Bishop Robinson’s announcement of his retirement, in a closing address to Diocesan Convention in November, was greeted with surprise and sadness. It also initiated necessary actions by the Standing Committee. A tentative timeline for the call of a new bishop was drafted, and by January committee chairs and co-chairs were appointed.

Kevin Nichols (Rector of St. Andrew’s Hopkinton), chairs the Search and Nomination Committee, with Margaret Porter (St. Stephen’s, Pittsfield), as co-chair. Dave Young (also of St. Andrew’s) chairs the Election and Transition committee and Heidi Frantz-Dale (Rector, St. Andrew’s-in-the-Valley, Tamworth) is co-chair. The Rev. Canon Thad Bennett of the Diocese of Vermont is the consultant for the process, and the Rt. Rev. Don Hart, retired Bishop of Hawaii, is chaplain to both committees.

Standing Committee
Back Row: Adrian Robbins-Cole, Kevin Nichols, George Sutherland, Thad Bennett (Consultant)
Front Row: Celeste Hemingson, Betsy Hess, Terry Knowles

Early in 2011, convocations were asked to elect one lay and one clergy delegate to serve on the Search and Nomination Committee, plus a representative (lay or clergy) for the Election  and Transition Committee. For each committee, the Standing Committee made additional appointments to ensure broad representation in terms of gender, geography, and skills.

On Friday, April 14, the Standing Committee, Search and Transition committees, Bishop Robinson, the chaplain, and the consultant gathered at the Red Jacket Inn, North Conway for an overnight retreat. In addition to introductions, prayer, and dinner, there were opportunities for group sharing of personal stories as well as the story of the Diocese of New Hampshire. That evening a commissioning service was held, led by the Adrian Robbins-Cole (Rector, All Saints, Peterborough, President of the Standing Committee) and Bishop Robinson (who was present until early Saturday morning.) Other members of the Standing Committee, which has oversight of the election, are Terry Knowles (Holy Cross, Weare), Kevin Nichols, Betsy Hess (St. Barnabas, Berlin), George Sutherland (St. Andrew’s, New London), and Celeste Hemingson (Priest-in-Charge, St. Mark’s, Ashland).

The second day began with Eucharist, Thad Bennet preached and Bishop Hart presided. Afterwards committees met separately to discuss their specific timelines, tasks, and budgets. As part of their charge, the committees are asked to rely on consensus, to communicate appropriately, and to observe confidentiality.

Left, Search and Nomination Committee
Right, Election and Transition Committee, Bishop Hart (Chaplain)
Seated: Standing Committee

The Search and Nomination committee was charged with presenting to the Standing Committee five nominees for Bishop Coadjutor. The group is initially responsible for developing a profile to convey the character and visions of our diocese, and how the Holy Spirit is calling us into ministry, educating the committee and diocese about the episcopate, maintaining clear communication with the diocese and with the Standing Committee, inviting applicants into our search to discern with us, and serving as agents of “radical hospitality” throughout the interviewing process. The subcommittees undertaking this work are Profile/Survey, Screening/Interviewing, Visitation/Retreat/Hospitality, and Communications.

Diocesan self-study begins in June, with both survey and discussion forum components, as well as a Clergy Reflection Day to be held at St. Andrew’s, Hopkinton on June 23. Convocations, congregations, and other groups are invited to participate in this important mutual discernment and some events are already scheduled.

The lay members are Sarah Ambrogi (St. Matthew’s, Goffstown), Steve Baker (St. Paul’s, Concord), Peter Baldwin (Christ Church, Exeter), Marge Burke (Holy Cross, Weare), Bonnie Chappell (Church of the Epiphany, Newport), Andre Garcia (Trinity, Mereditih), Gene Garthwaite (St. Thomas, Hanover), Anne Hall (St. Andrew’s, New London) and Florence Hartmann (St. Luke’s, Woodsville). Clergy members are Miriam Acevedo (Vicar, St. Christopher’s, Hampstead), Kate Atkinson (Rector, St. Paul’s, Concord), Guy Collins (Rector, St. Thomas, Hanover), Teresa Gocha (Rector, Church of the Messiah, North Woodstock), Sue Poulin (Rector, St. John the Baptists, Sanbornville), Robert Stevens (Rector, St. John’s, Portsmouth), and Jason Wells (Vicar, Grace Church, E. Concord).

The Election and Transition committee will be responsible for organizing and managing various activities and events surrounding the election of a Bishop Coadjutor who will become the 10th Bishop of New Hampshire, and providing support to those involved in the process. Subcommittees carrying out this work are: Support of Bishop and Diocesan Staff, Walk Abouts, Electing Convention (May 19, 2012, St. Paul’s Church, Concord), Support of Bishop-Elect and Family, Celebration of Bishop’s Retirement, Consecration (August 4, 2012, Capitol Centre for the Arts, Concord), Investiture (January 5, 2013, St. Paul’s Concord), and Communications. Though some of these events will not occur for some time, these groups are already meeting and making plans.

Lay members of the committee are Susan Fockler (St. John’s, Portsmouth), Joyce Ives (St. Mark’s, Ashland), Ted Lockhart (St. Andrew’s, New London), William Raymond (All Saints’, Peterborough), Susan Sielke (St. James’s, Keene), and Barbara Wanner (St. Paul’s, Concord). Clergy members are Paul Higginson (Deacon, All Saints, Littleton) and Jeff Thornberg (Curate, St. John’s, Portsmouth).

During this year-long journey, the committees will rely on the participation of the entire diocese, and in the power of the Holy Spirit as together we seek and call the next Bishop of New Hampshire. We invite you to pray with us and for us throughout our mutual discernment.

A Prayer for the Election of a new Bishop

Holy God, we pray that you help us in our search for a new bishop. Guide the members of our Diocese charged with overseeing and implementing the search with skill and open hearts, and of managing the transition to a new bishop with sensitivity and grace. Inspire worthy servants of your church to stand bravely for election. Send your Holy Spirit upon the delegates who will vote for our next bishop. Support our new bishop every step of the way, and give peace and knowledge of service well done to our retiring bishop, Gene. Give us all patience, wisdom, and that gracious hospitality of soul that allows us to hear your voice and see your face in each other, even when we differ. Through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.