Of course, one of the top things on everyone's mind this week is the health of Rev. Scottie.  I am glad to report that she did NOT have she stroke we all feared.  For that, we are thankful.

Medical tests are still being processed, but all indications are that she has a chronic inner ear condition with periodic flare-ups and symptoms mimicking a stroke.  Her prognosis is great, though with having a chronic but incurable condition, she will have to be vigilant with treatment including medications and diet restrictions.  For the medical teams including folks from Good Shepherd who helped Sunday, to Reading Paramedics, to Winchester and Mass General professionals, and the scientists who help to solve medical mysteries, we are thankful;

For all of the prayers for Scottie and for one another, whether from bended knee, or by phone, text, or email, we are thankful;

For our Good Shepherd Eucharistic leaders who carried on in a difficult situation and allowed a Morning Prayer so unexpectedly and desperately needed, we are thankful;

For the Sunday School teachers who spent  time with the children, prayed with them and sheltered  them from something that was hard for adults to process (all while trying to put together the Christmas Pageant), we are thankful;

For our musicians, who shared their talents and created a calming tone, we are thankful;

For our Parish Administrator, who has gone above and beyond, this week especially, we are thankful; and,

For our Diocesan Leadership, providing advice and prayer, we are thankful.

Most especially, for the love shared in Good Shepherd, we are thankful.  I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, and can only hope that each one of you has a day filled with the Good Shepherd Spirit, wherever you are on Thanksgiving Day.

Linda

• Choose a child to "adopt" from the photos on the bulletin boards in the hallway outside the office.  Each photo is numbered.
• Select the envelope with the corresponding number from the box on the table in the hallway.  The photo inside is yours to keep.
• Place a star with the word "adopted" on your child's photo on the bulletin board.
• Return the envelope with your donation to the office or the offering plate on Sunday by January 5th.  Checks should be made payable to Church of the Good Shepherd with "El Hogar" in the memo line.

Our class facilitator is The Rev. Lisa Fagerstrom, a United Methodist Pastor who is director of Christian Formation and Discipleship at Wesley Memorial Church in Worcester and Minister of Program and Administration at Harvard-Epworth Church in Cambridge.  She is also a certified Spiritual Director.  Rev. Lisa and Rev. Scottie are fellow alumnae of Vanderbilt.  (Lisa holds an engineering degree, ensuring that though she and Scottie overlapped in their time at Vanderbilt, their paths never crossed!)

From Elaine Grosso, Fair Chair:

The Church really put its best foot forward for the 100th anniversary, and we had a great fair on Nov 15/16.  Thank you all who worked so hard to make it a success and to those who attended, spent some money, and had fun for the benefit of the church.  People helped spruce up the yard ahead of time, we had the lights shining on the windows at night, and beautiful weather both days.

Approximately 35 people worked at the fair; and I am so grateful for their dedication.  It was a terrific team effort.  Our attendance was approximately 400, up a little from 380 last year.  Many of our customers find our fair is very affordable for them even though their means are small.

We got to show off our new walkway, buffed floor and new curtains, as well as our nice new tables.  We had 9 vendors, and through our advertising on Craigslist, turned away as many more.

We got excellent newspaper coverage, being on the front page of the Chronicle both before AND after the fair with color pictures and also with a picture in the Advocate.  We had new people and the Sunday School kids participating and some great suggestions for next year.  The raffle table not only contributed to the fair, but has held some items for the upcoming Service Auction in 2014.

Our current plan for 2014 is to have the fair on Nov 14/15.  I am looking for someone to help co-chair the fair with me next year, as my parents are aging.  Please contact me at ecgrosso@verizon.net

Fair Totals 2013

Sunday School                $  59.00

Books                                    126.41

Tony Lopes                         168.00

Jewelry                                 203.50

Vendors                               240.00

BargainBox                         547.25

Bakery                                  589.50

Raffle                                     640.00

Crafts                                    862.00

SubTotal                           3,435.66

Kristi  Toczlowski         3,500.00

Ben Sands                           370.00

Grand Total                     7,305.66

After Fair                             179.50
Total and counting     $7,485.16

And we thank you, Elaine, for your leadership and tireless dedication to Good Shepherd!

Christine Camper, Kevin Cellucci, Betty Fraser, Bernice Herrick,

Scott Johnnene, Thomas and Henrietta Kane, Debra Katt-Lloyd, Tony Lopes, Lynn McDonald, Rheta McKinley, Ken Nowakunski, Elsie Saunders, Bishop Thomas Shaw, Kevin Smith, Jake Torrisi, Ralph Ventola, Scottie Wagner, Stephen Wagner, and Michael Webb.

Please also remember Judy and Ben Sands as they go to Guatemala this week to take and distribute clothing, medicine and toys to some of the poorest children in that country.  Our prayers go with you for a good trip and safe travels.