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Notes from the February Bishop's Committee meeting
The meeting, held at Christ Church, welcomed two new members: Sherry Kellett of Trinity Church and John Wolf of Christ Church. After reviewing celebrations and pastoral concerns, the opening portion of the meeting was spent organizing the Bishop's Committee for 2016, including reviewing ground rules for healthy discourse, signing up to serve as liaisons with various parish organizations, and signing up to offer opening reflections for our meetings.
In our individual breakout sessions:
Trinity Church's group reviewed some property concerns and heard a Safe Church update from Sherry Kellett. After reviewing the Annual Parochial Report, officers present signed the report and the report was accepted as presented. Robert Bischoff, Treasurer, went over the financial report, which is "in the black" for January largely due to prepaid pledges. He noted that, as the year unfolds, this positive cash flow is not likely to remain at the present level.
The Christ Church group also reviewed Annual Report documents and January financials, but also received an update on Capital Campaign activity, including efforts underway to draw up specifications for the accessible restroom project.
On reconvening as a whole, the Bishop's Committee covered several topics:
- The first meeting of the Bylaw Review Committee was set for March 8 at Trinity Church.
- The annual Bishop's Committee retreat was reaffirmed as scheduled for April 16 at St. George's, York Harbor, ME. An outside facilitator will be working with us on strategic planning for the next phase of our work together.
- Robert Bischoff and Craig Davis provided a review of the recent Fair Share adjustment hearing they had attended. The Mission Resources committee of the diocese will render its decision by mid-March. Each congregation had asked for relief equal to approximately half its asking.
- An update on fundraising efforts, including a Yankee Home sale and the April Calendar Raffle was provided.
- St. Andrew's Chapel, Rye, is offering four camperships to each of our congregations. These can be used either by children and youth in the congregations or can be offered to the community at large.
The next meeting will be on March 15 at Trinity Church.
Notes by Fr. Chip
Shared Lenten Quiet Day set for Saturday, March 12
9:00 - 12:30 in the Lady Chapel at Christ Church
 On Saturday, March 12, Fr. Chip will lead a Lenten Quiet Day for members of both churches (and open to the public at large) in the Christ Church chapel. The day will open at 9:00 with introductory remarks and a contemplative opening liturgy. Then, starting at 9:20, there will be four 40-minute segments, each consisting of a 5-10 minute opening meditation followed by quiet time for meditation, reading and prayer. To help you use that quiet time, an optional guide to each segment is offered. At noon, we will close with a Eucharist that uses the Stations of the Cross as the Liturgy of the Word, followed by the Liturgy of the Table in the chapel.
You are encouraged to arrive early for coffee and refreshment before the quiet day begins, so that at 9:00 we enter into a holy and refreshing atmosphere of silence. During each quiet time, you may get up and move about, stay in the chapel, or...whatever refreshes you.
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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Feb. 28
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Hampton Nursing Home Service; Gary Dozier; Carol Dostie; Jane Eiras
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March 6
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Bishop's Committee (both congregations); Roy & Marilyn Bunting; Dorothy Flynn, James Dilts
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Donations needed for Trinity's participation in Calendar Drawing
It's a late start, so Trinity folks need to respond very soon...
Our fourth annual sale of calendars is fast approaching and we are in need of donations to fulfill our obligations of supplying 15 days' worth of 'prizes' totaling a value of $50.00 (several items may be bundled together to reach that value.) Once we have our donations, every $10.00 calendar sold, becomes 100% profit for us.
Keep in mind that our calendars are sold as far south as Somerville, north to York and northwest to Somersworth. As much as we want to support our local business, it's hard for someone away to use a gift card from a local merchant.
Lots of gift cards are available at places like the grocery store and drug stores! No need to travel outside of town - just ask where the gift card kiosk is and you'll be dumbfounded at what is available!
A few years ago, after calculating the potential for winning, Mike Spinelli was heard saying ... 'THIS IS A REALLY GOOD DEAL!'
In order to have the calendars printed, I will need to know what you can donate toward this fundraiser by this Sunday, Feb 28th.
Thanks for your much anticipated participation!
Patrice Wood
Trinity Fundraising
Our Lenten program for 2016 continues...
What Wondrous Love
 Our Lenten series for 2016 is off to a fine start. This year's program, "What Wondrous Love" focuses on the story of Jesus' walk from the threshold of Jerusalem to the Cross at Calvary. Meditations by renowned theologians from Emory University's Candler School of Theology (on video) 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.
This week: The Last Supper Christ Church: Sunday, Feb. 28 at 12 noon
Trinity Church: Wednesday, Mar. 2 at 6 p.m.
Each session begins with a soup and bread meal, followed by discussion and worship. The Christ Church sessions will end by 1:30 p.m.; at Trinity, we will conclude by 8:00 p.m.
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.
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