September 26, 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
 
Clergy office hours 
Tues & Thurs 9am-12noon
 
200 High St.
Hampton, NH 03842
Saturday Rite l at 5pm
Rite II at 8:45 am
Coffee Hour after the service
 
Clergy office hours
Mon & Wed 9am-12 noon
 
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

 
"Something new is entering into our lives, something different from the same old, same old, something that has a fresh agenda, a way of doing things so out of the box there is no box. The mind of God ranges far and wide, searching for new discoveries, pushing back old assumptions, inspiring us to think beyond the walls of our own experience. The Spirit of hope is something new, something that arrives right on time, just when you need it, an answer to prayer, a creative option to keep life growing. Your problems may be old, but your solutions are ever new." 
 
The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston

 

Shared from Steven Charleston's facebook page

Going into the hospital?

 

Due to privacy laws, churches are no longer routinely informed if you or a loved one is admitted to the hospital.  Please be sure you let us know when and where you will be a patient so we can be in touch with you and include you in our prayers and healing ministry. Don't assume the Vicar knows - he would much rather hear from several people than from no one!


FUNd-raising
 
Joint FUNd-raiser
  • Yankee Candle Sale
  • Halloween Dance to be held at Christ Church
Individual fund raisers
  •  Ham and Bean Supper at Trinity
  • Holly Berry Fair at Trinity
  • Christmas Fair at Christ Church
  • Soup and Chowder Challenge at Trinity

Watch for details!!!

Gifts for ChIPs

 

Would you like to help make a difference? Children of Incarcerated Parents (ChIPs) is a diocesan program that provides Christmas presents for children whose parents are in prison. Last year the diocese set a record of over 700 gifts for the children - with an equal number of new books for each child, too.

 

If you would like to make a donation for ChIPs, there will be a special collection box out at each church on October 13th and 20th. 

We appreciate your help, thank you.

 

 

From the Vicar...

 

This is Christ transforming us...from the inside

 

The story is told by M. Scott Peck, the famous psychologist and author, of a woman patient who was suffering from extreme depression. One day, when she was due for an appointment with him, she called on the telephone and told him that her car had broken down. Dr. Peck offered to pick her up on his way into work, but he explained to her that he had to make a hospital call before he got to the office. If she was willing to wait in the car while he made the call, they could have their appointment. She agreed.   

 

When they got to the hospital, he had another suggestion. He gave her the names of two of his patients who were convalescing there, and told her that each of them would enjoy a visit from her. When they met again, an hour and a half later, the woman was on an emotional high. She told Dr. Peck that making the visits and trying to cheer up those patients had lifted her spirits, and that she was feeling absolutely wonderful.

 

Dr. Peck responded by saying, "Well, now we know how to get you out of your depression. Now we know the cure for your problem." The woman answered, "You don't expect me to do that every day, do you?"

 

That's the tragedy of our lives. Doing what Jesus would do lifts us out of our doldrums into a higher quality of life. And yet, we often think that imitating Jesus is something burdensome. It's not! Doing what Jesus would do feeds us emotionally and lifts our spirits.

 

How do we, collectively and individually, live out this transformation to which God is calling us? I think the three most important steps are these: pray, show up, and roll up your sleeves!

 

Jesus not only wants you, he needs you. If you and I can keep our eyes and our hearts on Jesus, I guarantee that you and I both - and, by extension, our congregations - will have more time, energy and resources than we will know what to do with. If, on the other hand, we allow ourselves to focus on our gripes and complaints and disagreements, we will find ourselves drained and emotionally tired.

 

On Sunday, Oct. 6, God willing, we will take an important step along this long journey from a culture of despair in which neither of our churches had a bright future ahead  to a culture of transformation into what Jesus would have us be at Trinity and at Christ Church.

 

On the surface, it is nothing more than a vote to formalize in writing what we are already doing as two churches who share important resources and ministry opportunities. But really, adopting the Covenant for Shared Ministry we have so carefully and prayerfully developed is about more than just voting for something. It is all about praying, showing up and rolling up our sleeves to bring to reality a renewed, transformed church in both of our congregations.

 

In many ways, I look upon this as an action that carries forward the work begun by Christ and nurtured by the apostles. This is more than just an "agreement" between two parties. It is truly a "covenant" of transformation - this is Christ transforming us from the inside - for the strengthening of both of our congregations.

 

Faithfully,

Fr. Chip

 

 

Covenant roll-out continues

 

Last summer, the combined Bishop's Committees unanimously endorsed the draft Shared Ministry Covenant presented by the Covenant Working Group. Here are the remaining steps the Bishop's Committees established for adoption by the congregations at large:

  • Open non-legislative forums have begun. Christ Church's forum was held last Sunday, Sept. 22; Trinity Church's gathering will follow this Sunday, Sept. 29 after its 8:45 service. There will be a breakfast in Hobbs Hall, followed by the forum.
  • Each congregation will hold a special parish meeting in the context of its regular Sunday liturgy on Sunday, Oct. 6. The meeting will take the place of the sermon that day. As a full opportunity for discussion will have occurred at the open forums, this is anticipated to be a straight presentation, motion, and "up or down" vote. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of those present in both congregations will be required for adoption.
  • The Covenant, if so adopted, will be sent to the bishop for final approval. If he approves, a signing ceremony will be scheduled allowing him to celebrate with us the signing and inauguration of our Shared Ministry Covenant.
 

 

Highlights from the September Bishop's Committee meeting

 

With the arrival of fall and an increase of activity in both our churches, we had a full agenda on Sept. 17. After a musical opening reflection by Gary Dozier of Christ Church, we reviewed several ongoing efforts, including the Covenant ratification process, plans for our fall Stewardship campaign, and a preview of November's Diocesan Convention.

 

In the case of the Covenant ratification, an agenda for the parish meetings of Oct. 6 was approved. The Stewardship campaign will run from Oct. 20-Nov. 16 under the theme, "We're All In This Boat Together." Convention will be held Nov. 1 & 2 at the Grappone Center in Concord. Among the ten resolutions to be moved are four concerning clergy compensation, four related to the revision of the Canons of the diocese, the annual Budget resolution and a social justice measure titled "The Spiritual Practice of Poverty."

 

Among the major actions of the evening were:

  • The acceptance of the Come and See coordinating team's recommendation that we postpone that program until the Epiphany season (see last week's article from Fr. Chip).
  • Agreeing to sponsor a field trip to see the "Jerusalem" IMAX film and the "Dead Sea Scrolls" exhibit at Boston's Museum of Science on Saturday, Oct. 12 (see separate article).
  • Approving an outline for a three-year capital campaign at Christ Church to help pay back the cost of the new furnace being installed there this month.
  • Approving a Eucharistic Minister license for Ginnie-Lee McCaddin of Trinity. She will be serving at the new Saturday service, the first of which drew 21 worshipers on Sept. 14.
  • Holding a fall United Thank Offering ingathering on the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20.

 

For the second month in a row, we reserved a portion of our time for each church's delegation to conduct business related only to that church. Trinity's group approved a request for the use of Hobbs Hall, and discussed matters related to the upcoming Holly Berry Fair. In addition to the Capital Campaign, Christ Church's group discussed Christmas Fair planning and scheduling a "Grubby Sunday" for Nov. 17 to do some grounds cleanup and winterizing.

 

Both groups were apprised of upcoming fundraising events, including the Halloween dance on Oct. 26, the Yankee Candle fundraiser throughout October, and a ham and bean supper coming up at Trinity on Nov. 9. Trinity will also hold its Soup and Chowder Challenge on Saturday, Dec. 14. The evening ended with an informal Table Eucharist.

 

Full minutes will be posted as they become available. The November meeting will be at Christ Church on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

 

 

Blessing of the Animals: Is your pet coming?

 

On Sunday, Oct. 6, children and adults are invited to celebrate God's creation through our annual Blessing of the Animals service on the Christ Church lawn.

 

At the 12:00 service that day, you are invited to bring your cats or dogs, hamsters, gerbils, fish, rabbits or birds to receive God's blessing. Those whose pets cannot come may bring a stuffed animal as a "stand in."

 

This is a great occasion on which to invite a friend to join you for worship, either to witness the blessing of your pet or to bring pets of their own for a blessing. Spread the word!

 

NOTE: Due to the Special Parish Meeting (see above) and the Blessing of the Animals, the Laying On of Hands at Christ Church will occur at the close of the Oct. 13 service instead of on Oct. 6.

 

 

The Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit and "Jerusalem" Film at Boston's Museum of Science

 
On Saturday, Oct. 12, Christ and Trinity Churches will be sponsoring a field trip to Boston's Museum of Science to see the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit and the exciting new IMAX film, "Jerusalem."

 

Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit - In 1947, a goat herder wandered into one of the many hidden caves along the banks of the Dead Sea - and concealed inside were ancient scrolls that had not been seen in 2,000 years. These Dead Sea Scrolls include literary writings of the times and the oldest known texts of the Bible, making their discovery perhaps the most significant archaeological find of the last century.

 

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see fragments of the priceless scrolls (some never displayed in North America), along with one of the most comprehensive collection of antiquities from Israel ever organized. Highlights include a three-ton stone from Jerusalem's Western Wall, limestone capitals from the first temple period (1000 - 586 BCE), ossuaries from the early Roman period, and an ancient signature preserved for millennia on the Archer Seal. Together these artifacts reveal precious details about the culture, rituals, and beliefs of an influential Iron Age people. We have reservations to see this exhibit at 10:30 a.m.

 

"Jerusalem" Film - Take an inspiring, eye-opening tour of one of the world's oldest, most enigmatic cities. Destroyed and rebuilt countless times over 5,000 years, Jerusalem's timeless appeal endures. Learn how it became the center of the world for three major religions and how its historical, artistic, and spiritual connections have made it so important to so many different cultures. Our reservations to see this 50-minute film are for 12:00 noon.

 

You must submit your paid reservation no later than Sunday, Oct. 6 to be included at the group rates shown below. We must have 15 paid reservations to qualify. This is open to all both within and beyond our two congregations.

   

 

Adults  
(12-59)

Seniors (60+)    

Children
(3-11)

Museum/Scrolls:

$29.25

$27.25

$26.25

Jerusalem Film:

$ 5.00

$ 4.50

$ 4.00

Total:

$34.25

$31.75

$26.25

 

Please make checks payable to "Trinity Episcopal Church" with the memo, "Field Trip."

 

Our carpool will leave the Christ Church lot at 8:45 a.m. and the Trinity Church lot at 9:00 a.m. Drivers, be aware that parking at the Museum of Science garage costs $13.75 per car for a 3-4 hour stay - so it behooves us to pack as many into each car as possible!

 

 

Church School teacher(s) needed

 

After much soul searching and prayer, J. R. Bridle has come to the conclusion that he cannot continue as the Sunday School program teacher for our two congregations. This leaves us with an important vacancy to fill - and no one signed up in our Time and Talent drive last spring as a possible successor.

 

If you have suggestions as to persons who may be recruited for this important ministry, please speak with Fr. Chip or the Wardens. Our current schedule places our program teacher at Christ Church on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, and at Trinity on 2nd and 4th Sundays. There are two students currently at Trinity, and possibly as many as five at Christ Church (a new family had expressed interest for this coming fall).

 

Any person(s) who volunteer will need to take Safe Church training if they do not have it already, and will need to undergo a background check in accordance with our Safe Church policies.

 


Coming This Fall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sept

28

5 pm

Saturday evening service at Trinity

 

29

8:45

"Homecoming Sunday" at Trinity Church:
Holy Eucharist followed by breakfast and Open Forum

on our proposed Covenant

 

 

10:30

Holy Eucharist at Christ Church with guest celebrant
Canon Hannah Anderson

 

 

 

 

Oct.

5

5 pm

Saturday evening service at Trinity

 

6

8:45

Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church "wrapped around"
a special Parish Meeting to vote on adoption of

proposed Covenant

 

 

10:30

Holy Eucharist at Christ Church "wrapped around"
a special Parish Meeting to vote on adoption of

proposed Covenant

 

 

12:00

Blessing of the Animals on Christ Church grounds
(joint activity for folks - and their pets -

from both churches) 

 

 

1:30

Nursing Home service at Oceanside Nursing Home

 
   

Upcoming Meetings and Events

 

Dream Group   


The first meeting of the Dream Group will be Tuesday September 24th at 7:00 p.m.in the Narthex at Trinity. We open with prayer and  free movement and sometimes meditation and after being really present and embodied we do dreams.The dreams are individual night dreams and are written down or drawn prior to the meeting.  The dreamer reads the dream to the group and expresses any feelings or emotions it brought up in them. The rest of the group offers what it brings up in them. We use the phrase If it was my dream I would feel -----. The dreamer can reject or explore more about the image in the dream. Sometimes a person only gets the end of the dream. This is called the lysis of the dream and shows where the new energy wants to go. The unconscious has a voice in dreams and often knows things ahead of the conscious mind. You do not have to have a dream to attend you are welcome to attend and learn all are welcome. Barbara Nicholson M.Ed 
 
This is a Jungian group and follows the ideas of Carl G Jung and Marion Woodman's Bodysoul®Rhythms. "The  dream is the small hidden door in the deepest and most intimate sanctum of the soul, which opens to that primeval cosmic night that was soul long before there was conscious ego and will be soul far beyond what a conscious ego could ever reach."Jung

 
 
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From the Presiding Bishop 

 

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following concerning this week's tragic bombing at All Saints Anglican Church, Peshawar, Pakistan, causing fatalities and injuries.

 

This act of violence is a reminder of the preciousness and fragility of life, and of our interconnectedness.  We are all wounded, we have all lost family, friends, and fellow citizens of the world.  We will continue to prayfor the bereaved, for the injured, for the perpetrators, for their communities, and for this broken world.  May all the faithful departed rest in peace, and may God receive them with arms of mercy and compassion.

 

 

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

Choir rehearsals are underway!

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Please join us as our choirs at Trinity and Christ churches get back underway for the fall. 

 

Every voice is welcome; every voice is special; every voice is needed. Last year the choirs sang together several times in addition to their service in each church on a weekly basis. This year it is hoped that we will do so regularly. We would welcome your presence.

 

Trinity Church's choir meets in rehearsal on Sundays at 8 a.m.   At Christ Church, the rehearsal follows the 10:30 a.m. service. Later this month, joint rehearsals Thursdays at 7 p.m. will begin. We strongly encourage coming to Thursdays (not just Sundays), to help us enhance our singing, and discover even more fully how convivial a group we've become - truly bringing together people from our two congregations.  One of our best voices is laughter!

 

SAFE CHURCH TRAINING

 

The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire has revised the Safe Church Policy during the summer of 2013.  The curriculum for Safe Church Training now consists of three hours of online training and three hours of class training.  On-line Modules must be completed prior to attending any Safe Church Class.

 

Anyone in need of refresher training is asked to take the new Initial Safe Church Training.  Refresher training is required every three years vs. five years.

 

Please register with your Safe Church Minister. At Christ Church, contact Patsy Tremblay at  pehjat@comcast.net or call 603-205-2195.   At Trinity Church, contact Patrice Wood at phwood2013@gmail.com

 

Training classes for this fall are offered the following Saturdays from 8:30am to noon:

 

October 5, 2013 - Trinity Church, Claremont

October 26, 2013 - St. Thomas, Dover

November 9, 2013 - Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua

November 23, 2013 - St. Paul's Church, Concord


 

Church Ministries
  • Saturdays: Food Pantry at Hobbs House Trinity. 10:00 am - noon  year round (Sandi Nickerson, Gordon Lane & Thelma Hutton) ~ 601-6622
  • Sundays: The Christ Church "Holy Roller" Bus (Chuck Ott)
  • 1st Saturday of the month: Portsmouth Salvation Army Suppers, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Susan Ott) 
  • 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

 
Dress4 School Success

Contact Amanda or Aidan at Dress4 School Success for clothing donation drop off or clothing needs 603.918.6816 or email  dress4schoolsuccess@comcast.net. during the school year.  All requests are confidential.

    

If your ministry is missing from this list please send an email to porthamp@gmail.com  

 

 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