Louise Forest giving Ashes to Go in Watertown Square on Ash Wednesday.  
 
 

 

Steve & Mark Steadman moving the final shipment of sanctuary chairs into the church Wednesday evening.


 

 

Ash Wednesday: One Minister's Experience

Some feel that the best service of the church year is Ash Wednesday, perhaps because it is such a strong ritual for each person who receives the imposition of ashes on his or her forehead.

 

Three of us ministers took to the streets of Watertown this past Ash Wednesday. I was near the #71 Bus stop at the Delta accompanied by a sandwich board with "Ashes to Go" in big, blue round letters.

 

Between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. a diverse group of people looked at me with glances saying different things: "What is this?" "Should I go over?" "I remember when...."

 

One man came over; I'm not sure if he was a St. Francis sort of fellow that could have been a mystic and prophet or a homeless man. His light blue eyes were like a still sea in the early morning. He was proud that he had recruited many people over the year to attend church through persistent and kind invitations.

 

What an exchange between priest and stranger! We were both thankful for the other. He went back to waiting for the 71 and I moved my station to the Main Street drag way.

 

For 10 minutes it was the sign becoming the symbol of God's presence in the city square. To see the stress of the commuters -- prayers came easily for the stressed out. Then compassion overtook me seeing from God's perspective all these precious people multi-tasking: So lonely, so precious, so anxious, so loved by God.

-- The Rev. Louise Forrest 

 

Alcohol Policy  

 

After a long period of research and discussion, CGS's alcohol use policy has been completed and approved by the vestry. The goal of this policy is to have common sense rules around alcohol use at the church by both renters and parishioners that protects the children, parishioners, and financial viability of CGS.  We contacted many colleagues in other churches and dioceses about their policy,  checked in with our insurance provider, and consulted the safe church educational team. Some folks at other churches "had always meant to put one together" and were very interested in what we've come up with - we'll be sending this document to them to help them along.

 

Just a quick note of definition - a "TIPs certified server" is a bartender who has taken and passed a course with "Training for Intervention ProcedureS ... 'the global leader in education and training for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol.'."     

 

Many private catering companies and bar tending services today offer TIP certified servers with private liability polices in response to their client's concerns over liability and the health and well being of those being served.

 

You can find the complete policy on the CGS website-- click here.  

-- Rob Flynn, Co-Warden  




  sheepfold

Children's Formation

Each Sunday from 10:00 until 10:40, I and another adult meet with the children and learn about the Bible and what it tells us about being alive.  For Holy Week, we will be performing the Passion of the Christ according to St. Mark.  Everyone is welcome to help put on or play a role in the important story!

This Sunday, every family will get a CD containing some of the music we will sing in church during Holy Week. Children can learn the songs at home, and then be more prepared to engage in the service when it happens.

-- Anna Petrie

shaw dinner
A Special Dinner

Our Confirmation Class had dinner with Bishop Shaw at Molana Restaurant in Watertown Square this week. It was a great opportunity to get to know the Bishop as a brother in Christ and share questions and hopes, before showing up for Confirmation on May 4th.

We hope that many members of the parish will come to the Cathedral on May 4th for the 10:30 am service, to pray and celebrate with all the confirmands!


 

Ministry Links

 
 
Did you know...?
Every week, Anna and Pastor Amy add new content to the CGS parents' blog? Anna keeps us up to date on what is happening in children's formation, and Amy has been offering reflections on a book for teachers and parents called
Informed by Faith, by the Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones of Trinity Wall Street. Both offer other things on occassion, such as tips on celebrating Advent at home. It's not just for parents, so check it out!
 
Contact Information

Amy McCreath
Priest-in-Charge
(617) 967-7780 
 
Linda Lyster
Organist/Choirmaster
(617) 734-3072
 

 

Rejoice!
News from Church of the Good Shepherd,
Watertown, MA

Lent Edition 2013

 


For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. -- Romans 3:5   

 

When I was a child, I loved coming downstairs on Easter morning to find an Easter basket. It contained the "typical" things -- plastic grass, plastic eggs filled with jelly beans, some chocolate bunnies, and a Peep or two. The Easter bunny generally added something special just for me: a small toy or a book or what-have-you. Amazing that (s)he knew just what I wanted!

 

Now well into adulthood, I still love the gifts of Easter. But my "basket" is filled with different gifts now: the drama of the lighting of the New Fire, the playfulness of the baptismal water being splashed around, the sound of my brothers and sisters in Christ belting out "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" at the top of their lungs, and above all, the amazing news that Love Wins. In Christ's Resurrection, we see that life conquers death. We hear that forgiveness and grace trump bitterness and brokenness. God will not abandon us to our sin, our sorrow, or our graves. Love wins.

 

I know that life is really challenging right now for lots of people in lots of different ways. I know you're busy. I know you are preoccupied. I know the world is messy. For all of these reasons and more, let yourself receive the gift of Easter. Take out your calendar (iPhone, laptop, whatever) right now. Really: right now. Find March 28 (Maundy Thursday). Now, mark in your calendar "With God" on that day, as well as March 29 (Good Friday) and March 30 (Easter Vigil) from 6 pm to 9 pm. Block it off now. That's the Triduum (Three Great Days). It's all one worship service -- one story -- one gift. It's the greatest gift available. It's God's gift to you. No plastic grass. Infinite grace. See you there.


Faithfully,
The Rev. Amy McCreath
Priest-in-Charge


Ashes to Go - All Day Long! - A 2nd Reflection

 

CGS has been called a "laboratory for mission."  Also, our missio:Engage team seeks to create new connections with our neighbors,  increase our visibility in Watertown.  Ash Wednesday was a wonderful, down-to-earth way to live into these goals.  As a Hospice Chaplain, I invited Rev. Amy to join me at a healthcare center, where we offered the Imposition of Ashes to floor after floor of residents, many of whom were visibly moved by our touch and our prayers.  Some burst into tears in gratitude.

 

In turn, Rev. Amy invited me to join her outside on the street.  We hauled a sandwich board announcing "Ashes to Go" to the bus stop in Watertown Square.  (Cutting through the CVS with our bulky sign was an amusing adventure!)  We stood quietly in the cold, careful not to solicit, and were approached by curious and thankful seekers.  Some said:  "I didn't have time to go to church today - thank you for bringing church to me!"  Ashes to go.

 

When feet and fingers were not-quite frozen, we headed finally to Good Shepherd.  Back home, we again offered ashes to beloved faces - familiar ones this time - as we all shared in the ancient liturgy and prayer.  It was a full day of ministry, and I am still filled with its surprising abundance.  We can BE Church anywhere, and people are so hungry for what we - in God's name - have to offer.  What shall we do next?  How else might we share the Gospel - out in the world, on the road - with Jesus?

-- Andrea Wyatt      


A Reflection on Aaron Schwarz
 
It was announced by CNET on March 14 that "Aaron Swartz, the Internet activist who committed suicide earlier this year while under federal prosecution, will be posthumously honored for crusading for open access rights to documents on the Internet. The activist, who hanged himself in January while facing 13 felony charges of document theft, will receive the 2013 James Madison Award on Friday, Rep. Zoe Lofgren announced today. Administered by the American Library Association, the award recognizes 'individuals who have championed, protected and promoted public access to government information and the public's right to know national information.'" Unfortunately, this public outpouring of support came too late to save his life.
 
I attended a memorial service for him at MIT on March 12. It was clear to me at this service that Aaron was a brilliant, young Jewish man filled with love and generosity with a deep conviction of justice, who in fighting "the system" brought himself punishment (and ultimately destruction) that was way beyond his transgressions, so as to "serve as an example." This very much reminded me of another young Jewish man who was similarly despised and ultimately crucified for his "transgressions" over 2000 years ago. 
 
Where were we when he needed our help?
 
-- Steve Steadman

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Our Property   


Thanks to the generosity of the Rosamond Rosenmeier Memorial Fund we were able to purchase an additional 30 upholstered wooden chairs, which arrived on Wednesday, March 13. This now brings the total to 80, the number specified by the architect's plans for the recent renovation. We are pleased that they are here just in time for Holy Week!
 
Over the past few months we have had some incidents where intruders to the building have gained access, not by forced entry, but by taking advantage of the building being open for the many community groups that use our building.  Once inside, they have either jimmied locks so as to return at a later time or gained access to other parts of the building causing mischief and damage. The vestry has reluctantly decided that installation of a security system is the best way to guard us from further such events and possibly more serious incidents. We will be installing a FrontPoint system; FrontPoint is a division of General Electric. More details regarding this system as well as other security measures will be sent to the parish.
 
We have been extremely pleased with the snow clearance efforts of our new contractor Kosko Landscaping, Cambridge. Fortunately, we were able to replace the leaking roof over the hall from the parish house to the sanctuary just before the winter set in; this was especially important with all the snow this year! Thanks for your continuing support to maintain our buildings!

 

                           ~ Steve Steadman, Property Manager 


Holy Week 2013

 

Holy Week is the heart of our story as Christians, the heart of our life as a community, and the heart of the Christian year. Join us for this great journey!

 

Palm Sunday -- March 24th

* Jerusalem Marketplace at 9 am: Festive light breakfast, learning about Palestinian Christians today, Middle Eastern music, and bring-and-buy fundraiser for Living Stones.

* Palm Procession and Passion Sunday Worship at 10 am. Nursery open.

 

Maundy Thursday -- March 28th -- 6:30 pm

Agape Meal (light supper of Biblical foods with storytelling), Footwashing (in remembrance of our Lord's washing of his disciples' feet), and Stripping of the Altar.

 

Night Watch -- 9:00 pm Thursday -- 7:00 am Friday

Sign up to spend an hour "keeping watch" through the night as the disciples were called to do by our Lord. You can pray, read, sing, journal, or chat with your fellow watchers. Email Brad Parsons to sign up: [email protected]

 

Good Friday -- March 9th

* 10 am "What Makes this Day Holy?" A gathering for children ages 4-8 years old.

A 45 minute sharing of the story of Good Friday in a way children can receive it, with a craft, singing and a light snack.

* 7 pm -- Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday

 

Easter Vigil -- Saturday, March 30th, 7 pm

"This is the night" --An ancient and beautiful service recounting salvation history, announcing the Resurrection (bring a bell!) and breaking into great festivity!

 

Easter Day -- Sunday, March 31st, 10 am

A beautiful Eucharist celebrating the Resurrection, followed by an Easter egg hunt for the wee ones. Nursery open during worship.