On Maple Street in the village of Contoocook, the white-clapboard Contoocook United Methodist Church has long been a steady presence for residents of Hopkinton and the surrounding New Hampshire towns. The congregation describes itself as "a welcoming, caring faith community, united in Christ and grounded in a personal experience of God's love," with open minds, open hearts, and open doors, and a commitment to honoring the sacred worth of every person. The church is known for its traditional-hymn worship, an unusually faithful rhythm of weekday devotions written by a member who signs each reflection "Becky, transforming," and a busy outreach committee that supports a New Hampshire children's charity, a covenant relationship with a community in Nicaragua, and a team of bakers called "Team Cookie" who deliver homemade treats each month to homebound seniors.
Sunday Worship at 11
Worship is held in the sanctuary each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. The service is also livestreamed on YouTube, with recordings available afterward for anyone who cannot attend in person. The congregation sings mostly traditional hymns, though the musicians welcome guest players who want to bring other styles of worship music. Communion is served regularly, and the table is open to everyone who desires a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, with no requirement to be a United Methodist or a member of any denomination.
There is no dress code. Visitors are invited to come exactly as they are, whether that means a suit and tie, jeans, or anything in between. Pastor Jen's only gentle caveat, offered with a smile, is to leave the inflatable T-Rex costume at home, since "the pastor might be jealous."
Meet Pastor Jen Savoy
The church is led by Pastor Jennifer Savoy, who goes by Pastor Jen. She and her four children, ages 17 to 24, moved to Contoocook from Weare and have settled into the small-town rhythm of the village. Pastor Jen graduated in May of 2021 from Boston University School of Theology, and brings a deep background in ministry with young people: she has served as a Sunday School Superintendent, a Vacation Bible School director, a Youth Group leader, and a Nursery Coordinator in her home church. She also serves on the Program Committee at Wanakee United Methodist Center and volunteers there for a week each summer.
Since her arrival, Pastor Jen has focused on rebuilding the church's youth ministry as the community moved past the pandemic years. She signs her letters and notes simply, "Grace and Peace, Pastor Jen," and her regular in-office time at the church is Thursday mornings. Inquiries about baptisms, weddings, and funerals can be made through the church office, with the pastor calling back as soon as she is able. For time-sensitive requests, members and visitors can reach her directly by email.
Transformers Bible Study
On Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., the Transformers Bible Study gathers on Zoom. The group's name reflects the church's conviction that members are being "transformed" through study and prayer, a phrase that also turns up at the close of every daily devotion written by Becky. Anyone interested in joining can contact the church office for the link and the current study material.
Daily Devotions from Becky
One of the most distinctive features of Contoocook UMC is the steady stream of weekday devotions published on the church's devotional page. The reflections are written by a church member named Becky, who signs each one "Becky, transforming." Her notes follow a simple, consistent shape: a short passage of Scripture, a few paragraphs of personal reflection on what the verses are teaching her in that season of life, and a closing prayer addressed to "Holy Lord."
The devotions work through a wide range of texts, from the Psalms to the Gospels to the Epistles. Recent reflections have considered Matthew 11:28-30 ("Come to me, all you who are weary..."), Psalm 139 on God's presence, 1 Corinthians 12 on the many parts of one body, Luke 9 on taking up the cross daily, and Psalm 142's cry for help in hard places. Each one reads like a quiet letter from a thoughtful friend, and they have become a daily touchpoint for members and friends of the church who live farther away and want to stay rooted in the congregation's life between Sundays.
Outreach: Locally and Beyond
The church's outreach committee keeps busy on several fronts. Friends of Forgotten Children, a New Hampshire charity that supports children in foster care and other difficult circumstances, is a long-standing partner; the congregation helps promote specific giving opportunities and item drives that the charity needs throughout the year.
Team Cookie is a monthly ministry that grew out of the pandemic years. A small group of bakers, including Annie Killam, Bev Flynn, Sharon Camp, and Sandy Fisher, prepare four varieties of homemade treats and deliver two-package selections to seniors in town and from the church who are often living alone and unable to get out easily. The visits have become as important as the cookies themselves, offering a short chat and a chance to check in with neighbors who might otherwise go unseen.
Beyond Hopkinton, the congregation maintains a covenant relationship with a community in Nicaragua. Members support the work through prayer and giving, and they have received letters of thanks from partners on the ground. Closer to home, the church has also written public letters of support for its Asian community members, contributed to the Coalition to End Homelessness, and joined with members of another Methodist church in Goffstown to deliver individually packaged snacks and drinks to staff at The Inn at Parker Station and Bel-Air Nursing Home during a hard season for caregivers.
Annual Traditions
Contoocook UMC has a handful of recurring traditions that draw members and friends together throughout the year.
- Starry Starry Weekend. The first weekend of December brings the church's Cookie Walk and Christmas Bazaar, one of the biggest community events of the year.
- Blue Christmas. On the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, the church holds a quiet Blue Christmas service for those who find the holidays heavy.
- Christmas Caroling. On the last Sunday before Christmas Eve, members gather for an old-fashioned caroling outing around the neighborhood.
- Spring and Fall Rummage Sales. Twice a year, the rummage sales are a popular draw for bargain-hunters and a fundraiser for the church.
A Family-Friendly Welcome
Children are warmly welcomed in worship. The congregation knows that little ones have a hard time sitting still, and there is an area in the back of the sanctuary set up with crayons, toys, and puzzles where children can play while their grown-ups worship. Pastor Jen's own background in nursery and Sunday School work shapes that welcome, and Vacation Bible School has long been part of the rhythm of her ministry.
For those with mobility needs, there is a ramp on the left side of the building, with handicap parking nearby. The church's parking lot sits next to the building, with additional on-street parking available on Maple Street.
Music, Communion, and Other Ministries
The music ministry centers on traditional hymns sung from the church's hymnal with instrumental accompaniment, and guest musicians who want to share other styles of worship music are welcomed. The church also lists a Sacred Dance ministry, which offers another way to participate in worship with the body. Other named ministries include a Men's Ministry, a Women's Ministry, and a Kids ministry that supports the church's children and Sunday School work, along with the Transformers Bible Study and a long-running Youth Ministry that Pastor Jen has been nurturing since her arrival.
Anyone interested in joining the church as a member can call the office to set up an appointment with Pastor Jen. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals are arranged through the office as well. The church's main phone, fax, and email are listed in the contact section, and online giving is available for those who want to support the work.
Leadership and Governance
Behind the scenes, the congregation is served by three United Methodist committees described on the church's leadership page. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee works to build a strong, positive relationship between staff and congregation, supporting the pastor and other staff and carrying out the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with that work. The Church Council plans and implements the program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church, envisions the congregation's mission and ministry, and serves as the administrative agency of the charge conference. The Trustees function as Christian stewards of the property God has entrusted to the congregation, supervising and maintaining the building, grounds, and gifts so that the ministries of the church can flourish.
Finding the Church
The church stands at 24 Maple Street in Contoocook, a village in the town of Hopkinton, New Hampshire. The mailing address is P.O. Box 356, Contoocook, NH 03229. The Sunday service begins at 11:00 a.m., and the livestream can be found on YouTube. On Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m., the Transformers Bible Study gathers on Zoom. Throughout the week, daily devotions from Becky keep the congregation connected in prayer and reflection between Sundays, and the church's Facebook page carries the latest news and event updates. Online giving is available for those who want to support the church's ministry and outreach.