In these opening days of my ministry among you as Vicar, I have taken some time to reflect upon our Christian stewardship. This week, I would like to offer the final installment in this four-part series on the subject.

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In my introductory article to this series I asked you to do a simple thing: wait. I asked you not to make your 2013 stewardship decision yet, and to use the intervening weeks to hear what our joint Stewardship Team and I had to say on the subject.

Now, with our pledge forms having been sent to you in our final mailing (you'll get them tomorrow or Saturday), we've had our opportunity to speak. Now it's your turn.

At this crossroads moment in the life of our congregations, there is much to celebrate. And there is much to do. But without your generous support, following the guidelines we've laid out these past four weeks, it will be difficult to keep our vision and focus on the future. So, please, take some time, now that we've spoken, to do some reflection and discernment in the area of your personal our household stewardship. I urge you to keep the emerging vision before you - and do all you can to keep that vision moving forward. Pray your way through the steps our team and I have outlined this Epiphany season. Make a quality decision about your stewardship plans for 2013. And only then, with faith in God, fill out your stewardship form as a household.

Let me close this series by expressing my thanks for all you have done to welcome Cindy and me these past several weeks. Our "welcoming" pot-luck on Epiphany evening was superb (not to mention gut-bustingly filling!) - and your warm expressions of welcome and support in a variety of settings have meant a great deal to both of us. I look forward to seeing each of you at the "family table" of your congregation every Sunday morning.

                                                                                               Faithfully,

                                                                                                Fr. Chip

A look back and then forward...

Rusty Bridle has stepped down from his 2nd term as Sr. Warden. As is stated in our by-laws, the Sr. Warden is chosen by the priest - not elected by the congregation- and is an open ended position with no term limitation. This, a 5 year stint, was Rusty's second 'term' - his first lasting only 8 years. He is by no means gone - just assuming a position with less time commitment -that of Clerk.

Rusty was on a cross-country trip with his wife, Louise, when he got a call from the Rev. Peter Lane telling him the current Sr. Warden had resigned. Would he come back on as Sr. Warden to complete Tom Ostenton's term? After he had agreed, Peter then informed Rusty that he, too, would be leaving within the month. The winds of changes at Trinity had already begun to blow.

Over the next 5 years, Rusty, and the rest of the Vestry, ushered us thru some turbulent waters.

• Name change from Vestry to Bishop's Committee
• Two interim Priests
• The start, stop and restart of the search committee and then search process
• Changes at D-house involving who guided us through this search and how it was to be done
• The start, stop and then restart of exploration of Shared Ministry
• Working with reluctant parishioners in the exploration of Shared Ministry
• Membership/attendance reduction
• Budget constraints and concerns
• The calling of a 'Priest in Charge' of Shared Ministry
• Resignation of our Bishop and his Canon to the Ordinary
• Resignation of our Priest in Charge
• Election of our new Bishop
• Appointment of our new Vicar to the Shared Ministry of Trinity, Hampton + Christ Church, Portsmouth.

At times, we seemed to lack direction. Questions were being asked and there were no clear answers. The frustration level was exceedingly high. Rusty had his 'keys' on the table offering the job to anyone present - no one took them. He knew our 'sails', though fluttering, would soon fill. We would weather the storm and be set on course again. He liked to remind us that 'we cannot direct the wind, but we could adjust our sails.' And adjust we have.

Through it all, Rusty was certain of his faith, his love of God and love of Trinity.

Thank you. "Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21

As I take over as Sr. Warden, I know that I have a great resource available to me. Your support will invaluable to me as we continue this transition.

"Where will the journey lead? The path may be obscure. But promised hope of things unseen will keep our footing sure." (O God of Gentle Strength - Wonder Love and Praise)

We invite you to commemorate Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on the first Sunday in Lent, February 17, 2013.  

  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.

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