The Anchor May/June 2017
A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION OF CHRIST CHURCH, EXETER NH
Easter’s 50-Day Victory Tour
Politicians call it a victory tour – holding rallies after hard-fought election campaigns. Sports champions get parades once only held for astronauts and aviators. Easter gets its own victory lap: 50 days to retell stories of encounters with the risen Christ and to watch the growth of the new Christian community.
The actual Easter Day 2017 was glorious here at Christ Church. Our trial move of the Vigil to pre-sunrise drew more worshippers than we had expected. Two beautiful twin girls were baptized at the 8:00 a.m. service. The exceptionally beautiful and warm morning drew an overflowing congregation at the third of our three services. I never take for granted the pull that gathers the faithful for the great feast days of the church. Certainly I hope that regular worship can lift and inspire the soul as life confronts us with a whole range of challenges and occasional heartaches, and I also appreciate the opportunity that a full and joyous Easter Day worship has to plant seeds for God to grow into the hearts and lives of everyone in a full church.
There is no time to rest and bask in the light of Eastertide; there is work to be done around here still!" As I look over my first four years in Exeter, I am reminded how much time and energy has been given to the visioning, planning, and commitment for the Harris House renovation. In the coming months our church staff will be somewhat dislocated to a temporary office trailer on site as work of the renovation begins in earnest in early June. In disrupting many community groups during construction, I am appreciative of their flexibility and more aware than ever of the role our common space offers the local community. A good day for us is when there are so many events, meetings and concerts that we have to worry about who is meeting where and where all the cars are going to park.
Final construction plans and permitting are taking shape. I am especially excited about the plans for the new lift/elevator that will open directly into Harris Hall, which in turn will widen the staircase that flows into side entrance lobby. Improving accessibility has been one of the main goals of this project. We remain thankful for the many households that have made pledges to the Renew, Gather, Serve Capital Campaign. With up to three years to fulfill our pledges, those able to pay off pledges earlier will help lower our borrowing costs for the bridge loan that will allow us to renovate over the course of a few months rather than extending out over two more years as pledges are paid down.
I like to believe that all of what we are doing is making Easter real in the spaces that we gather and serve—making new that which had gotten pretty rundown and tattered, and lifting up many by providing space that invites, includes and welcomes.
Blessings,
Mark B. Pendleton
Where will you find God this summer?
Where will you find God in your family's summer plans? Will God go with you on vacation, or will a break from school and work mean a break from God too?
Vacations, holidays and summer activities with the family are all good, important and valuable things to do. But don’t take the whole summer off from church attendance, worship and prayer.
Paul says in his letter to the Hebrews, … “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Heb. 10:24-25). In other words, through Paul, God urges us to meet together, and bless one another.
Summertime often means family vacations, travel, slowing of routines, and wonderful laziness. Mention the word summer and many people begin to imagine the beach, cool drinks, and anything but a “normal” routine. For many families summer will include “breaks” from their churches and spiritual devotions as well. They travel, vacate and take a holiday from Jesus. Somehow we manage to rationalize by saying, “I’m on vacation,” as if Jesus isn’t Lord while we’re “on vacation,” as if Jesus didn’t afford us the vacation or as if He can’t go with us while we’re on vacation.
Here is my request to you all: Over the summer break, be faithful to the church. Love and support her with your prayers and your giving. People come and go during summer, and that’s good. God loves to see his people getting the rest and recreation they need, but don’t go on vacation from Jesus and his people. Instead use the summer to grow closer to God. Be creative! Be committed! Be with Christ!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
• Go to Church! Summer is a wonderful time to worship with your family. If you are vacationing, take time to visit other churches.
• Take a Hike! Summer is a great time to really appreciate the beauty of God’s design. So hike, bike, fish, and swim-- just get out there! While you're there, consider pausing to read Psalm 104, which is a beautiful poem of God’s creation. Be grateful for the many things God has given us. Jesus cares about us. The evidence of his love is all around.
• Help Out! Christ was a servant to all and He wants us to be the same. Consider projects you can do to help others both in your neighborhood and in the larger world.
It’s good to take vacations and rest. So, relax, enjoy and keep worshiping together
wherever you are. Keep giving, keep praying and keep loving. God has amazing things
in mind for us as we enter this next chapter together.
Blessings,
Sally Farrell
Bruce Adami and The Young Organist Collaborative
The Young Organist Collaborative students will play in a recital at Christ Church on Saturday afternoon, May 13 at 3:00 pm. The public is invited to attend this free concert. A reception will follow in Harris Hall. The Young Organist Collaborative is an organization dedicated to introducing young musicians to the pipe organ. Formed in 2001, the Collaborative has provided organ lessons to over 100 junior high and high school students throughout New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts, and southern Maine. Christ Church is an active participant in this program by providing lesson and practice space for a number of these students. Please join us May 13!
A nice news piece on our own Bruce Adami and his work with the Young Organist Collaborative.
The Pine Street Players
PSP receives a grant from NH Diocese
The Pine Street Players at Christ Church has just received a $10,000 Mission Resource Grant from the Diocese of New Hampshire. The grants are intended to give resources for getting new ministries started. In the case of PSP, there was a funding opportunity to capitalize and expand on a successful creation of a re-visioned ministry. The MDG is meant to fund "one-time" expenses and not ongoing annual support.
A successful benefit concert!
On March 25th, professional soloists from all over the country came to Exeter and joined forces with singers from PSP, members of Christ Church’s Parish Choir and an orchestra comprised of musicians from New Hampshire and Massachusetts to present the concert version of the musical Les Misérables, affectionately known as “Les Miz.” The purpose of this performance was to raise funds for the Pine Street Players’ scholarship program for 2017. To the amazement of all involved, every ticket was sold and we raised over $7,000! These funds will allow students who would not otherwise have the means to participate in the programs PSP has to offer.
Raising funds for this new ministry was the main goal of this performance, but yet an unforeseen benefit emerged. Mentorships between the professional singers and our young performers were formed, and PSP performers were encouraged in their own dreams while watching the realized dreams of the older performers.
If you did not get the chance to see this amazing performance, there will be another one! On June 10th, at 8pm, the same stellar cast will perform Les Misérables at the Stockbridge Theatre in Derry, NH. You can purchase these tickets on-line at www.stockbridgetheatre.com or by calling (603) 437-5201
Looking Toward the Spring Show….
In December, the Pine Street Players held auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. This challenging musical will be the first spring show that PSP has mounted. The spring show is intended to culminate the Pine Street Players full season, and unlike the fall production, not every actor who auditions can be included in the cast. (We had over 75 performers audition and only cast 36 roles to split between two casts.) The performers began rehearsing in February and after 2 months of rehearsals; they have truly met the challenge of this advanced show. We are pleased to have many new faces in this show, making for new friendships and more colleagues to learn from. Please support this new ministry by attending one of the four performances.
May 5, 7pm Once Upon a Time Cast
May 6, 2pm Once Upon a Time Cast
May 6, 7pm Happily Ever After Cast
May 7, 3pm* Happily Ever After Cast
**Please note that this matinee is 3pm
Summer: A Time for Learning and Play
July 10th kicks off our Summer Session! Three sessions will be offered this summer, each lasting two weeks. Monday through Friday, from 9am to 3pm, students will gather to learn lines, practice choreography, learn music and participate in fun theatre classes and games. Session 1, Winnie the Pooh, is for rising 1st through 3rd graders. We still have space available for this joyful session. Session 2, Snow White, is for rising 3rd through 5th graders and has very limited availability. We are pleased to announce that session 3, Pippin, for rising 6th thought 12th graders, is officially sold out. If your child is interested in participating in session 1 or session 2, please email theatre@christchurchexeter.org to reserve a spot and register your child.
Last, but not least...congratulations to PSP's first-ever graduates, many of whom will be pursuing the performing arts on a collegiate level! We are proud to send you out into the world with The Pine Street Players on your resume and in your hearts.
Sophie Jordan
Caldwell Lowell
Alec Momenee-DuPrie
Devyn Simard
Thanks to all who have supported this special ministry of Christ Church!
Hawkapella Comes to Christ Church
Dominic DiPalermo returns to Christ Church with Hawkapella
Christ Church’s own Dominic DiPalermo who, as many of you know, sang with the Christ Church choir for 4 years, returns in a special concert to share his talents once again with the parish and the community of Exeter.
Dominic will appear at Christ Church as a member of Hawkapella, UMass-Lowell’s only all-male a cappella singing group. Hawkapella’s June 9th concert will help raise funds for The Pine Street Players of Christ Church, our Youth Theater program. The Mixter Music Fund, which was established in memory of the Mixter Family to support music in our church as well as the community, will help to bring this special concert to Exeter.
Dominic graduated from Exeter High School (EHS) last year and at that time received the Drama Circle Award in Technical Theater in recognition of his work in sound and lights for the school’s theatrical productions. Now, Dominic is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at UMass Lowell in the Sound Recording Technology (SRT) program. This program, one of the few like it in the nation, provides students with the practical and theoretical background needed for success in the audio recording industry.
In addition to singing with Hawkapella and studying sound and recording technology, Dominic—an amazingly versatile musician—plays clarinet with the UMass-Lowell Wind Ensemble, an audition-only group. (Dominic was the only freshman accepted!) And when he learned that the marching band at the university didn’t include clarinets, he learned to play the alto saxophone so that he could participate!
Hawkapella prides itself on its pop and rock influenced repertoire, on its commitment to giving audiences a reason to smile, and to the bonds of brotherhood formed through singing. In the 2016-2017 academic year, Hawkapella recorded its first ever studio EP titled “Hatched.” and made its first ever appearance at the International Championship of Collegiate A cappella (ICCA). Their 11-minute set featured two soloists (one of whom you may already know).
Please come to hear Dominic perform with Hawkapella, and support the Music Mixter Fund and The Pine Street Players at Christ Church.
Performance Date: June 9, 2017
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Christ Church
43 Pine Street Exeter, NH
As this is a non-profit event, suggested Donations will be collected at the door.
Summer Worship Hours Begin Memorial Day Weekend
Just a brief reminder that on May 28th, Christ Church will begin the summer worship times of 8:00 and 9:30 am.
Vacation Bible School 2017
Events at Christ Church Exeter
Into the Woods shows
May 5, 7pm Once Upon a Time Cast
May 6, 2pm Once Upon a Time Cast
May 6, 7pm Happily Ever After Cast
May 7, 3pm* Happily Ever After Cast **Please note that this matinee is 3pm
Friday, May 5, 2017, 07:00 PM
Christ Church, Pine Street, Exeter, NH, United States
Young Organist Collaborative Recital
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 03:00 PM
Christ Church, Pine Street, Exeter, NH, United States
Hawkapella Concert
Friday, Jun 9, 2017, 07:00 PM
Christ Church, Pine Street, Exeter, NH, United States
ANNUAL FISHERCATS BALLGAME OUTING
Please plan to join us for another summer day of fun for the Christ Church community. It is the seventh annual trip to Manchester to watch the New Hampshire Fishercats take on the Portland Seadogs.
Email David Holroyd at david@christchurchexeter.org for more information.
Sunday, Jul 16, 2017, 10:30 AM
Christ Church, Pine Street, Exeter, NH, United States
Christ Church Exeter- Living, Connecting, Serving
Email: office@christchurchexeter.org
Website: www.christchurchexeter.org
Location: 43 Pine Street, Exeter, NH, United States
Phone: 603-772-3332
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christ.Church.Exeter/