The Immigrant and Refugee Support Group Needs Caring Donors and a Few New Members |
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Do you have $25 to spare? Or $250? Or any other amount? And/or – do you speak Portuguese? Or have a little time and the passion to serve on the Conference’s Mission Group that is focused on immigrant justice? The Conference’s Immigrant and Refugee Support Group (IRSG) appeals for your engagement in whatever way is possible!
The IRSG continues to work with asylum-seekers who have been ensnared in the nation’s inhumane immigration apparatus as they seek asylum and safety in our country. A key IRSG focus is on individuals who find themselves detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Strafford County jail in Dover - which has a contract to serve as a regional ICE detention facility. (Note: Thanks to local jail administrators and staff, ICE detention in Dover is much more humane than elsewhere – but it’s still unreasonable and unnecessary detention!) We also maintain a supportive relationship with those who have managed to obtain release from ICE detention – sometimes via a bond payment that generous UCCers and others have made possible through our NHCUCC Immigrant Bond and Support Fund.
To donate as you are able, make an online contribution to the NH Conference United Church of Christ – and check “Immigrant Support Fund” as your donation option. Or send a check to NHCUCC, 140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275 with Immigrant Bond and Support in the memo line. You may never know the person you assist but you will know that your gesture of generosity has made a positive difference in “loving our neighbor” and “welcoming the stranger.” This is indeed part of our faith calling.
05-E
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It's Not Too Late to Come to Horton Center This Summer... But Don't Wait Too Long! |
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Right now we still have plenty of space in most camp sessions for your favorite camper. We'd love to have them join us for an amazing week on top of Pine Mountain. We have a bunk ready and waiting whether you're going into 3rd grade or you're a graduating High School Senior. Or even an adult!
We will play together, pray together, make new friends, embrace the amazing woods around camp, hike, climb, sing, listen, make s'mores, and explore creation!
If you love to be outdoors and you love having fun, then come to where the best week of your summer is waiting for you! Sign up today and we'll see you soon.
Shalom my friends, shalom.
Peace,
Tim & Tivvi
Tivvi Pare -she/her/hers - Summer Director
Tim Hughes he/him/his - Executive Director
Horton Center, NHCUCC
Now Hiring Summer Staff! Interested? Click Here.
Or on Instagram: @hortoncenter
05-E
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Recap of NHCUCC Board of Directors May 6-7, 2022 Meeting |
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The New Hampshire Conference United Church of Christ (NHCUCC) Board of Directors met on Friday evening and Saturday, May 6-7, with most members in attendance. This was originally going to be an off-site retreat, the first in 2 1/2 years for the Board, but due to NH pandemic statistics we pivoted and turned it into a “virtual retreat” on Zoom. On Friday evening, we had a brief opening worship followed by a virtual “get to know you” hour.
The business addressed on Saturday included:
- A review of the Operating Budget Analysis through the end of April
- A review of the Conference Minister's report which highlighted Board plans regarding Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM) and the current work of the Sacred Ally Quilt Ministry
- An update on NHCUCC churches designated as Racial Justice Churches
- A review of the search process for an Associate Conference Minister
05-D
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Make Plans to Attend the Annual Karl Barth Summer Seminar |
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It is that time of the year, when the Massachusetts Convention of Congregational Ministers (MCCM) hosts its annual Karl Barth Seminar.
This year, again, it will be all on Zoom. This will allow us to host two quite distinguished guests:
- on June 6th at 10:00 AM (East Coast Time) or 16:00 (Central European Time) our speaker will be Professor Christiane Tietz from the University of Zurich, author of the most recent biography published by Oxford University Press "Karl Barth. A life in Conflict."
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on June 7th from 10:00 AM (East Coast Time) we will be led by Professor Douglas Meeks from the Vanderbilt School of Theology in a discussion of CD IV/4; Preface vii-xii, pp. 165-213, 3-10. Read 3-31 if time permits.
We hope you can join us for this timely and theological discussion with your peers from all over the world.
05-D
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UCC Webinar —Discerning and Deciding: Bold Climate Action
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According to a recent UN climate report, the world has less than three years for its greenhouse gas emissions to peak and head into a relatively rapid decline. Careful discernment is needed on where to place our time and energy in seeking policies that will lead to a more just and hospitable world. This webinar will feature three leaders in the climate movement: Keya Chatterjee from the U.S. Climate Action Network, Miranda Ehrlich from the Sierra Club, and Jean Su from the Center for Biological Diversity. Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, June 8th, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
05-D
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Please Remember in Your Prayers... |
We urge prayers for the victims of recent mass shootings in our country, especially the siblings, families, neighbors, fellow church members, teachers, school leaders and friends of the two teachers and 19 children who were murdered while at school in Uvalde, Texas. Let us continue to pray for those who knew and loved those who died in Buffalo, NY, and are now moving through the rituals of grief and goodbye. Finally, let us pray for those who have the power to address the epidemic of gun violence, but refuse to do so that they might have an awakening of conscience and responsibility to honor their civic duty.
During this time of remembering marked by the observance of Memorial Day, let us give thanks for the many who gave sacrificially of themselves for the sake of their country. May we honor them and their willingness to suffer for our sake, even as we covenant to live more peaceably with our neighbors in this world we share.
O God, in your tender mercy,
Hear our prayers!
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The Merrimack Association will gather at Plymouth Congregational UCC on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at 1:30 PM to be present for the Confirmation Ritual of the Association-wide Confirmation Class. The Confirmation Ritual will be followed by the Association Spring Annual Business Meeting, starting at approximately 2:15 PM. These in-person events will also be broadcast by Zoom. To learn more visit the Merrimack Association webpage.
The Rockingham Association of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ will gather at the Stratham Community Church, United Church of Christ, to celebrate the Ordination of the Ms. Cheryl Stromski at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Pastor Kerry Richardson has accepted the invitation of the Congregational Church of Hooksett, United Church of Christ, to become their Interim Minister. Mr. Richardson will begin his ministry at Hooksett on June 5, 2022.
The Rev. John Johnson has announced his retirement as Pastor and Teacher of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Claremont. Rev. Johnson’s last Sunday at Claremont will be June 26, 2022. He and Marcia are moving to Acton, ME in retirement.
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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 WeeklyNews@nhcucc.org.The deadline for submitting items for the next issue is Thursday at 12:00 PM.
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