November 23, 2016
News from the Shared Ministry 
of
Christ Church, Portsmouth  & 
Trinity Church, Hampton 
In the Episcopal Diocese of NH
 
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 Trinity Church
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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
Rev David Robinson
 
The Vicar's sermons can be found by clicking on the link for either church and going to the Worship page.
Links

Little Blessings Child Care Center at Christ Church Portsmouth  

Little Blessings Child Care Center 

(603) 431-1809 

at Trinity Church, Hampton

Village Preschool
(603) 929-7349

Episcopal Churches on the Seacoast
 
Seacoast Convocation
 
Christ Church,Portsmouth
St. John's, Portsmouth
St. Thomas, Dover
St. George's, Durham
Ministry Schedule

 

Christ Church
 

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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Notes on the November Bishop's Committee meeting
 
The November meeting, held at Christ Church, opened with a time of reflection on the recent election led by John Wolf. After reviewing and approving minutes of the October meeting, we moved directly into our individual sessions:
 
Christ Church - We received updates on several capital projects, including the accessible restroom, the sewer line and some lighting upgrades. Additional bids are being sought for the restroom. We were pleased to learn that no roots have impinged on the sewer line - but there are some alignment and grade issues that may need addressing. As to lighting, we are hoping to install lamp posts at the end of our walkways and, perhaps, smaller low-level lighting along the walkway to the office entrance. We would also like to replace the two current spotlights in the chapel with track lighting. A winterization "Grubby Sunday" will be held Nov. 27. We also need to look into repairs to several rotted windowsills.
 
Trinity Church - Efforts to ascertain the full dollar value of the space occupied by Village Pre-School is ongoing. We're not necessarily looking to change our arrangements with the School, but want to insure that the School is aware of the value of what we are offering them. A pantry reorganization meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19 in the wake of the resignation of our current coordinator. Several issues, including coordination with other area panties, are on the agenda. There was some discussion of the format of the weekly bulletins. Be looking for the resulting changes in the Advent bulletins. October financials showed a slightly negative cash flow, with the year-to-date deficit running at less than half the amount originally projected.
 
Returning to joint business, the Bishop's Committee:
  • Set dates for the introduction of the proposed Bylaws. There will be an after-church forum on Dec. 4 at Trinity, and Dec. 11 at Christ Church.
  • Heard an interim report from the vision task group. They will be wrapping up their work prior to the Annual Meetings.
  • Heard a report on the recent Holly Berry Fair at Trinity, and reviewed plans for the Christ Church Fair set for Dec. 3.
  • Heard a preliminary report on the fall Stewardship Campaign, which is presently in its follow-up phase.
  • Set a Nov. 19 date for the first meeting of our joint Music Director Search Committee.
 
Both committees also reviewed vacancies to be filled at January's Annual Meetings (Jan. 22 at Trinity; Jan. 29 at Christ Church). It was agreed that we will schedule approval of the proposed Bylaws before elections, so we can hold those elections under the new terms of office proposed should the Bylaws be approved substantially as presented.
 
Full minutes will be posted as they become available. The Dec. meeting will be at Trinity Church on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.

Notes by Fr. Chip
 
 
A new approach to 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. At this fall's Cottage Conversations, however, a whole new model for this ministry of prayer emerged. The suggestion was made that, instead of just listing the names, we be directly in touch with those listed and suggest they form a prayer partnership with one another (purely on a voluntary basis - no one is forcing you to if you find that uncomfortable). As some of the names are from one church, some from the other, this would help folks get to know one another across congregational boundaries. As in the past, about once every six weeks, we will instead using the Shared Ministry Collect we prayed throughout the opening months of our Shared Ministry.
 
Your feedback on this new initiative is welcomed. Meanwhile, please hold in your prayers...
 
Nov. 27
Concluding collect for our Shared Ministry
Dec. 4
Our Vicar, Chip Robinson
Prayer Partners: Liz Malone & Lynda Swartz;
                           Patrice & Kathryn Wood

Seacoast Ministerium issues statement on recent election
 
The Seacoast Ministerium, an association of clergy in and around the Portsmouth area, has issued the following statement in response to the recent national election. Fr. Chip is a member of the Ministerium, and is one of the 29 clergy and religious leaders who signed the statement.
 
The results of the presidential election have brought about a reality of mixed emotions. Some celebrate victory and are filled with the hope of writing a brave new chapter in the history of America, others are grieving filled with anxiety and fear of what that chapter may look like. Yet others have become numb to the electoral process as they perceived neither candidate a viable potential president.

This election has been historic in many ways. It is clearly the most divisive in our lifetime. Recent media reports indicate an increase of hate speech and violence in the wake of the election. This is both a national and local phenomenon. The challenge that stands before us is one of uniting America and reconnecting with the values that make our democracy the greatest country in the world.

As spiritual leaders of area faith communities, we are precluded from engaging in partisan politics (1954 Johnson Amendment to the U.S. tax code). This puts our communities in a unique position to bridge the political divide. We shepherd communities that are filled with people of diverse political perspectives. Our communities endeavor to foster a spirit of understanding and unity that brings people closer to each other within the context of their spiritual journey. Our religious beliefs help us understand that we show the ultimate respect for God when we respect each other.

We come together as Christians, Baha'i, Muslims, Jews and Unitarian Universalists. We strive to celebrate common values and respect the uniqueness of our respective traditions. We believe that fostering such understanding will help our nation heal and reconnect with the values of our great democracy and the proposition that all human beings are endowed with the right to enjoy equal rights, opportunity and protection under the law.

May we be blessed with the wisdom and strength to come together as "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Ministerium - Seacoast Interfaith Clergy Association
 

Please bring your pledge form by Dec. 1
 
If you haven't yet done so, please bring your sealed pledge form with you to church this Sunday - or by Dec. 1 at the latest.  (Those of you who did not attend one of our Cottage Conversations should have received your form in the mail by now. Those from whom we have not heard by Dec. 1 will receive a gentle follow-up call to remind them to return their form. 

 Your Stewardship Team
 
 
Proposed bylaw revisions now posted online
Forums set for Dec. 4 at Trinity; Dec. 11 at Christ Church
 
Last winter, the Bishop's Committee authorized the formation of a working group to review our bylaws in both congregations. That committee has now completed its work, and the documents they produced were approved unanimously at the October Bishop's Committee meeting. You will find the proposed bylaws online at www.trinityhampton.org/contact.htm and www.christepiscopalchurch.us/contact.htm. On both pages, the actual link is in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.
 
Between now and the 2017 Annual Meetings (Jan. 22 at Trinity; Jan. 29 at Christ Church), there will be a public forum at each church to introduce the proposed bylaws and respond to any questions you may have. Trinity Church's forum will be on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. Christ Church's forum will be the following Sunday, Dec. 11 at noon.
 
If approved at our two annual meetings, the proposed new Bylaws will then be submitted to the Standing Committee of the Diocese for final approval.
 
 
"Grubby Sunday" at Christ Church
 Sunday, Nov. 27 after the 10:30 service
 
Winter (and our Christmas Fair) is coming, and that can only mean one thing: It's time for our fall "Grubby Sunday" at Christ Church! On Sunday, Nov. 27, we'll do a general clean-up of the grounds, wash some windows, and winterize the church. As always, "many hands make light work," so come in your jeans and "grubbies" and join us! 


Calling new church leaders
 
Bishop's Committee: We are looking for several new Bishop's Committee members, including a new Clerk at Christ Church, and, if possible, a Junior Warden to fill the vacant position at Trinity. Members serve on the board of our
churches for a three-year term. The Junior Warden oversees the care of the buildings and grounds; the Clerk takes minutes and keeps records.
 
In new Bishop's Committee members, we are looking for people with energy and enthusiasm for our church communities. You should be a communicant in good standing in the Episcopal Church, or willing to do so in the next year. You also should already share of your time, talent and treasure (be a pledging member) with your faith community. We need prayerful people who can help us dream about the Shared Ministry's future, and help us get there. The Bishop's Committee should be a diverse group of people of different ages and experiences. We need people with ideas, but also those who can help us follow through and make our dreams a reality.
 
If you are interested, please talk with Fr. Chip or a present Bishop's Committee member.
 
Convention Delegates and Alternates: We also need three delegates and up to two alternates to Diocesan
Convention and Seacoast Convocation from each congregation. You must be able to attend the convention on Nov. 4 in Concord, and monthly (second Tuesday) meetings through the school year here on the Seacoast.
 
Again, speak with Fr. Chip or a current delegate if you are interested in joining our team.


Christmas flowers   
 
We'd love your help in adorning our altars for Christmas by purchasing a Poinsettia. At the same time, you may honor your loved ones, acknowledge a special occasion, or give thanks and praise, which will be included in the bulletin.
 
This year there are two size choices: 6 �" at $ 6.50 or 7 �" at $12.00 and the color choices are: White, Red, Burgundy, and Pink.
 
Envelopes for ordering poinsettias are on the table in the narthex at Trinity, or in the hallway at Christ Church.  Please fill out the information on the envelope, then place it with your payment, marked "flowers," in the offering plate, give it to Alberta True at Trinity or Liz Malone at Christ Church, or snail-mail it to the Shared Ministry Office. 
 
The deadline for orders is Sunday, Dec 4 at coffee hour -  no exceptions.
 
 
Help make Becca Stevens of Thistle Farms a CNN hero
 
For the past two years, our neighbors at St. Andrew's Chapel, Rye, have sponsored a summer program by Becca Stevens of the Thistle Farms program, the mission of which is to share the hope of recovery and survival for women who are victims of human trafficking, prostitution, addiction and abuse. Thistle Farms is grateful for the Episcopal Church's role in helping over the years and that we have become part of the movement to support women's freedom.
 
Between now and Dec. 6, we have an opportunity to make even more of an impact. Becca Stevens has been nominated as a Top 10 CNN Hero for 2016. If she garners the most votes, Thistle Farms will win $100,000 to help our growing national alliance of sister organizations and to support 5 new housing initiatives around the country for survivors of trafficking, prostitution, addiction, and abuse.
You can vote using 3 different methods, up to 10 times day until Dec. 6! Follow this link to see how you can cast your vote.
 
We hope you will join the women of Thistle Farms who are celebrating this award as a chance to help more women find their way home.
 

Seacoast Convocation to again fill Ditty Bags for Seafarers
 
All this month, you are invited to provide items for seafarers' "ditty bags" being assembled by the churches of the Seacoast Convocation.
 
Christ Church members are asked to bring toothbrushes and toothpaste (full-size tubes, please - not travel size).
 
Trinity Church will be collecting bottles of shampoo.
 
We are also looking for a few more expensive items: tee shirts (smaller sizes preferred - many seafarers are small in stature) and wool knit caps. The ditty bags will be assembled on Dec. 6, so please bring your donations in by Sunday, Dec. 4.


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Salvation Army Giving Tree at Christ Church

Christ Church begins its annual Salvation Army "giving tree" tradition this Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent. Tags are hanging from the tree for you to choose.  Each tag lists the gender and approximate age of a child in need.  You can buy a toy, plus something useful such as an item of warm clothing, and bring your present to put under the tree by Sunday, Dec. 11. There is also a box for canned goods to donate to the Salvation Army.
 
A second tree in the Narthex provides a place where you can donate hats, scarves and mittens for Cross Roads House. The same deadline applies to this effort.
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