Conway Village
Congregational Church
July 2026
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Koinonia
If we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another. 1 John 1:7
Koinonia, is a Greek understanding of a shared community, that brings light to everyone. Because it comes from a root word that means “partner” or “companion,” it means a sharing of possessions, experiences, and life.
It could be argued that society in the first century was more divided than today with all our modern problems. Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, men and women, Greeks and “barbarians”—all these had their separate and distinct places in society. Jews and Gentiles distrusted each other and had as little to do with each other as possible. Men mattered more than women; masters ruled over their slaves. But “in Christ,” all these distinctions disappeared. Instead of divisions, there was koinonia, a close intimate relationship of fellowship, sharing, and love.
In May 2020 it was reported that 34.5% of adults in the U.S. experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression (Panchal, 2021). That number increased to 40.1% of people in the month of July and remained constant at slightly above 40% all the way into January 2021 (Panchal, 2021). From what the data shows we can conclude that self-isolation due to COVID-19 has increased people reporting that they’re experiencing symptoms of depression. – Clemson University Study. Quoting Rebecca Dolgin “We’ve already seen a steady rise in deaths by suicide over the past two decades”. Statistics found that 75,000 additional people could die from what they called “deaths of despair,” (which include suicide and substance use) because of Covid-19” (Dolgin, 2020). Separation, isolation, and desperation will be counteracted by creating a strong sense of community, an intimacy, where people are recognized, validated, and acknowledged, i.e., with an increasing sense of Koinonia. It means creating a community built on a common sense (a commonwealth) of gifts that makes a difference in the giver’s life and in the lives of people who are being served.
This “Communio” (Latin for common sharing and identity) is essential to offer people a sense of shared purpose, to counteract the isolation which haunts our communities. The Brown Church has always supported the health and welfare of the greater Mount Washington community. We continue to support the longest-running ecumenical food program, The Dinner Bell, and in our service to relieve hunger through our Pantry, as well as our programs of Biblical study and worship.
This common sense of our humanity and faith continues to be relevant and necessary. We continue to offer people a light in a darkened world.
Rev. John Hughes July 2026
Celebrating Father’s Day as Children of God
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from all their homes and brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres. The singers were also assembled … Nehimiah 12:27-28a
Fifty years ago the town of Conway joined the nation in celebrating the Bicentennial. For a couple of years before 1976, people studied proper clothing styles, music, customs, and even joined Brownlow and Dorthea Thompson and the Bicentennial Dancers. Helen Nute came to the 2nd Congregational Church with ideas of how to celebrate, and the music of Thomas Patrick Murphy. Local businesses hired seamstresses to make outfits for their employees.
July 4th was a Sunday in 1976. Rev Chris Horvath was the new minister. Delores Keefe was the Choir director and Petrina Paoletti the organist. The church planned a “traditional service” (though greatly abbreviated).
Mrs. Keefe and Mrs. Paoletti worked with the choir to learn the music of Thomas Patrick Murphy. It was written in his original hand, and looked like calligraphy to me (though it was probably written with a quill). Some of you may recognize his wife’s name, Lady Blanch (Murphy) whose home is on Upper West Side Road.
All of the ladies pulled out their sewing machines to create dresses. The Fashion Corner had a door prize of a beautiful red, white, and blue dress. I was the lucky winner, so I wore that dress to church on the 4th. Mom made herself a dress, and cut off a pair of pants so my brother could have knickers, which he wore with one of my blouses that had a lacy tie at the neck. Dad had his outfit that was sewn by Susanne who made outfits for all of the employees of White Mountain National Bank.
The ushers were given sticks (about the length of a bamboo fishing rod) with a feather and a small stone. If a man fell asleep, he was to be “nudged” awake with the stone. The ladies were to be tickled with the feather.
Rev. Horvath did not speak for hours, but did include several traditional aspects of worship that we have modified over the centuries. The Call to Confession was different. Rather then a general call to confess in our own minds, People stood up and accused people in the congregation, and the person had to respond. During the July 4th service a man was accused of imbibing, and I was accused of riding a horse in a manner to attract the attention of young men (I was 15 at the time).
It was a memorable time, and a fun way for the entire community to come together to celebrate our Nation’s Independence. May we continue to be one Nation, Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all.
Blessings,
Your Deacons, Boz, Beth, Jill and Judy
By July 1776, New Hampshire was already moving toward independence. Earlier that year, it became the first former colony to establish its own government, and more than ninety percent of New Hampshire’s eligible men signed the Association Test, pledging support for the American cause. The stage was set for what would come next.
On July 16, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was publicly read in Exeter, New Hampshire’s revolutionary capital. From there, riders, newspapers, broadsides, local Committees of Safety, and militia officers carried the news throughout the colony. Whether by newspaper, a broadside posted in a public place, or a traveler bringing word from Exeter, by the end of July even people living in New Hampshire’s most rural settlements had likely heard that Congress had declared independence.
Imagine hearing that news for the first time. Soon the words themselves begin to circulate.
“When in the Course of human events…”
These are not the words of a petition. They are not a request for compromise. They are the words of a people declaring their place among the nations of the world.
Then come the familiar words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
The Declaration gives voice to ideas that had been taking root throughout New Hampshire and New England—in town meetings, churches, homes, and village commons.
But perhaps the most remarkable words are these:
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America…”
For generations, people had thought of themselves primarily as New Hampshire citizens, Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, Connecticut farmers, or simply New Englanders. The colonies often cooperated, but each had its own government, traditions, and interests.
Now they were speaking with one voice.
For the people of New Hampshire, that realization may have been as remarkable as the Declaration itself. Independence was no longer simply the cause of one colony. Thirteen colonies had united to declare themselves free people, presenting themselves to the world as something entirely new.
The excitement of that moment was matched only by its uncertainty. Would Britain accept this declaration? Would the war grow even larger? Could thirteen united colonies prevail against the most powerful empire on earth?
No one knew.
Churches throughout New Hampshire and New England became places of prayer and reflection. Congregations sought wisdom for their leaders, protection for their soldiers, and courage for the uncertain days ahead.
As the Declaration closed with the pledge of “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor,” those listening understood that these were more than inspiring words. The men who signed the document were risking everything, and many who heard it realized they might be called upon to do the same.
Two hundred and fifty years later, those words still echo—not simply because they declared independence, but because they united thirteen separate colonies in a common cause and challenged ordinary people to imagine a future they could not yet see.
Some articles and images in this newsletter were created or edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools.
July Worship Schedule
Sunday, July 5th – Communion
Psalm 45:10-17
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Sunday, July 12th
Psalm 119:105-112
Genesis 25:19-34
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Sunday, July 19th
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Genesis 28:10-19a
Matthew 13:24-30,36-43
Sunday, July 26th
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Genesis 29:15-28
Matthew 13:31-33
Worship Services Sundays at 10:00 AM ~ All Are Welcome! ~ Come as you are
Join us after worship for coffee fellowship
We are currently worshiping in Fellowship Hall ~ there is still a lot of work to be done in the Sanctuary
Worship with us on Zoom. Login information is available on the website www.thebrownchurch.org/
Conway Village Congregational Church Council Highlights
The Church Council met on June 17 and reviewed financial reports, upcoming events, building needs, and ministry activities.
Financial Update
Council reviewed the church’s financial position and approved a $7,000 withdrawal from the Dahl Endowment to meet current operating expenses including payroll. While offerings, building use fees, and fundraising continue to support the church’s ministries, the need for additional endowment withdrawals highlights the ongoing financial challenges facing the congregation.
Church Activities & Building Use
A new community yoga program will begin on July 8 and will meet Wednesdays and Saturdays in Fellowship Hall.
Building Projects
J&J Flooring is scheduled to complete work in the Narthex on July 22.
Fryeburg Fair Apple Crisp
Council endorsed a Trustees’ Appeal to help fund the purchase of a new apple processing machine for the Fryeburg Fair Apple Crisp Project. The equipment would significantly reduce volunteer labor while helping sustain the church’s most important annual fundraiser.
Council also discussed producing a limited number of half-size (8×10) apple crisp pans for sale during Fryeburg Fair week, online sales, and the Holiday Fair.
Diaconate News
The June hymn-story worship service was well received. A church workday resulted in significant progress cleaning and organizing storage areas. Plans for a new altar table with built-in storage will be considered as part of the future sanctuary restoration project.
The Diaconate reminds everyone that coffee fellowship is an important part of our church community. Volunteers are needed to provide snacks and assist with coffee hour set-up and clean-up.
Upcoming Congregational Meeting
Preparations continue for the Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting on July 12, which will include consideration of whether the church should register as a beneficiary organization under New Hampshire’s Charitable Gaming program.
The next Council meeting will be held on July 22 at 4:30 PM.
Moderator’s Moment
In last month’s writing I gave you some ideas to think about with the pros and cons of taking money from a casino. This month I did a search in the Bible, to see what scripture says. The Scriptures do not say anything about accepting money from gambling. There are however many scriptures cautioning putting your focus on money ahead of God. Many of which are sound advice. Here are just a few that I thought pertinent to our discussion.
1Timothy 6:10- For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Proverbs 13:11- Dishonest money dwindles away, but who ever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Luke 12:15- Then He said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.
Hebrews 13:5- Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Ecclesiastes 5:10- Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
I was intrigued to find many scriptures that seemed not to care about where the money came from but to include God in all financial decisions. Here are a few of those for you to consider.
Proverbs 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Psalm 37:5- Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.
Proverbs 16:3- Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Matthew 7:7- Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
James 1:5- If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Seeking God’s guidance is a fundamental aspect of managing our finances wisely. We should turn to Him in prayer and allow His wisdom to influence our financial choices. By inviting God into our financial discussions and decisions, we create a partnership where we align with His intentions for our lives. When we trust His timing and plan, we can experience peace in our financial journey. This act of surrender shifts our focus from what we can control to what God can accomplish in and through us.
The Trustees laid out our financial picture, it is not a sustainable path. The church needs to attract more members. All the fundraising we do is not enough and requires an extreme amount of time. We have options on the table, but we need more time for them to unfold. Taking money from outside sources is one way to possibly buy enough time. While taking money from a morally questionable source may seem to go against our beliefs. Consider this fact, the source of that money is going to increase the dependency of those who choose to gamble away their money and will need more assistance, probably from town assistance programs and most likely from the church’s food pantry, Dinner Bell etc. Taking the money is, in a sense just a payback to us for the increased amounts that we will likely see happen over time.
Like I have stated before, the new siding and exterior renovations are going to be a huge sign to the community, and we will need to capitalize our exposure and promote our church to draw in those new members that is really the only way a church can continue to be financially sound.
I encourage all of you to prayerfully consider, and to ask God to define our goals and lead us on the paths that He has for us. I respect and honor your position in regard to this matter. The vote will be taken by ballot vote, so that no one knows how you voted. There will be no pressure on you regardless of how you decide. Consider everything that has been presented, ask God for help and if you still have questions, we will do our best to answer them at the Semi-Annual Meeting on the 12th of July.
As your Moderator, I have tried to present both sides of the discussion, so that you can make an informed choice. As Moderator, I do not vote, unless your votes come out in a tie. Then and only then do I cast the deciding vote, which also means that everybody knows how I voted.
Please be sure to attend the meeting, this is probably one of the most important decisions the church has had to make in the past decade or more.
God Bless you all!
Sincerely, Carl F. Vitters
Moderator
Trustees Tidings
Understanding NH Charitable Gaming Funds: Your Questions Answered
At our July Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting, members of Conway Village Congregational Church will be asked to vote on whether the church should enroll as a nonprofit beneficiary in New Hampshire’s charitable gaming program. Our recent congregational survey showed strong support for exploring this opportunity, while also highlighting several questions members would like answered before the July 12 vote.
How does the program work?
Under New Hampshire law, charitable gaming facilities are required to share a portion of gaming revenue with nonprofit organizations. Approved 501(c)(3) organizations may apply to become beneficiaries. If approved by both Revo Casino and the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, the church would be scheduled as the designated beneficiary for a specific period, typically 7-10 days, and would receive the charitable portion of gaming revenue generated during that time.
Does accepting these funds mean the church is endorsing gambling?
No. The church would not promote gambling or encourage participation in gaming activities. Our role would be limited to serving as a beneficiary of a state-regulated charitable program. Accepting these funds does not require the church to take a position for or against gambling; it simply means receiving charitable funds that state law requires gaming facilities to distribute to nonprofit organizations.
What percentage of gaming revenue goes to charity?
Under current New Hampshire law, charitable organizations collectively receive 35% of charitable gaming revenue. In 2025, New Hampshire casinos donated approximately $64 million to nonprofit organizations, including youth organizations, veterans groups, community service agencies, and churches.
How might accepting these funds reflect on our church?
The Trustees contacted churches currently participating in the program and asked about their experiences. The feedback was positive. Churches reported using charitable gaming funds for building maintenance, capital improvements, and grant matching requirements. There was no reported negative feedback from members or the community after participating.
While each congregation must make its own decision, we found no evidence that participation in New Hampshire’s charitable gaming program had negatively affected the reputation, mission, or community relationships of the churches we contacted.
How would the funds be used and reported?
If approved, the Trustees and Council would recommend that charitable gaming funds be restricted to church property and operational expenses, including flood insurance, building improvements, building maintenance, utilities, accessibility projects, and other costs associated with preserving and maintaining church facilities.
Any recommendations regarding the use of funds would remain subject to the oversight and approval processes already established within the church.
The Trustees would provide regular reports, so members know when funds are received, how much is received, and how the funds are used.
Why is the church considering this opportunity?
Like many churches, Conway Village Congregational Church faces ongoing financial challenges. Church offerings, fundraising, and other income continue to fall short of covering annual operating expenses, resulting in an annual deficit of approximately $50,000. While investment fund withdrawals have helped bridge that gap, they are not a sustainable long-term solution.
At the same time, we continue recovering from the 2023 flood. While current building fund resources should be sufficient to complete the exterior siding project, significant work remains before the sanctuary can reopen.
Charitable gaming funds would not solve every financial challenge facing the church. However, they could provide an important additional source of income to help preserve our building, complete needed flood recovery projects, maintain our facilities, and reduce pressure on our operating budget.
The question before us is not whether gambling is good or bad. Rather, it is whether charitable funds made available through a state-regulated program can be used to help our church continue serving God and our community.
Whatever your position on this issue, we encourage all members to continue asking questions, share concerns, and prayerfully consider this matter before the congregational vote on July 12
Board of Trustees: Anne Getchell, John Edgerton, Duddie Andrews and Nancy Irving
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