Voting is a powerful way to make a positive impact on your community and fulfill the Gospel call to care for one another. It's not just about choosing a president—it’s about deciding on local races like city council, mayor, and school boards, which directly affect daily life. Here’s how you can help get souls to the polls!

Parish Election Challenge: Building Community with Election Engagement

Vote Faithfully Election Engagement

Make Me an Instrument of Peace, A Guide to Civil Discourse

It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls. 
— Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Voting in New Hampshire

Are you registered to vote? Do you need to update your address? Go to vote.gov/register.

Absentee ballots are now available, but you must meet certain criteria to vote absentee. Learn more and request one here no later than noon on Monday, Nov. 4. Ballots must be received in person no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 and by mail no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day.

Pray for Our Nation: Oct. 29 – Nov. 5

Let's come together across the church to offer prayers for discernment in voting and for the well-being of our nation. Starting Oct. 29 and continuing through the day after the election, you are invited to pray for the election of leaders in the U.S. Download the guide for use at home or to share with your congregation. The prayers will also be posted daily on Facebook and Instagram. To download the bulletin insert to share with your congregation, visit Forward Movement.

Election Night Virtual Prayers

Everyone is invited to join Election Night Virtual Prayers hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations from 8 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 5. Bishop Sean Rowe, who will become presiding bishop on Nov. 1, will offer an opening reflection and prayer.

Episcopalians from around the church will hold silence and lead participants in prayers together for peace, the nation, and all people and countries. Join the event via Zoom by registering here, or watch a livestream on The Episcopal Public Policy Network’s Facebook page.


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Bishop Rob is one of 42 diocesan bishops to authorize the use of the 2024 edition of "Season of Creation: A Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes," during this year's Season of Creation, Sept. 1 - Oct. 4.   

According to the Episcopal News Service, "developing this resource has been a grassroots effort inspired by the ecumenical Season of Creation movement, a desire for authentic Episcopal liturgical expression, and the awareness that parish leaders often have limited time and energy to prepare and plan services for every season." The guide includes prayers, readings, and hymns dedicated to honoring the sacredness of God’s Creation.

Season of Creation Celebration Guide (PDF)

Season of Creation Worship Guide

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AuthorAmy Redfern

Written by Betty Lane and James McKim

Over the past few years, the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire (ECNH) has passed resolutions committing the diocese to working toward racial reconciliation, healing and justice guided by the long-term commitment to Becoming Beloved Community. As a church we have affirmed the path of telling the truth about our churches and race, proclaiming the dream of Beloved Community, practicing Jesus’ way of healing love, and repairing the breach in society and institutions.

The 221st Convention of the ECNH passed the resolution “Becoming the Beloved Community: A Plan for Reparations.” That resolution set forth $56,000 and called for a Reparations Task Force to develop a strategy and framework for reparations. 

Why? Ongoing racial injustice continues to plague New Hampshire with disparities in access to economic opportunities, education, healthcare, and criminal justice continue to disproportionately impact non-white communities. Our baptismal vows call us, with God’s help, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves and to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being knowing that this can be challenging and yet joyful work of the church.

The Reparations Task Force has been created. Betty Lane from Christ Church, Portsmouth and James McKim from St. Matthew’s, Goffstown are co-chairs. As per the resolution, the Task Force has representation from the Reconciliation Commission (the Ven. Derek Scalia), Diocesan Council (Lauren Tennett), Finance Lauren Tennett), Standing Committee (the Rev. Guy Collins), and the Trustees (Sarah Ambrogi). Other members include youth representative Seth Bonvouloir and the Rev. Zac Harmon, liaison to community partners and Indigenous communities. The Rev. Michele Bonner, who recently returned to New Hampshire from the Diocese of Texas, has been hired as a part-time coordinator for the effort.

The Task Force has been meeting since January. It has developed a definition of reparations for all to use. 

“Reparations is the spiritual and material process to remember, restore, reconcile, and make amends for historical and continuing wrongs such as: Peoplehood/Nationhood, Education, Health, Criminal Punishment, Wealth, and Poverty, against African American and Indigenous people that can never be singularly reducible to monetary terms, but must include repentance, a substantial investment and surrender of resources, and a guarantee of non-repeat.” 

(Note: The wrongs identified above are known as the Five Injuries; learn more here. )

The Task Force has identified work to be done in the following areas:

  • Build Relationships

  • Truth-Finding

  • Truth-Telling 

  • Repentance 

  • Repairing the Breach/Rehabilitation/Restitution/Compensation 

  • Evaluation/Satisfaction

To gain insights into the brokenness here in New Hampshire and to ensure that the work we do is truly effective, the Task Force has been building relationships with organizations identified as “Accountability Partners,” such as the Black Heritage Trail NH, the Cowasuck Band of the Penacook-Abenaki, BLM NH, the three branches of the NAACP, and others. To gain insights into the thoughts of members of the diocese and provide guidance on what can be done locally, the Task Force is coordinating meetings with each of the seven Convocations. To provide opportunities for truth telling and healing, the Task Force is in the process of scheduling Healing of Memories workshops which will be available for everyone in the diocese.

“This work is long-term work,” says Bishop Hirschfeld. “And we have the best minds in the diocese leading our efforts. However, as followers of Jesus, we should not wait for their plan and framework to take action. We encourage every member of the church to participate in a Sacred Ground program. We encourage every parish to live into our 219th Convention resolution to go through the program “Becoming Beloved Community Where You Are”.

For more information on the work of the Task Force or what you can do now toward reparations and Becoming Beloved Community, contact the Rev. Michele Bonner at reparations@nhepiscopal.org.

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AuthorAmy Redfern

Trinity Church Claremont’s temporary shelter was featured in a story published by the Valley news and NHNPR, “Upper Valley winter shelters keep dozens warm and dry.” From the story:

“The shelter’s volunteers provided meals and overnight monitoring. Several Claremont churches, including First Congregational Church, St. Joseph and St. Mary’s provided monetary donations or volunteers to support the project.

Elizabeth Moriarty, a pastor at Trinity, said they are currently seeking a new building to house the shelter, as the church is not an adequate space for a seasonal or year-round program. In addition, they hope to partner with an organization that is experienced in staffing and running a shelter.”

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Creative Redevelopment of Episcopal Church Property Will Further Church’s Mission To Serve The Community

On the front steps of Christ Church, Portsmouth, from left: Portland Housing Authority Executive Director Craig Welch, HAVEN Executive Director Kathy Beebe, and Bishop Rob Hirschfeld | Photo by Kathleen Soldati

The Episcopal Church of New Hampshire has announced plans to redevelop its Christ Church property on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth. The Episcopal diocese, which owns the 3.5-acre plot, has partnered with the Portsmouth Housing Authority (PHA), HAVEN—the state’s largest organization providing support and prevention services to those impacted by sexual and domestic violence—and Little Blessings Child Care Center, to further the diocese’s mission to serve the community. According to Bishop Rob Hirschfeld, the vision includes building approximately 50 units of affordable, workforce apartment rental units, a new headquarters for HAVEN’s violence prevention services, renovated facilities for Little Blessings Child Care, and a revamped worship space. A draft plan will be presented to the Portsmouth Planning Board in later this month.

“This is what happens when faithful people dare to pray for a vision of God’s purposes," says Bishop Hirschfeld. “This will be a bold project that will further God’s love and care in this community. I’m grateful to all involved for their courageous collaboration.”

Christ Episcopal Church of Portsmouth has been welcoming worshippers since the original stone structure on Madison Street was dedicated in July 1883. After it burned down 80 years later, the church was rebuilt on a three-acre piece of land donated by local benefactor John Elwyn Stone, a descendant of the Langdon family, along what is now Route One. Over time, the number of congregants has dwindled to a small but dedicated group for whom maintenance of the large, red brick church building has become a burden.

Thanks to the creativity of the project’s partners, the church structure will be retained. Plans call for part of the building to be repurposed as the headquarters for HAVEN. The building will also house new space for Little Blessings, and its childcare service will continue to operate uninterrupted throughout construction. A key element of the project is continuity of Episcopal worship services, which will be relocated to the renovated former church rectory. Plans also call for the African Burying Ground at Langdon Farm, located behind the rectory and part of the Black Heritage Trail of NH, to be preserved and highlighted.

HAVEN Executive Director, Kathy Beebe, says the nonprofit has been searching for several years to find a location in Portsmouth that will give the organization more space. Headquartered in Portsmouth for over 45 years, HAVEN has grown to serve more than a third of the state. “This project is beyond exciting, and we are grateful to the Episcopal church for the opportunity,” says Beebe. “It will allow us to expand our client services, counseling, educational outreach, and provide program and office space in a centralized location.” HAVEN will continue to maintain its satellite  office in Rochester, Beebe says.

Little Blessings Child Care Center Director Dana St. Jean has served in nearly every position for 30 of the center’s 38 years, and can attest to the excellent care and education she and her staff have offered to Seacoast families. “A renovated or new space will strengthen our ability to continue providing quality services, especially in these challenging times for the early education industry,” says St. Jean. “Bishop Hirschfeld’s commitment to early education is admirable. This is a tremendous opportunity that we are very grateful to be a part of, and we look forward to our partnership with the diocese, Portsmouth Housing Authority, and HAVEN as the project develops and comes to fruition.”

According to Bishop Hirschfeld, the addition of nearly 50 units of workforce housing is meaningful development for Portsmouth, and the diocese has found the ideal partner in the PHA. “As a nonprofit agency, we have been developing and managing housing and rental apartments in Portsmouth for over 70 years,” says PHA Executive Director Craig Welch. “We envision creating well-constructed apartment units that will remain permanently affordable and will be rented at below-market rates. Addressing the housing crisis on the Seacoast has been identified as a top priority for our elected leaders and this is an important opportunity to begin making a dent in building more rental options for the vital workers in our community who can no longer afford to live in Portsmouth.” Welch goes on to say, “The PHA is so touched by the parishioners at Christ Church who are committed to their mission to serve people in our community by taking real action. Lots of people talk about values but Christ Church and its leadership should be commended for their selfless contribution to making this property available for such important work.”

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Thanksgiving came a few days early for me this year. There was no turkey, rather some cold broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots laid out on a table under a fluorescent lamp. I didn’t know several of the people around the tables. They had gathered on a cold afternoon at the Mission in Franklin on the morning after a troubled man, a friends and parishioner, likely trapped in a downward spiral of anguish, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with the local police. Just days before, a beloved former Franklin Chief of Police was slain by a disturbed and armed gunman at the State Hospital in Concord. As it turned out, even that assailant had a connection to the small group gathered at that table. In recent days Franklin had its share of sadness and grief as it faced these tragedies and the prevalence of addiction, mental illness, poverty. And yet, and yet—

Nevertheless—the church was open, coffee was brewed, and God’s people were already—already!— dreaming and thinking of ways to be even more present. They knew they had no “once and for all” answers, except to simply come alongside, offer a warm place—even for a few more hours a week—to share a cup of coffee, a phone number for help, a good word of companionship, and care as fellow children of God. I could only stay for a brief time around that table, but I experienced in that half hour nothing less than eternity.

Sometimes, probably too much, we rely on the urge of gratitude to rise within us. Waiting for that warm glow of the knowledge of blessing to overtake us may leave us feeling anything but grateful. Maybe cold, or even resentful. I heard once that we live in a “culture of pathology,” meaning that our grievances and struggles tend to dominate our attention, causing us to vent— even in times of relative prosperity. Of course, our news is dominated by graphic reports of violence raging in at least a dozen regions of the world. Civil discourse is more dire than civil. And, yes, our loved ones inevitably disappoint, or grow old, or disappear. I admit it—as a dour teenager, I usually resented my elders’ advice to just “count your blessings." That counsel usually caused me to do just the opposite, and to count my pains (including my elders!). New Hampshire Christians, despite claiming her as the secular patron saint of her hometown of Littleton, are not called to follow Pollyanna, but to follow Jesus who made the way of the Cross the way to Life.

So, having acknowledged all that gloom and grumble, however justified, here we are at Thanksgiving—that day that asks us to carve into not just a warm meal, but space and time and breath. We are invited simply to be and to acknowledge the blessing of our being. We are alive. People love you and me, sometimes even despite ourselves, miraculously! We have hope that we can walk alongside people who are suffering. We have an opportunity to turn toward light, toward community and loved ones, and toward a God whose resurrected Presence and love is stronger than all suffering, humiliation, faith, even death itself.

I am utterly grateful for the Spirit of God’s love that moves so undeniably powerfully and resiliently in the hearts, minds, and bodies of so many of us. As Jesus promised, those presences—your presence—move mountains. And along with the whole world, I have come to rely and depend on such prayers, actions, and love. I thank God for you. It makes this heart, even this one, sing for joy and gratitude.

With every blessing of thanks,

+Rob

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AuthorNH Episcopal

The Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, have issued a joint emergency appeal for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. The two Archbishops’ appeal asks for prayers and peace for all who have been affected by recent events in Israel and Gaza.

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AuthorNH Episcopal

 The Outreach Commissions of the diocese invite you to apply for grant money to support your community partnership ministries with funds from the Earth Care Commission, Our Kids Commission, Reconciliation Commission, and Sustainability Development Goals funds. Each Commission seeks to help “repair the world” through relationships with community organizations as we seek and serve Christ in all people. Read below for more information, and please note that deadlines vary from October to December.   

Interested in learning more?  You are invited on Wednesday, October 11th at 7 p.m. by Zoom the Outreach Commissions will join the Wardens & Treasurers Monthly Meeting.  Please check the weekly The Call e-newsletter for clergy and lay leaders for the monthly Wardens & Treasurers Zoom Meeting notice.   

 Commission for Earth Care 

This Commission coordinates and leads efforts to care for the Earth, encountering and honoring the face of God in all creation as we follow Jesus in relationship with God, each other, and the whole Earth. The Earth Care Commission was formed to pursue this individually, spiritually, collectively, and systemically. This Commission has supported and financed the “Solar Saints” LED parish light bulb exchange, a grant to fund the documentary “Swimming Up Stream: Indigenous Environmental Justice for our Waterways”, a community garden at Grace Church in East Concord, and some supplies needed to conduct an environmental education program for children. The Earth Care Commission welcomes grant requests up to $1000 for environmental education programs, advocacy efforts for low-income communities being especially impacted by climate change, and opportunities for people of all ages to spiritually renew their relationship with God and the earth. 

Grants Available: Up to $1,000 per project 

Deadline: No later than December 1st . 

Click here for more information and the grant application.  

  

Commission on “Our Kids” 

Our mission is to use the vast resources of the church to help bridge the opportunity gap facing youth in New Hampshire. The bishop’s charge to the Commission is: “To find and serve the Child Jesus in our communities by helping congregations move away from asking how can we get more young people from our community in the doors of our church to asking, how can we go out the doors of our church to serve the needs of young people in our communities?” Recent collaborations include field trip support for north country day campers; scholarships for Pine Street Players youth summer camp; Oasis Teen Drop-In Center and an afterschool choir school program with local youth.  

Grants Available: Up to $10,000 

Deadline: November 10th 

Click here for more information and the grant application. 

  

Commission on Reconciliation 

The Commission on Reconciliation is guided by the vision of Becoming Beloved Community, our church’s long-term commitment to racial justice, healing, and reconciliation. The Reconciliation Commission upholds the following diocesan priorities to speak to and witness in the public sphere: Immigration and Refugees; Indigenous People Rights and Reconciliation; Mass Incarceration; Racial Reconciliation; as well as Economic Inequity.  

Deadline: November 10th 

Click here for more information and the grant application. 

  

Sustainability Development Goals (SDG)- With Global impact in mind, the Diocesan Commission of Reconciliation supports the SDGs and has budgeted an annual grant of $10,000 which, is awarded to one or more not-for-profit organizations deemed by our SDG Committee to alleviate poverty and foster sustainable growth. For example, in past years Diocesan SDG awards have gone to a library in Sou. Africa, a Parish Health Clinic in Honduras, The Women’s Trust in Ghana, Native American Outreach in Maine, and an orphanage in Mexico.  

Deadline: October 31, 2023 

Click here for more information and the grant application. 

  

For further questions or discussion, reach out to the Rev. Alanna Van Antwerpen, Officer for Community Engagement.  

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What is a Pro-Cathedral, you might be asking? A Pro-Cathedral is a church named by a diocesan bishop to serve as a cathedral but which remains under local church governance. It is used as a cathedral for diocesan purposes.

 Bishop Rob shared these thoughts about this new designation:

"Designating Trinity Claremont as Pro-Cathedral is an experiment, not a permanent designation. It highlights that the diocese is giving special attention to a church where we think that God is up to something important, powerful, and new. With this designation, we signify that we're paying attention to how the Holy Spirit is moving in this vital but sometimes passed-over part of New Hampshire." 

 Trinity Claremont will be host to the diocesan convention in-person worship service on Saturday, November 4.

 Did you know that this is not the first time that Trinity Claremont has served as the diocesan Pro-Cathedral? Click here to read about how Trinity first became a Pro-Cathedral in 1844.

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Below is a special message from Dr. Catherine Meeks, Executive Director of The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing:

Dear Follower of the Good Shepherd,

The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing is a church-wide resource which is primarily supported by the Diocese of Atlanta and The Episcopal Church, charged with providing tools and experiences to engage in racial healing, dismantling racism, and other social injustices in our communities. We need your assistance in supporting the ongoing efforts of the Center’s work and in helping to make it more visible and viable in your parish.

I am asking you to join The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing and its Staff by:

  • Placing the Center logo with a link to its webpage on your website

  • Sharing a few words about the Center in your weekly announcements

  • Encouraging your parishioners to subscribe to the Center’s e-newsletter, which offers engaging information on its various activities including webinars highlighting key cultures, bringing awareness to racial issues and ways to address them, impactful programs, a blog and podcast with Dr. Catherine Meeks, executive director of the Center, and inspirational quotes

  • Visiting the Center’s website to tap into its many resources

  • Exploring with us the possibility of becoming a formal partner with the Center.

Additionally, the Center’s website includes a page titled “The Work of the Church” where you can find ideas from parishes that have implemented programs to dismantle racism, and where you can share the work of your parish.

If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas, or would like more information on The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing, feel free to reach out to them directly at www.CenterForRacialHealing.org. I thank you in advance for joining me in supporting the Center and its works as part of our spiritual formation.

Sincerely,

Catherine Meeks, Ph.D.
Executive Director
The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing

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Church warden Karen Zurheide of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in New London shares this update about a program they are passionate about at their church:

"Did you know that practically all dairy farms of substantial size in the northeast employ migrant workers, mostly from Mexico? These men and women live where they work, and due to their mostly undocumented immigration status, they remain in the shadows, largely invisible to the rest of us who consume the products of their labor. What’s more, in a dirty, dangerous, and demanding environment, they are without the rights and protections afforded other workers.

Last month, for the third time, representatives of Burlington, Vermont-based Migrant Justice made a community presentation at St. Andrew’s in New London on their Milk With Dignity worker-led labor/housing rights program. The first such event was in early March of 2020, just barely before the official start of the pandemic. That interruption called a halt to the first Milk With Dignity tour, which had stops scheduled throughout New England and upstate New York.

Fast forward to 2022, when St. Andrew’s designated the Milk With Dignity program as a recipient of one of its Last Sunday outreach offerings. For a month, parishioners learned about migrant dairy farm workers in our region, including their typically sub-par working and living conditions, and the Milk With Dignity program whose goal is to assure the humane treatment of dairy workers by engaging corporations at the top of the supply chain.

A farm worker from Mexico brought the sermons one Sunday in Spanish, interpreted by a Migrant Justice staffer. Parishioners who were especially interested contributed to Migrant Justice, with all donations matched by an ongoing pot of money funded by anonymous donors, resulting in a substantial gift. The evening before their Sunday with St. Andrew’s parish saw the second community presentation by Migrant Justice guests.

Recently Migrant Justice has shared more than fifty presentations in New England and upstate New York, at universities, community organizations, and faith congregations, including at St. Andrew’s.

Having first secured the participation of Ben & Jerry’s—which covers about 20% of Vermont dairy farms in the Milk With Dignity program—the Migrant Justice effort for three years now has been to persuade Hannaford corporation (headquartered in Maine, owned by Dutch company Ahold Delhaize) to sign on to the program.

Countless peaceful “actions” continue to be carried out at Hannaford stores, including in New London, at which customers and others spread the word about the need and the solution, making their wishes known for Hannaford to join Milk With Dignity, this is in addition to the thousands of postcards, letters and phone calls that have made that plea to Hannaford’s CEO.

To learn more, visit migrantjustice.net. See this Harvard Business Review piece from December 2022, and note this statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont at the start of the Migrant Justice campaign to engage with Hannaford in 2019.”

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The Rev. Dr. Betsy Hess of St. Barnabas in Berlin, NH shares this update about a warming center they opened at the church late last year:

“Last year we got a Reconciliation grant to assist people who were just over the cutoff to receive fuel assistance.  This summer I was thinking about applying for that again. Then I realized almost everyone in our whole area will be really challenged this winter for heat, given the rate hikes for fuel oil and electricity.  Needless to say, paying for fuel at the church is also a stretch for us.  It occurred to me that it would be more effective to get funds for a central location where everyone could come to enjoy 70 degree heat, instead of huddling under blankets at home.

 St. Barnabas only has about 20 active members, but we have a great building which is reasonably heat efficient, and has a lovely undercroft complete with a city certified kitchen. Offering our space could be a way we could do outreach, even though we are few in numbers. Initially, most of our members were fearful that it was too much for us to manage. So I preached on it, reminding them that we have "stored up treasure" in our building, our ability to get grants due to a good reputation from our success with former grants, and our reputation in the community as a place that is very kind to everyone. All of us decided to take the leap of faith.

I read an article from a priest in the midwest who set up a community center at his church. His first advice was "Don't try to do this alone."  So I called around to local service agencies and clergy to see if they thought our plan was feasible and if they would like to collaborate.  Everyone was really enthusiastic.  We had our first organizing meeting a week ago, and are planning as quickly as we can.  People from about 10 organizations/agencies/churches came, even though they had short notice (I got COVID, which wiped out a week when I should have been setting up the meeting. )

Through informally mentioning the program to people, as well as getting grants from the Reconciliation Committee and the Tillotson fund, we have raised $10,000 to cover costs! 

Everyone saw this as a crucial need. Equally important, they appreciated the benefit of collaborating.  It turns out the agencies are looking for ways to make contact with people who could use their services, the high school and our local community college have a need for students to have real life experience in various programs (Social Services, Kitchen Science, etc.), the Police are trying to increase their community relations, and the churches really want to help people but, like us, can't swing it by themselves.  Everyone has been struggling to fulfill their mission. Too much has been going on in silos!  I'm hoping that this project can be the beginning of more collaboration in the future.”

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Click on the video link below for an Easter message from Bishop Rob. You can click here for the transcript.

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