NH Council of Churches - NH Religious News March 2012

Council Updates...   Although Jean O'Bresky has moved on to a new position, the NH Council of Churches office is still open!  Carol Michael, the new office manager, welcomes your calls and/or emails if you need assistance. If she can't assist you she will connect you with someone who can.  And if you're in Concord, please stop by and say hello!    Phone: 603 224-1352  email: Carol@nhchurches.org  ********************************************** The Boards of Directors of the New Hampshire Council of Churches and the New Hampshire Bible Society have formed a Search Committee to hire an Interim Executive Director for both organizations. More information will be available in the next newsletter.  *************************************** Due to technical difficulties you may have noticed that our website looks a little strange. Security updates have impacted our antiquated web program and we are working to resolve the problems. Thank you for your patience and understanding!   Weaving Cultures, Building Communities...   New Hampshire's 1st Immigrant Integration Conference     Saturday, April 14, 2012 * 8:00AM-5:00PM    New Hampshire Institute of Politics  100 Saint Anselm Drive Manchester, NH 03102    This conference is for anyone working to help immigrants integrate into their new homes and communities - whether you are an employee of a community-based organization or service agency, work for local or state government, run a business that might hire newcomers, or are a volunteer working with an agency or faith-based organization.    You may have once been a newcomer yourself not long ago, or you may be a longtime local who regularly interacts with the newest immigrants to our State. Whoever you are, if you are interested in learning how to most successfully support newcomers as they make their new homes in our state, this conference will provide you with the information and resources you need to be most effective in your work. For more information and to register for the conference: www.NHImmigrantIntegration.weebly.com        You, Your Life, Your Earth        ...for Junior & Senior High Youth   What:  Meet new and old friends for a day of sharing ideas, conversation, music, delicious local food, playing and experiencing community gardening.  We'll explore together how our faith and love of the earth can bring joy, purpose and happiness to our lives.   Who:  Jr. & Sr. High Youth When: May 5, 2012; 10:00 am - 3:30 pm Where: Brookside UCC in Manchester, NH Why: The people and creatures of the earth need our hands, hearts and minds to create and build a wonderful future. Sponsored by:  The "Spirituality & Earth Stewardship" Committee & Youth Leaders of NHCUCC

Save the Date: May 9th   Workshop on Congregations  and Mental Illness.              On Wednesday, May 9, 2012, from 9am-3pm, the Spiritual Care Department at New Hampshire Hospital is offering a FREE workshop for all clergy on Congregations and Mental Illness.   If you have questions now, please contact either: Patience Stoddard - Patience.Stoddard@dhhs.state.nh.us Rachael Keefe - Rachael.Keefe@dhhs.state.nh.us  Berakah: A Place of Blessing                              After 20 years of offering sabbatical programs, Berakah  is now transitioning to a center open to groups for a wider range of purposes beginning the Fall of 2012.  This retreat/spirituality center will welcome groups seeking space and atmosphere for their meetings, conferences or simply a place of retreat and reflection.   You can make it a day, a weekend or even a week-long event.  Your group may bring its own facilitator and Berakah can provide the rest.  There is a fine dining room, several conference rooms, a chapel, enclosed porches and ample opportunities for reflection and walking.  Located in picturesque Pittsfield, New Hampshire on lovely grounds, the center includes 29 bedrooms with individual sinks for those seeking overnight accommodations. For more information, to have a brochure sent to you or to reserve your dates, contact : Berakah at 96 Fairview Rd in Pittsfield NH 03263     e-mail Berakah@aol.com or call 603-4357271 http://www.berakah.org/  (Please note: Our website is under re-construction presently.)   National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT)June is "Torture Awareness" Month  Dear Friends, It's time to begin planning for June's Torture Awareness Month activities for your congregation and/or religious organization. NRCAT will be providing a number of useful resources to help you prepare. With an overall theme of recognizing the degree to which torture has taken root in American culture and consciousness, NRCAT is highlighting the following aspects of our work as opportunities for congregations, religious organizations and people of faith to mark  Torture Awareness Month: Push back against the public advocacy of torture with a faith-based response Repeal indefinite detention End prolonged solitary confinement Combat anti-Muslim bigotry Pursue accountability for U.S.-sponsored torture You'll find ways to get involved in one or more of these areas on NRCAT's  Torture Awareness Month webpage. Housing for Homeless Vets in NH PLYMOUTH - A group of people is working to bring a permanent home for veterans to the Plymouth area. The facility will be a product of the Soldier On non-profit organization, which has 15 sites in nine states and is considered the best in the business of caring for homeless veterans. "It's the gold standard," Cathy Bentwood said about Soldier On. Read more here:  Laconia Sun Article   "On any given night, more than 275,000 veterans can be found huddled on the streets and under the bridges of our country.  One in five homeless Americans is a veteran..." Read more here... WeSoldierOn.org The NH Council of Churches will bring updates on this project as we receive them.

NH Council of Churches Needs You!   The New Hampshire Council of Churches as the state's ecumenical vehicle for unity and inter-religious actions needs your support: Prayers. Sharing our concerns and your concerns with each other. Funds to continue incarnating God's annunciation of the Good News. Please send checks made out to:  New Hampshire Council of Churches  NHCC, PO Box 1087, Concord NH 03302   Thank you! Check Out Our Website:    www.nhchurches.org     If you have ideas or events to share, send your information to info@nhchurches.org  or call the office at 603-224-1352.  Thanks!