Articles

Conference Minister’s Corner Associate Conference Minister, Linda Hirst, 7.15.26 While driving my youngest son and a couple of his friends to Pilgrim Lodge for a Middle Schooler week (Pilgrim Lodge is Maine’s counterpart to Horton Center), they were excitedly talking about camp and who they’d see again and all the great stuff they were going to do. I said something like, “You guys really like PL don’t you...” And all three laughed and said, "Yep! At Pilgrim Lodge we’re the c

Conference Minister’s Corner Conference Minister, Gordon Rankin, 7.8.26 One morning watch last week at Horton Center, I had a fascinating conversation with a group of middle school students about bravery and courage. We were discussing the biblical story of Queen Esther. You may recall that Esther was asked by her cousin, Mordecai, to speak up for the imperiled Jewish community. Mordecai even suggested that perhaps Esther rose to her royal position for “just such a time as th

Conference Minister's Corner Rev. Linda Hirst, Acting Associate Conference Minister 07.01.2026 There is a brown leaf hanging on a tree outside our window. It has been hanging there for over a month while all around it the other brown leaves have dropped and been replaced by new green leaves. This leaf is not moving. It will not let go. It is hanging on for dear life. Clearly it doesn't like change (and yes, I am projecting feelings onto a leaf). Not many people like change.

Conference Minister's Corner Rev. Gordon Rankin, Conference Minister 6.24.26 Sabbatical Announcement Our Conference Minister, Rev. Gordon Rankin, will be using the remainder of the sabbatical time he started in 2024 early next year. Gordon’s sabbatical leave will be January 6 to February 16, 2027. The Rev. Deborah Blood has agreed to serve as a half-time Sabbatical Bridge Conference Minister to assist Rev. Linda Hurst with the ministry needs of the Conference while Gordon i

Conference Minister's Corner Rev. Gordon Rankin, Acting Associate Conference Minister 6.17.26 NH Weekly News Article. June 17, 2026 A couple of weeks ago about 20 of us attended the Clergy Day at Hooksett Congregational Church, sponsored by the Clergy Support Ministry and led by storyteller Valerie Tutson. It was a great opportunity to get to know Valerie, ourselves a little better and one another, all in a few hours. At one point she sent us off in groups of three to sha

Conference Minister's Corner Rev. Gordon Rankin, Conference Minister 6.10.26 “Reclaiming the Narrative” In nine days, we recognize an important day in American history – Juneteenth. This was the day in 1865 that African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were no longer slaves. This was more than two years after they had legally been emancipated. June is also Pride month. We celebrate the divine intention created in those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgend