From the Vicar...

Being centered in our core values

Part three of a four-part series

During this Epiphany season, we are giving some thought to the invitation of Jesus to his potential followers to become "fishers for people" - not just as regards the "fishing" but what the implications are once folks we touch with our ministry are "in the boat."

In last week's column, I spoke of the need to focus ourselves on Christ. This week, I'd like to expand on that in terms of naming and celebrating what we value. My final column in this Epiphany-season series next week will relate to how we better respond to the pastoral needs of our people and the communities we serve.

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What do we value as a community of faith?

When I think about the things that make us who we are - the things we treasure and value as a community of faith, I find myself drawn to a series of what I call "core values." I'm not saying these are the only things we value. But as we reach beyond ourselves, striving to allow God to work through our hands as Christ's own, these are the gifts I see as central to our ministry:

A Spirit of Warmth and Welcome

We strive to love widely and deeply. We are inclusive, comprised of people of all stages and walks of life. We bear witness to God's love by aiming to provide a place of hospitality, healing, and hope for everyone who comes through our doors.

A Community of Integrity and Authenticity

How we operate our Shared Ministry is as important as what we accomplish. We value honesty and transparency, and try always to accept responsibility for our actions and follow through on commitments and promises. We bring our authentic selves to the work we do and value the variety of voices around the table.

A Call to Mission and Ministry

We endeavor to reach beyond ourselves. Jesus commends us to nourish the hungry and thirsty, care for the sick and needy, and welcome the stranger. We do this through a variety of means, some of which are directly through our churches, and many of which occur through the individual ministries of our members in the Name of Christ.

Eucharistic Faith

Each week we come together to seek solace and renewal in the healing power of the Holy Eucharist. Our celebration of thanksgiving for Christ's resurrection binds us as a community, lifts our hearts, and enlivens our faith, and we carry that faith into our daily lives and work.

Inquiring Minds and Open Hearts

We bring inquiring minds and open hearts to our journeys of faith. We know that we do not have all the answers and we enjoy exploring the questions as we seek a deeper knowledge and love of God.

A Sense of Beauty and Wonder

We value the elegance and ritual of Episcopal worship, whether it is celebrated with simplicity or with grandeur. We appreciate the beauty of sacred music and our liturgical forms of prayer. We also celebrate the wonder of God's creation by using our artistic and musical talents as instruments of praise.

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People may not say so if you ask them, but these are the things I believe they're hungry for when searching for a church to call their home. They want to know Christ - and the way they'll get to know Christ is through our speaking his Word and showing the fruits of that speaking by how we live out our values. By putting our values into action we fulfill our call as the Body of Christ.

Fr. Chip

Fundraising meeting at Christ Church

There will be a fundraising meeting directly after services at Christ Church on Sunday, Feb. 8. We will be discussing fundraisers for the upcoming year. This is a great chance to bring any new ideas or events.

Thank you!

 Tena Wolf

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...

A Notice Regarding Shared Ministry Office Hours

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I will be out of the office one day every other week through the beginning of May.  It is also beyond my control to choose the day I am out so please bear with me.

I will be out of the office on Tuesday, February 10.  I will be checking messages and email periodically. As always, if you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Fr. Chip directly.

Nita Niemczyk

New Orleans Style Mardi Gras Feast  

When: February 17, 2015 

Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Where: Trinity Episcopal Church - Hobbs House

200 High Street, Hampton, NH

$5.00 Donation - Hobbs House

Eats: Traditional New Orleans Fare, including King's Cake!!

Ash Wednesday Liturgies

On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, Holy Eucharist, with the Imposition of Ashes, will be offered at 12:15 p.m. at Trinity Church and at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Church.

Our Ash Wednesday services invite us to reflect on our lives and relationship with God, to bring renewal in our lives. The Imposition of Ashes reminds us of our mortality. The Eucharist reminds us of Christ's sacrifice for us and our new life in Christ. All baptized Christians (including children) are expected to attend one of these services. This is why we offer it in both churches, and invite "cross-attendance" based not on location but on convenience to the worshiper's schedule. 

Fr. Chip

Our Lenten worship

Sunday services throughout the season of Lent strike a simpler, more penitential tone than those normally offered through the rest of the year. By changing the liturgy in different seasons of the Church Year, our worship will be deepened as we experience different windows that are opened to God by our service.

At Christ Church... There will be no sung liturgy from the conclusion of the Great Litany on the first Sunday in Lent until the Liturgy of the Palms on Palm Sunday. By offering the Eucharist in a more austere setting through the remainder of Lent, we will be reminded of that "stripping away" that is at the heart of the season's self-examination and repentance.

At Trinity Church...  At Trinity Church's 8:45 a.m. Eucharist this Lent, the Penitential Order with Holy Eucharist, Rite One, will be offered. Like the liturgical setting we are using at Christ Church, this liturgical setting reminds us, through its penitential language and tone, of our call to prepare our hearts for the Paschal feast.