Monadnock Wonders in Photos and Digital Art
2025-09-21 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | The United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene, NH, 03431, United States
Award-winning photojournalist Steve Hooper collaborates with his fellow former Keene city councilor Raleigh Ormerod to display “Monadnock Wonders of Earth and Sky,” an art installation in the East Room Gallery, United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene, until September 21.
The art installation explores natural creatures and landscapes through both Steve Hooper’s camera lens and Raleigh Ormerod’s digital fine art. “Monadnock Wonders of Earth and Sky” is free and open to the public.

Steve Hooper, a former photographer for The Keene Sentinel, has won local, regional and national awards for photojournalism and videography. He is co-producer of the feature-length documentary, “Monadnock—The Mountain That Stands Alone,” an award-winning film currently streaming on NHPBS. He served as a Keene city councilor and convinced Raleigh Ormerod to serve as well.

Raleigh Ormerod presents the beauty of nature with structured forms that he hopes inspire deep reflection. He has a unique art form of dazzling colorful geometric shapes inspired by observing wild things in his life experiences across North America. He has been a Keene city councilor and school board member, where he is currently vice chair. He is a business and science teacher at Masonic High School. He offers private tours of his work through Sept.1 by calling him at 603-545-5787.
The East Room Gallery is located on the ground floor of UCC Keene. There is an accessible entrance at the rear of the building, off Vernon Street. The Gallery is open 9 am to 1 pm, weekdays, closed on Saturday, and open 9am to noon on Sunday. Call the Church office for an appointment at a different time. 603-352-4136.

Sunday Worship
2025-09-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-26 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-09 10:00 - 11:00 and 5 more dates
Join us for Sunday worship at 10:00 am! Stream us live at ucckeene.org/worship-care/live/.

Youth Group Hosts Booth for Kids at Keene Pride Festival
2025-09-21 12:00 - 17:00
The UCCKeene Youth Group will staff a booth outside the United Church of Christ, 23 Central Square, from noon to 5 pm on Sunday, September 21, during the Keene Pride Festival. The youth will be face painting and making balloon animals, plus doing some fundraising by selling homemade chili and mac ’n’ cheese.
Keene Pride Festival is an annual event on Central Square from noon to 7 pm, with 5,000 attendees and 150 vendors, including non-profits, live music acts, food trucks, circus performers, drag queens and kings.

“Courageous Conversations,” A Free Training Workshop for Today’s World
2025-09-21 15:30 - 18:30
“Courageous Conversations,” is a free training event for those who are dealing with divisiveness, fear, or conflict in homes, places of work, and community. It takes place from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, Sunday, September 21, at the United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene.
The event is hosted by the Keene Coalition for Compassionate Community (CCC), non-partisan group of citizens who promote harmony and mutual respect through education, compassionate listening, and constructive action. The Coalition for Compassionate Community gathers monthly to address the challenges of racism, violence, and bullying and other difficult situations in our lives, community, and country.
Guest facilitator is Mario Cossa, who worked in the 1990s with Keene High School’s Acting Out Project. In this workshop, he will lead with conflict resolution strategies and hands-on role plays. He has traveled the world providing issue-oriented, audience-interactive improvisational training as a means of building diverse and compassionate communities.
The “Courageous Conversations” workshop hosted by the Keene Coalition for Compassionate Community is free and snacks will be provided. UCC Keene is accessible from the rear entrance, off Vernon Street. For information: rosekundanis@gmail.com

Fall Rummage Sale and Flea Market
2025-09-27 08:00 - 14:00
September 27 at UCCKeene
Regular Sale—8 am to noon, all shopping is on the ground floor and all are welcome!
Bag Sale—12:30 to 2 pm, $3 or $5, depending on which size bag you choose.
Calling all shoppers! Visit the Spring Rummage Sale and Flea Market Saturday, September 27, at the United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square. Handicapped access is available from the entrance on Vernon St. at the rear of the Church.
This Rummage Sale is prepared and sponsored by the UCC-Keene Women’s Fellowship. Proceeds go toward many non-profit organizations in the Keene area. A list is posted at the checkout tables.

Women’s Fellowship Program: Stories in Grave Stones
2025-10-08 13:00 - 14:00
Stories in Grave Stones, presented by Charles Marchant, Cemetery Commissioner of Townshend, VT. Light refreshments will be served.

Haunted Alley Returns to UCC Keene
2025-10-18 15:00 - 21:00
The very scary Haunted Alley at the UCC Church returns to the Keene Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, October 18. Join the ghouls, ghosts, and monsters from 3 to 9 pm for $5 per visit. A trick-or-treat version for younger children is available at the adjoining Elsie Priest Park for a donation.
All proceeds go to the Youth Group of the United Church of Christ in Keene for their annual service trip in the spring.

Einbeck’s VOICES Will Sing at UCC Keene Oct. 19 Service
2025-10-19 10:00 - 11:00
A 29-member chorus from Keene’s partner city of Einbeck, Germany, will provide music for the October 19 worship service at the United Church of Christ in Keene. The chorus, called VOICES, is directed by Annett Steinberg and will share three selections, sung a cappella in German. In translation, they are: “May the paths level out before your feet” by Schwarzer, “There is a longing in our hearts” by Quigley, and “Kyrie-Kanon” by Teichmann. The worship service begins at 10 am at the church, 23 Central Square, Keene. All are welcome.
This visit to Keene is the seventh music exchange between the two partner cities. In addition to the worship service at UCCKeene on October 19, the Einbeck musicians will present an international choral collaboration performance at 5 pm in the Redfern Arts Center Main Theatre at Keene State College.
Other featured choirs will include the Greater Keene Pops Choir, directed by Walt Sayre, and the Chamber Singers of Keene and Keene State College Concert Choir, directed by Morgan Bothwell. The performance will culminate in all choirs singing together, directed by Sandra Howard.
Tickets are free and can be secured in advance of the performance.
Go to: https://www.keene.edu/arts/redfern/ or call the Redfern Box Office: 603-358-2168

Women’s Fellowship Program: Talking Wild Turkey
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00
Talking Wild Turkey, presented by Mark Ellingwood, former Wildlife Division Chief for the NH Fish and Game Dept. This program draws attention to our environment and our Church’s Creation Justice program. Light refreshments will be served.

UCC Youth Group Presents Coffee House
2025-11-21 07:00 - 20:00
The next Community Coffee House and Open Mic takes place November 21 at the United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene. Doors open at 6 pm and performances start at 7 pm. Food and beverages will be on sale. Enter the church by the accessible rear door near the parking lot, from Vernon Street.
Entrance fee is $8. Performance fee is by donation. Email hennum@ne.rr.com or text 603-325-5716 to reserve a performance slot, or if you have questions about the Coffee House.
All proceeds go to the Youth Group of the United Church of Christ in Keene for their annual service trip in the spring. The Youth Group had a successful Community Coffee House in September and followed it with a Haunted Alley and Playground event in October at the Keene Pumpkin Festival.

Christmas Bells Fair
2025-12-05 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-06 09:00 - 14:00
Plan a seasonal visit to the Christmas Bells Fair, 4 to 7 pm, Friday, Dec. 5, and 9 am to 2 pm, Saturday, Dec. 6, at the United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene.
You’ll find two floors with crafts, jewelry, berry bowls, plants, knitted items, silent auction, baked goods, Grandma’s Treasures, stationery, $2 mystery gifts—and more!
A light supper is served on Friday, 4 to 7 pm, and a coffee shop with pastries and lunch is open on Saturday, from 9 am to 1 pm.
There is an accessible entrance from Vernon Street, at the rear of the building, and an elevator between floors inside. Come listen to the bells!

Blue Christmas Services
2025-12-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-17 17:00 - 18:00
A Blue Christmas Service, a short contemplative service of prayer and healing for those who are grieving, will be held on Wednesday, December 17, in the Chapel of the United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene.
There will be two similar services, one at noon and one at 5 pm. The Chapel is located on the ground floor of the building and is graced with a creche during this season of Christmas.
There is an accessible entrance to United Church at the rear of the building, off Vernon Street. All who wish to share this time of contemplation are welcome.

Intergenerational Christmas Pageant Worship Service
2025-12-21 10:00 - 11:00
On December 21, the fourth Sunday in Advent, there will be an intergenerational Christmas Pageant during the worship service at the United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene. The service begins at 10 am and all are welcome.
During the Pageant, several children and adults will be in costumes as angels, animals, shepherds and wise men who visit the Holy Family, while readings and Christmas carols explain the ages-old story of Jesus’ birth.
The Christmas Pageant is followed by a Fellowship Hour in the Dining Room, with a birthday cake for Jesus.
There is an accessible entrance to United Church at the rear of the building, off Vernon Street, with an elevator to the second floor Sanctuary. All are welcome to share this seasonal joy.

34th Messiah Sing at UCCKeene
2025-12-21 19:00 - 20:00
The 34th annual Messiah Sing in Keene takes place at 7 pm, Sunday, December 21, at the United Church of Christ in Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene. Come to sing in the balcony or to listen in the pews below.
You are the chorus at this Messiah Sing, with a string quartet, organ, and vocal soloists, for Part I, the Christmas Section, and the “Hallelujah” Chorus of Handel’s masterpiece.
Scores are available to borrow and a reception follows in the Church Parlor. Suggested donation for this community Messiah Sing in Keene is $10.
There is an accessible entrance to United Church at the rear of the building, off Vernon Street, with an elevator to the Sanctuary on the second floor.
Singers and audiences travel from Vermont, the greater Keene area, and northern Massachusetts. It’s common to hear, “It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I sing ‘And the Glory of the Lord.’ ” Come to sing or to listen, but come for the community Christmas joy!

Christmas Eve Services
2025-12-24 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-12-24 21:00 - 22:00
A Family Candlelight Service will begin at 5 pm, Wednesday, December 24, at the United Church of Christ in Keene, 23, Central Square, Keene. The service will focus on the Christmas story and familiar carols for the children and families in the congregation.
Later the same evening, a Traditional Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols will begin at 9 pm, highlighted by special music from the senior choir and guest musicians, and the singing of carols by candlelight in anticipation of Jesus’ birth.
All are welcome to share the blessings of a Family Candlelight Service at 5 pm or a Traditional Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at 9 pm on Christmas Eve.
The United Church of Christ in Keene is a progressive Christian congregation, welcoming of all, dedicated to serving our community, and committed to growing our faith for a 21st century world. Every day in every way, our mission is simple; to embody the words, “Love lives here!”
