A resolution asking the Diocese to be a Safe Haven

You likely heard the news that last week, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at their Churchwide Assembly (i.e. General Convention), adopted a resolution that, among other things declared the ELCA to be a sanctuary denomination. Many people are asking what does this mean?

The following is an excerpt from a statement released by the ELCA: "Our call to love our neighbor is central to our faith. In our baptismal covenant we promise to strive for peace and justice in all the world. One of the ways we live out this vow is through our commitment to welcoming the stranger. With this declaration, we publicly state that walking alongside refugees and immigrants is a matter of faith." Read the full article here.

You may be asking what does this have to do us at Church of the Good Shepherd? While the ELCA is the first to make this declaration for the whole denomination, there are several Episcopal Dioceses in the U.S. that have also taken similar action. The Dioceses of Washington, New Jersey and North Carolina to name three.

As such, the CGS Vestry is writing a resolution to request that the Episcopal Diocese in Massachusetts be made a safe haven. This Resolution will be submitted to the Diocese for consideration by the Resolution Committee with the goal that it will be put forward at the Diocesan Convention on Nov. 2. The Resolution must be submitted according to the format of the Diocese and by the September 5 deadline.

To be clear, this is a Resolution asking the Diocese to be a Safe Haven. This means that individual congregations within the Diocese will be free to determine what being a safe haven means for their particular community. There is no specific action being dictated to any congregation with regard to their participation.

The reason for this Resolution is to put forth a call to the Church as a whole, and the Diocese in particular, to take a moral stand. As people of God who seek to live according to the teaching of God's Son, Jesus Christ, our faith requires us to act. For in our Baptism and Confirmation, we promise to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being."

Moreover, it's important to understand that this resolution is not asking congregations to hide or harbor anyone in their churches, nor is it about breaking the law. The actions that this resolution will encourage are generic to finding ways to accompany our sisters and brothers in faith to live safely. Ways that congregations can help include providing resources from purchasing school supplies for children in a congregation to providing prayers and pastoral care, to name a few.

If this resolution passes at General Convention, we will host parish-wide conversations in order to discern what shape this will take for CGS. For now, a resolution committee is being formed to get the document in the required format to submit to the Diocese. If you have questions, please contact us.

The Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Dear Friends,

It has been such an emotional week in the aftermath of last weekend's acts of violence and the loss of so many innocent lives. As an antidote to the on-going media coverage, I offer you this video of the Prayer of St. Francis sung by Angelina of the Catholic network EWTN. Also known as the Peace Prayer, the words are very familiar as we have sung this in worship at Good Shepherd.

- Melissa

The Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me bring your love,
Where there is injury your pardon Lord,
And where there's doubt true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there's sadness, ever joy.

O Master grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving of ourselves that we receive.
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.

O Master grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
And to love as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving of ourselves that we receive.
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.

Make me a channel of your peace.

Praying the Daily Office

At the conclusion of my sermon on Sunday, I said that Jesus' message to Martha and Mary are relevant for us today in that it is time to let worry and distraction about the "many things" fall by the wayside. I also suggested that perhaps we might hear Jesus' words to Martha for ourselves, not as a rebuke, but as an invitation to step off the treadmill of life, even for just a few minutes a day, to savor Jesus' presence in our lives, and to catch a glimpse of that one and only thing needed, which is to know the love of God for you and for all people.

One way that you might seek to rest in Jesus' presence is in the practice of praying the Daily Office which includes Morning, Noon, and Evening Prayer. You can find the liturgy for these prayers in the Book of Common Prayer in the section entitled The Daily Office. One of the ways I've found to be helpful is to listen to an audio version of the prayers. If you are interested, here's the audio link. Another resource for reading the office on your own can be found here.

It would be great to pause three times a day for prayer, however, I realize that most people don't have the bandwidth for that. I would suggest starting with one of the prayers and commit to practicing it for a month. It's a wonderful way to connect with God at the start, mid-point, or end of the day to be grounded in the love of God and to remember that which is vital for life, God's immeasurable love for us made known in the person and work of God's Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Melissa

Update on the rector search

The Search Committee continues to work hard preparing the parish profile, and has made good progress over the summer months. The Committee has decided to adopt the Strategic Visioning work that was done by the parish last year as a way of structuring the profile, and the document contains sections on each of our core values - Caring Community of Faith, Engaging Outreach, Compelling Worship. This structure has proven to be very helpful in our work.

All but one section of the profile has been drafted, and almost all have undergone an initial review and edit by the Committee. We have asked Danielle Reese to help us with a "pre-layout editorial review" prior to having our Layout Team, headed by Margaret Geanisis, select pictures, choose fonts and design the final document. I can tell you that we have seen the initial design for the first few pages and it looks tremendous! It will be a compelling and attractive introduction of Good Shepherd to prospective rectors!

In terms of timing, I expect that we will spend the rest of the summer finalizing the profile, which is about what we expected. We'll share the document with the vestry in September, and are planning to publish the profile by the end of September.

From the publication of the Parish Profile through until the end of the process, our work will be highly confidential to protect potential candidates.

Our goal continues to be that we will call a new rector in the spring, which will allow them to sell their home in the peak season and relocate to Acton well before the beginning of the new school year, if either of those is a consideration.

One of the design suggestions from Margaret and team is that we adorn the profile with quotes from parishioners. This approach has been used effectively in previous profile documents. To that end, you will see posters in the church starting this weekend on which you can write a short statement that reflects how you feel about Good Shepherd and our church family. We'll have several posters, each of which will have a separate theme, and you are invited to write something associated with that theme.

If you will not be at church, please write to any of us on the committee with your thoughts and reflections on what makes our church family so special. Think about how you would complete one of the following sentences: "Our church is at its best when ..." or "Good Shepherd is special to me because..." or "In the future, I would love Good Shepherd to ...".

Finally, we all want to thank you for your diligent prayer support. We know that we are wrapped and protected in prayer both when we meet and when we work independently. It is not easy to take something as organic and dynamic as our church family and capture it in a profile document. Please know that it is your prayers and the movement of the Holy Spirit that have allowed us to make the progress that we have.

Welcoming our new Music Minister and Choir Director

It is with great joy that we announce Deborah Colageo as our new Music Minister and Choir Director!

Deborah comes to us with an extensive musical career that spans a lifetime. She began playing piano as a child and at the age of 9 was chosen to accompany her school chorus. She is a gifted organist and additionally has led sectionals with singers. Her talents also include playing keyboard for musical theatre rehearsals and shows. She currently works part-time at Cushing Academy as a collaborative pianist with the Music Director.

She greatly enjoys leading singers and is looking forward to working with the Anthem Choir. Deborah is interested in fostering the musical talents of individual musicians in the parish as well. As a teacher of piano and voice lessons, she loves teaching the technique of music. Deborah loves to learn and develop her craft and to this end has studied with many teachers over the years. Her love of the Lord Jesus, as well as her passion and commitment to sacred and classical music is evidenced by her joyful spirit and desire to encourage and uplift others through her musical gifts.

Deborah's first Sunday at Church of the Good Shepherd will be September 8. Please join me in welcoming Deborah to our faith community!

Job opening: Church School Coordinator

We are seeking a kind, energetic, and organized individual who genuinely enjoys working with children and parents. Our part-time Church School Coordinator will be responsible for fostering and growing a vibrant spiritual formation program for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade and supporting the volunteers who lead the high school youth formation program.

The Coordinator will work for and with the Rector and support the leadership development of parents and volunteers.

The Coordinator will work 10-15 hours per week which includes 3-4 hours on Sunday mornings that can fluctuate depending on coordinator’s schedule and liturgical season. Church School runs from the first or second Sunday after Labor Day through the second or third Sunday in June. Ideally, the Coordinator is available from mid-August to mid-June. Salary range $15,000-$18,000 depending on experience. You will be required to be CORI checked and complete a Safe church training before working with children.

Responsibilities

The Church School Coordinator will:

• Maintain a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment in the church school area and classrooms

• Understand the meaning of the liturgical seasons and teachings of Jesus

• Oversee, administer, maintain and/or (if needed) coordinate the acquisition of Church School curriculum, supplemental materials, and supplies

• Recruit and help to prepare volunteer church members to teach Church School and maintain schedule of volunteer teachers

• Ensure all volunteer teachers complete Safe Church Training and CORI check

• Support volunteer teachers for Sunday mornings including prepping materials, supplies, set-up, etc.

• Plan and collaborate with Rector, parents, and volunteers, special activities such as the Christmas Pageant, Special Communion, Palm Sunday procession, recognition of milestones in the life of the children, etc.

• Communicate regularly with parents via email, the newsletter, weekly bulletins, website, etc.

• Create a modest Church School budget

• Keep accurate records (registration, attendance, offerings, expenses, supplies, etc.)

• Meet with the Rector at regular staff meetings and when necessary

• Provide a written report for the Annual Parish meeting

• Attend Christian Formation Committee meetings when necessary

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has a good understanding of the liturgical seasons and Jesus’ teachings

• Is Christian (Episcopalian preferred)

• Maintains a joyful and positive rapport with children, parents, and volunteers

• Has experience working in a church setting

• Has elementary teaching and/or childhood development and/or classroom management experience

• Has experience working with children of many ages, varying learning styles and abilities, and is inclusive and welcoming of all children

• Is mature, responsible, organized, friendly, warm, and engaging

• Is able to work independently and collaboratively

• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Has an Associate degree or similar experience

• Completes a CORI check and Safe Church training (offered on site)

To apply

Email cover letter and resume to: admin@goodshepherdacton.org

Good Shepherd summer schedule begins Sunday, June 30th

The summer worship schedule will commence on Sunday, June 30th. We will continue to have our 8:00AM Rite II Holy Eucharist, with the second HE service beginning at 9:30AM through September 1st. Childcare will be available during the 9:30 service. The fall schedule will resume on Sunday, September 8th, with services at 8:00AM and 10AM.

Calling all musicians!

Music Ministry

Do you play a musical instrument? Have you ever thought about playing during our church services? Our Music Committee welcomes you! All instruments (including voice) and experience levels welcome. Contact us to learn more. We look forward to hearing you!

Monthly Calendar and Seasonal Shepherd's Staff

The May calendar is available online or on the oak desk in the Parish Hall later. Any changes or updates to the calendar are reflected in the weekly eblast or the Sunday Shepherd's Fold.

You can also download the most recent version (Late Spring 2019 Edition) of the Seasonal Shepherd's Staff.

Presiding Bishop Curry: 2019 Easter Message

Easter 2019 Message

Watch online.

The Rt. Reverend Barbara Harris was the first woman ordained and consecrated a bishop in The Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion. In her memoir, entitled Hallelujah, Anyhow! [she] quotes an old Gospel hymn that says it this way:

Hallelujah anyhow
Never let your troubles get you down
When your troubles come your way
Hold your hands up high and say
Hallelujah anyhow!

When I get to Heaven, I want to meet one person, and her name is Mary Magdalene. Because if ever there was another Hallelujah, Anyhow sister, it was Mary Magdalene. And her life, and her example, tells us what it means to follow in the way of Jesus, in the Way of Love.

Mary Magdalene showed up when others would not. Mary Magdalene spoke up when others remained silent. Mary Magdalene stood up when others sat down.

John's Gospel tells us that when many of the disciples fled and abandoned Jesus, Mary Magdalene stood by him at the cross. Hallelujah, Anyhow.

Against the odds, swimming against the current, Mary Magdalene was there.

John's Gospel says in the 20th chapter, early in the morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene and some of the other women went to the tomb. Hallelujah, Anyhow.

They went to the tomb when it didn't make any sense. They went to the tomb when the evidence was against them. Jesus was dead. They knew that. The power of the Empire had crushed the hope of love. They knew that. And they got up in the morning and went to the tomb anyhow. Hallelujah, Anyhow.

But more than that, John's Gospel says it was dark. It was dark. That's not just the time of day in John's Gospel. The darkness in John is the domain of evil. In John's Gospel when Judas leaves the Last Supper to betray Jesus, John inserts a parenthetical remark. When Judas leaves to betray him, John says, "And it was night." The darkness is the domain of wrong, of hatred, of bigotry, of violence, the domain of sin and death and horror.

And early in the morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, Hallelujah, Anyhow.

The truth is, she didn't know that Jesus was alive. She was just doing what love does. Caring for her beloved, her Savior, her friend, in his time of death, to give him the last rites of burial. And when she got to the tomb, and the other women with them, they eventually discovered that Jesus was alive, and in the silence of the night, in the moments of despair, in the moments of the worst darkness, God had done something incredible. God had raised Jesus from the dead.

The truth is, nobody saw Jesus rise from the dead, because God had done it secretly and quietly, when nobody was looking.

When I was in high school, I learned a poem composed by James Russell Lowell. He wrote it in the 19th century, in one of the darkest periods in American history, when this country was torn asunder by the existence of chattel slavery in our midst. In this great land of freedom, there were slaves being held in bondage. And this nation literally went to war, tearing itself apart, trying to find the way to do what was right. And James Russell Lowell wrote, in the midst of this darkness, in this dark hour:

Though the cause of evil prosper, yet 'tis truth alone and strong . . .

Though her portion be a scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong
Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown

Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own

Hallelujah, Anyhow.

Christ is risen
The Lord is risen, indeed.

God love you, God bless you, and may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.

The Episcopal Church invites all to virtually join the congregation of St. Paul's/San Pablo Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Kansas for their Holy Week services. Beginning with the Maundy Thursday Eucharist and Foot Washing service on April 18, 2019, the Office of Communication will live stream Holy Week services through Easter Sunday's Festive Eucharist. Available on both the Episcopal Church website and the Episcopal Church on Facebook page, as live streams and later on demand, these digital offerings make Holy Week worship accessible to those not attending a service or program at a local church.

Other Episcopal Churches may be live streaming their Holy Week and/or Easter services. For a list of streamed services in your area, please contact your diocesan office.