Conference Minister's Corner - 03-04-2026

“Grace Abounds” is how a clergy friend of mine signs his email conversations. Such a great reminder, when things are hard and seem hopeless, that there is grace out there and often it’s right in front of us. Take this past Saturday’s Prepared to Serve Event: there was so much grace! It was there in the set up on Friday – when the staff spent hours (yes, hours) setting up tables, moving chairs and getting ready for worship the next day. It was there on Saturday when staff and volunteers arrived before 7 am (to continue setting up), then welcomed lay folk, clergy, presenters, and exhibitors – more than 250 altogether! Grace was there while Anne, Pam, Cameron, Kayla, and Tivvi got folks registered, answered questions (always with a smile) and never broke a sweat! It was there when Lydia greeted people so warmly (which they loved) and then found their name badges instantly. And grace was there when people were so patient with me because I didn’t know their names and it took me much longer to find THEIR name badges.

It was there when Matt, our new Communications and Programs Coordinator, helped those of us of a certain age sign on to the school’s internet—repeatedly. There was grace as exhibitors shared their passions and ministry and grace with the rest of us while presenters shared their passions and ministry and wisdom and challenges, too. So much grace. There was grace when occasional mishaps happened (like when Rev. Snyder and I blocked the words to communion on the screen during worship—oops), and BIG grace when good things happened, like when we welcomed the Raymond Church to the UCC and they got a standing ovation.

There is so much grace and gratefulness for the Prepared to Serve Team, all the staff (especially Cam and Kayla) who took on this big event and worked tirelessly for so many months, and all the committees and volunteers who know how important this event is and do what it takes to make it possible. And because it did, in addition to all the amazing teaching and learning and sharing, friendships were renewed, created, and our covenant as churches and individuals in the NH Conference was strengthened. Grace indeed abounds. Thanks be to God!

See you in Church,

Linda & Gordon