THE WEEKLY NEWS
March 26, 2024 | Volume 16 No. 11
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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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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 Communications and Programs Coordinator 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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Summer Delegation to Zimbabwe | |
This summer we are planning for a delegation of approximately ten people from the NHCUCC to go to Zimbabwe to strengthen and encourage our Ukama relationship. The trip will be led by Rev. Sara Marean and Rev. David Keller and the timeframe would be July 22 or 23 to August 5 or 6 (depending on cost and availability of flights). We hope to overlap with their Youth Annual Gathering Meeting which will take place in Harare on August 3 and 4.
Below are links to several documents that outline the trip and delegate characteristics, as well as an application. The deadline is April 1.
Summary
Attributes of a delegate
Application
For more information or questions contact Rev. Sara Marean via email.
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UCC Earth Summit
Featuring Bill McKibben and Award Winning Activists
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The UCC's second annual Earth Summit will feature celebrated author and activist Bill McKibben delivering the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture with the title, "Energy from Heaven or Energy from Hell?" Additionally, the following panel of award-winning activists will speak about the multi-national struggle against the pollution of Formosa Plastics, one of the world's largest plastics producers. Both Sharon Lavigne and Diane Wilson have won the Goldman Prize which is often referred to as the “green” Nobel Prize. They will be joined on the panel by Nancy Bui from the International Monitor Formosa Alliance and Justice for Formosa Victims. The two-and-a-half-hour summit will also feature the announcement of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award winner, a celebration of the UCC's newest Creation Justice Churches, and a video showcasing the environmental ministries of our host congregation, The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College. Even if you cannot make the event on April 20th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and a recording will be sent to you. Register now!
Please feel welcome to join us in-person at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College. No registration is required for in-person attendance.
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UUCMA 2024: Uniting Music and Faith
Experience Inspiration and Connection at the National Church Musicians Conference
| Join the UCCMA at their National Conference from July 10-13, 2024, in Greenwich, Connecticut, for a transformative experience designed for church musicians and worship leaders. Engage with renowned presenters like Tom Shelton and Nathanial Gumbs in workshops and networking events centered around the theme "A place at the table." Scholarships are available for first-time attendees in need of financial support. For more details and to register, visit their website. | | |
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Cultivating Refugia: Building the Resilient Church
A Small Church Leadership Community for congregations in Northern New England
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The BTS Center invites you to recruit a team of 4-5 from your congregation, including the lead pastor (or functional equivalent), to apply to participate in this 10-month community of practice. Six congregations will be selected.
As an expression of The BTS Center’s commitment to the health and vitality of small faith communities, this Small Church Leadership Community is offered as a gift to Northern New England congregations, without an enrollment fee.
Learn more...
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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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"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. | | |
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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 | | |
PRAYERS FOR THE ASSOCIATION RESTRUCTURE | |
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There is a lot of discernment and creative thinking going into developing a new model for our Association structure. 6 out of 7 of our Association voted to move forward with creating a model which will have one Association, with the Conference acting as Association
What we need is prayer to guide us. Every week in the Weekly News there will be a specific request for prayers reflecting where we are in the process. So, please pray so that this work will be guided and grounded in God’s Spirit.
Here is what we need you to pray for this week:
A creative spirit which can see beyond how things are to how things could be. And in all we do to honor the will of the people who will be affected by this change.
A Spiritual Director once shared that when asking for prayer; the prayer is our desire, the prayer entrusts it to God, which serves as our hope going forward. In this mindset, we see the honesty of speaking to God of what is on our heart, a trust in God, and a faith that no matter the outcome, God will bring us hope. In that spirit, please pray without ceasing for the work of Association restructure.
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Our NHCUCC congregations. During this Holy Week, we lift up prayers of thanksgiving for the spaces and places where your story of sorrow, grief, redemption, transformation, and resurrection are told, experienced, and lived. God, we thank you that in a world consumed by conflict, there are communities who continue to be grounded in your love, lifted by your spirit, and encouraged to share your words of hope and compassion. Guide us all as we enter into this time of remembrance and sacredness. | |
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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 31, 2024 | | |
The Conference Minister will preach at the First Congregational Church of Rochester. | | | |
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Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm | |
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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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