Main Street United Methodist Church: Mainstreeter Weekly Blast July 3, 2025

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Friday and Saturday, July 11/12 United Women in Faith Craft Workshops
Sunday, July 13 - Pastor Rich Cullen preaching at 9:30 AM here at MSUMC
Wanakee Fundraiser Sponsor Opportunity
New Volunteer Opportunities (NSKS and NH Food Bank)
Missions Initiative for June and July - Collecting Backpack Supplies
Summer Series - "In the Company of Stone"; looking for your stone stories!
Summer Hours Announced

Download the Summer Series Devotional HERE

On the week when we mark this country's rejection of the tyranny of a king, let's find ways to speak up that honors those values of freedom and liberty and our Christian values of compassion and justice.

This week, a group of clergy from a variety of denominations carried a casket to Capitol Hill to give voice to the people who will be harmed by the "big, destructive budget bill." There was the high school student from West Virginia, receiving SNAP benefits who talked about how he couldn't focus on his auto mechanic class when he didn't have enough to eat. There was an immigrant afraid to go to her job who has contributed to her community for decades. There was a person with a disability who talked about the necessity for Medicaid to survive and said it wasn't dramatic to say that disabled people would die because of this bill. Budget and healthcare experts are actually calculating the tens of thousands of deaths that will result from this bill's passage.

The clergy were concerned that since this bill didn't go through the normal process there was no chance for public comment from those impacted by the proposed legislation. Thus, they created a small window for the stories to be told. Several were arrested. Still there were ordinary citizens telling their stories about how the bill would affect them. Veterans concerned with cuts that made life possible. Pediatricians afraid for the children they serve. Legal experts explaining the changes in law that erode the Constitution and make America more authoritarian. Legislators concerned for the corruption of the bill. Kids passionately talking about their concerns for a country where they can't yet vote. Parents of trans kids, citizens concerned for their parents in nursing homes, Indigenous groups witnessing to the harm of immigration policy. Such an incredible diversity of folks from all over -- such a wide variety of concerns.

Christians are called to care for the most vulnerable among us. To care for the widow and the foreigner, the hungry and the sick. And we're also called to care for God's glorious creation and appreciate its diversity.

I urge you therefore, to find your way to resist. If you want to comment on the bill, the 5 Calls app can make it easy with sample talking points and phone numbers. (I've left messages for Senators and talked to some lovely staff people wanting to hear how people will be impacted). I called again this week to register concern for the elimination of green energy incentives. They were interested to hear how the current incentives made it possible for MSUMC's solar project (which will make more ministry possible).

Find a way to bring who you are to the table. And then join us around the table of Christ this Sunday at 9:30 (note the earlier summer worship time).

RevKelly

PS. If you need help reaching out to your elected officials, call me. And GSOP has organized a monthly, positive message vigil in support of our immigrant neighbors and the population diversity that benefits Nashua at the Soldiers Monument (at the top of MainStreet).

We voted to have the Trustees move forward with installing Solar on our building. We still need your support. If you'd like to add your pledge to our solar campaign mission, click the link below! We will continue to keep you posted on the progress of this impactful project!

Click Here to fill out your Pledge online

A little over three years ago, I was facing a daunting storm of transition. My marriage

was in shambles, my family had moved to New Hampshire, my relationship with my

children was fraught with fear, and I was planning to move from New Jersey to be closer to them and rebuild our relationships. I prayed constantly and deeply about all these challenges and our future. I was worried, but I was not afraid.

I had to rebuild my life in a new state, with a pending divorce, a stressful job, and a life

devoid of nearby family and friends. Psalm 121 often came into my mind for I knew

exactly where my help would come from. Whaleback Light reminds me of MSUMC and the foundation of my Faith. The stones of Whaleback have resisted storms since 1872, and the light has guided countless sailors to safety for over a century.

MSUMC is the beacon of light and life that forged my confidence in this new life. Stone

by stone and moment by moment, my children and I have rebuilt relationships of

comfort, love, trust, and joy. I have new friendships which I cherish and a deepened

sense of purpose in my community. With faith and love we can weather every storm.

~ Submitted by: Ken Mack

United Women in Faith are planning a craft workshop for the weekend of July 11-12. You can drop in either or both days as it fits your schedule. All are welcome, bring favorite scissors, thick tacky glue and glue gun if you have them, but we always have extras. One project is making items from our huge stash of silk flowers such as winter arrangements and kissing balls. You can always cut catnip mice parts from bluejeans. More ideas may be flowing by next week's blast. If you knit or crochet or have your own craft to make and would like some company, please join us for the fellowship.

Contact Pam Breniser if you need a ride or have questions at pjbreniser@gmail.com or call or text at 603-566-2632.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPONSOR THE

WANAKEE WILDERNESS 5K AND BBQ FUNDRAISER

For over 60 years, Wanakee has impacted the lives of young people and campers. Those who have spent time at Wanakee understand why it is called, "beautiful spiritual place in the hills." We create a warm, safe environment where campers of all ages are welcomed, respected, challenged, and accepted.

At Wanakee, we believe that finances should never prevent a child from having a camp experience. Proceeds from the WW5K help to reduce costs to all families, and to provide scholarships to those in need.

Proceeds from the previous Wanakee Wilderness 5Ks have been integral to recent facilities upgrades, all of which empower us to serve campers and achieve our Christian mission more effectively.

MSUMC would like to be one of the sponsors of the great cause. If you are moved to help us reach the $600 needed, please send a check to the office by July 20th and mark Wanakee on the memo line.

NASHUA SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

FOR DINNER CREW

Take a look at their volunteer calendar to see if you could help with one shift (or more) over the next 10 days. Most shifts are only 2 to 3 hours and that commitment from you will help us out tremendously. If you are home for the summer, you can schedule hours for August, too. If you need hours for school, as long as you sign up, then sign in for your shifts, your hours are documented.

Volunteers are the heart of the agency!

Check out NSKS Volunteer Calendar - Click Here

Want to help the NH Food Bank? Here's a volunteer opportunity!

British Car Show of Dreams- 20 volunteers needed!
When: Saturday July 26, 2025 from 9am-3pm. ½ day shifts may be available! Please reach out to amoulton@nhfoodbank.org if you are not able to do a full day but would still like to volunteer!
Where: Alvirne Hill House. 211 Derry Rd, Hudson, NH
About: Volunteer tasks include parking attendants, entrance greeters, monitoring donation car, selling raffle tickets and being at the Food Bank tent to hand out information.

Free Event: Union Documentary - The Rex July 17th

Dear Voice of Faith Community,

We're excited to announce that central and southern New Hampshire residents will get their first opportunity, on Thursday July 17, to see the film UNION, which documents the successful and against-all-odds effort by overworked Amazon employees to unionize Amazon's JKF8 Warehouse in New York.

The New Hampshire Faith & Labor Alliance, several New Hampshire unions and friends of labor will screen the full-length documentary (102 minutes) at the Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst Street, in downtown Manchester – program to begin at 6:30 p.m. – film screening will begin at 7:15 p.m. The tickets are free, but it's important for folks to register here. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The full-length documentary focuses on the successful effort to organize this Staten Island-based Amazon distribution center between 2021 and 2022. The movie stars ordinary workers who take on one of the largest corporations in the world and win. You can view the movie trailer here: Union | Trailer | NYFF62 - YouTube.

The night will start with a panel discussion led by the Rev. Dr. Gail Kinney, a National Writers Union (NWU) member and chair of the economic justice ministry of the NH Conference United Church of Christ. The panel will include New Hampshire union members from the Teamsters, Starbucks Workers United, and the Freelance Solidarity Project/NWU. Speakers will discuss union organizing and the challenges facing New Hampshire workers.

We are screening the movie as a way to engage Granite Staters in the labor movement and the struggles faced by workers throughout the state. It comes at a vital time. Public approval of unions has been growing nationwide, as have the ranks of union-curious workers. This is all in the face of massive corporate resistance, union busting strategies and government efforts to stymie unionization.

We close by thanking our sponsors: Teamsters Local 633, the National Writers Union, the NH Faith & Labor Alliance, the NH UCC Economic Justice Ministry, the NH State Employees Association/SEIU Local 1984, the New Hampshire NewsGuild/CWA, American Friends Service Committee, the International Alliance of Stage Employees 600 and The Palace Theatre.