Rev Paige’s Corner: How to have a good clean fight

   I grew up in a family that did not know how to fight well. It seemed that the goal of any disagreement was to win at any cost – even tearing down the family member with whom you had the disagreement. In the end, someone often fled in tears and the matter was never revisited with a kind of “making up” or reconciliation. It wasn’t until I reach young adulthood that someone gave me a list of “rules” for healthy conflict. The rules included things like “use I statements”, stay in the present and on topic, and take a break when needed but agree to come back to the discussion. Over time, I learned how to deal with the normal relational struggles – be they at home or at church – in ways that hopefully did not do damage and valued the relationships above “winning.” I still don’t do it perfectly I am sure!

   Conflict is a normal healthy part of life and relationships. But how we approach a conflict makes a big difference to the outcome. So I am thankful that the Transition team has arranged for Paul Nickerson to join us on Sunday for a second hour program on healthy conflict. I hope that everyone will plan to stay. This is in part about the health of the church, but I also believe these skills serve us at home and in our communities as well.

Blessings!

Rev Paige Besse-Rankin

From Your Stewardship Team

Our Stewardship Season is upon us as we, your Stewardship Team, prepare to ask you, members of the congregation, to reflect on what you will commit as your faith promise for the coming year. 

Our pledges are the largest source of income for our church. This covers expenses such as salaries for our pastor and staff, maintenance and upkeep for our church building, but just as important we set aside funds for mission. The receiving organizations, some of which are local, appreciate our annual support to reach those in need.

 We place our hearts in God’s hands. Can we be the generous giver with our treasures? So, upon receiving your pledge card, please prayerfully consider what you will pledge and remember “Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be”.

Our hope is that we can all become the cheerful givers that God intended. So please join us Sunday, November 8 to dedicate our pledge gifts .

New Members Class being Organized!

A class is being organized for those interested in learning about what it means to be a member of our congregation. We will talk about faith journeys, what the United Church of Christ is about, and the history and ministries of our congregation. If you are interested, speak with Rev Paige, contact the office, or sign up here: https://hampsteadcongregationalchurch.breezechms.com/form/d8583d

Visitation Team

We are reestablishing a visitation team to support friends and members who are unable to attend church in person due to health concerns, connect with new visitors, and others of interest. If you would like to join this team, speak with Rev Paige

You are invited to join us for a celebration of the first anniversary of the covenant

between Hampstead and Atkinson Congregational Churches

to share a pastor and collaborate in ministry!

Sunday, October 18

Worship at 10 am at HCC

With Fellowship time to follow

Joint Choir and Sunday School Activities

    We will be observing All Saints Day on November 1 and Veterans Day on Nov 15 in worship. If you have names to includes in these celebrations, please use this link: 

Join us October 11 following worship for a talk with national church consultant Paul Nickerson about Healthy Conflict. Paul Nickerson is an ordained United Church of Christ pastor of more than 30 years. Paul served 20 years in parishes, turning around declining congregations. He then worked with 400 congregations at the Conference level, specializing in evangelism, vitality and new church starts.

After a success story for a NH lake combating cynobacteria there was a story in In Depth NH about Lake Winnipesaukee and declining water quality. The story follows a 40-year tracking of water quality data and the drivers contributing tothe poor quality. The report emphasizes that this does not mark a point of no return, but rather an inflection point that indicates a need for mobilizing stakeholders in creating a plan to reverse the trending poor water quality.

Blessings, Debra

Saint Anne's Food Pantry

Thank you all who continue to donate food for St. Anne’s Food Pantry! 

They have updated their needs list: Cereal, Canned chicken, Jelly, Hearty soups, Condiments, Nutrigrain bars, Cracker snack packs, Brownie mix/cake mixes, Juice, Coffee

Please no expired items. Non-perishable items only.

Drop off is in the foyer of Hadley Hall.

You can also order from our Amazon Wishlist by clicking the link below:

Want to get the word out about what’s happening at HCC? If you want to publicize your event or remind the congregation about something, please email the office (hcc1752@gmail.com) by Wednesday at noon so that your information can be included in that week’s Weekly Word. Feel free to send in information up to three weeks in advance of an upcoming event. We want all of the congregation (not just the Team leaders) to be empowered to get the word out about all the activities that are happening at Hampstead Congregational Church!

Our Mailing address:

61 Main Street

Hampstead, NH 03841

Church Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00am to 3pm