Bishop's Committee meets with Bishop Hirschfeld
While much of the festivity surrounding our Bishop's visit to us occurred on Sunday, Nov. 16, he also took some time to meet with our Bishop's Committee the following evening. Christ Church Clerk Linda Seward took these notes on that meeting:
The Bishop stated that he has noticed a significant change in the combined ministries of our churches. He noted that there is increased trust, unity, energy and hope for the future. He also noted that both churches have grown independently but also with each other and that we have now formed a community. The synergy that he sees makes our working together easier and more meaningful.
The Bishop expressed concern over "opportunity gaps" that exist in our society that help to create children who are isolated, especially children from lower socio-economic states. The Bishop feels that we have an opportunity to address this issue by increasing inter-generational interactions to support all children.
The one year anniversary of the covenant between Christ Church and Trinity Church was discussed and celebrated. The Bishop asked what we see as the next step for our combined ministry. More joint services were discussed as well as the need to have an open door and some kind of service at the church not hosting such a combined service.
The Bishop gently brought up the idea of increased cooperation between Christ Church and Trinity such as a combined budget and one treasurer instead of two. The Mutual Ministry Review set for January & February will look at this issue.
The meeting ended with celebrations and concerns of the Bishop's Committee members followed by a blessing from the Bishop.
Upcoming Dates
Sat., Nov. 29
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5:00 p.m.
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First Sunday in Advent
Holy Eucharist at Trinity
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Sun., Nov. 30
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8:45 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist at Trinity
Holy Eucharist at Christ Church
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Sat., Dec. 6
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8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
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Second Sunday of Advent
Christ Church Christmas Fair
Holy Eucharist at Trinity
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Sun., Dec. 7
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8:45 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist at Trinity
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10:30 a.m.
| Holy Eucharist and Healing at
Christ Church |
Preliminary pledge results
On Sunday, Nov. 16, at our Celebration Luncheon with the Bishop, we brought the 2014 "Anchored Together in Christ" pledge campaign to a close. The tallies are done for what we have thus far, and the Bishop's Committee has its list of follow-up calls to make. Here's where we stand thus far:
Total thus far: 25 pledges for $38,966; 11 increases, 6 decreases, 2 lost pledges, 3 new pledges; projected total $42,186*.
Total thus far: 32 pledges for $56,268; 10 increases, 3 decreases, 2 lost pledges, 4 new pledges; projected total $69,380*.
*This total assumes all outstanding pledges come in even with last year
Our thanks to that have already made their pledges for 2015. We look forward to hearing from the rest of you by this weekend.
Your Stewardship Team
Notes from the Bishop's Committee meeting of Nov. 18
The Nov. meeting, held at Christ Church, opened with a reflection by Trinity Church Treasurer Robert Bischoff. As there had been an opportunity to share celebrations and pastoral concerns at the previous evening's meeting with the Bishop, the group passed at once to assigning calls for stewardship follow-up. Fortunately, due to the level of response we have received, there were not many follow-up calls to make. See the separate article below for more information on the current status of this year's program.
The Bishop's Committees of the individual congregations then met in separate sessions:
- Trinity Church's group received more information on a proposed accessibility lift for Hobbs Hall and approved Trinity's participation in an outreach educational program being spearheaded by the United Methodist Church. Concern was expressed that the Village Pre-School remains significantly behind in its monthly donations. There was also discussion of how to better meet the needs of elderly parishioners who need rides to church.
- Christ Church's committee discussed progress toward submitting a grant proposal to the City of Portsmouth for an accessible rest room on the main floor. The City issued an invitation to non-profits to submit such grant requests, and ours is due Dec. 10. The rest room would be located on the site of the Vicar's present office; the Vicar would move into the space where the office manager previously worked. There was also preliminary discussion of a proposal to establish a pet columbarium on the northeast corner of the church. Research on permits needed, etc., will be the next step in considering this.
Returning to joint session, the Bishop's Committee heard reports from the Vicar and the Wardens, approved minutes of the October meeting and Treasurers' reports. As October was a month with three payroll periods instead of the usual two, there were monthly deficits at both churches, but overall both remain on-track to end the year "in the black." Christ Church has some catching up to do in paying its Fair Share to the Diocese, but should be able to do so once Christmas Fair and/or Christmas Eve contributions come in.
Minutes of the meeting will be posted in each church once they are available. The Dec. meeting will be on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at Trinity Church.
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...
Nov. 30
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(We will use the concluding collect for our Shared Ministry)
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Dec. 7
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The support groups hosted by Christ Church; Jason, Patsy, Elizabeth & Grace Tremblay of Christ Church; Crystal & Don Sexton & family of Trinity Church
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Christ Church Christmas Fair is Saturday, Dec. 6
Get ready for our upcoming Christmas Fair, from 8 am - 2 pm, which will include the following:
- "Best cookie walk in New England"
- Bake sale
- Fair trade items and gifts
- Christmas crafts
- Silent Auction
- Raffle
- Cafe
- White Elephant
- Surprise crafters
Proceeds also support the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Tena Wolf
Christmas Flowers
We'd love your help in adorning our altars for Christmas by purchasing a poinsettia. And at the same time, you may honor your loved ones, acknowledge a special occasion, or give thanks and praise which will be included in the bulletin.
This year there are two size choices: 6 �" at $ 6.50 or 7 �" at $12.00 and the color choices are: white, red, burgundy, "Jingle Bell"(speckled) and pink.
Please contact Alberta True, at 926-8252 at Trinity Church to place your order. At Christ Church, you will find poinsettia offering envelopes on the guest book table in the hallway. You may also email Nita at [email protected]. However you place your order, be sure to let us know how many flowers you would like to order, what sizes and colors, and provide wording for your listing in the bulletin. Then be sure to place your payment, marked "flowers," in the offering plate or snail-mail it to the Shared Ministry Office.
The deadline for all orders is Sunday Dec. 7 at coffee hour- no exceptions.
New Hampshire Gay Men's Chorus to sing at Christ Church Dec. 7
Tickets are now available online for the New Hampshire Gay Men's Chorus' holiday concert series, A Blizzard of Seasonal Songs. The group will perform Christmas, Hanukkah, and holiday favorites. The concert will be held Sunday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. at Christ Church, Portsmouth, with additional concerts in other venues throughout the month.
Salvation Army Giving Tree at Christ Church Tags for children of various ages are still available on our tree. Please help brighten a child's Christmas by taking a tag of your choice and returning it by Sunday, Dec. 14. Each gift is to be placed in a gift bag, with the tag on the outside. We usually include a toy along with something such as hat and scarf, or pajamas, for a child.
Tena Wolf
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