Following the Good Shepherd Version 3.0

As the state of New Hampshire announces its “Safer at Home Advisory” and continues on the path of re-opening for business, employment, and services, Bishop Rob shares this “3.0” document to provide continued guidance regarding how we may go about regathering in our churches.

Read more…

Province 1 Bishops' Response to President Trump's Actions at St. John's Church in Washington, DC

New England Episcopal bishops respond with one voice to President’s “cynical” photo-op by calling out “the abomination of continued oppression of and violence against people of color in this nation”

What President Trump did in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square on the evening of June 1 was disgraceful and morally repugnant.  Displaying a Bible from which he did not quote, using as a mere backdrop an Episcopal church where he did not pray, and – more callously – ordering law enforcement to clear, with force and tear gas, a path through demonstrators who had gathered in peace, President Trump distorted for his own purposes the cherished symbols of our faith to condone and stoke yet more violence.

To read more, Click HERE

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.