1

The Shepherd’s Crook The Church of the Good Shepherd

Pitman, NJ The Rev. Susan E. Osborne-Mott, Rector October 2018

“We Love Our Church”

A Note from Mother Susan

Oh, it’s that time of year again. Yes, I know. We’re racing towards America’s favorite holiday, Halloween,

and then it’s a hop, skip, and a jump to Thanksgiving, which we often barely pay attention to before we careen

into Christmas. But that’s not the time of year I’m talking about. Oh no! I’m talking about cold and flu season!

Brad and I went on an Alaskan cruise which we enjoyed very much, but we both caught colds and mine really

caught me! I blame close quarters on a boat and canned air on a plane. I have steadily suffered from a runny

nose and a debilitating cough since mid August. I’ve been to the doctor once and I’m going again this week.

Aaaack! I am so over it!

And I take pretty good care of myself. I dress appropriately for the weather. I take vitamins on top of vitamins.

I think I get enough sleep – eight hours a night? That should be enough. But this !X*%&#! cough just won’t be

done! It can get pretty discouraging.

But something I have been so grateful for are the numbers of you who have asked me how I am and who have

wished me well. I am so grateful for all of you who have shown concern for me. It lifts the spirits when people

show that they care about you and lifted spirits lead to good health.

I was recently given an article by one of our parishioners about the benefits of church attendance. The entire

article is printed elsewhere in this edition. But one certain benefit of church attendance is the knowledge that

there are other people outside of your immediate family and friends who care about you. Being in church

certainly reminds you that God cares about you, but it is also important to remember that your extended church

family cares about you too. If you’re someone who has gone out of town or been absent for any reason for

awhile, you can bet that pretty soon someone will come up to me and say “Where’s So and So? I haven’t seen

them lately.” People notice when you’re not here! We care about each other and that is so good, so reassuring to

know. And what is even more reassuring is that even if you’re new, it doesn’t take any time at all for people to

welcome you, enjoy greeting you every Sunday and then to miss you when you’re absent. We don’t take each

other for granted here at Good Shepherd.

God asks us to care for all the people of the world outside our walls. God shows us his love with the gift of our

Savior Jesus Christ. We relive the wonder of that gift every year with Christmas and we rejoice in God’s love by

giving it to each other and to the world.

There are so many ways for you to give and share – teach Sunday School – volunteer for Holly Fair – join

with the Order of St. Andrew to help raise money for Camden Christmas – volunteer to help with the Christmas

Pageant – come be part of Women at the Well’s efforts to build a well in a dry place – crochet a prayer shawl

with Caring Hands – become a Pray-er at our worship services – come to our Thursday Adult Christian Ed

offerings – walk in Crop Walk – volunteer for Family Promise – continue to ask after our absentees. Give of

your time, talent and treasure to your Church. Rejoice in your Church! We are Christ’s body in the world.

Blessings,

Mother Susan+

2

NEWS

Here is a quote from Frederick Buechner.

I love his advice that we look at the news we create every day with living our own lives. Let me know if it helped you see your life in a different light.

Deacon Carl

WHEN THE EVENING NEWS comes on, hundreds of thousands of people all over the earth are watching it on their TV screens or listening to it on their radios. Disasters and scandals, scientific breakthroughs and crimes of passion, perpetual wars and the perpetual search for peace—people sit there by the millions half dazed by the things that go to create each particular day. Maybe they even try to make some kind of sense of it or, if they're not up to that, at least try to come to some sort of terms with it, try to figure out how it's apt to affect them for good or ill.

There is also, of course, the news that rarely if ever gets into the media at all, and that is the news of each particular day of each particular one of us. That is the news we're so busy making that we seldom get around to sitting down and thinking it over. If it takes some extraordinary turn we might, but the unextraordinary, commonplace events of each day as they come along we tend to let slip by almost unnoticed. That is, to put it mildly, a pity. What we are letting slip by almost unnoticed are the only lives on this planet we're presumably ever going to get.

We're all of us caught up in our own small wars, both hot and cold. We have our crimes and passions, our failures and successes. We make our occasional breakthroughs. God knows we are searching for peace. It's all apt to happen so quietly and on so small a scale we hardly realize it's happening. Only an unanswered letter. A phone conversation. A tone of voice. A chance meeting at the post office. An unexpected lump in the throat. Laughing till we cry. But these things are what it's all about. These things are what we are all about.

Maybe there's nothing on earth more important for us to do than sit down every evening or so and think it over, try to figure it out if we can, at least try to come to terms with it. The news of our day. Where it is taking us. Where it is taking the people we love. It is, if nothing else, a way of saying our prayers.

-Originally published in Whistling in the Dark and later in Beyond Words

Shawl/Caring Hands Ministry

Every so often we get a request for a Prayer Shawl to be given to someone in need. Sometimes it is during an illness, sometimes during grieving periods after the loss of a loved one. The Shawls are crocheted or knitted by the women in this ministry. Every other Tuesday morning you will find our Caring Hands Group knitting/crocheting the shawls in our Conference room. They are made with prayer for those who will receive them. I can’t begin to tell you of the peace and comfort these shawls have brought to so many people. They need not be members of our parish. Need is spread everywhere. If you know of a need, just ask Pat Braidwood

Our Church is Going Green!

The Church of the Good Shepherd’s efforts to “Go Green” are well underway. Using our ceramic plates, mugs and real silverware has proven even easier than anticipated. Our new high-end commercial dishwasher has been a game-changer in the kitchen: clean and dry dishes in less the TWO MINUTES. If only our dishwashers at home were that efficient! With the help of all of you, Good Shepherd is making amazing progress in Going Green! These efforts produce immediate environmental benefits and financial savings. Be on the lookout for future updates about ways to increase our recycling efforts and reduce our usage of disposable items, such as Styrofoam and plastics. We encourage you to join us in these efforts, and if you have any ideas or suggestions, please see Lauren Kaltwasser or Diane Wall. Together we can make a difference by reducing the impact we have on our Earth.

Did you know…? Paper plates, napkins and towels are not recyclable once they are contaminated with food. Always throw these items in the trash or a compost bin, as they can ruin an entire batch of recyclables.

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. (BCP 388)

3

SERVICES

Saturdays: 4:30 PM – Contemplative Prayer 5:30 PM – Holy Eucharist

Sundays: 9:00 AM – Contemplative Prayer 10:00 AM – Holy Eucharist

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9 AM Morning Prayer

Treasurer's Blog - October 2018 Results for 8 months of 2018

Total Income:

Here is a breakdown of our income for 8 months of 2018:

Budget Actual

Loose Plate 1,500 1,207

Envelopes 139,100 132,717

Special 4,300 3,965

Other 150 168

Annual pledges 5,464 6,679

Income 150,514 144,736

It’s important now that Summer is over and Sunday School will be back in session to keep our pledge income as current as possible. Thank you for your continued support. Total expenses:

Here is a recap of our expenses for 8 months of 2018.

Budget Actual

Expenses 156,450 157,361

Our expenses are in line with our estimates for this year with the exception of gas heating that was high mainly due to a cold first four months of 2018. We are keeping all of the other line items under control.

Here are some financial campaigns that will be coming up this fall: Squirrel’s Nest “coin cups”; fall stewardship; Camden Christmas collection; and Women at the Well’s “water project”. As usual we appreciate your support.

CHURCH MINISTRY LEADERS

These are some of their names and numbers, if you have any questions.

Deacon - The Rev. Carl Dunn – 609-868-7102

Senior Warden - Deb Prieto – 856-478-0795

Junior Warden - Len Clark - 856/582-1113

Treasurer - Lee Braidwood - 856/228-0737

Asst. Treasurer - George Funk - 856/232-0941

Brotherhood of St. Andrew - Wayne Szalma – 856/469-3028

Women at the Well - Diane Wall - 856/374-9081

Altar Guild - Shelly Harris - 856/589-8160

Youth Group - Chelsea Richmond – 856-723-4123

2018 VESTRY LIAISONS

Endowment Planning – Frank Jackson

Personnel – Georgeanne Moore

Youth Group & Activities – Lauren Kaltwasser

Sunday School – Elizabeth Nelson

Outreach Ministries – Gail Morton

Newcomers/Greeters – Jack Daugherty

Internal Ministries – Steve Mackay

Columbarium – Diane Wall

Choir – Jim Wynkoop

Women at the Well - Diane Wall

Brotherhood of St. Andrew – Jim Wynkoop

Adult Christian Education – Jack Daugherty

Website & Social Media – Jim Wynkoop

Green Team – Lauren Kaltwasser

Stewardship Committee – Diane Wall (2018), Frank

Jackson (2019), Georgeanne Moore (2020), Deb

Prieto (Sr. Warden)

Senior Warden – Deb Prieto

Junior Warden – Len Clark

Treasurer – Lee Braidwood

Clerk of the Vestry – Chuck Lezenby

Assistant Clerk of the Vestry – Aimee Burgin

PASTORAL EMERGENCIES If a Pastoral Emergency should come up for you, hospitalization, death in the family, please call the Church Office 856-589-8209 or after office hours please call Mother Susan at 732-759-4358.

4

Prayers for Parish Families For October

Dixon family, Dmytro family, Dudzinski family, and Dunn families

OUR PRAYERS MINISTRY

Each Sunday during Communion time, our team of

Pray-ers offer prayers with our parishioners. We have

now expanded this meaningful ministry to our Saturday

evening Holy Eucharist at 5:30pm.

After you receive Holy Communion, if you

want/need additional prayers, there will be a team of

Pray-ers in the front of the Church who are willing to

pray with you. These prayers can be offered in joy for a

Blessing you have received, or can be to help ease a

burden which lies on your heart. Please take advantage of

this wonderful ministry of our parish. All prayers are

confidential.

Anyone interested in being a Pray-er Minister at the

Saturday night or Sunday services please contact Barbara

Elliott @ 589-3980 or elliottb@rowan.edu

Contemplative Prayer Time

Before Our Worship Services

For those who seek a time for quiet prayer on Saturdays and Sundays, Mother Susan opens the church on Saturdays at 4:30 PM for the 5:30 PM service. We ask that 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM be a quiet prayerful time. Likewise, for Sundays, she will be in the Church at 9 AM for a quiet time from 9 AM to 9:30 AM. We ask that all who come early to church honor these times as times for quiet prayer and contemplation.

OCTOBER ADULT FORUM

OCTOBER ADULT FORUM - We are beginning a new series on World Religions. This month our focus will be on Hinduism. We meet at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 7 in the Conference Room.

HEALING PRAYER

Mother Susan is now offering Healing Prayer with anointing and laying on of hands on the first Saturday of every month following the Saturday evening service.

CONTEMPLATIVE GROUP

CONTEMPLATIVE GROUP will meet on Wednesday, October 17 at 10 a.m. Following our period of contemplation we will start a new study called "What Do You Mean Falling Upward" with Fr. Richard Rohr.

TAIZE CONTEMPLATIVE SERVICE

TAIZE CONTEMPLATIVE SERVICE WITH EUCHARIST will be held on Saturday, October 27 at the 5:30 p.m. service.

ST. FRANCIS DAY

October 7th

We are planning to have our annual Blessing of the Pets St. Francis Day Service on Sunday, October 7th at 4pm in the Church Courtyard (weather permitting). If it is raining, we’re in the Parish Hall. Each year we thank our Lord for the gift of our pets. We sing to them, we pray for them, we ask God to protect and keep them safe. Don’t miss it!

Halloween Treating in the Courtyard

Do you live somewhere where no one comes to your door to “Trick or Treat”? Would you like to see fun costumes and have fun with your GS friends? Come to the GS Courtyard on October 31, Halloween, with your treats! We will be offering “Treating in the Courtyard” (or in the Parish Hall if it rains) complete with treats and apples and hot cider and Mother Susan in costume. You don’t want to miss that! Bring your treats! Bring your kids! Bring your grandkids! Anytime between 4 and 8 PM.

5

Rosalie & Bill Jenkins Debbie Crystal Snoke Peggy Francis Pvt. Emmett Foreman Pvt. Hannah New Pvt. Benjamin Key Pvt. Alan Kryszak Pvt. Cardre Jackson, Jr. Pvt. James Foster and their families Dorothy Marylou Mitchell Morgan Janice Enstrom Robert Paul Linda Rebecca Sharon Reneé April Ellerbe John & Candace Jemilo Ben Trunzo Harvey Corbett Denise Ladd Barbara Gattinella family Howard Caitlin John Joseph Whaley Anne Lewis Edna Spratt

Michael Beard

Church of the Good Shepherd Prayers of the People

Prayers for the Church and Clergy For all Churches in the Diocese of NJ & Ecuador Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop William “Chip” Stokes, Our Bishop The Rev. Susan E. Osborne-Mott, Rector Sister Cass, AF Charles Nakash – Missionary in the Dominican Republic Rev. Carl Dunn, our Deacon

Prayers for the Nation Donald Trump, Our President Phil Murphy, Our Governor

“For all those who serve and protect us at home”

Prayers for the Sick and in Need

Tod Porter Tara Ryan Bubnoski Ashley Aaliyah Seely McFadden family Seely family Art Dilworth Bill Brower George Farley Audrey Andrew Buck Joe DeMarco James Anna Candyce Rich Reiniello Emily Mike Daly Maripat Makalusky Helen & Ken Michelle Siegle Natasha Tuoy Melissa Czechowicz Janie Kraus Dora & Ed Beard & family Debbie Milward Tom Rigg Jane Ruoff Shelly Harris Ruth Buck Paul Kathy Busser Janet Paraschak Asher Poolke

Sue Murray Joseph Capano Katherine Lesher Steelman family Presiding Bishop Curry Evelyn Recinello Lyla Ruoff Jessica Carter Sophia Capano

Prayers for all Military Personnel

* We pray for our enemies and for those with whom we are at war. *

“Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

MORNING PRAYER

Morning Prayer is on Tuesday & Thursday

mornings at 9AM with Mother Susan in the

Chapel.

Peter Larrabee Brian Almondrod Raymond Harris, III Steven Sanders Matt Spangler Lynn Spangler Scott Thomas Glen Tim Dan Hurlbut Zak Bartelt Brian Randazzo Buzz Parish Charlie Hiemeril John A. Lukacs Joe Sheridan Hal Wagner Matt Rebecca Jon S. Lehr Keith Tucker Dave McElwain Hugh Robinson Andrew Olsson Joshua Albright

Zachary Guise Scott McPherson Andrew Ten Eyck Matthew Cushinotto Theresa Cushinotto Mike Grzybowski Ted Mike McHugh Tom Devore Bonnie Weis Kane Lawlor Drew Naphy Rhen Brinkerhoff Brian Opel Jonathan Dickson Matt Michael Marta Marcos Bryan Jensen Allistair Edinger Andrew Kyle

Ryan Bubnoski

6

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OCTOBER

All Tuesdays & Thursdays - 9 AM Morning Prayer

All Thursdays – 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:30 PM Bell Choir Practice 7:15 PM Choir Practice

October 3 – 7 PM Brotherhood of St. Andrew

October 6 & 7 - PENTECOST 20 Saturday, 4:30 PM Open Prayer

5:30 PM Holy Eucharist Healing Prayer Sunday, 9 AM Open Prayer

10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Children’s Choir Practice 11:30 AM Adult Forum 11:30 AM Youth Group 4 PM Blessing of the Animals

October 8 – Women at the Well – ECW

October 9 – 9:30 AM Caring Hands

October 10 - 7 PM Property Committee Mtg.

October 13 & 14 – PENTECOST 21 Saturday, Fall Stewardship Begins 4:30 PM Open Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist Sunday, 9 AM Open Prayer

9 AM Parish Breakfast 10 AM Holy Eucharist 11:30 AM Vestry Meeting

October 17 – 10 AM Contemplative Prayer 6:30 – 8 PM Good Shepherd Quilters

October 20 & 21 – PENTECOST 22 Saturday, 4:30 PM Open Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist Sunday, 9 AM Open Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School - Fellowship 11:15 AM Children’s Choir Practice 11:30 AM Youth Group 11:30 AM Page Turners 2 PM CROP Walk

October 23 – 9:30 AM Caring Hands

October 27 & 28 – PENTECOST 23 Saturday, 2 – 5 PM Camden Christmas Harvest Party @ St. Paul’s 4:30 PM Open Prayer

5:30 PM Taize Service 6:30 PM Fall Stewardship Wine & Cheese Sunday, 9 AM Open Prayer

10 AM Holy Eucharist

10 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Children’s Choir Practice 11:15 AM Ministry Fair

October 31 – HALLOWEEN 4 – 8 PM Halloween Table outside on the Lawn

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

01 – Maria Black

02 – Eric Long

04 – Jim Taylor

05 – Rachel Cefaratti

05 – Victoria Scull

06 – Kirsten Nelson

07 – Robert Peel III

08 - Mason Sharp

09 – Melissa Buono

11 – Joshua Buono

11 – Cindy Taglienti

14 – Kaitlyn Braidwood

15 – Alexandra Barth

16 – Roland LaBarge

16 – Kelly Lynd

16 – David Schwartzer

17 – Deacon Carl Dunn

22 – Andrew Buck

22 – Karen Mackay

24 – Emily Long

25 – Millie Corbett

25 – Deacon Jim Gowland

26 – Gabrielle Buck

26 – Marissa Buck

28 – Kevin Ridge

28 – LuAnn Ziegler

29 – Robert Ayres

29 – Sophia Southwick

REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL

Please visit https://form.jotform.com/COGSSundaySchool/sunday-school-registration-20182019 to register your child for the 2018/2019 school year!

7

THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY

THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY continues their

study on the Parables of Jesus on Thursday

mornings at 9:30 a.m. Each week's class can

stand on their own, so feel free to drop in

anytime!

OUTREACH

Thank you for the wonderful donations

of clothing for the people of Camden distributed through St. Wilfrid’s

Clinic. They are so appreciative! They are especially in need of clothing and

shoes for men! Please keep this in mind as you see two-for-one

sales! Maybe the 2nd pair of shoes could be for someone you don’t know

who is desperately in need of them living in Camden! Men’s shoes in large sizes are VERY much needed! If you

have clothing or shoes to donate, in good condition, please leave them in

manageable size bags only on our front porch. We would be happy to see that

they are delivered to St. Wilfrid’s. They will be accepting clothes for cold

weather by early October!

We live at 223 Highland Terrace, Pitman.

Deacon Carl and Ellie Dunn

Thank You God for Books by Alice Aultman

We are so blessed by the availability of the printed word. We could start our thanks for the Bible and all of the teachings within, then we could go into the blessings of being able to read instructions, road signs and the labels on the foods we purchase and on we could go. But how long has it been since you have read a book?

If you are T.V. watcher you spend hours with your eyes focused on the screen. To watch the news to find what the weather forecast is you are urged to purchase a car, a new mattress and all sorts of other objects. Think of the time spent you have wasted watching the advertisements! If we were to take time spent on the worthless ads and read from a book, perhaps telling us of life in a faraway land or the story of a family and their struggles, our tired minds travel into a different world. It is easy to pass away many hours enjoying the experience.

Then let us consider the availability of books starting in the corner of the fellowship hall. Check out the title that interests you and simply take it home and start reading. Libraries are full and are inexpensive and more than glad to service you.

So Thank you God for books, pick up a book and start reading!

Don’t forget to drop

your spare change

in the SQUIRRELS’ NESTS!

They are in the back of the

Church and in the Parish Hall

DEADLINE

The deadline for the November 2018 Crook will be on October 15, 2018. Please e-mail all articles and pictures to goodshepherdpitman@gmail.com.

Maryanne Charlton Parish Administrator

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING OUR BELOVED PARISH, GOOD

SHEPHERD, IN YOUR WILL?

8

Pitman – Glassboro CROP Hunger Walk

(Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty)

It's that time of year again. The air is crisp, the leaves are falling and the CROP Walk is upon us. Sunday October 21st is the date, at 1:30 PM. Hopefully you will mark your calendar and join us for either a 1 mile, 2 mile or 5 mile walk in an effort to curb hunger. If you are unable to walk and would like to contribute to someone who is walking or to the Good Shepherd team that would be greatly appreciated too. If you Google on your computer or phone Pitman-Glassboro CROP Hunger Walk you can donate on line to either an individual or the team. It's an easy and quick way to contribute. Of course you can also always give a walker a check or cash. Let's set a goal of $3,000.00 this year and 27 walkers. Thank you in advance for your participation. If you have any questions please contact Gail Morton or Connie Parent.

Gail Morton

THE FOOD PANTRY

We have changed our approach for collecting food donations for the Pitman Food Pantry. Each week we will be collecting a different food item. We will announce the upcoming needed food item each week in the trifold. Also we will have a monthly list in the Crook.

Food donations for September are: 10/6 & 7 – Cereal 10/13 & 14 – Peanut Butter 10/20 & 21 – Jelly 10/27 & 28 – Canned Fruit

All donations are greatly appreciated and accepted.

The Pitman Food Pantry is open on even dated Tuesdays each month from 6pm – 7pm.

Pictures!

Let’s get in the habit of taking pictures of

everything around here! Pictures of Sunday

School, meetings, even of events at services if

you can be surreptitious! Please identify who is in

each photo and what the event is. Thank you!

CHURCH HISTORY DISPLAY Please take the time to have a look at the glass case in our parish hall that contains our rotating church history exhibit. There are various pictures and articles from our church family’s past that we all share! I could use some new items. If you have anything that you would like to share with all of us, please let me know! I will take care of your memorabilia and when the exhibit ends, in about 3 months, I will deliver your items back to you in good condition!

Ellie Dunn

PAGE TURNERS’ BOOK GROUP

Oct 21. WHAT SHE ATE by Laura Shapiro NO MEETING IN NOV NO MEETING IN DEC Jan 20. A FALL OF MARIGOLDS by Susan Meissner

The Page Turners meet once a month, immediately following the 10am Holy Eucharist, in the

Conference Room.

HOLLY FAIR

Holly Fair is fast approaching . . . mark your calendars for Saturday, December 1st! This is a wonderful annual celebration of fellowship, fantastic homemade food, crafters, kids’ activities, bargains and so much more! It is a great event to bring the whole family and enjoy the day. Volunteer signup sheets are in the Parish Hall and we need your help! We are starting to collect items for the “Dollar Store”, "More Than a Dollar Store" and the "Christmas Store", so if you have any gently used items that fall into these categories... please consider donating them! You can drop them off downstairs in the All Purpose Room starting October 22nd (NO SOONER). If you have any questions, please call Jenniffer and Rich Harrington at 856-383-0823.

Please Be Considerate of Our Neighbors!

We are so glad you're here! But when you park near

the church, please be considerate of our neighbors

and make sure you have fully cleared their driveways.

Thank you!

9

SERVICES

Saturdays: 4:30 PM – Contemplative Prayer 5:30 PM – Holy Eucharist

Sundays: 9:00 AM – Contemplative Prayer 10:00 AM – Holy Eucharist

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9 AM Morning Prayer

ALL SAINTS’ DAY

We are planning to hold our All Saints’ Day Services on Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 3rd & 4th.

This is the special day that the church sets aside for us to remember those people who we have loved, those who have touched our lives in special ways, who are no longer with us. They live now with our Lord.

If you would like the names of those whom you would like to be remembered by name at the Altar that day please fill out the attached form and return it to the Church Office or e-mail them to goodshepherdpitman@gmail.com by October 22nd.

Names to be remembered:

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Your name_______________________________________

Phone # ________________________________________

E-mail _________________________________________

All Saints’ Day Observance

Please bring in a picture of one of the Saints of your life for Saturday Nov.3 and/or Sunday, Nov. 4 to be paced around the altar.

Mark Your Calendar Now!!!

The 2018 Christmas Pageant is coming!!!

All preschool and school age children are invited to participate!

Sunday, Nov. 25 – 11:30 AM Pageant Planning Meeting

Sunday, Dec. 2 – 11:30 AM Pageant Practice

Sunday, Dec. 9 – 11:30 AM Pageant Practice

Saturday Dec. 15 - 3 – 5PM – Pageant Practice

Sunday, Dec. 16 – Christmas Pageant & Luncheon (after the 10:30 AM service)

Senator John McCain

The Episcopal News Service posted a wonderful article about the services for Senator John McCain at the Washington National Cathedral. Born into the Episcopal Church and a great-grandson of an Episcopal priest, McCain conducted “worship services” with his fellow prisoners of war as he knew by heart the orders of worship.

It is amazing to read about this time in his life and of his selfless service to his country. It begins with details of the funeral service and the preparation by the cathedral’s staff. Then it continues on about his witnessing to others during their captivity in Vietnam. There is a time when he overcame his hate for his captors and tells of the moment he came to love his enemy during a brief and unexpected sharing of venerating the cross.

Take time to read this article as we all pray for him to Rest in Peace and surely Rise in Glory. Keep his dear family and friends in prayer as well.

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/08/29/washington-national-cathedral-prepares-to-help-family-nation-honor-mccain/

10

15th Annual Stockings for Soldiers Please Help Send Some Holiday Cheer to Our Troops.

Shelly Harris has put a large collection box in the back of the church. This will run from October 6th until November 18th.

This marks the 15th consecutive year to send personalized greetings to our brave men and women in uniform serving our country half-way around the world in the remotest areas of Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Egypt, Qatar Kuwait, Jordan, Kosovo, Romania, South

Korea and parts unknown. Our project sent over 9,000 stockings filled with goodies last year. We want to continue to let them know we are thinking of them while they are away from home and their families. We need your help to fill them up with Holiday Cheer and Goodies that remind them of home. The Good Shepherd Quilt Guild will again be sewing holiday stockings to donate. Please let Shelly know if you are interested at maharris08080@verizon.net.

Please consider the following suggested items to donate from the list below. Suggested Donation Items (Bolded items are most in demand)

> Small Candy o Mini-candy bars (send your favorite) o Christmas/Halloween candy

> Granola/Fruit/Breakfast Bars > Cookies/Nuts/Pretzels/Trail Mix

o Less than 12 oz. size > Flavored drink mixes (Single Packets)

o Lemonade, teas, hot cocoa, coffee > Chewing gum > Toothbrushes > Socks (Black, Brown, White Crew Socks) > Chap Stick & Lip balms > Razors (individual or packs)

>Fruit roll-ups/gushers/Cracker Jacks > Slim Jims/Beef Jerky > Ramen Noodle Soup

o Single packs preferred > Hand/Foot Warmers > Small Individually Packages Meals

o Tuna/Lasagna/Beefaroni/Fruit. o Smaller package (8 oz. or less) preferred

> Tooth paste, foot powder, sun block > Baby Wipes-Unscented > Pocket games & puzzles > Crossword, Sudoku

Notes: Smaller, individual sized packaging is preferred to fit into individually packed stockings. We accept all sized packages/containers as donations, larger items are sent to units for snacking.

No soap products please, they spoil other items in shipping if mixed in with other donations!!!

Holiday Greeting Cards!!! Send a Personal Holiday Messages of Support & Friendship (Include return address or email, you might hear back from the soldier)

$$$ Financial Donations to Help with the Costs $$$ (Help cover postage and shipping costs - $2.00/donated bag of Goodies suggested) 501.c.3 Tax ID # 27-0604668 Mailing Address: 1911 Foulk Road, Wilmington, DE 19810

See www.StockingsForSoldiers.org or E-mail Judy Travis at Judy@StockingsForSoldiers.org for more info.

“Sending Stockings Filled With Joy To Our Soldiers In Harm’s Way.”

11

Big costs to the ‘spiritual but not religious’ view By Dwight DeWerth-Pallmeyer, For the Philadelphia Inquirer

Before the recent report of the widespread cover-up of sexual abuse by priests in Pennsylvania, and the

tepid turnouts for the pope's visit in Ireland, Pope Francis appeared to the world as the new blood the

Catholic Church has needed for decades. He was largely considered a pope of the people, a charismatic

figure who might drive Catholics back to the pews.

Yet, a recent Gallup report shows Catholic Church attendance slipped an additional 6 percent in the

last decade. And the drop in church attendance is not limited to Catholicism.

Mainstream Protestant denominations have also seen fewer attendees. From 1972 to 2016, the

percentage of Americans who labeled themselves Protestant dropped from 28 percent to just 10 percent

today and the percentage of regular church attendees dropped from 8.5 percent to less than 3 percent

now.

Increasingly, young people, particularly those in their 20s, are turning away from any sense of

organized religion. The decline in attendance is staggering and suggests a dramatic disconnect between

organized religion and American priorities.

As of 2017, more than 27 percent of Americans labeled themselves as "spiritual but not religious."

When probed, these individuals point to the "hypocrisy of church leaders" and say they themselves live

a more Christian life than church leaders.

Let's face it: We're all flawed. We're all hypocritical when measured against the values we espouse,

regardless of whether we attend worship or stay home in bed.

So, what are the costs of the "spiritual but not religious" movement? For one, loneliness.

A recent study by the health insurer Cigna found that nearly half of all Americans feel lonely. Many

Americans now work remotely, saving them driving time and saving companies space. But this leads

to less face-to-face interaction. A recent report indicates lonely people are more likely to die

prematurely than those who smoke half a pack of cigarettes a day.

A quiet, individualized spiritual outlook does nothing to foster community. While many churches may

not feel warm and fuzzy at first, faith, at its core, is about community.

A second cost is loss of happiness. The journal Review of Religious Research summarizes the

data: "Numerous studies indicate a positive correlation between religiosity as measured by attendance

at religious services and happiness."

Houses of worship can be a place for building faith, a system of values, and a sense of community.

Members learn to care for one another. We simply do not find that same kind of alliance among the

soccer moms and dads who watch their children play on Sunday mornings.

Faith and values need to be shared and discussed. Sure, we can find God in mountaintop experiences in

nature (I've had them myself), but to develop a grown-up grasp of beneficial theology requires

community. Your spiritual views shouldn't be a social taboo.

12

We find this principle in the early Christian church, in the Jewish pilgrims' years in the desert, and in

the notion of Ummah, or community, found in the Quran. The world's religions almost unanimously

point to "welcoming the stranger" and "looking out for the least of these."

Communal worship points to both our shortcomings and, as noted theologian C.S. Lewis pointed out,

authentic worship should be a place of joy. It sustains our values and our focus outward.

Who is to blame for the loss in worship affiliation? Frankly, all of us. For one, churches and

synagogues have clearly not adapted to today's world. While 20-minute sermons may have been

effective in the 1950s, they don't resonate with younger groups. Even in our modern understanding of

effective teaching, educators have learned that straight lectures can be one of the least profitable means

of teaching.

One can only expect youth and adults to attend worship services if those gatherings resonate in a

meaningful style that speaks to them in their language. People need to feel involved and messages need

some sense of personalization.

Worship must become personally enriching, community-building, and, dare I say, "fun"? Essential

theological messages don't need to change, but the style in which those messages are delivered is

needed if organized religion in the U.S. hopes to reverse a 60-year decline in membership and

attendance.

Finally, the question of religious participation is up to each of us as individuals. Do we want to wrestle

alone with the meaning of life, the notion of a supreme being, and our value as human beings — or

within a community of others, equally hypocritical, asking the same big questions, a place where all

are welcome, loved, and forgiven?

Dwight DeWerth-Pallmeyer is an associate professor of communication studies and digital media

informatics at Widener University in Chester.

13

October 2018

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

2 9 AM Morning Prayer Sumer Lunch Program

3 7 PM Brotherhood of St. Andrew

4 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:30 PM Bell Choir 7:15 PM Choir Practice

5

6 4:30 PM Open Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist Healing Prayer

7 Pentecost 20 9 AM Open Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Children’s Choir Prac. 11:30 AM Adult Forum 11:30 AM Youth Group 4 PM Blessing of the Animals

8 7 PM Women at the Well - ECW

9 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Caring Hands Sumer Lunch Program

10 7 PM Property Committee Meeting

11 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:30 PM Bell Choir 7:15 PM Choir Practice

12

13 Fall Stewardship Begins 4:30 PM Open Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist

14 Pentecost 21 9 AM Open Prayer 9 AM Parish Breakfast 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School 11:30 AM Vestry Meeting

15

Crook Info Due

16 9 AM Morning Prayer

17 10 AM Contemplative Prayer 6:30 – 8 PM Good Shepherd Quilters

18 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:30 PM Bell Choir 7:15 PM Choir Practice

19

20 4:30 PM Open Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist

21 Pentecost 22 9 AM Open Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School – Fellowship 11:15 AM Children’s Choir Prac. 11:30 AM Youth Group 11:30 AM Page Turners 2 PM CROP Walk 11:30 AM Page Turners

22

23 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Caring Hands

24

25 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:30 PM Bell Choir 7:15 PM Choir Practice

26

27 2 – 5 PM Camden Christmas Harvest Party @ St. Paul’s 4:30 PM Open Prayer 5:30 PM Taize Service 6:30 PM Fall Stewardship Wine & Cheese

28 Pentecost 23 9 AM Open Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Children’s Choir Prac. 11:15 AM Ministry Fair

29

30 9 AM Morning Prayer

Summer Lunch Program

31 Halloween 4 – 8 PM Halloween Table outside on the Lawn

Place Fridge Magnet here!

14

The Shepherd’s Crook

Church of the Good Shepherd

Pitman, NJ

October 2018

Church of the Good Shepherd 315 Highland Terrace Pitman, NJ 08071

Telephone – 856-589-8209 E-mail – goodshepherdpitman@gmail.com

www.goodshepherdpitman.org