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Please Note:

The Conference Office will be closed on Monday,
October 10th
in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

We will resume normal business hours starting 
Tuesday,
October 11, 2022
at 8:00 am.
Upcoming Events

Annual Meeting
Oct 15, 2022
Visit our webpage for all the current materials and information related to this event.
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The Weekly News
October 4, 2022 - Volume 14 No. 40
Summary Report of September 2022 Board of Directors Meetings
The New Hampshire Conference United Church of Christ (NHCUCC) Board of Directors met twice in the month of September. The Board met first at a specially called meeting on September 1st, for the sole purpose of preparing a Mission Income and Spending Plan (MISP) recommendation for the Annual Meeting. The Board’s primary meeting of September occurred on Saturday the 17th, with 14 members in attendance.

The September 17th meeting opened with a devotional meditation time led by Rev. Nancy Talbott. Business conducted that day included:

  • A report from the Treasurer on financial highlights for the month
  • An opportunity to meet Rev. Sara Marean, candidate for the Associate Conference Minister (ACM) position, and a subsequent vote to bring her forth to the Gathered Conference as their recommendation for our next ACM
  • A review of the Conference Minister's report
  • A review of a proposal from the Conference President to better utilize restricted funds
  • Affirming the election of Mr. Sean Skabo to the Board of Havenwood/Heritage Heights
  • Approving Clergy Compensation Guidelines for 2023
  • Approving the Resolution of Witness titled Affirming the Worth and Dignity of Transgender People and Their Civil and Human Rights Both Within the Church and in Society
  • Attending to items related to the Conference's 2022 Annual Meeting
  • Recognizing the ministries of Conference staff who will be retiring and a Board member concluding their term

10-A
Board of Directors Unanimously Passed Resolution of Witness in Support of the Rights of Trans and Non-binary People
In its September meeting, the NHCUCC Board of Directors unanimously passed a Resolution of Witness, in support of the rights of trans and non-binary folk.This Resolution comes in the wake of an increase in anti-trans legislation, both around the nation and in the state of New Hampshire. Trans and non-binary folk, who are already vulnerable to harassment - as well as workplace, housing, and healthcare discrimination - have been demonized as dangerous and predatory; trans youth have been characterized as innocent victims of "woke" politics. All of this, in the end, dehumanizes our neighbors who are trans or non-binary, in ways that fly in the face of the Gospel.

As a Conference, we stand against policies that serve to dehumanize and vilify entire cohorts of people. And we acknowledge that we ourselves often have work to do, to fully incorporate our trans kindred into our own communities and congregations. But our call is to the striving, and to grace, more than it is to immediate perfection. So we commit ourselves together to love and justice for our trans and non-binary neighbors, whom we are called to love as ourselves.

Often, though not always, Resolutions of Witness come before the gathered Annual Meeting for discussion and vote. In this instance, the Board felt passing the Resolution was a natural extension of the Open and Affirming commitment the Conference has held for decades. Additionally, it felt inappropriate to debate publicly the rights of a vulnerable minority. Indeed, this is, in part, why the resolution was necessary in the first place. That trans and nonbinary folks are human beings deserving of dignity and basic rights is simply the truth of our faith: that we are all made in the image and likeness of God, and that nothing can separate us from God's love and grace.

To learn more about the resolution, or to ask questions, please consider attending the Connecting Session on October 6th at 7:00 PM.
10-A
Webinar: "Public Education and the Common Good Under Attack"
October is a busy NHCUCC month but indeed a deeply enriching one. In addition to the wide array of Annual Meeting-related activities, the Economic Justice Mission Group invites, and strongly encourages, UCC clergy and members to register for our eye-opening webinar on Tuesday evening October 18th from 7:00-8:30 PM, Public Education and the Common Good Under Attack: Understanding the Free State Movement and Christian Nationalism in NH.

Collaboratively offered with the NH Council of Churches, the American Friends Service Committee-NH Program and the NH Faith & Labor Coalition, the webinar will feature journalist Jennifer Berkshire who closely follows the intersection of anti-government and religious right forces and the resulting threats posed not only to public education and the common good but to democracy itself. Berkshire is co-author of the book A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door: The Dismantling of Public Education and the Future of School. Also featured will be Zandra Rice Hawkins of Granite State Progress speaking on the "Free State Movement" in NH and WNHN-FM radio host Arnie Arnesen as program moderator.

The webinar planners explain, "This program is offered for people of faith and moral conscience to provide information about nationally-orchestrated, locally-manifested efforts to undermine what we value collectively as beloved community.”


10-A
Candidate for the Position of Associate Conference Minister to be Elected at the New Hampshire Conference Annual Meeting
The Reverend Sara Marean
The New Hampshire Conference Board of Directors and Conference Minister, the Reverend Gordon Rankin, recommend to the 221st Annual Meeting of the New Hampshire Conference the election of the Reverend Sara Marean to serve as our next Associate Conference Minister. 


Reverend Marean is a graduate of Earlham College and Harvard University Divinity School. She was Ordained in 2001. Reverend Marean has served churches in Minnesota and Massachusetts. For the past eight years, she has served as Pastor at the First Congregational Church (FCC) of Wilmot (NH), UCC.
 
Reverend Marean has been active in the life of the Conference serving for the past several years on the Wider Church Relations Ministry Team. She has demonstrated passion for the Ukama Partnership and has visited our UCCZ colleagues in Zimbabwe. She also helped lead FCC Wilmot through the process of becoming the New Hampshire Conference’s second Racial Justice Church.

The Associate Conference Minister Search Advisory Team noted Reverend Marean’s pastoral heart, her commitment to justice of all types, and how her faith shines through all she does. She will bring to her work as part of the Conference Staff a vision and passion for what the church is and what it will be. She writes in her profile: “I am deeply passionate about the church. As I see the world around us crack and certain populations lash out at others, I have come to believe ever more deeply in the necessity of church. Our denomination is a voice in a world of hate calling for love. As our nation and world become ever more divided, and extremist voices become ever more prevalent, the UCC has the ability to speak forcefully and emphatically for a faith based on compassion, justice for all God’s children, the sacred nature of the earth on which we live, and systems built on equality.”

Delegates and Authorized Ministers will have the opportunity to attend a virtual Meet and Greet with Reverend Marean on Tuesday, October 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. She will also be available to greet those who are attending the Annual Meeting in person from 8:00 to 8:45 am on October 15th at the Grappone Center. Reverend Marean will be our preacher for the Annual Meeting opening worship service. The election will take place later in the morning session of the Meeting. 

With a favorable election, Reverend Marean is expected to start as our Associate Conference Minister early in 2023. 
09-D
PATHWAYS Theological Education Announces Winter Term Course Schedule
PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., invites you to explore its Progressive Christian theological education courses. PATHWAYS courses are affordable, asynchronous, and completely online to fit the schedules of busy people! Each course offers participants the opportunity to develop competency in the subject matter as well as the chance to meet and work with a diverse group from across the United States.

Whether you are called to a pastoral role, a congregational or community leader seeking new skills, or a curious inquirer, PATHWAYS has courses to expand your thinking, enhance your knowledge, and exhilarate your soul.

Download the complete announcement to learn more about:

  • Winter 1 Term courses beginning in January 2023, including UCC History and Polity and a new Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE accredited CPE).

  • The PATHWAYS core three-level curriculum for ministerial preparation, leadership development and continuing education.
09-D
Please Remember in Your Prayers...
As the Puerto Rico, Cuba, Florida, and coastal states recover from the powerful hurricane Ian, let us pray for the many who are vulnerable to injury and illness and the loss of housing, and those who are rushing to bring them care.

In this time of political and social polarities, let us remember our pastors and churches as they endeavor to bear witness to God’s desire for a just and loving human community. The recent highlighting of ‘woke’ churches reminds us that such witness can come at a cost, and so let us be vigilant in our prayer and support of those who bear witness.

O God, in your tender mercy,
Hear our prayers!
Across Our Conference
Please join us in welcoming Atkinson Congregational Church in Atkinson, NH, as a newly-certified Open and Affirming congregation! The church’s ONA Covenant reads: Jesus didn't turn anyone away, and neither do we. As an Open & Affirming church, Atkinson Congregational Church, the Light on the Hill, makes a public covenant to celebrate and welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We uphold the dignity and worth of each person and families in all their diverse forms. All are welcome to participate in the full life and ministry of our congregation and to worship alongside us as we grow together in faith. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34)

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.

The Grafton Orange Sullivan Association will hold its Fall Meeting on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM via Zoom.
Conference Minister
Associate Conference Minister

Sunday Schedule: October 9, 2022

Rev. Gordon Rankin will be preaching at First Congregational Church of Hampton, United Church of Christ, where the Rev. Linda Hey has just concluded her service as Interim Minister.

Rev. Richard Slater will be preaching at Plymouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, where the Rev. Sara Holland serves as Pastor and Teacher.
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 [email protected].The deadline for submitting items for the next issue is Thursday at 12:00 PM.
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