Published in the may issue of Anglican Theological Review, “Beyond acedia and wrath: life during the climate apocalypse,” is co-authored by Bishop Rob and the Rev. Stephen Blackmer, founding priest and chaplain at Church of the Woods in Canterbury.
In the News: In an Easter Sunday story, Union Leader reporter Shawne Wickham writes about newly ordained Rev. Kathy Boss, All Saints’ Littleton and White Mountain School. “She first heard the call when she was a young girl. It whispered to her over the years as she studied, worked and raised three sons. The call grew more persistent, and at last she responded as the ancient prophet once did: Here I am, Lord. The Rev. Kathy Boss was ordained as an Episcopal priest last month. She will serve communion for the first time this Easter Sunday to her parishioners at All Saints’ Church in Littleton.”
The Episcopal News Service recently published a story titled, “2019 parochial reports show continued decline and a ‘dire’ future for The Episcopal Church.” The Church of New Hampshire has reviewed the report and found it is based on inaccurate numbers embedded in the parochial reports. In reality, Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) in New Hampshire was statistically flat between 2018 and 2019.
Canon Gail Avery reported on the following discussion with the churches that Dr. Anthony Fauci had at a recent Bishops and Canons conference call. In light of the fact that 40-50% of those infected by COVID-19 are asymptomatic, and the United States has not flattened the curve as was hoped would happen by now, Dr. Fauci strongly advocates the following:
May 30, 2020
A word to the Church from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry: “Our long-term commitment to racial justice and reconciliation is embedded in our identity as baptized followers of Jesus. We will still be doing it when the news cameras are long gone.”
As reported in the Union Leader. “No handshakes or embraces, no passing of the collection plate, no sharing of the Communion cup, no gathering before or after services. It surely will look different, but houses of worship in New Hampshire can reopen, after Gov. Chris Sununu on Friday released his much-anticipated guidelines for public religious services, effective immediately.”
Bishop Rob completed one circuit around the State House in Concord, NH. on Wednesday, April, 15, 2020. The Bishop did his “foolish” ride for Jesus to convey the importance of wearing your mask in public during these critical next few weeks, and to encourage those who can to donate to the NH Charitable Foundation’s Community Crisis Action Fund.
As reported in SeacoastOnline.com: St. John’s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, will be hosting six Sunday evening programs during Lent. “The Stories We Tell” will feature a different presentation each evening, followed by discussion, dinner and compline in the church sung by the Compline Choir. The series will begin Sunday, March 1 at 5 p.m. with “Why Our Stories Matter” with Rev. Nathaniel Bourne…
As reported in the Union Leader: A new art exhibit showcasing the immigrant experience goes on display at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Londonderry tonight. “We’re turning the church into an art gallery,” said the Rev. Colin Chapman.
As reported in the Union Leader: Standing in the sanctuary at the Episcopal Mission of Franklin, the Rev. Kate Harmon Siberine recounts how a few months ago the building had been closed — doors locked, the structure empty. But like the city it calls home, the church is enjoying a rebirth and has again become a place for people to gather, worship and foster a Christian community.
As reported in the Union Leader: If you’ve ever driven Route 117 up and over and through Sugar Hill — to see the lupines in June, perhaps, or the bright colors of fall — you’ve passed St. Matthew’s Chapel…
As reported by The Living Church: Something extraordinary is happening at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Newport, N.H. (pop. 6,500). Once a month like clockwork, since early this year, worship attendance jumps from 20 to nearly 40.
As reported by the Episcopal News Service: Episcopalians may be familiar with Jesus’ assurance that “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Members of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Goffstown, New Hampshire, also know this: Two or three, however devout, are not enough to field a softball team.
As reported in the Concord Monitor: When Barbara Burns plays the organ at St. Jude’s Church in Franklin, she thinks about her mother singing with the church’s choir 60 years ago.
Please check out these wonderful articles featuring the Rev. Stephen Blackmer and Church of the Woods. The Dartmouth cover story details Steve's spiritual journey and the creation of the Church of the Woods and Kairos Earth