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January 31, 2013
News from the Shared Ministry
of Christ Church Portsmouth & Trinity Church Hampton
In the Episcopal Diocese of NH
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Worship Services
The Rev. David "Chip" Robinson
Vicar
All people of faith are welcome to receive Holy Communion at the Lord's Table
Christ Episcopal Church
1035 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Rite II at 10:30 am
Coffee Hour follows
200 High St.
Hampton, NH 03842
Rite II at 8:45 am
Coffee Hour after the service
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Linda McVay
603-430-9888 (home) 603-988-9755 (cell) lpreble@comcast.net Jean Shula 603-740-0036 jeanshu@comcast.net |
Support our Parishioners
Support the businesses of self-employed small business owners who are also active members of Trinity and Christ Church
updated: 3/29/12
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Episcopal Churches on the Seacoast
Trinity Church, Hampton
Christ Church, Exeter
Christ Church, Portsmouth
St. John's, Portsmouth
St. Thomas, Dover
St. George's, Durham
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Ministry Schedule
Christ Church
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From the Vicar...
Adopting a practice of sacrificial giving
In these opening days of my ministry among you as Vicar, I'm taking some time to reflect upon our Christian stewardship. This week, I would like to offer the third in a four-part series on the subject. Next week, the series will conclude with an article titled, "Only now is it time for you to decide."
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In my introductory article to this series on Jan. 3, I spoke of four key elements of a sound, faithful pledge decision. I said your decision needs to be:
- A faith-based decision, not just a financial one...
- Proportionate to your household's income...
- Sacrificial - an amount that stretches you...and
- Given off the top, not off the bottom, of your household budget.
This week, I would like to expand on these points with a few thoughts on adopting a practice of sacrificial giving. Consider the following as you pray about your decision for supporting your congregation's ministry for 2013:
- Agree to return to God in gratitude a portion of everything God has given you, whether through your paycheck, investments, unexpected windfalls, an allowance, or a Social Security check. Don't just come up with an arbitrary dollar figure. Think in terms of proportion - what percentage of your income you wish to offer as your investment in God's work.
- In coming up with that percentage, consider this: Your return to God's work will have its deepest effect on you and your spirituality if it has a certain "bite" to it. Sacrificial giving means, literally, making a sacrifice. If you don't even miss those dollars you're putting in the collection plate, you've not given your giving enough "weight." You should notice your giving. It should be enough to require re-prioritizing the remaining dollars in your household budget.
- Get very specific and intentional about not just the size, but the timing of your offering. Some people make their gift on an annual basis - and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. But an annual gift can be "leftovers" out of your abundance rather than "first fruits" given concurrently with when the income is actually received. When you make it a spiritual practice to set aside your offering as the "first check written" when you are paid, or receive a dividend, or what have you, it becomes a spiritual matter and not just a financial one. You are consciously giving your first to God - and that will make a significant difference in how you look at life, and at God.
- If you're ready to get really bold about your giving, consider the biblical norm called the "tithe" - ten percent of your income, meaning the initial ten cents of every dollar earned or received. Now, that doesn't mean all of those dollars necessarily have to be designated for your parish giving. Of that ten percent, a significant portion might conceivably go to the parish, and the remainder to people in need. The latter category might include diocesan and national church relief and development funds, foreign and domestic mission organizations, and local ministries that further God's work.
Pray your way through the steps I've outlined here. Make a quality decision about your stewardship plans for 2013. And only then, with faith in God, fill out the stewardship form you will receive next week as our campaign draws to its conclusion.
Fr. Chip
Thank you for all the love you've given me
Suzanne George, Christ Church 
In pondering what I wanted to say to you all, I realized something: the story, the history, of this parish for the past - Wow! 25 years - has been the story of my own life. I wasn't born into this parish, but this is the place where I "Grew Up." I went from being a young girl to a woman here, and the people of Christ Church have been sharing that journey with me. And so I'd like to talk to you about how Christ Church has been ministering to me all these years.
Years ago, within two weeks of coming to Christ Church in Portsmouth full time, I found out that there was going to be a weekend Parish Retreat at Rye Beach. So I stepped up, kind-of waved my hand at the right people and said, "Hey! I play the guitar - could you use some help with the music?" They said, "Sure, come along!", and that's how it all started for me.
At that retreat, I received Palancas - love letters - from people I'd never met, but who later became cherished friends. It was the people of this parish who encouraged me, young and fresh out of college, to share and become confident in my singing, guitar playing and musical abilities. When a former rector, Fr. Robert Stiefel, Came Out to the parish and the community as a gay man, it marked the beginning of my greater awareness of issues of gender identity and sexual orientation.
I love and feel a strong connection to this building and these grounds. I've been alone here at midnight and seen the bunnies hopping around in the moonlight. I was a house (and cat!) sitter at the Rectory when the priest was on vacation - a rare treat for someone living in a one-room studio apartment. One night, at a very low point in my life, I came to the church and slept up in the choir loft: I needed to be someplace where I knew I was welcome, and felt safe under the watchful eye of the great statue of Jesus on the Cross.
Of course, my husband and I were married in this sanctuary one Sunday morning during the regular 10:00 am church service (the whole parish was invited!) and, several years later, my 2-week old daughter was baptized by the newly-minted Bishop Gene Robinson.
I found my faith here, lost it, and am in the process of finding it again.
I've seen and been a part of many things in this place: it's been an integral part of my life for a long time.
I believe that this church and these grounds are Holy Ground. There is a Spirit here, a magic, that both transcends and is a part of all the people who have worshipped here, now and in the past.
But I also believe that our faith as Christians - and, especially, as Progressive Christians - calls us to be more than just this one place. I don't believe Jesus and God have ever wanted to confine our faith to one building, one place, or even - obviously! - one people.
In seeking a new model, a new way to worship, perhaps we should turn to one of the oldest ways of all. When it all began, so long ago, Christianity started off as People, gathering together in ones or twos, in small groups or as families, sharing their faith stories and memories over supper or with friends. The Lord's Supper was not just a weekly ritual: He was remembered - as requested - at every meal, and each time even a few were gathered together in His name.
I hope that we here at Christ Church, and at Trinity in Hampton, will find the miracle that allows us to continue worshiping in this place that I love so much. In spite of everything, I feel strongly that we are in the Right Place, poised to be headed towards where we need to be.
It is also my sincere hope that, if worst comes to worst, we will find a way to maintain our connections to one another. I love the people of this Parish, and already I've grown to love our friends over at Trinity in Hampton. I would hate to lose this connection to you, my faith family. If we must, I would like to see us continue to meet together, at our homes, in agapé suppers, for lunches, sharing our stories, and, maybe, taking that energy of love out into the world around us.
In conclusion, I'd like to paraphrase Joan of Arc, who said that "All will be well, and all manner of things shall be well." Thank you, people of Christ Church, for all the love you've given me over these many years: I love you all!
This week's "Ministry Minute"...
... Speakers are
Trinity Church: Thelma Hutton -Food Pantry Intake specialist, former Alternate Delegate to Convention, former Province One United Thank Offering representative.
Christ Church: Kay Scott - Trinity member, Delegate to Convention and daughter of a priest who engaged in shared ministry.
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Bishop's Committee
The upcoming Bishop's Committee retreat will be held Feb. 8 & 9 at St. George's Church, York Harbor, Maine. At that retreat, the framework for a Covenant between our two congregations will be produced, as we continue building relationships and articulating our hopes for the future.
Ash Wednesday Liturgies
After consultation with the worship chairs and wardens in the two churches, I have set the following as our Ash Wednesday schedule. This takes into account the fact that Trinity has a population that includes a number of retirees who prefer not to go out in the evening, and that Christ Church has a number of people who live or work out of town, and cannot get to a daytime service in that location. Both services are, as always, open to all - so attend whichever one is the most convenient to you:
At Trinity Church: 12:00 noon Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
At Christ Church: 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
Our Ash Wednesday services invite us to reflect on our lives and relationship with God, to bring renewal in our lives. The Imposition of Ashes reminds us of our mortality. The Eucharist reminds us of Christ's sacrifice for us and our new life in Christ. While the Episcopal Church has never used the term, "Holy Day of Obligation" to describe its liturgies, this is one of the few occasions on which all baptized Christians (including children) are expected to attend. Please make every effort to do so.
- Fr. Chip
Our Lenten worship
Sunday services throughout the season of Lent strike a simpler, more penitential tone than those normally offered through the rest of the year.
At Christ Church... On the first Sunday of Lent, Feb. 17, Christ Church's 10:30 a.m. service will begin with the Great Litany sung in procession. This long-standing Anglican tradition has never lost its power to inspire as the ancient words of our oldest form of intercessory prayer are offered to start the season. This will then be the last form of sung liturgy until Palm Sunday. By offering the Eucharist in a more austere setting through the remainder of Lent, we will be reminded of that "stripping away" that is at the heart of the season's self-examination and repentance.
At Trinity Church... At Trinity Church's 8:45 a.m. Eucharist this Lent, the Penitential Order with Holy Eucharist, Rite One, will be offered on all but the fourth Sunday ("Refreshment Sunday") of the season. Like the Litany being used at Christ Church, this liturgical setting reminds us, through its penitential language and tone, of our call to prepare our hearts for the Paschal feast.
It is my hope that by changing the liturgy in different seasons of the Church Year, our worship will be deepened as we experience different windows that are opened to God by our service.
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Events, Meetings & Announcements
Yearly Calendars
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Pledge EnvelopesAt Trinity, please let Nita if you will need envelopes - and let her know if they are weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Nita can be emailed at admin@trinityhampton.org
1/27 Trinity Annual Church Meeting
Trinity held its Annual Church Meeting after services on January 27th. Elected leadership changes include:
- Patrice Wood - Sr. Warden - term ending 2014
- John Normand - Jr. Warden - term ending 2015
- Robert Bischoff - Treasurer - term ending 2015
- Rusty Bridle - Clerk - term ending 2014
Bishop Committee - Members at Large returning or elected include:
- Ginnie-Lee McCaddin, Crystal Sexton, Peter Wahl, Gordon Lane, and Wesley Rowe
FUNdraiser committee meeting
There will be a FUNdraiser committee meeting at Christ Church on Sunday, February 17, 2013 in the education room at 11:45 a.m. Please plan to stay an hour so we can finalize our spring events and get our assignments. This is a joint meeting of Christ Church and Trinity FUNdraisers. Anyone interested in helping or has new ideas is encouraged to come to the meeting.
Where: Education Room - Christ Church
When: February 17, 2013 at 11:45 a.m.
SCOOP HAS A NEW CAMERA. YIPPEE!
Warden's Message by Craig Davis
A Theme for 2013: Nurturing Connections and Collaborations
Thank you to the members of the Christ Church Congregation for electing me at our 2013 Annual Meeting to the position of Warden. I know that I have several sets of large shoes to fill from my predecessors--since I have been at Christ Church: Chuck's, Peter's, and Grover's. I humbly ask for your help and will need everyone's support and prayers, as we nurture some important Connections and Collaborations over the coming year.
The first Connection that I know we can continue to nurture in 2013 is maybe the most obvious: with our Sister Congregation at Trinity Episcopal Church in Hampton. Throughout the year our combined Bishop's Committees will continue to meet on a monthly basis. One of the topics that we will be regularly discussing is ways that our two churches can continue to share and collaborate. In addition to our current joint Stewardship Campaign, there will also be opportunities for shared worship, fundraising events, and other fun activities, such as our upcoming Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 12th. Chuck will be driving the bus down to Trinity so that we can travel together. I hope to see all of you there!
Secondly, we are moving forward with collaborating with Trinity and the other four Episcopal Churches that make up the "Seacoast Convocation." Representatives from all six churches will meet eight or nine times this year to discuss ideas for working together as the Episcopal Church here on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. One example of that collaboration is the Seacoast Youth Ministry activities being led by JR Bridle from Trinity. Another joint effort already underway is that a committee from the Seacoast Convocation is currently working on a month-long weekly Lenten Lecture Series that will be hosted by four of the Seacoast Episcopal Churches.
Third, I am hopeful that this year we can expand not only our relationship with, but also our knowledge of and appreciation for Little Blessings Child Care Center. The relationship between our Congregation and Little Blessings has varied greatly over the years. In its most benign version, I think a lot of the members of our congregation have simply thought of Little Blessings as the "tenants" down in our basement. I hope this year that we can change that perception so that all of us more fully realize the elaborate interconnection between us. Not only are we dependent upon Little Blessings for a significant portion of the income side of our annual budget, but they also represent a significant piece of our outreach mission to the communities around us, as they provide high quality, reliable child care to many Seacoast area families.
And finally, last but certainly not least, it is my hope and prayer that we do a better and better job of nurturing each other this coming year. We are a church family made up of a lovely assortment of personalities, opinions, and backgrounds, and we all need each other. And while it is understandable to feel sad when someone decides that they will no longer be worshiping with us, I hope that we can also remember to be grateful for the time that they spent with us. Just as important, I distinctly remember how warm and welcoming everyone was when I first joined the church several years ago. I hope that we continue to be just as welcoming to new folks, like Linda and Paul Steward, who recently visited and joined our church because they were looking for a place where diversity is accepted, embraced, and celebrated. It is my hope for 2013, that as we go about being Christ's hands and hearts here on the Seacoast, that we can continue to really listen to each other closely so that we can more accurately understand and refine our mission to those that live in the communities around us!
Craig Davis
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The 2013 Stewardship Institute
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Lay and Clergy (not just stewardship Leaders!) are invited and encouraged to register for a completely new kind of ...
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STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE
March 16, 2013; 10:00am - 3:00pm
Lake Opechee Conference Center
62 Doris Ray Court, Laconia, NH 03246
Topic: The Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter
Co-presenter: The Rev. Tom Brackett
Missioner, Church Planting, Ministry Redevelopment & Fresh Expressions,
The Episcopal Church
The 2013 Stewardship Institute will be different from any Institute we have previously held. It is open to all leaders, not just stewardship committees. Bring excellent leaders. We will touch on Living Systems Research, Chaordic Theory, Divergence and Convergence and Theory U and the four-fold Practice of The Art Of Hosting.
As Tom has said in the introduction of his Hosting and Harvesting Meaningful Conversation resource book "We are living and working and making friends in that "in-between space" - the space between what used to work and some emerging new ways of coming together and paying attention to each other... (following) a sacred call to lead prophetically...into the future for which so many of us are longing."
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The Reverend Tom Brackett has been passionate about lively communities of faith for thirty years of ordained life. Originally ordained as a Baptist, Tom worked with cell group ministries in the 80's. Later, he explored liturgical renewal and culturally sensitive evangelism on other continents, especially in Korea and Japan. His undergraduate studies focused on new leadership models for the 21st century, as well as the power of storytelling and metaphor to transform communities, compelling them to take courageous action, together. He has led two church plants, twenty years apart and is quick to point out that he has learned from his failures (as well as his successes) in church planting and congregational renewal. He is certified as an Executive Coach and offers his gifts as a Strategist and Communicator via a compassionate coaching delivery style.
Since his ordination in the Episcopal Church, Tom has studied the impact of postmodernity on worship and the arts, as well as on organizational development. He has revitalized a campus ministry, served as a Rector in three very different parishes, led a turn-around process in a rural Maine ambulance service and served as the Vicar of a diocesan homeless ministry. He has consulted with diocesan leaders across the Episcopal Church in the areas of Congregational Re-Development and New Ministry
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Development, as well as sponsoring and sustaining new forms of ministry.
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Seacoast Episcopal Churches
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Episcopal Relief & Development
Daily Lenten Meditations by Email
We invite you to share in the 2013 Lenten email series from Episcopal Relief & Development. Each day during Lent you will receive a daily reflection, in both English and Spanish, co-authored by a group of respected leaders from across the Episcopal Church. During this season of reflection on our Christian faith, their writings will enhance your spiritual journey as they both inspire and challenge you.
Sign up to receive our Daily Lenten Meditations by email
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Children and Youth Programs
Gospel for Kids
During the Gospel for Kids we will be looking at how we sometimes reject Jesus from our lives and do things that do not please him. We will look at how when people rejected him in his hometown. We will work on ways that we may welcome him into our lives.
Bowling for Dover Children's Home
Youth from 6th- 12th grade are being encouraged to sign up for an afternoon of bowling. We will be participating with the other area Episcopal Churches. We are hoping to have at least four youth bowlers between the two churches. The date is Sunday, February 17th. This is part of a fundraiser for Dover Children's Home, each bowler is asked to raise funds to help off-set the costs facing this children's home. http://www.doverchildrenshome.org/. I
f we have bowlers we will leave from Christ Church @ 12:00 and return around 4pm. Please let J.R. know if you are willing to participate by Sunday, February 3rd.
Game Night
On Friday, January 23rd fourteen youth gathered at St. George's in Durham and participated in Ice Breakers led by St. John's Matt Loper. After about an hour of Ice Breakers the participants had pizza then broke out into groups to play different card games. It was a great time by all the participants, and the first of many of what we hope to be a series of events that the Seacoast Episcopal Youth are involved in. The Seacoast Area Episcopal Youth leaders will be meeting on February 5th to plan March's event. If you have any suggestions please let J.R. know so he can bring the ideas back to the group.
Thank you to those who baked cookies and brownies, we had plenty of deserts provided by our parish family.
Youth Database
If you have a youth between preschool and High School please consider sending J.R. Bridle your e-mail address, so that he can add you to the youth e-mail list, and get you the most up to date information the fastest.
JR Bridle
j_bridle@hotmail.com
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Sunday Schedule
1st & 3rd Sundays
- At Christ Church: Godly Play (10:30 am)
- At Trinity: Gospel Lessons for Kids (8:45 am)
2nd & 4th Sundays
- At Christ Church: Gospel Lessions for Kids (10:30 am)
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Gospel for Kids
Coordinators
Cindy Taylor (Christ Church Godly Play)
J. R. Bridle (Trinity & Christ Church Sunday School & Youth)
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Volunteers Needed: J. R. needs a volunteer to help out at each church to run the Gospel for Kids programs. This commitment is for two Sundays. If I could get six volunteers that would mean every volunteer would miss TWO Sundays the whole year to offer our expanded Sunday school offerings.
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Music
Sunday Choir Rehearsals
- Trinity: 8:00 am - 8:30 am
- Christ Church: After the 10:30 am service
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Church Ministries
If your ministry is missing from this list please send an email to porthamp@gmail.com
- Saturdays: Food Pantry at Hobbs House Trinity. 10:00 am - noon (Sandi Nickerson & Gordon Lane)
- Sundays: The Christ Church "Holy Roller" Bus (Chuck Ott)
- 1st Saturday of the month: Portsmouth Salvation Army Suppers, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Jean Wadman)
- 2nd & 4th Mondays of the month: St. Vincent Soup Kitchen, Hampton (Ginny Bridle-Russell & Phoebe Bischoff)
- 1st Sundays of the month: Pastoral Visit to the Oceanside Rehabilitation Center, Hampton (Bob Main & Belinda Wilkes)
- The Canister Ministry at Trinity. Have you ever walked out of Trinity Church, and noticed those random boxes by the exit? Were you curious to what that ministry was all about? Well there are actually several ministries being offered in a one drop stop. Learn more
Hobbs House at Trinity Church
Transportation Assistance for Senior Citizens (TASC)
Providing transportation assistance to eligible seniors and others with medical mobility issues. Currently serving the NH seacoast communities of Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, North Hampton, Rye, Stratham and Seabrook.
Contact: 603-926-9026
Dress 4 School Success
Contact Amanda or Aidan for clothing donation drop off or clothing needs 603.918.6816 or email dress4schoolsuccess@comcast.net. All requests are confidential.
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2013 SAFE CHURCH TRAINING SCHEDULE
2013 INITIAL TRAINING
For clergy and laity who have never taken Safe Church Training in Province I:
Sat. April 13, Sat. Sept. 14, Sat. Oct. 5
2013 REFRESHER TRAINING
Refresher Training is required every 5 years. For lay people who have completed initial Safe Church Training through the Diocese of NH. If you had training in 2008 or earlier, you need Refresher Training in 2013:
Sat. May 18, Sat. June 1, Sat. Oct. 26
Pre-Registration is done through parish Safe Church Ministers. Pre-Registration
In order to complete training, attendees must stay for the entire session. All Dates are scheduled for St. Paul's Church, 21 Centre Street, Concord, NH.
For more information go to NH Diocese Safe Church
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Content Submission Guidelines
The Shared Ministry E-News is an electronic newsletter for members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Hampton and Christ Episcopal Church, Portsmouth. It is published weekly on Thursdays. We welcome submissions that have a connection to the ministry of these churches. Inclusion of submissions is at the discretion of Reverend Robinson.
Please email submissions to porthamp@gmail.com or mail to the office at Trinity Church, 200 High St, Hampton, NH 03842 or Christ Church, 1035 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801. Entries should follow the Submission Guidelines.
NOTE: The deadline to send a submission is Wednesday at noon.
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Contacts
Christ Episcopal Church, 1035 Lafayet
te Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Office Manager: Tiffany Lanoue phone: 603-436-8842
Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 High Street, Hampton, NH 03842 Parish Administrator: Nita Niemczyk phone: 603-926-5688
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