March 27, 2014
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
Linda McVay

603-430-9888 (home)
603-988-9755 (cell)
Links

Little Blessings Child Care Center at Christ Church Portsmouth  

Little Blessings Child Care Center 

(603) 431-1809 

Village Preschool at Trinity Church, Hampton

Village Preschool
(603) 929-7349

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
 

 
Be healed of what harms you. Be whole and free and restored to the fullness of your life. Be strong in your spirit. Be clear in your mind. Be unafraid and confident of what is to come. Be renewed in your faith. Be renewed in your hope. Be renewed in your love. Let all of these blessings surround you. Let them enfold you. Claim them and build your future on them. They are your birthright. They are the truth beneath your struggles. They are the enduring grace that forever seeks to find you. Take this gift of blessing. It is for you. It is why you awoke this day. It is your new life.

 
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!

 

 

 

From the Vicar...

 

Who are you?

 

Such a question is often asked of us in the course of our lives. Perhaps it is in a job interview or in the process of meeting someone new. It is not always an easy question to answer.

 

There are those who might try to impress others: "I am the president of the XYZ company." or "I have a five-bedroom house and I belong to the country club." Closer to (our church) home, it might be "I am a member of the Bishop's Committee" or "I chair the such-and-such committee." The intent is to convince someone (ourselves?) how important and influential we are.

 

At the opposite end of the spectrum are those who feel they are nothing and have nothing to contribute. They can often be found in the corner, with heads down. Engaging them in conversation is nearly impossible. Somewhere along life's journey, they have been taught that they have nothing to offer. They feel that they are a burden on society.

 

Most of us are probably somewhere in the middle - somewhere on the continuum between the bravado of the former and the insecurity of the latter. The question, "Who are you" is cause for reflection - and the criteria for self-identification are many.

 

For the Christian, perhaps a better question is, "Whose am I?" The apostle Peter writes, "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people." (1 Peter 2:9a) Me? Chosen? Royalty? You've got to be kidding!

Before we start questioning why God bestows upon ordinary people such lofty titles, however, let's finish the thought Peter starts. In the very same verse, he tells us why we are so chosen: "that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9b)

 

Living, as we do, in an age of sophistication and specialization, many of us look upon this verse and consider it a call that is somehow restricted to the ordained. As evidence of this, look how many times a clergyperson is called upon to offer a prayer at a dinner or function, when, in fact, prayer is the province of all of us who call ourselves Christians. We don't ask physicians to perform surgery at the outset of classes. We don't ask lawyers to write wills as dinner is served. Why is prayer somehow the province of a chosen few who happen to be wearing their collars turned around backwards?

 

The fact is, Peter is pointing us in the opposite direction. Ministry is the province - and the calling - of all of us. We need to make looking for opportunities to "wear our identity" as Christians a centerpiece of our Christian walk.

 

Think how many there are around you who have no church home. Should we be keeping our faith a "well-kept secret" from them? If we were taking Peter - and by extension, Jesus - seriously, such actions would be contrary to our calling to be "a chosen people." Consciously seeking and engaging with friends and relatives who have no church to call home is a task each and every one of us should be engaging in. In some ways, it is even more important that the laity engage in it than the clergy. We clergy are expected to be "talking up" the church. When laity do so, however, it is much more credible and effective.

 

Some of these opportunities for "wearing our identity" exist right here on a Sunday morning. For instance - do you make it a point to seek out a newcomer after the service to say a word of welcome? Do you invite them to coffee, and do you see to it that they aren't "off in a corner alone" once they've accepted that invitation? The temptation is to talk to the people we already know - but we all know what the "bottom line" of doing things that way is: our guests will come away from their first Sunday with us thinking we are the coldest, most impersonal bunch possible.

 

Who are you? "I am a child of God" may be the best answer. "I am called to declare the wonderful deeds of him who called me out of darkness into his marvelous light." I am called out, set apart to live a lifestyle that asks, "What can I do for you?" instead of "What can you do for me?"

 

Faithfully,             

Fr. Chip

 

 

  

Our Shared Ministry Cycle of Prayer this week and next

 

Each week, in both of our churches, we pray for one ministry we share and one or two households in each church. About once every six weeks, we will instead using the Shared Ministry Collect we prayed throughout the opening months of our Shared Ministry.

 

In our prayers the next two weeks, we give God thanks for...

 

Mar. 30

Outreach Ministries of both congregations; Gary Dozier of Christ Church; Betty & Joanie Gagnon;

Carol Gobar of Trinity Church

Apr. 6

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen ministry of Christ Church; Eliza Gifford of Christ Church; Debra Littlefield of Trinity Church

 

 

"Via Media" Lenten program continues

 

Via Media is a 6-week education series open to anyone who is curious or interested in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. Each of the Via Media sessions begins with a meal and then a short video about some aspect of our faith. A portion of our time together is dedicated to open discussion and conversation as well. All people are encouraged to ask questions and to learn how to answer their own questions of faith.

 

At Trinity Church, Hampton... 
Sessions will be held Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in Hobbs Hall, beginning with a simple soup and bread supper followed by the video and discussion.

 

 

At Christ Church, Portsmouth...

Sessions will be held Sundays at 12:00 noon. Each session will begin with a soup and bread lunch in the Marshall Room (the room where coffee hour is held), and will continue with video and discussion in the classroom next door.

 

This week and next...                                                    

 

Session 4:

God the Holy Spirit: The Breath of New Life

 

Mar. 26 in Hampton; Mar. 30 in Portsmouth

Session 5:

The Word of God for the People of God (The Bible)

 

Apr. 2 in Hampton; Apr. 6 in Portsmouth

 

 

Upcoming Weeks' Calendar

 

 

 

March 29     Fourth Sunday in Lent

 

  5:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite One, at Trinity Church

 

 

March 30

 

  8:45 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite One, at Trinity Church

 

10:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite Two, at Christ Church

 

12:00 noon

"Via Media" - Session Four at Christ Church

 

 

 

 

 

March 2

 

  6:00 p.m.

"Via Media" Session Five at Trinity Church

 

 

 

 

 

April 5     Fifth Sunday in Lent

 

  5:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite One, at Trinity Church

 

 

April 6

 

8:45 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite One, at Trinity Church

 

10:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite Two, at Christ Church

 

12:00 noon

"Via Media" - Session Five at Christ Church

 

 

 

 

NOTE:

There will be NO Saturday evening services at Trinity on the eve of Palm Sunday (Apr. 12) or Easter Even (Apr. 19)

 

Watch for our Holy Week schedule next week.

 

 

Faur� Requiem to be performed at Christ Church




The Seacoast's premier chamber choir, Amare Cantare, will perform Gabriel Faur�'s sublime and transcendent Requiem at Christ Church, Portsmouth on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. Accompanying the choir will be a chamber orchestra of harp, violas, cellos, double bass, French horns and organ. Also on the program will be Samuel Barber's Agnus Dei , Ola Gheilo's Ubi Caritas, and Es t�nt ein voller Harkenklang from Ossian's Fingal. Johannes Brahms' Four Songs for Women's Chorus, with Two Horns and Harp will round out the evening's program.

 

Tickets will be available at the door for $15 each, or may be purchased in advance for $12 at the Flower Kiosk in Portsmouth and Water Street Books in Exeter. Students and seniors' admission is $12; $10 in advance.

 

For more information: www.amarecantare.org 


St George's Episcopal Church presents the premiere of "Noah:   A Cantata in Three Acts" by local artist Nancy R. Davison

 

When people in the local art community think of Nancy R. Davison they think of graphic art and her connection with Barn Gallery in Ogunquit. But Nancy is a woman of many talents, including singing and composing. On March 30, 2014, the public will have an opportunity to see first-hand just how true this is when her cantata Noah will premiere at St George's Episcopal Church in York Harbor.

          

A long-time member of the choir at St George's, Davison "thought of telling the story of Noah because it is a timeless story of God's love and grace, and appeals to people of all faiths."

 

The Cantata is written in three acts. In Act I, God speaks to Noah, telling him to "build me an ark." Noah's response, "Who, me Lord?" illustrates Noah's confusion that God would speak directly to him.

          

In Act II, singers crowd into the ark, displaying frustration, and confusion over their crowded quarters, and the unknowns of their situation, while realizing they are "all in it together." Finally, in Act III the boat stops rocking, lands on a mountain top, and Noah sends out a bird or two until a dove comes back with green leaves in its beak. Their ordeal is nearly over.

 

With the help of local musician and actor Peter Motson, who arranged Noah and will accompany singers, Davison will finally see Noah come to life. Members of the church choir have taken on the roles of various members of Noah's family, children will play some of the Ark's animals, and the church sanctuary will be temporarily be turned into an ark.

 

The public, including families and children are invited to attend the performance at 4 p.m. on Sunday March 30, in the sanctuary of St George's Episcopal Church, 407 York St, York, ME 03909. There is no charge; however donations to St George's music program will be happily accepted. Light refreshments will follow the presentation. For more information please contact St George's at 207-363-7376 x-101. 

 

 

Spring FUNdraisers...

 

 

Prize Calendars and Yankee Sales
Please remember to turn in any calendar monies and Yankee candle sales to Tena Wolf this Sunday, March 30th.   Any prizes for the calendars are also due on Sunday, March 30th.  The drawings will begin daily on Tuesday, April 1.  Thank you for supporting the sales of both fundraisers. 

Meeting scheduled for 3/30
There will be a meeting of the fundraising team on Sunday, March 30th. This will be brief.

 

 

Please consider supporting one or both of these important fundraisers.

 

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 contact your Safe Church Minister to verify when you are due to take your refresher training.

 

Please register with your Safe Church Minister. You may register anytime. Even if you plan on attending a class this fall you may register now and complete your online training whenever is convenient for you between now and the fall. For Christ Church, contact Patsy Tremblay at [email protected]or call 603-205-2195. At Trinity Church, contact Patrice Wood at [email protected].

 

Training classes for this spring are offered the following Saturdays from 8:30am to noon except as noted on May 22nd below:

 

March 22, 2014 - Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua

March 29, 2014 - St. Thomas, Dover

April 26, 2014 - All Saints', Littleton

May 22, 2014 - Trinity Church, Meredith, 6pm to 9pm, Thursday

May 31, 2014 - Trinity Church, Claremont

 

Training classes for the fall are offered the following Saturdays from 8:30am to noon except as noted on October 7th below:

 

September 13, 2014 - Trinity Church

September 20, 2014 - St. Thomas, Dover

October 4, 2014 - St. Barnabas, Berlin

October 7, 2014 - Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua, 6:30pm to 9:30pm, Tuesday

November 15, 2014 - St. Thomas, Hanover

November 22, 2014 - St. Paul's, Concord

A new ministry at Sanctuary Care in Rye

 

This month, Christ Church is beginning a new ministry at Sanctuary Memory Care on Route One in Rye. On the fourth Thursday of each month, an ecumenical service for residents will be offered at 11:30 a.m. Fr. Chip will provide the general leadership. It is hoped volunteers might take an interest in assisting, either by offering readings, assisting residents with their service booklets, or - if we have any among us who have this ability - playing the piano for the hymns. If you are interested in helping us with this ministry (from either church), speak with Fr. Chip

 

 

Music Ministry

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Please consider joining one of our choirs.  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.  

 

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

Church Ministries
  • 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)

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  [email protected]. during the school year.  All requests are confidential.

    

If your ministry is missing from this list please send an email to [email protected]  

 

 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.  

 

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