NH Council of Churches News June 2013

"...for I was hungry and you gave me food, for I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink...I was a stranger and you welcomed me,... I was in prison and you visited me."    Matthew 25:35ff A Word from Rev. Beth Richeson-- Our Shared Prison Ministry    Read Rev. Richeson's latest report on her ministry work at the Goffstown NH State Prison for Women and Shea Farm.       June is Torture Awareness Month, and the Board and staff at NRCAT are so moved by the possibilities our good work holds that they have put up $20,000 as a matching grant for fundraising in the month of June with the goal of raising $40,000 for NRCAT's future work.We have had some major successes - President Obama's Executive Order; the law requiring the taping of military interrogations; and the recently released report by the bipartisan task force that states clearly and forcefully the truth about the torture program.  But our work is far from over.  Too many Americans think torture is acceptable; the Senate Intelligence Committee report has yet to be made public; there are legislative loopholes that must be closed.  And our work on solitary confinement in U.S. prisons is just taking off - dramatic achievements and new advocacy efforts are taking place in many states across the country. For more information about NRCAT, visit, nrcat.org.      Join New Hampshire citizens and gun violence prevention advocates on Tuesday, June 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm for a rally as the national "No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence" stops in Concord at City Plaza (Main Street in front of the State House). This event will remember the thousands of Americans killed by gun violence in the six months since the Sandy Hook tragedy and call for urgent action to reduce gun violence in our communities. To RSVP or to participate in the reading of names of gun violence victims throughout the day, please contact Sean Redding at sredding@maig.org or 847-909-7787.      Kids4Peace is a international summer camp and year round interfaith program for American youth, and New Hampshire may have the next site. Beginning at age twelve, Jewish, Christian and Muslim youth meet for after-school activities, weekend events, and summer camps locally and abroad. Through a six-year program of learning and dialogue, they form lasting friendships across the lines of conflict and join a community of peacemakers from around the world. Founded on the conviction that peace will come through interfaith understanding and tolerance, Kids4Peace is nonpolitical, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan. To get involved with this interfaith peace camp, please contact Rabbi Robin Nafshi, at rabbi@tbjconcord.org or Reverend Dick Dutton at rdutton@tds.net. Visit Kids4peace to learn more.  Pastors and Leaders Practicum--with Wayne Cordeiro, Saturday, October 5, at Grace Capital Church, Pembroke.        Wayne Cordeiro is the founding pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii with over 11,500 in weekend attendance.  New Hope is also listed as one of the top ten most innovative churches in America with Outreach Magazine. Wayne has authored twelve books, including such classics as Doing Church as a Team, Dream Releasers, The Divine Mentor, Leading on Empty, and The Irresistible Church. He is also the author of the Life Journal, which is being used by thousands of churches worldwide, is bringing people back to the Word of God. Lunch will be provided, Cost: $15. Register and learn more at Grace Capital Church.   Bread For The World, The New Hampshire Council of Churches and The New Hampshire Bible Society   co-sponsors A day of Hunger/Advent Preaching Workshops on Saturday, November 2 Ecumenical Worship The Rev. Dr. James Forbes Keynote speaker Rev. Forbes is a former professor at Union Seminary and Senior Pastor at The Riverside Church, NYC. More information to follow. Please save the date.

New Hampshire Council of Churches    125 Airport Road                                 PO Box 1087  Concord, NH  03301                Concord NH  03302 603-224-1352 info@nhchurches.org                 www.nhchurches.org    Office hours:  Monday through Thursday, 9-3

ALG - Brewer holds up religious freedom bill until Medicaid expansion is adopted

May 30, 2013, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Nathan Mehrens today issued the following statement condemning Arizona Governor Jan Brewer for vetoing legislation protecting religious freedoms in lieu of the Arizona House voting to expand Medicaid under the new health care law:

"Governor Brewer's complicity in implementing Obamacare will not be forgotten. She is holding back legislation that passed overwhelmingly protecting religious freedoms to get her way on expanding Medicaid. To hold First Amendment rights hostage unless Obamacare is implemented is a betrayal to Arizonans who have consistently voted against politicians that support the health care law going into effect. Religious liberty is not a bargaining chip; it is the very foundation of the First Amendment.

"Medicaid expansion in Arizona will cost taxpayers across the country $2.1 billion through 2019 and add more than 100,000 to government health care rolls. Brewer joins other Republican governors in Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and Michigan who have similarly opened the door to implementing Obamacare.  

"If Republicans offer these types of 'alternatives' to voters — where both parties favor expanding government dependency — why should their base support them? Sadly, the Arizona Senate has failed in its duties to stop Obamacare, leaving it up to the Arizona House not to give in to this blackmail."

To view online: http://getliberty.org/brewer-holds-up-religious-freedom-bill-until-medicaid-expansion-is-adopted/

###

Americans for Limited Government is a non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free market reforms, private property rights and core American liberties. For more information on ALG please call us at 703-383-0880 or visit our website at www.GetLiberty.org.

NHCC E-lert 16 May 2103

Rally For Homeless Camps Join the rally to end the disruption of homeless camps in Concord on May 20th at 3:00pm in front of Superior Court, 163 N. Main St, in downtown Concord. Support the three homeless men bringing suit to be able to stay on public lands. The NHCLU staff attorney, Barbara Keshen, filed a lawsuit last week on behalf of these men in Concord. The lawsuit is in response to state official's recent efforts to clear homeless camps. For more information, go to http://nhclu.org/.  Peacemaking after a Deadly Conflict  Healing and Reconciliation in Rwanda, Burundi, and Kenya Hear David Zarembka speak at 6:00 PM Sunday, May 26, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 211 N. Main Street, Concord.  Sponsored by Concord Friends Meeting (Quaker) This event is free and open to the public. 6 pm potluck meal followed by 7pm program. David Zarembka is the coordinator for the African Great Lakes Initiative -- Friends Peace Teams

New Hampshire Council of Churches    125 Airport Road                                 PO Box 1087  Concord, NH  03301                Concord NH  03302 603-224-1352 info@nhchurches.org                 www.nhchurches.org    Office hours:  Monday through Thursday, 9-3

NHCC E-lert

Immigration Reform Rally  A rally for immigrant and worker rights, cosponsored by various groups including NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees, AFSC, SEIU, AFL-CIO and others will take place May 1, at 12 noon at the State House in Concord. Climate Revival - An Ecumenical Festival to Embolden the Renewal of Creation Saturday, April 27, 2013 in Boston Come together for an inspirational day of preaching, worship, prayers, and music and celebrate the splendor of Creation, mourn its desecration, and advocate for restoration and renewal. Led by national and international religious leaders, we will call upon the Holy Spirit as we rise up to stabilize the climate and to create a better future. Churches will have an opportunity to participate in an informational fair about their environmental work. For more information, please  click here.               Reducing the Risk A workshop sponsored by the NH Council of Churches            Protecting God's Children For Religious Educators, Congregational Leaders, Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Youth Ministers, and Children's ministries Leaders  Reducing the Risk Workshop $20 - includes materials and lunch Friday, May 10 9:00am - 1:00 pm 125 Airport Rd. Concord, NH 03301 For more information, please click here for more information and registration materials.

NHCC Joint Statement Regarding Gun Violence   The New Hampshire Council of Churches, comprised of delegates representing ten member denominations of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions in the state of New Hampshire, are united in a call to seek ways to reduce gun violence in our homes, in our schools, on our streets, and in our communities at large. For the complete statement,  read here. New Hampshire Council of Churches    125 Airport Road                                 PO Box 1087  Concord, NH  03301                Concord NH  03302 603-224-1352 info@nhchurches.org                 www.nhchurches.org    Office hours:  Monday through Thursday, 9-3

NH Council of Churches News March 2013

Staccato

New Hampshire Council of Churches 
E-News

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice and to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8                                                Who's Around the Table?      The NH Council of Churches represents ten denominations and each denomination appoints two people to serve on the Board of Directors. We are blessed with gifts and talents of all kinds. Each person around the table brings unique perspective out of their faith tradition, theology, and call. Our life and work as a Council is strengthened by our common claim in Jesus Christ and is enriched by this diversity.        Each month we are going to introduce you to a member of the board so that you can get to know who's around the table and share in the wealth. We begin with our awesome president, Rev. Jonathan Hopkins, pastor, Concordia Lutheran Church in Concord. Meet Jonathan Hopkins, NHCC Board Chair      I will often talk to young people about the Church, and one thing I hear a lot is that Christians are hypocrites. We say one thing on Sunday and do other things Monday through Saturday. Since it is lent and the time of repentance it is good to admit that often we as Christians don't live up to our high ideals. When I think of the New Hampshire Council of Churches it is one place where I get to live out the  Christian ideals of unity, charity, and love of my neighbor. Different Christian denominations are not going to agree about every piece of doctrine. We are not going to agree about the exact theological meaning of baptism or communion. However, there are many things that we do agree on. We agree that it is our calling to help the poor, to speak out for those that can't speak for themselves, to act for justice and mercy. When we do those things together we serve as a Christian witness that we are not hypocrites but actually live out our ideals (even if it is always imperfect).       This is why I love the Council of Churches it is the place were Christians of different cultures, theological beliefs, and histories come together to make a witness to the world that we are not as divided as some might think. We do love and care for each other and the world. I am honored to play my part in this organization that shows the unity, and speaks out against the death penalty, gambling, and for immigrants and people experiencing poverty. Rev. Jonathan Hopkins Concordia Lutheran Church Women's Prison Ministry Update "And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?"   Matthew 25: 39 Rev. Beth Richeson brings a great presence of love as she serves, visits with and counsels the women and staff of Goffstown Women's Prison. Ministering to women as they struggle being away from their children and families, deal with sorrows that led them to this time and place, and as they pass interminable days of waiting, Beth brings encouragement, meaningful worship and other activities, presence and fellowship that bring healing and hope. NH has the highest recidivism rate for women in New England and so Beth also works with inmates and the communities to which they return upon release to aid integration back into "normal" life. You will be heartened by her latest report which can be read here. We have received word from the Episcopal Diocese that retired Bishop Robinson's "purse" (which he designated for the Goffstown ministry) will be settled in May. Bishop Robinson had a special tie to the prison leading Christmas Eve worship there each year, as well as playing softball in the spring. We are very grateful for that the interest income from this purse will help insure this continued ministry for years to come.       Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council presents: LIBERATING GENEROSITY  Because generosity is liberating! Attend a two day conference for clergy and lay leaders on stewardship. This conference is designed for stewardship committees, vestry, trustees, pastors, leadership and all who are interested in using money faithfully. Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA, March 15-16. Visit www.nestewardship.org for details.               Reducing the Risk A workshop sponsored by the NH Council of Churches            Protecting God's Children For Religious Educators, Congregational Leaders, Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Youth Ministers, and Children's ministries Leaders  Reducing the Risk Workshop $20 - includes materials and lunch Friday, May 10 9:00am - 1:00 pm 125 Airport Rd. Concord, NH 03301 For more information, please click here for more information and registration materials.

Joint Statement Regarding Privatization of   New Hampshire Prisons People of faith and others testified at a recent hearing for Bill # 443 on March 7th. This bill would have allowed the state to receive& consider bids from private contractors to build and operate a private prison (as opposed to a publicly run prison).   The Council spoke in opposition to this bill-grounded in our faith traditions which are reflected in the recent Statement on Privatization of NH Prisons. The full statement can be found here. We encourage use of this statement in your ministry settings-as a resource for prayer, catalyst for conversation, learning tool for youth or social justice teams-in any way that might sharpen compassion and wisdom on this issue. Let us know how it goes-and with your permission-- we'll share your ideas here. Members of the Public Policy Committee are available to speak/facilitate conversation on any of our Joint Statements (immigration, state budget as a moral document, death penalty, and expansion of gambling in NH, as well as this one cautioning against the privatization of prisons.) Please be in touch to talk further or to schedule, llsnyder@nhchurches.org. New Hampshire Council of Churches    125 Airport Road                                 PO Box 1087  Concord, NH  03301                Concord NH  03302 603-224-1352 info@nhchurches.org                 www.nhchurches.org    Office hours:  Monday through Thursday, 9-3