January 28, 2016
News from the Shared Ministry 
of
Christ Church, Portsmouth  & 
Trinity Church, Hampton 
In the Episcopal Diocese of NH
 
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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!

 



Notes from the January Bishop's Committee meeting
 
The first meeting of 2016 was held at Trinity Church on Jan. 19. The meeting opened with reflections by retiring members Lynda Swartz of Christ Church and Gordon Lane of Trinity Church. The minutes of the December meeting were approved unanimously.
 
This month, the individual meetings of the Bishop's Committees went first.
  • The Christ Church group reviewed some property concerns, finalized the Annual Meeting agenda and approved the December financial reports. The major action of the breakout session was a thorough review of the 2016 budget. The budget was approved, with $77,500 in anticipated revenue and a projected deficit of $1,000. This figure is predicated on our receiving a Fair Share adjustment from the Diocese.
  • Trinity Church's group also reviewed its Annual Meeting agenda and approved its December financials. Additionally, there was a report on the leadership team's recent meeting with Ginny Bridle of Village Preschool to update their contract for the use of facilities. The 2016 budget, approved unanimously, calls for $113,450 in revenues and a $4,000 deficit - provided we receive the Fair Share adjustment we are requesting.
The combined group reconvened to consider the following:
  • The Bylaw Review Committee was appointed and will be introduced at the upcoming Annual Meetings.
  • The Bishop's Committee Retreat was set for April 16.
  • The Lenten Program will be a video series titled, What Wondrous Love. (See separate article below.)
  • The Fair Share Adjustment requests were approved for both churches. Christ Church will be asking that their Fair Share be reduced to $6,500; Trinity Church will seek a figure of $8,750.
  • Lynda Swartz gave a Fundraising update. A second calendar drawing is anticipated in the Fall, as this is an easy fundraiser and garners a good return. Trinity needs to form a team for this, as right now much of the work is "ad hoc" at the Trinity end.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned with a benediction at 8:30 p.m. Complete minutes will be posted as they become available. The Feb. meeting will be at Christ Church on Feb. 16.
 
 
Bylaw review team appointed
 
As announced in this space two weeks ago, the Bishop's Committee has authorized the formation of a working group to do a review of the bylaws of both congregations. This group is charged with examining our existing bylaws, and comparing them with the model bylaws provided by the diocese. The group will include several persons from each congregation with direct experience in the operation of our current organizational structure - both the strong points and the issues that we have encountered dovetailing the two since the inauguration of our Shared Ministry.
 
Once this group has produced its recommendations, these will be submitted to the Bishop's Committee - we anticipate sometime mid-year in 2016. The Bishop's Committee will review the recommendations and prepare a presentation to the 2017 Annual Meetings. If approved there, the proposed new Bylaws will then be submitted to the Standing Committee of the Diocese for final approval.
 
The following persons have agreed to serve on this team:
 
From Christ Church:    Craig Davis, Warden; Suzanne George, Clerk;
                                    Sarah Wolf; with editing assistance from Katie Towler
 
From Trinity Church:   Patrice Wood, Sr. Warden; Diana Jodoin, Clerk;
                                    Gordon Lane, Bob Main, Hope Murray; with editing                                           assistance from Fran Plank
 
The Vicar                     will serve as Convener


Annual Meeting at Christ Church this Sunday 
 
The Annual Meeting of Christ Episcopal Church will be held on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 12:00 noon in the Christ Church Undercroft.
 
The purpose shall be to receive the Reports of the Officers and Organizations of the Congregation; to elect Officers and Delegates for the terms specified for their offices as stated in the By-Laws; and to conduct such other business as may lawfully come before these meetings.
 
Any baptized person, sixteen (16) years of age or older, who acknowledges in writing the authority of the By-Laws of the Congregation and who declares his or her intention to aid in maintaining public worship therein by regular attendance at such worship and who is a contributor of record, is entitled to voice and vote.

Craig Davis, Warden      
Suzanne George, Clerk      
 
 
New Orleans Style Mardi Gras Celebration
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016     6:00 to 8:00 PM
Trinity Episcopal Church - Hobbs House - 200 High St., Hampton
$5.00 Donation 
Entertainment: The EPISO-CATS Jazz Band
Eats: Traditional New Orleans Food and Fixin's Including King's Cake!!

If you would like to help with this event, a list is available at both churches listing items needed - or contact Bob Main: [email protected] or call 781-301-1367.


Ash Wednesday schedule set
 
On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, 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 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...
 
Jan. 31
Christ Church Annual Meeting; Steve Adair; Phoebe & Robert Bischoff and family
Feb. 7
Our newly elected Bishop's Committee members; Shad Christopoulos; Ginny & Ted Bridle-Russell


Looking ahead to Lent...

Plans are underway for our Lenten series for 2016. This year's program will be titled, "What Wondrous Love" and will focus on the story of Jesus' walk from the threshold of Jerusalem to the Cross at Calvary. Meditations by renowned theologians (on video) will show us that within each of the stories of the road to Calvary is woven a unique message about what we receive through the crucified Christ. Parishioners can take the message with them to enrich their own stories of faith in Christ as they journey through Lent.
 
Our schedule will be as follows:
  • Christ Church: Soup and bread luncheon and session at noon on five Sundays, beginning Feb. 14
  • Trinity Church: Soup and bread supper and session on five Wednesday evenings at 6:00, beginning Feb. 17.
The sign-up sheet for offerings of soup and bread will be in the Narthex at Trinity and in the Marshall Room at Christ Church. There is no set charge, but a voluntary donation to cover materials costs is welcomed.

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