Conway Village
Congregational Church
April 2026
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How many Communions?
Recently, the Diaconate questioned, “How many communions do we hold as we come to celebrate Easter?” It’s traditional to have communion on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus gathering his disciples into the Upper Room in Jerusalem. The tradition of the Brown Church is to celebrate communion the first Sunday of each month. “Will we be celebrating two Communions – one on Thursday and one on Sunday?”
We begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday. People come to have their palms blessed, the craftier among us know how to weave them into crosses. Thus Palm Sunday is the bridge from Lent into Holy Week from contemplation and introspection, to Christ’s passion, the Via Delerosa, the cross, the grave and the resurrection.
Holy Week is a special celebration of the faith which is different from every other week in the Christian liturgy. There is no benediction on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or the Vigil of Holy Saturday (if celebrated), as these observances end with the “Hallelujahs” of Easter morning. This
is a four-day celebration of the unique revelation of our faith which is considered a unified observance which ends with the Benediction of Easter morning. (Traditionally, we have celebrated with the 3-fold response of “Christ is Risen! – “Alleluia!”, with each call and response rising in volume).
To fulfill the obligations of the end of Holy Week, only one communion is served on Maundy Thursday. It is a wonderful and special celebration!
Maundy Thursday – 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Good Friday – 6:30 p.m. – Lutheran Church of Nativity, N. Conway
Easter Celebration – 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall
Pastor John Hughes April 2026
The Dark Night …or Holy Saturday
We are an Easter People; we know the end of the story. Yes, Jesus was betrayed, flogged, crucified, died, and put in a borrowed tomb…. but we know what happens next. We know the joy of the resurrection, the promise of our forgiven sins, the hope that death is not the end, but the beginning of our new life with Jesus.
Because we have read the last chapter, it is hard to read about the disciples, and other followers of Jesus, running and hiding in fear. They were confused, “why did he die?’ “Why didn’t he just zap them all down and claim his throne at that time?’ “How could Judas betray him (them)”? “How had they just wasted 3 years of their lives, with nothing to show but a price on their heads?” “How could God the Father allow His Son to …?”
And yet we, like the disciples, do not know the end of our stories, or even what is written on the next page! There are times when we, like the disciples, may question Gods plan for us, or those we love, or even the World! We do not see the next day, we only see the dark of the night, the unjustness, the hurt, the pain.
We also question “How could God allow…?”
After the disciple’s dark night, they were met in the garden, visited in the locked room, accompanied on the Road to Emmaus, served fish by the lake, and eventually filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Jesus promised the House with Many Rooms (John 16), and he promised to send The Helper (John 15). The disciples heard these promises from the lips of Jesus, and yet they scattered and were afraid. We can read these promises in the Bible, hear them in church, and sing them…and yet we, like the disciples, doubt, we have our dark nights. We know that Jesus rose from the dead, the first of many. We believe that we are part of the many.
That does not mean that we do not have dark nights, that does not mean that we don’t doubt the wisdom / purpose of what is happening. But we must remember the empty tomb, and trust that God has a plan, even if we do not understand it…and maybe use the time to draw closer to God rather than hiding in fear.
Easter Blessings,
Your Deacons,
Boz, Beth, Jill and Judy
Semi-annual Meeting July 12th
The next item on the Semi-Annual Meeting’s agenda will be to officially call Rev. John Hughes as our pastor. I realize that this sounds ridiculous since John is entering his 10th year with us, but let me remind everyone of our path to this point.
After Martell left us, the Deaconate was charged by our by-laws to find an interim minister until a search committee could be formed and a new pastor formally called by the congregation. The Deaconate, along with assistance from the Conference Minister of the UCC was able to obtain the services of Rev.
John Hughes, who had just retired from his church in Manchester by The Sea and was looking to relocate to his summer cottage in Laconia. He had skills and knowledge of how to run a capital campaign, which at the time was something that the church was struggling with to get started.
Initially, Rev. John Hughes did not want to move his standing to NH or to have dual standing, as this was to be a short-term call. As the church was also going through some changes, due to falling member-ship, the aging of the congregation etc. Rev. John Hughes, the Deaconate, Trustees and Council agreed this would be called a Transitional Ministry, which by the way, really confused the North Country Associa-tion. But, due to the impacts of the covid pandemic, some things got postponed or delayed, and just trying to work through the constraints of what the pandemic was forcing us into. The pandemic sprawled out for 3-4 years before somewhat getting back to normal, only to have a major flood set us back and really chal-lenge the faith and resolve of the church.
But through all this, Rev. John Hughes has stayed the course, but now that so much time has passed, the Transitional Ministry needs to be changed. Rev. John Hughes needs to be formally called by the church so that he can actually be granted standing in the NH Conference and officially be installed as our pastor. There are numerous reasons why this is necessary for insurance purposes, liability purposes, and liturgical purposes.
So, with this in mind, the congregation will be asked at the Semi-Annual Meeting on July 12th to formally call Rev. John Hughes to be the called minister of the church. It will be a busy meeting, but can be a joyous one.
I look forward to the opportunity to lead the church in worship the Sunday after Easter on the 12th, as Rev. John Hughes gets to take a break from the multiple Lenten services during the week of Easter.
May God continue to enrich our lives with His presence.
Sincerely, Carl F. Vitters – Moderator
Council Meeting Highlights – March 18, 2026
At its March meeting, Council reviewed finances, approved upcoming events, and continued planning for major building and ministry initiatives.
Financial Update:
Total deposits for late February through mid-March were $25,866, including worship income, donations, a one time bequest and fundraising proceeds. This total included $14,638 in restricted, fund-specific contributions.
Building & Capital Campaign:
The exterior siding project and replacement of eight sanctuary windows on the west wall are expected to begin later this summer.
Worship & Programs:
Pastor John Hughes received approval to host a two-part lecture series this October in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, with community partnerships already in place.
Holy Week services will include:
- Maundy Thursday (April 2, 6 PM) with Communion
- Good Friday (held at the Lutheran Church)
- No Easter Sunrise Service, breakfast, or coffee hour this year
Spring Fundraising Event – May 16:
This year’s event will replace the traditional yard sale and will feature:
- Vendor & craft spaces
- Bake sale
- Plant sale
- Gift baskets (“Pick-a-Prize”)
- Lunch
Volunteers, baked goods, gift basket donations, and vendor participation will be essential to the event’s success.
Other Updates:
- Plans are underway for July 4th hot dog sales during the parade; the Masons will offer lemonade and
- New TV carts to raise the TVs height to improve visibility were approved and
- Council continues to focus on strengthening church finances, advancing building restoration, and expanding community engagement opportunities.
Opportunity to Support Worship @ the Brown Church
What Do the following Words have In Common? Music, Easter Flowers for shut-ins, Christmas Trees and wreaths, Palm branches, the Sanctuary-Worship, Bibles, Hymnals, and furnishings, Cleaning of Altar clothes, Technology equipment, Communion, Guest Musicians, Copyright Licenses for written and online Music, Coffee Fellowship, Birthday Cakes and Cards of Concern Ministry . . . . .
I know, the first word to pop into your head was Diaconate! Not only do the deacons plan, organize and serve to provide all of these facets of ministry, but we are also financially responsible for all these various aspects of the worship ministry. Many of these items are provided for by the Memorial Fund, others by financial gifts by members and friends of the Brown Church. However, much of the Diaconate’s operat-ing budget is not. This has resulted in a deficit budget for several years.
Your Diaconate
Spring Marketplace – Vendors, Volunteers & Community Support Needs!
The Conway Village Church is excited to host our Spring Marketplace on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring artisans, craft vendors, a plant sale, bake sale, lunch, and our popular gift basket raffle.
This year, we are trying something new! Instead of our traditional yard sale, we are introducing a vendor marketplace format. Over time, the yard sale has required significant storage space and a large number of volunteers to organize and manage. With limited space and changing volunteer availability, this new approach allows us to continue hosting a vibrant spring event while keeping it manageable and enjoyable for everyone.
We are currently welcoming vendors to participate in this community event. If you—or someone you know—creates crafts, artwork, handmade goods, or has collectibles or other items to sell, we would love to have you join us! Vendor space is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with applica-tions open through May 1st.
In addition to vendors, we are looking for volunteers to help make the day a success. We will need assistance with event setup on Friday, help throughout the day on Saturday, and cleanup afterward to prepare the hall for Sunday worship. Even a few hours of help makes a big difference.
We are also seeking donations for two important parts of the event:
- Bake Sale Contributions
Homemade baked goods are always a favorite! If you are willing to contribute, we would appre-ciate items such as cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, breads, rolls, muffins, fudge, or any other home-baked treats that typically sell well.
- Gift Basket Raffle Donations
Our raffle is always a highlight of the day. We especially welcome themed gift baskets, and we encourage local businesses to consider donating items or gift certificates.
As we plan for our Spring Marketplace on May 16, we’re exploring the idea of adding a Media Table featuring gently used Books, CDs, DVDs, and Video Games as a fundraiser for the church.
With renewed interest in physical media, this could be a nostalgic and sustainable way to give new life to items you no longer use—while helping others rediscover old favorites.
Do you have items like these that you’d be willing to donate? If there’s enough interest and inventory, we’d love to include this as part of the event.
Please let us know by April 20 if you’d be interested in contributing—your gently used media can help support the church while finding a new home!
This event is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community—whether by participating as a vendor, volunteering your time, contributing to the bake sale or raffle, or simply joining us for the day—browsing, shopping, and enjoying all the event has to offer while supporting the church.
Sign-up sheets for baked goods, raffle donations, & volunteers will be available soon.
Thank you in advance for your support of this church fundraiser and community gathering event!
For more information about vendor participation or to get involved, please contact the church at 603-447-3851 or info@thebrownchurch.org.
Trustees Meeting Highlights – March 3, 2026At their early March meeting, the Trustees reviewed finances, building needs, and upcoming events as the church continues its recovery and planning efforts. Financial Update: Deposits for late February through mid-March were $25,866, including worship income, donations, a one time bequest and proceeds from the Pasta Dinner fundraiser. This total included restricted, fund-specific contributions designated for the Food Pantry and music ministry. The Trustees also reviewed cash flow, noting that a recent endowment draw was necessary to cover the church’s annual flood insurance premium of $13,784. Building & Maintenance: Several projects are moving forward, including:
Masons Lodge-room Project: The town has requested a building engineer to inspect the foundation and an air quality test due to the work the Masons have done in the former Henderson Room. This will be paid for by the Masons. FEMA Projects: With an August 2026 FEMA deadline approaching, discussions continue on how to complete or fund remaining projects, including sanctuary carpeting and HVAC improvements. The Trustees anticipate that an additional extension may be requested to allow sufficient time to complete this work. Community & Events: Planning is underway for upcoming events: Spring Marketplace Event – May 16: Featuring vendors, bake sale, plant sale, and lunch offerings. July 4 Parade: Anticipated food and beverage sales in coordination with the Masons. Looking Ahead: The Trustees continue to balance immediate building needs with long-term planning, while also managing the church’s day-to-day operational expenses. Meeting regular monthly costs—such as utilities, insurance, and general upkeep—remains an ongoing challenge, and continued support is essential to sustain both our ministries and our building. |
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Charles Wesley 1707-1788
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” a resurrection hymn written by Charles Wesley, one of the famed Methodist Wesley brothers, appeared first in 1739 in a volume called “Hymns and Sacred Poems”. Wesley’s inspiration for this hymn came from a 14th century Latin composition “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”. It was first called “Hymn for Easter,” and has known wide popularity from the time it was written. Of all of Wesley’s hymns this one is sung the most:
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia ! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia ! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia ! Sing, ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia !
April Worship Schedule
Thursday, April 2nd – Maundy Thursday ~ Communion service
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
John 13:1-17
Meditation:
Sunday, April 5th – Easter Sunday
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Jeremiah 31:1-6
John 20:11-18
Sermon: “Confused After All this Time!”
Sunday, April 12th
Psalm 16
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
Sermon: “No Need to Fear, God is Here!”
Sunday, April 19th
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
Sermon: “Chosen, Broken Consecrated”
Sunday, April 26th
Psalm 23
Acts 2:42-47
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
Sermon: “I am the Gate Keeper”
