From the Vicar...

Advent: A sacred play

As December begins, we enter what I'd like to describe as the sacred play called Advent. Like a four-act play, this pre-Christmas season sets forth themes that might best be described as "admonitions."

In Act One, the part of the play that might be described in dramatic terms as the prologue, we are enjoined to watch. Be aware - be open to what God is about to do.

In Acts Two and Three, the dominant figure is John the Baptist delivering his monologue, his soliloquy - and in that monologue the watchword, the admonition, is repent. Make the changes of heart and life that will prepare you to receive what God is doing.

Finally, we come to Act Four - but unlike a self-contained play, one in which the final act amounts to something of an epilogue, an ending, this act plainly shows itself to be the first in the series. Strangely, the play ends at the beginning. In one long paragraph, the Advent drama is brought to a close - and the stage is set for an even greater drama that has the power to change the world.

It has been said that, when we go to a play, we do not go to it - it comes into us. When a play is truly what drama is meant to be, we become part of the play, and the play becomes a part of us.

This December, we are enjoined to do this very thing with the Advent play. We are called to not just read about it, or take it in as the account of events that occurred long ago, but to bring this play into ourselves - to make its message at one with our lives. The play we hear read over these next four weeks is one that says a great deal to us about how we are to deal with the difficult and the unexpected. Will we as an audience be ready to accept and live out the play God sends into our hearts?

Faithfully,

Fr. Chip

A Capital Campaign for Christ Church

This summer, the boilers at Christ Church failed, requiring their immediate replacement in time for the 2013/14 heating season. The Diocesan Council was quick to approve an Advance Fund loan to make these replacements possible, but we will now have to raise as much of the amount loaned as we can to repay the diocese and prevent being saddled with an excessive level of debt over the life of the loan.

The Council has agreed to match dollar-for-dollar, by way of loan forgiveness, the amount we raise. It therefore behooves us to raise as much of the required amount as we can, as each dollar we raise locally is doubled by this generous offer.

While a "one-time appeal" has some potential for raising money for this purpose, a more effective approach would be to mount a well-executed three-year capital campaign that allows people to spread their giving in an affordable, more painless manner. This introductory article outlines what kind of campaign the Bishop's Committee has set in motion. Over the weeks to come, we will outline the necessary steps, our anticipated time-line, and some of the keys that will help make our campaign a success.

This week: What is a capital campaign?

A capital campaign can be defined as "a time-limited effort to raise significant dollars for a specific project." Typically it includes a planning phase spanning several months, followed generally by a three-year commitment phase during which the actual donations are received.

Although capital campaigns can vary in length, three years is the common period of time that the majority of campaigns run. Prior to the start of the public phase of the campaign, there needs to be anywhere from two to four months of background preparation - some of which is already underway. This time period includes conducting all of the pre-planning, and providing training for key leaders and volunteers.

Next week in this space, we will outline the basic steps in carrying out a capital campaign - and some of the specifics of the campaign we are planning for 2014-17.

National Episcopal Church Women - 16 Days of Activism  

Christ Church Christmas Fair

Advent quiet Morning  

My Parker River chapter of the Companions is holding an Advent quiet morning At St Peter's church Beverly, MA Saturday, December 14 starting at 9:15. Free and lunch is provided. I will be going and can pick people up at church to leave about 8 am that day. Or I can give them more information if the email me at bquality@comcast.net or call me at 603-742-4063. 

Music Ministry

Please join us as our choirs prepare for the upcoming holiday season.

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.  Joint rehearsals are held Thursday evening at 7 p.m. 

Every voice is welcome; every voice is special; every voice is needed.

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 will resume in the spring.

• Saturdays: Food Pantry at Hobbs House Trinity. 10:00 am - noon  year round (Sandi Nickerson, Gordon Lane & Thelma Hutton) 
• 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)

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.

NOTE: The deadline to send a submission is Wednesday at noon.