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From the Vicar...
We found a bandwagon...and jumped on it!
Last week, I received a Facebook post from another Episcopal church in New Hampshire indicating that their services and activities on Sunday, Sept. 18 would be in observance of "National Back-to-Church Sunday," a coordinated effort by some 30,000 churches across America to hold special events inviting folks to return to church if they haven't been in a while (or ever).
I looked at our plans for our Homecoming Sunday cookout set for that same day and thought, "this fits in with that theme!" Why not promote it in conjunction with this national effort? So I sat down at my computer and bashed out a news release, which I sent to the Herald, Foster's and the Union Leader. To my shock, it showed up the very next day on the Religion Page of the Union Leader - as the lead article! (Alas, I'm still waiting for the Herald and Foster's to print it - the release would have much greater impact here locally if it were to appear in the papers folks on the Seacoast actually read.)
As I'm guessing you haven't seen it, here's the piece:
Outdoor service and cookout for "Back to Church Sunday"at Christ Episcopal Church, Portsmouth
Portsmouth - On Sunday, Sept. 18, Christ Episcopal Church in Portsmouth joins an estimated 30,000 churches nationwide in inviting community members to give church attendance another try at National Back to Church Sunday.
The 10:30 a.m. service on the lawn of the Lafayette Rd. church is specially designed for both regular attenders who have been away for the summer and also, especially, for people who stopped going to church, for whatever reason, some time ago - or perhaps have never really gone. Christ Church offers a welcoming, supportive, and non-judgmental community of parishioners who strive to live their faith.
Following the outdoor service, all are welcome to stay for a Back to Church Sunday cookout from noon to 2 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. You are invited to bring a salad or a dessert to share.
Back to Church Sunday offers a great opportunity to make new friends, and reconnect with old acquaintances. The Christ Church family welcomes all neighbors to join them on Sunday, Sept. 18 - and every week. The church is located at 1035 Lafayette Rd., directly across from McDonald's.
In the article, I chose not to confuse the readers by mentioning that this was a shared event sponsored by both of our churches - but you know it is, and I hope we'll have a great turnout from both communities this Sunday. What a great opportunity for us to reach out and invite folks to join us!
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. 18
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Village Pre-School director Ginny Bridle & her staff; Chip & Cindy Robinson; John Kristiansen
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Sept. 25
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The Building & Grounds ministry at Christ Church; Sarah Wolf; Cassie & Ben Leavitt
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A joint event for both congregations...
Homecoming Sunday cookout at Christ Church
Date: Sunday, Sept. 18 
Time: 10:30 a.m. (or whenever we're ready to start!)
Location: Weather permitting, the service will be held outdoors at Christ Church.
Who's Invited: Everyone from both churches! (There will be a said 8:45 a.m. service at Trinity for any who absolutely cannot come - but please, Trinity folks, consider this your "main service" for the day.)
More Info: There will be a pot-luck cookout following the service. Please bring a salad, side dish or dessert. Hamburgers, hot dogs and condiments, as well as beverages, will be provided. We especially need people to help set up before the service, and clean up at the end - but the most important part is this: invite someone you know, who you haven't seen in church in a while, to come!
Seacoast Ministerium hosts "Face the Fear. Feed the Soul" pot-luck conversation, Sept.18 from 5-7 p.m.
Over the past year, community members of various faiths and convictions have found an opportunity to gather together in the face of soul-stirring events, from a Portsmouth 9/11 memorial to a candlelight vigil after the terrorist attacks in Paris. Although organized by Ministerium - the Seacoast Interfaith Clergy Association, a fellowship of 34 clergy serving organizations on the Seacoast, these events were not strictly religious. They gave members of the community who wanted to speak, a place for their voices; and for those who wanted to participate by listening with open minds, a place to do so.
Ministerium is hosting a pot-luck supper to expand that conversation and that opportunity to listen. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 18, from 5 to 7 pm in the Granite State Room in the Memorial Union Building at UNH in Durham. The event is free. Participants are asked to bring a pot-luck dish and an open mind.
"This gathering is intended to bring people of different beliefs and perspectives together so that we can all be better informed and learn more about each other and our beliefs," commented Carol Jacques-Dow, pastoral minister for Corpus Christi Parish in Portsmouth.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Carol Jacques-Dow at 603-436-4555 ext. 15 so the hosts can anticipate attendance. Pot luck contributions might follow the following guidelines, based on the first letter of a last name:
A-E, main course (vegetarian and non-); F-J, salad; K-P, bread; Q-U, dessert; V-Z, beverages (water, iced tea, soft drinks, lemonade).
Save The Dates
Yankee Candle Fundraiser
We are once again holding our Yankee Candle Fundraiser. Orders are being taken today through October 23. Now's the time to plan what wonderful aromas you want in your homes for the holidays and beyond! Catalogs and order forms will be available after the cookout this Sunday. Please see Tena Wolf after the service to get them.
Ham & Bean Supper
Saturday, Sept. 24, from 5:00-6:30 PM
Let's bond in the fellowship of opening the doors of Trinity's Parish Hall to the community as we strengthen our friendship with each other!
Please let me know how you would like to help.
Fundraising Meeting
Sept. 25 after the 10:30 Service
We will hold a brief fundraising meeting immediately after the 10:30 Service on Sunday, Sept. 25. All interested are welcome and needed.
Soup & Chowder Challenge
Saturday, Oct. 15
Trinity Church Holly Berry Fair
Saturday, Nov. 12 at Trinity Church
We'll have the following tables: Bake sale, Cookie Walk
Silent Auction, Holiday Treasures, Gift Card Raffle and a Raffle Table We're also having a Soup & Bread Luncheon.
We need your help with donations for the tables *Especially the raffles and Silent Auction, Publicity - Help get the word out, Baked goods & Cookies (for the cookie walk), Kitchen help and Wait staff, and as always - Fair Set-up & Clean-up.
Please call Carol Gobar, 926-2768, and let her know how you can help.
Christ Church Christmas Fair
Saturday, Dec. 3
This year's Christmas Fair will be held on the main floor of the church, providing easier access for the community. If you have friends that craft please invite them to come and sell at our fair - tables are reasonable! We need a lot of help from the parish to make this fair success. Please contact Tena Wolf if you have donations or ideas at spring987@comcast.net.
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