February 2025

This newsletter is sent to subscribers.

Announcements and Updates

Micah 6 Commission Will Work for Justice, Mercy, and Humility in New Hampshire and Beyond

A new diocesan committee, the Micah 6 Commission, was launched at an organizational meeting on Monday, Feb. 17. Conceived by Bishop Rob in recognition of the fact that so many of the issues we face in the world—racism, environmental degradation, educational, health care and economic inequities—are interwoven, the new commission replaces the former separate commissions dedicated to Reconciliation, Earth Care, and Our Kids.

The Micah 6 Commission prayerfully seeks to discern how the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire can follow the words of Micah 6:8, to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God,” as we witness Christ’s love to a world continually in need. “The requirement of God that we work towards justice, mercy, and humility is the aim of lifelong Christian discipleship,” said Bishop Rob. Read more here. See the new Micah 6 Commission page on our website here.

Calling all acolytes and their leaders!

Acolyte Festival

Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Christ Church, Needham, MA

Join other Province I acolytes for a day of fun and learning to celebrate the unique ministry that is acolyting in The Episcopal Church. The day includes a pizza lunch, and participants will leave with their own editable customary to share with their home church. The cost is $10 per participant, which will cover lunch. To register to bring a group or to ask questions, please email Emily Keniston, director of faith formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine.

Igniting Eastertide Worship: A Day with Jorge Lockward

Saturday, March 8, 9 - 3 p.m.

St. Andrew's, New London

What sparks your spirit? Anglican chant? “Our Father...” in Aramaic? Prayers of the People in harmony? Ancient texts read in new ways? Rhythm? Sending songs that make us apostles of hope? Congregations, choirs, and church leaders are invited to a day of refreshment, joy, and lively learning with Jorge Lockward, minister of worship arts at the Church of the Village in New York City and chair of the Worship and Liturgy Committee of the World Methodist Council. The $30 fee, payable on the day, includes lunch and childcare. Email St. Andrew's to RSVP by Tuesday, March 4. Download the flyer here.

TONIGHT!

The Big Way of Love for Kids

Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 - 8:30 p.m.

On Zoom

The next event in the Province 1 Christian Formation Network's "Conversations with Noted Speakers," "The Big Way of Love for Kids" is a discipleship resource for kids and their beloved communities. It's a set of playing cards and activities to help our kids become the BIG, beloved children God intends them to be. Join the conversation about what this resource is and ways that it can be used in churches, homes and just about anywhere. Register here.

Save the dates for these upcoming "Conversations."

March 20 - Becoming Intentionally Intergenerational

May 15 - The Gifts and Possibilities of a Parish [Lending] Library

June 19 - Season of Creation as Congregational Development

Read program descriptions here.

Around the Diocese

Bob Wells Honored, Lucy Hodder Welcomed at Province 1 Gathering

The bishops, chancellors, and canons of Province I gathered for their annual meeting in Essex, CT at the end of January. At the meeting, Episcopal Church of New Hampshire Chancellor Bob Wells was honored for his 30 years of service to the diocese and his collegiality with the Province I and The Episcopal Church chancellors networks. Bob’s legal acumen, his even temperament, and his wide network have been a gift to this diocese and his fellow chancellors through the tenure of three bishops in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Co-Chancellor Lucy Hodder was warmly welcomed to the group. Bob and Lucy will continue to serve as co-chancellors through 2025 and we will celebrate and thank Bob for his service at this year’s diocesan convention.

The bishops, chancellors, and canons gather annually in January to discuss legal matters impacting dioceses and congregations such as Title IV, General Convention and canonical changes, property development, and financial and human resource issues.

In The News

The Rev. Kate Harmon Siberine's Long COVID Story in the 'New Hampshire Bulletin'

This month marks the second anniversary of New Hampshire priest, the Rev. Kate Harmon Siberine having to step down from serving her two parishes—Grace Church in Concord and the Episcopal Mission of Franklin—due to the debilitating effects of long COVID. Siberine's story was one of three featured in a Jan. 27 piece in the "New Hampshire Bulletin" on the continuing impact of the pandemic.

"Her faith as a Christian has been important to her in processing and persevering through her condition," wrote reporter William Skipworth. "'I’m an Episcopal priest and at the center of our practice is the Eucharist, or Communion, where I as the priest hold up this bread that symbolizes and is the body of Jesus and break it in half and say, ‘the body of Christ broken for you.’ [Siberine] said. 'And it’s just that reminder that broken bodies are holy bodies and that disabled bodies are also part of the body of Christ.'" Read the full story here.

Siberine is a passionate advocate for awareness around long COVID and has launched a ministry, Disabled Body of Christ, which offers Morning Prayer at on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. on TikTok Live. Follow her at @kateharmonsiberine.

Resources

Lent and Holy Week Resources

In preparation for the season of Lent, we've collected multiple resources on the diocesan website. These include 40 Days of Welcome and Gratitude, "a call to giving thanks for the ways we are welcomed in the world and the ways that people offer welcome to us and to our communities"—a new partnership between United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries; a Lenten Book Group; an alternate Good Friday liturgy; a link to resources from The Episcopal Church, and more. See all of the resources here.

Time to Register for Summer Camp!

Summer camp is the perfect place to foster independence, teamwork, and friendships through fun activities and cabin life. We are fortunate to have two wonderful, coed Episcopal camps in our region: Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in New Hampshire, and Camp Bishopswood in Maine. Both camps enjoy stunning lakeside settings and offer overnight camp opportunities for kids and families.

Barbara C. Harris Camp

Barbara C. Harris in Greenfield, New Hampshire, is a hospitality ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. One-week overnight camp sessions begin July 6 for campers completing second through eleventh grade. Download a brochure here. Family Camp is June 27 - 30; download a brochure here.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Camp Bishopswood

Located in the midcoast town of Hope, and owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, Bishopswood is open to all youths ages 6-16. One-week sessions begin June 29 for kids 8-16; a three-day Mini Camp for 6 - 8 year olds is also offered. Open House and Family Camp Weekend is May 30 - June 1.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Upcoming Events

Province 1 Becoming Beloved Community Network Meeting

Sunday, Feb. 23, 3-5 p.m.

On Zoom

Meetings of the Province 1 Becoming Beloved Community Network are an opportunity for Episcopalians and allies to share the work being done at a parish, diocesan, regional, and churchwide level involving racial justice, reconciliation, and reparations. Register here .

For more information about the Province 1 Becoming Beloved Community Network, please contact James McKim.

NH Council of Churches Events

The NH Council of Churches offers a variety of webinars, worship, and other opportunities to build community, learn about equity and justice issues, and develop skills in organizing and resilience. For more events that might interest you, see their latest newsletter here, and visit their website to subscribe.

Interfaith Service: "A Call to Love One Another"

Tuesday, March 4, 6 p.m.

South Congregational Church, Concord, and on Zoom

Bishop Rob is among clergy from across New Hampshire who will be gathering for this interfaith service.

Countering Christian Nationalism Community Dialogue

Sunday, March 16, 4 - 6 p.m.

South Church, Concord and on Zoom

The first in a three-part series, this panel discussion seeks to explain the origins, tenets, and impacts of Christian nationalism, particularly in the context of New Hampshire. Co-hosted by the Countering Christian Nationalism Coalition, the event will provide attendees with knowledge to understand and address this issue in NH.

Panelists include leaders from the racial justice community, the LGBTQ community, and representatives from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths, as well as a policy expert monitoring this issue in NH. Register here.

Job Openings

Emmanuel Church in Ashland seeks an organist or pianist to assist with Sunday worship by leading the congregation in hymns and service music. The church has a beautiful organ and a grand piano in a great acoustic space, and is a community that loves to sing. Pay is commensurate with experience. To apply, email your resume to Fr. Steve Rugg. Learn more about the position here.

Emmanuel Church—a seasonal chapel in Dublin—is looking for a priest in charge for the month of August to serve this spiritually vital summer community as priest, pastor, and teacher. A rectory is provided as well as a full array of recreational activities in the Monadnock region. Please see the job description, parish profile, and process for application here.

Is your church hiring? If so, send us a link to the job description on your church’s website.