I can hardly find the words to say how thankful I am to be a part of this wonderful, loving church.  Thank you all so much for your support, prayers, calls, notes and cards, and offers to help.  Your love and care have been truly humbling.  I am getting great medical care, and am on the mend.  I'm back at work starting today, and am most grateful to our parish leaders for allowing me to have a week off, including a Sunday.  Thanks especially to Eileen Marks, our parish administrator, for "holding down the fort" in my absence, and to our senior warden, Linda Hank, who did such a great job with communications, and to Barbara Luddy and Marie Field, who led Morning Prayer so ably last Sunday.  

The Christmas stuff has been out in all the stores since late October; Stop and Shop moved in the Christmas chocolates and wrapping paper just as soon as they cleared out the Halloween candy.  In most places, it's all Christmas, all the time, with carols in the background in restaurants and stores.  In our church, though, it isn't Christmas yet, it's Advent.  And Advent is about preparing our hearts and minds, looking at our lives and opening ourselves to God.

Judging from the commercials on television, the primary purpose of this season is shopping.  The so-called "black Friday" sales started in some stores at a minute after midnight on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and in many states, stores were open on Thanksgiving.  (Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island are the only three states that still require most stores to be closed on Thanksgiving.)  In one commercial, carolers sing "Shop, shop, shop, shop, shop" to the tune of "Deck the Halls," as women ignore the Thanksgiving dishes and grab their car keys.  In another, a woman (it seems always to be a woman) heavily laden with bags filled with designer clothes is given the title "the gifter."  In still another ad, this one for a store famous for underpaying its workers, a woman who scores a Disney character doll is told, "Mom, you own this holiday!" 

I'm not suggesting that we not engage in Christmas activities, or that we all adopt austerity.  I love the trappings of the season: lights and greenery and Christmas trees, parties and special music.  And I'm not saying that everyone should forego presents.  (I'll admit it: I like gifts as much as anyone.)  What I am urging is simplifying a bit, turning down the pressure on ourselves, and relinquishing some of the expectations that can cause us to feel stressed or even resentful.  

One of our parishioners told me not too long ago that in her large family, they draw names rather than give gifts to everyone, and that this year, she has asked that instead of store-bought presents, family members give each other the gift of time, doing an activity together or sharing a hobby or a lesson or a meal.  Another parishioner makes gifts rather than buying them.  My hope for all of us is that we can consider giving generously of our time and attention, being present to the people we love.  I also hope that each of us might consider doing something tangible for others, perhaps sponsoring a child from El Hogar, or donating items for the food pantry, or volunteering.  

Piles of presents and tons of decorations don't necessarily make the season more joyful.  The only perfect present is being present. 

Good Shepherd's annual Christmas Wreath Sale begins this Sunday, December 8 and continues each Sunday through December 15 or until all wreaths are sold.  They sold out early last year ... so don't wait!!

You can purchase beautiful 24-inch wreaths after each service on Sunday at just $10 a wreath ... this is a huge bargain with proceeds going to the church.  In addition to making your front door welcoming and festive, the wreaths can also be used as your family Advent wreath.

Please plan to purchase your Christmas wreaths at Church of the Good Shepherd and let your friends and family know too!  You may contact Andi Simpson at asimpson@federalrealty.com (617-990-7075) to reserve yours for pick up on the 8th or 14th, or simply purchase them after the 8am or 10am service.  Pick up at Andi's house may also be arranged.

Wreaths are $10 undecorated and this year we will also be offering wreaths with a bow at $15.

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!)

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

Elmer, not too sure about                       Yoseidy has a big smile after

 

Doug Cameron, 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, Ben and Judy Sands, Elsie Saunders, Bishop Thomas Shaw, Kevin Smith, Jake Torrisi, Ralph Ventola, Stephen Wagner, and Michael Webb.