You are Invited to Celebrate Juneteenth 2022 |
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The Racial Justice Mission Group encourages participation in Juneteenth celebrations. There are a number of community events:
- First Congregational Church, UCC, in Hopkinton, invites you to their Juneteenth commemoration during worship on June 19th. The worship service will include recognition of the contributions of African Americans, a litany of confession, apology, and lament, and an educational story for all ages.
06-A
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Justice & Witness Ministry Team Shares Practical Ways to "Be Church" |
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Dear Local Churches, Congregants and Clergy,
The last two weeks have been very hard - gun violence, war, fears related to rights being taken away. Before we pass along practical ways to 'be church,' grab a deep breath and let this quote from Audre Lorde sink in: "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation [ . . . ]." In these difficult times we must begin in our home of heart.
You have possibly been wondering what our broader United Church of Christ (UCC) is saying about gun violence and racism at this moment of struggle; you may find that information here:
On a more uplifting note, it is Pride Month! As an Open and Affirming (ONA) Conference, we have some celebrating to do, especially those churches holding this UCC designation. If your church is ONA, please, oh please, take time for a Pride Sunday or some type of celebration or event. The national website is: https://openandaffirming.org/
As an individual, you might like to know that our own conference-wide ONA team is looking for new members; if you feel called to get engaged in such work, please let myself or Richard Slater know.
Finally, in line with numerous UCC resolutions since 1971, we encourage leaders to faithfully engage in conversations about healthcare rights, including abortion access.
With hope,
Rev Sara M. Holland on behalf of the Justice & Witness Ministry team
06-A
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Help Us Sing a New Song: Join the Annual Meeting Statewide Virtual Choir |
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Back by popular demand, we are preparing choral music for this year's Annual Meeting of the NH Conference, UCC, to be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022. The choir will be directed by Adam Peithmann, Director of Music Ministry at First Congregational Church, Manchester. Adam will be working with choir participants from across the state to prepare the anthem God Has Work for Us to Do by Mark A. Miller. The prerecorded anthem will be shown during the worship portion of the Annual Meeting.
Zoom (virtual) Rehearsal schedule:
Wednesday, August 10 (2 hour session)
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Thursday, August 11 sectionals (1 hour sessions)
2:00 - 3:00 PM bass-tenor
4:00 - 5:00 PM alto-soprano
Saturday, August 13 (2 hour session)
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Vocal parts will be recorded by participants by August 21, so that Adam can prepare a final digital compilation by the end of August to meet the Conference deadlines for the autumn Annual Meeting.
If you wish to participate, please contact both:
Event Planner, Ann Desrochers, via email at: [email protected], to be sent further information on a rehearsal schedule, a link to the folder where you can download practice tracks and upload your final audio/video recording.
Choir Director, Adam, via email at: [email protected] to receive additional information on the musical composition. He will also provide instruction and support if people need assistance with how to prepare a recording.
06-A
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Clergy Convocation 2022 - "Nurturing Our Creativity for Life and Ministry"
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St. Marie Joseph Spiritual Center, Biddeford, Maine
September 19-21
Retreat Leader - Rev. Dr. Meg Hess
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Writer Elizabeth Gilbert defines creativity as “choosing the path of curiosity over the path of fear.” If we are created in the image of a creator God, then creativity is the essence of our identity. Yet in a ministry filled with endless demands, how do you support your creative curiosity for life and ministry?
This September, the Convocation by the sea invites us to explore the depths of the creative life. In our time together we will broaden our understanding of creativity, identify our creative heritage, and cultivate practices that will nourish our creativity. Come prepared to rest, play, and to explore ways to replenish and dip into your creative well. Return to your ministry refreshed for preaching, pastoral care, and leadership.
Dr. Hess is a NH Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapist with a practice in Nashua, NH, a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation, and a Certified Narrative Coach. Meg serves on the faculties of the Leadership in Ministry Workshops and The Mindfulness Coaching School.
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
As always you can contact Tim with any questions at: [email protected] or 603-545-9660
Now Hiring Summer Staff! Interested? Click Here.
Or on Instagram: @hortoncenter
05-E
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Please Remember in Your Prayers... |
As Christian congregations around the world gathered to commemorate Pentecost Sunday 2022, a day in the Christian faith where unity, love, and peace prevail, gunmen attacked worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria during Sunday morning worship service. Amidst the backdrop of this joy and celebration in the sanctity of the church, this atrocity was committed leaving fifty people dead and many others injured. Let us pray with the leaders of Global Ministries for the healing and restoration of survivors, and the mending of the broken hearts of those who lost loved ones in the attack. Let us pray for peace, love, and the light of Your presence to prevail in the land, both now and forevermore. For further information go to the Global Ministries website at www.globalministries.org.
O God, in your tender mercy,
Hear our prayers!
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The Rev. Laura Biddle was installed as Designated Term Pastor of the Brookside Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in their Service of Worship on Sunday, June 12, 2022.
The Grafton-Orange-Sullivan (G-O-S) Association will gather on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM at First Congregational Church of Lebanon, United Church of Christ, to Ordain into Christian Ministry Mr. Eliot Fay. Mr. Fay is Member in Discernment with the G-O-S Association and is the recently-called Pastor and Teacher of the Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, of Nelson, NH.
The Rev. Dr. Terrilyn Krueger will conclude her ministry as Pastor and Teacher of the First Congregational Church of Wakefield, United Church of Christ, at the end of June. Her last Sunday at Wakefield will be June 26, 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.
The Rev. Kirsty Depree will conclude her ministry as Interim Minister of the Congregational Church of West Lebanon, United Church of Christ, on July 17, 2022.
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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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