The blessing of the solar panels at Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua | |
Stories From Our Congregations | |
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Church of the Good Shepherd Celebrates Installation of Solar Panels with Mayor and Bishop
Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua, together with the Episcopal Church of NH and the “Solar Saints,” (an Episcopal Church organization) celebrated the installation of solar panels at their church yesterday.
After years of planning, a successful fundraising campaign, and a grant from the diocese, Good Shepherd contracted with ReVision Energy to install solar panels this August that will provide clean power to the church and reduce the environmental impact of running a historic building. Pastor Kathy shared, “Creation Care is a vital part of our ministry. Faithfully stewarding the earth’s resources is a mission of the Episcopal Church as a whole and a focus for the Church of the Good Shepherd.”
Attending the ceremony as the solar panels were officially dedicated and blessed were Mayor Jim Donchess of Nashua, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld, Nashua Energy Manager Doria Brown, representatives of ReVision Energy, members of the Solar Saints, Pastor Kathy Boss (CGS Nashua), the Church of the Good Shepherd Green Team, and other parishioners.
Photo: A rooftop view of the solar panels during installation
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Take a Tote Campaign Success!
In the August issue of The Vine we shared a story about Grace Episcopal Church's "Take a Tote" program, which was created in 2010 to address the issue of physical hunger at city schools.
Last month, the Take a Tote Program was being supported by the Concord Food Co-op where shoppers could choose to round up their purchase total by mentioning this to the cashier at checkout. The team at Grace Episcopal is excited to share that the results were fantastic with Grace receiving over $2,300.00! Thanks to all who participated and who spread the word.
More information about the Take a Tote program can be found here.
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Sewing Seeds Project Grows with Grant
Sewing Seeds for Hope, a program funded under the Province 1 Coming Together in Hope and Healing program earlier this year, is an income-generation project for Afghan evacuee women to produce and sell sewn items. The grant funding was seed funding to initiate the project.
Since the grant was awarded, Sewing Seeds has recruited three Afghan women artisans from New Hampshire who have been busy sewing items including pillows, cosmetic bags, jewelry pouches, aprons, baby blankets, baby quilts, and scrunchies, with new items added every few weeks. Seven volunteers have joined, who are assisting the women with acquiring fabric and supplies, demonstrating how to make items, holding sales, and providing accounting services. A graphic designer created a logo pro bono for and advised Sewing Seeds on promotional materials and website. A domain name has been acquired and web design is in progress. They are also working on incorporating in New Hampshire and have set up tax accounting procedures with the help of a tax lawyer working pro bono.
To date, they have held more than 15 sales, primarily at church coffee hours in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, but also at mosques and craft fairs, one store, and several commissions to produce individual or bulk items. Sewing Seeds is currently generating at least $500 per month for each of the artisans, a significant sum for families living near the poverty line. The proceeds are essential for helping their families become self-sufficient.
To learn more about the program, click here.
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Annual Convention Business Meeting
Friday, November 3
6 p.m.
Online
Please join us for the 221st Annual Diocesan Convention business meeting on Friday, November 3, at 6 p.m.
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Learn more about the meeting resolutions, elections, and more here.
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Everyone is welcome to watch the livestream on the Diocesan YouTube channel.
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In-person Eucharist with Guest Preacher the Rev. Nandra Perry, Ph.D., and Bishop Rob Presiding
Saturday, November 4
9:30 a.m.
In-person at Trinity Church, 120 Broad Street, Claremont NH
Please join us in person for the Eucharist at Trinity Claremont on Saturday, November 4 at 9:30 a.m.
For more information or to register, click here. Please register by October 15 to help us with planning.
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Communications Director Katie Clark to Depart in October | |
Katie Clark, the Director of Communications for the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, will be leaving the Bishop’s staff for a new position. Her last day will be Friday, October 20.
She says, “I adore working with Bishop Hirschfeld and the diocesan staff, and with the amazing and hard-working Episcopal churches and organizations across the diocese! I received a senior leadership offer that blends my management skills and deep passion for history and digital preservation - it was an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Katie will be joining the staff at HistoryIT, based in South Portland, Maine, as their Chief Operating Officer. She and her family remain connected to the Episcopal Church as active members of St. Mary’s in Falmouth, Maine.
As we prepare for Katie’s departure, please start using communications@nhepiscopal.org for any communications-related questions.
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Save these dates below! For the full events calendar, click here.
OCTOBER
14 Solar Saints Conference
15 Bishop's Visitation: St. James's, Keene
29 Bishop's Visitation: St. James's, Laconia
NOVEMBER
3 221st Diocesan Convention
4 Diocese-wide Eucharist and Panel Discussion, Trinity Claremont
12 Bishop's Visitation: Church of the Transfiguration, Derry
12 Celebration of New Ministry for Rev. Leah Philbrick
19 Bishop's Visitation: St. Luke's Church, Chester, Vermont
23 Diocesan Office Closed (Thanksgiving)
24 Diocesan Office Closed (Thanksgiving)
28 Advent Quiet Day
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