News, information, messages from Bishop Rob, and more about the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire.
Micah 6 Commission: A Year of Building Relationships for Local Justice
When the Most Reverend Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, travelled to Portsmouth, New Hampshire last February to speak along with Bishop Rob at the Black Heritage Trail of NH’s celebrated “Tea Talk,” it was a perfect example of the power of the Micah 6 initiative and how it brings people and organizations together in the name of social justice. The event was held in a synagogue, was open to all, and drew a large audience who were thirsty for wisdom and encouragement. The Bishops didn’t disappoint. Their vastly different experiences growing up, their bond of friendship, and their shared faith made for interesting conversation, storytelling and ways to further racial justice. The crowd was mesmerized. This is one example of how the Micah 6 Commission – just one year into its existence – is shaping how the Episcopal Church of NH is taking action with partner organizations.
Now just one year since its formation in April 2025, the Micah 6 Commission is making strides. The Commission was formed as a way to streamline and empower parishes to take action against racism, economic inequity, and environmental degradation. The work is guided by the principles of Micah 6:8, which emphasizes the importance of doing justice, being kind, and walking humbly with God.
“Micah 6 is a guiding call for how we live our faith and baptismal covenant,” says Commission Chair Derek Scalia. “Our world is hurting, and people are yearning for points of light and relief. Through this work, we seek to embody the call to do justice.”
Created to combine our local efforts around reconciliation, earth care, educational equity, and reparations, Micah 6 has found a sibling in the Global Missions Committee, which focuses on international social justice work, while Micah 6 focuses on New Hampshire organizations already doing critical justice work.Rather than creating new programs, Micah 6 focuses on building relationships with these current initiatives. These partnerships reflect shared learning, mutual respect, and a commitment to long-term impact. Among its early collaborations:
Supporting Black Heritage Trail of NH “Tea Talks,” fostering dialogue on race and history
Partnering with the NH Fair Funding Project to advocate for equitable education
Advancing environmental stewardship through the New England Episcopal Path to Creation Justice initiative
John Rowntree, parish treasurer at Good Shepherd Church in Nashua, urges Episcopalians to consider joining churches in Claremont, Keene and Londonderry that are currently participating in the New England Episcopal Path to Creation Justice , a program which provides support and tools to parishes committed to addressing the climate crisis. Rowntree says the Micah 6 Commission contributed a three-year grant to support them. Says Rowntree, “We have done multiple projects to reduce our 148-year-old church’s carbon footprint, including insulation, improving our historic church windows, changing lightbulbs and implementing 35 solar panels. It feels really good to make a difference and helps us be strong financial stewards because we have reduced our energy costs.”
The Commission is made up of 12 members in addition to Bishop Rob. The Commission meets monthly and has held two major planning sessions over the last year.
It has also helped distribute $85,000 in Coit House funds, administered through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, to support a wide range of community organizations – from childcare centers and summer camps to youth programs and family services.
At its core, the Micah 6 Commission is grounded in the belief that justice work begins in relationships.
“We are not here to solve every problem,” Commission leaders note. “We are here to listen, to accompany, and to support the work already unfolding in our communities.”
This relational approach is already strengthening parish life across the Diocese. By sharing stories, connecting congregations to opportunities, and deepening engagement, the Commission is helping Episcopalians live out their call to justice in tangible ways.
As the Commission enters its second year, it is building a more intentional structure to sustain and grow this work: strengthening communication, aligning resources, and supporting parishioners in integrating justice, mercy, and humility into every aspect of ministry.
Ultimately, the Micah 6 Commission is an invitation: to listen more deeply, to partner more intentionally, and to participate more fully in the work of healing and justice across New Hampshire. Commission members believe that justice takes root most fully when nurtured in parish communities that pray, learn, and serve together. They are committed to ensuring that the wisdom gained becomes a resource for congregations seeking to deepen their own ministries of justice. These faithful committee members believe that sharing stories and opportunities strengthens parish life and inspires local action rooted in the Gospel.
To share your stories of social justice work at your church or to find out more about Micah 6 please email Derek Scalia at dnascalia@gmail.com.
Top - Micah 6 Committee members at a planning meeting; bottom left - solar panels on the roof of the Good Shepherd complex in Nashua; bottom right - Tea Talk with Most Rev. Michael Curry, in Portsmouth.
Episcopal Church of NH Supports Berlin Kids’ Hockey Program with Our Kids Commission Grant
St. Barnabas Berlin, NH, recently received a grant from the Our Kids Commission of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire in the amount of $3,500 in support of the Berlin Recreation Hockey Development Program.
In 2016, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld convened Our Kids Commission to lead the church in learning about, and addressing, the opportunity gap facing low-income and vulnerable children in New Hampshire.
St. Barnabas Berlin, NH, recently received a grant from the Our Kids Commission of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire in the amount of $3,500 in support of the Berlin Recreation Hockey Development Program.
In 2016, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld convened Our Kids Commission to lead the church in learning about, and addressing, the opportunity gap facing low-income and vulnerable children in New Hampshire. The Commission was charged “…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 ‘how can we go out the doors of our church to serve the needs of young people in our communities?’”
When an article appeared in Berlin’s newspaper announcing the hockey program, it reported that the cost would be $200 per child, excluding equipment. This cost also meant that it excluded many children.
St. Barnabas recognized this program as an opportunity to join with many others in Berlin who care about their youth, including Terry Letarte, Director of the Berlin Recreation Department, Mike Chabot of Gorham Hardware and Sports Center, Tammy Fauteux, Principal of Hillside Elementary School, and many volunteer hockey coaches and parents who have been going out of their way to make sure that every child who wishes has the opportunity to get on the ice and be part of a team.
Funds from the Our Kids Commission grant have been used to purchase the equipment necessary to outfit the children — typically totaling upwards of $250 per child for used equipment. The hockey gear will stay in the program and be used again for many years. The remaining funds will go to the Berlin Recreation Department to offset the $200 per child registration fee for kids in need.
“This has been a great learning experience for our church community,” said the Rector of St. Barnabas, the Rev. Betsy Hess. “We need to act on our faith, for our own sake as well as those we serve. When we connect with others, we connect more closely with God. When a church, a city, a local business, and a school work together to support our youth, great things can happen.”