There were actually two Bishop's Committee meetings this month. The first was a special meeting with Bishop Hirschfeld, Canon Kevin Nichols, and diocesan Mission Resources chair Steve Baker to discuss the resolution regarding Fair Share that we had circulated to parochial clergy around the diocese for comment and reflection.

 

While Canon Nichols, in particular, expressed concern with some specifics of the resolution, and Bishop Hirschfeld would have liked some changes in the wording of its preamble, all three of our visitors seemed interested in helping find a way to resolve the issue the resolution addresses, which is the fairness of a "flat rate" Fair Share to smaller congregations.

 

While a resolution to Convention may not be the final form for addressing it, the Bishop promised to carry forward with our proposal, presenting it to the next clergy gathering after Presiding Bishop Curry's meeting with the clergy in early June.

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In our regular May meeting, held at Trinity Church, we engaged in some logistical planning for our upcoming June 18 retreat; heard a report from the bylaw review committee; and reviewed materials on energy conservation Fr. Chip and Patrice Wood brought back from the Lay Leadership Institute held earlier this month. One result of the latter was a motion that both churches receive a low-cost energy audit from Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light, and agency that, despite its name, also serves New Hampshire. The audit deals with heating, lighting, insulation, and other measures that can be taken to reduce our churches' carbon footprint and save both congregations considerable money.

 

In its breakout session, the Trinity Church committee reviewed some property concerns, including sidewalk rehabilitation, grounds work, and the recent "spruce-ups" done by the Liberty Mutual day of service. Safe Church minister Sherry Kellett reported on this past Saturday's Safe Church training in Portsmouth, which several attended. Plans for an upcoming Cold Spring Harbor concert were reviewed. The April financials showed a negative cash flow for the month, but income and expenses running at or near expected levels. A five-Sunday May should help even out the cash flow, as heating and plowing costs also abate as summer nears.

 

The Christ Church group reviewed the Capital Campaign checklist of projects, noting that the lighting audit has now been completed and that we are still awaiting figures from the plumbing contractor for the proposed accessible restroom. It was decided that we would take advantage of this coming Saturday's predicted good weather to get some of the grounds work done that recent rains have delayed. Among the projects is some significant work to the yews and arbor vitae in the front of the church and preparing the pet memorial garden area. We also need to reseed some of the bare spots on the lawn. April financials at Christ Church, like those at Trinity, were on-target over all, but in the negative for the month of April specifically.

 

In the closing portion of the meeting, a fundraising update showed excellent returns on the recent Christ Church plant sale; a respectable result in the Yankee Candle fundraiser; and nearly $1,200 in funds raised for the Vicar's Discretionary Fund. Upcoming events include the Cold Spring Harbor concert in July and a yard sale at Trinity in early August.

 

Summer fellowship events planned include a Eucharist and picnic at Trinity in early summer; a joint picnic in mid-summer and a Homecoming Sunday Eucharist and picnic at Christ Church. We are also exploring a possible joint outing to a Fisher Cats game. After last year's attempt to combine with other area churches didn't pan out, we felt there would be a better response if this were a Shared Ministry-only event this time around.

 

Summer meetings were set as follows:

Full minutes will be posted as they become available.

Notes by Fr. Chip