From the Vicar...
Growing into Christ consists in the simple things
There are days when I pinch myself at the thought that I have been ordained for over 32 years. I have been blessed and challenged over those years in ways more numerous than I can count. But being here today, enjoying the privilege of being your Vicar, has to stand as one of the true highlights of these many years of ministry.
Over these years, I have had the privilege of watching scores of people grow steadily into Christian maturity. And I have come to notice something that heartens me beyond telling: "growing up into the full stature of maturity in Christ" has almost nothing to do with extraordinary events or experiences - and everything to do with the little, daily things we do to live out our commitment to the Gospel.
It does not require extraordinary intelligence or knowledge, or great courage or strength to be a disciple of Christ. It requires neither wealth nor "success" (however one might define "success"). It does not require cleverness or charm - or even purity or piety.
Jesus, in this Sunday's Gospel, reminds us that the way of discipleship is something we need not over-complicate. It is simple. It is open to anyone. And it consists of little things - common acts of kindness and compassion that do not require any special genius.
We do not need to be a Nobel Prize winner to be a person growing in Christian maturity. We need merely to be people who keep our eyes open - who look around us and notice the needs of the people around us and how simple it is to offer comfort and support.
I see this Sunday's Gospel as an invitation to you and me. God is asking us to be faithful - to simply look at each other through new eyes and offer ourselves to one another as "cool water" for a parched world in which too few look beyond the immediate to see that larger thing God is doing. To God be the glory in Christ Jesus!
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 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...
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June 29
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Trinity Church Bishop's Committee; Iris McLoughlin & family of Christ Church; Kay Scott of Trinity Church
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July 6
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The E-News Team; plus Peter Monte of Christ Church; and Mike Spinelli and Ned & Bobbie Stead of Trinity Church
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This 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 your favorite side dish or dessert to share. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and beverages will be provided.
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.
Notes from the June Bishop's Committee meeting
The June meeting, held at Christ Church, opened with a meditation on aging and faith given by Gordon Lane. After a time for sharing celebrations and pastoral concerns, the individual Bishop's Committees met to discuss congregation-specific matters:
Trinity's Bishop's Committee spent some time revising its policies regarding the Food Pantry and discussing upcoming capital projects including the restoration of the stage in Hobbs Hall and resurfacing the Hobbs Hall floor. It was proposed that a zero-turn mower be purchased, but before approving the purchase, it was agreed that a funding campaign be mounted to have seed money toward the cost. The vendor will provide interest-free financing for 24 months, but we need to know we have the cash to make the payments. We will also mount a campaign for "Wonder Love and Praise" hymnals for the pews, which can be donated as memorials or in thanksgiving for a loved one.
The Christ Church committee welcomed Little Blessings director Diane Lewis to discuss several matters related to the daycare center. One issue raised was grounds care. Little Blessings has expressed willingness to hire someone to take care of mowing and care of the gardens at its expense. The Bishop's Committee gladly accepted their offer. They will also be doing some fund-raising for the purchase of a used bus to replace the "Holy Roller" bus, which has now reached the end of its useful life. We also spent some time recapping last month's Community Conversation and outlining next steps in response.
After our return to joint session, we heard a report from Fr. Chip on the most recent Goals Team meeting. As the April meeting had largely focused on goals originating at Trinity Church, we focused more on Christ Church this time. It was agreed to try a "Lyceum" concept for drawing people from the larger community into our buildings (both churches) and then listen to them regarding their concerns/needs that we might be able to address. We might start this by sponsoring a dialogue in the Christ Church sanctuary on a topic of community interest: perhaps a panel of a speaker from each of the three Abrahamic traditions to respond to some important issue our community is facing. A group to follow up on this will meet between now and the August meeting of the team.
In other business:
- The need for new E-News editors in both churches was outlined. One possible successor was identified and ideas for others to ask were considered.
- It was agreed to make some modifications to our summer schedule of outdoor services and events. The results of this conversation will be found below.
- Little Blessings is sponsoring a fund-raiser for replacing "Holy Roller" bus: An outing to see the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Sunday, July 20. Our two churches agreed to participate, with $6 from each $14 ticket going to Little Blessings. Details will be published in next week's E-News.
There will be no July meeting. The August meeting will on the 19th at 7 p.m. at Trinity Church.
Revised summer schedule
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June 29
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8:45 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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Said Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church
Holy Eucharist at Christ Church - The Rev. David Plank, Celebrant
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11:00 a.m.
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Outdoor Eucharist and cookout - Trinity Church
(note special time!)
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July 13
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8:45 a.m.
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Said Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church
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10:30 a.m.
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Outdoor Eucharist and cookout - Christ Church
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July 20
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11:45 a.m.
departure
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Trip to see NH Fisher Cats play Portland Sea Dogs at Delta Dental Stadium, Manchester
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Aug. 17
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8:45 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
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Said Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church
Said Holy Eucharist at Christ Church - The Rev. David Plank, Celebrant
Joint Outdoor Eucharist and cookout for members of both churches - Trinity Church (note special time!)
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Sept. 14
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8:45 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church
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10:30 a.m.
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Homecoming Sunday: Outdoor Eucharist and cookout - Christ Church
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Saturday 5 p.m. services will continue throughout the summer at Trinity Church.
Come see the Fisher Cats play the Sea Dogs
Sunday, July 20 at Delta Dental Stadium, Manchester 
Come on out and support Little Blessings Child Care Center - and have a fun day doing it! Christ and Trinity Churches are joining in the fun. Simply order your tickets this Sunday at church, and then pick up your tickets on game day - car pool leaves each church's parking lot at 11:45 a.m. You can pay for them by cash or check (made out to Little Blessing Child Care Center).
Deadline for ticket sales is Sunday, July 13. Tickets cost $14.00, with $6.00 from each ticket purchased going to Little Blessings' efforts to raise funds for a new bus. (The "Holy Roller" is being retired after many years' service.) These are premium box seats - and children under 3 go free (though you'll still need to get them a ticket).
The first 1,000 fans will receive a FREE Fisher Cats Hat, courtesy of Northeast Delta Dental! Come on out to the ball game!
