Welcome the Stranger
Immigrants who are detained in the Strafford County Jail are not entitled to a lawyer to help them satisfy their claims for asylum in America, even when they come from circumstances that would mean their death if they returned. The Immigrant and Refugee Support Group (IRSG) of the NH Conference has worked with several lawyers across the state to remedy this situation, but the number of lawyers who specialize in immigration law is limited. Now there is help.

The Clowes Fund of Indianapolis, Indiana, supports organizations and programs that focus primarily on socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals in New England. They have recently made a grant to fund an immigration lawyer to work with NH Legal Assistance. This new lawyer will assist those detained in the Strafford County Jail navigate the legal system, court appearances, and federal forms in an effort to secure freedom for asylum seekers in our midst. This work makes it possible for families to be reunited and for those seeking asylum to start new lives in America.

IRSG leaders worked diligently with other advocates to help secure this grant for the benefit of our immigrant brothers and sisters in NH. Legal assistance is critical for these individuals if they are to gain the opportunities of life in America, and now it will be more available than before. Their letters of thanks attest to the difference it has made in their lives.

You can support the IRSG’s Immigrant Bond and Support Fund by making a donation online or by sending a check to NHCUCC, 140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275 with Immigrant Bond and Support in the memo line.
03-E
Camp Is Happening This Summer At Horton Center!
Do you love the environment? Do you love friends?
Then come to Horton Center for Climate Buddies Camp this summer!

If you are going into 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade in the fall then we invite you to join Deans Peter Lovett and Judie Bryant July 19-24 and jump into Creation for the week!

Everything, everyone is very good (Gen. 1:31). Climate Buddies will gently explore the natural setting on Pine Mountain– rock ledges, birds, trees, bees, streams and more! And, we will marvel at how good and interconnected everything is. Art, songs, bible stories and courageous words of Greta Thunberg will help campers to see how they can play a role in caring for God’s creation. Come join us as we celebrate the natural world!

Sign up on our website: www.HortonCenter.org

NOTE: If in-person camp must be cancelled, you can get a full refund

ALSO if you're 18 or older you could: 
  • Be a Counselor for a week and change the lives of our young people at camp. Check out the video to find out why "We Need You!" 
  • Be part of the Summer Staff! Get more info and details Here!

Churches: We have provided two 'Virtual Bulletin Inserts' (Come to your camp and Come to your camp2) for you to add to your church e-news letter, your Sunday bulletin, or your Sunday worship videos to help us get more campers to camp!

See you on the mountain.

Shalom my friends, shalom!
Tivvi & Tim

Tivvi Paré (she/her/hers)
Summer Director, Horton Center

Tim Hughes (he/him/his)
Interim Executive Director, Horton Center

As always you can contact Tim Hughes with any questions at: thughes@nhucc.org or 603-545-9660.
04-A
Save May 4th for Clergy Day 2021
Clergy Day 2021 “Naming Our Trauma” will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The day will include online morning presentations with afternoon trauma informed self-care.
03-D
Please Remember in Your Prayers...
The people of our nation, suffering from an epidemic of gun violence, not only in Atlanta, Georgia, Boulder, Colorado, and most recently, Orange, California, but also in the many un-named places in our nation. According to the research firm Everytown, more than 100 people die every day from gun violence, and more than 230 are shot and wounded. May our elected leaders find the courage and wisdom to offer greater protection to the people most often harmed by such violence.

Our pastors, many of whom are experiencing deep fatigue on account of the added pressures of worship leadership and pastoral care in a time of pandemic.

O God, in your tender mercy,
Hear our prayers!
Across Our Conference
The Merrimack Association will be holding its Spring Meeting via Zoom on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 3:00 PM

The Rockingham Association will be holding its Spring Meeting virtually on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 2:00 PM.

The Hillsborough Association will be holding its Annual Meeting via Zoom on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 3:00 PM.

The Grafton Orange Sullivan Association will be holding its Spring Meeting via Zoom on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 2:00 PM .

Rev. Gina Finocchiaro has announced her resignation as Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, United Church of Christ. Her final Sunday "in the pulpit" will be Sunday, May 2, 2021. Rev. Finocchiaro will be starting a chaplaincy at Phillips Academy Andover.
Conference Minister
Sunday Schedule: April 11, 2021
The Rev. Gordon Rankin and the Rev. Richard Slater will be worshiping with our NHCUCC congregations via computer from their own homes.
Weekly News
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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