Westmoreland United Church,
An Open & Affirming church of the United Church of Christ.
Sunday worship services are at 10 am,
in-person at the Brick Church or via "zoom".
westmorelandunitedchurchnh@gmail.com
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Sunday worship services are at 10 am,
in-person at the Brick Church or via "zoom".
westmorelandunitedchurchnh@gmail.com
* * *
Bingo, Friday, July 11, 7pm in Fellowship Hall!
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"Simmering Summer" Books and More sale, Saturday, July 19, 9am-1pm
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All are welcome for a camp or retreat experience at Horton Center, the Outdoor Ministries site of the NH UCC! It's not late to register your youth camper for a half week session or to sign yourself up for an adult or intergenerational retreat. Check out all the summer and fall offerings as well as the scholarship application at hortoncenter.org Questions? Email Executive Director, Tivvi Pare, at TPare@nhcucc.org or call 603-545-9660
“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.”
Galatians 6: 9-10 (NRSVUE)
We live in a wonder-filled world – the variety of birdsong, critters, vegetation, and people with their diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and ways of being! And that includes each one of us – thank you, God!
And, we live in a world that continues legacies of fear of that and those who are different – in background, experiences, ideas, and ways of being. And that includes each of us – help us, God!
We live in a world where folk care for one another – family, friend, neighbor, and those never met in person. Our hearts and generosity of resources and prayers go out to those are in need, including because of circumstance of birth and forces of nature and systems of power and control.
And, we live in a world where we want to (and sometimes do) “circle our wagons” and clutch tightly that and those we hold most dearly. The overwhelming needs of others and feelings of powerlessness to make a difference and effect wholesome change combine to render us paralyzed with fear and feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty as to what is the right thing to do.
Yet through all this, and more, God is gracious – in times past and now. And when we don’t know how to be, how to respond, we can lean and live into the words of the prophets who knew in their lives struggles that parallel ours. For, we've been told what is good, what is right, what is the way of Godly living: be just, be steadfast in lovingkindness, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). And we are not meant to go it alone. God created humankind in God’s likeness and that includes being in community that shares in and thus nurtures our selves and lives.
There are various imageries/metaphors for how we individually are part of God's whole – Hebrew people, nation of Israel, band of disciples, body of Christ, the church… and to borrow from the culinary world – tossed salad and stone soup. We need to celebrate and honor who each is and contributes to the puzzle of living as God’s people in our time and space. God asks us to bring and share with one another in this life and world of ours our unique selves with our experiences, skills, resources, hopes, and dreams so that God’s realm and ways of compassion, mercy, and meeting of needs to live/grow/thrive are offered to all to receive and share. This requires stepping out in trust in God’s never-failing presence and love even when doing so seems foolish and contrary to those who say “look out for number 1 – yourself – above all else”. And as we do so, the seeds of charity, kindness, self-control, patience, goodness, and gentleness (and more!) are sown and sprout and multiply and spread!
May you, and each one of us, receive and share in the abundance of God’s life-giving love, today and always.
Shalom, Pastor Lynn
July 2025 newsletter
We celebrate:
Children learning of God's love for them and sharing their learning with us!
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July family craft bags are inside the Brick Church, available for anyone to pick up.
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Community outreach includes:
We receive food donations for Joan's Pantry located in Chesterfield
{spaghetti sauce, macaroni & cheese, tuna, and more always welcomed}
and donations of school supplies for Feeding Tiny Tummies.
There are boxes in the Church lobby for them.
*AND*
Community caring with prayer shawls and baby blankets
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For inquiries about use or rental of Fellowship Hall, please call Jo Ann at 603 399-9028.
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9 South Village Common, P. O. Box 214, Westmoreland, New Hampshire 03467 603-399-4880
Email addresses: westmoreland@myfairpoint.net or westmorelandunitedchurchnh@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/WestmorelandUnitedChurch
The church's virtual yardsale is on facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Virtual-Yard-Sale-Westmoreland-United-Church-199621850722207
As the United Church of Christ likes to say,
"No matter who you are, no matter where you are in life's journey, ALL are welcome here!"
We the people of the Westmoreland United Church, have gathered together to worship God and to provide spiritual support for one another in our daily lives. Our common Bond is our belief in God’s love for all and our faith in Jesus Christ. We believe the Bible is just as meaningful today as when it was first written, and we strive to understand and practice its teaching.
Our mission is to help and support the members of our congregation, the people of our community and the people of the world to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. We support those things which promote equality, justice and peace according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Our church is a member of the United Church of Christ, working together with them to accomplish those things best done on a broader scale, and using them as a resource as we serve our local community.
We emphasize individual freedom of conscience and respect the beliefs of other people no matter where they are in their faith’s journey. The Westmoreland United Church accepts all people and excludes none. We welcome everyone to join us as we live out our faith.
Westmoreland United Church Open and Affirming Covenant
We declare ourselves to be an open and affirming church that welcomes all God's people. Regardless of religious beliefs, physical or mental abilities, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression , we welcome you to join us. We invite you to worship with us, to be married in our church, to partake of the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, and to fully share in the life and fellowship of our congregation. We recognize there are differences among us and we believe that we can love alike even though we may not think alike. We proclaim this statement of welcome and affirmation to all including those who have known the pain of exclusion or discrimination in the church and society.
(approved unanimously on June 2, 2019)