my presence, my service, and my resources!

After being asked to do a Ministry Minute, I had to sift through a flood of options that came to mind. I had a basic format, but Fr. Chip's sermon signaled a need to revise it.

When I was first given an allowance, it was made clear that part of it was to be set aside for an offering. That has stayed with me. The commitment as an adult is more complex. We have more financial responsibilities to juggle. However, setting aside an amount for an offering, right off the top, is best for me. How much? I do my best to listen to Spirit.

As a very young child going to Sunday School, my mother gave me a nickel to put in the offering plate. I did, and then took out a dime. After Sunday School I proudly showed it to my mother. She was not pleased! I now see that experience in a new way. I clearly see that whatever I have ever given to God has been "doubled" countless times. I have never been able to out-give God, nor will I ever be able to do so. Good to know!

One specific example: David felt called to go to seminary. At the time he was teaching 6th grade and we had two toddlers and another on the way. He resigned his job; I cashed in my small retirement account and off we went to Philadelphia for his 3 years of study - no regular income, some financial help from the bishop and David's parents, and a variety of part-time jobs - that was it for income. There was one period when we had no money and none expected for two weeks. What to do?!? The Dean called David in - a man from the Main Line (well-to-do area) had called to ask if anyone at the seminary would be willing and able to come stay with his six children while he was on a two-week business trip. He wanted his wife to go with him. The Dean asked David if we'd be up for that. We took it on - their six kids, a dog, a pet snake, and our three kids. It was a memorable two weeks! All our expenses for food and daily needs were wonderfully provided, plus $200 in pay, a veritable windfall!

If I value the church and all it provides, then I jolly well better be willing to support it with my presence, my service, and my resources! To quote Lily Tomlin's outrageous character, Edith Ann, "And that's the truth! Pfffflttt!!"

Daytime Bible Study moves to Mondays at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Church

Interested in exploring the Bible, but can't attend Wednesday night's fascinating session? Then this may be for you. Our daytime Bible Study in the Guild Room in Hobbs House has now moved to a 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. time slot. We will explore the Minor Prophets. No need to attend every session. No previous Bible Study experience necessary. "Come and See."  

David Plank+

Instructed Eucharist at this evening's Inquirers' class

This evening at 6:30, Christ Church will host the next session in our inquirers' series: The Sacraments: Holy Eucharist and the Other Sacramental Rites. The session begins with an "Instructed Eucharist" in the Christ Church Chapel and then continues in the classroom with a discussion of the experience and a review of the sacramental rites that are less frequently encountered such as Unction and Ordination.

Remaining sessions will be Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Christ Church through Nov. 6. All are welcome.

2014 Stewardship Campaign is underway!

Our 2014 joint Pledge Campaign, under the theme, "Anchored Together in Christ," is now underway. By now you should have received our first mailing from the Stewardship Committee - it went out Oct. 20. Meanwhile, this Sunday, we will hear "Ministry Minutes" (personal thankfulness stories to learn first-hand how your fellow parishioners have flourished in their faith through intentional giving) from Jim Sparrell of Christ Church and Phoebe Bischoff of Trinity.

At our Celebration Luncheon with the Bishop on Sunday, Nov. 16, we'd like to present a digital slide show of the year's events in our Shared Ministry. You are encouraged to submit digital photographs. Activities may include: worship services, church fairs or suppers, Blessing of the Animals, and other events. Please e-mail your photos to vicarchip@gmail.com.   

Christmas Fair craft session set for Oct. 25

There will be a craft session from 1-5 on Saturday, Oct. 25 to create handcrafted items for the Christ Church Christmas fair, to be held Saturday, Dec. 6. The session will be at Lynda Swartz and Liz Malone's home, 14 Kensington Rd., Hampton Falls. All are welcome.

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...

Gifts for ChIPs

Last year the congregations of our Diocese provided more than 700 Christmas gifts for children of parents incarcerated in the NH state prison system. This yearly program offers the parents a chance to give something to their children and strengthens family bonds until the time parents can return to their families. Holiday parties at the prisons are where each child receives a present and a book. For 38 years, we have sponsored this great program with our gifts and donations.

For 2014, gifts and donations may be dropped off at your church through Sunday, Nov. 2. At Diocesan Convention the following weekend, delegates will bring them to Diocesan Convention at the Grappone Center.

Gifts should not exceed $20 in original retail value. A $20 gift is preferable to several small gifts as it is difficult to group them together to equal a $20 item. Monetary donations in any amount are welcome. Hardcover and paperback books are welcome, but no used items, homemade items or gift cards can be accepted.

Here are some additional guidelines for the gifts:

• If you choose a gift that requires batteries, include them, attached to the gift.
• Consider buying a gift that would be equally appropriate for either sex.
• We cannot accept used items, homemade gifts, gift cards, jewelry, balloons, crayons, play-doh, clothing, sharp tools or weapons of any kind.
• If you wish to provide a cash gift to enable the diocesan Prison Concerns Committee to purchase a gift, please make your check payable to the Diocese of New Hampshire with "ChIPs" in the memo line.

United Thank Offering ingathering continues this Sunday

The United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through UTO, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. UTO monies support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.

There are UTO "blue boxes" in the Narthex at Trinity and in the hallway at Christ Church. Take one home; make using it a daily habit. We will have a UTO collection on Sunday, Oct. 19 and 26. Count out the change you've collected and write a check for that amount to your church (with UTO on the memo line) to put in the collection plate, and we will add it to other congregations' offerings during the annual Diocesan Convention, this year on Nov. 7. "Don't just count your blessings; make your blessings count."

All Saints' Sunday: A day to remember those who have gone before us in faith

All Saints' Day is an absolutely splendid occasion to sing some very stirring hymns, to renew our baptismal vows, and to dramatize the meaning of being "the communion of saints" as living members of the Body of Christ. At both churches, we will pray on Nov. 2 for the souls of those who have been buried from our congregations since All Saints' a year ago. If you would like the name of a loved one (whether or not from the last year) added to that list, e-mail it to Nita in the shared ministry office or call her at 926-5688 no later than noon, Wednesday, Oct. 29. Some have found this an occasion to make a thank offering to the congregation in memory of those so listed. You are invited and encouraged to do so.  

A "Little Blessings" fundraiser

Little Blessings Child Care Center at Christ Church is holding a "calendar" fundraiser quite similar to the one we have had the past two springs. November calendars are available from Fr. Chip at $10 each, and a drawing is held each weekday throughout that month. 

Jungian Dream Group Meetings

Tuesday nights, 7 to 9 p.m. every other week at Trinity Church

Our last meeting until spring will be held on Oct. 28th.Come and introduce yourself. You are welcome to come and just listen and learn. Each dream is a letter from your soul you can choose to open it or not. No particular skills needed just a curiosity and interest in your dreams. All are welcome. For Information call Barbara Nicholson at (603) 926-3590.