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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
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
The Vicar's sermons can be found by clicking on the link for either church and going to the Worship page.
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(603) 431-1809
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at Trinity Church, Hampton
(603) 929-7349
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Episcopal Churches on the Seacoast
Seacoast Convocation
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Ministry Schedule
Christ Church
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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!
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From the Vicar... "Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real." The well-known twentieth century monk and priest, Thomas Merton, once said, "Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real." In this season when we have seen all too little humility - and all too much pride - in the various candidates competing for our votes, I find Merton's words compelling. This coming Sunday's Gospel touches on the "pride vs. humility" issue. In it, we see two characters. The Pharisee in the story seems so confident in himself. He is convinced that his approach to God, his status in the world, his uprightness in not being like other people who were obvious sinners put him so far above others that he could look down and regard them with contempt. The other man, a tax collector (which, in that society was something of a mafia-like profession - tax collectors were extortionists, pure and simple) is seen taking a humble stance, not able or willing to look up towards heaven, beating his breast and asking for God's mercy. Jesus concludes his parable with a judgment about these two men. The destiny of the Pharisee who in his arrogance and pride has exalted himself will be to find himself humbled and the destiny of the tax collector who has humbled himself will be to find himself exalted. Jesus ends the parable saying, "for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." Much time in religion has, in my opinion, been wasted by looking at stories such as these and using them to scare us into thinking that God will punish us for our bad behavior. But shaming people or badgering people into better behavior doesn't work and I don't think this is what Jesus intended. What Jesus illuminates for us by the telling of parables such as this is perhaps to teach us about the consequences of our behavior. If we act in a certain way there will be consequences of that behavior. Jesus is not trying to shame us - he is trying to teach us. So our job is to learn something. One of the best-known verses of scripture comes from Proverbs 16: "pride goeth before a fall." So if we suffer from our pride Jesus teaches us that we will be humbled. We will fall down because we were created by a God who loves each and every human being. We cannot claim to be better than anyone else even if by outward appearances we are living a righteous life. Instead we are called to be humble and in that humility to respect the dignity of every human being. In words from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth." Jesus wants us to learn what the consequences of our behavior are. And along the way he also wants to lighten our burdens as he once invited the disciples saying follow me, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." So why should we carry the load of self-righteousness working so hard to be important when we can walk with humility and be free from the burdens of arrogance and pride? We never have to think or make ourselves better than anyone else. God wants real people not artificial people. Our true happiness will be found in humility, and our redemption in God's mercy.
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... |
Oct. 23
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Trinity Church's Bible Study; Alexis & Nicholas Zaricki; Patrice & Kathryn Wood
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Oct. 30
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Delegates & Alternates to Diocesan Convention as they prepare for this year's event (Nov. 5)
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Remembering the saints
 Remembering the saints All Saints' Day is not among the most ancient of Christian festivals (it is only about 1,200 years old), nor among the most universal (the Orthodox churches commemorate the saints in conjunction with the Feast of Pentecost). The feast is believed to have been originated in the British Isles, and emphasis on it remains characteristically Anglican. This Sunday is an absolutely splendid occasion to sing some very stirring hymns, to renew our baptismal vows, and to dramatize the meaning of being "the communion of saints" as living members of the Body of Christ. At both churches, we will pray on Nov. 6 for the souls of those who have been buried from our congregations since All Saints' a year ago. If you would like the name of a loved one (whether or not from the last year) added to that list, e-mail it to Nita in the shared ministry office or call her at 926-5688 no later than noon, Wednesday, Nov. 2. Some have found this an occasion to make a thank offering to the congregation in memory of those so listed. You are invited and encouraged to do so.
Last chance to sign up for a "Cottage Conversation"
At the heart of our stewardship program this year is a series of "heart to heart" Cottage Conversations in parishioners' homes and other convenient locations.
At these gatherings of 8-12 people each, we'll not only learn some of the specifics of our financial health, but also brainstorm together about what we value about our two congregations, what we hope to continue, and what new ideas you may have. You may attend a Cottage Conversation hosted by someone from either church - your choices need not be limited to just those in the congregation you attend.
Our "Loving Hearts, Living Hands" stewardship drive will begin this weekend and will conclude with the turning in of pledges on Sunday, Nov. 13. Please sign up using this link to attend a Cottage Conversation that is convenient to you. Directions will be provided to any who request them.
Gifts for ChIPs
 When a loved one goes to prison, the abrupt ripping of the family fabric is tremendously traumatic. Keeping those ties is tremendously important. The ChIPs Program (Children of Incarcerated Parents) is designed to strengthen these family connections, for the sake of the children and the prisoners both. Grateful letters from so many inmates and families have testified to the effectiveness of our efforts. ChIPs aims to spread the Christmas message of Joy and Love to those among us who need it the most.
You may drop off gifts or monetary donations at your church. The delegates to Diocesan Convention will bring your gifts to the Convention on Nov. 5th for sorting and distribution. You can purchase a gift directly or contribute $20. If you decide to make a monetary donation, please make out your check to the Diocese of New Hampshire with ChIPS written on the memo line of the check.
Gift Guidelines
- Age groups: birth to 1; ages 2 to 4; ages 5 to 7; ages 8-11; and ages 12-15.
- Gifts should not exceed $20 - one $20 gift is preferable to four $5.
- Books are a separate category and our goal is to provide each child with a gift and a book.
- If you purchase a gift that requires batteries, please purchase those as well and attach them to the gift
- Consider buying a gift that would be appropriate for both boys and girls such as balls or board games.
- Don't forget the older children. There is always a shortage of gifts for older children.
- No used items, homemade items, or gift cards can be accepted.
- The following items are NOT acceptable: jewelry, balloons, crayons, play dough, glue, bubbles, make up, long sticks, knitting needles, crochet hooks, or paint brushes, glass items, clothing, sharp tools or toy weapons of any kind.
Thanks for your help.
United Thank Offering Ingathering
Oct. 23 and 30
The United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion.
There are UTO "blue boxes" in the Narthex at Trinity and in the hallway at Christ Church. Take one home; make using it a daily habit. We will have a UTO collection on Sunday, Oct. 23 and 30. Count out the change you've collected and write a check for that amount to your church (with UTO on the memo line) to put in the collection plate, and we will add it to other congregations' offerings during the annual Diocesan Convention, this year on Nov. 5. "Don't just count your blessings; make your blessings count."
Fundraising updates...
Here's your chance!
We're doing something different this fall! We are raffling a $100 gift card to Market Basket between now and Trinity's Holly Berry Fair - Nov.12th. Such a deal we have for you! Tickets are $2.00 each or 3/$5.00. See Patrice Wood if you'd like to buy some.
Another successful Soup and Chowder Challenge
Many thanks to Rusty Bridle for all the effort he put into organizing the 6th Annual Soup and Chowder Challenge. He and his helpers not only made Hobbs Hall look great, but they also provided some great tasting soups. Congratulations to all the winners (including our own Nancy Stiles!). $7.00 never tasted so good!
Vendors and Crafters Wanted
With our Holly Berry Fair fast approaching, we find ourselves with a few openings for vendors or crafters. Do you know anyone who might be interested? Have them e-mail Patrice Wood for details - please!
PIES
We have the list and we're ready to take your order! Tena Wolf and Patrice Wood will oversee this new fundraiser / adventure. You will no longer need to stand in that long line at the Greenland Garden Club craft fair for pies, because we have their secret and it's Mann Orchards! 7 varieties of pies are available for pre-order. Pies will be baked and available for pickup on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
BUT... we need to sell 45 pies between the two congregations to make this a profitable fundraiser. Consider asking your friends to place an order with us, too. Varieties available include 10" Apple, Apple Crumb, Blueberry, Burgundy, 5-Fruit Crumb, Squash and Pumpkin - $11.75 each - payable when placing order. Deadline to order...Nov.13th.
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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
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