Contains information about various Lenten opportunities, as well as an introduction to the online discussion series.
Archive for the 'Happenings Now' Category
Bishop Robinson’s official visitation to Holy Cross on February 7, 2010, centered on a joyful celebration of the Eucharist. The Worship Space was decorated with banners and paper fish echoing the theme of the gospel reading for the day, Luke 5:1-11, in which Jesus tells his disciples to “put out into the deep” and “not be afraid” — that “from now on you will be catching people.”
The Bishop and other ministers prepare to enter the Worship Space. The procession was led by Monica Houghton, dancing in a huge fish kite flying from a long pole.
Abbie Stehno reads the lesson, on the call of the prophet Isaiah.
Bobbi-Jo Plamondon helps son Wyatt with his fish kite as Brenda Larkin works on hers.
The Bishop asks the congregation what they think it takes to "fish for people."
The Plamondons prepare to receive Holy Communion.
Piper Scott Arvin gets his wind up for "Amazing Grace."
Children in the "Godly play" space show their awe at the fish kite.
Over lunch, the Vestry talked with Bishop Robinson about faith sharing.
Here’s an album of photographs from the Holy Cross Christmas pageant, presented as the Liturgy of the Word at the Eucharist on Sunday, December 27. Sorry, but the setting on the camera we used was a little off, so some of our pictures aren’t in very good focus. If you have good ones to add to this album, please send them to Fr. John at vicar@holycross-weare.org. Thanks to all who participated in the production!
The Holy Family: Sonia Schuler as Mary, Ryan Compagna as Joseph.
Angels waiting (they must do a lot of that!): Monica Houghton and Tammi Compagna.
Gloria in excelsis: Maddy Goulet.
Three kings of Orient, waiting to traverse afar: Brent Larkin, Catherine Arvin, Alex Goulet.
Mary: Marge Burke; and the musicians: Connor Houghton and Jim Sims.
The angels adore the Child: Amanda Clow, Monica Houghton, Tammi Compagna.
And the celebration of Eucharist, where the Christ becomes incarnate in the Bread and Wine and the Body of Christ, the Church.
According to Common Worship: Times and Seasons (Church of England), the custom of Christmas creches and pageants “can both be said to descend from the tableau of Christ’s birth that Francis of Assisi arranged when he celebrated Christmas at Greccio in 1223.” St. Francis was a leader in a religious revival that took place in the thirteenth century, in which new orders of monastics, the Franciscans and Dominicans, took the Gospel outside the traditional boundaries of the Church, preaching, teaching, establishing charitable works, and in many ways “popularizing” the faith by relating it more dynamically to the culture of the people. So today, creches, pageants, caroling and all the rest of the beloved traditions of this season continue that movement of “enfleshing Christ” in everyday life.
One thing was clear from the Mutual Ministry Review the Holy Cross congregation completed this fall. Complaints are few and far between at Holy Cross, and people feel we have much to celebrate. “Things that make us excited” and “things that keep us coming and attract members” included our depth of spirituality; the sense of home and family; our emphasis on children, youth and families; our worship, preaching and music, and our wonderful new building. But more than any of these things, people named each other — the people of Holy Cross — as the center of our life.
So here is an album of shots from the potluck supper we held Saturday evening, November 14, picturing Holy Cross people having fun together. Do you see yourself? Your friends? Come and join us — put yourself in the picture! We’d love to include you.
Every three years, each congregation in the Diocese of New Hampshire goes through a process called at Mutual Ministry Review. This is a chance for the congregation to talk about what has been going on in the parish, what excites people and where they see strengths, and then to look at areas where work needs to be done and – most important – where they discern God calling them to grow in the next few years. This fall Holy Cross has been conducting an MMR and the following is the report on the process we went through and the goals and plans adopted by the Vestry for the next two years.