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Christ Church

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seminarian interns from Berkeley Divinity<br />

School (Yale Divinity School) each year as well<br />

as an Organ Scholar. The result of these programs<br />

is that <strong>Christ</strong> <strong>Church</strong> alumnae/i are serving<br />

parishes throughout the nation.<br />

Our most notable ministry to Yale’s student<br />

communities is the ancient monastic night office<br />

of Compline, sung by the choir in candlelight<br />

and incense each Sunday evening during<br />

the academic year. Begun fifteen years ago as a<br />

joint ministry with the Episcopal <strong>Church</strong> at<br />

Yale (ECY), it has been drawing a crowd averaging<br />

100 since it was first offered, ministering<br />

to new generations of churchgoers from local<br />

colleges, high schools, and neighborhoods.<br />

(http://www.christchurchnh.org/music#compl<br />

ine).<br />

Members of Saint Hilda’s House at Loaves and Fishes food pantry.<br />

12<br />

Parish Profile<br />

Alongside our faithful corps of lectors and acolytes,<br />

parishioners also serve as ushers/greeters<br />

and are active on the Altar, Flower, and Altar<br />

Linen Guilds as well as participating in the Lay<br />

Pastoral Care and Lay Communion Ministry,<br />

the Society of Mary, and the Guild of Intercession.<br />

A Children’s Chapel has recently begun in<br />

the Undercroft during the 11 AM Mass, inspiring<br />

hope that our ministry to children and families,<br />

never large in the recent past, will be reinvigorated.<br />

At the Bishop’s request our parish developed a<br />

Solemn Blessing for Same-Gender Unions, and<br />

ministry to the LGBTQ community actively<br />

continues here.<br />

Saint Hilda’s House<br />

Saint Hilda’s House is a residential intentional<br />

service community for young adults, and a<br />

member of the Episcopal Service Corps. Hildans<br />

live on the <strong>Christ</strong> <strong>Church</strong> campus. Saint<br />

Hilda’s is first and foremost a community of<br />

prayer, regularly praying the Office and sharing<br />

the Eucharist. Each Saint Hilda’s House resident<br />

is paired with a local nonprofit organization.<br />

In our five years we have worked with<br />

eighteen local nonprofits, serving people experiencing<br />

homelessness and poverty; working for<br />

food justice and feeding the hungry; educating<br />

and being with the children and youth of the<br />

city; and helping immigrants and<br />

refugees make a new home. The<br />

rhythms of prayer and service form<br />

Saint Hilda’s residents into leaders<br />

in the <strong>Church</strong>. Of the forty-two<br />

people who have come through<br />

Saint Hilda’s, eighteen are currently<br />

serving in or preparing for ordained<br />

ministry and seven serving<br />

in nonprofits.<br />

Since the founding of the program<br />

the parish has provided financial<br />

assistance in the form of short- and<br />

longer-term loans. When there is a<br />

full contingent of 8 interns, Saint

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