Regathering after Relaxation of COVID-19 Restrictions
Join us with or without your mask!
Beginning April 1, the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts has approved a number of new gathering guidelines for congregations. To read their full announcement, please click here.
Here are the updates, all of which will go into effect beginning April 1.
Masks: Beginning April 1 masks will become optional at Good Shepherd. The Diocese “strongly encourages that all persons continue to wear masks at indoor services and events” and we will fully support any who continue to choose to do so. All those serving at the altar will wear masks during the Eucharistic prayer and distribution of Communion.
Physical Distancing: Capacity limits and seating restrictions at church services and events will be lifted. We will continue to provide socially distanced seating in the church for those who prefer it (with ~ 5-6ft of distance between households). Please ask an usher if you would like to sit in this area, located toward the rear of the church.
Ventilation: Windows will be open and the ceiling fans on during church services to increase air flow.
Holy Communion: The chalice will once again be available for those who wish to receive the consecrated wine from the common cup. Individuals at higher risk from COVID infection are discouraged from receiving in this manner. Intinction, or dipping the wafer into the wine, will not be available, to avoid finger tips from coming into contact with the wine. Those who prefer to receive only the bread are welcome to do so. Theologically, receiving in one kind (that is either the bread or the wine) is considered full Communion.
Coffee Hour: Food and drinks may again be served indoors. We look forward to resuming Coffee Hour in April and enjoying our first parish meal together on Maundy Thursday during Holy Week.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONCERT TO BENEFIT THE AFGHAN FAMILY SETTLEMENT PROJECT
Save the Date (April 23) and Invite Your Friends
At 4:00pm Saturday April 23, Good Shepherd will host a performance by the a cappella octet NOTA (which stands for None of the Above). Pastoral Associate for Liturgy and Music Ellen Oak sings with this group. Their repertoire spans classical, jazz, pop, and folk genres.
All proceeds will benefit the Afghan Family Settlement Project (sponsored by six local communities of faith, of which Church of the Good Shepherd is one) to welcome an Afghan family in the area.
FREEWILL OFFERING: Suggested donation $20. All contributions of any size most welcome. All proceeds will go directly to the Afghan family project. Cash, check, or online through Good Shepherd website.
RECEPTION: All comers are invited to bring a light refreshment to share at the post-performance reception. Coffee, tea, and lemonade will be provided by Church of the Good Shepherd.
For more information about NOTA Click here.
Adult Forum in Lent: What is Truth? An Embodied Lenten Series
Adult Lenten Forum Coming February 6!
What is Truth? is a formation series created to accompany groups during the season of Lent (and beyond). This Lenten series offers an opportunity to deepen spiritually; engage in embodied practices that allow for deeper knowledge of self, God, and others; and build resilience in preparation for conversations about reparations within the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
A bit of background: In 2021, our Diocesan Convention passed a resolution,“ Charting the Long Road Towards Reparations,” which calls on the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts to commit 2022 as a year of study, gathering, sharing stories and discernment. This Lenten forum, developed by the Reparations Subcommittee of the Racial Justice Commission of our Diocese provides a spiritual grounding for conversations not just about reparations, but about racism and social justice.
We have reworked the curriculum of this course to have one hour sessions (instead of two) and to emphasize content that will build community and conversation around our context here at Good Shepherd. Each session includes prayer, Scripture or contemporary sources for reflection, embodied spiritual practices, questions to ponder, and resources to deepen the learning.
In light of our Vestry and Mission Outreach Committee’s commitment to exploring racial justice as a congregation, we invite you to join Rev. Ellie and Deacon Ken in this provocative Lenten forum.
Please join us at 11:30am beginning this Sunday- either in person, or on Zoom.
For more information, visit here. Classes will be held in the Parish Hall and on Zoom on the following Sundays:
March 6, 2022 11:30 am
Mar 13, 2022 11:30 am
Mar 20, 2022 11:30 am
Mar 27, 2022 11:30 am
Apr 3, 2022 11:30 am
Apr 10, 2022 11:30 am
Please contact Rev. Ellie if you have any questions.
Here is the link for the Zoom Meeting
Daily Lenten Meditations on Creation Care
Sign Up for Daily Lenten Creation Care Meditations
The Diocese of Western Massachusetts Creation Care Leadership Circle invites you to sign up to receive an inspirational daily meditation (including a short quote and an image) during the 40 days of Lent. Lent invites us to reflect on our relationships with God, each other and the Earth upon which all life depends. The quotes come from many sources, honoring the wisdom of many voices and traditions. The daily meditations offer the opportunity to contemplate the gift of the natural world and our calling to reconcile humanity with the rest of God’s creation. Sign up here.
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:
Creation Care - Electric Vehicles 101
Electric Vehicles 101
Wednesday January 26, 2022
7:00 pm-8:30 pm
It is that time to make new resolutions! Have you resolved to make your next car an electric vehicle? Start your research and planning with this wonderful overview presented by Drive Green. The Drive Green Team will cover updates on the increasing options in electric vehicles, the environmental benefits, consumer tips, basic information about batteries and charging, and the latest on state and federal incentives. This is a VIRTUAL EVENT. Register in advance for this meeting by clicking on the zoom address below. (It is not necessary to select the RSVP button to the side.)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudu6rrzIjHNcqKoH6OX22sERdwzM9lyps
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Thank you to our speakers from Drive Green, a program of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance, committed to consumer information about green energy, including home heating and cooling, solar, efficiency, and transportation. This event is sponsored by EnergizeActon, a community website to take action on the climate emergency, created by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton.
Printable information here.