Copy of Conference Minister's Corner 4.29.26
- Matt Alighieri
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
An Anniversary Appeal
Conference Ministers’ Corner
In 2026, the New Hampshire Conference celebrates its 225th anniversary. Formed in June 1801 in Hopkinton as the “Missionary Society”, we came together to “fill empty pulpits, organize churches where needed, and in other ways minister to places destitute of religion”. Through the years there were many name changes, with the vote to officially become the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ occurring in 1961 (though the name was not changed legally until 1966)
As part of our celebration of the New Hampshire Conference seeking to resource and support our churches for impactful ministry for the past 225 years, we are initiating a special anniversary appeal. We are asking every one of our churches to make a special anniversary appeal donation of $225. Our hope is, of course, that this is above and beyond your OCWM and Fellowship Dues contributions. As always, if a smaller donation is your best, we welcome that. And if you are able to make a larger donation, we will be grateful for the extra things that can be done. Nonetheless, inviting church to contribute a dollar for each year that Conference has been engaged in seeking to equip the ministry of our churches, seemed to be a memorable ask.
The funds raised by our 225th Anniversary Appeal will go to form a New Initiatives Fund. The New Initiatives fund would be a place where our churches could ask for assistance with seed money to try new things. Perhaps we have a church that has some folk who want to try a monthly rap worship service. Or maybe another church wants to start a little bakery because their recipe for gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free communion bread is just the best and they’d like to be able to sell that bread to their community once a week. We’d look for those innovative, creative, never-been done ideas and try to support getting them off the ground.
Our hope would be that all donations to the 225th Anniversary Appeal could be received by October 15th. We’d like to make an announcement of a grand total received at our 225th Annual Meeting on October 24th. The intent is funds from our New Initiatives Fund would start being available in 2027 (so start dreaming).
You donations can be made in all regular ways – either online (https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZHQV/home) or by sending a check to the Conference Office (140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275). Please be sure to make your donations “225th Appeal”.
Happy Anniversary New Hampshire Conference!!
Charen Urban, Conference President
Gordon Rankin, Conference Minister