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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
The Vicar's sermons can be found by clicking on the link for either church and going to the Worship page.
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(603) 431-1809
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at Trinity Church, Hampton
(603) 929-7349
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Episcopal Churches on the Seacoast
Seacoast Convocation
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Ministry Schedule
Christ Church
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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!
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Notes from the September Bishop's Committee meeting
Our September meeting, held at Trinity Church, began with an opening reflection by Lynda Swartz, who shared an article she had written, "Remember: Somebody's Watching." We agreed, upon its conclusion, that she should share it with us all via the E-News. Please look for it next week.
The business portion of the meeting began with reports on our "Come and See" activities and Trinity's new Monday evening family program. The latter got off to a modest start, with 14 in attendance the first night, two of whom were children. Two "Come and See" events, one in each church, remain at this writing.
The fall stewardship campaign gets underway Oct. 24. There is some question as to whether we will continue the series of nautical themes used in recent years, or start a new series. The format will remain: two general mailings supplemented by four to five lay witnesses over the course of the campaign, which ends Nov. 15.
Christ Church's committee heard an update on advance pledges made to its Capital Campaign (over $9,800 so far), and spent some time reflecting on future mission priorities - particularly our continuing relationship with the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. Guidelines for our new pet memorial garden were reviewed, and we spent some time considering what positions will need to be filled at this year's Annual Meeting.
The Trinity Church group continued its review of contracts for use of the facilities by outside groups, heard an update on the accessibility ramp project, and approved a Eucharistic Minister's license application for Jess Byron. A note of thanks will be sent to Mike Spinelli's son, whose firm provided a complete stripping and waxing of the Hobbs Hall floor at no cost to the church. Trinity's group also looked ahead to Annual Meeting.
In other business:
- Financial reports were approved for each church. Trinity had a positive cash flow in August, reducing the deficit from its July level; Christ Church was slightly ($300) negative in August, and will need a strong fall to overcome the summer slowdown.
- We spent some time reflecting on how our meeting format is working for us. There was some concern expressed that breakout meetings are taking up more and more time, leading to longer evenings. It was agreed to have the Wardens prepare some alternatives for how we can shorten our meetings, and present those at our October gathering.
- The Fall United Thank Offering ingathering was scheduled for Oct. 18. This offering supports Episcopal mission work around the world and is usually held just prior to Diocesan Convention.
- Fr. Chip provided the group with a preview of this year's Diocesan Convention. A fairly quiet convention is planned, with a theme of children's and youth ministry. Only two resolutions, both routine, are on the agenda.
- There was discussion of entering into some kind of continuing relationship with Newington's AME Zion Church. Several of our members attended the community-wide service there following the Charleston shootings, and we want them to know our support for them is not just "one-time."
Full minutes will be posted when they become available. The next meeting will be at Christ Church on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
Notes by 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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Sept. 27
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The Building & Grounds ministry at Christ Church; Cassie & Ben Leavitt and their son, Brenden, of Trinity Church
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Oct. 4
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Trinity Church's Choir; Noreen Burke-Hill and Bob & Priscilla Peretti of Trinity Church; Curtis Pratt of Christ Church
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Pet Memorial Garden to be dedicated at Christ Church
Blessing ceremony will be part of Oct. 4's Blessing of the Animals
Last spring, Peter Monte proposed that that we create a pet memorial garden at Christ Church. It would be located in the southeast corner of the church and education wing directly opposite our current memorial garden which is on the southwest corner.
To mark the spot, we plan to relocate the St. Francis statue, which came to us from Jean Wadman's yard, to the pet garden and replace the statue in front with something else like an angel, as that possibility becomes available.
Our plan is to keep it simple but dignified. We don't have to reinvent the wheel, as a number of Episcopal churches have such gardens and they have very clear guidelines, which we will modify for our situation here.
Why do this outreach? This garden offers a pastoral approach to a time that can be intensely sad for many people. It may be another way for Little Blessings families to connect with us.
We have checked with the city attorney and there is no prohibition of pet memorial gardens.
We look forward to dedicating this on Oct. 4 as part of our Come and See events along with the Blessing of the Animals at 12 noon.
...and speaking of the Blessing of the Animals...
On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis, at 12:00 noon, children and adults are invited to celebrate God's creation through a special "Blessing of the Animals" service, to be held on behalf of both congregations on the Christ Church lawn. Francis was known not only for his humility, but his love of God's creation. At the Blessing of the Animals service that day, you are invited to bring your cats or dogs, hamsters, gerbils, fish, rabbits or birds to receive God's blessing. More exotic species, such as snakes, turtles, or lizards, are also welcome, as long as they are caged for their own as well as the congregation's safety.
Fr. Chip will call all who have pets at home, but forgot to bring them, forward for a blessing to "send home" - or you may bring a stuffed animal as a "stand-in." You are encouraged to invite friends to join you that day, either to witness the blessing of your pet or to bring pets of their own for a blessing. The ceremony will conclude with the blessing of our new Pet Memorial Garden (see article above). Monetary or pet food donations are welcomed, and will be distributed to local animal shelters.
Upcoming Dates
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September
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Sun., Sept. 27
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8:45 a.m.
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Come and See: Holy Eucharist at Trinity, followed by Open House
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12 noon
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Parish Gathering rolling out Christ Church's Capital Campaign and seeking three year pledges of support
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October
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Sun., Oct. 4
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10:30 a.m.
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Come and See: Holy Eucharist at Christ Church, followed by Blessing of the Animals
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Mon., Oct. 5
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5:30-7:00
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Family Night Out at Trinity Church
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Mon., Oct. 19
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Family Night Out at Trinity Church
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Sat./Sun.,
Oct. 24/25
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at all services
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Fall stewardship campaign gets underway: five weeks, concluding Nov. 15
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Growing Connections and Community
Parish presentation to follow the 10:30 Eucharist this Sunday
Members and friends of Christ Church will be asked to make a commitment to the Growing Connections and Community capital fund at a gathering after church on Sunday, September 27. Please make every effort to be present, as important information will be shared.
Pledges made during this gathering, or in a short response period following, will begin in Advent, 2015 and will continue through November, 2018. Those who cannot attend on this day will be contacted so all may have the opportunity to participate.
Your acceptance of this invitation will be greatly appreciated and will be a sign of your commitment to "Growing Connections and Community" and this congregation we all so deeply love.
Father Chip
Flowers for Trinity's Chancel
If you have a special remembrance or occasion that you'd like to buy flowers in remembrance for, or if the Spirit moves you to enhance a Sunday service, please call our florist, Pam Boutilier, at Drinkwater Flowers, 819 Lafayette Road, Hampton, 603-926-4181. She will be able to help you create bouquets, give you prices and deliver the arrangements. Let Nita know if you plan to do this so that the bulletin will contain the appropriate information about your flowers.
A Fun Event for Chefs and Non-Chefs Alike
Lynda Swartz and Liz Malone will be hosting a Pampered Chef fundraising party this Friday, September 25 at 14 Kensington Road, Hampton Falls, NH at 6:28 pm. All are welcome.
Crafts for Christ Church Christmas Fair
Craft days for the Christ Church Christmas Fair are October 3rd, 24th, and November 14th. They will be at Liz & Lynda's home at 14 Kensington Road, Hampton Falls, NH from 1 pm to 4 pm. All are welcome and encouraged to bring your crafty hands and minds.
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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
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