September 10, 2015
News from the Shared Ministry 
of
Christ Church, Portsmouth  & 
Trinity Church, Hampton 
In the Episcopal Diocese of NH
 
Shared Ministry Logo  
Like us on Facebook
 Christ Church
 Trinity Church
Diocese of NH
The Episcopal Church



Spread the word! Forward this email to your friends and invite them to sign up.

 E-News Archives

 

Worship Services
The Rev. David "Chip" Robinson

Vicar 

 

All people of faith are welcome to receive Holy Communion at the Lord's Table 


 

Christ Episcopal Church 

1035 Lafayette Road

Portsmouth, NH 03801

Rite II at 10:30 am
Coffee Hour follows
 
Clergy office hours 
Tues & Thurs 9am-12noon

200 High St.
Hampton, NH 03842
Saturday Rite l at 5pm
Rite II at 8:45 am
Coffee Hour after the service
  
Clergy office hours
Mon & Wed 9am-12 noon
Rev David Robinson
 
The Vicar's sermons can be found by clicking on the link for either church and going to the Worship page.
Links

Little Blessings Child Care Center at Christ Church Portsmouth  

Little Blessings Child Care Center 

(603) 431-1809 

at Trinity Church, Hampton

Village Preschool
(603) 929-7349

Episcopal Churches on the Seacoast
 
Seacoast Convocation
 
Christ Church,Portsmouth
St. John's, Portsmouth
St. Thomas, Dover
St. George's, Durham
Ministry Schedule

 

Christ Church
 

Going into the hospital?

 

Due to privacy laws, churches are no longer routinely informed if you or a loved one is admitted to the hospital.  Please be sure you let us know when and where you will be a patient so we can be in touch with you and include you in our prayers and healing ministry. Don't assume the Vicar knows - he would much rather hear from several people than from no one!

 



Revised plans for Portsmouth 9/11 ceremony tomorrow
 
As you may be aware, the City of Portsmouth will be receiving a World Trade Center artifact. The 8-foot steel I-beam will become part of a permanent memorial in front of the Portsmouth Police Dept. Because of the magnitude of this event, City Hall has requested that the Portsmouth Ministerium combine its Interfaith Service with the Police Department Service. The combined Ministerium, Police & Fire Dept. memorial service will take place outside Police Headquarters tomorrow morning, September 11th. The service will start at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the towers. Below is a revised version of the poster published in last week's E-News.
 
 
Getting our churches ready for "Come and See"
 
One key element of "Come and See" is making sure our churches are clean, bright and attractive for when the guests we invite arrive. For the most part, both already are, thanks to the generous help of those who clean, garden, and help maintain our properties. There are always, however, tasks to be done: bushes to trim, windows to wash, details to attend to.
 
On the weekend of Sept. 12 and 13, we invite volunteers to come down to each of our churches prepared to take care of some of these items. Those who prefer inside work might bring window cleaning supplies or whatever is needed to make our churches sparkle. Those who prefer outside work might bring hedge trimmers or other such tools to tackle those tasks. Even a few minutes spent will help a lot - and, as the old saying goes, many hands make light work. Come join us!


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...
 
Sept. 13
Little Blessings directors, Diane Lewis & Kelly Coleman, and their staff; Sally Bowden of Trinity Church; Joyce Phoenix of Christ Church
 
Sept. 20
Village Pre-School director Ginny Bridle & her staff; John Kristiansen & LuAnn Gaudet of Trinity Church; Ruth Power of Christ Church

Family Night Out draws near - can you help?
 
For all the things so many members of Trinity Church do, the biggest and perhaps the most important challenge begins this September.
 
We have talked for years about the need to attract young families and especially children. "Family Night Out" represents a bold and daring step to bring young people, especially families with children, back into fold. It requires a commitment, regardless of the results, to an additional church service and additional commitment of "Time and Talent" on the part of a lot of us.
 
"Family Night Out" is planned for the first and third Monday of each month, beginning on Sept. 21st. The format follows the very successful program used by the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Plymouth, NH and the "Family Night Out" curriculum, etc. was found on line by Fr. Chip, and he now has the "notebook" which contains everything needed to successfully plan an easy program for kids aged preschool through 5th grade.
 
While the Village Preschool has committed to provide the food on the first Monday of each month and will serve it on the first Monday in October (October 5), we will need to provide a simple, child-friendly meal on the 3rd Monday of each month. It can be spaghetti, pizza, mac and cheese - nothing complicated or fussy is necessary.
 
We still have setup and cleanup, providing food on the third Monday of every month and food servers for the first Monday of the month. Most important are the "Sunday School teachers," which may include Bible story readers and person or persons to assist Fr. Chip with the brief communion or Eucharist. There is a signup sheet in the church that needs to be filled out.
 
We need to get the word out. This means lots of publicity: posters wherever we can put them; articles and maybe ads in local media, and lots of word-of-mouth.
 
And we must be prepared for failure, at least in the beginning. Even Christ did not succeed in bringing everyone to his cause, at least not in the beginning. We may not have anyone outside of our own group come the first Monday, or even the second. But whatever the initial results, if we believe in our cause, if we believe it is right, then we can succeed.
 
We will succeed: With God's help and with your help.         
 

Upcoming Dates
  
September
 
 
 
Sat., Sept. 19
5:00 p.m.
Come and See: Holy Eucharist at Trinity Church, followed by hors d'oeuvres reception
Sun., Sept. 20
10:30 a.m.
Come and See: Outdoor Eucharist and Open House at Christ Church - tours of new layout of Little Blessings to follow
Mon., Sept. 21
5:30-7:00
Family Night Out debuts at Trinity Church 
Tentative date: Weekend of Sept. 26/27
 
Cottage Meetings rolling out Christ Church's Capital Campaign and seeking three year pledges of support
Sun., Sept. 27
8:45 a.m.
Come and See: Holy Eucharist at Trinity, followed by Open House
 
October
 
 
 
 
 
Sun., Oct. 4
10:30 a.m.
Come and See: Holy Eucharist at Christ Church, followed by Blessing of the Animals
Mon., Oct. 5
5:30-7:00
Family Night Out at Trinity Church
Mon., Oct. 19
 
Family Night Out at Trinity Church
Sat./Sun.,
Oct. 24/25
at all services
Fall stewardship campaign gets underway: five weeks, concluding Nov. 15


Growing Connections and Community
The Campaign for Christ Church
Two weeks ago in this space we introduced the public phase of our campaign, which kicks off this month. This week, we will address three additional questions:
  • Are there guidelines for gifts?
  • Can people give appreciated stock or other property?
  • What other results can we expect from the campaign?
Are there guidelines for gifts?
 
Gifts of any size are welcome, with our heartfelt thanks for your support. A giving chart will be distributed at our Cottage Meetings showing the range of gifts we are expecting to receive, and how regular payment of your gift over the three-year period can have an impact. The Bishop's Committee is committed to seeing that everyone in our church family is given the opportunity to be informed, involved, inspired, and invited. Our goal is substantial for a community of our size and resources, and calls for significant participation by current members, past members, and friends. We ask you to pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance when considering your commitment.
 
Can people give appreciated stock or other property?
 
Yes, you may contribute other assets, such as all or part of a paid-up insurance policy, matured government bonds or savings, or IRA roll-overs. All gifts are tax-deductible, in accordance with IRS regulations.
 
What other results can we expect from the campaign?
 
Working together on an important project like this strengthens our faith community by involving the congregation in hands-on work which in turn inspires unity and generosity. Growth in stewardship stimulates faith as well as expresses it. This promises to be a time of personal and congregational renewal. Please join us in praying for that renewal and inspiration, and in acting on this exciting challenge.


Choir rehearsals for both churches begin tonight!
 
Choir rehearsals for both Trinity Church and Christ Church will be starting up right after Labor Day.  Thursday evening joint rehearsals will begin tonight, September 10 at 7pm at Trinity Church.  Beginning September 13, Sunday mornings at Trinity we will rehearse from 8 am until 8:30 am. At Christ Church we will rehearse right after the 10:30 service for 30 minutes. I will be there early on Sunday, September 6 at Trinity if anyone is willing and able to come in early. Likewise at Christ Church, I'll be happy to stay and rehearse. I'm just not sure how the holiday weekend may impact a scheduled rehearsal.  

Anyone is welcome to sing in the choir. No experience is necessary.  Any questions? Contact me at [email protected] or call 603-436-1358.  

I hope to see you there!
 
Alexis Zaricki
Shared Ministry Director of Music

Contacts
The Rev. David "Chip" Robinson, Vicar
Christ Episcopal Church, 1035 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
phone: 603-436-8842
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-Noon

Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 High Street, Hampton, NH 03842
Shared Ministry Administrator: Nita Niemczyk
phone: 603-926-5688
Office hours: Monday-Friday from 9:00-1:00