COVID-19 epidemic prayer requests

Church of the Good Shepherd has a long history of prayer and action for those in need. During this time of the COVID-19 outbreak, our Prayer Chain members invite you to submit the name(s) of anyone in need of prayer, whether they’ve been exposed to the virus, or they have symptoms or have tested positive, or have a job that puts them in danger of being exposed, and if they are struggling emotionally.

If you would like to add someone to our Prayer List, submit your prayer request online. Our Prayer Chain will keep all prayer requests strictly confidential. If their situation changes, or they no longer need prayer, please use the same link to update us on their status.

Please find below A Prayer Amid an Epidemic for your own use during these difficult times. You are invited to pray it anytime on your own. If you would like to pray it with others, please pause daily at noon wherever you are to pray the words on behalf of all the world.

Let us recall the words of the Apostle Paul to the believers at Philippi: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

A Prayer Amid an Epidemic

By Kerry Weber

Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

The Rev. Melissa Buono

Sermon for March 22, 2020

World Day of Prayer 2020

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide, ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.

It is initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions.

It is symbolized by an annual day of celebration observed on the first Friday in March to which all people are welcome.

It brings women of different races, cultures and traditions together in fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.

Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and have immeasurable influence in the world.

The motto of World Day of Prayer is “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action.”

This year’s ecumenical service is written by the Women of Zimbabwe and features songs and art of Zimbabwe as well as the words of Zimbabwean artist Nonhlanhla Mathe. There will be a luncheon in the Parish Hall following the service at Trinity Concord. In the meantime, please check out the video above for a look at the country and culture of Zimbabwe. 

The Lent/Easter 2020 issue of the Shepherd's Staff!

A Word from the Fold

Lent and Easter 2020 edition of the Seasonal Shepherd's Staff

Observing a Holy Lent

The season of Lent lasts 40 days (not including the 6 Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. From the earliest days of the Church, Lent was the time in which catechumens were prepared through a course of religious instruction that culminated in baptism and one’s welcome into the Body of Christ, the Church as part of the Great Vigil of Easter. In the first three centuries of the Church as word spread about this new community of believers, converts to the faith were mostly adults.

However, according to bible.org, infant baptism also arose as a universal practice early on in the life of the Church. The reasons for this include understanding baptism as initiation into the community of faith and the washing away of original sin. Moreover, it was thought that there was a real spiritual impact on the person being baptized as they received the grace and forgiveness of God in the rite of baptism. The article went on to note that references to the universal practice of infant baptism was spoken of by Augustine as early as 400 AD in light of the understanding that infants are born with original sin.

Today the period of Lent is less about preparing for baptism but is nonetheless a penitential time marked by prayer, fasting and repentance. Christians are invited in the liturgy of Ash Wednesday to “observe a holy Lent” by setting apart time for self-reflection. To this end, practices of self-denial and going without something significant are thought to help in this journey of Lenten preparation for the joyous celebration of Easter.

The last 10 years or so have seen a rise in alternative ways to observe Lent so as to offer practices that encourage faith and growth in the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). In 2015, Time magazine featured Pope Francis’ writing on what he calls “the globalization of indifference” that threatens all Christian believers. The Pontiff wrote “whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.” He continues that, “We end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people’s pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this were someone else’s responsibility and not our own.”

There are lots of ways to observe a holy Lent. At the website YourModernFamily.com, author Becky Mansfield offers a list of 10 unique things to give up for Lent. These include ideas like: Not buying anything you don’t need; Throw/Give away 40 things for 40 days; Say 3 encouraging things to your spouse and kids daily; and Replace 30 minutes of TV or screen time with 30 minutes of prayer or bible reading.

However you choose to observe this Lenten season, I hope that you will find a way to connect with God and with others to grow in appreciation of God’s love for you.

Melissa

Breakfast and Discussion on Immigration

The focus will be on Temporary Protected Status. TPS recipients will attend to answer questions. Also, the event will include a short film and discussion about the play that some American children of Salvadoran descent created and took to Congress last year. 

St. Matthew's UMC

435 Central Street, Acton

Saturday March 7 8:30 am

Life Transformed - The Way of Love in Lent

Sunday Morning Lenten Program February 23 through April 5

Our Lenten Program will begin on Sunday February 23 and continue weekly at 11:45 am. It will be a look at Episcopal Church program, Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent. Together we will walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life as we journey through Lent into Easter. We will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings which will lead us through the depths of salvation history into the Easter Resurrection. This class will be especially helpful as we prepare to celebrate the Great Easter Vigil on Saturday April 11. I hope you will plan to join us as we walk the journey of Lent together.   

Ash Wednesday, February 26

Ash Wednesday services  will held at 7:30 am and 7:30 pm on Wednesday, February 26.

We  will once again be having Ashes To Go at the South Acton and Littleton Train Stations from 4:00 to- 6:00 pm. We hope you will spread the word and hope to see you  on that day.

Church of Good Shepherd in The Boston Globe!

Exciting news! This article: Acton Church, Salvadoran Village Pray and Grow Together is live on the Boston Globe website and will be published in print on Sunday, February 23.

If you would like to help us in providing hope through education for additional students in this village, please make a check out to: Church of the Good Shepherd with “El Ocotillo” in the memo line. Mail it to: 164 Newtown Rd. Acton MA 01720. Donations are tax deductible.

Gracias!

Immigrant Sunday

Parishioners Andy Platt and Emmanuel Aronie interviewed six Good Shepherd members about their immigrant stories. They came from Palestine, England, Nigeria, India, and Cuba for reasons that ranged from seeking new opportunities to escaping persecution. The full video was played during our Immigrant Sunday service. Below you’ll find excerpts from each interview.

Amelia Wiggins, 2006 El Salvador delegate

Amelia Wiggins joined us on the 2006 delegation trip to El Salvador when she was a teenager. At the February 2nd service she shared how that journey changed the trajectory of her life. These are her inspirational words:

Good morning,

Before I begin, I would like to take a moment to give thanks for the opportunity to be here today, sharing with you a few of my thoughts about a place I hold near and dear to my heart. I had the privilege of joining the 2006 delegation to El Salvador as a 15 year old high school student. At this time, I didn’t know El Salvador was a country, or exactly where it was located geographically, but I knew it was farther than I had ever traveled before. The idea of exploring a new place, and experiencing how other people lived intrigued me. My family questioned my interest in traveling so far with a group of people I barely knew, but as it turns out, I would one day call this place home, and I would cherish the friendships made during that week in El Salvador.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the delegation itineraries, the first several days are spent in and around the capital, San Salvador, learning the history and the political, economic, and social issues facing the country. After this brief introduction to the country and culture, the delegation embarks on a journey to live in community with El Ocotillo. With a better understanding of the people and place we are visiting, spending time with the sister community becomes a meaningful culmination of the trip. Despite the struggles the community has faced in the past, and continues to work through today, they welcome the delegation with a joyful exuberance and make incredible efforts to make us feel at home and to provide us with delicious home cooked meals.

One memory that has always stood out to me was the family I stayed with while in the community. The family chose to sleep together in one room, in one bed, which allowed myself and the two other delegates staying there, to have our own rooms and beds. I was awestruck with such an extraordinary gesture of hospitality, one which I had never experienced back home even with my closest friends, let alone with people I had never met. The generosity I experienced in this tiny village is something I’ll never forget, and I continuously strive to embody the graciousness with which I was received in El Ocotillo.

While living in community with El Ocotillo, we listened to remarkable and sometimes heart-wrenching stories, causing a plethora of emotions to build up in each of us. The willingness these speakers had to express their vulnerability and their deepest concerns about the past and the present was admirable. I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back, I realize opening up and sharing such personal stories requires an immense amount of courage. This was exemplified one chilly evening in the community, as Samuel recounted tales of war, hopes for the future, and disappointments with present day challenges. He fought valiantly for a better future for his children only to witness next to no change decades later. We bore witness to a man’s innermost concerns, and it left us each wiping away silent tears. Samuel is no longer with us, but through his story and his strength to share it, he and his struggles became a part of everyone who was there that night. That is the power of solidarity: transforming another’s experience into one we can relate to and empathize with on a deep and personal level.

The community visit not only helped me understand the true meaning of generosity and courage, it gave me insight about an incredible gift I possess that I was previously unaware of. I realized that it doesn’t matter what you have or what you think you may lack, there is one thing you can always share with others: your time. Time is our most valuable commodity, and it is free to give and to share. It can't send students to college, nor can it rebuild a dilapidated home, but it can build a sense of comfort, security, friendship, and family. As we listen to another’s story, struggle, or celebration, we make an effort to understand their experience; we give them the space to express themselves, and by doing so, we demonstrate our concern and care for that person’s well-being.

Prior to joining the delegation, I didn’t have the faintest idea about what solidarity was, and I still struggle with a succinct definition of it, and I believe that to be caused by its intricacy. For me, solidarity is active engagement with a community; taking on their struggles and joys as your own, forming long-term relationships that lessen the physical and emotional distance between one another, that draw us together in unity. This is at least as important as, or in my opinion, much more significant than the act of charitable contributions. Funding for projects such as building new homes, sending students to school, or obtaining life-saving medication is a necessity, however, these objectives fall into the category of material needs... but what about spiritual and emotional needs? Solidarity bridges the gap between these two facets of service, making the former more meaningful, and the best way to understand the tremendous impact it has on all involved is to experience it first hand.

The 2006 delegation not only broadened my understanding of service, solidarity, generosity, and the power of the gift of time; it impacted my future in tangible ways. Inspired with a newfound passion for Latin America, the Spanish language, and a desire to educate myself about a world I knew little about, I set forth on a journey that would ultimately bring me back to El Salvador.

Following the delegation, I pursued my high school Spanish classes with a new vigor, and after graduation, I attended college and earned a degree in Global Studies and Anthropology with a focus on Latin America. Upon college graduation, I desperately wanted to spend significant time volunteering overseas. I explored a variety of options, including the Peace Corps and teaching English, but after thorough research, I realized I didn’t feel called to these opportunities.

My stroke of luck came in the form of a friendship that began in 2006, and that continues to be important in my life today. When they discovered I was looking for a volunteer opportunity, they emailed me a link to an NGO in El Salvador. The organization was looking for a volunteer to support their delegations and international communications. Perfect! I thought. This would be similar to what I experienced in high school, and would not only allow me to delve deeper into those experiences, it would allow me to give back to a community and a place that had already given me so much. Shortly after reviewing the details of the position, I applied, and was fortunate they accepted my application and invited me to come in December 2013. What was meant to be a one year commitment quickly turned into two, and I likely wouldn’t have left if it weren’t for a burden most people my age are no stranger to: student loan.

My two years in El Salvador flew by as I learned a fair amount about the country, the communities, and the visiting delegations. What truly touched my soul during this time was sharing a place so special to me with others, and witnessing individuals’ discovery of solidarity. While I thoroughly and utterly enjoyed my work, I have to admit, there was a time or two I felt exhausted and it was difficult translating conversation after conversation, especially those bearing a heavy emotional weight. However, the pure and undivided attention the delegations gave to the speakers, and the brilliant questions they asked always motivated me to continue. The powerful gift of one’s time and attention was consistently and beautifully illustrated by the visiting delegations and their respect for the speaker. In those moments, I felt as though I was a conduit through which the stories of our Salvadoran brothers and sisters flowed. What an incredible honor and privilege it was to serve a community in that capacity.

Looking back, it's amazing to see where a 10 day delegation has taken me over the years. When I was asked to speak for today’s services, the answer was an obvious yes. After all, it is thanks to this church, the welcoming fellowship, and the beautiful sister relationship you have built with El Ocotillo, that I discovered one of my life's greatest passions, and I humbly and graciously thank you all for that incredible opportunity.

I invite you to challenge yourself and consider joining a future delegation to El Salvador. Perhaps it won’t change your future in the way it did mine, but I can promise it will leave a lasting impact on your heart, and to experience solidarity with a sister community will enhance your understanding of service to others.

Thank You.