Two ways to bring hope to a family
Volunteer or donate to furnish a home
Are you feeling down about the state of the world? Here are two ways you can bring hope to a family.
Hundreds of social service agencies refer people who are recently homeless, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, low income, immigrants, victims of disaster, or are coping with illness or disability to Household Goods. Last year they furnished over 3000 homes including the home of our newest refugee family. Watch this video to see inside this amazing operation.
Join a team of Shepherds Jan. 24 or 28 12:45-4:00 doing a variety of tasks at Household Goods. Volunteers must be 14 years or older. Click here for the link to sign up.
Donate to our Linens and Lamps Drive. We are collecting towels, sheets and blankets in excellent condition and lamps with shades until January 28.
Prayer Portals: Twelve Doorways to Divine Presence
Join Rev. Ellie for Prayer Portals at Good Shepherd beginning this fall.
Want to learn how to pray?
Want to refresh or begin your prayer life?
Seeking respite in these troubled times?
I am excited to offer a new monthly prayer resource/small group experience at Good Shepherd, starting Sunday, September 14 at 11:30am in-person and on Zoom. Open to all adults and youth ages 10 and up.
Invite a friend and let's begin!I hope you can join me, Rev. Ellie+
Trip to El Salvador cancelled
Read our letter to our friends in El Ocotillo
We were sad to have to cancel our trip because of concerns for our security and reentry to the U.S.
This is the letter we sent to our friends in El Ocotillo:
Dear Brothers and Sisters of El Ocotillo,
We hope this letter finds you all well! Here in our country, we are living through unique times after our most recent election. You are no doubt aware of the increased pressures and dangers that many Salvadorans in this country are facing with the daily threat of deportation. The current administration is taking steps to limit many civil rights and political opposition which parallels what has happened in El Salvador over the past few years. We are aware that social justice organizations we have worked with such as Cristosal and Fundahmer are increasingly being scrutinized by the Salvadoran government. The current U.S. government is also cutting off funds to many humanitarian organizations in El Salvador and around the world. The dynamic between our presidents and their plans for building prisons in El Salvador that could house U.S. citizens in the future, is particularly frightening.
Given this new reality, our church group is uncomfortable going to El Salvador this year. Under the Salvadoran “state of exception”, there is no guarantee of due process or judicial review. Sadly, we can no longer count on our own government officials to support us if we find ourselves in conflict with authorities in El Salvador. For instance, we have publicly supported Cristosal which makes us wonder if we could be a target since it has been repeatedly pressured and criticized by the current Salvadoran government. Two of those who were planning to travel are naturalized (not native-born) citizens and they are concerned about harassment when reentering the U.S. The current instability has understandably worried family members of the delegates.
We were very much looking forward to being with you this year. Our past visits have meant so much to us. We were excited to meet the new students and to congratulate the recent graduates in person. Our support for the scholarship program will of course continue uninterrupted. For the past 24 years, you have taught us lessons in faith and perseverance. We will not forget those now as we fight for our own democracy. God willing, we will return to you as soon as possible. We will keep you in our prayers and we ask that you pray for us as well.
With much affection,
Your brothers and sisters here at Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton, Massachusetts
It's almost here!!!
Get ready for May 4th!
Our 2025 Rise Against Hunger meal packaging event is Sunday, May 4 12:00-2:00. Once again we will package 10,000 meals to send to a part of the world where food is scarce. This year, with the dismantling of USAID, it is more important than ever! Check out this video of last year’s good work.
We will need 65-75 volunteers to set up, fill the bags, and clean up; and $4100 to fund the ingredients and the shipping costs.
Sign up to volunteer here. Send donations to our RAH webpage or to the donation page on the church’s website. (Click “Add Gift to another fund.”) Or, you can write a check to Church of the Good Shepherd with RAH in the memo line. Funds are needed by May 4th.
It feeds our souls and it’s FUN!
Theatre with a Twist tickets go on sale February 8!
See Broadway’s next stars at Good Shepherd!
Since the new year, dozens of children with Theatre with a Twist have been busy rehearsing in our parish hall, acting, singing, and dancing their way through scenes from Alice in Wonderland and Anastasia. This Saturday, February 8 tickets for their final performances go on sale!
If you’d like to support these wonderful young thespians (including some you may recognize from church!), you may purchase tickets online starting this Saturday. Online ticket sales close on Wednesday, March 5.
Understand the changing landscape of U.S. immigration, refugee, and migration policy
In this webinar series, Episcopal Migration Ministries will share updates and resources
Immigration lawyers are saying it is hard to know who is and is not at risk in the rapidly moving changes in immigration orders during the last week. We do not know if our Afghan families will be affected. We think, but are not completely certain, that our Rohingya families may be okay. Churches are asking questions about how their on-site food pantries, ELL classes and even Sunday services may be disrupted by ICE and what are their legal rights.
The Episcopal Migration Ministries is actively engaged with the fast moving changes in immigration policies. They are offering an incredibly well-informed webinar series for church members every Tuesday at 1:00 PM EST to keep up with the deluge of questions and information. The first session had 800 participants.
October blanket and lamp drive for household goods
Good Shepherd is sponsoring a blanket and lamp drive for Household Goods October 1-31. Please bring lamps with shades and clean blankets with no rips or stains. Twin and full/queen size blankets are especially needed.
Household Goods provides a full range of donated household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home.
The Good Shepherd Pupusa Truck Will Arrive March 9th!
Come and Enjoy Pupusas!
Support the El Salvador Scholarship Fund and bring your family the experience of delicious Salvadoran pupusas!
On Saturday, March 9 from 6:00-8:00PM, we will be serving chips, salsa, Salvadoran pupusas, slaw, plantains, desserts, and soft drinks in the parish hall.
We will be highlighting current successes and challenges in our sister community of El Ocotillo and the important role of our scholarship program. All ages are invited. Dinner is free and you are welcome to make a donation to the scholarship fund.
Please RSVP to Kevin Gross with the number in your party. We will have a variety of pupusa types and no need to order ahead of time.
Anyone who is interested in helping decorate the parish hall for this event or in helping to serve the food should text Rafael Pupo.
Esperanza Academy Head of School joins us
Jadi Taveras, Head of Esperanza Academy, joins us for worship.
Jadi Taveras, Head of Esperanza Academy, joined us for worship on February 6th. For 14 years Good Shepherd has supported this tuition-free school for middle school girls in Lawrence.
Hear Jadi address our community:
The pupusa truck is coming January 29th!
Experience the favorite Salvadoran food!
Support the El Salvador Scholarship Fund and bring your family the experience of delicious Salvadoran pupusas!!
Place your order by Monday, January 24. Come to pick up your order at the entrance of the church Saturday, January 29 between 5:00 and 6:00 pm. Pupusas are coming from Fuente de Vida, an authentic Salvadoran restaurant in Worcester.
Pupusa varieties include cheese, cheese and beans, cheese and chicken, cheese and jalapeño, cheese and pork, cheese and loroco (similar to summer squash). A typical adult serving is two or three pupusas (though people have been known to happily eat more!). Dinner comes with red sauce, slaw, and fried plantains.
Send your order— how many of each variety you want — to Kevin Gross by Monday Jan. 24.. Any questions? Call Kathleen Zawicki. See the recent eblast for contact information.
No set cost but free will offerings for the El Salvador Scholarship Fund to support our 8 students are gratefully accepted! (Please write ‘El Salvador’ in the memo on your check.)