The Shepherd s Voice. Inside: Our mission is to be more visible, to become more connected, and to draw closer, with Christ as our center.

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1 The Shepherd s Voice Our mission is to be more visible, to become more connected, and to draw closer, with Christ as our center. September 2017 Inside: Prayer List One Sunday, our small friend and brother in Christ, Deano, was receiving Holy Communion. As he held the Eucharist grape juice, Dean's Dad Mike whispered "Drink Dean." Dean responded through a voice muffled by chewing sounds " I will but I need time, Pastor Doug gave me too much Body." We are most fully ourselves, we are most fully "the church" when we celebrate in community/family the great Gifts of Word and Sacrament. We can, it is true, become aware of God's Presence anywhere and everywhere. Yet, only at the Font and at the Table are we re-created and re-constructed in our deepest and happiest Identity in Christ. Here, our very language that makes our reality, here our very thought - forms that shape our being (witness what young Dean has learned already!) and our Way of living life is fed and nourished! Fall Worship Schedule Council Highlights Nursery News Rainbow Flag Thank you Book Club Bell & Choir Rehearsals Quilting News Sunday School News This Fall make a commitment to Worship weekly, pray daily and enter more deeply into the "giving away of the Bread that you are in Christ" in acts of kindness and mercy toward others. You can never have "too much Body" but it might take a lifetime to chew. Sunday Evening Worship Community Supper Reformation Events Christian Meditation LV PD Thank you Happy Birthday Treasurer s Report

2 2 The Shepherd s Voice Members: Clare McElaney, Linda Bespuda, Diane Hensel, Gordon Cleland, Ron Haven, Arlene Juliano, Don Juliano, Miriam Kursawe, Brian Amado, and Sarah Mora. The Prayer Requests Notebook is on the table in the narthex. If you would like to add a loved one to the list, simply write the name in the book. If you would like a prayer card sent to your loved one, please include the full name and address. Prayer requests may also be made by or phone and will be included in the notebook by the church office. Should a loved one need prayers for longer than three months, simply add their name to the list again. To keep the list current and up to date, only the names recorded in the Prayer Request for Family & Friends Notebook will be listed on the prayer list. If you have not recorded a loved one s name, please do so. Family & Friends of Members: Eddy, relative of Nina & Ken Furnes; Dorothy, aunt of Susan Chin; Joyce, relative of Janet Szulga; Deanna, friend of Miriam Kursawe; Marilyn, friend of Miriam Kursawe; Stu, friend of Lil Tesoriero; Ed, friend of Lil Tesoriero; James, friend of Lil Tesoriero; Paul, friend of Lil Tesoriero; John, relative of Donna Duessel; Jack, relative of Donna Duessel; Pearl, friend of Janet Szulga; Ed, friend of Vic & Ellie Noll & Sam Barate; Mark, friend of Vic & Ellie Noll & Sam Barate; Madeline & Marc, friends of Cindy & Tim Carlson; Bonnie, friend of Eileen Remlin; Nick, relative of Vic & Ellie Noll & Sam Barate; Dave, brother of Donna Duessel. Special Prayers for Armed Forces Personnel: Tyler, AJ, Matt, Kenny, Brian. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147 vs. 3 Should you be in need of pastoral care, please contact Pastor Doug Ryniewicz by cell phone ( text if you like!) or by his address (dearynos@gmail.com). Fall worship schedule begins On September 10, 2017 Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Christian Education Rally Day 9:15 a.m.

3 3 The Shepherd s Voice Highlights from Your Church Council July 17, 2017 Attendees: Pastor, Susan Chin, Trudi Black, Billie Flaherty, Karen Merrick, David Wang, Cindy Carlson, Walt Bills, Karen Jackson, Donna Hoffman, Eileen Holleran, Lisa Lilly. Pastor Report: Pastor was not able to go on vacation or attend Continuing Education course because Clare had emergency surgery. Pastor might order DVD s instead of attending a Continuing Education course. Pastor asked that there be a 3-year moratorium on any increases in his salary. Sue Chin noted that we were trying to catch up with the Synod guidelines for salaries but we hadn t reached it. Pastor will decline any increases in his salary for 3 years. Marketing/PR/Evangelism: Trudi said that her knitting club will have their first meeting at the church on Wednesday. The knitting club wants to know of projects that the church is involved in so they can support them. A discussion was had regarding Holy Trinity church and doing activities with them. Pastor will call Holy Trinity s Pastor and tell them about our VBS. Bluefish with George: George Hassinger would like to open his box at an August Bluefish game to the congregation and charge $10/ticket. He will donate the funds to Calumet. All agreed he could do so. Review summer service times: Pastor stated that attendance is down in the summer so we go to one service. Karen suggested that we ask the congregation in March their preference for summer service times. Council will bring up the topic of summer service times and a questionnaire regarding same at the March council meeting. Pastor stated that the Sunday evening service was not as well attended in the second year as the first. However, 7 people had told Pastor they hoped he didn t cancel it. Council agreed that it was worth continuing the Sunday evening service. Billie suggested that one of the two Sunday evenings be a women s program. Trudi asked that Renee Shoop and Barbara Abraham be advised of this as they are involved in another Women s Program. Respectfully submitted by Donna Hoffman, Secretary If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with a council member or Pastor Doug: Walt Bills Trudi Black Cindy Carlson Sue Chin Billie Flaherty Donna Hoffman Eileen Holleran Brian Immel Karen Jackson Lisa Lilly Karen Merrick Jessica Thom Dave Wang Kyle Immel - Youth Representative Nursery News A gentle reminder that nursery care is available during the worship service for children in kindergarten and younger. Older children are always welcome in church. We have busy bags with coloring books, crayons, games, puzzles, etc. for their use during the service. The bags are located on the book shelf on the right as you enter the church.

4 4 The Shepherd s Voice Why fly the rainbow flag? Since 1988, a rainbow flag has been a symbol of LGBTQ pride, so why would a church want to display it? Gilbert Baker, the designer of the current flag, recently said The flag is an action it s more than just the cloth and the stripes. When a person puts the Rainbow Flag on his car or his house, they re not just flying a flag. They re taking action. We are taking action. By displaying a rainbow flag we identify ourselves with the Reconciling in Christ Community, and we make a statement of welcome to many who may need it. A rainbow flag tells the LGBTQ community that our church is a safe space; that they will be welcomed here; not just tolerated, but welcomed and valued as God s children. The flag says that even though another church made you feel less than, we pledge to see you as equal. Even though another church cast you out, we will take you in. It is a symbol of our promise to welcome everyone to join us in worship and ministry. This promise extends to others who have not been welcomed elsewhere, as well. There are so many groups of people who have been rejected by their own churches or not allowed to serve in their full capacity, including women, those who have been divorced, those whose children are LGBTQ, those of different races or mixed races, etc. When those who have been cast out or overlooked or faced discrimination look for a new church home, the rainbow flag gives them comfort. The flag sends the message that this is a welcoming community, that this place is safe, not just for those whose sexuality and/or gender are different, but for everyone. In the biblical story of Noah, God put the rainbow in the sky as a promise that God would never again destroy the earth in a flood. We are told to remember God s promises whenever we see the rainbow. As an RIC congregation, let us remember and remind others of God s promise to love humanity, all of humanity, by letting our rainbow flags fly! Covenant to Care Thanks You Thanks to everyone for your generosity in contributing backpacks and school supplies for our Covenant to Care kids. Your contributions are an important part of providing encouragement to these at-risk kids to stay in school.

5 5 The Shepherd s Voice The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, when we will discuss Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky. In October we will discuss Small great things by Jodi Picoult. In November we will discuss Without A Map by Meredith Hall. In December we will discuss Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Kathy Goulet is delighted to answer any questions you may have about the book club and looks forward to having you join in the discussion. Bell Choir and Senior Choir Rehearsals Begin As the bell choir and senior choir return from their summer vacation, we welcome new members - all ranges and talents accepted. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings at 6:45 p.m. for Bell Choir and 7:30 p.m. for Choir beginning September 7th. Anyone who enjoys music and singing is more than welcome. Quilting News The Shepherd s Flock Quilters will meet September 9 and 23, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to noon as we sew, iron, cut and assemble quilts for the needy. Feel free to come and go as you need. If you have questions, please speak with Ellie Noll. No experience is needed, just your willing hearts and hands.

6 6 The Shepherd s Voice Sunday School Rally Day Join us on Sunday, September 10th at 9:15 a.m. for the first day of a faith-filled year of Sunday School for preschool through grade six. We will kick off the year with special activities about Martin Luther and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. We are in need of volunteers especially for the younger grades. Please speak with Veronica Lenzen if you are willing to help out. Sunday Night At Good Shepherd We welcome anyone to join us for any reason that may be helpful to you for Sunday Evening Worship. We celebrate a relaxing and meditative Service of Word and Sacrament. Bring a friend or neighbor! We gather at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates: September 17 October 15 and 29 November 12 December 3 and 17 Community Supper - October 4, 2017 at Golden Hill Methodist Church, Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport Cooks and set up crew needed. We start at 2:30-3:00 p.m. If you haven't already signed up and would like to help, please put your name on the list in the narthex. We can discuss car pooling if you want to. Any questions, please speak to Peg Wesche or anyone who has attended a supper before. Thank you!

7 7 The Shepherd s Voice 500 Years Commemoration of the Lutheran Reformation Members of our congregation have been invited to attend events marking this important anniversary. Both events will be held on Roman Catholic turf! October 25 - Dr. Kirsi Stjerna of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary will offer a presentation: "Was Luther's Jesus a Jew?" November 1 - Dr. Carlos Eire will speak on "Reformations". Dr. Eire is an expert on both Lutheran and Catholic Reformations. Both these are at 7:30 p.m. in the School of Business dining room at Fairfield University. All welcome, no charge. Christian Meditation Instruction and Practice Many people in our society are benefiting from practicing forms of meditation that trace their roots to ancient religious traditions of the East such as Hinduism (yoga, TM) and Buddhism (zen and mindfulness meditation). Christians may benefit greatly from such practices. However, most are completely unaware of the rich treasure of ancient and distinctly Christian meditation practices that have watered the personal prayer lives of members of the church for many centuries. These practices are proven ways of lowering the resistances we have to a fuller awareness of God the Loving Trinity in the midst of our daily lives. On a secondary level they may nourish both mental, emotional and physical well being. Gathering together on one Friday evening of October, November and December we will have a month to practice a prayer form and then "check - in" with a supportive group the next meeting time. We will meet in the Lounge at 7pm October 13, November 10 and December 8.

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9 9 The Shepherd s Voice Dorie Behn 1-Oct Alyssa Gorman 20-Oct Billie Flaherty 1-Oct Peg Wesche 20-Oct Marie Fischer 2-Oct Kristen Adams Norkus 21-Oct Charlie Simon 5-Oct Jillian Bobowick 21-Oct Susan Hough 6-Oct Jonathan Capozziello 22-Oct Dorothy Kaiser 11-Oct Alana Piccirillo 24-Oct Brandon Wesche 12-Oct Larry Black 25-Oct Tim Carlson 15-Oct Susan Stockman 25-Oct Sarah Mora 16-Oct Jade Serrano 29-Oct Matthew Johnson 18-Oct The current month s birthday listing is posted on the bulletin board outside of the Pastor s office. If your birthday is not listed, please contact the church office and the files will be updated. We do not want to miss anyone s birthday.