefits (health and dental insurance, pension, etc.) are provided.

Interested candidates should submit a resume (with references to contact) to the Reverend Gordon Rankin, Conference Minister, at grankin@nhcucc.org.

The New Hampshire Conference is a Racial Justice, Just Peace, Open and Affirming Conference of the United Church of Christ.

The Rev. Robert Vodra has been called to serve as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Meredith. Rev. Vodra will conclude his ministry at the First Congregational Church of Dunbarton in the next couple months and plans to start his call in Meredith in February.

December 7, 2025

Gordon will be attending a gathering of the Council of Conference Ministers Sunday through Wednesday.

Emmanuel, God guide us, in this week,

on the path of hope,

the most personal emotion there is, 

until we find others – family or friend,

living or remembered, even one strange face

just briefly seen in the news,

so with them we can begin to unwrap

the gifts of peace and peacemaking,

the blessing of 'together'

you offer to every one of us. amen

Continued thanks to Rev. Maren Tirabassi for providing our prayers.

Conference Office

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

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