God, spirituality, and religion were not a prominent part of my life until recently.  For the past few years, I've felt a yearning to realize the existence of God and feel His presence in my life.  I'm searching for answers, or perhaps, more honestly, a sense of comfort and peace.  I find listening to others discuss their concepts and ideas of God to be reassuring.  I'm not alone in this journey. I'm beginning to accept that I may never have the answers, but I may have the pleasure comfort and peace. I guess that is what faith is all about.

 ~ Jill Hunter    

With the announcement of the retirement in December of The Most Rev. Dr. Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury, it is natural to wonder about the extent to which the search for his successor will mirror our own diocese's search for a bishop. Bishop Gene Robinson's initiative in offering our diocese more than two years to search for his successor means that a lengthier timeline has existed for the process of discernment. In an age at which global news travels instantaneously, the handicapping for the Archbishop's successor has begun, with The Financial Times claiming on March 29 that "The Most Rev. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, is the second most senior cleric in [Great Britain], and the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Dr. Rowan Williams with odds of 6:4." The latest news headlines suggest a changing ecclesiastical landscape, as users of social media will have the opportunity to make their views known about the needs in the next leader of the Anglican Communion. My research suggests that the Anglican process looks a bit more tactical than the strategic opportunity afforded the next Bishop of New Hampshire.

On March 15 New Hampshire's Search and Nomination Committee "joyfully announce[d] the nominees for a Bishop Coadjutor" to succeed Gene Robinson: they are Rev. Penelope Maud Bridges, Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, and Rev. Dr. William Warwick Rich. Members of the public will have the opportunity to meet and greet the candidates for Bishop of New Hampshire on May 1-3 in Exeter, Holderness, and Concord. Screening and assessment of candidates to become finalists occurred between November and March. The chosen Bishop Coadjutor for New Hampshire will be consecrated by Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori on August 4th in Concord and installed as 10th Bishop of New Hampshire on January 5, 2013 at St. Paul's.

The process is similar for the selection of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but the composition of the Search Committee, in effect, is quite different. The Archbishop of Canterbury is appointed by the Queen of England, who follows the recommendation of the Crown Nomination Committee (CNC). The CNC is comprised of a lay chair appointed by the Prime Minister of England; a Bishop elected by the House of Bishops; the Archbishop of York; six representatives from the Diocese of Canterbury; six members (three clergy, three lay) elected by the General Synod; a member of the Primates Committee of the Anglican Communion. Their task is to create a profile, gather nominations, and recommend a finalist candidate and a "second electable candidate" in the event that the ultimate nominee is unable to serve. The nomination goes to the Prime Minister, who forwards it to the Queen for approval. Once the Queen approves the nominee, the Prime Minister announces his or her identity. The expectation is that the process of reviewing nominations will occur throughout the summer.

A reading of New Hampshire's Profile for our new Bishop highlights our sense of tradition and openness: "We seek a prayerful, spiritually vibrant, energetic leader with a broad pastoral background and a good sense of humor who will value our unique character and discern with us what God is calling us to be. Someone with a strong appreciation for lay ministry, a commitment to social justice, and eager to engage with youth will find New Hampshire a fertile and productive mission field." While most news reports focus on the Archbishop's role in preventing a permanent schism within the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop's website (click here) highlights six areas of duty summarized below. For starters, he or she supervises the Diocese of Canterbury, though in practice those duties are often administered by the Bishop of Dover. Second, the Archbishop is a Metropolitan, visiting and supervising 30 dioceses within the Province of Canterbury. Third, the Archbishop is "Primate of All England...chaplain to the nation." Fourth, the Archbishop is an international figure, both as "Focus of Unity" for the Anglican Communion and "...with the Bishop of Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarch, widely regarded as an international spiritual leader, representing the Christian Church." Finally, the Archbishop fulfills duties in relation to other churches, both ecumenically in England and internationally.

While the timeline is truncated for the Archbishop's selection, the high profile of this position has clearly necessitated succession planning, and a short list of candidates is widely circulated. No doubt our Diocese's prayers will be welcome and needed during the process of discernment, mirroring our calling of a new Bishop, for our message of God's boundless love to flourish in the years ahead.

                                                                by Kathy Bush                            

On February 22, 29, March 14 and 21, St. Paul's hosted Simple Bowls, a unique program focused on simplicity in spiritual life, using a bowl designed to hold a full meal for one person. The bowls were intended as icons to simplicity and were blessed at the first gathering on Ash Wednesday. At each session, participants enjoyed a brief cooking class using simple, healthy, one-bowl meal recipes (whole grain and vegetables flavored with protein) along with prayer and reflection. You could either bring your own bowl or purchase one made by our host and facilitator, the Rev. Canon Charles LaFond. Charles is a renowned potter, as well as co-creator (with the Rev. Jason Wells) of the Simple Bowls program. Ginnie Schartner and her son Steve, Marilyn Watson, and Joanne St. Hilaire prepared delicious soups and a scrumptious fish meal, and each received a pottery oil light made by Charles. We left each evening fulfilled in more ways than one.