 From the Vicar... God doesn't call the qualified; God qualifies the called In my study at home, I have a placard with the above saying on it. And I believe its message. But as Pentecost nears, I find myself thinking more deeply about that placard's simple message - and wondering if we really believe what it says when it comes to the Spirit's empowerment of each of us for some form of ministry. One of the great facts about the Christian church is that throughout its existence, Christ has chosen to use very ordinary people to do his work. It seems as if God delights in taking folk that would perhaps escape the attention of everyone else and, despite their failings and frailties, use them in ways that surprises everyone. If any one of us was asked to pick twelve people that could change the world, I doubt that we would have chosen people of the kind that Christ did when he chose the twelve apostles. They were ordinary working folk who, according to the Pharisees, were "ignorant and unlearned." Nonetheless these uneducated common folk were not only pivotal in taking the gospel all over the Roman Empire but were also responsible for writing several of the books in the New Testament. Church history is full of examples of men and women like that. People who may well have been disregarded by the wise of this world and yet chosen by God to do great things in service to the cause of the Gospel. Welsh pastor Kevin Gould describes an apprentice cobbler, William Carey, who was invited to church by a fellow apprentice and there found faith in Christ at the age of seventeen. When he was thirty-two, he set sail for India and that nation was transformed by his ministry and the missions that he spearheaded. One man said, "The Christian church owes more to William Carey and his mission than any one person since the Apostle Paul. Yet when he was seventeen everyone who knew him would have said "This is just a cobbler." They said of Jesus, "Isn't this the carpenter's son?" Oh how little the ordinary eye sees. This is just one of many examples of very ordinary people that God used in amazing ways. Never doubt the potential that you have for being empowered by the Spirit to be used by God. God can see something in you that no one else can...not even you. Remember God doesn't always call the qualified but God always qualifies the called. Fr. Chip Let's wear red for Pentecost! 
On the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 24, we will continue our custom of wearing red as a small sign that the Holy Spirit lives within each of us. Our services in both churches that day will feature some powerful Pentecost hymns - including some from more contemporary sources - and a multi-lingual reading of the Pentecost Gospel. (Do you know another language? Let me know so you can help out with this!) I'll be adorned in bright red vestments, the altar will be decked in red as well - why don't we all wear red to make the scene a "sea" of Pentecost color! Fr. Chip 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...
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May 24
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(concluding collect for our shared ministry)
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May 31
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Thanksgiving for the 60th anniversary of Trinity Church; the Wardens of both churches, Craig Davis and Patrice Wood; John Normand and Anita Pauley of Trinity Church; Betty Lane of Christ Church
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Shared Ministry Office Hours Update
Both the Christ Church and Trinity Church offices will be closed on Thursday, May 28th.
May 31 liturgy and June 7 brunch to kick off celebration of Trinity's 60th anniversary
Trinity's 60th anniversary is rapidly approaching! The celebration kicks off on Trinity's actual 60th anniversary: Trinity Sunday, May 31. We will have a special Eucharist in honor of the occasion that day - but the "festive event" referenced in last week's article will come a week later, on Sunday, June 7, when we will invite all Trinity "alumni" to return and join us for brunch following the 8:45 a.m. service. (Note: We had previously announced this as a picnic, but decided that, with the variable weather we've been having, that might not be wise in early June.) At the brunch, we'll have some historical displays up to help us enjoy our Trinity memories. Between then and the end of 2015, we plan to theme a number of events around this milestone, so stay tuned.
Let your talents shine!
We're running a week later than we'd anticipated, but you soon should receive, either electronically or in the mail, Time and Talent Pledge Forms. After you have reviewed the list of possibilities, please fill out one form for each member of your household who plans to serve in some capacity in the program year to come (June 2015-May 2016). After results are collated, you'll be contacted by a Bishop's Committee member or ministry chair. You are asked to return your form(s), in person, by mail, or electronically, no later than Sunday, June 7.
Your Bishop's Committee
A big change coming to our bulletins this summer
Beginning in June, we will be making some changes to cut down on the amount of paper we use each week. Instead of a full bulletin for each Sunday, we will be producing seasonal booklets that stay in the pew for a liturgical season at a time, with a one-sheet insert containing the particular Sunday's hymns, readings, and announcements. By eliminating between eight and twelve pages of material on a weekly basis, we not only "go green" in a big way, we save money as well. This fall, we'll ask for your feedback to see whether or not to continue come Advent. Several other churches around New Hampshire have changed to this approach and they report it has worked well for them.
A piano for Trinity Church
Beginning this week, you will hear a new sound coming from the choir area at Trinity Church: piano music! Thanks to a "permanent loan" from Paul and Linda Seward, who soon will be moving to the Adirondacks, Trinity is now home to a fine Baldwin piano. It has been completely tuned and serviced, and makes a lovely sound. Be listening for it in our liturgy as it accompanies the choir - and an occasional hymn.
Christ Church to be venue for bone marrow drive
Christ Church will be the venue for a bone marrow drive Saturday, May 30 from 1-4 p.m. A cheek swab is all that is needed to determine if you are a match. Those between the ages of 18 and 44 who are generally healthy and willing to donate are encouraged to register. Portsmouth resident Nicole Indelicato is sponsoring the drive in memory of her mother, who died of leukemia on May 30, 2013. For further information, contact her at nicolejan78@gmail.com or 603-957-0613.
Women Singing Out! to offer concert June 13 & 14
 Bring your dancing shoes because Women Singing Out! will be Rocking OUT! Saturday, June 13th, 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 14th at 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 1035 Lafayette Rd. Portsmouth. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased here or at the door.
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