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Announcements and Updates | |
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Great News About the From Deep Roots, New Life, Capital Campaign!
The From Deep Roots, New Life Capital Campaign has reached and exceeded its $2 million dollar goal! We anticipate that we will have raised just over $2.5 million by the time we gather in celebration at our 222nd Annual Convention on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Christ Church in Exeter.
In the words of the Rev. Jamie Hamilton, campaign co-chair: “We are here to announce, pronounce, claim, and rejoice in the fantastic news that more than $2 million has been raised to support the From Deep Roots, New Life capital campaign! We are indeed funding a flourishing church and there is so much to be thankful for.”
From Deep Roots, New Life is about building up people. The funds raised will support clergy and lay leaders through five initiatives: the School for Ministry, the Bishop's Curate's Fund, the Ministerial Development Fund, the Coaching Fund, and the Gospel-Oriented Communities Fund. Learn more here.
Those joining us at the 222nd Annual Convention will receive a copy of our 2024 Campaign Impact Report, which includes messages from Bishop Rob and campaign leaders, as well as stories from around the diocese about the far-reaching impact of the campaign. During the worship portion of convention, 9–10:15 a.m., we will share a short film that includes additional impact stories and words of gratitude. If you would like to celebrate with us, you can join the livestream here.
Sections of the report and the full campaign celebration video will be available on our campaign website in early November, so watch for those links in upcoming newsletters. The report will also be mailed to all campaign donors.
Thank you for your support!
If you have questions, please email Campaign Manager Shelli Gay or call her at 603-224-1914, ext. 112.
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Applications for Young Adult Service Corps Open Oct. 21
The Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) is a ministry for Episcopalians ages 21-35 years interested in exploring and sharing their faith in new places around the worldwide Anglican Communion. The deadline for applying is March 8, 2025. Learn more here.
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Get Out the Vote on Nov. 5
“It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.” - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Election Day is just 19 days away, and much is at stake both locally and nationally. Voting is a powerful way to make a positive impact on your community and fulfill the Gospel call to care for one another. It's not just about choosing a president—it’s about deciding on local races like city council, mayor, and school boards, which directly affect daily life. Here’s how you can help get souls to the polls!
Vote Faithfully Election Engagement
Turnout Sunday coordinates civic engagement and public policy information sharing among denominational and independent church leaders facilitated through the Skinner Leadership Institute and the National African American Clergy Network (NAACN). The network brings together clergy (often in sacred collars), and lawyers to provide a moral and legal presence at polling sites of vulnerable voters. Download these materials in the faith-based voter toolkit here to empower you as clergy and lay leaders to reach out to your family, friends, colleagues, congregations, and acquaintances to raise awareness and promote activism.
Pray for Our Nation: Oct. 29 – Nov. 5
Let's come together across the church to offer prayers for discernment in voting and for the well-being of our nation. Starting Oct. 29 and continuing through the day after the election, we invite you to pray for the election of leaders in the United States. Download the guide for use at home or to share with your congregation. The prayers will also be posted daily on Facebook and Instagram. To download the bulletin insert to share with your congregation, visit Forward Movement.
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St. Paul's "Blessing as Resistance" Makes National News
St. Paul's, Concord's Oct. 5 Blessing of the Animals by the Rev. Jean Beniste and Bishop Rob made newspaper headlines as far away as Albuquerque, New Mexico and even appeared in the Washington Post. Beniste invited the bishop to join him for the annual event in response to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's unfounded allegations that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating their neighbors' pets. According to a Concord Monitor story that was picked up by the Episcopal News Service, Beniste told the crowd, “I say: Bring your pet. Bring your dog and cat. I am a Haitian, and I am not going to eat them...I will bless them. I will embrace them. I will embrace you. I will make community with you.” Read more here.
Photo by Margaret Porter
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Blessing of the Solar Panels at St. George's, Durham | |
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The sun was shining brightly on Sept. 15 as many gathered in front of a new 16.8 kW ground-mounted solar array at St. George’s in Durham. Parishioners were joined by worshippers from the nearby Community Church of Durham (UCC) to celebrate both the new array at St. George’s and a new rooftop solar array at the Community Church. The event marked an opportunity for both congregations to celebrate a common mission of caring for God’s creation.
Presiding over the blessing of the solar panels, Bishop Rob cited a mystical vision experienced by Trappist monk Thomas Merton in 1958, when Merton woke from a “dream of separateness” and saw strangers around him “shining like the sun” in the image of God. Bishop Rob suggested it was time for us to likewise “awaken from a dream of separateness from God’s creation,” and reduce our collective carbon footprint by harnessing the natural energy from the sun.
Funding sources for the solar array include the Diocesan Sustainability Grant, a federal 30 percent direct-pay tax refund, and generous contributions by parishioners. The solar array will eliminate St. George’s annual electric bill and leftover funds will be used for community outreach.
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Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Robin Thomas Soller | |
Bishop Rob joined the congregation of St. Andrew's-in-the-Valley, Tamworth, and fellow New Hampshire clergy to celebrate the ministry of St. Andrew's new rector, the Rev. Robin Thomas Soller (left photo, second from right), on Sept. 22. | |
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Salt and Light: 222nd Annual Diocesan Convention
Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christ Church, Exeter
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While voting must be done in person, all are welcome to watch the livestream of the 222nd Diocesan Convention on our diocesan YouTube channel. Use the link below, or access the livestream from the 2024 Diocesan Convention web pages. | | |
Giving Opportunities for Churches and Individuals
We remind churches and individuals of the following giving opportunities tied to Convention, which you can read more about here:
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Election Night Virtual Prayers
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 8 - 10 p.m.
On Zoom
Everyone is invited to join Election Night Virtual Prayers hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations from 8 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 5. Bishop Sean Rowe, who will become presiding bishop on Nov. 1, will offer an opening reflection and prayer.
Episcopalians from around the church will hold silence and lead participants in prayers together for peace, the nation, and all people and countries. Join the event via Zoom by registering here, or watch a livestream on The Episcopal Public Policy Network’s Facebook page.
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New Youth Ministry Network Formation Meet Up
Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
On Zoom
Calling all Youth Ministers! Youth Formation and Safe Church Coordinator, George Swenson, is creating a Youth Ministry Network for leaders from congregations across the state. The network will gather together quarterly to wonder, collaborate, and share the joys and challenges congregations are finding in their work with youth. The hope in forming this network is that through mutual support, those engaged with youth formation can provide the best opportunities for young people on their faith journeys.
Mark the calendar for Nov. 6 and be sure to share this invite with other youth ministers or youth group leaders, lay or ordained, so that they can also attend. Register here. If you have any questions, please contact George Swenson.
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Soul Shop for Leaders
Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton in Nashua
The Church of the Good Shepherd's new program, "Support Through Education to Prevent Suicide (STEPS)," is co-sponsoring this one-day workshop designed to equip faith community leaders to minister to those impacted by suicide. It includes the creation of worship resources, training of congregation members in suicide awareness and basic conversation skills, and how to extend the invitation to those who have been suicidal in the past to share their stories. This workshop engages the question of how to cultivate a soul-safe culture within your congregation.
Clergy, staff, lay pastors, and anyone in the church is welcome to attend. Lunch is provided, and registration is limited to 35 participants. Email Church of the Good Shepherd Rector, the Rev. Kathy Boss, with questions.
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Province 1 Conversations with Noted Speakers
The Province 1 Christian Formation Network is hosting a series of online monthly “Conversations with Noted Speakers” on Zoom. While hosted by the Episcopal churches of New England everyone is welcome to join these sessions.If you have any questions, please contact Linnae Peterson.
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Celebrating the Investiture of Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe
In this historic and joyful season, we invite you to pray for guidance for our church and our new presiding bishop as he leads us in envisioning the reign of God in our midst. May our celebration unite us as a sacramental community, and may we be filled with new energy to bear witness to God’s work of redemption.
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Who: Everyone is invited!
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What: The Episcopal Church will officially welcome the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as its 28th presiding bishop with a smaller, simpler investiture service aimed at reducing carbon footprint and increasing churchwide virtual participation.
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When: Nov. 2, with a prelude featuring a “roll call” of dioceses starting at 9:30 a.m. ET. The service itself starts at 11 a.m. ET.
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Where: The service will be livestreamed on this page and on The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page. A recording will be posted and distributed after the service.
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How can I participate? Churches, dioceses, small groups, seminaries, and other Episcopal communities are encouraged to organize watch parties to participate in real time with Episcopalians around the world. Find and download customizable invitation assets.
Visit The Episcopal Church's Investiture page for more resources, including an invitation from our current Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, a worship booklet, and children's page (coming soon).
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Episcopal Church Young Adult and Campus Ministry grants now available
Applications are open for 2025-26 Episcopal Church Young Adult and Campus Ministry grants, which provide funding for dioceses, congregations, community and tribal colleges, and university campuses that engage with young adults on and off campus. The deadline to apply is Nov. 18, by 10 p.m. Decisions will be announced in February 2025. Applicants are encouraged to use a discernment and planning guide prior to submission. Find application forms, selection criteria, sample applications, a timeline, budget guidelines, and more here.
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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Grant Applications are Open
Following protocols laid out at the 2022 General Convention to continue the Episcopal Church support of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals, the The Diocesan Commission of Reconciliation has budgeted an annual grant of $10,000. Recommended by Council and then approved each year at Convention through the budget vote, this grant is awarded to one or more not-for-profit organizations deemed by our SDG Committee to alleviate poverty and foster sustainable growth. In past years Diocesan SDG awards have gone to a library in South Africa, a Parish Health Clinic in Honduras, the Women’s Trust in Ghana, Native American Outreach in Maine, and an orphanage in Mexico.
Please read the guidelines in the application and make your recommendation in writing, sending it to the SDG Committee by Nov. 1. Grant applications will be reviewed at Diocesan Council in December to assist the SDG Task Force in selecting the 2024 finalist(s).
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The Communities for Spiritual Vitality (Communities) seeks a part-time project administrator to work closely with its director in the organization and execution of its mission. The Communities is an initiative through the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, in collaboration with the Diocese of Massachusetts, whose purpose is to cultivate the spiritual vitality of laity, cultivating their relationship with Christ through spiritual practice in community with the clergy facilitators. Learn more here.
St. Peter's Church in Londonderry is looking for a part-time Sunday School co-leader to help restart its Sunday morning children's program during worship. Estimated time commitment is three-to-five hours per week. Email Senior Warden Lee O'Connor or call 781-801-8161.
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.
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Bishop's Visitations & Diocesan Events | |
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OCTOBER
26 222nd Annual Diocesan Convention, Christ Church, Exeter
NOVEMBER
2 Installation of Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe
9 Bishop's Visitation, Epiphany Church, Newport
10 Bishop's Visitation, St. Paul's Church, Lancaster
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