From the Vicar...
Some thoughts on Jonathan Myrick Daniels 
The story of Jonathan Myrick Daniels is a tribute to social justice, to civil rights, and to the equality of all people. His commitment to the work of Christ in our world, inspired by the words of the prophet Isaiah and the Virgin Mary, inspired him to live out his faith in ways that some would describe as ahead of his time. His deeply held, faith-inspired vision of a world of justice led to a tragic death - though in death, he has become a martyr for his faith, and therefore continues to inspire others by his brave witness. I find his story especially touching in light of the recent racial tension in Ferguson, Mo., Baltimore, and elsewhere; and also considering the modifications to the Voter Rights Act made by the Supreme Court in 2013. This act, which was signed by President Johnson just two weeks before Jonathan's murder, has, in the minds of many, been weakened by the Supreme Court's action.
Daniels was born in Keene, N.H., in 1939. He was shot and killed by an unemployed highway worker in Hayneville, Alabama, on Aug. 20, 1965. From high school in Keene to graduate school at Harvard, Daniels wrestled with the meaning of life and death and vocation. Attracted to medicine, the ordained ministry, law and writing, he found himself close to a loss of faith when his search was resolved by a profound conversion on Easter Day 1962 at the Church of the Advent in Boston, Mass. In March 1965, the televised appeal of Martin Luther King, Jr. to come to Selma to secure for all citizens the right to vote drew Daniels to a time and place where the nation's racism and the Episcopal Church's share in that inheritance were exposed.
He returned to seminary and asked leave to work in Selma where he would be sponsored by the Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity. Conviction of his calling was deepened at Evening Prayer during the singing of the Magnificat: "'He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things.' I knew that I must go to Selma. The Virgin's song was to grow more and more dear to me in the weeks ahead."
Jailed on Aug.14 for joining a picket line, Daniels and his companions were unexpectedly released on Aug. 20. Aware that they were in danger, four of them walked to a small store. As 16-year-old Ruby Sales reached the top step of the entrance, a man with a gun appeared, cursing her. Jonathan pulled her to one side to shield her from the unexpected threats. As a result, he was killed by a blast from the 12-gauge shotgun.
The letters and papers Daniels left bear eloquent witness to the profound effect Selma had upon him. He writes,
The doctrine of the creeds, the enacted faith of the sacraments, were the essential preconditions of the experience itself. The faith with which I went to Selma has not changed: it has grown ... I began to know in my bones and sinews that I had been truly baptized into the Lord's death and resurrection ... with them, the black men and white men, with all life, in him whose Name is above all the names that the races and the nations shout ... We are indelibly and unspeakably one.
I look forward to joining our brothers and sisters across New Hampshire and around the nation marking the 50th anniversary of Daniels' martyrdom with our prayers and witness this Sunday, Aug. 23. Our liturgies in both churches will reflect this emphasis. Please join me.
Fr. Chip
Notes on the August Bishop's Committee meeting
The August meeting was held at Christ Church on Aug. 18. After an opening reflection by Diana Jodoin quoting actor Alan Alda on the power of laughter, the meeting began with the Vicar's report. In it, he provided a progress report on our upcoming "Come and See" program and Trinity's Monday evening "Family Night Out" program. There was also a preliminary report on this fall's stewardship campaign.
After relatively brief discussion, and with no negative feedback from the congregations having come forward, the Bishop's Committee voted unanimously to renew our Shared Ministry Covenant for three years from the current Nov. 2015 expiration date, subject to confirmation by Bishop's Committee members not present at the meeting. It was also agreed that we would continue the use of seasonal booklets in place of full weekly bulletins through the end of the post-Pentecost season, our experiment of the summer having been deemed a success. Some minor modifications will be made in response to feedback and we will revisit the subject in November.
In their individual meetings, the Bishop's Committees of the two congregations tackled issues of importance to each:
The Christ Church committee received a Capital Campaign update and set tentative dates for this September's Cottage Meetings. Among the things we will need to consider in our funding are sewer line repairs and the possible replacement of the rectory boiler in addition to the items mentioned in the Case Statement the Capital Campaign information team has prepared. Fr. Chip described the recent parking lot repairs, which ended up being somewhat more extensive than we had planned on. We may need to borrow from savings to meet cash flow, but do not see an immediate need at this time.
The Trinity Church group reviewed revised contracts for building users at Trinity, both one-time and recurring. No action was taken at this time, and the matter will be resolved at the September meeting. Gordon Lane reported having received the building permit to allow the more affordable version of the accessibility ramp to the kitchen to be installed. (There was concern the town might require a more expensive alternative that would be more than we could presently afford.) A variety of upcoming fundraisers were discussed, including a possible square dance and a Christmas program by Stephanie Voss Nugent. The former was not received with great enthusiasm; the latter was. We are still looking for confirmation of the date for getting the Hobbs House floor refinished.
After reconvening as a whole, the Bishop's Committee approved minutes of the June meeting and the June and July financial reports. Summer being summer, both churches are currently behind on cash flow, but this is pretty much normal and there was confidence regular balanced operations would resume in the fall.
A revised pictorial directory with additional pictures and several corrections and additions will be published in September.
The September Bishop's Committee meeting will be held on the 22nd at Trinity Church. Minutes of this meeting will be posted at each church as they become available.
Notes by Fr. Chip
