Bishop Hirschfeld's Pentecost Sermon

Each year on this day we celebrate the birthday of the church. Normally it is a day of joy and exuberance as we open ourselves to the possibility for God’s renewal, for a fresh inhale of God’s life-giving, light bearing Spirit.  The Holy Spirit, the breath of God, that brooded over the chaos before the creation, that shapes a random mess of particles into atoms and mass, and life, and meaning and purpose.  The Holy Spirit that invades all boundaries and isolated individual interests to form communities of love and concern and compassion.  For more, click HERE

Say Their Names

As bishop, I invite the membership of our parishes to listen to this list of these individuals, each created in the beautiful and strong image of God.  I don’t care if you learn about the Parthians, the Medes, the Elamites, the Phrygians and all the rest this year.  I urge you to listen to these names  As you hear or read these names, please invite the Holy Spirit to choose a name for you to come alongside in the coming weeks of what may be a long summer.  Say the name in your daily prayers.  Learn who that person was. Learn when and where they were born.  To read more, click HERE

Bishop Rob's Letter Regarding Stay at Home 2.0: Places of Worship

May 30, 2020

On Friday May 29, Governor Chris Sununu shared a document, Stay at Home 2.0: Places of Worship, that ostensibly allows houses of worship to begin re-admitting worshippers to their sacred spaces for religious services only. I am grateful that the Governor takes seriously the particular complexities of risk and demand that we all face as we contemplate gathering again for religious services. The Governor’s order is informed by the advice of health professionals, immunologists, as well as members of various religious communities in New Hampshire. To read more, Click HERE.

The Church and Stay at Home 2.0: Following the Good Shepherd and the Path Ahead

Dear Clergy and Lay Leaders, 

As the state of New Hampshire begins to walk towards a gradual "re-opening" of the state - for business, employment, and services - while maintaining important public health measures to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, I am sharing this document to provide guidance about how we might think about "re-opening" our churches. 

Following The Good Shepherd On The Path Ahead 

As always, the diocesan staff and I welcome your questions and concerns and we stand ready to pray, consult and partner with you now and in the days ahead. 

Yours in the Risen Christ,

+Rob

The. Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld

Bishop of New Hampshire

Liturgy of the Word Sermon – A. Robert Hirschfeld, Bishop April 12, 2020

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Gosh this feels weird. Everything about this feels so strange, so disorienting, so dislocating. I don’t know how many words I can come up with — a Thesaurus of words

that talk about being off balance and feeling so strange and even foolish. But here we are. All we have are these texts, these readings, these amazing stories that we just heard. READ MORE

To view a recording of the Easter service, click HERE:

Statement from the Province 1 Bishops on the disestablishment of the Mashpee Wamanoag Tribe

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the People of the First Light, have lived in what is now known as southeastern New England for 12,000 years.  400 years ago they sheltered the pilgrims in need of refuge and care.  After giving that precious gift of hospitality, the Mashpee Wampanoag endured and overcame generations of persecution, oppression and marginalization.  Today they are threatened with having their reservation lands taken out of trust and being disestablished by the United States government in their own homeland.  To read MORE

Bishop Hirschfeld's Stay at Home Letter

March 27, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

We have just heard from Governor Sununu that the State of New Hampshire will be under a Stay at Home order until Monday May 4th.  The purpose of this order is to slow progression of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Read more HERE.

Bishop's Pastoral Letter - March 24, 2020

Pastoral Letter from Bishop Rob Hirschfeld on Life and Worship During the COVID-19 Epidemic

March 24, 2020

Dear Clergy and Pastoral Leaders in the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire,

It is clear now that the congregations in the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, like many of those throughout the world, will be unable to assemble in person for our usual solemn and joyous celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. Efforts to stem the pandemic of the potentially devastating COVID-19 require each of our households to practice physical distancing, to refrain from gathering in groups of any size and to remain at home.

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Bishop's Address at 217th Annual Diocesan Convention

I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  (John 15:11-12)

 I address this convention of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire in the name of the One, Holy, and Living God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 So that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.  Joy.

 Could it be that the whole point of the Gospel message, the whole goal, vision, and purpose of the Church, the entire motivation of our ministry and mission, the reason for a Diocesan Council, a Vestry or Bishop’s Committee, an altar guild, a bible study, a fierce conversation about being hurt or causing hurt, a building committee, Commission on Ministry, elections, resolutions, and yes, even a Diocesan Convention is that the joy that is in Jesus may be in you and me, and that our joy may be complete, made perfect, resilient, astounding? 

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Prayer for Veterans' Day 2019

The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld

Bishop

 November 11, 2019

As our delegates from around the Diocese of New Hampshire are about to come together for our Annual Convention, we would be remiss if we did not pause to thank and honor our Veterans.  We are deeply grateful to those who have sacrificed their time, their comforts, and unknown other opportunities available to them in service to our country. In addition, we are lift up in our grateful prayers those who sacrificed their own physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as our military has confronted real threats to our security and freedom.  

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