Pictured (left to right): Rev. Drew Courtright, Rep. Kris Schultz, Rep. Bob Elliott, Rev. Jason Wells, Senator Jeff Woodburn and Bishop Rob Hirschfeld.

This morning the New Hampshire Council of Churches co-sponsored an ecumenical Ash Wednesday service. Worship leaders spanned multiple denominations:

• Rev. Charles Buck, Conference Minister, NH Conference of the United Church of Christ
• Rt. Rev. Rob Hirschfeld, Bishop, Episcopal Church of New Hampshire
• Rev. Tim Roser, Associate to the Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the Northeast
• Rev Jason Wells, Executive Director, NH Council of Churches
• Rev. Kate Atkinson, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
• Rev. Drew Courtright, Curate, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
• Heather Maconaghy, Director of Music Ministries, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Bible passages were read by:

• Senator Jeff Woodburn, Minority Leader, District 1
• Representative Kris Schultz, District 18

Other supporters includes Senator Jeb Bradley (Majority Leader) and Representative Bob Elliott, himself a retired Lutheran pastor.

Ash Wednesday raises the spiritual reality that we are universally in need of God’s help: that universality points to an essential unity that transcends differences in denomination, gender, political party. Our Executive Director, Rev. Jason Wells, preached the sermon, which you can listen to below:

Download the Order of Service (PDF).