Congregational Church of Laconia, UCC welcomes new pastor

LACONIA — Reverend Eliza Tweedy became the 20th settled pastor to serve the Congregational Church of Laconia, United Church of Christ, in mid-February, as the church prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2024.

Tweedy is the first female sole pastor of the church in its history. Prior to joining the Laconia church, she served as the pastor of First Congregational Church of Rochester for 11 years.

Originally from Acton, Massachusetts, Tweedy earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in French and Spanish, a master's degree from New York University in French studies (political science and sociology), and a master's in divinity from Harvard Divinity School. Her ministerial experience has included time as a supply preacher in Brooklyn, New York, a youth director in Sharon, Massachusetts, and internships as a chaplain at Hospice of the South Shore and Rhode Island Hospital/Miriam Hospital.

Tweedy loves preaching, storytelling and making real connections between scripture and modern life. She has worked closely with communities dealing with substance use disorder, including harm reduction and needle exchange programs, as well as peer recovery groups and mental health advocacy. She served on a regional planning task force around homelessness and housing insecurity. The task force included voices from faith communities, business, social services and local government. She has long advocated for the LGBTQ+ community, including at the state level, and has been the keynote speaker at Pride on multiple occasions.

Within the NH Conference of the United Church of Christ, Tweedy has served on the Anti-Racism Mission Group and the Justice and Witness Ministry. She is a member of the Opioid Task Force of the New Hampshire Council of Churches.

The community is invited to meet Tweedy in the church office at 18 Veterans Square, or on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for worship services, in person or via YouTube. Visit laconiaucc.org for more details.