ISSUE 1, JANUARY 3, 2012

Welcome to the first edition of Outreach News. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep parishioners informed about outreach ministries at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Feature stories and news on various ministries will be provided in each issue. News items are written by chairs of various ministries. We welcome your ideas about new ministries and your input about existing ministries.

The administrative structure of the Outreach Ministry has been reorganized. The central administrative unit is now the Outreach Council. Each outreach ministry is encouraged to place one member on the Council. We still have a few ministries without a representative. Membership is also open to any parishioner who would like to serve. Please contact Charley Davis at pol162@uky.edu if you are interested in being on the Council. Meetings will be held bimonthly on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30pm in the Undercroft.

In addition to Outreach Council meetings, Fellowship and Communications will meet bimonthly on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 in the Undercroft. These are more informal meetings open to the entire congregation as well as to those involved in various outreach ministries. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for fellowship and for communications about different outreach ministries and possible new ones at Good Shepherd. SO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 12 AT 6:30 IN THE UNDERCROFT FOR THE FIRST FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONS GATHERING! IT SHOULD BE FUN!  REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.  

   
Come Celebrate Mardi Gras at the Annual Good Shepherd Gala

The Gala this year with a Mardi Gras theme will be held on Friday, February 17th at the Hyatt Hotel in conjunction with the 2012 Diocesan Convention. It will be extra special as we enjoy the company of diocesan families and some amazing entertainment.This event always includes a wonderful catered meal, entertainment, silent and live auction items. Invitations will go out after Christmas!

 
Each year the outreach committee chooses three recipients to receive 100% of the funds raised by the Gala. This year's recipients are God's Pantry Backpack Program, The Diocese of Haiti's Rebuild the Church, and Refuge, Inc.

We really need your help!  We need items for the silent and live auction! Please consider that item you got for Christmas that you don't really need, an antique that you don't use or a special talent you have that someone else might really like! We are still looking for a hot air balloon ride, a cabin or lake house for a weekend, donations of individual bourbon bottles, and live-auction financial sponsors!

To learn more about this year's recipients, to donate an item, or to buy your tickets, please go to Good Shepherd's website (www.goodshepherdlex.org) and click on the Gala's homepage!!! Contact Anne Helmers (Helmers@QX.net) if you can help out or have any questions.

Ministry Notes

Church under the Bridge went very well this past summer.  Good Shepherd participates in this interdenominational ministry that provides a worship service and a meal for the homeless each Sunday during the spring and summer months. The youth and adults alike had a great time participating in this ministry this past year.  This is a ministry that brings "doing for others" to our fingertips and is one of our most gratifying ministries at Good Shepherd.  We will start again on April 15.  For more information about the ministry and volunteer opportunities, contact Pam Noyes (pnoyes@roadrunner.com). 

United Thank Offering (UTO): Thank you to all who set aside small thank offerings in appreciation for their Dailey blessings.  The fall ingathering totaled $124.32.  The total ingathering for 2011 was $449.96. Our donations are being combined with the donations of other parishes to help fund projects for those in serious need. For more information, contact Vicky Shore (Victoria.shore@insightbb.com). 

 
Room in the Inn: Church of  the Good Shepherd has begun their 5th season hosting an overnight shelter for 14-16 homeless men in Lexington. We share the responsibility with other Christian churches by providing three meals, dinner, breakfast, and a sack lunch, two Tuesdays a month. Rather than begin in November as usual we were asked to start in December and continue through March. The successful teams of cooking, making beds, hosting the tables at dinner, watching the door all night, and washing laundry has made both sessions go very smoothly. A Christmas bag filled with a pair of new socks, a free sandwich at Jimmy John's, and candy was placed on each bed Tuesday evening, December 27. For more information, contact Ann Peschke (abp43@me.com). 

 Schedule of Events

Cross Quilt Ministry  Every Tuesday, 9:00 am   Ann Miller residence
Daughters of the King  Every second Sunday,  4:00 pm Library  
Room in the Inn  See above.
Outreach Fellowship  January 12, 6:30 pm   Undercroft
Outreach Council   February 9, 6:30 pm   Undercroft
Mardi Gras   February 17, 6:00 pm   Hyatt Regency Hotel