June 6, 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
 
Pastoral Care/Stephen Ministry Leaders
 
Jean Shula
603-740-0036
jeanshu@comcast.net
  
Linda McVay

603-430-9888 (home)
603-988-9755 (cell)
lprebl@comcast.net 
Links

Little Blessings Child Care Center at Christ Church Portsmouth  
Little Blessings Child Care Center
Village Preschool at Trinity Church, Hampton

Village Preschool

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

 

 

Episcopal Churches on the Seacoast
 
Seacoast Convocation
 
Christ Church,Portsmouth
St. John's, Portsmouth
St. Thomas, Dover
St. George's, Durham
Ministry Schedule
Christ Church
 
There are no words to tell you how deeply you are loved. Not poets or priests, sonnets or scriptures, can convey the true nature of the love that enfolds you. It is the love of the One who first saw you, first imagined you, dreamed you out of nothing into everything, believed in who you could be and cared for you no matter what you became. It is an infinite love, warm and devoted, tender and playful, yet as strong as the fire within the sun itself. God loves you. From the first to the last, from now until forever, there are no words to tell you how deeply you are loved. 
 
The Rt. Rev.
Steven Charleston

From the Vicar...

 

Listening now for "Word of the Lord"

 

One of the interesting things about serving two different congregations is that they do things differently in their liturgical lives. One example of this is the versicle and response with which we end our scripture readings. At Trinity Church, we use the Prayer Book versicle and response: "The Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God." At Christ Church, the version from Enriching our Worship is the norm: "Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people: Thanks be to God."

 

The Rev. Russ Dean, a South Carolina pastor, has started using yet a third version in his church: "You have heard the ancient story: Let us listen now [emphasis mine] for the Word of the Lord." This past Sunday's first reading is a fine example of why he felt the need to make such a change. If you were with us, you may recall that it is a deeply troubling story from the life of the revered prophet, Elijah - especially if you read the whole thing. (We skipped the "gory stuff" in the optional part of the reading.)

 

If we are believers with any confidence in the scriptures, if we are followers of Christ with any trust in the God behind the word, we must to be willing to ask if the word in such a passage is, in fact, "the Word of the Lord" or the "Spirit speaking to God's people" simply because the reading is taken from somewhere between Genesis and Revelation.

 

I mean, think about it. As Dean points out in his commentary, "There were 450 prophets of Baal, and after the great contest was decided, the prophet of God, the great Elijah, seized them, and...ministered to them? And...taught them? And...demonstrated the love of God to them? No. '...Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon, and killed them there.'" (Aren't you glad we didn't read that part?)

 

This is the Word of the Lord? This is what the Spirit is saying to God's people? Really?

 

"Thanks be to God"? Really?? What god? Surely not the God I worship and serve.

 

Elijah's ancient story (and others like it) can be an incredibly dangerous one if we listen to it and don't process it with "fresh ears." Part of the problem is that for generations, those who claim to speak for God have read such a story, and, thoughtlessly, or dutifully, or even sadistically, added, "The Word of the Lord." The other part of the problem is that for generations, the people sitting in the pews, listening intently to those who claim to speak for God, have heard such a story and, thoughtlessly, or dutifully, or sadistically responded, "Thanks be to God."

 

Listening now for the word of the Lord is, to quote Russ Dean, "absolutely, life-savingly, world-changingly necessary." We must listen carefully and critically. We must listen with open ears and open hearts. A story like this one is not "the Word of the Lord" simply because we have found its plot and characters within the pages of the Bible. What makes it the "Word of the Lord" - or "what the Spirit is saying to God's people" - is what we do in reflection and prayer once we hear it. Listening now for the word of the Lord means putting that word in the context of not only its ancient sourcebook, but the world in which we now proclaim it. 

 

 

Faithfully,

Fr. Chip

 

 

What is the Discretionary Fund - and how can you help?

 

In each of our churches, a Discretionary Fund exists to quietly and confidentially assist people in need either through direct personal aid (helping people with utility bills, rental and heating assistance, etc.) or through participation in community-wide charitable efforts (for example, a community "Fire Fund" for a family burned out of its home).

 

While honoraria from weddings and funerals form much of the Fund's regular income, individual contributions are also very much needed - particularly at Christ Church, whose Fund carries a lower balance right now. Your gifts go a long way toward our help to people in need. 

                                                                                    - Fr. Chip

 

 

How about making it official?

 

With the arrival of summer comes that moment when we can "catch our breath" in the church office and attend to matters that tend to get put off through the winter. One of these is parish record keeping.

 

If you are worshiping with us, and consider yourself part of our church family, but have not yet "made it official" by asking for a letter of transfer from your previous congregation, please take a moment to be in touch with us and ask that we issue a Request for Transfer. (You can contact your previous congregation directly if you would prefer.)

 

If you are worshiping here but have never been confirmed or received by a bishop of the Episcopal Church, it would be helpful to let Fr. Chip know that as well.

 

 

 

Coming this summer and fall...

 

June 23   

  8:45      *Quiet Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church 

11:00      Outdoor Holy Eucharist at Christ Church followed by barbecue                                  honoring all our graduates (this is a joint activity inviting folks from 

                 both churches)

 

June 30                   

  8:45      Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church with Fr. Chip staying for coffee hour

10:30      Holy Eucharist at Christ Church with guest celebrant - The Rev. Dick     

                Siener - allowing  Fr. Chip to stay  at Trinity that morning

                

July 7      

  8:45      Holy Eucharist and Thanksgiving for the Birth and Adoption of Faith 

                Bridle at Trinity Church

10:30      Holy Eucharist at Christ Church

 

July 14     

  8:45      Quiet  Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church for those who can't come to Holy                                                                 Eucharist & cookout at 12:30

10:30      Quiet Holy Eucharist at Christ Church

12:30      Outdoor Holy Eucharist with music at Trinity Church followed by   

                 cookout

 

*quiet = no music 

 
 Also of note...
The Vicar will be on vacation from July 28 through Aug. 11. The Rev. Richard Belshaw will be our guest celebrant at both churches on July 28 and Aug. 4 & 11.
 

Coming Sunday, June 23 for members of both churches...

  

Outdoor Eucharist and cookout at Christ Church to celebrate our graduates and welcome summer

 

It's time to celebrate our graduates (high school, EFM, perhaps even college?) and kick off the summer season! On Sunday, June 23, Christ Church will host a joint outdoor Eucharist and cookout for members of both churches to give us an opportunity to worship and enjoy fellowship together. The service will be at 11:00 a.m. in the shaded rear courtyard of the church. The cookout will follow on the side lawn. Bring your lawn chair and a side dish or dessert to share. Hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP indicating how many from your household are coming to  priest@christepiscopalchurch.us.  This will help our food and set-up crews in their planning. Oh, and as for a rain date...we won't need one. It never rains on our cookouts! (If, ahem, it does, we'll come inside.)

 

For those of you who cannot (or prefer not) to come to the outdoor service, there will be a quiet celebration of the Holy Eucharist at Trinity that morning at the usual 8:45 a.m.

  

 

New joint pictorial directory in the works

 

As our two congregations grow closer together, we are experiencing more "cross-pollination" between the two. At its April meeting, the Bishop's Committee endorsed our going forward with a locally-produced, non-commercial pictorial directory including the folks in both congregations.

 

Our new directory, due to be published this fall, will only be valuable if it is complete. Accordingly, our goal is 100% participation. By taking part in our upcoming photography Sundays (be watching the ENews and Sunday bulletins for dates), you can help us all place names with faces, and create an excellent reference and information source for our church communities. 

 

Unlike some pictorial directories you may have experienced in the past, there is no pressure to buy anything. This is not some commercial outfit trying to make money off the photography. We do the data input - and we do the photography. When we're done, we'll have something really useful, a directory with separate sections for Trinity and Christ churches - but with information that will be helpful to people in both. And, because we own the software, it will be flexible and instantly updatable as new people join us and life changes happen among those already here.

 

Stay tuned - we'll be publishing our photography dates in the near future. Meanwhile, if you'd like an updated parish list for either congregation, they are available in that church's office.

  

  

Are you going on vacation?

 

Are you going on vacation this summer? Your church family hopes you have a great time - but, before you go, just a reminder: the Church doesn't go on vacation! Our services continue throughout the summer months - and our bills still need to be paid. So please, take the time to keep your pledge up-to-date while you are away. Perhaps it is easiest to write a check before you leave, so you don't have to worry about it when you return.

 

 

  

  

 
Events, Meetings & Announcements 
 
  

Thank you! 

This spring's "Grubby Sunday" clean-ups at Christ Church went wonderfully - even if the the hot weather on June 2 kept us from finishing everything we set out to do. "Thank you" to all of you who helped to make our place of worship presentable to the Lord and the public - we couldn't have done it without you! 

Craig Davis and Paul Seward


 

TRINITY- ANNUAL YARD SALE - Saturday June 8th  8am - 1pm  - rain or shine (almost everything is inside)!!  Hope to see you there!

 
Adopt a pot - A flower pot that is!   A mystery gardener has already adopted the two flower pots at the end of the church sidewalk and they look great!  Two more to go!  A suggested solution is to purchase a pre-arranged planter (Home Depot has some nice ones) pop it out of the planter and put it  right into the flower pot!  Consider sharing the project with me... Patrice

 

  

Christ Church Graduates

There will be a graduation reception at Christ Church for Jeff Heinz on Sunday, June 9th after service in the Marshall Room. The reception for our other graduate, Liz Taylor, will be held Sunday, June 23rd  on the Christ Church grounds.  Please plan to share some time with these two special parishioners.

 

 
 
New Hampshire Fisher Cats Vs Portland Sea Dogs at Manchester
  
 
Lynda Swartz will need a final count for the June 29th Portland Sea Dog - New Hampshire Fisher Cat baseball game by June 16, 2013. Please let her know if you are planning to attend and whether you will be riding the Holy Roller from Christ Church or meeting us at the ballpark in Manchester. The tickets are $7 each and we have over a dozen left from the donated tickets. Bus will leave Christ Church at 5:45 pm. Bring a friend or family member and join in the fun.
  
When:  Saturday, June 29, 2013  at 7:30 pm 
Where:  At Delta Dental Field, Manchester, NH  

 

 

 

Adelynrood Retreat and Conference center 

 

Adelynrood Retreat and Conference center in Newbury, MA is a retreat and conference center offers women and men an opportunity to visit and to discover new resources for spiritual development through conferences and workshops, as well as individual or group retreats. There are lots of interesting conferences being given this summer, including people like Kathleen Norris and Martin Smith, SSJE. Check it out at www.adelynrood.org or see Betty Lane 

 

Children

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 

j_bridle@hotmail.com

  .

Sunday Schedule

              *final Sunday School of the year is scheduled for 6/23/13

          

         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) 
  • Gospel for Kids 

Coordinators
Cindy Taylor (Christ Church Godly Play)
J. R. Bridle (Trinity & Christ Church Sunday School & Youth) 

 

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.    

 

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  year round (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)
  • 1st Sundays of the month: Pastoral Visit to the Oceanside Rehabilitation Center, Hampton (Bob Main & Belinda Wilkes)
Hobbs House at Trinity Church
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

Contact Amanda or Aidan for clothing donation drop off or clothing needs 603.918.6816 or email dress4schoolsuccess@comcast.net. during the school year.  All requests are confidential.

  

 

 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.  

 

Contacts
The Rev. David "Chip" Robinson, Vicar
Christ Episcopal Church, 1035 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
phone: 603-436-8842
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-Noon

Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 High Street, Hampton, NH 03842
Shared Ministry Administrator: Nita Niemczyk
phone: 603-926-5688
Office hours: Monday-Friday from 9:00-1:00