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Meet Archdeacon Geoffrey Smith

For the Ven. Geoffrey Smith, his appointment as Archdeacon in the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire last fall was not the beginning of a new path, but a continuation of a route he embarked upon in 2014, when he heard Bishop Rob say he wanted to revive the diaconate. At the time, Geof was serving in the Diocese of Massachusetts, but was interviewing with a New Hampshire company for a job. "What Bishop Rob said to me in that brief meeting made me excited to take that job," Geof says.

Ordained to the diaconate in Chicago in 1996, Geof subsequently served in churches in Illinois, New York City, and every New England state except Rhode Island, and also as chief operating officer for The Episcopal Church from 2017 until 2022, when he retired. He and his wife, Gerri Smith, then returned to New Hampshire to be closer to their two adult children and three grandchildren.

As archdeacon, "my primary role will be to support and be a resource to the deacons of the diocese," Geof says. "My hope is to also encourage the growth of the diaconate in New Hampshire, particularly in under-served communities," including the North Country, and in cities such as Manchester and Nashua. "As the church explores what it means to be church in a post-pandemic world, I believe deacons, as people ordained to interpret to the church the needs, hopes and concerns of the world, have a critical ministry in helping us as Christ's hands and feet to reach out to those who are poor, lonely, sick or at the margins of society," says Geof. "I want to talk with everyone who feels they might be called to this ministry. Next to my family, it's the best thing I've done with my life!"

Geof can be reached by email here.

SpiritBound Receives a 2024 Episcopal Evangelism Grant

SpiritBound Digital Mission is one of 33 projects to receive Episcopal Church evangelism grants, which were approved by the Executive Council's Executive Committee last month. Totaling $123,800, the grants benefit dioceses across the U.S. and in Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador Central. SpiritBound received a grant of $4,000.

"As in prior years, the 2024 evangelism grant focus was on projects that minister across barriers, including collaborative, lay-led ministries; ministries that support traditionally underrepresented communities within the church; and ministries that engage new ways of being the church," according to a press release. Read more here.

Becoming Beloved Community Newsletter Spotlights Reparations Task Force

A piece by Reparations Task Force member Seth Bonvouloir, a congregant at Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua, was published in the January Becoming Beloved Community Newsletter. It focuses on the reparations resolution that passed unanimously at the diocesan convention on Oct. 26, 2024. "The unique aspect that sets the resolution apart from those of other dioceses is that it includes the guarantee of non-repeat of the harms committed. This resolution laid out suggestions as to how the diocesan staff and individual parishes could begin and hence carry out meaningful dialogue and action of reparations," Seth writes. Read more here.

Musician Nancy Farris Celebrated After 32 years at Christ Church North Conway

Background: Members of the Mount Washington Valley Choral Society and the Christ Church Choir. Foreground: Nancy Farris playing for the final time at Christ Church, accompanied by her son, Ralph Farris Jr., on the violin. 

On Jan. 12, Christ Church North Conway honored Nancy DuCette Farris on the occasion of her retirement at a sung celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Nancy received a blessing from Christ Church Rector, the Rev. Sinclair Ender HOSM, and a formal Letter of Appreciation from Bishop Rob. She was honored with musical tributes by the Mount Washington Valley Choral Society (MWVCS), led by conductor George Weise, and her son, Ralph Farris Jr.

A lifelong Episcopalian and a Companion of The Holy Cross, Nancy is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and Boston University, and was the first female conducting student accepted at the Tanglewood Music Institute. The former music director and accompanist of the MWVCS, she has performed extensively across the Northeast, including at “The Miracle Church” — St. Paul’s Chapel, New York City, in the aftermath of the attacks on 9/11. With her husband, Ralph H. Farris, Sr., she has performed in Canada, England, France, Russia, and Israel.

Nancy and Ralph first came to Christ Church in 1993 as part of a husband-and-wife team for music ministry, and quickly connected with the vibrant musical community of the valley. The Ralph Farris Chorale (with Nancy at the organ and/or piano) performed several times at Christ Church, and Nancy served for many years as a performer and co-director of the Bach Festival, which was founded by her Christ Church predecessor and dear friend, Clarence Snyder.

From her first position at St. Anne’s in Revere, MA, to her prestigious post at St. Paul’s Cathedral Boston (where she met her beloved Ralph), to her steadfast and faithful work at Christ Church, Nancy has been a church organist since the age of nine—almost 80 years. She has dedicated her life to music ministry and is very proud of her service to the valley community. She gives thanks to Almighty God for His many blessings.

NH News Outlets Share News About Church-Based Warming Shelters

Warming shelters at Trinity, Claremont, and All Saints', Littleton were recently featured in the local press.

"Winter in New Hampshire can be unforgiving, but organizations like the Trinity Episcopal Church provide a much-needed reprieve," wrote "Eagle Times" columnist Dale Girard. "Their warming center offers a haven for individuals seeking shelter from the harsh weather, demonstrating compassion and care for our community’s most vulnerable members."

Last week, NHPR reported that the opening of All Saints' shelter was delayed due to an issue with their insurance policy. “Every day when it's 10 degrees out, I look outside and I think about how we really need to be open,” All Saints' rector and shelter board chair, the Rev. Veronika Travis, told reporter Paul Cuno-Booth. "We need to be open so people can get in there.” Her prayers were answered Tuesday, when Littleton allowed the shelter to temporarily use the town's insurance policy. "Thank you to the hard work of the board and the shelter director, Chloe Duff, and staff; this one took a lot of work," Veronika said. "The board would also like to extend a thank you to Chief Miller and to the United Methodist Church for their commitment to the cause." Read the updated story here.

The Boston Globe Reports on Suit Against TD Bank

A lawsuit related to the Christ Church Portsmouth redevelopment project filed by the diocese earlier this month is the subject of a story published on bostonglobe.com. "In a letter to church officials last fall, a TD Bank trust officer said the planned redevelopment at Christ Episcopal Church would construct new buildings and use the church’s property for 'other than ecclesiastical purposes,' which Stone [who donated the land] forbade," writes reporter Steven Porter.

"The church, however, isn't giving up...This project is actually 'an organic expression of the Church’s duty and mission and meets its ecclesiastical purpose,' attorneys Amanda E. Quinlan and Alexandra S. Cote, from the McLane Middleton law firm, wrote in the church’s complaint." Read the story here.

The Rev. A.J. Boots Ordained in Tennessee

On the afternoon of Jan. 15, the Rev. AJ Boots was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Rob at the Chapel of the Apostles in Sewanee, TN. A festive reception followed at St. Mary's Convent.

AJ was ordained to the transitional diaconate at St. Paul Church, Concord—the congregation which sponsored her for ordination— in June, 2024. She is a postulant at the Community of St. Mary, Southern Province in Sewanee, where she is discerning a call to religious life.  

St. Mary's is a women’s Benedictine community within The Episcopal Church that expresses its way of life through care for the body, the soul, and the earth. Members seek to address the spiritual and temporal needs of our society through their life of prayer and solitude, ministry to the poor, spiritual direction and hospitality, the various endeavors of their Organic Prayer Program and their website, and through their work in churches—both in the U.S. and the Philippines. AJ is serving as the resident priest in the convent community in Sewanee.

Sunday, Jan. 26 is Religious Life Sunday in the Episcopal Church, when we are invited to learn about, pray for, and celebrate the vowed religious orders and communities that have long been part of the church. Learn more about and find resources for Religious Life Sunday here.

Register Now For Barbara C. Harris Summer and Family Camps

It's not too early to be thinking ahead to summer 2025, especially if you want to secure a spot at Barbara C. Harris Episcopal Camp in beautiful Greenfield, NH. 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. Register for both camps via the button below. 

40 Days of Welcome and Gratitude: Lenten Resources

United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries are offering a multifaceted program this Lent to help people of all ages consider ways they both experience and provide welcome.

• Register here for a five-session book club on “The Ungrateful Refugee: What Immigrants Never Tell You,” by Dina Nayeri. Zoom discussions will be held at noon ET on Tuesdays from March 11 through April 8.
• Sign up to receive daily gratitude text messages.
• Download children’s activities, Prayers of the People for Lent, gratitude calendars, lesson plans for faith formation leaders, and more.
• Materials are available in English and Spanish.



Learn more about United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries.

Episcopal Communicators Webinar: Website Essentials

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 3 p.m. on Zoom

Websites are essential for spreading the good news in the 21st century. They are the information hub and offer insights into your community, ministries, services, and more. Does yours present an accurate picture of your congregation or ministry?



In this webinar, Laurel Way, director of communications and information technology for the Diocese of Arizona, will lead participants through the crucial elements and foundations of church/diocesan/organization websites. Learn about (or get a refresher on) building an effective, informative and eye-catching website in this ever-changing digital landscape. This webinar is free to members; cost to non-members is $25. 



Have Your Say: Teen / Tween Forum and Retreat

Feb. 7 - 9 

Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield

Youth Formation leaders are hosting a two-night retreat for young people to reflect on and share about themselves, their journey with God and their relationships in and with church. This retreat is open to current middle and high school youth from the Episcopal dioceses of Maine and New Hampshire. This year's retreat will explore the theme "Who Do You Say That I Am?"—unpacking some of Jesus' ministry, saints among us, and our unique identities as beloveds of God.

Cost: There is an invitation to make a contribution that works for your household budget and no one will know what you contribute. The true cost per youth is $200. There is a limited capacity. Register here!

St. Andrew’s in New London is looking for a full-time curate to begin work between May and September 2025. The “Curate of Kearsarge” will “support, deepen, and extend our witness and benefit from a supportive but stretching context for his or her diaconal and priestly formation. The curate will share in the leadership of liturgy, pastoral care, Christian formation, community engagement, and parish administration.” Please read the full position description here. To be considered for the position, please send a cover letter addressed to the Rector of St. Andrew’s New London, a resume, and an OTM profile to Canon Tina Pickering.

For more information about openings and ministry opportunities in the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, please go to our Transitions Ministry page on the website.

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

JANUARY

26 Religious Life Sunday

27-30 Forma & Province 1 Conference, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield

FEBRUARY

2 Bishop’s Visitation, Christ Church, Portsmouth

7-9 Have Your Say Teen/Tween Retreat, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield

9 Bishop's Visitation, Church of the Messiah, North Woodstock

MARCH

1 Parochial Reports due

1 Ordination of George Swenson to the diaconate, Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua

5 Ash Wednesday

9 Bishop's Visitation, Grace Church, Manchester

16 Bishop's Visitation, St. John the Baptist, Sanbornville

30 Bishop's Visitation, Saint James, Laconia

Correction: In the December issue of the Vine, an item about the fall event, “Becoming an Episcopal Outdoorswoman,” having been featured on the on The Episcopal Church's "SpadeSpoonSoul" podcast did not properly credit the organizer of the event and was missing the name of one of the co-leaders. The event was coordinated by outdoor educator Linden Rayton, owner of Living Water Nature Programs, with input from five other New Hampshire Episcopal women, including Sarah Loy. The photos were taken by Rayton.

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