I was cold and you clothed me

On Sundays December 1 and 8, we will be gathering gently-used winter children's and men's clothing for the Church of San Lucas, Chelsea, MA. This is a tangible gesture of our solidarity while many struggle with fear of anti-immigrant violence and rhetoric. Winter coats, hats, mittens and scarfs for children and adults are needed.

The Daily Office

If you are interested in praying the Daily Office, here's the audio link. Another resource for reading the office on your own can be found here.

Our choir rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm.

I look forward with great anticipation to enriching congregational worship with music from our choir, as well as other voices and instrumentalists within our ranks! A present opportunity is upon us. The first Sunday of the month (until further notice) is Mission Service. The choir will be prepared to present a choral anthem, but I would like to encourage those soloists, guitarists, clarinetists, trios and more to also share their talents! Before we know it, the holidays will be upon us. Have you ever had the desire to sing with the choir but can’t commit to the whole church year? Well, you’re in luck! Join the Christmas Choir! Only four Wednesday rehearsals: November 27, December 4, 11 and 18, ages 14 and above. Please contact me with your particular talent and abilities for future services.

Christ’s love,

Deborah Colageo

classicaldeb@gmail.com

Collecting gently used winter clothing for families in need

A few weeks ago, Barbara Magee brought to our attention at both services an article from The Boston Globe which described the fear experienced by parishioners of the Church of San Lucas, Chelsea, following the murderous attacks in El Paso and Gilroy, CA against immigrants as well as the increase in ICE raids. Barbara had prepared a beautiful banner for the Church of San Lucas and invited us all to add messages of caring. In response, a resolution also was passed at the following vestry meeting to declare the Church of the Good Shepherd a “safe haven,” a welcoming place for persons vilified because of their immigration status, the color of their skin, their gender, their national origin, their religion, their age, their disability, their language or whom they love. In that spirit, contact was made with Father Edgar Gutierrez-Duerte, vicar of the Church of San Lucas, to see how we might assist his parishioners. He noted that they will be in need of men’s and children’s winter clothing. We will be holding a men’s and children’s gently used clothing collection for them the first two Sundays in December. Early notice is being given in case you are sorting last year’s clothing as the season changes. Although the collection will take place formally the first two Sundays in December, if you are anxious to get rid of the clothing before then, please contact Carolyn Gutierrez to arrange for earlier collection.

Get ready to start cooking and crooning, it is time Chili-oke chili & karaoke!

Saturday, October 19th, beginning at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall. This is a great opportunity to break out your secret recipe for homemade chili to share. Some shenanigans are sure to ensue at this rockin’ event, and light hearted awards may be in the offing! Of course, for those who do not want to cook, there will be lots of food to enjoy as well as non-alcoholic beverages as you cast your vote for your favorite chili. We will also have beer and wine to purchase To add to the fun, we’ll have a karaoke machine and DJ for those who wish to sing for their supper...Who knows, there may be an American Idol talent scout undercover, looking for the next contestant. Free-will donations will be happily accepted to defray the cost of the event. Please contact Jason Davis for more information on bringing chili or to volunteer with some much needed help.

Turning a sad, untimely death into good for the world

Donna Heaney is offering an opportunity to do away with many single use plastic bags for free! Here is her powerful story: “When my son Tom suddenly died from a heart attack while walking his sister’s dogs, he was living with my daughter Sharon and her husband Stephen in Florida. . Sharon had a hard time coping with her grief and started sewing shirt shaped coasters for people to take from his Memorial Service as a way of healing, which blossomed into the lunch and snack bags of today. They help eliminate the use of plastic bags as they can be used over and over. Just wipe the waterproof liner out or wash in machine but don’t put them in dryer (apparently it gets ugly). They are free, she doesn’t charge for them! Some people do send her lengths of 100% cotton fabric sometimes in gratitude, which enable her to keep making them. It’s her form of therapy and turning a sad, untimely death into good for the world. If you would like some you can see Donna after the 10 am service, she often has them with her in various fabrics.

Jeanne Rikkers, Cristosal, discussing the important work in Central America

Cristosal is an Episcopal-based human rights organization working in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Since 2017, Cristosal has responded to over 2 million victims of forced displaced caused by violence. There is a crisis happening and they need our help. Click here to watch a video illustrating what is happening. Jeanne Rikkers, Research and Learning Director from Cristosal spoke at all services on Sunday about the important work Cristosal is doing and how Good Shepherd can be involved.

Cristoal has a four-pronged mission:

1. Equipping human rights leaders with knowledge and tools for action through research and learning

2. Protecting people displaced by violence through victim accompaniment

3. Repairing the lingering effects of rights violations through strategic litigation

4. Building environments where peace is possible through community development

The newest issue of the Shepherd's Staff

A Word from the Fold

October 2019 Edition of the Season Shepherd’s Staff

What’s not to love about the month of October? Yes, I like all the New England seasons for the variety it brings but autumn and especially October is my favorite of all. The air is full of the smell of harvest from apples to corn to squash. Of the favorite fall activities, visiting a local orchard for apple picking is at the top of the list for me.

Here at Good Shepherd there is a great deal going on as well.

From the rectory getting a face lift with a fresh coat of paint, to the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts assisting with the clean up of the grounds at the rectory and church. And though we are still looking for a part-time co-ordinator, the church school is off and running with the help of so many people in our congregation. Thank you everyone who has stepped up to lead a class, donate time, money, and LEGO bricks, to volunteers in the nursery and those serving as Safe Church Hall Monitors, to the fantastic mission-focused curriculum made available to our students. This is going to be a terrific program year!

Adult education will begin this month with the Sunday morning group as well as the Hop, Skip, Jump Bible Study, details of which you will find in this newsletter. There’s Bread and Banter lunch for retirees, and a place for those who knit and/or crochet in the prayer shawl ministry. We can always use your help with the stewardship of our buildings and keeping an eye on projects to be done to improve the physical plant of Good Shepherd.

If it’s social events you’d like to see, be sure to check out this month’s Chili-Oke! Make a pot of your favorite chili for a contest which will judge whose dish is the best in a number of categories. Combine this with the music of Karaoke, and it makes for a really fun evening! The next day a team of Good Shepherd walkers will participate in the annual CROPWALK at First Parish in Concord. This 3.5 mile stroll through the National Park is a great community event that brings people together from all the surrounding towns. This year we are looking forward to having the participation of our church school as they create and carry a Good Shepherd banner.

Whether you are new to this community of faith, or a longtime partner of the parish, and everyone in between, we hope you will connect with us for worship or coffee hour, or any of the upcoming events.

Yours in faith,

Melissa

Undies Sundays

“Hunger and homelessness happen for a number of reasons; a job loss, an illness, a divorce or a disability.  Whatever the reason Lowell Transitional Living Center is here to help by providing a full range of services aimed at lifting people up.  LTLC helps open doors for our most vulnerable citizens and believes everyone deserves a safe place to call home. For so many who have lost hope, our dedicated staff and high quality programs restore dignity one person and a time” (LTLC)

During the month of October we will be collecting socks, underwear, warm hats, gloves etc. for the Lowell Transitional Living Center.

Good Shepherd’s relationship goes back over 20 years, beginning with parishioners volunteering at the shelter and a drive to collect men's white socks for their clients. This evolved into the “Undies Sundays” program, a one-month drive in the fall to collect socks, underwear, warm hats, gloves, etc. Over the years Good Shepherd has raised money to purchase 60 cots for the emergency winter program, donated 100 pillows, 100 blankets, and monies for special programs. 

During the month of October, please bring your donations to the church where there will be a designated area for drop off. E-mail Helene Gagliano at hgagliano@verizon.net with any questions.

Praying for those in Dorian's path

Good Shepherd’s Prayer Chain will be praying for safety for those in the path of Dorian. If you have family or friends in the hurricane’s path we would be happy to pray for them by name. Submit your prayer request.