Conway Village
Congregational Church
September 2026 Community News
Click the newsletter link below to view or download the full version of the newsletter
The Gathering Place
at
The Brown Church
When we consider the development of the Brown Church, the concept of “The Gathering Place” is very important. We will begin to see a new sign on the Sanctuary doors which directs people to “The Gathering Place”, while a sign over the door to our Fellowship Door which will also read, “The Gathering Place”. Once the siding project and our Capital Campaign are completed, we will begin work on our Sanctuary space. Once the integrated space is completed, both areas will be known under the same name.
The Need for Gathering
Studies show that one of the greatest losses during the Covid-19 pandemic was the ability to gather socially, celebrate community, and share meaningful time together. “The Gathering Place” responds to that need by creating a continuous, flexible space that can be used in multiple ways.
How our Space Can Serve the Community
- Community meals and celebrations: The integrated space could host dinners such as the annual Christmas dinner sponsored by the American Legion, seating up to 160 people at one time and allowing guests to be surrounded by conversation, fellowship, and celebration.
- Business and civic gatherings: Local businesses could use the Sanctuary for presentations or meetings while meals are prepared and served from the kitchen and hall area.
- Neighborhood development: The space could support gatherings that foster connection, collaboration, and the ongoing development of our neighborhood and local community.
- Shared mission opportunities: The Gathering Place could also provide a setting for mission-focused partnerships with other faith-based communities.
Our church has already voted to develop both worship and community opportunities to enjoy music. The third Sunday of each month is to be dedicated to live music. The church has also voiced the
need for more traditional music at Advent/Christmas and Lenten celebrations involving choral pieces and the singing of hymns.
We look forward to our dreams and plans coming to fruition –
God willing!
Rev. John Hughes
September 2026
What a Kingdom
All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him. – Psalm 72:11 (NLT)
Imagine a government with no military weapons.
Or a regime with no armed forces.
Or what about a commander with no corporal enforcement?
Rulers with no physical might don’t usually last very long.
Yet the Bible speaks of a kin-dom that prevails without the intimidations of mass material might.
A kin-dom with power that is based solely upon the peace it provides.
A kin-dom with authority that extends only as far as the justice it establishes.
A kin-dom with dominion as far reaching as the desire for love in every human heart.
True greatness cannot be imposed; it can only be inspired. According to Proverbs, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Defending the helpless. Uplifting the downtrodden. Empowering the disenfranchised. Caring for the sick. Providing support for the distressed. Strengthening the weak. Resourcing the under-served.
Advocating for the ostracized. Educating the masses. Opening doors of opportunity for the oppressed. Keeping corporate greed in check. Making our cities more livable and affordable. Doing our best to look out for those whom Jesus called “the least of these.”
Greater moral focus on the above could very well lessen our tortured dependence upon rule by fiat.
by Kenneth L. Samuel
Prayer
“There’s a theme that is sweet to my mem’ry. There’s a joy that I cannot declare. There’s a treasure that gladdens my being. ‘Tis the kingdom of righteousness here. ‘Tis a kingdom of peace, it is reigning within. It shall ever increase in my soul. We possess it right here when He saves from all sin, and ‘twill last while the ages shall roll.” (“What A Kingdom,” by Barney E. Warren)
Charles ‘Boz’ Boswell, Your Deacons: Boz, Beth, Jill and Judy
Helping Our Neighbors, One Family at a Time
Our Food Pantry continues to serve neighbors throughout Conway, Eaton, Albany and Chatham, providing groceries and household essentials to individuals and families who could use a little extra help. The need continues to grow, with new individuals and families seeking assistance each month.
Food donations are always welcome. Some especially useful items include canned fruit, soup, pasta, baked beans, beef stew and tuna; peanut butter and jelly; pasta and tomato sauce; pancake mix and syrup; rice and packaged meal helpers; applesauce; condiments; and other easy-to-prepare pantry staples.
Household and personal-care items are also greatly appreciated. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, which are accessed through an EBT card, cannot be used to purchase toiletries, cleaning supplies or paper products. Donations of toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, dish detergent and small containers of laundry detergent can therefore be especially helpful to pantry families.
We are very grateful for the dedicated volunteers who give their time each month to keep the pantry running. Their work includes picking up food from the New Hampshire Food Bank and local stores, stocking shelves, preparing orders, and helping our neighbors when they visit the pantry. As the number of people seeking assistance grows, these volunteer hours are more important than ever.
There is always room for another helping hand. You do not need to make a large time commitment; even a couple of hours a month can make a difference. If you would like to learn more about volunteering, please contact the church office or speak with one of our Food Pantry volunteers.
Every bag of groceries, donated household item, financial gift and volunteer hour helps us continue to Give HOPE — Help Other People Eat
Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America
With Stories You Thought You Knew
Tuesdays – October 20th & 27th 6 PM
“The Gathering Place” at The Brown Church
Theme for October 20th:
Where does the inspiration come from to bind together 13 Colonies that have little to do with each other? One is a penal colony ripe with disease; another is filled with citizenry who will not take up arms; another says, “Just leave me alone!” while another is fiercely loyal to the crown; another is rebellious and can’t wait to get started – – from where does a binding sense of independence come? From where are we to find unity for the cause of freedom? What is New Hampshire’s role in inspiring a revolution?
Theme for October 27th:
What makes a hero? Who were the foreigners, volunteers, who came to America’s aid and helped save the cause of Independence? Why did they risk everything for a cause overseas? What happened to these fighters – – how did their lives turn out? What is the definition of a hero? Were there heroes in New Hampshire who answered the call and what part did they, and our state, play in establishing the United States of America?
On Tuesday, October 20th, a presentation will be held to celebrate the spirit that made the colonies a formidable force for independence. We will examine historical documents you may have in your pocket! We’ll celebrate the influences that moved independence forward and consider the pitfalls that stood in the way of America becoming what it is today.
The following Tuesday, October 27th, we will celebrate a world that imagined, against all hope, that America might succeed in her experiment for democracy, in anticipation that her dream might change the world. Is that experiment in jeopardy today? Is the dream still alive? Are there heroes we have overlooked and underappreciated? What does true dedication and devotion look like? Our presentations are meant to get us thinking “out of the box” when we consider the ongoing experiment we call Democracy. Presentations are fanciful and creative to have us look at different facets of our history in innovative ways. Let’s laugh our way through the miracle for which many had hopes and few felt possible; let us celebrate the dream of who we are and what we have become. Let’s contemplate what is needed to preserve our nation and continue the experiment we call America. I look forward to seeing you at The Gathering Place.
Rev. John Hughes
Some articles and images in this newsletter were created or edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools.
250 Years Ago This Month – A New Name for a New Nation
In September 1776, the people of New Hampshire and the District of Maine were far from the major fighting around New York, but the war was still part of everyday life. Families waited for news from men serving in the army, coastal communities watched for British ships, and towns continued supporting the struggle for independence.
For many families, supporting independence meant more than approving the Declaration. It could mean losing a son’s labor during the harvest, providing scarce cloth or food, accepting uncertain paper money, or paying taxes to a state government still finding its way.
A New Name – On September 9, the Continental Congress took a small but deeply meaningful step. It resolved that official commissions and documents would no longer use the words “United Colonies.” From that time forward, the new nation would be known as: The United States of America. The change involved only a few words, but they expressed an enormous hope. Thirteen former colonies, each with its own government and interests, were attempting to become one country.
New Hampshire in Congress
On September 12, New Hampshire selected Dr. Matthew Thornton of Londonderry as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Thornton had helped guide the transition from royal government to independence and had presided over New Hampshire’s Provincial Congress. He arrived in Congress in November, when he added his name to the Declaration of Independence.
A Call to Prayer
Also on September 12, the New Hampshire Council and House issued a proclamation setting apart Thursday, October 10, as a day of public humiliation, fasting, and prayer. Such observances were familiar in New England. Ordinary work might be suspended while people gathered in meetinghouses for worship, preaching, prayer, and reflection.
The proclamation came at an uncertain time. News from Washington’s army was troubling, and the outcome of the Revolution was far from assured. New Hampshire’s leaders responded with a call for the people to seek God’s guidance and protection.
In the District of Maine, then part of Massachusetts, communities faced many of the same uncertainties. The destruction of Falmouth—present-day Portland—the previous October was still fresh in memory, and coastal residents remained watchful while rebuilding lives disrupted by war.
Throughout northern New England, independence was being sustained far from the best-known battlefields—through town meetings, churches, farms, workshops, and ordinary households.
By the end of September, the former colonies were becoming states, governing without royal authority and using a new name that expressed both a hope and a challenge:
The United States of America.
250 Years Ago This Month ~ Independence was no longer only a declaration. In New Hampshire and across New England, people were beginning the difficult work of building and sustaining a new nation
September Worship Schedule
Sunday, September 6 – Communion
Psalm 149
Exodus 12:1-14
Romans 13:8-14
Sermon: Remember our Purpose
Friday, September 11th 7:00 PM
Special Service of Prayer, Peace & Remembrance
All are Welcome
Sunday, September 13
Psalm 114
Exodus 14:19-31
Matthew 18:21-35
Sermon: What Goes Around, Should Keep Going Around
Sunday, September 20
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Exodus 16:2-15
Matthew 20:1-16
Sermon: Gifts from Heaven
Sunday, September 27
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Exodus: 17:1-7
Matthew 21:23-32
Sermon: They Grumbled Once Again
We hope you have been enjoying your summer. It has certainly been a warm one! All things considered, we have been fortunate here in the Valley not to be dealing with some of the drastic conditions experienced in other parts of the country.
A Very Big Thank You!
The Trustees are extremely grateful to everyone who donated to the Apple Machine Trustee Appeal. We raised $8,835 through the appeal and were then blessed with an additional $10,000 angel donation!
These donations covered the new apple peeling, coring and slicing machine, freight, and the stainless-steel cart, with the remaining funds available to cover a significant portion of this year’s Fryebur
g Fair expenses.
The new machine will greatly reduce the volunteer hours and physical effort required to process our apples, helping ensure that we can continue this important annual fundraiser for years to come. The shoulders of everyone who has spent hours operating the old hand-crank machine are especially grateful!
THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this possible!
Fryeburg Fair — Volunteers Needed
We are ordering ingredients and supplies and getting ready for another Fryeburg Fair! Sign-up sheets will be available in Fellowship Hall on Sundays, and in the church office during regular office hours. Thanks to the new machine, we can eliminate the evening apple-processing shift. Instead of the 10–16 volunteers previously needed per shift, we expect to need only two or three people each day for apple processing.
We will still need bakers! If you previously helped process apples, or have some time to help, please consider joining the baking team, no experience necessary. Each day we need two people measuring sliced apples into pans and two mixing the apples with the other ingredients. We will be baking weekdays October 1 through 8.
We also need volunteers for our Fryeburg Fair booth, October 4–11. Carl covers most mornings, picking up crisp at the church beginning at 7 AM, stocking the booth and getting it open before 9 AM. Our regular volunteer shifts are 11 AM–4 PM and 4 PM–9 PM. Booth jobs include cashier, ice cream scooper, apple crisp server and oven duty—keeping pans rotating so hot crisp is always ready for the next rush.
Whether you can help for one shift or several, every volunteer makes a difference! The Fryeburg Fair is our
largest annual fundraiser, and its success depends on many helping hands, each doing what they can.
Siding Project Update
The scaffolding went up on the west wall July 23, and the siding project began in earnest July 27. The new vinyl siding closely matches the color of the cedar shakes and is already giving the building a fresh appearance.
The west wall is nearly complete and they have started pulling shingles from the rear wall of the church. We were very pleased to learn that the old barn boards beneath the cedar shakes on this wall are in good condition. The boards are being inspected as the work progresses and repaired or replaced where necessary before the new siding is installed. We know we may not be as fortunate when work reaches the east wall and the bell tower, where more repairs are expected. For now, however, we are very pleased with the progress and will continue to keep everyone updated as the project moves around the building.
Our Church Family
Major John Edgerton was one of six veterans honored with a quilt, through the Quilts of Valor program; their mission is to cover members and veterans of the US Armed Services who have been touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.
Paul & Anne Getchell and Charles “Boz” and Daphne Boswell attended a Portland Sea Dogs game.
Help Us Honor Our Veterans
For the November issue of our newsletter, we are planning a Veterans Day tribute recognizing members of our church family—and their loved ones—who have served our country in the Armed Forces.
If you or a loved one has served, please send us their name, branch of service, years served, whether they served in combat and where (if you are comfortable sharing), a photo in uniform, and their relationship to you.
Please email information and photos to cvccwebteam@gmail.com or drop them off at the church office by September 30.
Please do not leave original photographs.
Help us honor the veterans whose service is part of our church family’s story.
There is much happening at Conway Village Church this autumn! We hope you will join us for one or more of these special events and volunteer when possible:
- Apple Crisp Preparation – Volunteers prepare for our Fryeburg Fair fundraiser.
- Fryeburg Fair Apple Crisp Booth – Enjoy our famous apple crisp while supporting the
- Pastor’s Installation & Anniversary Celebration Celebrate the installation of Rev. John Hughes as our called pastor and the 50th anniversary of his
- America at 250 Historical Series – History, music, refreshments, and fellowship.
- Traditional Holiday Fair – Handcrafted items, dinner, baked goods, lunch and gift baskets
Whether you are a longtime friend or a first-time visitor, we would love to welcome you!
Remembering September 11th
Where Were You?
Twenty-five years have passed since September 11, 2001, yet for many of us the memories remain remarkably clear — where we were, what we were doing, and the uncertainty of waiting for news of family and friends.
That morning, I was working at a local hotel with two motorcoach groups from New York and New Jersey. Nearly everyone seemed to know someone who worked in or near the World Trade Center. It became a long day of watching, waiting, and worrying as our guests waited for news of loved ones and friends.
By evening, our guests had learned that the people they were concerned about were safe. But one of our own coworkers had a friend who was working aboard one of the planes.
That evening, the hotel owner arranged for a local resident to play Taps as we lowered the American flag to half-staff — a quiet and moving end to a day none of us would ever forget.
This September, Mount Washington will become part of the nation’s remembrance. From 8 PM to midnight, September 9–12, the Honor Summit will shine twin beams of light from the 6,288-foot summit in tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11 and to the first responders and veterans whose lives and service were shaped by that day.
Above the White Mountains, those beams will offer a visible invitation to pause, remember, and honor all whose lives were forever changed on September 11, 2001.
On September 11, we will gather at 7 PM for a quiet service of prayer, peace, and remembrance. As the service concludes, the Honor Summit beams should be visible above Mount Washington, offering a fitting final image for the evening.
Fair Booth Volunteers Needed
The Fryeburg Fair is October 4–11, and we need volunteers to help staff our Apple Crisp booth. We schedule two main shifts each day: 11 AM–4 PM and 4–9 PM, with three or four volunteers needed per shift.
Booth jobs include taking orders and payments, serving apple crisp, scooping ice cream, and rotating the hot pans of crisp in the oven to insure there is always plenty of hot apple crisp ready to serve.
You don’t have to be a church member to help—bring a friend or family member and work a shift together!
All booth volunteers receive a Fair admission ticket and parking pass for the day they work. Signup sheets will be available Sunday mornings and in the church office during office hours.
