the shepherd’s crook€¦ · 08/07/2020 · god loves us. god wants us to take care of...

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The Shepherd’s Crook The Church of the Good Shepherd

Pitman, NJ

“We Love Our Church”

The Rev. Susan E. Osborne-Mott, Rector The Rev. Carl Dunn, Deacon

A Goal I Never Knew I Had!

I recently found out via a breast cancer surgeon that the barely detectable lumps I had on my right breast

would never have been identified for surgery if I hadn’t had a mammogram. Thank you God! Due to Connie

Parent recommending my new doctor and my new doctor sending me over to Jefferson for a routine

mammogram, I never would have known. God indeed works in mysterious ways. I am thankful for friends and

for tenacious doctors. I am thankful that I am now a poster child, (poster adult? poster old lady?) for early

detection!

How many of us just don’t want to “bother” with things like medical tests. How many of us just don’t want to

take the time out of our busy day? How busy are our days - really? Are we really too busy to save our own lives?

How many of us find such tests painful or embarrassing? The ladies who took care of me at Jefferson were very

considerate and avoided pain as much as possible. Embarrassing? Well, it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes we

need to show our bodies to our doctors. If this bothers you, ask if you can bring an advocate with you, your

daughter or son or a friend. It’s always wise to have someone with you to take notes. Conversations with doctors

are not always comfortable and we can forget things, even the questions we planned to ask. Bring an advocate

with you.

Most important - DON’T STALL! Do you really want your daughter or son to be nagging you about that test

you were supposed to schedule two weeks ago? A month ago? Six months ago?

My father had a theory about medical care. If he avoided it, it would go away! And he was a mortician — he

KNEW what could happen!

When it comes to taking care of ourselves, we can be completely illogical. Advice from our doctors goes in

one ear and out the other. “Whatever could happen, it won’t happen to me!” “I can eat whatever I want.” “I can

drive like a maniac.” “I never get a ticket.” “I have a good constitution" (whatever that means). “I have good

genes.” Let’s not fool ourselves. God loves us. God wants us to take care of ourselves. But God did give us free

will. If we decide to be idiots, God will grant us that privilege.

Brad and I have a good friend who is also Andy’s godmother. We were all roommates for a while when we

were younger. She often took care of both Andy and Emmie. She was both a professional stage manager and

stagehand. She was also an incredible professional seamstress, making beautiful quilts and Christmas stockings.

I don’t think any of us realized how careless she had become with her health. Or else we didn’t want to know.

She lived alone. She drank too much. She finally developed cirrhosis of the liver. She’s now in the hospital on a

respirator. Andy sits beside her for hours and holds her hand and all her friends and family visit her through his

computer via Zoom. We talk to her and we believe she can hear us.

I cannot help but think that slowly but surely she slipped through the cracks - fading before our very eyes,

before we knew it, or before we were willing to know it.

Especially these days, but certainly at all times, let us treasure each other as the gifts from God that we are. Let

us treasure each other and ourselves. And let us try to see the whole world, everyone in the world as a precious

gift from God. Because that is who and what we are.

Mother Susan+

August 2020

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DEACON CARL’S CORNER

Let the Church Be the Church

Bill Gaither is one of the most prolific gospel

song writers in Church history. One of those

songs is called, “The Church Triumphant”;

the chorus says:

Let the church be the church, let the people

rejoice.

Oh, we've settled the question,

We've made our choice.

Let the anthems ring out, songs of victory

swell

for the church triumphant is alive and well

You can find the verses online, but when I

say “Church”, what comes to mind? What is

the Church’s purpose? NT Wright says, “The

point of following Jesus isn’t simply so that

we can be sure of going to a better place than

this after we die. Our future beyond death is

enormously important, but the nature of the

Christian hope is such that it plays back into

the present life. We are called, here and

now, to be instruments of God’s new

creation, the world-put-to rights which has

already been launched in Jesus and of which

Jesu’s followers are supposed to be not

simply beneficiaries but also agents.” We

are…“to become key elements of the

Christian calling to work for his kingdom

within the world”.

We are called to serve our Lord where he

calls us to serve. We are nudged and pushed

by the Holy Spirit through our prayers,

readings, world events, being informed,

broadening your list of friends and more.

God used Mother Pat, Bishop George and

Jim Gowland in my life. Who is God using in

your life?

Whether we are inside a building we call the

“Church” or being the church with fellow

followers of Christ over the phone, Zoom,

Facetime, 6’ apart etc.– God is calling you to

begin, continue or expand your efforts.

There is nothing more satisfying.

As I explore where to serve, NT Wright

challenged me with these words. “We dream

the dream of justice. We glimpse, for a

moment, a world at one, a world put to

rights, a world where things work out, where

societies function fairly and efficiently,

where we not only know what we ought to do

but actually do it. And then, we wake up

and come back to reality. But what are we

hearing when we are dreaming that dream?”

Deacon Carl

During this time of uncertainty, please

know that Church of the Good Shepherd

will always be here for you. Please email

us or phone in your prayers so Mother

Susan and Deacon Carl can pray for you

specifically if you desire. Both of them

are calling parishioners to check up on

you and see how you are doing. We want

to thank you all for continuing to support

Good Shepherd by mailing in your

pledges.

Blessings,

Mother Susan and Deacon Carl

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.

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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

here in the Crook.

Since we are not at the church on the weekends you

could bring your donations directly to the pantry or

Sue Burkhard's house. Pantry hours - Tuesdays 6 to

7, Wednesdays 4 to 5, Thursdays 12 to 1.

Food donations for August are:

8/1 & 2 – Peanut Butter

8/9 & 10 – Canned Vegetables

8/15 & 16 – Pancake Mix or Syrup

8/22 & 23 – Canned Ravioli

8/29 & 30 – Canned Fruit

All donations are greatly appreciated and accepted.

Once we get back

Save your spare change for the SQUIRRELS’ NESTS!

They are in the back of the Church and in the Parish Hall

THURSDAY STUDY GROUP

The THURSDAY STUDY GROUP’s Our new

study will be Brian McLaren's book The

Great Spiritual Migration: How the

World's Largest Religion is Seeking a

Better Way to Be Christian. In his book,

McLaren offers a way that we can

embrace three powerful understandings

that are reshaping the practice of faith -

spiritually, theologically and missionally.

It is very timely for the reckoning our

country is facing right now. Purchase

your book, read the Introduction and join

us at 9:30 am on Thursdays, by clicking on

this Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86002204298

OUTREACH

We hope that everyone is staying safe and

careful during this time of the Covid-19

virus. We are still not accepting clothes to

be delivered to Camden. St. Wilfrid’s clinic

is still not in operation so we have no

outlet for them at this time. Please do NOT

drop anything off at our house. We will be

forced to dispose of anything that we

receive, due to the virus. We promise to let

you know when we are taking clothing

and shoes for distribution to Camden

again.

Blessings, Deacon Carl and Ellie Dunn

Please Be Considerate of

Our Neighbors!

When you park near the church, please be

considerate of our neighbors and make sure

you have fully cleared their driveways. Thank

you!


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CHURCH MINISTRY LEADERS These are some of their names and numbers, if you have

any questions.

Rector - The Rev. Susan Osborne-Mott – 732-759-4358

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

Senior Warden – Len Clark – 856/582-1113

Junior Warden – Beth Portocalis – 856/357-3938

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

2020 VESTRY LIAISONS Endowment Planning – Diane Wall

Personnel – Aimee Burgin

Youth Group & Activities – Lauren Kaltwasser

Sunday School – Brad Davies

Outreach Ministries – Dana Szilier

Newcomers/Greeters – Len Fedullo

Internal Ministries – Steve Mackay

Columbarium – Diane Wall

Choir – Jeff Bathurst

Women at the Well - Diane Wall

Brotherhood of St. Andrew – Brad Davies

Adult Christian Education – Aimee Burgin

Website & Social Media – Len Fedullo

Creation Care Ministry – Lauren Kaltwasser

Stewardship Committee – Len Clark – Chair, Steve

Mackay (2020), Len Fedullo (2021), Jeff Bathurst

(2022)

Senior Warden – Len Clark

Junior Warden – Beth Portocalis

Treasurer – Lee Braidwood

Clerk of the Vestry – Chuck Lezenby

Assistant Clerk of the Vestry – Mel Caron

Prayers for Parish Families For August

Scull family, Sheridan family, Shuda-Hahn

family, Siebold family and Sikorski family

OUR PRAY-ERS MINISTRY

Soon we will be able to offer up prayers together in the church. And everyone will be invited to pray with a Pray-er Minister should they desire to. Until that time, please feel free to send your prayer requests to Mother Susan at [email protected]. All requests will remain confidential.

PITMAN FOOD PANTRY

In service to the greater community, Jenn Harrington continues to accept and deliver donations for the Pitman Food Pantry, whose needs have risen greatly due to the pandemic. Those who live close to Jenn can drop off at her house at 7 Trafalger Court in Sewell. If you live closer to Church, you may also leave donated food at Beth Portocalis' house at 301 Washington Avenue in Pitman. You may also leave donated items at the Pantry during their operational hours. (30 North Broadway, Pitman Tuesdays from 5:30 - 7:00 pm; Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:00 pm; and Thursdays from 11:30 - 1:00 pm)

DEADLINE

The deadline for the September 2020 Crook will be on August 15, 2020. Please e-mail all articles and pictures to [email protected].

Maryanne Charlton Parish Administrator

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

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected].

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Raymond Harris, III

Steven Sanders

Matt Spangler

Lynn Spangler

Scott Thomas

Glen

Tim

Dan Hurlbut

Zak Bartelt

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

Joseph Whaley Anne Lewis Edna Spratt Katherine Lesher Steelman family Sophia Capano Joseph Capano Evelyn Recinello Family of Jessica Carter Chris Burness Janet Murphy Andrew Knox Yvonne Dolores Concio Hilda & Carey Myra The Santores Tannine Jacquie Kelly Nancy Smith family Ellis family Naomi Cressman Lori Bathurst Mary Lanie Deborah Keser Frank Ziemetz Art Dilworth Betty Beard Triste Audrey & Ed Harlow Gerry Betty Steinberg John Opel

Matthew Cushinotto

Theresa Cushinotto

Mike Grzybowski

Ted

Mike McHugh

Bonnie Weis

Kane Lawlor

Drew Naphy

Rhen Brinkerhoff

Brian Opel

Jonathan Dickson

Matt

Michael Marta

Marcos

Bryan Jensen

Andrew

Kyle

Ryan Bubnoski

Chris

Carson

Robert J. Kunze

Alexandra Wismer

Gen Portocalis Danielle DJ Bryant Denise

Devon & Steve

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 McFadden family Seely family Audrey Buck Joe DeMarco James Candyce Rich Reiniello Mike Daly Maripat Makalusky Helen & Ken Michelle Siegle Natasha Tuoy Melissa Czechowicz Paul Kathy Busser Janet Paraschak Debbie Crystal Snoke Dorothy Marylou Mitchell Morgan Janice Enstrom Robert Linda Rebecca Sharon Reneé April Ellerbe John & Candace Jemilo

Denise Ladd Gattinella family Howard Caitlin John

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.”

Emily Ziemek Celenies Rodriquez Brad Mott Bill S. Gail Steve Theis Lee Braidwood

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AUGUST

2nd & 4th Tuesdays – 9:30 AM Caring Hands via Zoom

All Tuesdays & Thursdays –

9 AM Morning Prayer via Zoom

All Wednesdays – 10 AM Contemplative Group

via Zoom

All Thursdays – 9:30 AM Thursday Study Group

via Zoom

August 2 – PENTECOST 9

Sunday, 10 AM Holy Eucharist via Zoom



11:30 AM Vestry Meeting







AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

01 – Robert Earley

04 – Adam Bathurst

04 – Ethan Bathurst

06 – Pat Braidwood

06 – Kallan Stinger

07 – Andrea Startare

08 – Luke Cerveny

08 – Nathan McHugh

11 – Jason Vail

12 – Victoria Nelson

13 – Roger Baker

13 – Art Dilworth

13 – Emily Ruoff

14 – David Wynkoop

17 – Kevin Baker

17 – George Funk

17 – Madison McNally

17 – Diane Wall

18 – Audrey Buck

18 – Darrin Buono

20 – Susan Baker

23 – Patrick DeLooff

24 – Chris Baumle

25 – Frank Jackson

26 – McKayla Earley

27 – Wayne Szalma

CONTEMPLATIVE GROUP

The CONTEMPLATIVE GROUP begin a new

study of Richard Rohr's "Contemplation" on

Wednesday, July 22. All are welcome to join

us at any time! If you've never tried

contemplation, this series would be a good

one with which to begin. We meet at 10 a.m.

on Zoom at this link:


HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING OUR BELOVED PARISH, GOOD

SHEPHERD, IN YOUR WILL?

MORNING PRAYER

Morning Prayer is on Tuesday &

Thursday mornings at 9 AM with

Mother Susan on Zoom


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FAMILIES IN NEED FUND

As the CoViD pandemic lingers on, we are each

facing difficult times; people losing their jobs,

children needing to be home-schooled (some

without computers), families trying to decide

whether to buy groceries or pay the

rent/mortgage, social isolation, and so on.

Many of you are experiencing anxiety over

loved ones you can’t visit. Our Church is more

than a building we visit once a week, it is us,

the people of Church of Good Shepherd, the

people of God. We are on a spiritual journey

together, no matter where we start from, led

by the Holy Spirit. Even though we can’t be

together physically for the time being, we are

always there for each other spiritually.

The Church had a "Families In Need" Fund, and the Vestry has re-opened this dedicated fund given the crisis we are currently facing. If you find yourself in need, please reach out confidentially to Deacon Carl at 609-868-7102 or Mother Susan at 732-759-4358, and they will do everything within the financial abilities of this Fund to help.

Also, the Vestry is asking each of us as members of the Good Shepherd family to consider the financial needs of other Church members and possibly assist those who are in need by making a contribution to this Fund. Our Church has always been known for our outreach, but these times of uncertainty are when we most need to help those within our Church family with hardships. If you would like to donate to this fund, simply make a check payable to “Church of The Good Shepherd” and mark it “Families In Need Fund” and we will put it to good use as Jesus guides us. All donated funds will only be used for the purpose of helping other parishioners.

As always, we thank you for your generosity and we will continue to pray for our collective health, welfare and safety, and look forward to the time when we can safely worship and fellowship together again at Good Shepherd.

Thank You God

for Free Gifts

by Alice Aultman

Life gives us much concern about what we

can do for others. Maybe there is no money

and in the present time no physical contact

plus we are not supposed to be really close to

anyone. So what do we do?

Here are some thoughtful suggestions that

might give you some usable ideas: SMILE, a

friendly smile can travel many feet. We don’t

have to know the person we see but they

know you like them. BE A GOOD

EXAMPLE. Don’t limit your smiles, smile at

all of those persons you are meeting and they

will probably smile back. OFFER SOME

GOOD CONVERSATIONS! Everyone likes

to talk. SHARE A SILLY JOKE; laughter is

the best medicine. COMPLIMENT someone

about something they are wearing or are

doing. This shows that person you care. BE

CHEERFUL, no matter how glum you feel,

the cheer is sometimes contagious and in the

process you both will feel better. LISTEN, to

what that person has to say. You may not be

interested, but it is important for that other

person to be heard. ASK if there is

something you can do for them. A favor will

frequently bond a relationship.

Now for some other ideas that can help

others that cost little. Drop a note to that

person and leave it under the door. A phone

call just to say hello helps when a person is

in solitude. Again, exhibit cheerfulness, it

can come through with your voice tone. None

of these suggestions cost money but can sure

offer a lift to a dull day.

Tell them you are praying for them and are

praying for the best. I thank God that he is

there for me!

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CARING HANDS

Caring Hands is now meeting on the

second and fourth Tuesdays of each

month at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom (ID 867

3220 8700). All knitters, crocheters or

other needlework people are welcome

to join us!

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!

Maryanne has received some great pics

from people. Keep ‘em coming!

Altar Flowers

& Sanctuary Candle

If you are interested in funding Altar Flowers

or the Sanctuary Candle in memory of

someone or in thanksgiving for someone, the

forms are in the Parish Hall, on the back wall

on the Bulletin Board near the kitchen.

Please fill out the appropriate form with your

information for your desired date, as long as

it is available, on the appropriate chart on

the bulletin board. Please put your

completed form in Parish Administrator’s

mailbox or under her office door.

We do not have flowers during Advent or Lent. The Sanctuary Candle is available year

round.

Washington National

Cathedral

The Washington National Cathedral is offering Sunday services online. Use the link below

https://www.youtube.com/user/wncathedral

just click on “Videos” at top and you will see the latest service as well as previous ones.



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August 2020

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

2 PENTECOST 9 10 AM Holy Eucharist

3

4 9 AM Morning Prayer Sumer Lunch Program

5 10 AM Contemplative Group

6 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Thursday Study Group

7

8

9 PENTECOST 10 10 AM Holy Eucharist 11:30 AM Vestry Meeting

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11 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Caring Hands

Crook Info Due

12 10 AM Contemplative Group


14

15

Crook Info Due


17

18 9 AM Morning Prayer

19

10 AM Contemplative Group


21

22


24

25 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Caring Hands

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10 AM Contemplative Group


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29


31

Place Fridge Magnet here!

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

Telephone – 856-589-8209 E-mail – [email protected] www.goodshepherdpitman.org

The Shepherd’s Crook

Pitman, NJ

August 2020

Church of the Good Shepherd

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.goodshepherdpitman.org/

the shepherd’s crook€¦ · 08/07/2020 · god loves us. god wants us to take care of...

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