Notes from the September Bishop's Committee Meeting The September meeting opened with a reflection by Diana Jodoin. After a sharing of prayer concerns, Fr. Chip updated the group on the work of the Goals Team and efforts to have our new pictorial directory out by the Bishop's visit in November. He also spoke briefly about the upcoming End of Life Issues workshop at Christ Church and the preliminary plans of our Stewardship Team. The individual Bishop's Committees then convened to consider congregation-specific matters: Christ Church - Officially appointed Liza McGuckin as E-News editor; reviewed vacancies to be filled at Annual Meeting in January; and discussed property issues, including the need to repoint the mortar in the front steps. Trinity Church - Heard an update on relations with the Village Pre-School; received the good news that the cost of the new mower had been fully covered by donations; authorized the purchase of a new computer for the financial records; reviewed dates of upcoming activities; held some preliminary discussion on efforts to improve accessibility in Hobbs Hall. Upon returning to the general meeting, reports of the Wardens, Clerks and Treasurers were reviewed. Finances continue strong in both churches. There is a need to catch up on transfer payments between the two churches, which had gotten behind during the transition to a new bookkeeper at Christ Church. Trinity, net, owes Christ Church more than Christ Church owes Trinity, but even after the catch-up, both churches will still be "in the black" financially. In other business: -
Plans for the Holly Berry Fair at Trinity and the Christmas Fair at Christ Church are proceeding well.
-
The fall United Thank Offering ingathering was set for Oct. 19 & 26.
-
Fr. Chip provided a brief preview of the upcoming Diocesan Convention.
Full minutes will be posted when available. The next meeting will be at Trinity on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m
Change in Schedule for Inquirers' Classes This course, which presents an overview of our Christian Faith, as well as how this faith has been preserved and practiced within the Episcopal tradition, has drawn a diverse group of participants, from brand-new attendees of our two churches to veteran Episcopalians. Due to the travel plans of some of those who have been coming, we have changed our schedule for the coming weeks. Here are the revised dates, all at 7 p.m. Christ Church except as noted: This evening, Sept. 25: Church History - The struggles of the early Church, leading to the creeds and the challenges of the Church in the Medieval Ages, the Protestant Reformation on the Continent and in England. The birth of the Church of England in America and its transformation into the Episcopal Church we know today. Next Tuesday (Sept. 30): The Book of Common Prayer - The history of the Book of Common Prayer, and an overview of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Tuesday, Oct. 14: The Sacraments: Baptism and Confirmation Thursday, Oct. 23: The Sacraments: Holy Eucharist and the Other Sacramental Rites beginning with an "Instructed Eucharist" in the Chapel at 6:30 p.m. Remaining sessions will be Thursdays at 7 p.m. as previously scheduled.
Daytime Bible Study Starts Oct. 6 at Trinity Church
Interested in exploring the Bible, but can't attend Wednesday night's fascinating session? Then this may be for you. Beginning Monday, Oct. 6th, I will be leading a Bible Study in the Guild Room in Hobbs House from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15. We will initially meet during late Pentecost. No need to attend every session. No previous Bible Study experience necessary. "Come and See."
David Plank+
Homecoming Sunday at Trinity Church
This Sunday, Sept. 28, will be Trinity Church's fall Homecoming Sunday. You are encouraged to invite someone to church to join you - perhaps a member you haven't seen in church for a while or a neighbor or relative you think would enjoy Trinity Church. After the service, there will be a pot-luck brunch in Hobbs Hall. Beverages will be provided, but the menu all depends on what you bring. To allow Fr. Chip and Cindy to stay for the brunch, the Rev. David Plank has graciously agreed to celebrate the 10:30 service at Christ Church. He has enjoyed his visits there on past Sundays - and has been warmly received when he has offered the Eucharist there.
Photo Directory Nearing Completion
Our Directory is in the last stages of completion. We have so many new parishioners who need to be included; we've decided to have one more picture day: Sept. 28 at Trinity Church following the 8:45 service.
Anyone who has not had their picture taken (from either congregation) may do so. Even if you are not having your picture taken for the Directory, we still need you to fill a form out, as it covers permission for publishing your photo in the Newsletter, Web Pages and other media.
Upcoming Dates
|
Sept. 27
|
10 a.m. - noon
|
Seacoast Convocation program on End-of-Life Issues at Christ Church, Portsmouth
| |
|
|
| |
Sept . 28
|
8:45 a.m.
|
Homecoming Sunday at Trinity Church - pot-luck brunch and directory photography following the service
|
|
|
| |
|
10:30 a.m.
|
Holy Eucharist at Christ Church - The Rev. David Plank, Celebrant
| |
|
|
| |
Oct. 5
|
12:00 noon
|
Blessing of the Animals at Christ Church - outdoors if weather permits
| |
|
|
| |
Oct. 19, 26
|
All Services
|
United Thank Offering Ingathering
|
Our Shared Ministry Cycle of Prayer
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...
|
Sept. 28
|
The Building & Grounds ministry at Christ Church; Paul & Linda Seward of Christ Church; Cassie & Ben Leavitt of Trinity Church
| |
Oct. 5
|
Trinity Church's Choir; Curtis Pratt of Christ Church; Noreen Burke-Hill of Trinity Church
|
End of Life Issues Workshop - Saturday, Sept. 27 at Christ Church Planning for the end of life can be difficult. But by deciding what end-of-life decisions best suit your needs when you are healthy, you can help those close to you make the right choices when the time comes. Advance directives can help make your wishes clear to your family, your clergy, and health care providers. Many of us try to avoid the issue - but death is inevitable and all of us need to deal with it openly and faithfully. Join us Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 am to noon at Christ Church, Portsmouth. We will discuss the medical, legal and spiritual issues. The workshop is free and open to the public. To save a place call (603) 436-8842.
Blessing of the Animals - Oct. 5 at Christ Church
On Sunday, Oct. 5 at 12:00 noon, children and adults are invited to celebrate God's creation through a special "Blessing of the Animals" service, to be held on behalf of both congregations on the Christ Church lawn. Oct. 5 is the Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4), and in Episcopal churches across the country, people of all ages are being encouraged to bring their pets for a blessing as a way of honoring that gentle saint's memory.
Francis was known not only for his humility, but his love of God's creation. At the Blessing of the Animals service that day, you are invited to bring your cats or dogs, hamsters, gerbils, fish, rabbits or birds to receive God's blessing. More exotic species, such as snakes, turtles, or lizards, are also welcome, as long as they are caged for their own as well as the congregation's safety. Fr. Chip will call all who have pets at home, but forgot to bring them, forward for a blessing to "send home" - or you may bring a stuffed animal as a "stand-in." You are encouraged to invite friends to join you that day, either to witness the blessing of your pet or to bring pets of their own for a blessing.
| 
