ISSUE 2, March 1, 2012 

Welcome to the second edition of Outreach News. Since the first newsletter, the Mardi Gras Gala was held at the Hyatt Hotel on February 17. Special thanks are extended to the Gala Committee (Anne Helmers, Cynthia Mathews, Jennifer Wilson, Susan Stark, Erin Young, Brenda Goodpaster, Elizabeth Leppman, and Jeff Howe) and other volunteers for all their hard work in helping Good Shepherd to continue to fund worthy causes and for the great time we all had. The committee wishes to thank the Sour Mashers Jug Band, Mark Cromley, the magician, Lee Hall, the auctioneer, and the Rev. Ron Pogue for their contributions.

Mark your calendar for the next meeting of the Fellowship and Communications meeting on March 8 at 6:30pm in the Undercroft. We encourage all parishioners to attend to learn more about outreach ministries at Good Shepherd and to explore opportunities for involvement. We also need your input about how we can better serve "the least of these" and use our financial resources for that purpose. This meeting will highlight BE THE CHURCH, an event that will be held on April 29. The atmosphere is very informal and relaxed and is designed as much for fellowship as communication. Refreshments are served. 

An Exciting Opportunity for Service to Others: Be the Church on April 29th

As part of our Baptismal Covenant, we pledge and promise that through our faith, we will seek and serve Christ in all persons and love our neighbor as ourselves. What better way to put this promise into action than through Good Shepherd's annual Be the Church? Be the Church is a day for us as a parish to come together as a church family, remembering the blessings that God has bestowed upon us and to take God's love and blessings and share them with others through service. Together we will partner and work with a variety of community non-profits and organizations and work hand-in-hand to improve the lives of those around us. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

The best part about Be the Church is that it is a day for EVERYONE at Good Shepherd- young and old, new and lifelong members. It does not matter your age or your skill level; everyone has the ability to love and give back to others. 

 
This year, Be the Church is on Sunday, April 29.  We can't wait for the parish to come together to serve the needs of others! Please plan on joining us after the 11:15 service for lunch. After filling our bellies, we will journey throughout Lexington to share God's love with others in a variety of ways. Remember there is a place for everyone to be involved! Be on the lookout over these next couple of months for more details about this important and wonderful Good Shepherd tradition. As Mother Teresa said, "Seek not to do great things; seek to do small things with great love." 

Come to the Fellowship and Communications meeting on March 8 and learn more about this exciting opportunity for service to others!

Lauren Goodpaster, Coordinator

Church Under the Bridge: Another Great Opportunity for Service to Others 

 
If you're new to Good Shepherd and would like to get involved with an interesting ministry, you might consider Church Under the Bridge. This inter-denominational ministry serves meals and a worship service to the homeless and minimally housed in Lexington every Sunday of the year. Good Shepherd serves during the warmer months, April through October, at the Episcopal Mission House on 4th Street at Martin Luther King Blvd. Our time at the Mission House is only about two hours, but there are many tasks to be performed and everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy a very rewarding afternoon with some of our less fortunate citizens. Of course, if you'd like to help cook for this event, you can always find us gathered in the church kitchen on the Thursday before we serve. Dicers, slicers, and stirrers are always welcome. Church Under the Bridge is not only a rewarding ministry, it's fun!

The 2012 season of Church Under the Bridge begins on April 15. With your generous donations of time, food and money, Good Shepherd has been able to sustain this ministry for several years and 2012 is going to be a another great year. Good Shepherd is also on the calendar to serve on July 15, and September 30. Please mark your calendars and plan to participate with us serving our homeless and minimally housed neighbors here in Lexington. Contact Pam Noyes for more information about volunteer opportunities. 

Pam Noyes, Chair

Cross Quilt Ministry: Thirty Years and Nearly 3,000 Quilts Later

The idea of a quilt ministry came to Ann Miller in the spring of 1982 during an adult class at Good Shepherd in which problems of the homeless in Lexington were being discussed.  She started the ministry with three other women to provide quilts for the homeless who were then being served by the Community Kitchen, an agency that later evolved into the Hope Center. Thirty years later, this ministry continues to be one of Good Shepherd's most vibrant and successful outreach ministries.

By the end of this year, over 3,000 quilts will have been stitched and distributed since the beginning in 1982. Providing for the homeless has remained a priority with 581 quilts having been distributed to the homeless at the Hope Center and Community Kitchen. Agencies that deal with problems of alcohol and drug addiction are another priority with 473 quilts having been distributed to clients at Shepherds House and 363 to clients at Chrysalis House. Nearly 400 quilts have been distributed to health care-related agencies and institutions, including Hospice, the Veterans Hospital, UK Children's Hospital, St. Agnes House, and Comprehensive Care. In recent years, 74 babies baptized at Good Shepherd have received a quilt. These are only a few of the many quilts that have been given away.

There are now seventeen members of the ministry. Usually around seven to ten women meet most Tuesday mornings between September and May at the Miller home to work on quilts. It is not all work as they enjoy great fellowship and a tea at noon.

If you are interested in joining or learning more, give Ann Miller a call at 859-266-6812. Ann is usually also available at the Fellowship and Communications meetings to discuss the ministry. 

Ministry Notes

The Allocations Committee is in need of two additional members. The committee meets four to five times a year and allocates money to outreach projects and organizations and to requests from various service agencies and charities. We try to meet after bimonthly outreach council meetings, but if more time is needed, we will hold additional meetings. If you are interested in serving or have any questions, please contact Jennifer Wilson at 859-523-5516.

Room in the Inn:  There is a need for new or almost new twin bed sheets, both fitted and flat, for our program that provides shelter and meals for the homeless during the winter months.  Bring them to the church office or call Anne Peschke, 859-268-1618, for pick-up. 

Schedule of Events

Fellowship and Communications   March 8, Church of the Good Shepherd
Room in the Inn                           March 13 and 27, Church of the Good Shepherd
Outreach Council Meeting            April 12, Church of the Good Shepherd
Church under the Bridge               April 15, Episcopal Mission House
Be the Church:                            April 29, Church of the Good Shepherd and Assorted Sites