Lenten Food Pantry Challenges

NBC News reported this week that 6 million more people have applied for food assistance during the pandemic. Please consider one of Good Shepherd's Lenten Challenges to support the Acton Food Pantry.

 In the past it was customary to “give up” something for Lent, but now many also “take on” something. We have two Lenten Challenges you can choose between (or you can do both if you want). Each has its own Calendar:

The Daily Lenten Challenge Calendar offers a chance to take on a daily contribution to the Acton Food Pantry. Your offerings may be put in the large box outside the church front door. Ed Stockbridge, who has been delivering donations to the Food Pantry for years, will see that all the donations get to the Food Pantry on a regular basis.

The Weekly Lenten Kids Oriented Challenge Calendar invites children and families to collect items for donation to the Acton Food Pantry.  The items recommended for this kid focused collection are different than the usual Food Drive suggestions in that they are theme based.  We encourage kids to have fun thinking about what another child or family would want or need.  

To make donations by check, please make them payable to "Acton Community Supper and Food Pantry, Inc" and mail to them at P.O. Box 2098, Acton, MA 01720.    

Acton-Boxborough Family Project

This month an A-B School Committee member reached out to Good Shepherd to solicit support for families that have been identified to be in crisis during this pandemic. Good Shepherd is supporting two families in the A-B School District from February through June. A family sponsorship for one month involves at a minimum a $50 gift card to a local supermarket and optionally any other suitable additions. We are looking for 10 sponsors to cover the five months or partial contributions to help out. Please reach out to Barb Magee or Kate Ogle for details if you would like to be a sponsor.

The February 2021 Issue of the Shepherd's Staff

Read the latest issue of the Shepherd’s Staff with the lenten schedule and much more.

February 2021 edition of the Shepherd’s Staff

What Martin Luther King, Jr. Can Teach Us About Race and Equity in the Suburbs

Church of the Good Shepherd is cosponsoring this program with other local churches and Congregation Beth Elohim on January 18 from 7:00 to 9:00pm. The Zoom event requires prior registration. Click here for more information and to register.

Talking to Kids about Race and Racism: A Conversation with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

Wednesday January 27, 2021

7:00 to 8:30pm

This is part of the Discovery Museum Virtual Speaker Series. Preregistration is required. For more information click here.

Joint statement following hate incident at school committee meeting

The Beacon: Acton's Church of the Good Shepherd welcomes new rector

Sunday Adult Formation

 African Bible Study Technique

The Adult Ed after the Sunday morning Zoom service will regather for the four Sundays of Advent, starting this Sunday November 29. Using the simple African Bible Study technique, Jessie Panek will lead us as we share our reactions and insights into the Gospel reading (and probably therefore also the sermon) we have just heard earlier. We will start shortly after the Zoom service ends, at 11:00am.

The Zoom link for the Adult Ed gathering will be separate from that for the service. 

November 19 Massachusetts Bishops' Pastoral Message

Dear Good Shepherd family,

As expected, our Bishops in Massachusetts have released new guidelines about worship given the increase of COVID-19 cases in our Commonwealth.  Please read their Pastoral Letter by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.  

 For us at the Church of the Good Shepherd, these new guidelines make it clear that we will not be returning to in-person, indoor worship anytime soon.  While anticipated, this decision is also a disappointment.  I expect many of us had hoped there might be a way to safely return to indoor worship as the weather gets colder and the sacred seasons of Advent and Christmas approach.  As the newest member of our parish family, I share your desire to experience worship with you all in person- the way we are meant to be together as a worshipping community of faith.  I long to see your faces, to meet you in person, to sing and pray, and break bread together, and experience your renowned hospitality and fellowship.

 Yet, we are called to be a "caring community of faith" and that means we are to care for one another in body, as well as in spirit.  Caring for our health and safety in the midst of this pandemic is how we seek and serve Christ in one another.  So we will continue to wear our masks, socially distance ourselves, and provide as many ways as we can to remain connected to one another through worship, outreach, pastoral care, Christian formation and fellowship, even while apart.

 The Wardens, staff, Regathering Team and I will be in conversation over the next weeks about upcoming plans for worship in Advent and Christmastide.  Please be patient and flexible as we seek to provide worship and holiday opportunities that are safe, beautiful and faithful to our love for another and to our God in these challenging and sacred times.

 This Sunday, we will again hold an outdoor service of Holy Eucharist in the parking lot, and live-streamed on Zoom.  Our current plans are within the guidelines set by the Bishops, so we will be able to hold in-person, outdoor worship as planned this week.  I look forward to welcoming back Andy McMahon, from the Lowell Transitional Living Center, who will be joining us via Zoom.  

 Blessings,

Ellie+

 November 19 Massachusetts Bishops' Pastoral Message

Lowell Transitional Living Center

“Whatsoever You Do to the Least of My Brothers You Do unto Me”

                                                                                                  – Matthew 25:31-46             

Sunday November 22

  We will be joined by Andy McMahon, Director of the Lowell Transitional Center

 Andy will present an overview of the conditions at the Center.  As a follow up to his visit last year, he will outline the specific challenges the LTLC faces during the coming winter months.

As most of you know, we have supported the Lowell Transitional Living Center (LTLC) for many years. Each year we gather and send new underwear, socks, undershirts, scarves, and hats to the LTLC. We’ve also had fundraisers for specific items such as pillows, blankets, cots, and a commercial washer machine.  

Due to the Pandemic, we will be asking for “virtual donations” this year.  If you would like to support this ministry we ask you chose a donation ( listed below) and send a check directly the the Church of the Good Shepherd.  Please write LTLC in the memo on your check.

I also encourage you to send a card ( or cards if you’d like to write/make more than one) with words of encouragement to the staff and residents along with your donation.

Here are the donation options:

$10.00 - socks, underwear, undershirts scarves, hats

$20.00-  pillows

$50.00 - blankets

$100.00 - cots

(If you’d prefer you can also send checks/gift cards for items that are not on the list above. )

In closing, here is my last email from Andy on 10/31:

 “Thank you and everyone else at the Church for your continued support of LTLC's mission to help the homeless. You are certainly correct about Winter Bed needs....cots, blankets and pillows are great and always in need. As far as drives go...anything warm..... Gift cards to places like Market Basket or the Dollar Store or similar stores are great too. Checks are fine. Whatever makes the most sense for folks is perfect. This Winter will likely prove to be the most challenging yet. It is comforting to know that we are not alone as we head into the "great unknown"

Andy”

 I thank you all for your past generosity and hope that in this very difficult time, you will help sustain this ministry.

Helene Gagliano