News from the International Institute of New England (IINE)

As of this date, the International Institute of New England (IINE) has not had to lay off anyone in spite of the loss of all federal funding that supports refugee resettlement. The Institute has enough funds from private and state sources to continue their programming for now. They have many new immigrants who arrived before the January termination of all entrees and need the services necessary to transition to living in the U.S. IINE also manages a state funded shelter in Lowell and some employees have pivoted to provide additional services and support to those residents, including English classes, cultural orientation, employment, legal services and stable housing. 

The staff at IINE is stressed and tired. Many of them are immigrants themselves and are juggling issues in their own extended families such as the pause in expected resettlement of family members and the loss of USAid programs in their home countries. They are also worried about their jobs.

The clients at IINE are amazingly resilient and show up for English classes ready to work hard, to help each other, and to talk and laugh together. One student who arrived in December from Afghanistan, is a father of seven children. He is here with his wife and six of his children, but there was a snag with the passport for his infant daughter, so she has been left behind to be cared for by grandparents. There is no way to know when they will be reunited. But he is grateful to be here and diligently engaged in learning English.

Last week four students in the Level 1 English class received Dunkin Donuts gift cards, donated by Good Shepherd, for perfect attendance at February classes. Remember those very cold mornings!! They showed up three mornings a week at 9:00! In the fall we provided 40 gift cards to DD and Market Basket that have been distributed to students in the in-person classes. We recently purchased 20 more. As you can see in this photo, they are proud to receive acknowledgment for their consistent attendance.

Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector

2025 03 16 Sermon, Rev Eleanor Terry, Rector

Photos from the pancake supper

About 40 or so people attended the Pancake Supper at Church of the Good Shepherd on Shrove Tuesday. While festive Mardi Gras music played, everyone enjoyed pancakes with all the fixings; bacon and sausages; fruits and juice, coffee and tea. Children (of all ages) created colorful masks and a good time was had by all. Thank you to EVERYONE who helped setup and cleanup, and to the cooks in the kitchen!

Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector

2025 -03-09 Sermon, Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector

Rev. Eleanor Terry, Rector

Gospel and sermon for the Last Sunday of Epiphany, March 2, 2025.

Become a "Lenten Friend"

This Lent send and receive prayers and secret greetings:

• Put your name and mailing address in the LENTEN FRIEND jar in the parish hall before Ash Wednesday.

• Draw a Lenten Friend name Ash Wednesday or Sunday, March 9.

• Keep your Lenten friend in your prayers and mail an occasional note or card.

• Give your Lenten friend in person a little present on or near Easter Day. (ex Easter chocolate egg, small plant, something baked…)

• Know that the person who drew your name will be doing the same for you.

If you can’t be in church and want to participate, let Carolyn Platt know (cwplatt3@gmail.com) and she will put your name and snail mail in the jar…and also pick a name for you.

Rev. Ken Schmidt, Deacon

The gospel and sermon for February 23, 2025, the Rev. Ken Schmidt, Deacon Emeritus

Episcopal Church joins religious freedom lawsuit challenging ICE enforcement actions in churches

On February 11 the Episcopal Church joined dozens of multifaith plaintiffs challenging the recent removal of churches, schools and hospitals from protected status for immigration enforcement.

Referring to this lawsuit, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe said that "in God's kingdom, immigrants and refugees are not at the edges, fearful and alone, but are the very center of God's story."

"We believe their struggles reveal the heart of God, and we cannot worship freely if some among us live in fear, " he said. "We are seeking the ability to fully gather and follow Jesus' command to love our neighbors as ourselves."

Read more on the Episcopal Church website.

Theatre with a Twist tickets go on sale February 8!

Since the new year, dozens of children with Theatre with a Twist have been busy rehearsing in our parish hall, acting, singing, and dancing their way through scenes from Alice in Wonderland and Anastasia. This Saturday, February 8 tickets for their final performances go on sale!

If you’d like to support these wonderful young thespians (including some you may recognize from church!), you may purchase tickets online starting this Saturday. Online ticket sales close on Wednesday, March 5.

Thank you from Esperanza Academy

In December we ran a drive to support Esperanza Academy, a free-tuition middle school for girls in Lawrence. We collected $880 in donations which has been sent to the school to be used to purchase items on their wish list.

Esperanza Academy was thrilled to receive this gift and sent the following thank you letter to the parish community.

Dear Rev. Eleanor, and Ellen, and Esteemed Parishioners,

On behalf of our students, faculty, and alumni, thank you for your generosity. Your gift of $880 will help purchase school supplies from our Amazon Wishlist through The Esperanza Fund. We are so grateful for Barbara's leadership and support through this year's drive! Because of your partnership, we can continue advancing our mission to provide an urban education built on justice and centered in joy. Your gift helps Esperanza students learn and grow in a space where they can redefine what is expected of them and take on challenges that will positively impact the trajectory of their lives.

Your contribution helps prove that a tuition-free, independent middle school can succeed in moving Lawrence girls out of the generational poverty cycle and into fulfilling futures through education. In addition, your support ensures our girls' success beyond the walls of Esperanza. Our 12-year commitment includes the Graduate Support program providing mentoring and targeted academic, social-emotional, financial, and career support. Since Esperanza's founding in 2006, we have graduated 224 students. We are proud to share that along with 100% of our alumni completing high school in four years, over 75% of our graduates are pursuing higher education at schools across the country.

Your impact is felt at each step of the wrap-around Esperanza experience. As a supporter, you join a community of family members, faculty, volunteers, secondary schools, and colleges committed to helping our students soar. Once again, I deeply appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for our girls by choosing to give to Esperanza Academy. I send you my very best wishes from Lawrence and look forward to having an opportunity to connect with you so that I may express my gratitude personally.

With gratitude,

Pati Fernández

Chief Development Officer
Esperanza Academy