from the Bishop  

 

40 Years Ordained

From +Rob:

  

The fortieth anniversary on July 29 of the Ordination of seven women to the priesthood in Philadelphia is an important spiritual milestone in the life of the Church. Though many take it as a breakthrough moment in establishing equal opportunity in God's service in the Church, I believe it was even more than a simple act of long-awaited justice.

  

Speaking personally for a moment, I was fourteen years old when this historic event occurred. My active life in the church really began just a few years later so my memories of being at an altar when women were not present, either as presiders or preachers, at the Liturgy are remote and few. The women with whom I studied in preparation for ordination and then eventually served alongside in my time as both priest and bishop have all showed me dimensions of God's character and activity in the world. To be in a gathering of priests, or bishops, when women are absent seems utterly awkward and incomplete to me, and I have come to view with suspicion any decisions about the church or world made in the absence of women.

  

What happened in Philadelphia opened a window that allowed us to see more completely the image of Jesus Christ...yes, Jesus Christ. whom

 Dame Julian of Norwich, among other divines, prayed to as "mother." To help us pray in thanksgiving I commend the attached litany of prayer to be prayed in the congregations of New Hampshire on the Sundays surrounding the anniversary. I am grateful to the Rev. Susan Langle for her eloquent crafting the litany for our use.

 

From the Outreach Partnership Steering Team:

From the Vicar...

Might you be interested in being Confirmed or Received this fall?

In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop. Those baptized as adults ... are also expected to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands.

This statement is found on page 412 of the Book of Common Prayer, as an explanatory introduction to the sacramental service of Confirmation. On Sunday, November 16, the Rt. Rev. Rob Hirschfeld, our diocesan Bishop, will be visiting us, with Christ Church hosting, to administer the Rite of Confirmation and Reception of new members, and to celebrate Holy Eucharist. As always we will be planning for his visit, and preparing to present those wishing to be Confirmed or Received.

If you or someone you know has an interest in exploring Confirmation or Reception, or if you would like to refresh your understanding of the Church and its faith, call the shared ministry office and ask Nita to put you on the Confirmation Class list. I will be in touch with you when details have been set. Our hope is to begin our preparatory classes right after Labor Day.

At that service, just before the laying on of hands, the bishop will pray the prayer for the candidates on the top of page 418. Substituting "us" for "them," it is a good prayer for us all, not only at Confirmation, but also in our daily

discipleship:

Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in [us] the covenant you made with [us] at [our] Baptism. Send [us] forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before [us]; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Fr. Chip

Our next outdoor service and cookout...

Now it's Christ Church's turn to host

 On Sunday, July 13, Christ Church will host an outdoor Eucharist and cookout (members of both churches welcome). The service will be at 10:30 a.m. in the shaded rear courtyard of the church. The cookout will follow on the lawn. Bring your lawn chair and a side dish or dessert to share. Hot dogs, hamburgers 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.

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!

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.