The Rev. Ken Schmidt

2024-01-14 Gospel & Sermon, Rev. Ken Schmidt, Deacon

The Rev. Eleanor Applewhite Terry

2024-01-07 Gospel & Sermon, Rev Ellie Terry, Rector

The Rev. Eleanor Applewhite Terry

2023-12-31 Gospel & Reflections, Rev Ellie Terry, Rector

The Rev. Eleanor Applewhite Terry

2023-12-24 Gospel & Sermon, Rev Ellie Terry, Rector

Confirmation Class Starts in January

Good Shepherd and Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord are collaborating in the final preparation of confirmands for their confirmation on February 10, 2024 at Good Shepherd. The weekly classes will be split between the two churches. Please contact Rev, Ellie as soon as possible of you have not already signed up. Pizza will be provided at all meetings except the actual Confirmation. The full schedule appears below.

January 7 12-2pm at Good Shepherd - Chapters 1 and 2

January 21 12-2pm at Good Shepherd - Chapters 3 and 4 NOTE: No Class on January 14

January 28 12-2pm at Trinity in Concord - Chapters 5 and 6

February 4 12-2pm at Trinity in Concord - Chapters 7 and 8

Friday February 9 Time TBD Chapter 9 and Zoom with Bishop

Saturday February 10 10am at Good Shepherd Confirmation Liturgy

December 2023 Shepherd's Staff

A Word from the Fold

December 2023 edition of the Shepherd's Staff

“God created human beings, nothuman doings!” I’m not sure where this phrase first originated, but a priest friend of mine is fond of saying it. For me, it’s a great reminder of who I am as we head into the season of Advent.

I love Advent. — At least, I love what it is supposed to be like in an ideal world: a time of simplicity and quiet. A time of hopeful, peaceful waiting. A time of stillness and rest as we linger in the pregnant darkness anticipating the birth of the Savior who will bring peace and hope to our weary world.

Yet, the reality of my own life... as a priest, a mother of three teenagers, a spouse, a daughter of aging parents... means Advent is often far from simple and quiet. And the burdens of the world right now, the violence erupting in the Holy Land, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the floods in Somalia, unrest in our own country, the not-yet-over impact of COVID, the looming election in a bitterly divided country... none of this makes for an easy inner peace!

I know from my pastoral care for you that many in our parish are hurting. Some are facing the first holiday season after the death of a loved one. Others are making the transition to a new home. Some are facing layoffs and work transitions. There are frightening health diagnoses among us, and mental health challenges to address. And there is the pressure to Do All The Things to be ready for Christmas.

Advent is often seen as the counterbalance for a busy December. — A reminder to simply be, rather than do. A time to light candles and breathe deeply. To read a bit more of Scripture and say an extra prayer. To go on retreat, perhaps, or attend an Advent study group so that we can focus on God, and the coming of Christ, rather than on our own burdens. The irony, of course, is that observing a holy Advent often means adding more to our schedules rather than doing less.

We want to provide a corrective to that at Good Shepherd this year. So instead of a weekly Advent program after church, or a series of evening gatherings, or a retreat day to squeeze into a jam-packed month, we invite you to experience the fullness of Advent through our regular Sunday morning worship. Each of the four Sundays of Advent will offer a different way to engage with God’s Word and an opportunity to observe a holy and meditative Advent. We’ll have Eucharist, of course, but instead of a sermon, we’ll connect with God through healing prayer on 1 Advent, through visual images and meditation on 2 Advent, through breath and non-verbal prayer on 3 Advent, and through voice and music on 4 Advent. Our hope is that for these four Sundays, as we step aside from the secular pre-Christmas chaos and offer our burdens to God, we might make room in our hearts for the hope that Advent awakens.

Ellen, Ken, and I look forward to worshiping with you this Advent. Come, Lord Jesus!

+Rev. Ellie

Successful food drive for the Acton Food Pantry

Thank you for the tremendous support we received for the food drive for the Acton Food Pantry. It was a huge success! We have donated over 221 food items which were delivered to the Acton Food Pantry this week. We had so much food that we needed a truck!

It has been wonderful to participate in the food drive. Helping our community and involving our children in this important work has also been fulfilling and eye opening for them. Working as a team has made this volunteer work possible and the added bonus is getting to know other parishioners in our community. My sons were already asking when the next drive will be!

-Kristen

We so appreciate the opportunity to grow relationships and make a meaningful impact for our community! It was such a collaborative and flexible way as working moms to participate in such an important ministry - the support structure was amazing! My daughter, Angela said, ‘It’s good to know I am helping those in need.’

-Kim

This outpouring of generosity will undoubtedly help a great many of our neighbors in Acton and Boxborough. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and care during this season of giving.

The Rev. Ken Schmidt

2023-11-26 Gospel & Sermon, Rev. Ken Schmidt, Deacon

23-11-26 Stewardship message with Ed Moore

Stewardship message with Ed Moore

The Rev. Eleanor Applewhite Terry

2023-11-19 Gospel & Sermon, Rev Ellie Terry, Rector