Friday, January 31, 2025

Mainstreeter Monthly Newsletter - February 2025

͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌ ͏ ‌

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Church office hours:

Mon - Weds - Thurs - Fri from 9:00 - 2:00

Closed on Tuesdays.

Copyright (C) 2025 Mainstreet United Methodist Church. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:

Mainstreet United Methodist Church

PO Box 1517

Nashua, NH 03061-1517

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Thursday, January 30, 2025

Mainstreeter Weekly Blast January 30, 2025

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Our Current Worship Series

Sundays: January 5 - March 2

In person & Live Streaming

We've been getting a lot of good advice from civil rights leaders, theologians, historians, community organizers, and even newscasters. Know your rights. Find your community. Pace yourself. Breathe through it. Stay hydrated. Be careful about your media consumption – analyze, question, review with a critical eye. Find or develop spiritual practices that keep you centered on Christ. They're called "disciplines" for a reason. They will keep your mind and spirit disciplined. If worship once a week is enough to keep you from spinning out, great. Or perhaps you need rituals or routines done more frequently. Light a candle, gather your people, read your scriptures and remind yourself of the prophets. Read a good book. Choose an unconventional saint or good troublemaker (there's some examples on the vestry wall) who have faced hard times and who can speak to us across time of how to make it through.

Check on those who are being targeted and are afraid – immigrants, LGBTQ+ persons, young women, disabled persons, public school teachers, police officers triggered by felons who attacked them being pardoned, those unable to access their Medicare/Medicare payments, medical health professionals, civil servants.

In an Episcopal letter, Bishop Bickerton wrote:
This is a day when the struggle for human rights has reached a new level of importance. It is a day when we must find ways to minister to those around us for if we do not, there is no guarantee that anyone will. This is the time for the church to live out its faith in acts of compassion, grace, justice, joy and love.

In the midst of all that we have experienced in the last few days, there is still much that we do not know. While we are being briefed by state government officials, they acknowledge there's much they do not know. It's important to remember that specific strategies used today may rapidly change tomorrow as policies and actions emerge. We pledge to all of you that we will keep you informed about actions and directions that are recommended to us.

Most of all today, let us reaffirm who we are and what we are called to be as the church: a place of welcome, belonging, safety, and peace. Let us support one another as a people who, by faith, are called to take bold steps to live out our faith, not just talk about it.

Join us in worship this Sunday when Peggy Drew will bring us a word on "Beyond Chaos." Due to the medical emergency with Jim Besada, Deacon Kristy Besada will not be able to lead communion this Sunday. The service of Holy Communion has been postponed to February 9 (we appreciate your understanding).

Peace,

Pastor Kelly

PS. To read the full letter from Bishop Bickerton, click here.

A Prayer Service of Solidarity with Our Immigrant Neighbors

At 7 pm on Thursday, Jan. 30, we will gather via Zoom to pray for our immigrant neighbors, who are particularly vulnerable at this time.

Following the prayer service we will share information on the current policy changes initiated by the Trump Administration and how they impact our neighbors and our ministry.

We will also offer some best practices for how to be in ministry with those who are vulnerable, and take questions.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CALL

Active Bystander Training: Empower Yourself to Make a Difference

Join us for an interactive training session led by experienced trainers from the Granite State Organizing Project. This session will equip you with the tools and skills to be a proactive and effective bystander, fostering a culture of safety, respect, and support in our community. You'll learn how to intervene and prevent harmful behaviors in various situations, including bullying, harassment, discrimination, domestic violence, mental health crises, and more.

Examples of what this training can help with:

Preventing bullying or harassment in schools, workplaces, or public spaces.
Addressing discriminatory behaviors or comments based on race, gender, or other factors.
Supporting victims of domestic violence or abuse.
Interrupting microaggressions and promoting respect.
De-escalating conflicts and preventing violence.
Recognizing signs of mental health struggles and providing support.
Assisting people with disabilities and ensuring inclusive environments.

Date: February 19, 2025
Time: 5pm - 7pm
Location: First Church Nashua Congregational U.C.C., 1 Concord St, Nashua, NH 03064

FREE to attend. Limited space available, so be sure to register!

GN's 10th year . We're just getting started!

We're going to make it social, fun, and tackle some issues along the way by…

Convening groups of neighbors with shared community interests read more
Tackling the issue of where the heck do we get news these days by creating a workgroup of residents and NH journalists. Join by clicking here.
Growing food with neighbors. Join us in one of our 7 community gardens - link
Diverting food waste from residents homes. Join us - link
Sharing extra veggies with those that have and those that need - link

Be the spark for Grow Nashua this year and in turn feel nourished by connecting with your neighbors around shared interest areas!

Church office hours:

Mon - Weds - Thurs - Fri from 9:00 - 2:00

Closed on Tuesdays.

Copyright (C) 2025 Mainstreet United Methodist Church. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:

Mainstreet United Methodist Church

PO Box 1517

Nashua, NH 03061-1517

Add us to your address book

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You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Mainstreeter Weekly Blast January 23, 2025

View this email in your browser

Click Here to Donate Today to MSUMC

Our Current Worship Series

Sundays: January 5 - March 2

In person & Live Streaming

In my Board position on the NH Council of Churches, I get to witness first hand the communities most directly impacted by legislative efforts. This last week was a flurry of bills designed to restrict workers rights, enable no-fault evictions thereby creating more chaos and homelessness in an already stretched housing market, threaten immigrant lives and LGBTQ persons, ignore the disability community's call for equity, and funnel money away from public education to a voucher program that has no transparency or accountability. Many of these bills have been given titles designed to mislead their intent or hide their true impact. People of faith and the Christian denominations of the Council are working hard to inform the public about these efforts and their impact. And they invite your reflection on these pieces of legislation and your engagement in the process. You can stay informed by signing up for the New Hampshire "State House Watch" newsletter that is published weekly during legislative sessions to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including immigration, civil rights, and labor rights. https://afsc.org/state-house-watch

You can of course, take advantage of their information sessions (many of which are online), show up at the State Capitol at their witness events, AND/OR, from your home, you can log in and share your comments online, registering your support or opposition to a bill. It's easy to do. And it's one way you can make your voice of faith heard.

There's a lot going on nationally that it's harder to know how to have an impact on, but advocating your faith values at the State level is something you can do. Know that at all levels, the denominational representatives and interfaith voices of faith are working together to create strategies to follow Jesus' lead in protecting the most vulnerable. Closer to home, GSOP has offered workshops for immigrants to know their rights. Efforts are underway to protect worship spaces from the intrusion of ICE. You can use your buying power to support companies that support diversity and equality.

This Saturday, Main Street has a "Light a Candle for Justice" workshop at 10:30 in the vestry. Even if you don't want to make a candle, you can come and learn about ways you can stand for justice. We're in this together.

Pastor Kelly

District Youth Event

On January 18th, our youth joined the other UM youth at St. James UMC in Merrimack, NH for the District Youth Event. The youth began with a service project, enabling the church to assemble 440 purses filled with necessities and deliver them to the needy in nearby organizations. The youth then enjoyed games and snacks and had fun with Rev. Evan McElreath, the Wanakee Director.

Church office hours:

Mon - Weds - Thurs - Fri from 9:00 - 2:00

Closed on Tuesdays.

Mainstreet United Methodist Church

PO Box 1517

Nashua, NH 03061-1517

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