2014 Joint Time and Talent Campaign for

Christ Church, Portsmouth and Trinity Church, Hampton

 

We hear you...so be watching for some changes

 

Two weeks ago, when we published our summer schedule, several people in both congregations expressed concern about changed service times and, in one case, a canceled regular service. Your Bishop's Committee hears you and will be making some changes in response to your feedback at its June 17 meeting. Be watching next week's E-News for a revised schedule. 

 

 

  

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 use 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... 

 

June 15	The Clerks of both churches; we also pray for Carolyn Matthews of Christ Church; and for  the Rev. Bob Gallagher and Wes & Anne Rowe of Trinity Church
June 22	Christ Church Bishop's Committee; Betty McKinney of Christ Church; Anne Russell and Lois Schmelzer of Trinity Church

 

Coming Sunday, June 29 at Trinity...

Outdoor Eucharist and cookout

 

It's time to kick off the summer season! On Sunday, June 29, Trinity Church will host an outdoor Eucharist and cookout (members of both churches welcome!) 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 trinity55ad@gmail.com . 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 brief celebration of the Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church at the usual 8:45, and a 10:30 Eucharist at Christ Church with the Rev. David Plank as Celebrant.

 

 

Seacoast Convocation update

 

There are many things happening in the Seacoast Convocation (made up of the six Seacoast area Episcopal churches).

 

Next spring, a Seacoast Convocation trip to Cuba is being planned by the Rev. Mark Pendleton from Christ Church in Exeter. Mark and some people who went along on the last trip gave the convocation a slide show briefing which outlined the mission work they are doing. They all had great things to say about it. The plan for the next trip would be more mission work. Any and all abilities are welcomed as there are many things that could be done.  If you're interested, please e-mail Mark at mpendleton@christchurchexeter.org.  

 

At the May meeting, a representative of the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, NH spoke at Convocation. BCH is a place where all campers feel accepted, loved and are able to develop authentic friendships. Campers are from grades 4 through 12 and are separated into age appropriate groups so that all campers have a fun experience. There are scholarships available with the recommended ratio being 1/3 (family), 1/3 (parish) and 1/3 (scholarship). For more information, the contact information is 603-547-3400, www.bchcenter.org/camp or e-mail camp@bchcenter.org.  

 

At the June meeting, Laura Simoes, the diocese's new Missioner for Communications, spoke. She described some "best practices" for church websites and newsletters, and reminded us of the importance of keeping such things as bulletin boards and welcome packets up to date. She provided some examples of good-quality communications - and it was gratifying to see that ours were among them!

 

For more events and news, please visit the Seacoast Convocation Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EpiscopalSeacoast. 

 

 

Flower Barrels at Trinity

 

Three of the four flower barrels at Trinity have been adopted, leaving one lonely empty barrel at the front of Hobbs House.  Would consider planting some 'part sun' plants to match the existing one?  Let us know  - contact Nita or  Patrice.

 

 

 

Words of Thanks!

 

So many people work behind the scene to keep both of our buildings and the grounds looking presentable. 

  

In Hobbs House, the 'upstairs' bathroom and hallway had a recent makeover - the first in 20+ years!  Thru the non-profit status of Hampton Community Coalition, Liberty Mutual spent a 'day of caring' cleaning and painting.   The paint, new mirror, curtains were also donated by HCC.  Our own John Kristianson, started this project off by installing new flooring in the bathroom - what a difference just that made!  Nita and Carol  were instrumental in adding their voice during the decision making process.

 

Have you been 'out back' to see the entrance to the Village Pre School?  The wall, once covered in black mold / mildew, received a much needed pressure wash.  Ike and Angie Twombly spent a Sunday afternoon bleaching and pressure washing the wall, restoring it to its intended color - white.   Angie will add some color to the peaks over the doors, making the entrance to VPS more presentable.

 

The never ending spring/summer/fall project - the lawn!  It has been said that we have 'good grass' and John Normand has done an outstanding job maintaining this - working with little to no help, hours at a time and with equipment that is...well, old.  

 

Thank you all!   

 

 

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.

 

 

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

 

Our Vicar's 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 share of the 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, as Bishop Rob is visiting us (with Christ Church hosting) on Sunday, Nov. 16 and we'll want to put together plans for fall classes in preparation for that.

 

 

 

 

 

The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire recently revised the Safe Church Policy.  The curriculum now consists of three hours of online training and three hours of class training. Click here for Safe Church training dates and requirements.

 

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