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February 14, 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) Jean Shula 603-740-0036 |
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...
Developing "holy habits" that bring nurture and growth
This week, we transition into the season of Lent, a time that is often associated with deprivation or giving something up. Our Prayer Book reminds us that Lent in the early Church was about fasting and penitence and invites us today into a period of prayer, fasting, repentance, and self-denial. But Lent can also be a time to add things to our lives, especially what might best be described as "holy habits."
I would like to speak this week about four "holy habits" that all Christians would do well to include in their life, just as most people resolve to eat a healthy diet, get sufficient sleep, or exercise a few times per week. They are the basic building blocks of a healthy spiritual life. They are:
- Daily prayer and Bible study
- Sabbath time (time spent away from any kind of work)
- Weekly corporate worship, and
- Proportional giving (or giving away a percentage of our income)
Taking as little as ten or fifteen minutes a day in private prayer or Bible reading can completely transform your life. Having regular Sabbath time, taking seriously the fourth commandment to honor a time of rest and relaxation each week, is necessary to renew and refresh ourselves and have some quiet where we can hear God speak to us. In addition, we need to experience the support of our worshiping community each week. And we need to share our gifts with others by our giving.
The question, of course, is "to what end do we cultivate these habits?" What are we trying to accomplish with our prayer time, our Sabbath rest, our worship and our giving? Perhaps the very origin of the term, "Lent," will give us a clue.
The word "Lent" comes from an old English word meaning "lengthening" - a reference to the lengthening of the days as springtime approaches. In a way, it's an apt metaphor for the season. In the early spring last year's beautiful garden can look like quite a mess. Heaps of leaves from the fall lay around, dead plants from the previous year poke up, and maybe some industrious weeds have already gotten a head start on you. If you want a beautiful garden again this year, you have to make the effort to begin again. You have to start by getting rid of the stuff that's there - maybe even stuff that once was living, vibrant, and beautiful but isn't anymore. So you start raking.
Perhaps in cultivating your "spiritual garden" you might ask yourself what activities in your life seem to just exist to fill space - and don't really add anything to your life. Then you start pulling up last year's dead plants. What are those intentions that you always wanted to do but never got around to and now feel guilty about? Or those things that you used to do because they gave you joy and peace, but now don't? Finally you go after those little weeds. What new little things are poking up in your life that you're not terribly proud of?
Once all of the clutter has been cleared away, it's time to put in some new plants. Now if you're like me (a true "brown thumb" if ever there were one) you may just put in fully-grown plants right away - but "real gardeners" (not me) start with new plants, with young plants that require care and nurturing or else they will die. They have to be tended for a while until they can live on their own without constant watering and care. This is the helpful way to think about adding things to your life - not piling yet another thing onto an already full schedule. If you're going to give something up, give away something that sucks up your time and energy, and plant something beautiful and life-giving in its place - like taking a few minutes to read the Bible with your morning cup of coffee or reading one or more of the daily devotions in the Prayer Book or Forward Day by Day. These are the holy habits that we are called to nurture - and, like young plants, habits really do have to be nurtured before they become natural. These are the holy habits that discipleship demands and that the Gospel calls us to take up during Lent.
- Fr. Chip
The sacrament of reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Book of Common Prayer, pp.446ff) is a rarely-used, yet always-available opportunity to seek spiritual refreshment in troubling times. If your conscience troubles you and the confession of sins in the common liturgy has not proved sufficient to bring comfort, you might want to consider meeting with me to share in this confidential sacrament of solace and spiritual strengthening. I will be available throughout the Lenten season, whenever it might be convenient to meet with you. Simply give me a call and I would be most happy to prepare you for this rite, and then walk with you through it.
- The Vicar
Our Lenten Program for 2013...
"Finding Our Purpose: Toward a More Deeply Shared Ministry"
This Week in Our Lenten Program...
"Finding Our Purpose: Discovering Our Best"
- Wednesday Evening, Feb. 20 at Trinity Church
- Thursday Evening, Feb. 28 at Christ Church
Note change of date at Christ Church. This is due to the fact that our Fair Share adjustment hearing before the diocesan Mission Resources Committee is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21. We will therefore move all sessions at Christ Church one week later than our original schedule.
7:00 p.m. - Preceded by Soup and Bread Supper at 6:00 and Worship at 6:40
This week, our four-part series, "Finding Our Purpose: Toward a More Deeply Shared Ministry," begins. The series was originally designed to continue the conversation begun in our joint Bishop's Committee retreat in early February, but as that was postponed due to the blizzard of a week ago, we will instead devote our first session to providing some input to the rescheduled Feb. 22/23 retreat. The ultimate goal of our conversations is to develop the framework of a covenant between our two churches.
While the sessions of this program do build on one another, each is self-contained so that no one need feel "left out" if they cannot commit to the full series. They are also open to members of both congregations, so if you are a member of Christ Church and Wednesday is more convenient for you, you may attend the Wednesday program at Trinity Church instead of the session at Christ Church.
Schedule of Topics:
- Feb. 27 at Trinity; March 7 at Christ Church Awakening to Our Purpose
- Mar. 6 at Trinity; March 14 at Christ Church Imagining Our Future
- Mar. 13 at Trinity; March 21 at Christ Church Eliminating the Obstacles
- Sat., Mar. 23 - location to be announced Toward a New Shared
Ministry Covenant
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. 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. 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 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. 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. |
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In this final Ministry Minute Jeff Heinz, one of Christ Church's youngest members, shares his thoughts on what the church means to him.
I love Christ Church. It has taught me lots of things. But what does it mean? To me Christ Church means one thing. What is motivation?
I see myself every day come and go through the same thing; pure exhaustion. This comes either physical or mental exhaustion. But through my spiritual happiness at Christ Chuch I have developed a "mental toughness" gene. I have learned from everyone at Christ Church that only through perseverance and hard work will my exhaustion pay off to gain success.
Thank you,
Jeff Heinz
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Events, Meetings & Announcements
Yearly Calendars
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
This past Tuesday members of Trinity & Christ Churches gathered at Hobbs House to partake in the pancake dinner, bring in our pledges for 2013, to celebrate the holiday together and to enjoy some fine Dixieland music by the Episcocats. It was a fun evening, thanks to the hard work of many members of both churches. If you didn't make it this year, be sure to put in on your calendar for next year.
To see photos from the evening click here
The close of this year's Stewardship Campaign
Part of Tuesday night's celebration was the close of this year's Stewardship Campaign. Those who attended brought their pledge forms and placed them under the homemade lighthouse. If you were not able to attend Tuesday night you can still save yourself a call from the Stewardship team by bringing in your pledge form this Sunday.
A reminder about name tags
In my early time here, I have discovered that Christ Church folks are great about wearing their name tags on Sunday morning - and Trinity folks are less so. I know some feel uncomfortable wearing them, but name tags let our guests know who we are. It makes them feel more comfortable. Please check the rack by the church entrance in the Narthex. If you don't find a tag with your name on it, let the usher or the Vicar know, and we'll be sure to make one up for you. In the meanwhile, there are blank extras on the shelf by the guest book. Make one up and slap it on! When we all are "tagged" we can better welcome our guests and show them we are doing our best to create a hospitable atmosphere.
- The Vicar
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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.
Healing Liturgy at Christ Church
On March 3rd: Christ Church is beginning the Healing Liturgy as part of the service on the first Sunday of every month.
One of the most significant community-building experiences that Christ Church parishioners recall with quiet joy is the monthly Healing Liturgy which was a part of the worship service.This was a time for those who wished to come forward to join with others in the quietness and confidence of God's healing love.
Fr. Chip is instituting the Healing Liturgy once again, to remind us that we are a community dedicated to carrying out Christ's commission of healing and wholeness not only in ourselves,but in the healing of the world. During the liturgy, all are welcome to come forward in silence. This is not a time to speak your prayer requests out loud. It is a time for you to pray internally, and the priest will bless your prayers and requests.
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.
"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." the Rev. Tom Brackett
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Development, as well as sponsoring and sustaining new forms of ministry.
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Seacoast Episcopal Churches
at St. John's Portsmouth
OLLI
From Kay Scott (Trinity) Chair of Seacoast OLLI - You're Invited
We are having an OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) gathering on
Tuesday, Feb 19th
at Hobbs House
11:am to 1:00 PM with lunch/refreshments.
We will preview of the spring classes that folks can take once they become
members of OLLI. Some of our instructors will be present to describe their classes and answer your questions! Volunteer opportunities are available with OLLI...just ask Kay!
Kay Scott
603-422-2666
Praying Our Lives This Lent join the Brothers of SSJE on a daily journey into the heart of God in prayer. Subscribe to "Brother, Give Us A Word" and during Lent you will receive a short daily video via email. View the trailer: www.ssje.org/prayer The series will also be available via SSJE's YouTube- Facebook page - Twitter - Pinterest.
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Episcopal Relief & Development Daily Lenten Meditations by Email
We invite you to commemorate Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on the first Sunday in Lent, February 17, 2013.
At the 2009 General Convention, Lent was officially designated as a time to encourage dioceses, congregations and individuals to remember and support the life-saving work of Episcopal Relief & Development. We invite all Episcopalians to join together on Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, and throughout the Lenten season, to pray for those living in need.
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.
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
[email protected]
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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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| Alexis Zaricki, Music Director |
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 [email protected]
- 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 [email protected] 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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