Bishop Hirschfeld’s Intent to Retire

Bishop Rob Hirschfeld has announced plans to retire in March of 2027 and has called for the Diocese of New Hampshire to begin the process of electing a new bishop. Hirschfeld has served as the 10th Bishop of New Hampshire since his consecration in 2012. To read his announcement, click here.

Seeking the Next Bishop

In reference to the ordination of a bishop, Canon 11, Section 1 of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church states that, “the Standing Committee shall have oversight of, and responsibility for, any search, nomination, transition, and election processes.”

As the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire assumes these duties, we are committed to ensuring a fair, hopeful, holy, and Spirit-led process for calling the 11th Bishop of New Hampshire. Our most immediate task is to form a Search Committee and a Transition Committee. With guidance from the consultant already contracted to assist both groups, and a chaplain, they will lead our forthcoming diocesan discernment.

Search and Transition Committees

Descriptions of both the Search Committee and Transition Committee follow. For those who feel called to serve, please consider these qualifications and experiences.

Submission Deadline for Nominations to the Search and Transition Committees is September 29

The application/nomination form for those interested in serving on or nominating someone else to serve on either committee is available here. Deadline for submission is Monday, September 29, and appointments will be announced in mid-October.

Search Committee

The Search Committee seeks and presents a slate of candidates to the Standing Committee within parameters (size, deadline) outlined in the official “Charge to the Search Committee.” The Search Committee’s work is grounded in discernment, prayerfulness, and confidentiality through consensus. Particular gifts and skills most helpful for members of this committee include:

●       Knowledge of Episcopal polity

●       Experience with diocesan and/or churchwide structures

●       Good technical and organizational skills: email, Zoom, sharing docs, etc.

●       Good working relationship with diocesan staff

●       Good at networking around the diocese and Episcopal Church

●       Tactful and diplomatic

●       Pastoral, collegial, and hospitable

●       Prayerful and discerning

●       Time and availability for this work

Transition Committee

The Transition Committee welcomes and hosts candidates to the diocese, providing opportunities for shared common discernment and learning, celebrating the resigning bishop diocesan, and organizing an electing convention and the ordination weekend events. This committee conducts much of the planning before the candidate slate is announced, at which stage it takes over from the Search Committee. Particular gifts and skills most helpful for members of this committee include:

●       Hospitality

●       Experience with event planning and management

●       Communication and social media skills

●       Connections and good relationships across the diocese

●       Good working relationship with the diocesan staff

●       Liturgy planning

●       Good technical and organizational skills: email, Zoom, sharing docs, etc

●       Pastoral and collegial

●       Tactful and diplomatic

●       Enthusiastic and creative

●       Time and availability for this work

Proposed Timeline for Search and Transition

To print the timeline, click here.

2025

September
Bishop Rob Hirschfeld announces resignation
Standing Committee opens applications and nominations for Search and Transition Committees

Mid-October
Standing Committee announces Search and Transition Committees, chairs, and chaplain

November 8
Leadership Retreat for Standing, Search, and Transition Committees, Consultant and Chaplain

2026

January-March
Profile and application development, discernment process development

March
Diocesan Profile published, application period opens (about 1 month)

April
Application period ends

April-August
Applicant/Nominee discernment by Search Committee, background and ministry checks
Discernment Retreat with semi-finalists and Search Committee
Transition Committee and Convention Planning Committee plan for Electing Convention
Transition Committee prepares introduction of slate to diocese, plans Meet and Greets

August
Search Committee submits slate to Standing Committee
Standing Committee announces slate, petition period opens
Petition period ends

September
Standing Committee announces final slate

September or October
Nominees visit the diocese as participants in Meet and Greets

October 23-24, 224th Diocesan Convention and Electing Convention

Consent period begins

2027

March 6, Ordination of the 11th Bishop of New Hampshire

Our Prayer

Almighty and ever gracious God. We thank you for the loving, wise and generous ministry of our Bishop, Rob. We ask your blessing upon him and his family as they move through this time of transition. We ask your blessing on all the clergy and people of the Diocese of New Hampshire as we discern together to call the next Bishop of New Hampshire. Guide us in wisdom, patience and love as we seek your will for us and for the leader you will send to be our shepherd. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.