Christmas Eve offering to help Rohingya family immigrate to USA

Each year, the offering taken at the Christmas Eve service goes directly out into the world to support an urgent humanitarian need. The church matches to offering up to $500.

This year the offering will go to Refugee Helpers of Southern New Hampshire, associated with Project Home, to help sponsor a Rohingya family of five through the US State Department’s Welcome Corps program. See page 4-5 of the December Meetinghouse to read more about the family and their cousin who immigrated in 2013 after 20 years in a refugee camp in Malaysia.

You can also make a donation online by clicking the DONATE button at the top of the page and directing your gift to the Christmas Eve offering.

December Message: Not Just Christmas Spirit

by Paster Eliot Fay

Over the coming weeks, as you do your Christmas shopping or listen to the radio or TV, chances are you'll hear numerous references to “Christmas Spirit”. And when people speak of Christmas Spirit, what they usually mean are those feelings and thoughts such as generosity, joyfulness, and selflessness that we think should be particularly characteristic of the Christmas season.

And it is certainly true that at Christmas, we especially take time to remember and be inspired by the beauty of the gift of God that came wrapped in swaddling clothes and was delivered to a Bethlehem manger. And it is true that at Christmas we are moved and awed by the selfless love of God that we recognize in the coming of the Christ child. But let’s also remember that the kindness, selflessness, and goodwill of God that we see so clearly displayed in the Christmas story is in no way limited to just the Christmas story - that God's “Christmas Spirit” continued to be displayed beyond the manger, throughout the life of Jesus, as he fed the hungry, shared meals with his neighbors, and prayed with the scared and hurting.

May it also be true of us that whatever extra measure of Christmas Spirit is birthed in us this season won’t fade, but will continue to grow and mature in us beyond the holidays, displaying throughout the year that much needed generosity, kindness, and joyfulness that is so often set aside with our Christmas remembrances.

Shine on Star of Bethlehem
by Geoffrey Duncan

When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person

it is Christmas.

When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love

it is Christmas.

When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes

it is Christmas.

When the spirit of revenge dies in me

it is Christmas.

When in my heart I no longer want to stay apart

it is Christmas.

When I am buried in the being of God

it is Christmas.

Angel Tree is Up - Gifts due Dec 18

12-11-24 Our Angel Tree is ready for generous shoppers in the community! We have a small tree with stars on it in the church's front entrance. Each star has the age of the child and the gift requested. Please choose a star and write your name on the clipboard list next to the tree. This will help us keep track of things. If you are unable to come to the church but would like to participate, please reach out via email or phone and we can assist you.

Please bring all gifts, unwrapped, to the church by Wednesday, December 18 at noon. When you drop off your gift, attach the star with the gift information to the gift itself. This will help us know where they go and also if we are missing any.

If you have any questions about the Angel Tree, please email nelsonchurchucc@gmail.com or leave a message at the church at (603) 847-3280.

Thank you for your generosity and for brightening the season for others!

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2024 social justice grants

1-8-24 The Nelson Congregational Church is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Garrett-Larsen Social Justice awards. A total of $2,250 was awarded in December 2023, split between two local nonprofits.

$1,250 was given to the Fall Mountain Weekend Food Backpack Program, a community effort that provides free breakfasts, main meals, and snacks on weekends and school vacation weeks to many students in the towns served by the Fall Mountain Regional School District. As the grant application noted, “The teachers, nurses, and staff at Fall Mountain are trained to recognize student hunger when they see it. Hopefully this program … will reduce the number of students that we see coming to school hungry.”

$1,000 went to Feeding Tiny Tummies, a Keene-based, all-volunteer nonprofit that provides fresh produce, bread, milk, and nonperishables to schools, day cares, and individuals in the Monadnock region. Founded in 2017, the organization has grown to include a resource center for job seekers, seniors, and other groups.

The Social Justice Fund was created in 2019, with broad community support, to honor former pastor Rev. Dawn Garrett-Larsen at the conclusion of her ministry in Nelson. The grants are given with no restrictions.

Steering Committee, Garrett-Larsen Social Justice Fund: Steve Cady, Avery Hurley, Susan Peery, Betsy Street, Judy Waterston, Deanna Zilske, Rev. Eliot Fay

More information on our Social Justice Fund page.