The Shepherd’s HornNewsletter of the Church of the Good Shepherd

April 18, 2012

I write to explain my personal position on the upcoming vote to amend the constitution of North Carolina regarding marriage.

First, let me say, that I speak here as a baptized Christian and as a priest of the church, but I do not speak on behalf of all members of Good Shepherd. This is one of the blessings we enjoy as members of the Anglican communion, that we are able to worship, pray and live together before we have to arrive at a full conclusion on all matters of life and faith. You have all come to know me well now, and you know that it is not my habit, nor my style of leadership, to expect conformity with my own beliefs and positions. Indeed, growth in Christian life comes from being a part of a community of conversation, always seeking to go deeper into the life of God together. I believe we do this very well at Good Shepherd, and it is a value I hold close.

At our recent Vestry retreat, one of the top core values for the group was the diversity of perspective and opinion that exists at Good Shepherd, and that it is a safe place for all to come, belong and explore

their belief. I am committed to keeping Good Shepherd a safe place for all.

I plan to vote against this amendment and ask that all Christians seriously study and learn about this amendment. I plan to vote against it because North Carolina law already states that marriage is between one man and one woman, and therefore, this amendment seems particularly mean-spirited. I plan to vote no because the language of this amendment is vague and will open the door to legal challenges of basic rights that ought to be afforded to all citizens.

Amendment One, worded as it is, will bring into question the ability of persons who are not married, both heterosexual and homosexual, to provide health care for loved ones, to provide hospital visitation rights to loved ones, the ability to dispense with one’s will as one sees fit, and many more legal rights now enjoyed. It would be possible to write an amendment to the constitution that further defines marriage as that between one man and one woman without taking away these rights. This amendment does not do that.

An Open Letter from the Rector about Amendment OneLet me be clear that voting no on Amendment

One is not an endorsement of same-sex marriage, but is, rather, opposition to the abridgment of con-stitutional rights currently afforded to all citizens.

It is notable that a good number of North Carolinians who describe themselves as conserva-tive oppose this amendment: John Hood, of the Locke Foundation, Representative Renee Elmers, Richard Vinroot, former Charlotte Mayor, Robert Orr, former NC Supreme Court Justice, and others. These persons, and many others, also point out the deep economic harm likely to come to North Carolina should this amendment pass. I trust their judgment on this.

You can find resources about the amendment one on the Internet, but I would point you to the Good Shepherd website (www.goodshepherdrmt.org) where there is a link to a resource page at the website of the Diocese of NC.

With deepest thanks for our ministry together,

What gift would Mom like most on Mother’s Day this year? How about an evening out with her fam-ily, a relaxing time with music and dinner. On Sun-day, May 13, 2012, the Cherub Choir, Alleluia Choir, children from the Good Shepherd Day School and the Good Shepherd Youth will perform the musical A Song of Saints, composed by Jennifer Stammers. The production, which is set in a parochial school house, was commissioned by The Church of the Good Shepherd in 2002.

In order to commission a work, choir director and organist Lawrence Goering says, you need to “find someone to write the piece and give the composer an idea of the subject you want and the level of difficulty” involved in the performance. Lawrence’s

inspiration for the topic came from a children’s book “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God,” authored by Lesbia Scott, who also wrote the words to the song with the same title. John Henry Hopkins composed the music for this familiar hymn. After Lawrence had contacted Ms. Stammers about writing the musical, he learned that she was the choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Church in Atchison, Kansas, where Hopkins had served as rector. Ms. Stammers’ joy over her close connection to the subject matter, plus the opportunity to write the script and the songs was apparent when she commented that the play “became a very personal story” for her. She referred specifically to the first song ‘Keep the Faith,’ which emphasizes that “Jesus grows with us – we’re never too old to have his love in our life.” This compelling

theme provides some of the essence of the first musical by the masterful composer.

Indeed, the children who act and sing in the show have declared “A Song of Saints” to be their favorite Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre production. Some have even suggested that The Church of the Good Shepherd commission a sequel, which Lawrence has acknowledged is a possibility. The play will be presented for the third time since 2003 on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Good Shepherd parish hall. Tickets for the meal and musi-cal will be available at $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children, starting on Sunday, April 22nd. You may also purchase tickets by visiting the church’s website, www.goodshepherdrmt.org.

Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre - Sunday, May 13, 2012 by Gail Jenkins

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Adult ForumsApril 29, May 6 & 13

Nooma by the RectorJesus lived with the awareness that God is doing

something right here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it. He encouraged his listeners to search, question, and wrestle with the implications of what he was saying and doing. He inspired, challenged, provoked, comforted, and invited people to be open to God’s work in this world. Wherever he went and whatever he did, Jesus started discussions about what matters most. Because for Jesus, God is always inviting us to open our eyes and join in. NOOMA is a series of short films that explore our world from the perspective of Jesus. NOOMA is an invitation to search, question, and join the discussion.

Youth ForumsApril 22: That Mission Trip was Fun…Now What?

You’re back from a mission trip, but is that all? It can be easy to forget that our service work, whether it is a mission trip to another country or simply volunteering here in Rocky Mount, can – and should – actually change us and our church community. This study looks at ways we can bring the passion of our “mountain-top experiences” from service and outreach back to our own church and community, and inspire others to continue the work of loving and serving our neighbors.

April 29: Tech EtiquetteHow should you handle receiving a text at the

dinner table or receiving a call while waiting in line at a store? Is it “okay” to break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend via e-mail? Via text? Via Facebook? What are the rules for using technology? Are there

any? While it seems to us that technology is like breathing, we must remember that much of this technology has only been around a short time when compared to the whole of human history. But this “virtual world” is inseparable from the real, flesh and blood world of relationships and life. Let’s discuss our own habits regarding technology, and offer and vote on some “ground rules” for using technology in a positive way.

May 6 & May 13: Prepare for Youth Sunday!Yes, my friends…we really do want you to help

plan and lead a Sunday morning worship service! Everyone is invited to help, each in your own way: some roles may be up front, while others will work on planning and other behind-the-scenes activities. You may be surprised at how many different gifts are needed as we plan worship for Youth Sunday, May 20th.

Christian Education Forums 10:00 a.m. Sunday Morning

Who hasn’t thrown a pebble into a pond and watched the ripples circle outward to encompass, affect and change the direction of floating objects? Good Shepherd has a history of doing this fre-quently. In addition to being the impetus behind the Community Kitchen, the Homeless Shelter, Bassett Center, Permanent Housing Program and Christ Can, all highlighted in last month’s Shepherd’s Horn, did you know that Good Shepherd also helped begin the FIGS program?

FIGS (People of Faith Filling in the Gaps) was started in 2008 to provide emergency assistance to those who had unexpected circumstances in their lives that left them unable to pay their rent, utilities, buy medicines, clothing or other expenses. Now sixteen other congregations also participate in the emergency assistance plan. The congregations do-nate funds to the program as needed, usually about every three months per church. One contribution per year can be given to an individual through the FIGS program.

The plan is administered by the Departments of Social Services in Nash and Edgecombe counties; these departments determine an applicant’s eligibil-

ity for assistance through the program. Applicants call or come to the church offices where a form, detailing the number of adults and/or children living in the home, is completed. Church office person-nel sign the form and fax it to the appropriate DSS office. The applicant then has to appear in person at the DSS office to claim the funds, if deemed eligible. Checks are made out to the appropriate utility or other entity and not directly to the person request-ing assistance. From the perspective of the DSS offices, poor planning or inadequate budgeting does not constitute program eligibility

In 2011, Good Shepherd donated $4,500 in church funds and $1,360.97 that was donated through the Fun Run to Nash and Edgecombe Counties DSS. That’s almost $6,000 from one church, and the other churches also participated, yet the need is greater still. Our Rector, Scott White says, “the program is a gift. We actually have something to offer those who come to the doors of the church who are in crisis. Neither the clergy, nor the staff, have to rely on their own best guess if the request for assistance is valid. DSS screens the request and often discovers that other assistance is available to the individuals. It is

the best description of a win/win situation.”

Matthew 25:36-40 reminds us that what we do for the needy is as if we do it for Jesus. A stone, tossed into the world by Jesus over 2,000 years ago ripples its effects today in Rocky Mount, through the POF-FIGS outreach efforts that Good Shepherd began and other congregations joined.

Praised be the name of the Lord!

MINUTE FOR MISSION - FIGS by Paulette Pridgen

The Rocky Mount Convocation of Episcopal Women will meet Tuesday, May 8,at Calvary Episcopal Parish in Tarboro. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and concludes after lunch. Christy Proctor, owner of the Wilson Chic-Fil-A, is the featured speaker and will talk about her spiritual life and community service. The Rev. Juliana Lindenberg will celebrate Holy Eucha-rist. Louise Anderson will assist her. Lunch is $9. Please contact Convocation ECW Chair Linda Jobe if you would like more information or want to attend. Email Linda at jobelg@embarqmail.com or call 445-2173.

The Shepherd’s Horn • Page 3

Announcements

April 11- May 165:00 ........... Cherub Choir5:30-6:30 .. Dinner Served5:30 ........... Alleluia Choir6:30 ........... Youth Group7:30............ Diocesan Book Study7:30............ Adult Choir

During Easter (through May 16) we will modify the Wonderful Wednesday schedule. Adult study will begin at 7:30p and go to 9:15p. You can participate in this study at home, online, or you can come down to the church and join the rector in the online discussion. The discussion will be part of a diocesan-wide book study led by the author, Diana Butler Bass.

The book is titled, Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. Diana Bass writes compellingly about the rapid transformations going on in religious life in our nation and around the world. She does not argue for the end of church, per se, but wants to encourage us to think about how we will minister in a new environment. The best way to buy the book is at amazon.com where you can also get an e-version.

See the Rector for more details and the diocesan web page: www.episdionc.org.

Dinner will be served beginning at 5:30, but our discussion will not begin until 7:30. If you come to the church for the 7:30 discussion, please eat before you come.

May 16 is the last Wonderful Wednesday till September.

Vacation Bible School“Operation Overboard: Dare To Go Deep with God!”June 11 - 15

This year’s theme promises to be an exciting week with lots of music and activities for children ages three through 5th grade. We will once again partner with other local churches, including Lakeside Baptist, West Haven Presbyterian, First Presbyterian, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal, and for the first time, Good Shepherd will host this ecumenical event! Register online NOW at http://www.goodshepherdrmt.org/youth_group. Registration has been opened to the larger community as of April 15. Contact Juliana Lindenberg with any questions at 252-442-1134 or jlindenberg@goodshepherdrmt.org.

Mark your calendars for April 29!

The Good Shepherd Youth will have a car wash from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Drop off your keys as you head in for worship and when you leave, you will rejoice in your sparkling clean car!

Suggested donations are $10 per car. Funds raised will help support GS Youth General Fund. (IVan, please insert some cute graphic here.)

Music at Good ShepherdSvyati: Music for Cello & OrganSunday, April 29, 5 p.m.

Internationally acclaimed British duo Svyati, Rebecca Hewes (cello) and Julian Collings (organ), has as its patron English composer Sir John Tavener. Svyati will present a concert on Good Shepherd Sunday including works by Bach, Bruch, Jongen, and Rheinberger. Childcare will be provided, and a reception will follow.

Choral Evensong: The Sunday After AscensionSunday, May 20, 5 p.m.

The Good Shepherd Choir will sing this candle-light evening service in the English cathedral tradi-tion celebrating the Sunday after Ascension.

Please welcome Brenning Daughtridge to Good Shepherd. Brenning is a life-long Episcopalian who moved to Rocky Mount two-and-one-half years ago with her husband Gray, who grew up here and returned to join the family business. Brenning and Gray met while they were both students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brenning is Special Events Coordinator at Nash Healthcare Foundation. She previously worked for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is still active as a volunteer for that organization.

When asked what the best part of her job is, Brenning replied, “It’s a good way to meet new people.” She added that a recent fundraiser for NHF was for the Pediatrics Emergency Department at Nash General, and that was a special event for her.

Getting to Know You - Brenning Daughtridge

Brenning loves to read and is a member of two book clubs in Rocky Mount. She’s also on the Board of the Tar River Mission Clinic.

Brenning and Gray are expecting their first child in September. When you see Brenning and Gray, please give them a warm Good Shepherd welcome into our flock.

The Church of the Good Shepherd231 N. Church Street • Rocky Mount, NC 27804(252) 442-1134 • www.goodshepherdrmt.org

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Rocky Mount, N.C.

Have You Heard?

There’s a Lost and Found drawer in the church office. If you’re missing one earring, reading glasses, lovely gloves, or a sweater, stop by one day to see if we have them. In a few weeks, we will clean out the drawer and donate the items to United Com-munity Ministries.

“All Hands on Deck” are needed at the church at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday April 21 to assist with putting down 100 bales of pine straw. The rain date is April 22 in the afternoon.

Spring is here! We have a lot of fun activities that will take place. Mark your calendar and spring into all the fun and excitement with us!

April 23 - 27 we will celebrate The Week of The Young Child. During this week, set aside to recognize the particular needs of young children: their rapid growth, voracious curiosity and hunger to learn, we will thank the teachers, volunteers and parents who care for the children and serve to fill these all-important needs for children. Each day will be celebrated with a different theme. Two of our planned themes are Teacher Appreciation Day and Parent’s Appreciation Day.

We will end our special week-long celebration with a Family Day at the Down East Partnership for Children playground, where we will have dinner and fun activities for the family. Come! Help us celebrate!

Smile for the BirdieWe will take pictures of our smiling children’s

faces on April 27th (Friday). Our 2012 graduating class will have cap and gown pictures taken as well. The memories will last a lifetime!

The Day School is participating in our Fourth Reach Out Rocky Mount Fun Run for Charities Event. The Charity sponsors non-profit organizations and Reach Out Rocky Mount passes along 100% of your contributions to the organizations you choose, and your contribution is matched. Beginning April 1st, donations can be made directly through the website www.funrunrm.org using a credit card or by mail with a completed donor form. Giving period is April 1, 2011 to May 31, 2011. Please tell your family, friends, co-workers and companies to make all donations to help our Day School. All funds raised (donations and match) will be used for scholarships. Last year, we received over $3,000 from the Fun Run. Just think of how many children you helped with your support.

AuctionOh! What a great deal of fun we had with the

auction! We had great support from our parents and parishioners as each attempted to make the last bid on a treasured item.

Thank you for your continuing support of the Day School.

The Rector has received a thank-you letter from The Rt. Rev. William O. Gregg, Ph.D. for Good Shepherd’s contribution to his Discre-tionary Fund. Bishop Gregg wrote, in part, “Your gift goes a long way towards enabling me, in a quiet way, to meet needs which otherwise would have to be ignored. Thank you again for your generosity.”

Day School Director’s Corner by Jackie Wilkins

Debbie and John Bonner thank everyone who prayed and cared for their granddaughter Laney. Your prayers helped immensely, and they are grateful for your caring. Laney is thriving!

Baptism Dates - The next dates for the celebration of the sacrament of Holy Baptism are May 27, July 22 and November 4. Please contact a member of the clergy for more information.

Summer Schedule Begins May 20th

We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. We will not have services at 9 or 11 a.m.