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As we venture into the doldrums of summer,
doing our best to avoid political discussions of
any sort (that’s my policy anyway!), I find
myself considering the conversations our
forebears have had with God. Many people
view such conversations as prayer. But let’s
consider our communication with God
conversation, a back and forth exchange of
ideas and opinions.
We know God loves us. Does that mean God
loves us as valued individuals or as adored,
indulged, and occasionally disciplined “pets”?
When we refer to ourselves as children of God,
does that mean God loves us unconditionally,
without expectation? I don’t think so. God does
love us unconditionally, but just as we have
expectations of our children (and even our
pets!), God has expectations of us.
And sometimes it’s hard to determine what
those expectations are. We have the Bible to
guide us, of course. But we also can be guided
by our relationship with God. Given any
situation, if we’re trying to determine WHAT
TO DO, we can look to the Bible and to God’s
presence with us to help us make decisions. I
believe most of us, if questioned, would be able
to accurately answer the question “What do you
think God wants you to do?” Even children can
answer that question. Most of us have that inner
barometer, that sense of right and wrong.
(Of course there are those who don’t, and they
are a whole other conversation, involving
psychologists and other professionals.)
God wants to have a relationship with us. And
whether we acknowledge it or not, God does
have a relationship with us. It becomes evident
as we go through life. I consider Abraham’s
ability to walk along and simply chat with God
to be an excellent example of what our
relationship with God can be like. Whether we
chat or argue with God or not, God is there,
walking beside us, always ready to
communicate with us.
But are we ready to listen? Listening is a skill
that needs to be cultivated. Just because we can
hear doesn’t mean we’re listening. Think of all
the times you have participated in a
conversation when you have spent your “turn to
listen” actually silently planning out what you
want to say? When have you sat back, as an
open and available participant, just ready to
listen to what was being said to you? Ready to
absorb, without judgment? It’s not easy. In fact,
it’s really hard!
What if we did that with God? What if our
prayer was, “Dear God, I know I’m capable of
listening. I know I can do this. Please help me
to open my ears so I can really hear what you
have to say to me. Please help me to listen.”
As we enter into August, let us believe we can
be open, available to God, without expectations
or preconceived notions. Let us believe God
truly hears us, truly listens to us. Let us
imagine, and then believe that we can have
conversations with God.
The Shepherd’s Crook The Church of the Good Shepherd
Pitman, NJ The Rev. Susan E. Osborne-Mott, Rector August 2016
“We Love Our Church”
A Letter from Mother Susan
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Uppity Women of the Bible
Women's Thursday Bible Study will resume on Thursday, September 8th with the study of the Book of Judith. Our series is presented by Dr. Lisa Wolfe. She describes this book this way: "Judith, from the Koine Greek version of the Hebrew Testament reads like a historical novel rife with warfare, lust, espionage and intrigue. This six-week series takes you from a mythological battlefield and a besieged city into the studio and psyche of the Baroque painter Artemesia Gentilschi." We'll actually be doing this series in five weeks. Many participate in Morning Prayer first. The class begins at 9:30 and lasts one hour. For questions, contact Mel Caron at 478-234-3698 or melanieannecaron@gmail.com.
Church History Display
I hope that everyone has had a chance to
check out the Church History Exhibit in the
glass case in the parish hall. It features a
rotating exhibit of artifacts and pictures from
our combined church history as a Good
Shepherd Family! It is a fun way to see what
others have used in the past in their worship
and study! If you have anything that you would
like to share, please let me know! I am running
out of exhibit items. I have enough for 2 or 3
more exhibits and I have been rotating them
every 4 months. Your items will be returned to
you in good condition after the exhibit ends.
Thanks so much!
Ellie Dunn
609-868-7104
CHURCH MINISTRY LEADERS
These are some of their names and numbers, if you have any questions.
Senior Warden George Funk - 856/232-0941
Junior Warden Sue Burkhard - 856/218-1035
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
Jenn Harrington – 856-383-0823
Altar Guild Shelly Harris - 856/589-8160
Newcomers Deb Prieto – 856/478-0795
Youth Group -
Chelsea Richmond – 856-723-4123
Sunday School Lori Bathurst – 856-415-9283
Pat Braidwood – 856-228-0737
VESTRY LIAISONS, 2016
Personnel – Jack Daugherty
Property & Security – Len Clark
Endowment Planning – Rich Harrington
Columbarium – Deb Prieto
Newcomers/Greeters – Deb Prieto
Adult Christian Education – Jack Daugherty
Internal Ministries – Cindy Taglienti
Outreach – Connie Parent
Sunday School – Elizabeth Nelson
Brotherhood of St. Andrew – Wayne Szalma
Youth Activities – Chelsea Richmond
Family Promise – Rich Harrington
Prayer Ministry – Cindy Taglienti
Stewardship Committee – Len Clark
Choir – Rich Harrington
Senior Warden – George Funk Junior Warden – Sue Burkhard Treasurer – Lee Braidwood Clerk of the Vestry – Chuck Lezenby Assistant Clerk of the Vestry – Diane Wall
SERVICES
Saturdays: 5:30 PM – Holy Eucharist
Sundays: 10:00 AM – Holy Eucharist
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9 AM Morning Prayer
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Prayers for the Parish Families
For August
Morton families, Moulthrop family, Murray family, and Myhre family
OUR PRAY-ERS 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 rear of the Church who are willing to offer prayers for 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.
Pray-er Ministry
Anyone interested in being a Pray-er Minister at the Saturday night or Sunday services please contact Cindy Taglienti @ 227-1566 or cindytaglienti@comcast.net.
The Food Pantry
The Food Pantry always needs tuna, canned
fruit and vegetables, macaroni & cheese,
peanut butter, jelly and juice. They are also
in need of volunteers to help with the Food
Pantry on Tuesday evenings to give out food.
They are open on even dated Tuesdays each
month from 6pm – 7pm.
Saturday Morning Movie
SATURDAY MORNING MOVIE will take place
on Saturday, September 10, 9:30-11:30 in the
Parish Hall. Breakfast will be provided. We
will once again be watching a presentation by
Pastor Rob Bell entitled "Everything Is
Spiritual". There is no word in the Hebrew
Scriptures for "Spiritual". And Jesus never
used the phrase "spiritual life." Because for
Jesus and his tradition, all of life is spiritual.
So what does that mean? Rob Bell will share
with us his understanding on this question in a
way that is informative, funny and extremely
thought-provoking. For questions, contact Mel
Caron.
Coffee Hour
Just a reminder that Coffee Hour is a service
that is supplied cost-free to you thanks to the
donations of time and supplies by the hosts and
coffee hour assistants. If you enjoy the coffee
hours but are not able to be a host or assistant,
you can always be a help by donating cans of
coffee, paper plates, 9-10 oz. cups, coffee
creamer, baked items, or fruit every once in a
while. If you want to be a host or assistant on a
regular basis (about once every ten-twelve
weeks) let one of the coffee hour volunteers
know. Thanks to all of the volunteers for making
the coffee hours enjoyable.
FORWARD DAY BY DAY
The new issue of Forward Day by Day for
August-September-October has arrived.
Please take one for yourself. They are on
the table at the back of the church and in
the Parish Hall.
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Jane E. Terry Johnson Ashley Kari Donna Barton Aaliyah Seely McFadden family Seely family Art Dilworth Walter Hickman Amy Elfreth family Don Snyder Clint Lorance Anna Lorance Carole Melissa Benson Bill Brower George Farley Kim Evans & twins Henry Traz Gloria Rubino Audrey Bill Beard Andrew Buck Joe DeMarco James Anna Candyce Rich Reiniello Kate Killebrew Len Davis Emily Eugene & Jean McLaughlin
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
Prayers for the Nation
Barack Obama, Our President Chris Christie, Our Governor
“For all those who serve and protect us at home”
Prayers for the Sick and in Need
Gordon Ellis II Ruth DeLoreto Heather Alice Swan Antonette Gorman Sandy Mary Jane Merille Ulisny Radd Dilworth Frank Meralinda Stevis Lenny Jim Doris Faith John & Pat Wisniewski Vincent Jackson Tod Porter Terri Tara Chase Michael Jeremy Williams & family Freda Ryan Bubnoski Daniel Moore Regina Sandra Louie Michelle F. Janet L. Jim Minnie Ms. DeStefano Julie Landwher Florence
Tracie & family Michelle Siegle Mike Daly Jeanne Maripat Makalusky Hilda Deborah & Glynn Natasha Tuoy Helen & Ken Caroline
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.”
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.
Peter Larrabee Brian Almondrod Raymond Harris, III Steven Sanders Matt Spangler Lynn Spangler Scott Thomas Glen Tim Dan Hurlbut Zak Bartelt Alex Driscoll 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
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Prayer 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.
Page Turners’ Book Group
August 21: PIGS IN HEAVEN by Barbara Kingsolver
The Page Turners meet once a month, immediately following the 10am Holy Eucharist, in the Conference Room. Please come and join us for some very interesting discussion, exchange of ideas and sharing.
OUTREACH
Thank you so much for your wonderful and generous donations of clothing and shoes for men in Camden! It is always a constant struggle to obtain men’s clothing and shoes in good condition! Believe me that everything is used and desperately needed! If you have any men’s clothing and/or shoes that you wish to donate, please place them in manageable size bags on our front porch! We will be happy to deliver them for you! We are located at 223 Highland Terrace, Pitman.
Ellie and Carl Dunn
A Partnership with Mannino’s Cucina Italiana
Vito Mannino (owner of Mannino’s Cucina Italiana) has agreed to a partnership with the Church of the Good Shepherd. A donation will be made to the church of 10% of the luncheon or dinner bill for every member who dines at the restaurant (located at 126 South Broadway - between the bakery and the Police Station). Please notify your server that you are a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd before placing your order. The restaurant is open Monday thru Thursday and Sunday from 11:00AM until 9:00PM and Friday and Saturday from 11:00AM until 10:00PM. Reservations are recommended on Friday and Saturday evenings. The food is excellent!! Your support of this partnership will be greatly appreciated!!
INQUIRER'S CLASS
INQUIRER'S CLASS will meet August 7 in the Conference Room following the 10 a.m. Service. Our topic for August will be "Embracing Mystery". Some believe that people today hunger for mystery. Studies have shown that people don't have the language to explain that this is what they seek, they just know that something is "missing" for them. How can we find the mystery of God and more importantly how do we embrace it in a way that makes sense to us. All are welcome to join us for this DVD presentation and discussion following!
September's Inquirer's Class will focus on "Out into the World: Challenge Facing Progressive Christians."
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT
PUTTING OUR BELOVED PARISH,
GOOD SHEPHERD, IN YOUR WILL?
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What’s Happening In August
All Tuesdays & Thursdays
9 AM Morning Prayer
August 6 & 7 - PENTECOST 12
Saturday, 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist
Sunday, 10 AM Holy Eucharist
11:30 AM Inquirers’ Group
August 10 – 7 PM Property Committee Meeting
August 13 & 14 – PENTECOST 13
Saturday, 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist
Sunday, 10 AM Holy Eucharist
August 20 & 21 – PENTECOST 14
Saturday, 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist
Sunday, 10 AM Holy Eucharist
11:30 AM Page Turners
August 27 & 28 – PENTECOST 15
Saturday, 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist
Sunday, 10 AM Holy Eucharist
Contemplative Prayer Time Before Our Worship Services
For those who seek a time for quiet prayer on Saturdays and Sundays, from now on Mother Susan will open the church on Saturdays at 4:30 PM for the 5:30 PM service. We ask that 4:30 to 5:15 be a quiet prayerful time. Likewise, for Sundays, she will be in the Church at 9 AM for a quiet time from 9 to 9:30. We ask that all who come early to church honor these times as times for quiet prayer and contemplation.
Summer is here! We need to keep our Lawn-
Mowing Schedule going. If you are interested and
available to help out with mowing the Church
grounds please add your name to the Mowing List
in the Parish Hall. Thanks in advance!
August Birthdays
01 – Robert Earley
04 – Adam Bathurst
04 – Ethan Bathurst
06 – Pat Braidwood
07 – Andrea Startare
08 – Nathan McHugh
11 – Jason Vail
12 – Victoria Nelson
13 – Roger Baker
13 – Art Dilworth
13 – Emily Peel
14 – David Wynkoop
16 – Maureen 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
25 – Frank Jackson
26 – McKayla Earley
27 – Wayne Szalma
28 – Hal Johnson
DEADLINE
The deadline for the August 2016 Crook will be on July 15, 2016. Please e-mail all articles to goodshepherdpitman@gmail.com.
Maryanne Charlton Parish Administrator
MOWING SCHEDULE
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Let’s Cool Down the Parish Hall!
Our Parish Hall is a great space for us to enjoy fellowship, but it’s an uncomfortable and underutilized space during the heat of the summer. However, hallelujah! An anonymous parish member has offered a generous donation towards air conditioning! We need your help to reach the total needed. The total additional monies we need are approximately $7000. We are now almost halfway! So we are asking you to consider a special donation to the Parish Hall AC Fund. We will not begin the project until we have the needed funds in hand.
If you want to donate, please put “Parish Hall AC Fund” on the memo line of your check. You will find a thermometer in the Parish Hall that tracks our progress. Unlike others where you see the temperature rise toward the goal in red, this one will show the temperature falling in blue! We want to thank you in advance for your donation.
The Building & Grounds Committee and the Vestry.
Activities Calendars
Aug. 2016 – Aug. 2017
Our Parish Calendar will be available soon.
You’ll find them at the back of the church
or in the Parish Hall. We have a lot of
wonderful events planned for the year.
Parish Directories
Our updated Parish Directories are now
available. Please pick one up. They are in the
back of the Church and in the Parish Hall.
Treasurer's Blog - August 2016 Results through June 2016
Total Income:
Here is a breakdown of our total income for six months of 2016:
Budget Actual
Loose Plate 1,300 1,101
Envelopes 103,000 101,644
Special 5,100 4,067
Other 150 300
Income 109,550 107,112
Total expenses:
Here is a recap of our total expenses for six months of 2016:
Budget Actual
Expenses 106,093 101,903
Please note: We are now looking to raise
funds for Parish Hall air conditioning.
While we have a large donation covering
over half of the $17K estimate for the
project, we need to raise 7K to reach our
goal. So far we have raised $3.9K. Please
give thoughts to helping us make our goal
of having coffee hour in a cool environment
for the summer.
Sunday School News
We have had a fairly good response to our
Sunday School Survey! We will have a
meeting to discuss Sunday School on
Tuesday, August 2 at 7:30pm. We will
probably have another as well. Sunday
School registration will be on the weekend of
September 10th & 11th. The first day of
Sunday School will be on September 18th.
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Thanks to the Caring Hands Ministry
The following note was received by Caring Hands Ministry for the box of hats, scarves and blankets sent to World Vision. This is a new addition to this ministry's intention to reach beyond our borders!
Hello Knit for Kids Friend,
Thank you for the beautiful handmade item(s) you have made for children in our country and around the world. We received your wonderful gift and appreciate all the love and effort that went in to making it.
Your items were received and entered into our database in June, 2016.
Our most recent shipments have gone to Armenia, Bosnia, Burundi, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mali, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Somalia and Swaziland.
Please join us in an urgent need to knit 32,000 blankets! These blankets will go in Promise Packs, which are filled with school supplies, personal hygiene items, and a hand-written note of encouragement. Promise Packs are distributed to school aged children in countries throughout the world. Visit knitforkids.org and click on Get Involved/Start Knitting. From there you will want to click Download a Pattern, where you’ll find the instructions for our bold stripe blanket pattern.
Thank you for supporting the Knit for Kids program!
Blessings to you,
Knit for Kids c/o WORLD VISION 210 Overlook Drive Sewickley, PA 15143
email: knitforkids@worldvision.org URL: www.knitforkids.org URL: www.worldvision.org
Mother Susan’s
Upcoming Schedule
Mother Susan will be out of the office
August 3rd through August 8th.
She is on vacation August 15th through
August 26th.
For the two Sundays Mother Susan will be
gone, Deacon Carl Dunn will lead a
Deacon’s Mass.
Deacon Carl was lifted up by Good
Shepherd to become a deacon. It is
wonderful to welcome him back. He will
offer pre-consecrated bread and wine (pre-
consecrated by Mother Susan)
This is ultimately the same as the bread and
wine Mother Susan or a LEV (Lay
Eucharistic Visitor) would bring to you when
bringing the Eucharist to you when you are
ill or otherwise unable to attend church. In
this way we open the arms of Good
Shepherd even wider.
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August 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3 Mother Susan away
4 5
6 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist
7 Pentecost 12 10 AM Holy Eucharist
11:30 AM Inquirers’ Group
8
9 9 AM Morning Prayer
10 7 PM Property Committee Mtg.
11 9 AM Morning Prayer
12
13 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist
14 Pentecost 13
10 AM Holy Eucharist
15 Mother Susan on vacation
Crook Info Due
16 9 AM Morning Prayer
17
18 9 AM Morning Prayer
19
20 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist
21 Pentecost 14
10 AM Holy Eucharist
11:30 AM Page Turners
Mother Susan on vacation
22
23 9 AM Morning Prayer
24
25 9 AM Morning Prayer
26
27 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist
28 Pentecost 15
10 AM Holy Eucharist
29
30 9 AM Morning Prayer
31
Place Fridge Magnet here!
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The Shepherd’s Crook
Church of The Good Shepherd
Pitman, NJ
August 2016
Church of the Good Shepherd 315 Highland Terrace Pitman, NJ 08071
Telephone – 856-589-8209 E-mail – goodshepherdpitman@gmail.com
www.goodshepherdpitman.org
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