Theology for All - Expands Learning Across the Diocese
It’s a Thursday night, and twenty people have gathered on Zoom to discuss theology and ethics. Participants – mostly lay people – join from across New Hampshire. The conversation is lively, thoughtful, and often punctuated by laughter.
This is the Seminar in Theology and Ethics, part of a new initiative from the Diocese of New Hampshire’s School for Ministry (SFM): Theology for All – a series of courses open to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Christian faith and practice.
Led by the Rev. Joe Pagano, one of the Deans of the School for Ministry, the 10-week course reflects an intentional broadening of the SFM’s mission. For the past five years, the School has focused primarily on training those preparing for ordination or lay preaching certification. Theology for All expands that work – creating space for anyone in the Diocese who is curious, engaged, and eager to grow.
Participants say the experience is already making a meaningful impact.
“As a result of the class, I’ve found myself looking at familiar things in a different way,” said Karla Tolomeo of Church of the Good Shepherd. “It’s enriching how I understand both Christian ethics and my role in the church community.”
Others note how the course is shaping their experience of worship.
“Last Sunday’s Eucharistic prayer took on extra meaning,” said Ray Morton-Ewbank of Church of the Transfiguration in Derry, “recalling our recent discussion and seeing how it connects to our shared spiritual story.”
For some, the course offers a chance to re-engage with theological study after many years.
“The class has been enormously stimulating,” said the Rev. John McCausland, a retired priest who worships with St. Andrew’s in Hopkinton. “It’s been hard to keep up with academic theology since seminary, and this fills a real gap. The readings and discussion are just what I need.”
Participants are even joining from beyond the Diocese.
“I’m grateful to be part of this learning adventure,” said Gary Yacono, a deacon in formation from the Diocese of Newark. “It’s been informative, engaging, and a pleasure to connect with people from New Hampshire.”
For Dr. Pagano, the course affirms something important: that serious theological engagement is not limited to specialists.
“We are reading works by two of today’s leading theologians,” he said, “and our experience shows that we can read serious theology, seriously. It’s not just for ‘experts,’ and it doesn’t need to be simplified. People can learn together and grow together.”
That spirit of shared learning is at the heart of Theology for All – and it’s just beginning.
The next offering, Introduction to New Testament Greek for Beginners, is a free eight-week course beginning Thursday, April 23, 2026.
In the words of Karla Tolomeo, “Since the class, I have found myself looking at familiar things in a different way, enriching how I view both Christian ethics and my role in the church community. Joe is an extremely knowledgeable and organized facilitator who presents thoughtful questions for discussion based on the readings.”
For those who have taken part so far, the impact is clear: deeper understanding, renewed engagement, and a stronger connection to faith, worship, and one another. Additional courses are planned for June and this fall, with more to come. Find out more here.
Photo: the Rev. Joe Pagano teaching.
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.
Bishop Rob’s “Foolish” Ride - RESCHEDULED
With weather forecasts Monday calling for rain, heavy at times, and wind gusts up to 40 mph -- late morning through the afternoon -- Bishop Rob's "Foolish" Ride has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 15, at 1:18 PM.
The Bishop of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, the Rt. Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, will jump on his unicycle (yes, his unicycle!), don his Bishop’s Mitre — and his coronavirus mask — and complete one circuit around the State House in Concord.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 (NEW DATE)
At 1:18 PM
In front of the State House, Concord, NH
BISHOP ROB'S "FOOLISH" RIDE RESCHEDULED
With weather forecasts Monday calling for rain, heavy at times, and wind gusts up to 40 mph -- late morning through the afternoon -- Bishop Rob's "Foolish" Ride has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 15, at 1:18 PM.
The Bishop of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, the Rt. Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, will jump on his unicycle (yes, his unicycle!), don his Bishop’s Mitre — and his coronavirus mask — and complete one circuit around the State House in Concord.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 (NEW DATE)
At 1:18 PM
In front of the State House, Concord, NH
The Bishop is doing his “foolish” ride for Jesus to convey three important messages:
First, it is critical that we continue to flatten the coronavirus curve and keep our neighbors safe by always wearing a mask in public. The next weeks are crucial — wearing your mask in public will make a big difference fro the health and safety of our neighbors and ourselves.
Many of our neighbors in NH have been devastated by the medical and economic impact of the coronavirus. It is time to act for our neighbors who are most vulnerable — with compassion, with vision and with focus. The NH Charitable Foundation has created a Community Crisis Action Fund. The Bishop asks that you contribute and help in any way you can. To learn more and donate, visit: nhcf.org/about-us/community-crisis-action-action-fund/.
1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Bishop Rob has chosen this light-hearted, “foolish” unicycle ride to illustrate the power of faith in the resurrection of Jesus and the power in us all to come together to aid and assist each other in a time of urgent need.
The Bishop’s ride will be live streamed on Facebook Live, https://www.facebook.com/NHEpiscopal/ on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, beginning at 1:18 PM — in recognition of 1 Corinthians 1:18.