Free Staters Publish a List of "Woke Churches" |
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The Conference received word this past week that a political group known as the Free Staters has published a listing of "Woke Churches". The target audience for this list is those who do not want to find themselves in such a church. Much of this information has since been publicized by NHPR and in several newspapers.
The criteria to be considered a "woke" church (according to the Free Staters) is one of the following four things: 1) being LGBTQ affirming, 2) being involved in racial or social justice, 3) having continuing Covid protocols, or 4) being affirming of Ukraine. As you might guess, many of our New Hampshire Conference churches are identified as "woke" on this list. However, the churches of many other denominations are also on this list. Later in the week, there was also a similar listing for Jewish faith communities.
As best we can tell, all the information on this list comes from the websites and social media postings of the various churches and synagogues. In other words, it is all information that is already public.
We share this news so that there is awareness among our churches. We encourage continuing the same safe church strategies that are used regularly. At this time, we are not encouraging our churches to do anything reactively as it can increase potential risk.
We know of one incident at one of our churches that may be tied to this list. Last week, a man verbally accosted a couple of folks at a church about the "Black Lives Matter" sign on their front lawn. This incident has been appropriately reported to local law enforcement. We have not heard of any threats toward or other incidents involving our churches. If you become aware of a threat or incident, please report it to local law enforcement and then inform the Conference office as soon as possible.
The New Hampshire Council of Churches and several of the judicatory heads of denominations in our state have been in touch with the Attorney General's Office. We are also maintaining regular communication to share information and support with one another.
Finally, I would remind us that it is important that we not allow our faith commitments to be silenced at such a time as this. (It is certainly possible that trying to silence the faith witness of such churches and synagogues is part of the intent of such a list.) Our siblings in the LGBTQIA+ communities and in communities of color often find themselves in vulnerable places. If our faith witness is silenced, their vulnerability is only increased. Our voices for justice need to be even louder when things get uncomfortable.
Blessings,
Gordon
08-E
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Racial Justice Mission Group Announces Update to their Bibliography of Selected Resources
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The Racial Justice Mission Group (RJMG) is pleased to announce the release of an update to their Bibliography of Selected Resources, a curated list of over 300 books, articles, videos, audio programs, and web links covering many aspects of our work on racial justice and anti-racism. The original bibliography was published over six years ago as an appendix to the Process for Becoming a Racial Justice Church. This updated version brings in many resources that have been published over the last six years in this important field of anti-racism. If you’re looking to learn more in this rapidly changing field, we hope this bibliography will be a help to you. Feel free to share it with your churches, your racial justice committees, and your friends committed to (or just curious about) anti-racism work. The pdf document can be downloaded from the RJMG webpage at https://nhcucc.org/conference-ministries/justice-witness-ministry/racial-justice-mission-group.
08-E
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The Neighbors in Need "BEHOLD!" offering focuses on economic justice. With inflation impacting all of our households, we wanted to provide a way to discuss this topic through a faith lens.
Join us by promoting this year's campaign at your church. Visit UCC Resources to explore the free promotional toolkit, which contains a four-week bible study, coloring book, three posters, social media banners, and a leader's guide. These materials will assist you in planning and carrying out the 2022 NIN campaign.
Most churches will collect the offering on October 2nd, 2022, as a part of World Communion Sunday, but contributions can be made at any time.
08-D
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It is Time to Register for Post-Camp Weekends at Horton Center! |
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Summer camp at Horton Center is over, but there are still some post-camp weekends providing an opportunity to come back to the mountain for an incredible experience of living in community with new and welcoming friends.
You can still sign up for:
Shalom my friends, shalom.
Tim Hughes - he/him/his - Executive Director
Horton Center, NHCUCC
Or on Instagram: @hortoncenter
08-C
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Please Remember in Your Prayers... |
The Common Global Ministries of the Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ invite us to pray for Sierra Leone. They write, “Please pray for calm, security, and peace in Sierra Leone and for the government which has been struggling with rising inflation and a fuel crisis to be able to protect and provide for its citizens.” For further information please visit their website at https://www.globalministries.org/prayer-alert-for-sierra-leone-august-2022/.
Let us remember in prayer those who have lost loved ones in recent days, especially the Rev. Lyn Winter whose husband Mark Winter entered into life eternal on July 20 after a debilitating progression of cancer. Lyn serves as Pastor of the Shared Ministry in Lisbon, NH.
Let us continue to remember in our prayers the Search Committee, as it moves into the interview phase, in their process for selecting a candidate for the position of Associate Conference Minister.
O God, in your tender mercy,
Hear our prayers!
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The Rev. David Keller has accepted the invitation of the West Congregational Church of Concord, United Church of Christ, to become a half-time Bridge Minister beginning September 1. This position will be a shared position with the Rev. Linda Fraser.
The Rev. Peter Ilgenfritz has accepted the invitation of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, of Littleton to become their Interim Minister. Rev. Ilgenfritz’s ministry at Littleton begins September 6, 2022.
First Church in Jaffrey and the Southwest Association of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ will gather to celebrate the Installation of the Rev. Stephen Miller as Pastor and Teacher at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 11, 2022.
The Merrimack Association will hold its Fall Meeting on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the First Congregational Church, Meredith.
The Rev. Neil Wilson has announced his resignation from the role of Pastor and Teacher of the Laconia Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, and his retirement from active ministry. Neil’s last Sunday at Laconia will be October 23, 2022.
The Southwest Association of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ will gather at the United Church in Acworth, United Church of Christ, to install Ms. Maureen Adams as Pastor and Teacher at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
The Rockingham Association of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ will gather at the Newfields Community Church for a Service of Installation for the Rev. Cheryl Stromski at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
The Southwest Association will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 06, 2022 at 1:00 PM via Zoom.
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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 [email protected].The deadline for submitting items for the next issue is Thursday at 12:00 PM.
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