THE STAFF LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD September 2013 Sunday, 9/8/13 Worship begins at 10:30am Voters Meeting 9/22/13 Sunday School classes begin 9/29/13 at 9:30am Confirmation classes begin 9/29/13 (Schedule on page 6) Grace and peace to you! I love September! For most of my life I have been on an academic schedule (as a student, chaplain or teacher), and so September has always seemed to me to be a time of new possibilities. Before the trees shed their leaves, they gift us with a riot of colors, the air is crisp, and the sky turns that brilliant shade of blue that invites us to look up and out beyond ourselves. In the church (liturgical) year, we continue in the Season after Pentecost, until the last Sunday in November, typically celebrated as Christ the King Sunday. Our readings invite us to consider the cost of discipleship, the meaning of hospitality, and the importance of living an ethical life. Here at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, as we take more seriously our financial situation, we also are called to look up and out beyond ourselves. It is clear that our income does not support our budget, and our expenses surpass our income. Our congregation, while dynamic in worship, service, and prayer, is static in numbers a situation shared by many Lutheran churches throughout the country. At our August meeting, I shared with the council that after a period of prayer and discernment, I am clear and aware that I need a full-time call to support myself. It is evident to all of us that our church cannot afford to increase my hours or my salary. I am working on my paperwork and will be officially entering my name as Available for call this month. I shared this with the council, and with you now (rather than waiting to give notice sometime in the future) because I believe we still have ministry to do together: reflecting on our mission, the meaning of our ministry, our dwindling numbers, and seeking to move forward into the future in ways that are meaningful and sustainable. There are two words for time in Greek ξρουόξ - Chronos (KRONNawss) and καρος -Kairos (KEYE- Rawss). The first means measured time, and is the root of words such as chronology and chronometer, while the second means the right time. When Jesus says in the Gospel of John, the time has not yet come, he uses the word kairos. Contemporary examples are that football, hockey and basketball run on chronos they are timed, whereas baseball runs on kairos it lasts as long as it needs to. The gift of kairos is that since it is always the right time God s time we don t need to worry about when or how long. God is in charge of that! (continued on page 3) VOTERS MEETING Sunday, September 22 following worship
The STAFF September 2013 Page 2 LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 3680 Whitney Avenue Hamden CT 06518-1516 (203) 248-7420 The Rev. Dr. Daphne Burt Office 203-248-7420 Cell 203-297-6722 www.goodshepherdhamden.org IN YOUR PRAYERS, PLEASE REMEMBER- Pastor Rita Alpha Burt & Holly Bill Maggie Lou Derk Sue Joy Marianne CindyLu The Staff Editor Brenda Samal E-mail: bsamal@sbcglobal.net President Council Members 1/1/13 12/31/13 Ken Watson Vice-President Linda Kapitan Treasurer Secretary Christian Education Evangelism/ Publicity Fellowship Financial Secretary Stewardship/ Missions Property John Downs Brenda Samal Barbara Kuslan Emma Barnes James Learned Members of Good Shepherd who are homebound Family and friends whom we name in our hearts Military personnel Pray for the mission of the church Christian Education Council was notified at their August meeting that Holly Rosa resigned from her position of Christian Education due to medical reasons. The church would like to assist by providing meals for the family. Please speak with who will organize and deliver the food. URGENT need for Sunday School Teacher(s)! Sunday School will commence Sunday, September 29 at 9:30am. Please prayerfully consider sharing the good news of God s love to the children. If we have more than one teacher, then there would be sharing of coverage. Worship Debra Meydag Our Sunday School may be small but it is still a vital ministry for learning about Christian love.
The STAFF September 2013 Page 3 SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS Anniversaries 5-William & Sylvia Wakefield 7-Ken & Chuddy Watson 15-Tom & Brenda Samal 21-Kevin & Janice Vann 25-James & Mary Lou Knoob Birthdays 5-Leo Goodrich 8-Richard Rosa 9-Byron Dinkla 9-Christine Edgar 11-Katherine Chapman 14-Kristine Knoob 22-Kathy Dube 24-Jonathan Goodrich 29-Michaela Rowold Baptisms 60 years 45 years 34 years 38 years 48 years Thomas Knoob, Tyler Knoob, Emily Landino, Andrew Knoob PASTOR DAPHNE WILL BE ON VACATION September 4 14. Please keep her in your prayers as she enjoys some time of re-creation. Should you need pastoral care during that time, please contact Pastor Carl Sharon at 203-288-8270 (h) or 203-494-2127. (Pastor s message continued from page 1) This September we enter together into a time of kairos. The search process for a new call for me will take the time that it takes. The reflection time in which the congregation will engage will last as long as we need it to. I fully believe that since it s God s time, God will be with us supporting us, guiding us, leading us, challenging us and showing us the way into the future. I remain blessed to be your pastor, and will continue to offer you my prayers and service with the Holy Spirit as my guide. Your sister and servant in Christ, Pastor Daphne NEEDED- WORSHIP READERS ACOLYTES USHERS ASSISTANTS Would you like to assist in our worship by being an usher, reader, acolyte or assistant? Please speak to Trish Rowold (usher), Sue Hartley (reader), (acolyte), or Deb Meydag (assistant). There is also a signup on the Narthex bulletin board. Contact info: Trish: 203-271-2251 (h) 203-887-9670 (c) Sue: 203-281-1058 (h) 203-314-4445 (c) shartley@cheshirelibrary.org : 203-891-5050 (h) 203-506-5675 anitapodgwaite@yahoo.com Deb: 203-265-1092 (h) 203-494-7610 debwhoplays@gmail.com
The STAFF September 2013 Page 4 WE ARE NOT MEETING OUR BUDGET I write this on August 22nd in order to meet the deadline for the printing of The Staff. As of July 31st, we were $5,923.15 short in Operations giving compared to our 2013 budget. To meet that budget, we need to receive $6,511.25/month. So far for August, we have received $4,715.70; unless we were to receive $1,795.55 in giving for August 28th (highly unlikely), then August will only add to our shortfall. If our 2013 budget were inflated and had some items that could be cut, then perhaps this would not be so serious. Our Treasurer, John Downs, reports on the cash flow, which has been favorable. I, on the other hand, report on giving as it relates to the budget. Since not all expenses fall evenly over each of the 12 months, perhaps cash flow is not the best indicator of our true financial situation. Keeping our congregation and Council informed is my duty. Solving the problem is beyond my pay grade. FINANCIAL FORECAST For the period ending July, 2013 Monthly receipts $4,754.25 Monthly expenses $4,712.82 HELP COOK FOR LUTHER HOUSE! We will be providing a meal for Luther House on Sunday October 6 at 6:00 (worship is at 5:00) We will need a veggie tray, salad, rolls, main course and a dessert. Please contact Sue Hartley if you can help provide something for the meal. Luther House welcomes us every week to join them for their service and dinner! Contact Sue: 203-281-1058 (h) 203-314-4445 (c) shartley@cheshirelibrary.org Barbara Kuslan Financial Secretary Council Notes Council met 8/28 with 7 plus pastor in attendance and 3 absent. Pastor had a Welcome Quinnipiac students banner made up and Jim will hang it. Pastor is also in contact with the college s campus ministry department. Pastor is making more home visits now that her foot has healed more. The music director search is going well. The next candidate will play on 9/15. Pastor spoke to council of her need to look for a full-time call. (See details in Pastor s message, page 1.) (continued on page 6) ACOLYTE TRAINING ACOLYTE TRAINING will be held during the Sunday School hour (9:30am) on September 22. All acolytes are invited to attend, new and nearly-new acolytes must be there in order to serve this year. Acolytes must be communing, able to read, and strong enough to carry the cross. We welcome ALL AGES!!!
The STAFF September 2013 Page 5 SCHEDULED TO SERVE DATE ACOLYTE COMMUNION ASSISTANT 9/1/13 Mary Lou Knoob Barbara Kuslan READER USHERS ALTAR GUILD John & Joy Downs 9/8/13 10:30am worship Kristen Rosa John Downs Ruth Lisa & David Goodrich 9/15/13 Jonathan Goodrich Linda Kapitan Linda Kapitan Linda Kapitan Holly Rosa 9/22/13 Anthony Papa Mary Lou Knoob Ken Watson Emma Barnes 9/29/13 Jonathan Goodrich John Downs Lisa Ball-Goodrich Lisa & David Goodrich 10/6/13 John Downs Paul & Emma Barnes Deb Meydag 10/13/13 Mary Lou Knoob Deb Meydag If you cannot serve on your appointed day, please find a substitute, and make the change on the master schedule. Thank you for your service! The Good Little Shepherds Youth Choir Deb Meydag is starting a youth choir for children through 8th grade. The first meeting is Thursday, 9/5, from 6:30-7:15pm. Four children have already signed up! If your child is interested or you would like more information, please call Deb at 203-494-7610. Church Directory Additions / Corrections John Downs: 203-605-5647 James Learned: 203-640-2241 Pastor Daphne: 203-297-6722
The STAFF September 2013 Page 6 To the people of Good Shepherd. Thank you for the wonderful coffee-hour,,,,the beautiful basket, the thoughtful card and generous gift-money, the Good Shepherd coffee cup, the Paula Poundstone tickets, and, of course, the special remembrance photo from the congregation picnic. (Thank you Emily!) I will enjoy using the gift money:):)...i already spent some of it to purchase a beautiful old music cabinet ( with roses painted on the sides) to have as a remembrance of your kindness and generosity...and now I will put the rest aside as a fund for me to use for "splurges" on music and flowers.:):) as time goes by. With gratefulness for all your kindnesses over the years, God's blessings to all of you. UPDATE ON THE MUSIC DIRECTOR SEARCH The Music Director Search committee received several applications for the position of Music Director, and narrowed our choices to two finalists. One of them, Patrick Kreeger, auditioned for us on August 25, and the second, Tyler Boyle, will audition on September 15. The audition includes: accompanying worship, meeting folks at coffee hour, rehearsing the choir, and interviewing with the committee. Survey forms for both congregation and choir are given out so that we can get as much input as possible! Both candidates are well qualified and the committee expects to have a difficult decision to make. Please keep us and the candidates in your thoughts and prayers. Adele (Council notes continued from page 4) John spoke of forming a Future Planning Committee or Transitions Committee to look at our future options. John reviewed the treasurer s report. The finance committee met and discussed all the changes and challenges of planning the budget. They are also looking for ways to reduce costs. Barbara reported the budget shortfall as of 7/31 is $5,923.15. Jim reported that the sanctuary repairs are finally complete. There is still unfinished insurance business though. Council voted to approve hiring Sullivan & Sons to install the Cathedral Red carpet in the sanctuary. This will also be brought before the voters on 9/22. The nominating committee is still looking for a replacement for evangelism and now christian education. Deb Meydag started a youth choir called, The Good Little Shepherds (See article on page 5) The next council meeting is 9/25. Below is the schedule for confirmation classes. They will rotate between Good Shepherd, Bethesda and Resurrection. All confirmands are expected to be at church on Sundays, and to volunteer to be acolytes. Confirmands are required to be at Good Shepherd on Confirmation class Sundays; we will leave as a group from Good Shepherd. 9/29 - Martin Luther & Reformation 10/27- Creed Overview 11/24- Lord's Prayer 12/15- Saved by Grace through Faith OR Communion
The STAFF September 2013 Page 7 Holy God, fount of wisdom, rest upon our college students as they begin their academic year. May their courses be inspiring, their roommates and friends be supportive, their professors and coaches be encouraging, and their free time be balanced. Help them to know that they are never far from our thoughts and that they always have a church home to come back to. In Jesus' name, Amen. Emma Barnes David Goodrich Micah Sharon Emily Landino God of justice, strength and peace, be with all who serve our country. Give them the endurance, wisdom and courage they need to carry out the tasks before them. Give us opportunities to tell them how proud we are, even as we await their return to us safely. In Jesus' name, Amen. Jason Barnes (leaving 9/25 for the Navy) Publication Date: July 2, 2013 When is a game not a game? Tyler MacCandless can t focus, even when he takes his medication. He can t focus on school, on his future, on a book, on much of anything other than taking care of his older brother, Brandon, who s in rehab for heroin abuse again. We have an author among us! Congratulations Tracy Costa on the publishing of your book, Playing Tyler (Strange Chemistry). Readers comments on Amazon were very positive and people were drawn into the story. In the next column is a summary of the book as printed on Amazon.com. Add this book to your- or a teenager you know- reading list! Tyler s dad is dead and his mom has mentally checked out. The only person he can really count on is his Civilian Air Patrol Mentor, Rick. The one thing in life it seems he doesn t suck at is playing video games and, well, thats probably not going to get him into college. Just when it seems like his future is on a collision course with a life sentence at McDonald s, Rick asks him to test a video game. If his score s high enough, it could earn him a place in flight school and win him the future he was certain that he could never have. And when he falls in love with the game s designer, the legendary gamer Ani, Tyler thinks his life might finally be turning around. That is, until Brandon goes MIA from rehab and Tyler and Ani discover that the game is more than it seems. Now Tyler will have to figure out what s really going on in time to save his brother and prevent his own future from going down in flames.
Worship Summer worship 9:30am Beginning 9/8/13: Worship 10:30am LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD MISSION STATEMENT As called Christians responding to the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), we commit ourselves to nurturing the spiritual growth of our congregation by proclaiming the Gospel, bearing witness to God s saving grace, being stewards of the earth, and serving others, in our congregation, our community, and in all the world. THE STAFF Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 3680 Whitney Avenue Hamden CT 06518-1516 FIRST CLASS MAIL