The Church of the Good Shepherd
eShepherd's Staff
New & Noteworthy 
   October 25, 2013     
Bell Tower
Rector's Reflections

 Two clergy went to lunch. One asked the other, "How do you count the collection?"  "That's easy," came the response, "I just throw it up in the air and whatever God wants, he keeps-what comes down is mine."  They had a good laugh over that very old joke. Meanwhile, God came up to the table disguised as the waiter...and kept right on serving them without any strings attached. Open our eyes, O Lord, to behold your gifts that we might pledge ourselves to be a gift for others.  Blessings, Larry 


Rector Away but Available through Nov. 1

The Rector always invites parishioners who need him to get in touch and this includes when he is out of town for any reason.  As usual, he checks his voice-mail and e-mail messages several times a day and checks into the office in the morning and late afternoon.  For emergencies, please contact his home at (703) 425-8315 after hours and Melissa will have him return your call as soon as possible.

 

The Rector has requested the Revs. Phil Johnston and Pete Gustin to take referrals from the Rector or Senior Warden if the Rector cannot respond in person.

 

October 15 Vestry Meeting Notes

 Joanne Stevens (Director) and Melissa Talbot (Board Chair) gave the

annual report (in its 43rd year).  Enrollment near capacity.

 

The Following Motions passed

The Schedule for Nomination and Election of Vestry 2014.

Changing the name of the VestryGram program to ParishGrams.

Not to proceed with a consideration of solar power at this time.

 

The Vestry Also Discussed:

Stewardship.

Meeting with Canon Wingo on November 5 to discuss the Ministry Review.

 
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm.

 

What to Expect This Sunday

 Join us this Sunday for the following events!

Nave Services: 7:45, 9:15, 11:15a.m.

10:40a.m. Coffee Social, Education: for all ages  
Ministry Opportunities

October is still Food Drive Month-pick up a bag in the entry way and return it there. 

 

We can really use more altar guild members-please contact Liz Martin at 703-633-4302.

 

How about helping with the Parish Breakfast on November 3? We still have slots to fill. Contact the rector at  l.packard@verizon.net

 
Join the Trunk or Treat program this Saturday at 5pm.  Decorate your trunk and join others to hand out goodies to our children in the parish parking lot. 
Stewardship Thought of the Week

Jesus talked frequently about money and its place in our lives.  "Where your treasure is," he said, "is where your heart will be."    So he talked about money not as an end in itself-but as an instrument for ministry. It draws both the Giver and Receiver closer to God. Hold onto your money, Jesus says, and it is, well...a dead end instead of a gift for living.  

Save these dates! 
Oct. 26     Trunk or Treat from 5-7 PM
Oct. 27      No youth group 
Oct. 30      No Wednesday Holy Eucharist due to Rector's                          absence
Nov. 3        Return pledge card for their blessing
Nov. 10      9:15 service, Celebration of the New Ministry                            of Randi Hicks Rowe
Nov. 17      Youth Group bonfire at outdoor service area
Nov. 24     Pilgrimage/J2A/Youth Group Dinner 
Community Events

Trunk or Treat-Halloween for all Ages!

October 26  5-7PM, Parish Parking Lot

Sponsored by Club FM-For All Families

No admission-bring some canned food for the pantry

 

Halloween in a creative key!  Decorate the trunk of your car and hand out candy to our children who visit you in the parish parking lot.  Parents, Grandparents-all grown up kids are invited to share this special treat.  Also!  Yard games like pumpkin bowling and toss-and a movie in the parish hall.  Get in the Halloween spirit and let us know if you can decorate your car--( thegordos@verizon.net). Youth group members are encourage to come at 4:00 PM to help with set-up!

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New Orchestra of Washington opens Good Shepherd Concert Series

 

The New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) will open the 2013-14 Good Shepherd Concert Series this Sunday, October 27, at 6:00 p.m.  This exciting chamber orchestra will present a program featuring  Rahel and Sara Rilling, daughters of legendary conductor Helmuth Rilling, in the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante as well as a new work by Venezuelan composer Andres Levell, commissioned by NOW and written for the Rilling sisters.  In addition, two pieces by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez will be featured, one of which will be conducted by the composer.  

 

Please join us for this exciting and varied concert entitled "Music: Soul to the Universe".  A festive reception will follow the concert in the Parish Hall.  Tickets are for sale at each of the Sunday morning services as well as at the door on Sunday evening.  To hear one of the pieces featured in Sunday's concert, the Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Marquez, please click here.
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All Souls Choral Evensong
The All Souls Evensong service will be held on Friday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m. This solemn service will feature the Senior Choir in music by Woolley, Sanders, and Geraint, with The Rev. Peter Gustin, officiant.  A reception will follow the service in the Parish Hall.  Please submit names to be included in the bulletin to Rhonda no later than Wednesday at 5:00 at officemanager@good-shepherd.net 

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Silent Auction to Benefit Facets 

Join us on Saturday, November 16, 2013 for a fun evening to benefit Facets' work to open doors for people in need living in our community.  This dinner party and silent auction will be held from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030.  Join us a a group from COGS to have a great dinner fellowship and the opportunity to support Facets.  Contact Richard Holcombe at  Jrholc49@cox.net if you are planing to go so we can reserve a COGS table.

  

To purchase your tickets use this link to the Facets web site.

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On Tuesday, November 12th at The Church of the Good Shepherd, the Garden Club of Fairfax is presenting a workshop on learning how to plant a small flower bed as a cutting garden for a season full of gorgeous cut flowers. Seeds, tools and supplies for gardening and flower arranging will be available for purchase. Cost for the workshop is $15.00 which includes lunch. Informational flyers, RSVP details and the supplies catalogs are available in the office.
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"The Sound of Music" will be the Good Shepherd Players' 35th annual spring production, March 14-23, 2014! Please come and audition on Tues. Oct. 29th 7-9PM or Sat. Nov. 2nd 12 - 3PM. Callbacks will be Sun Nov 3 from 2-4PM. Please use this link to secure an audition slot. 

  

Adults and anyone auditioning for the Rolf or Leisl teenager roles should be prepared to sing a song, preferably from the musical, which shows their range and personality. Children will be asked to sing a short song of their choosing.  Auditioners will also do cold readings from the script. If you have any questions about the process, please contact Nancy Lavallee at scoutnp@gmail.com or check our website.  
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Believe it or not it's almost time to be thinking of ordering your Christmas tree and wreaths!

 

Outreach will be holding our annual Christmas trees, wreaths and roping sale (pre-orders only) beginning on Sunday, November 3rd.  You can also purchase wreaths for shipping to family and friends via UPS.  All you do is place your order with us and our greenery supplier takes care of the shipping.  What could be easier?

 

Please consider pre-ordering your beautiful, freshly cut Christmas tree and wreaths right here at Good Shepherd.  All proceeds benefit our many Outreach projects here at Good Shepherd. Questions?  Contact Gail Calabrese at gailcalabrese@verizon.net or 703-425-0961 
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Diocesan Prevention of Adult Sexual Misconduct, Abbreviated Course

 
Good Shepherd will offer the Prevention of Adult Sexual Misconduct, Abbreviated  Training, which includes Prevention of Elder Abuse on Saturday, November 9 from 10:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m.  
 
You are required to take this course if you are a
  • Licensed catechist who teaches adults
  • Licensed Eucharistic Visitor who take communion to homes, hospitals, and other facilities
  • Volunteer who teaches adults at times other than Sunday morning (e.g., ESOL teachers)
  • Vestry member or Warden
  • Member of a group that performs outside the church or conducts activities in nursing homes, NVTC, or other facilities with adults 
Certification is valid for ten years, and this class may be used as a renewal course for the full Prevention of Adult Misconduct certificate.  Kathy Moore has been certified by the Diocese to conduct the training.  Please register for the class by contacting Kathy at kmooreslp@yahoo.com.  The course is open to anyone interested in learning how to prevent adult sexual abuse and/or elder abuse.    
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Good Shepherd on the web at

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Church of the  
Good Shepherd

9350 Braddock Rd. 
Burke VA 22015 
703-323-5400    
Youth News

The next PEP is coming up quickly on Sunday, November 3rd from 4 pm -6 pm.  Please join us on November 3rd when we explore the lesson of "The Man in the Tree," Luke 19:1-10.  We will have an ice cream social and fun activities that will get us to stay still.  PEP meets the first Sunday of the month from October through April and is open to all Sunday School families.  Please mark your calendars!

 

Confirmation Begins!

 Confirmation for the 2013-2014 year will officially start Sunday, October 27th at regularly scheduled class times.  The dates for the 4 fall class are 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17.  There will be make up classes for students offered in December. 

 

Potluck Confirmation and Youth Group Dinner on Sunday November 24th at 6:00pm.  The purpose of this dinner will be to start planning the Pilgrimage that the J2A students will take this year and a fun Kids vs Parents Quiz bowl to round out the evening. Any questions? Please contact Brian Walsh. 

Follow the Rector's
Daily Reflections at stoneshout.blogspot.com
Be the prayers of the people
 
New this week 
 
Paige Packard, Jean Johnson (of the Preschool), Carol Mithel and her family 
 
For those who will pass this day without food or shelter.  
 
And for all on our prayer list linked here, we offer these prayers.
Thank you many times over!
"Stir us up to good works"

 

Thank you Arline Easley and all those who took part in the Special Treasures Sale,

 

For Sharon Brown and John Morris speaking on behalf of stewardship ministry,

 

Thank you Kathy Straight and all those who took part in the Used Book Sale,

 

For those who have returned bags of food for the October Food Drive,

 

For Kathy Moore, Peggy Morris and all leaders of our Newcomer's Program and last Sunday's Newcomer's Brunch.

 

For the music leadership of Ray Foote (on piano) accompanied by Brian Walsh (guitar) . 

 

To the Rev. Phil Johnston for blessing the pets

 

For Rick Miller and Don Pitcock, chalicers at the Interactive Service

 

To the altar guild for accommodating the special Interactive Service set-up

 

Help us recognize others for their good works! Email your suggestions to the Rector.

 

Did You Know?

Our parish pictorial directory is on the fast-track and already sent for production? We will get the draft back for corrections prior to printing. 

 

The Fall Food Drive honors the life and work of Mary Jane Sommer?

 

Our clergy and all liturgical participants disinfect their hands immediately before they distribute the elements?   

 

Our Preschool has begun another outstanding year with nearly full enrollment?

Our Parish Mission and Vision 
The Church of the Good Shepherd is a Christ-centered community sharing God's love. We strive to Strengthen Faith, Build Community, Serve Others.
"Send us out to do the work you have given us to do."