	Service Schedule for Sunday March 23, 2014
8AM - Holy Eucharist, Rite I 10AM - Holy Eucharist, Rite II child care available ****** Office Hours Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and Friday 8 AM - Noon** closed Thursday ****** Meetings and Events Lenten Potluck Supper Thurs, April 3, 6:00pm --- Vestry Meeting Tues, April 8, 7:00pm --- Parish Service Auction Sat, April 26 - New Date! ***** For events and meetings and church office schedule for the months ahead, see the calendar listed under"What's Happening" on our website! Click here to go directly to the church calendar

Outreach

Bargain Box Thrift Shop

Hours of Operation:

Friday: 10am - 3pm

Saturday: 10am - 1pm

Items may be dropped off during regular hours of operation or Wednesdays,

9am - 11:45am.

**please note: if you have items to donate, but cannot bring them during the hours listed here, please contact Martha Wishart to make other arrangements:

jacksnana1@verizon.net

DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS AT THE CHURCH

and

PLEASE -- NO TVs,
COMPUTERS OR OTHER LARGE ITEMS

*****

Bread of Life

Feeding Ministry

Next Date: Friday, April 4

First Baptist Church

493 Main Street, Malden

Volunteers needed:

4pm for food prep

5pm for food service

5:30 - 7pm for clean-up

Bakers also needed

Contact Tony Lopes for details:

978 710 6927

click here for more information

*****

Reading Food Pantry

Items needed for March:

canned fish items

(tuna, sardines, salmon,

clams, white clam sauce)

ketchup

mayo

relish

Sunday

Service

Participants

Acolytes

Mar 23: Jessica Strack

Mar 30: John Fitzgerald

Ushers

Mar 23: John Parsons and Tony Silva

Mar 30: Joe and Patti Landry

Coffee Hour

Mar 23:

Hosts: Jane Farrar and Barbara Brigante

Bakers: Norah Daly

Mar 30:

Hosts: Paul and Merri DuRoss

Bakers: Eleanor Dustin

We need volunteers for April and May coffee hours -- please click here to volunteer to host or bake!

Sunday School

March 23 - Our younger children will continue with the Godly Play lesson series "The Faces of Easter." Our older children will have the lesson "Alleluia! Christ Has Risen!" from Weaving God's Promises.

March 30 - Our younger children will continue with the Godly Play lesson series "The Faces of Easter." Our older children will have the lesson "Jesus Ascends into Heaven" from Weaving God's Promises.

	From the Book of Remembrance
Carolyn Poor Donald David, Sr. Charles Pinkney Florence Munn Virginia Luther Elaine Hutchings

Coffee Hour Photos!

Good News

From the Church of the Good Shepherd

a welcoming and inclusive parish dedicated to growing in faith, spirit and community

March 23, 2014

From the Senior Warden: Walkabouts

As you all know, we are in the process of electing a new bishop who will be our leader, not replacing Bishop Tom, but beginning a new ministry as Tom retires. For the last several weeks, we have been praying for each of the candidates, reading their essays on http://mabishopsearch.org/candidates_for_bishop, and, most recently, sharing time with them at the Walkabouts. I am so pleased that many of you have prayerfully considered the traits and qualifications you would like to see in the next bishop and shared your thoughts. I am even more excited that Good Shepherd has been so well represented at the Walkabouts. As you know, we will be having a Potluck dinner on April 3 to share our thoughts and impressions of the candidates and the election process.

The format of these Walkabout sessions has been interesting. Attendees are divided into seven groups, and each of the candidates rotates and speaks to each group. Prior the start of the session, each group submits questions to be asked of each of the candidates. As the candidates move to the next group, that group's list of questions is asked. Having spoken to seven groups by the end of the session, all candidates have been asked the same questions, and, in effect, had seven different job interviews. However, each group of attendees has only heard their own questions answered. The other groups most certainly have asked different questions. Videos of some of these sessions can be viewed at http://mabishopsearch.org/march_update3.

Now, I must admit that when I heard the sessions could last 3-4 hours, I was wondering what I had gotten myself into, but I will share that this has been an enjoyable experience. Karen Ward and I enjoyed it so much we decided to go to a second session, and I know many others throughout the diocese are doing the same. As Karen said, "The process encouraged participation; anyone interested could attend and submit questions. It seemed to be in the Episcopalian spirit of inclusion." Sheila Batchelder is already comparing notes, thoughts and ideas with folks she knows around the diocese -- important because as she and her friends were in different sessions, they heard answers to different questions. Rev. Roger was also pleased that he went, and as a long-time clergyperson was able to see things from another perspective, and, I will share, see old friends!

I can only speak for myself, but I have learned how important the diocese is to each parish and how their willingness to help churches, in both good times and bad, is so needed. We have relied on the diocese in the last few months, not only during Scottie's leave of absence, but also in celebrating our Centennial, our Capital Campaign and even in blessing our roof and boiler. The diocese and its leadership does affect each of us, and I pray that this election process and the newly elected bishop, whomever it may be, will bring great things, not only to the Diocese of Massachusetts, but also all the way to Reading.

Linda Hank

Lenten Potluck Supper -- You Are Invited!

April 3, 2014

6:00 to 8:00

Casual dress

Forty days of reflection, spiritual growth, meditation. No Alleluia's. I think of Jesus and his time fasting and in prayer to the Holy Father. This halfway point supper will bring us all together -- parish family style.

Although in the past, I understand that we had potlucks every other week during this Lenten season, this year will be a little different as there will be just one. It should be a time for fellowship and prayer in our parish family. We can table talk about the bishop candidates, as some of us will have gone to one of the Walkabouts. Maybe read some scripture, maybe talk about what Lent means to us.

An RSVP would be helpful so we will know how many chairs to set up. My thought is no extra chairs, so we all need to sit together and not spread out. I am not a great mingler myself, so structure would be perfect.

The five categories, for those who donate, are: casseroles, salads, sides, desserts, and drinks. There is a signup sheet online (click here) and on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary, so you can write your name and what you may like to contribute. Me, I'll probably make lasagna, with meatballs and sausage! If you can't bring anything, come anyway. Set up and clean up crew would also be appreciated.

Blessings,

Sheila Batchelder

sheilab411@comcast.net

After work phone is (781) 587-1923

Bishop Shaw's Retirement

As you know, Bishop Tom Shaw is retiring in September. There are several events happening this spring to celebrate his ministry. The kick-off event is Episcopal City Mission's Lobby Day on Wednesday, April 9th. The day begins at 9:30am at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St. in Boston and will include a rally at the State House at 12:30pm. For more information please visit www.episcopalcitymission.org.

Other events include Gratitude Sunday on April 27, and a Eucharistic Celebration and Family Picnic on June 21. For more information, please visit http://mabishopsearch.org/Service_and_Celebration.

El Hogar World Premiere Screening and Fundraiser

March 22, 7:00pm

Grand Circle Gallery
347 Congress Street, Boston

You are invited to the premiere of a new documentary short film

about El Hogar, a home and school in Honduras that has been changing children's lives for 35 years. Learn more about the transformative powers of love and hope!

Tickets are $50 per person. The evening includes:

Q&A with the film's director (just like at Sundance!)
A short live auction
Live music
Cash bar and light dinner
Casual dress

There will be attendees from churches and others who support El Hogar from throughout the Greater Boston area. Auction items include a trip to Park City, Utah for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival; a round of golf at the Winchester Country Club, Red Sox tickets and more.

If you are thinking of participating in Church of the Good Shepherd's service team trip to El Hogar in October, this is a great way to learn more about the program. Click here to purchase tickets, or call 781-729-7600 or visit www.elhogar.org for more information.

Easter Flower Memorials and Thanksgivings

The deadline for submitting a memorial or thanksgiving request is Sunday, April 13th.

Donations are now being accepted for Easter memorials and thanksgivings. Yellow slips are on both exit tables in the sanctuary and on the table outside the church office. Please complete one and submit it with your donation. You may leave it in the offering plate on Sunday or in the basket on the counter in the church office. You may also mail your donation to the church; please include the names of the people to remember or blessings you wish to acknowledge as well as your name and phone number or email.

Annual Parish Service Auction

Change of Date -- Now April 26th!

Please mark your calendars for the evening of April 26th for our annual Parish Service Auction. This year will feature a Cinco de Mayo theme, so start thinking about your festive attire now! If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Merri DuRoss at mduross6@comcast.net.

For your prayers....

O God of compassion, at whose table all are welcome: draw near to homebound, hospitalized, or sick members of our parish family during the coming week, and to those who minister to them. May all our members always feel included at our table, strengthened in our friendship, renewed by bread and wine for their life's journey and always filled with your loving presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The following members of our parish community have asked for our prayers. Please remember them this week when you pray, and let us know if there is anyone whose name you would like to add.

Christine Camper, Kevin Cellucci, Gerry Chagnon, Betty Fraser, Bernice Herrick, Linda Johnnene, Scott Johnnene, Thomas and Henrietta Kane, Debra Katt-Lloyd, Tony Lopes, Lynn McDonald, Rheta McKinley, Bishop Thomas Shaw, Kevin Smith, Hector Torres, Jake Torrisi, Scottie Wagner, Stephen Wagner, Michael Webb and Nickie Zitoli.

We also ask your prayers for the ministry of Bill Webb, who is serving this weekend on the evangelism ecumenical ACTS team at the Espousal Center in Waltham.

Contact Information

Church office: cgsreading@gmail.com or 781-944-1572

The rector: rectorgoodshepherd@gmail.com

Visit our website: www.goodshepherdreading.org

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