The Church of the Good Shepherd
eShepherd's Staff
New & Noteworthy 
   July 18, 2014      
Bell Tower
  
Join Us for July 20th Services!

8:00 & 10 am -Holy Eucharist II  

*Celebrating Outreach Ministries with Camp Hope 2014!*

 11:15 am - Ice Cream Reception

      

Rector's Reflections: Standing Still with God 

TS Eliot described God's Spirit as "the still point in the turning world."  For good or bad, no matter what goes on in the world, says Eliot, God invites us into a place of stillness. Sometimes for rest, other times for perspective-but mostly to be reminded that God always stands with us in the world.  May it be a place for us to pray: for the victims of Malaysian Flight 17, for those standing between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, for waves of insurgence across Syria and Iraq, for the lonely cries of anguish swallowed by the night of indifference.  No pie in the sky. God stands with the cross of his Son to say that his love ultimately prevails.  Isn't that also the blessing of 17 Camp Hope Mission Teams?  A place from which our parish and the missioners give hope to people who thought they were forgotten. Join us to celebrate Outreach Sunday.  In meantime, The Lord be with you-Let us pray and pray again.

Blessings,

Larry

 

"We are not hooked on devices, are we? 
We are hooked on people!"

The Rev. Kyle M. Oliver

Digital Missioner, Virginia Seminary 
Worship and Parish Notes

El Hogar and Unaccompanied Children at US Border

El Hogar  has responded to this crisis, asking us to "please stand with El Hogar as we offer this life-giving alternative of hope and restoration to these most vulnerable children and their families." For information about how they are helping and what you can do, please click here

 

Continuing Social Media Discussion

To review Kyle Oliver's Presentation from last week, click here.  For additional resources from the Center for the Ministry of Teaching, go here or here. 

 

Parish Finances for June 2014

Our financial picture continues to be satisfactory with overall Revenues up and Expenses down slightly. Pledges remain above budget both for the month and year-to-date. Other Regular Offerings have increased this month, but are still down for the year-to-date. The Rental Ministry continues to meet its goals.  The Mid-year Review is proceeding smoothly. June Revenues were $81,607 and Expenses were $75,529. 

 

Bring Back a Bulletin!
As your travels take you around the country and the world this summer, make time to attend a local church.  When you leave,.please pick up an extra bulletin to bring back home.   If there was something that really impressed you, either positive or negative, make notes in the margin of the bulletin.   When you get back please put it in Gaela Hime's or Carleen Dixon-Webb's mailbox in the office.   We want to learn what other churches around the country are doing, particularly with respect to those ideas and activities they are celebrating in their worship and music, youth and other mission areas.
 

God Bless You, Bakers!

Such a delicious assortment of breakfast breads for last Sunday!  The list of bakers as far as we know-Marty Wessman, Peggy Morris, Melissa Packard, Rhonda Busch, Sharon Holcombe. 

Good Shepherd Ministry in Newtown, CT

None of us will forget the horrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT before Christmas 2012. How many remember sending a Michael Podesta print, "My peace I leave with you...." to Trinity Parish in that town? We never heard back-but soon after the Croggan family moved from us to that parish, I received these pictures of the print hanging next to the Rector's door to greet their parishioners.  We cannot do everything. We can do something. And in God's name, the peace which passes all understanding always meets us where life wounds us.
 -Larry
Opportunities for Ministry

Outreach Sunday  

This Sunday is Outreach Sunday and will celebrate our many ministries into the world.  Information will be provided to put you in touch with a whole host of opportunities for ministry.

 

Parish Breakfast Team
Calling all the crew for the August 4th Parish Breakfast! Contact Rhonda Busch at [email protected] if you can help. 
 
A Reminder Before Vacation
Thank you for remembering Good Shepherd with your financial stewardship as you vacation this summer!

  

Street Church Announced for Tuesday, August 19th!

Join the Rector from 10 am to 2 pm. Consider growing spiritually with this meaningful insight into ministry for the homeless with the guidance of the Rev. Randolph Charles, Rector of Epiphany DC. Prepare and distribute lunches and celebrate Eucharist (modified) in Franklin Park.  "In the stranger's face," says St. Benedict, "we behold the face of Christ."
 
It's Time for Back-To-School Already! 
The annual FACETS Back-To-School drive has begun.  Good Shepherd participates in this important drive each year to help ensure that all children served by FACETS return to school this fall with the essential gear for learning: backpacks and school supplies.  To see the list of needed supplies click here.  Please join us in helping to provide these items for more than 300 children in need and encourage their academic goals and achievements.  Bring the supplies to church and place them in to the box across from the office.  Gift cards can be added to the box so the FACETS staff can "fill the holes" in those supplies donated.  You can make a financial donation directly to FACETS on their web site by clicking here.  The FACETS donation drive ends August 15th so the schools supplies must be in the church by Sunday, August 10.  For more information contact:  Richard Holcombe at [email protected] or 703 830-7974. 

Youth News 

Summer PEP is here! 

Join us Sunday July 20th from 5 -7 pm for a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. We will have a themed dinner, stories, crafts, and games as we learn about St James the Greater, and how his life reveals the love of our Lord. Try your luck with a few rounds of BINGO! RSVP to Mike and Keow Essig at [email protected] so that we know how many to expect.

 

Teens and adults, do you like to act? Sing songs? Tell Stories? Our summer PEP program is filled with opportunities to let your creative side shine, while building a strong and loving church community. Volunteers contact Mike and Keow Essig at [email protected] for details.

  

Nursery Closed July 27 through August 17

The nursery will be unstaffed from July 27 through Aug. 17 while our workers are on vacation. Parents are welcome to keep children in church with them or to sit with them in the library, where they can still hear and see the service on the monitor.
"Send us out to do the work you have given us to do.
"
Community Events
Women-at-the-Well Women's Fellowship
Women-at-the-Well will meet Thursday, July 24th, 7:30-9:00 PM in the Parlor.  All women of Good Shepherd, as well as friends they wish to bring, are invited to attend.   The agenda for each meeting is set by those who attend. Please join us and participate in sharing, listening and laughing about a wide variety of topics.  RSVP Dottie Wimberly at [email protected].
 
Good Shepherd Players Reminder
Good Shepherd Players Annual Meeting and Party will be held at the home of Jennifer and Will Gotten (6900 Clifton Road) on Sunday, July 20th from 1:00- 5:00 pm.

  

Diocesan Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, Abbreviated and Full Courses
Good Shepherd will be offering the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, Abbreviated Training, on Monday, July 21, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. and the Full Course on Saturday, July 19, 8:00 a.m. to noon.  The Abbreviated course is REQUIRED for anyone participating in next year's Players production; mission trip participants if the trip will include anyone under 18 or if the missioners will meet or work with anyone under 18; teachers of children or youth; Vestry members; and anyone certified more than ten years ago.  The Full course is a requirement for clergy, all church staff, pastoral leaders, worship leaders, mission trip leaders, paid nursery workers, parochial school teachers and staff, and youth group leaders and workers.  Anyone interested in preventing child sexual abuse is welcome to attend either course.  Kathy Moore has been certified by the Diocese to conduct the training.  Please register for the class by contacting Kathy at [email protected]
or 703-764-9485.
Visit
Good Shepherd on the web at
Episcopal Shield

          good-shepherd.net  

 
Church of the
Good Shepherd
                9350 Braddock Rd. 
                    Burke VA 22015
                     703-323-5400    
Save the Date!
Sun, 7/20
Mission Sunday 
with Camp Hope
(8 am & 10 am)
 
Sun, 7/27
Doctors Without Borders,
John Mitchell, MD
(8 am & 10 am)

Sun, 8/3
Celebrating the Development of the Prayer Book since Colonial Times    The Rev. Dr. Anne Gavin Ritchie, 
Preacher and Celebrant
(8 am & 10 am), 
Parish Breakfast

Sun, 8/10
Stewardship of Creation
(8 am and 10 am)

Sun, 7/20, & 7/27

5-7 pm with Dinner  

PEP! Parish Education Program for Young Families
Be the Prayers of the People 

 _____________________

  

With thanksgiving for the safe delivery of twins--both over 5lbs--to David & Laura Kay (Linda Kay's grandchildren)


For the sick: Charles Karalekas, Janet Kay, Sara Gibson, Dan Street, Jim Jones, Jennifer Durant, Margaret Bohn,

 

In Thanksgiving for Mike Browning's recovery and return to work,

 

For the victims and families of the Malaysian 777 jet shot down over Ukraine.

 

For the unemployed; for those who will pass this day without food or shelter,

 

For the advisors sent to Iraq; for peace in Iraq, throughout the Middle East, and in Ukraine.

 

Let us pray for those in the humanitarian crisis on our borders-the children and parents, the citizens, all government workers and officials.

  

For all on our prayer list linked here, we offer these prayers.
Thank you many times over! 
"Stir us up to good works"

 

For Anne Hruskoci for singing two beautiful solos at last week's service,

 

For Vera Olmstead for playing piano in the Parish Hall,

 

For Roger Libby, leading last Sunday's Children's Chapel,

 

For Fred Jones, photographer, and the recent collage of the July 6th cookout,

 

For the pastoral ministry and visitations of Ted Simpson, Carol Lawton Johnston and the Rev. Phil Johnston,

 

For those leaders coordinating last Sunday's service:  Jim Weber (MC), David Jones (Worship Participants), Bob Hall (IT/AV). John Morris (Vestry Presentation), Carleen Dixon Webb (Special Offertory Music), Stan Shelton (Ushers), Mary Helman (Altar Guild), Vera Olmstead (Piano),

 
For your generous contributions to the Camp Hope Meal Ministry for July 8 in Frostburg-you fed more than 120 missioners! 

Help us recognize others for their good works! Email your suggestions to the Rector.
Did You Know? 
The Rector, Rhonda Busch (Office Manager) and Alyssa Blevins (eShepherd Staff Manager) attended the local Diocesan Communicators' Conference for Churches at the Falls Church. Our parish will host the fall conference during the week.  If you are interested in being a part of it, please let Rhonda Busch know at [email protected]. 
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.
Contact Information
The editor, Alyssa Pierce Blevins,  may be reached at [email protected]
  
Submissions must be received by Wednesday at 5 pm.