THE WEEKLY NEWS
March 19, 2024 | Volume 16 No. 10
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Dear local churches,
We wanted to reach out to inform everyone that Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is coming right up! In fact, it is on March 31st; that's right - Easter! If your local church has been living its journey of being Open & Affirming for more than 5 years, here is a huge opportunity to invite your pastor or preacher for that day to lift up your commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Information on TDOV can be found here: https://glaad.org/tdov/
The preacher could actually highlight this as a part of a sermon or even as a part of a pastoral prayer.
Furthermore, a local congregation could have an educational series re: Trans topics during Eastertide or before we reach summer time.
Finally, churches that are not Open and Affirming could start simple conversations about inclusion as a way to move the proverbial needle.
Please email me if you have questions about how to enliven the trans inclusion of your faith community. I could potentially assist your local church or put you in touch with Rev. Renee Manning, whose entire ordained ministry is committed to this work.
With hope, always,
Rev. Sa.M. Holland, chair of Justice & Witness Ministry of NH Conference
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Resignation of Thaddeus Sieverding |
Friends in the New Hampshire Conference,
We have been blessed this past year to have Thaddeus Sieverding serving as our Communication, Technology and Events Specialist. Thaddeus has informed us that his time serving as a member of the New Hampshire Conference staff will be drawing to a close on April 30, 2024. He is leaving to focus on growing his freelance business Boost Canvas LLC ( a company that will help small churches and other small non-profit companies with their communication needs). Or at least he will be focusing on that soon, as this summer he will be a member of the Horton Center summer staff.
Thaddeus writes in his resignation letter: "I cannot stress enough the gratitude I have toward you and the conference for giving me the opportunity to grow my skills over this past year. I have learned so much and will able to carry these skills on for the rest of my professional career."
Thaddeus has gifted us in many ways including a new updated logo and "branding", new designs and approaches to the Weekly News and our Facebook posts, new tools for event registration, updates to office technology, and, before his tenure concludes, a newly designed website. We are extraordinarily grateful for all he has done to enhance the programs and ministries of the New Hampshire Conference.
An opportunity to express our thankfulness and celebrate Thaddeus' ministry among us will be announced later this month.
Peace,
Gordon
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Applications for New Communications and Programs Coordinator
Now Open
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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 include Annual Meeting and Prepared to Serve, maintains the Conference technology infrastructure, publishes Conference communications including the Conference website and Weekly News, and oversees upkeep and maintenance of the Conference Office. A position description is available upon request.
The Office Administrator position is a 37 ½ hours a week, non-exempt position. Salary information available on request. Full 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.
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Did you miss the lay preaching class at Prepared to Serve? Presenter the Rev. Dr. Deborah Roof will give an encore presentation at First Parish in East Derry on Saturday March 23, from 9-12.
All are welcome to join us for this morning of preaching for the layperson. Please plan to arrive early so that we have a full three hours together. Email pastordeborah@fpc-ucc.org to reserve your spot! We are located at 47 East Derry Road, East Derry.
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African-American Spirituals: Music of Faith and Hope |
On Holy Saturday, March 30, at 1:00 PM, the First Church Racial Justice Steering Committee and Jazz Sanctuary will present a concert at the First Congregational/Wesley United Methodist Churches in Concord. The program features ten original jazz arrangements of Spirituals and African-American compositions by Rev. Dr. Bob Maccini, performed by vocalists Renee Rouse and Emilia Halstead, accompanied by The Prodigals jazz ensemble. The event also includes a presentation on African-American art curated by Inez McDermott, aligning with the church's ongoing exploration of faith and race.
Read More...
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Small Church Workshop
Saturday, April 13th, 10 am - 3 pm
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The NHCUCC extends an invitation to small churches in NH to participate in a workshop specifically geared toward small churches and generously offered through a grant from our Lay Leadership Development Fund. Rev. Paul Nickerson will gather with the Pastors and 4-6 members of 8 NH congregations to think about how to be a community of faith in this post-Covid world.
The workshop will be held at the Conference Office on Saturday, April 13 from 10-3 with lunch. See below for details and a sign-up link. This is limited to 8 churches, so if you are interested sign up soon!
Read More...
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"Come to the River" Clergy Day of Replenishment and Renewal |
Tuesday, April 30th, from 9am-1pm at the Congregational Church of Hooksett. Light breakfast and lunch provided.
Zoom Retreat Option: Wednesday, May 1st, 12:30-2pm.
Leave work behind for a day of spiritual exploration involving voice and movement, silence and rest, and community connection.
The retreats will be led by The Rev. Steve Miller, Pastor of First Church in Jaffrey.
Registration will open April 2nd. Cost is $20 to attend either in person or on Zoom.
Please mark your calendars for a day away. All clergy welcome!
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NHCUCC's Second Annual Anti-Racism Lecture
With Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
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SUNDAY, APRIL 7th 5pm
BROOKSIDE CHURCH, UCC
2013 ELM STREET, MANCHESTER, NH
Come hear Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, the first Black female General Minister and President of the UCC, present the second annual lecture sponsored by the Anti-Racism Ministries group of the New Hampshire Conference, UCC. The lecture will begin at 5pm on Sunday, April 7th at Brookside Church in Manchester, NH. The Sacred Ally Quilt Ministry will be available for viewing in the sanctuary before the lecture beginning at 4pm. Following the event there will be an opportunity to meet and greet Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson during the reception in the Fellowship Hall.
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Register Your Youth Now!
New England Regional Youth Event
| The New Hampshire Conference is planning to have a delegation of youth from across the state attend the Regional Youth Event July 28-31. Significant scholarship support will be offered (details to be announced in the next couple of weeks.) If you would like to be a part of the New Hampshire team attending the Regional Youth Event, please go ahead and register (https://www.silverlakect.org/campsession/18183657) and then please send a copy of your registration confirmation to grankin@nhcucc.org. | | |
New Prospective Campers and Families |
Sign up for one of our informative Zoom calls all about what to expect as a camper at Horton Center!
tinyurl.com/newhccamper24
What will we eat?
What activities will we do?
Where will we sleep?
Will I feel welcome?
Is it safe?
What if I get homesick?
How many s'mores will we make?
Let's get ready for an awesome summer at camp together! Come away feeling more ready and excited for camp than ever!
Check out our summer camp schedule here: www.hortoncenter.org/summer-sessions
Thinking about taking your church up for a retreat at Horton Center? Email Tivvi for more information!
Wilderness First Aid Certification course at Horton Center: www.hortoncenter.org/wfa
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Applications for New Office Administrator
Now Open
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The New Hampshire Conference seeks candidates to serve as our Office Administrator. The Office Administrator is the primary host and hospitality provider for events held at the Conference Office, maintains the Conference directory database and calendar, completes bank deposits, provides administrative support for the Conference Annual Meeting and Prepared to Serve events, arrange for periodic bulk mailings, and many other administrative tasks to support the mission and ministry of the Conference. A position description is available upon request.
The Office Administrator position is a 37 ½ hours a week, non-exempt position. Salary information available on request. Full 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.
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UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS | |
The NHCUCC Women's Fellowship Spring Program on Cultural Diversity in New Hampshire.
Plymouth Congregational Church | April 20 9:30 - 3:30
Save the Date | | |
The people of Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, the people of Ukraine and Russia, the people of Haiti and all those living in the midst of war, famine, conflict, and the resulting trauma and pain. God, as we look toward our own Holy Week, we recognize the holy month of Ramadan for our Muslim siblings. We ask that your presence be with them as they honor you, knowing there are so many for whom this month will be one of hardship and death, rather than celebration. May our prayers be known to you God, and may your love be felt through our actions and worship. | |
The Rev. Renee Rouse has announced her resignation as Pastor and Teacher of the Northwood Congregational Church, UCC. Rev. Rouse’s last Sunday in Northwood will be Sunday, May 12.
On February 11, 2024 the Rev. Bonnie Stagg was called to be Designated Term Pastor to the Congregational Christian Church of Franklin. Rev Stagg transitions into this new position after serving in Franklin as Interim Pastor.
The First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro has called the Rev. Dawn Adams to serve as their pastor and teacher. Reverend Adams will begin her tenure at FCC Wolfeboro on May 19, 2024.
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Sunday Schedule: March 24, 2024 | | |
The Conference Minister will preaching at the Mason Congregational Church. | | |
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Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm | |
The Weekly News is published to promote the mission and ministry of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ.
These announcements are intended to be brief, timely, and of a general interest to our Conference readers. Supportive links are provided whenever they are available. We encourage you to forward these materials to others in your church using the link below and to share them in your bulletins and local church newsletters.
Send your items to Communications@nhcucc.org. The deadline for submitting items for the next issue is Thursday at 12:00 PM.
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