Spring is particularly special gift this year after a long winter of snow and ice. Colorful blooms and a thousand shades of green are everywhere. And our fellowship is filled with activity and planning so read on!

Last Sunday as we celebrated Pentecost– it was a joyous Sunday! (Pentecost means 50 in Greek, marking 50 days after Easter.) Almost everyone wore something red as we remembered and called forth the coming of God’s Holy Spirit, a Spirit that still can calm and animate us.

We also remembered our veterans who have died serving our country’s highest ideals of freedom and democracy. Many among us remembered relatives and friends who went forth bravely — even as families waited, worked and prayed faithfully at home.This year it marks an important moment for our nation as we strive to study and look to the ways of peace and peace- making.

A special luncheon following worship on June 28th will honor our beloved organist , Geneva Clifford as she moves into her time of rest and sabbatical during July and August. We are pleased that David Gilcreast– a regular attender (with wife Stacy) and a wonderful pianist will be filling in for these weeks. AND we will also lift up St. John’s Day with Tucker Lodge #99 as they mark this annual celebration on this day. We look forward to all of it.

As part of Raymond’s Town Fair there will be an ecumenical service on the Common at 9 AM on Sunday, July 12th. Start the day out with a note of joy enjoying fellowship with your neighbors. Music will fill the air!

Planning for the Annual Chix BBQ is in the works. This year the date is July 25th. This takes lots of work and preparation! The church and Tucker Lodge work together to make this is a highpoint on the week. Umm!

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If you know anyone in need, please be in touch. As always, we welcome long-time members and visitors into the warmth and fellowship of our sanctuary every Sunday at 10:30– broken hearts, healing hearts, searching hearts. Music, prayer, friendship and joy await them. There is always time of fellowship time to follow (with excellent goodies.) And please note that 211 NH is available for non-emergency assistance to find resources in your community for food, housing and more.

Our church mission statement: Our foundation is built on faith in the grace and love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. Our mission is to engage in joyful worship, reach out in service to an ever-widening community, and to foster an open and welcoming fellowship for all.

+ Several community groups meet in our building each week: AA groups, Adult Children of Alcoholics, and a Sunday afternoon craft group are all open to newcomers. Be in touch with Lisa for details at lstorck0789@gmail.com.

+ 15 Women’s Health Care Packs for those facing national or human-made disaster have been delievered ot Bow, NH, the local drop off site. From there they will be distributed immediately. A big thank you to Dana and her daughter for getting them where they needed to be. And thank you to all who contributed so generously.

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+ We officially entered into covenant by the NH Conference of the United Church of Christ, and were joyfully welcomed at the statewide Prepared to Serve event in Pembroke on Feb. 28th (a wonderful day of worship and workshops) Our pastor and four of our attendees assisted with Communion in the morning. What a joyful occasion!

+ Pastoral Search Update: The NH UCC is assisting the congregation’s pastoral search team in securing a new (permanent) pastor as well as providing other resources we may need or want. We will also offer our gifts to our partner churches throughout the Conference. Those serving on the Pastoral Search Committee include Mike Mertinooke, Dana Zulager, Sharon Soles, & Susan Bruhmuller.

STOP BY FOR WORSHIP! We would love to have you join us any Sunday morning at 10:30. Our choir sings! The congregation sings and prays (and sometimes laughs a little,) scripture is read and reflected on– and then we spend time over goodies visiting, listening and getting to know each other. Consider this our heartiest invitation. Please feel free to bring a friend or family member. Every guest is welcomed with open arms. Worship lasts for about an hour.

                  Jesus depicted carrying home a single lamb, the centerpiece of our beautiful sanctuary stained-glass.

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WHO WE ARE

If this is your first visit here we offer a little background on who we are.

My name is Rev. Linda Lea Snyder and I serve this wonderful little church as part time interim pastor. Originally from Providence, RI I attended the University of RI and then, Andover Newton Theological School, receiving my Masters of Divinity degree in 1981. I now live happily in Nottingham on Lake Pawtuckaway. Kayaking, reading, my 3 grown children (and 2 wonderful grandsons) are, with ministry, my chief joys.

A little about the congregation…

The Congregational Church of Raymond (CCR), UCC is a small and growing community of faith made up of long-time members and new members as well as a number of guests. Together we find supportive fellowship, a place to use our gifts to make a difference, and to explore what I call “holy questions.” Worship is traditional and innovative. We offer a big tent and welcome different perspectives– believing each person explores and discerns their own path to faith. (Important note: our coffee/tea time after worship is one of the best parts of Sunday morning.)

  During this interim period between settled pastors CCR we are interested in learning the needs of our wider community. We are asking, “What are some of the ways our congregation might use its gifts to help in practical and spiritual ways right now? (If you are reading this and have an idea please be in touch with Pastor Linda, contact info below.) We are also enjoying a process of discovering our personal spiritual gifts– some we’ve known, others come as a lovely surprise.