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Village Nursery School Hires New Director

4/26/2022

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PictureMeg Plummer, who will join Village Nursery School as director this fall, with kids.
Recently, Village Nursery School (VNS) hired Meg Plummer as director, a position for which she expressed excitement. “I can’t wait to build relationships with the preschoolers and their families,” said Plummer, who will start this fall.

Having earned a master’s in Elementary Education in November 2020 preceded by a bachelor's degree in Family Studies, Plummer grew up in Gilford and now lives in Center Harbor. In addition to raising her daughters at home, she has recently served as a substitute teacher in the Gilford School District.

“I have always appreciated what the Gilford Community has to offer, even more so now as an adult,” she noted. “I know how fortunate I am to have grown up in this community and was excited for my daughter to attend VNS this year. As an educator, I love how VNS focuses on who the child is rather than what they are able to do.”

This focus at VNS, according to Plummer, has led to the development of a curriculum that is designed to give both teachers and preschoolers room to be creative when it comes to learning. She cited the introduction of a new theme each week at VNS as but one example of this creativity.

“Academic subjects, including math, literacy and science are based around the theme each week,” she explained. “There is such a great balance of play-based learning with group lessons and activities. The children get a chance to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them.”

VNS was started more than 40 years ago by Gilford Community Church (GCC) with whom it still shares space. While the church serves as their umbrella and provides them with a home and guidance, VNS Board Chair Pam Clark said the two organizations are separate but share resources, such as office, financial and custodial staff.  

“We try to keep the school associated with the church without it being so attached that people believe that in order to go to the school you must also be part of the church,” she said. “We do not teach religion in the school – it functions as a normal non-religious preschool.”

According to GCC Pastor Michael Graham, VNS is one of the most significant things that the church ever initiated, as he cited hundreds of children have had their first school experience there through the years.

“I can’t think of a more caring environment for children to spend their mornings than at the Village Nursery School,” he said. “The church is committed to enriching the life of our community, and VNS certainly does that.”

Regarding the layout of the space, Clark said VNS features “gorgeous open, sunny classrooms.” She said their space is enhanced by an outdoor classroom, playground, and a full gym at Gilford Youth Center, which shares the GCC campus.” “We are also next to the library,” she added.

As for the future, Plummer expressed enthusiasm. “I know that many families look forward to the wonderful traditions at VNS, and I plan to keep them all alive while adding some new traditions along the way,” she said.

To learn more about VNS, visit gilfordvillagenurseryschool.com.


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Pastor Celebrates 20 Years at Gilford Community Church

4/22/2022

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On May 1, Pastor Michael Graham will celebrate 20 years at Gilford Community Church, an occasion for which many members have expressed appreciation. “I find Michael’s sermons enlightening, especially when he opens his heart to us and tells us about his personal life experiences,” said Sue Allen, GCC Council Chair.

She said Graham “always keeps his door open,” whether someone needs advice or simply wants to talk with him. “He has been there for so many individuals that are struggling with tough decisions, loss of a loved one, or just needs reassurance,” she added.

GCC member Walter Flinn, who was on the committee that brought Graham to the church, agreed with Allen and said Graham leads with “caring and skill.” “As our spiritual  leader, he stands by us in all our ups and downs,” said Flynn, who noted Graham has also helped GCC usher in a period of substantial operational growth. 

During the past 20 years, GCC has remodeled its physical structure, which includes the addition of Gilford Youth Center, and expanded its community-based programs and services. “We’ve also achieved dramatic growth in the contributions made by the congregation in time and money supporting outreach,” said Flinn.

This outreach has included financial contributions to dozens of area nonprofits. This past year, GCC has supported the New Hampshire Food Bank, Belknap House, New Beginnings, Farnum Center, Lakes Region Mental Health Center, Stand Up Laconia, American Baptist Church of NH and VT, Camp Resilience, and numerous others. “Each month, church volunteers serve meals at the Salvation Army Friendly Kitchen and Isaiah 61 Café and also 50 plus meals each week under our Senior Mobile Meals Program,” explained Allen.

For Graham, though, his gratitude extends to the congregation and larger community, as he cited feeling “so lucky” to have been invited to serve both. “I so appreciate that this community has allowed me to grow and evolve in my understanding of faith and life,” he said. “ I think for the foreseeable future that our focus will be on serving as a voice that brings people together, welcoming diversity of thought, and demonstrating a commitment to model a capacious way of living."

This way of living, according to Allen, is an invitation to all. “Visit our website for a livestream of our service or attend our Sunday Service,” she said. “While here, you will enjoy beautiful music, interesting sermons, and hands of friendship along with coffee and food downstairs afterwards in our Fellowship Hall.”

Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds. Viewable live on YouTube, services take place at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, NH. 

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Kimayo to Perform at Gilford Community Church

4/5/2022

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On Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m., singer-songwriter Kimayo will perform at Gilford Community Church (GCC), a donation-based musical concert that is part of her tour, ‘My Queer Faith.’ “The vision is to perform at open and affirming spaces of faith and share my life journey of faith and sexuality,” she said.

Noting she has lived in Gilford throughout the pandemic, Kimayo said she began to attend services at GCC in January at which time she discussed her ideas for a tour with Pastor Michael Graham. “Michael was super receptive to the idea, and his vision for the community felt completely aligned with my desire to reach people,” she said.

Originally from Massachusetts, Kimayo began to write music and play the guitar her freshman year at the University of New Hampshire in 2008. Prior to that, she played the trumpet for 8 years in secondary school and also sang. In 2019, she elected to pursue music full-time with the release of her debut album, Phoenix: The Acoustic Sessions, which was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Sam McArthur at The Greenhouse recording studio.

Describing her musical style as folk-pop, Kimayo said her tour reflects her desire “to cultivate connection, solidarity, and hope through love and creative expression.” “To be human is a most beautiful and painful experience,” she explained. “Embracing it fully and stepping into the ‘more’ is the best way I know to show gratitude for this gift. The ‘more’ is scary, and it is so worth it. May we all live into the ‘more’.”

In welcoming Kimayo to perform at GCC, pastor Michael Graham said her concert reflects “a long history of outstanding music.” “Aside from live music during our Sunday services, we have hosted a number of concerts, including performers like Peter Mayer, Bob McCarthy, Pemigewasset Choral Society and the NH Master Chorale,” he said. “We have a state of the art sound system, and the sanctuary is a wonderful acoustic environment.”

The concert with Kimayo is donation-based and takes place on Saturday, April 30. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. followed by coffee and pastries downstairs and the chance to meet Kimayo and purchase merchandise. To learn more about Kimayo, or hear her sing, visit kimayomusic.com

Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds. Viewable live on YouTube, services take place at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, NH. 

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