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N E W S L E T T E R I am looking out my window at home and seeing salt trucks go down the street. They are not salting anything but they are driving around just in case. We have been warned of a “major snow event.” All of yesterday, the news was pestering us with dire predictions of the danger and inconveniences that we will encounter as the weather system moved through our region. As seems to happen more often, the “major snow event” has passed us by. It has been drizzling all day and there is limited ice accumulation on tree limbs. There is not even slush in the gutters or a dusting on the lawns to give the appearance of a “snow event”. I feel betrayed: all that anxiety build up and then drizzle. I remember the bliss of not knowing a storm was coming and waking up to the silence that the blanket of snow brought. We would strain to hear our mom listening to the radio in the kitchen. We would rush downstairs to listen to Bob Edwards tell us the blessed news that Prince George’s County Public Schools were closed. Often we would get to the kitchen just as the list was being read. Always it seemed that Prince George’s County was the last school system mentioned. With the news reframing our entire outlook on life we would find ourselves too excited to go back to bed so we would eat our breakfast with joy, even if it was oatmeal. Next we would plot out a day of snow ball fights, fort building, hot chocolate and sledding. A day of grace was given by the snow. Our unfinished homework, which just the night before we had fretted over, had a way of never seeming to come to mind. God and God’s grace is much like a snow day. Here in the middle of Lent we need to remember that this time of self examination, repentance and amendment of life is our daily work. We do it not to earn God’s grace but as a means of balancing our lives so that daily living is more an articulation of our faith. In the doing of that hard work, God’s grace breaks in and reminds us that if today were our last day here on earth we would be beloved of God. The words at the pearly gates would be “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Those words and God’s love are not dependent on our accomplishing anything. Our success or failure at keeping a Lenten feast does in no way delay or prevent Easter. God is victorious so that we are forgiven and free. We order our lives in gratitude for those gifts. We do that hard work of Lenten fasting not because we have to but because we see its value in our spiritual growth. Lent is like a snow day as well. Snow days alter our daily activities. They make us aware of our limits and our dependence on others to do just what we always do. Snow days force us to slow down and be more attentive to how we accomplish activities that we take for granted (driving or walking). Snow days bring hard work. I rarely work so hard at physical labor as I do when I am clearing my sidewalks and front steps. Snow looks light and fluffy until it is on the end of a shovel. Snow also shows us the beauty of creation in a way that is almost magical. So, whether or not you expect it or are surprised by it, both God’s grace and the season of Lent have the means to change our outlook and our lives. We can live in the freedom they offer. We can revel in the newness they bring. Happy Lent and Happy Snow Day, Patty From the Senior Warden On Saturday, February 23, members of the Vestry gathered with our Rector in the Parish Hall for a day of prayer, discussion, and planning. The retreat gave our newest members – Jocelyn Harmon, Patty Mitchell, and Gary Anderson – the chance to get acquainted with veteran members and to learn about the workings of the parish. Brion Cook, a certified Church Development Institute trainer for the Diocese of Washington, facilitated discussion and helped us to understand parish systems and to reflect on how we are called to contribute to Good Shepherd as Vestry members and wardens. Our treasurer, Kristin Hawley, gave us a primer on financial statements and explained Good Shepherd’s budget cycle and structure. Reverend Patty gave us a status report on the two major transitions facing us in 2008: the refinancing of our mortgage and the move to three Sunday services. Our mortgage task force has already laid out a clear action plan and is confident of being able to secure favorable terms for us. And a newly formed advisory committee will soon begin providing input to our Rector to guide the implementation of our new worship schedule. As the Vestry brainstormed about the year ahead, the themes of growth, stewardship, and communication figured prominently. Where do we want to be as a faith community five years from now? How do we know what “success” looks like? With close to forty active ministries and committees already – a remarkable level of involvement for a parish our size – how do we coordinate information about activities and programs and communicate effectively to all of our members? to the outside world? How can we better structure responsibilities for building maintenance and be more proactive about our physical plant needs? Can we integrate stewardship activities more closely with the processes of budget and program development? Thinking and planning strategically is key to all these areas. We intend to continue our discussion of strategic goals and the possibility of undertaking a 5-year plan at the Vestry’s March meeting. I came away from the Vestry retreat feeling energized and excited about the year ahead for Good Shepherd – and most of all, grateful to have such a committed, visionary, and faithful group of men and women to be working with. Shaun Hardy
Parishioners and Friends in Need *David Batty *Odessa Doneghy Serving in the Middle East Matthew Jennings – relative of Jim & Marca Woodhams Deceased Don Baker – husband of Beth Baker Parish Thanksgivings
To all Good Shepherd Parishioners: I am writing to thank the Good Shepherd family, especially the Rev. Patty Downing who has visited me at home and in hospital, and Morgan Hoover who always made me feel so welcome and has written me encouraging notes. Many of you may not remember me, but I visited regularly about a year ago. I had the misfortune of having a terrible health crisis and I've been in and out of the hospital for the last nine months. Nine surgical scars and ten times under anesthesia later, I am on the mend, really on the mend! I am off pain meds, eating and drinking real food, gaining weight and beginning to be up and about and actually doing really, really well. Unfortunately one of the surgeries damaged the nerves to my vocal cords, so I may not be able to "say" hello, but I hope to see you all some Sunday morning very soon! I just wanted to express how much, how very, very much it has meant to me to have your help, your encouragement and your prayers, but most of all your presence during such a painful time in my life. Thank you for keeping me on your prayer list and for keeping me in your thoughts and hearts. Thank you for being God's light in my little corner of the world. I hope somehow in someway I can pay your kindness forward someday. May God bless you all with more and better than you ever expected or hoped for. Thank you and see you soon!
Lenten Adult Education We continue our series from “The Thoughtful Christian” curriculum on Tuesdays, March 4 and 11, with a two-week exploration of "How Did Jesus' Death Save Us?" You are invited to join us downstairs for a supper of soup and bread at 6:45 pm. Classes will begin at 7:15 pm. Please sign up in the Narthex so we know how many are coming and have ample handouts. We are holding First Communion classes for our younger members, and they are scheduled for the first three Sundays in March, the 2nd, 9th and 16th, as well as Saturday, March 15th. The Sunday classes will take place from 11:45 to 12:30 in the Old Church. The one Saturday class will be held at 10:00 to 10:45 in the Old Church. These classes are designed for participants who will be planning to receive communion on Easter.
Stewardship of Talents and Time The Episcopal Church Web site (www.episcopalchurch.org/stewardship) tells us that “Christian stewardship is grateful and responsible use of God’s gifts in the light of God’s purpose as revealed in Jesus Christ. Christian stewards, empowered by the Holy Spirit, commit themselves to conscious, purposeful decisions.” Stewardship can also be defined as using the gifts that God has given us, to do the work God is calling us to do.
Heifer: It’s More Than a Cow! Good Shepherd's annual Lenten outreach to Heifer International goes through Palm Sunday, March 16. Good Shepherd continues to support Heifer International because of its proven approach of offering individuals and communities the opportunity to become self-sufficient by giving the gifts of animals or bees or trees, by training recipients in productive and environmentally sound agricultural and veterinary practices, by providing ongoing support to recipients, and by giving them the dignity of passing along the gift to others. Various materials await you in the narthex after Sunday services: An information packet that includes the Heifer gift catalogue and much more; Heifer mite boxes; the four-week Heifer calendar to guide your contributing; animal crackers for your enjoyment; and a beautiful ark with tags representing shares of a wide variety of animals and other Heifer gifts that might appeal to you. You may certainly select more than one tag. Whether you decide to give a share or a whole animal, the tag can serve as your inspiration and reminder. Parents: Please note that we have included some less expensive shares that might appeal to your children, such as chicks, ducks, geese, and rabbits. Some families prefer to give as individuals and some prefer to have a family goal. Contributions through Good Shepherd can be made in several ways. You might want to contribute throughout Lent into the Heifer mite box and then bring the box to the ingathering on Palm Sunday. You might prefer to contribute by check at the ingathering on Palm Sunday. The check should be written out to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, with the word "Heifer" written on the memo line. You might want to purchase an animal or share of an animal as a gift for someone prior to the ingathering on Palm Sunday. No need to wait. Just write your check as mentioned above and place it in the alms basin. We even have gift cards provided by Heifer for you to send to the family of the one you are honoring. Almost $2200 was raised last year. Our goal for this year is $3000. Questions? Remember: Heifer – It’s More Than a Cow! “Constantine’s Sword” James Carroll, author, columnist and filmmaker, hosts a screening and discussion of his new film, “Constantine's Sword,” at 7 p.m. Monday, March 10 at Washington National Cathedral. Tickets are $16 regular, $9 senior 65+/student/ limited income, and may be purchased in advance at www.nationalcathedral.org or at the door.
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