THE WEEKLY NEWS
November 4, 2025 | Volume 17 No. 43
| | CONFERENCE MINISTER'S CORNER | | |
Conference Minister Corner
Read the whole message on nhcucc.org
Rev. Gordon Rankin | Conference Minister
“Believing that fear makes us safer is heresy.”
As many of you know, I spent last week in Washington DC with 19 of my Conference Minister colleagues. We were there to engage in Advocacy particularly around the issues of immigration and LGBTQ+ inclusion. There was a lot that happened during these few days and I know I will write at least once more about what happened.
For this, I am going to focus on the happenings of last Wednesday, October 29th. That was our main day of action. When we arrived, we didn’t know if we’d be able to visit with any legislative offices given the government shutdown. The UCC Washington DC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy did a wonderful job setting up 18 visits for us (which made for a full day). In addition to our formal visits, we also made some “pop-bys”. For example, I popped by Senator Shaheen’s office and talked with office staff briefly while delivering the post cards and letters that you sent me with. Other colleagues of mine dropped off your cards and letters to Representatives Pappas and Goodlander. ...Read the full article here.
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The Granite State Association
invites all to gather as
Cynthia D’Andrea
is Ordained into the Christian Ministry
Sunday, November 9, 2025
2 pm in the afternoon
Mont Vernon Congregational Church
(4 South Main Street, Mont Vernon, NH)
Clergy are invited to robe and wear red stoles.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge the Lord God, and God will direct you path.
- Proverbs 3:5
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The Granite State Association calls for an
Ecclesiastical Council to consider
Derek Waldron
for Ordination
Sunday, November 23, 2025
at 3 pm
In-Person: Deerfield Community Church (15 Church St., Deerfield, NH)
or
On-Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89313124732
The Committee on Ministry (COM) for Ministerial Discernment has recommended Derek Waldron 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.
Derek’s Ordination portfolio is available for review here.
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Call for Annual Meeting Pictures!
Did you attend the 224th Annual Meeting on October 25th?
Please consider sharing any pictures you may have taken there with the conference! Pictures could be of the Geneva Point Conference Center itself, worship, meeting events, exhibitor hall, or more! Please consider sharing your photos by either scanning the QR code here, or clicking on the QR code directly.
Thank you for helping us preserve the history of the NHCUCC!
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Rev. Derek Terry's Keynote Speech from the 224th Annual Meeting
Cincinnati has a women’s choir. Muse: Cincinnati Women’s Choir. A member of
my church was a long time singer in the choir invited me to hear her choir sing.
And I’ll be honest with you, I went begrudgingly.
I’ve heard a lot of choirs in my life, and I thought, ‘Alright, this is going to be
sweet — maybe a little corny.’
But I was wrong. It was powerful — deeply moving.
That night, Melanie DeMore stood before the choir and began to talk about being a
standing stone.
She said, ‘Sometimes you can’t fix anything. You can’t find the right words. You
can’t take away someone’s pain. All you can do is stand by them. Be their stone.’
And then she asked, ‘Who are you standing with? Who are you holding up?’
That question has stayed with me ever since.
...read the full speech here.
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Economic Justice Mission Group Invites NHUCCers to Our 2nd Worker Justice Movie Night – Wednesday November 5 in Manchester
Do you want to learn about the cause of Worker Justice? Would you like to be inspired by young workers as they endeavor to secure dignity, respect and fair treatment on the job?
In the spirit of Worker Solidarity, the Economic Justice Mission Group enthusiastically invites all NH UCCers to a screening of Partners: How Starbucks Baristas Started a Labor Revolution – at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday November 5 at the Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St, in downtown Manchester. This film shares the story of a group of baristas in Buffalo, New York, who formed Starbucks Workers United and announced their intention to form a labor union, and it documents how Starbucks responded with an elaborate and illegal anti-union campaign. The 40-minute film will be followed by a panel discussion with young, inspiring and intrepid Starbucks baristas from New Hampshire who will share their stories about why being a unionized worker matters to them. And they’ll speak about their current contract bargaining struggles, including a community-focused “No contract, No coffee” campaign that is underway.
Movie attendance is free, but the Mission Group asks all attendees to register here. We are honored to be working with Starbucks Workers United, the Rex Theatre, the North Carolina-based Working Films, and multiple NH allies in making this film showing possible.
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Disaster Relief After Hurricane Melissa
On October 28th, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, one of the most powerful and destructive Category 5 storms on record in the Caribbean. Its devastation also impacted Haiti and Cuba.
The United Church of Christ issuing an appeal to help immediate and long-term recovery efforts in these Caribbean countries. The primary needs at this recovery stage are shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation, healthcare and food. Donation to the appeal can be made by sending checks to the New Hampshire Conference (140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275) with Hurricane Melissa Appeal in the memo or by visiting the Conference’s online giving portal and clicking on “Other Donation” and entering Hurricane Melissa Appeal in the memo line.
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NH Council of Churches To Hold November 8th Granite State Jubilee followed by a Press Event Opposing a Return of a NH Death Penalty
DON'T LET THE DEATH PENALTY RETURN TO NH! With dynamic advocacy from NH faith communities and human rights advocates plus a strong bipartisan legislative coalition, in 2019 the NH Legislature voted to repeal the NH death penalty and also rallied to override then-Governor Chris Sununu's veto of the repeal legislation. BUT!...
Now there are 5 LSRs (legislative service requests) for 2026 bills to bring back the NH death penalty. As one of the key founders of the Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, the NH Council of Churches (NHCC), of which the NHCUCC is a part, will be playing an active role in 2026 to defeat these terrible efforts.
On SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8, from 9 am to 12 Noon, the NHCC is holding its 2nd Annual Granite State Jubilee at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 79 Clinton Street in Concord, At the close of the program, at 12 Noon, the NHCC will hold a press event to convey that people of faith and moral conscience remain united, organized and prepared to stop the NH death penalty’s return. Our Conference's Economic Justice Mission Group hopes that a number of interested folks from NH UCC congregations will attend the morning program as well as the noontime press event.
Register for the Granite State Jubilee, the press event, or both here.
There is a registration fee for the morning program, but to request a complimentary ticket, please email lisa@nhchurches.org
The November 8th Granite State Jubilee's keynote speaker is Eva Castillo, a fierce advocate for immigrant rights. Also during the Jubilee program, the NHCC will be honoring Rev. Jason Wells (Inclusive Love Award), Louise Spencer (Faithful Witness Award), and UCC Pastor and NH State Representative Alexis Simpson (Compassionate Heart Award). NH UCCers are encouraged to attend.
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Calling all NH UCC Confirmation-Age Youth!
Rev. Steve Miller, Tivvi Pare, and Rev. Gordon Rankin are excited to once again offer a Conference-Wide Confirmation Program to any youth who are interested in taking part in this Confirmation/Faith Formation experience! Whether you come from a church with a confirmation class and you're looking to continue that learning and faith exploration with our group OR if you are the only confirmation-age youth at your church and you want to be a part of our awesome community, you are welcome! This program is designed to supplement ongoing work and learning with your local church. We will gather together once a month either over Zoom or in person for fun, exploration, learning, community-building, and faith discovery. You won't want to miss it!
Email Tivvi Pare for more information and to sign-up for this FREE program.
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SAY “NO” to Restarting Nuclear Weapons Testing
Minutes before meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping at an international conference hosted by South Korea a few days ago, Donald Trump unexpectedly tweeted that he was ordering the resumption of nuclear testing, after a 33-year moratorium.
Nuclear weapons are the most dangerous invention the world has ever seen. When the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the destruction was unlike anything experienced before. Tens of thousands of people died instantly. An entire city was destroyed in the flash of a single bomb.
From 1951 until 1992, the United States exploded a nuclear weapon in Nevada on average every 18 days totaling 1,030 exploded. Russia exploded 715 nuclear weapons during that same cold war time period. The attached chart lists the total number and dates each nuclear armed country has exploded tests. Since 1992, the U.S. Dept. of Energy has used science-based stockpile management to ensure the viability of the stored weapons, with no need to explode any of the weapons.
Today, some 12,700 nuclear weapons remain in the world’s arsenals, with about 90 percent owned by the United States and Russia. Both countries are actively planning to build new weapons, sparking a 21st century arms race and increasing the risk of nuclear war.
In 2019, at the NH Conference UCC Annual Meeting, the “Back from the Brink” Resolution was adopted. With that adoption we resolved as a Conference of churches to learn about these issues and to take the actions needed for the U.S. to step back from the brink of nuclear war.
Now – We Each Need to Take Action:
There are currently 2 resolutions in Congress focused on taking the U.S. Back from the Brink of nuclear war. We need to urge our NH representatives’ co-sponsorship.
Those are House Resolution 317 “Urging the United States to lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war and halt and reverse the nuclear arms race”.
AND Senate Resolution 323 “A resolution urging the United States to lead a global effort to halt and reverse the nuclear arms race”.
Say NO to A New Nuclear Arms Race!
There are no winners in a nuclear war. Many of the Cold War’s most absurd and dangerous nuclear policies remain unchanged. In the United States, the president can order the launch of nuclear weapons without consulting anyone—in essence, starting a nuclear war. These policies and plans threaten the world in very real ways, and they need to change.
The Peace with Justice Advocates is asking you to urge your House Representatives and Senators to support and release messages to the Administration about the urgent need for the “New START” Treaty between the U.S. and Russia. This treaty establishes verifiable limits on nuclear weapons and bans nuclear testing. In support of this treaty, Sens Markey & Merkley, and Reps Garamendi & Beyer released letter with 21 of their colleagues (none from NH) to Secretary of State Rubio asking that the Trump administration work with Russia to continue adhering to the “New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty” (New START) even after it expires on February 5, 2026, like Russia proposed. Otherwise, there will be no agreed limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces for the first time in decades, opening the door to a dangerous new nuclear arms race that will devastate our environment and drain our resources even if the weapons are never used.
Now – We Each Need to Take Action:
There are currently 2 resolutions in Congress focused on the urgent need for the U.S. to join the New START treaty. We need to urge our NH representatives’ co-sponsorship
Those are currently 2 resolutions in Congress focused the urgent need for the U.S. to join the New START treaty on House Resolution 100 “Expressing support for the continued value of arms control agreements and negotiated constraints on Russian and Chinese strategic nuclear forces”.
AND Senate Resolution 61 “A resolution expressing support for the continued value of arms control agreements and negotiated constraints on Russian and Chinese strategic nuclear forces”.
Please call and write your House Rep. & both Senators (sample script):
Note: Your encouraged to reach out to their DC offices because foreign policy is handled in their DC rather than state offices.
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Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): (202) 225-5456 / (603) 935-6710; 452 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
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Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02): (202) 225-5206 / (603) 226-1002; 223 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
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Sen. Jeanne Shaheen: (202) 224-2841 / (603) 647-7500; 506 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
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Sen. Maggie Hassan: (202) 224-3324 / (603) 622-2204; 324 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
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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:
Questions? Email Tivvi Pare: TPare@nhcucc.org
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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
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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 (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.
| | BOUNDARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES | | |
The Rev. Debbie Gline Allen has been called as Pastor and Teacher of Madbury United Church of Christ. Rev. Gline Allen's first day will be November 16.
At the conclusion of a designated-term ministry, the Rev. Pam Spain has been called as Settled Pastor of the Lancaster Congregational Church.
| | Gordon will be attending the Ordination for Cyndie D'Andrea at the Mont Vernon Congregational Church. | | THANK YOU TO REV. WALT HAMPTON | | |
The Conference expresses its gratitude to the Reverend Walt Hampton for his work as Transitional Associate Conference Minister for Judicatory Ministries the past couple of months. He has ended his tenure in this role as of the end of October. Thank you, Walt, for your faithful service.
| | UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS | | | See What's Happening In and Around Our Conference! | | | |
God, bless us on this "smaller" election day
with all the concerns of towns and states,
and in our connection with the world
celebrating tomorrow
International Tsunami Awareness Day,
even if we have never experienced one,
and on the following day
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation
of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict,
even if we feel like we have no power.
Bless us and bless all our churches
to touch and be touched by
our nearest neighbors
and our neighbors across the earth,
as you let each of us make a difference.
amen.
Continued thanks to Rev. Maren Tirabassi for providing our prayers.
| | Monday - Friday | 9:00AM - 4:00PM | | |
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