From the Vicar...
Why are you here? Have you told anyone?
Why do you come to Christ Church? Why do you come to Trinity Church? Why is the church you attend your church?
People choose their church because there is something they like in it that perhaps some other church doesn't offer. It may be the way worship is conducted on Sunday. It might be the Christian education programs. It may be the commitment to social justice. It may be the way this or that sort of person is accepted. It may be the sense that everyone really is welcome, the sermons, the prayers, the music ... or it may be a combination of several things.
Something about this church, be it Trinity Church or Christ Church, touches you, feeds you, challenges you, supports you. Think about that. What about your congregation is important to you? Whatever it is, you should look for opportunities to share it. Tell people what's special about your church (and, perhaps a finer point here: not what's better in your church than their church), simply what keeps you coming back here.
For example, you may be talking to your neighbor about a news story; there was a terrible storm somewhere and many people were injured or displaced, and you're worried about how they're doing. You might say to your neighbor that your church has been praying for those people, that we contribute to Episcopal Relief and Development (which works to relieve suffering around the world), and we do a lot to reach out, not only to folks far away, but nearby as well. Maybe the Trinity food pantry would make its way into such a conversation; or Christ Church's efforts at the Salvation Army soup kitchen.
Whatever you appreciate most about your church, whatever touches your soul, whatever connects you with God, you should look for ways to share these with other people. And when there is a special event, like last month's concert or a church dinner or picnic, invite them to come. A lot of very important things happen in these two wonderful little churches, and because of what we do, lots of lives are touched. And we need to share this with our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
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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Aug. 7
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Our Vicar, Chip Robinson; Joyce Phoenix; Sherry Kellett; Cliff & Judy Stroncer
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Aug. 14
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Trinity Church bookkeeper Jim Baker; Ruth Power; Suzi Beaupre
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Laying on of Hands this Sunday at Christ Church;
second Sundays of each month this fall
This Sunday, we will follow our usual custom of offering the Laying On of Hands for Healing at the conclusion of the liturgy at Christ Church. As the first Sundays this fall all would make the inclusion of this pastoral ministry difficult (Labor Day weekend in Sept.; Blessing of the Animals in Oct.; All Saints' Day in Nov.), we will be offering the ministry of healing on the second Sunday of each month this fall.
At Trinity, this ministry will continue to be offered on the third Saturday of each month; in August that will be the 20th at the 5 p.m. liturgy.
Back-to-School supply drive
The Hampton Community Coalition (HCC) is now collecting back to school supplies for children in need in Hampton's K-8 schools. This is the 16th year that it is being held in Hobbs House. Donations may be left in the "School Supplies" box in the Narthex at Trinity, or Nita will gladly accept them at her office, from 9-2, Monday-Friday. Thank you for your unswerving support of Hampton's vulnerable citizens.
One important task ending; two others beginning
As August dawns, one important task is coming to a close; two others are about to get underway.
Our Bylaw Review Team has completed its work, and this month will be submitting its drafts of proposed bylaw revisions for both churches to the Bishop's Committee. Bob Main has coordinated Trinity Church's work on this; Sarah Wolf has done the same for Christ Church. Both have been assisted by effective team members, whose completed work draws strongly on the model bylaws put forth by the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, but with modifications reflecting our local ministry and the work we do together in the Shared Ministry. The Bishop's Committee, in turn, will take the task forward from here in preparation for action in each congregation at January's Annual Meetings.
Our Church Vision Task Force meets for the first time this Sunday. Among its tasks will be following up on recommendations put forth at June's Bishop's Committee retreat; making recommendations of its own regarding our mission and vision for the coming 3-5 years; and reflecting on the Bishop's "Invitation to Flourish" as it relates to our Shared Ministry. We could still use an additional team member or two for this. Speak with Fr. Chip or a Warden if you are interested in this time-limited task.
Finally, our Stewardship Team will convene by month's end, with the mandate to completely review and refresh our efforts in this area. The approach and themes we have used for the past three years have served us well - but to stay fresh and effective we need some new direction. If you can help us with this time-limited ministry, speak with Fr. Chip or one of the Wardens. We hope to meet shortly after the August Bishop's Committee meeting (which is on Aug. 16).
