THE SHEEPSKIN

Bi-Monthly Newsletter from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

Sue LeFant, Children's Ministry Director 9/29/19 Sue LeFant, Children's Ministry Director 9/29/19

Children’s Ministry News

Godly Play and Living the Good News are the two offerings for children on Sunday mornings, beginning at 9:45. Please keep in mind that Sunday school will meet every Sunday in October at 9:45. Then, at approximately 10:35, we process into the sanctuary so the kids can rejoin their family at the Peace, followed by the celebration of Holy Communion.

The combined Godly Play classroom is for children aged 3 years through 2nd grade. The presentations for this month are as follows:

· October 6: The Flood and the Ark

· October 13: Tower of Babel

· October 20: Suffering Servant (Isaiah’s Prophesy)

· October 27: Elijah

The 3rd, 4th and 5th grade class is using Living the Good News which is liturgically based, meaning it follows the church service liturgy.

· October 6: The Impossible Made Possible (Jesus challenges us to recognize the power of faith…Luke 17:5-6…Parable of the Mustard Seed).

· October 13: Return to Wholeness (We respond to healing with faith and gratitude…Luke 17:11-19…Ten Healed of Leprosy).

· October 20: Prayerful Perseverance (Jesus encourages us to be steadfast in prayer...Luke 18:1-8…Parable of the Persistent Widow).

· October 27: Open Before God (Our strongest prayers are offered with humility…Luke 18:9-14…Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector).

We look forward to seeing all the children on Sunday mornings.

Rachel Whipp, Youth Minister 9/29/19 Rachel Whipp, Youth Minister 9/29/19

Quest Youth Retreat (#Blessed) to be held October 25-27 in beautiful Buena Vista

Preparations are already underway for this year’s Quest Youth Retreat weekend which will take place at Frontier Ranch in Buena Vista on the weekend of October 25-27, 2019. Good Shepherd youth along with other participating churches in our diocese will gather for a weekend retreat entitled, #Blessed. What does it mean to be blessed? Jump on Instagram and you’ll see #blessed everywhere you look. We as a society have become comfortably numb to the phrase.

The retreat will focus on taking back the sacredness of the word “blessed” and explore what it means to receive God’s blessing and carry it into the world to give to others.

Quest youth retreats help our young people grow deeper in their relationship with God. Quest incorporates general sessions led by entertaining and powerful speakers, interactive small group time, an engaging band, and plenty of community-building activities to help foster spiritual growth throughout the weekend and beyond. Youth are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and dive into each theme in hope that the weekend will help them grow individually in their faith and corporately as a member within the Church.

Interested in attending? Registration is now open at https://episcopalcolorado.org/programs-ministries/children-youth-programs/quest/

Stewardship Committee 9/29/19 Stewardship Committee 9/29/19

Our 2020 Stewardship Campaign begins on Sunday, October 6

The 2020 Stewardship Campaign will begin on Sunday, October 6 this year as we commission our Stewardship Leaders, our Ambassadors, and our Prayer Team during the 10 am service that day. Commitment Sunday – the annual celebration of submitting our pledge cards - will be Sunday, November 10 at all three services.

Our goal for the 2020 Stewardship Campaign is $500,000 with a hoped for 170 pledges which represents $2941 per pledge.

The 2020 Stewardship campaign includes $30,000 in maintenance costs for our parking lot resurfacing and new carpet for our Parish Hall and hall walkways. We are including these costs in our operating budget based on our last two years. In 2018 we replaced four furnaces and had one sewer line leak repair for a total expenditure of approximately $20,000. In 2019 we had two water leaks in a sewer line in the basement, and we replaced an air-conditioning unit for approximately $20,000. As we work with a 40-year-old building we are finding that yearly maintenance costs will be incurred.

We have an outstanding staff in place and to maintain that staff will require significant expenditure. In 2019 the costs for our staff salaries, benefits, and administration costs are approximately $378,000 or 77% of our total budget. To maintain a quality staff will require expenditures in this range for 2020.

As many of you know, we have a 10% mandatory pledge to the Episcopal Church in Colorado and a voluntary 5% pledge to the High Plains Region. In 2019 we are at 8% on our mandatory pledge to the Episcopal Church in Colorado and at ½% on our Regional Pledge. Currently 55 Churches in Colorado are at the mandatory pledge to the Episcopal Church in Colorado or 60% of the Colorado Episcopal Churches. In 2020 we need to move closer to the 10% mandatory pledge to the Episcopal Church in Colorado and increase our High Plains Regional Pledge.

Good Shepherd responded in an exceptional way in 2019 to maintain our staff in place and we anticipate the congregation and the parishioners will respond likewise for 2020.

Jim Lee Wolfe 9/29/19 Jim Lee Wolfe 9/29/19

Capital Campaign update and a big thank you

This is to thank you for your support, prayers, and financial contributions over the last eight years as we have worked to pay off our church debt. As many of you are aware, we started this journey to pay off our debt in 2010, and have had four Capital Campaigns which generated $750,000. This has reduced our debt to the current $30,000. At the same time, we have reduced our principal and interest payments for this debt in the operating budget from $73,000 per year to the current $3,500 per year.

At the same time, we paid down our debt, we have paid out over $147,000 in capital projects from these funds, either associated with our fund-raising or special capital projects. These include a capital fee paid to our consultant for one campaign ($46,000), principle and interest payments to the loan ($46,000), a commitment to the Cathedral Ridge Camp and Conference Center fund-raising Campaign ($37,500), supplemental money needed for our new roof ($8,200), basement renovations ($5,000) and a new air-conditioning Unit ($5,000).

We are now trying to include these capital projects/ maintenance issues in our operating budget. We will take a one-year break from trying to retire our debt and see if we can include the remaining amount in our 2021 operating budget.

Thank you all for your fantastic support, prayers, and participation over these last eight years – a job well done!!

Pete Roden, Men's Group Leader 9/29/19 Pete Roden, Men's Group Leader 9/29/19

Men’s Group meetings in October

In October, the Men’s Group will meet on the Saturday mornings of October 12 & 26. We’ll meet in the parish hall for a full breakfast on October 12 at 7:30 am and there again for a light breakfast on October 26 at 7:30 am. A short program follows breakfast from 8 to 9 am in the Chapel, with our meetings ending generally at 9 am.

The topics for October will surround a review/conversation on chapters within the book entitled “An Uncommon Guide to Retirement” written by Jeff Haanen featuring topics relating to finding God’s purpose for the next season of life.

Note, each session stands on its own, so those interested can attend any one of the individual sessions even if you miss one or several meetings. Information relating to the topics covered will be available at the meetings.

Mark your calendars and join us on October 12 and/or 26 for conversations relating to these interesting topics. We welcome men new to the Church and/or those having an interest in the Men’s Group.

Please email me at (roden.pete@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to receive any additional information.

Thanks for your interest and look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming meetings!

Joe Namaksy, Treasurer 9/29/19 Joe Namaksy, Treasurer 9/29/19

Snapshot of Good Shepherd’s Finances

A graphic representation of our financials through August 2019

Monthly Financial Reports - Vestry August 2019-DeeDee-page-0.jpg

The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19 The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19

From Fr. Gary: If you build it . . .

At the end of August, my wife and I ferried our daughter back to college in eastern Iowa (Cornell College—not Cornell University, for the curious). She and I decided to take the opportunity to vacation in Iowa; we were already there, after all! Being fans of minor-league baseball, we hoped to do three (baseball-related) things: (1) attend a Cedar Rapids Kernels game (Single-A minor league); (2) attend an Omaha Stormchasers game on our way home (Triple-A minor league); and (3) visit the "Field of Dreams” (in Dyersville, IA — about an hour north of the college).

This year is the 30th anniversary of the release of the iconic movie, “Field of Dreams”. “If you build it, they will come” — the memorable quotation from the movie —a web search reveals— is the the 39th most memorable quote from ANY movie. It has become part of our cultural vocabulary, much like many quotations from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, or the “Harry Potter” series. And, like those films, “Field of Dreams” tells a wonderful, universal, story . . . a story of faith in the face of ridicule and dis-belief. I will not tell the whole story of the film (it is such a classic (even if you aren’t a fan of baseball) that I DEMAND—pastoral directive—that you find it and watch it). BUT, there are connections to the Noah’s Ark story, as well as to so New Testament stories, that it is too difficult to ignore.

As I suggested, much of the movie is about faith. AND, it is about building things . . . things for which we may not see the ultimate product. It is a universal experience, putting our faith, our energy, our resources, in things that do not have certain outcomes. We send our children off to school, hopeful but uncertain, to learn what they will need to succeed. We embark on new jobs, hopeful but uncertain, what WE will need to succeed. Planting a tree for our children—a tree whose shade we may not see—is all about hope, about faith.

At Good Shepherd, we are building “it”! We, as a congregation, can point to the renovation of our basement, our critical space for our children and youth, as well as those other community groups that use our building. We can point to the rebuilding of our organ—such a critical part of our worship experience, something that so many “Good Sheep” value. We can point to the rebuilding of our capacity to care for one another, in times of joy and challenge.

We are building! This is a great time for Good Shepherd! It hearkens back to the “great times” of our past. It holds those times close to our hearts, and it gives us encouragement and hope for the future! Whether it’s music, worship, education, or community care and service (THESE are the things we value!) . . . we HAVE built it! Now it is our challenge, our opportunity, our mission, to let our community know that there is a “Field of Dreams” in the neighborhood, not just in Iowa!

Another quotation from the movie is the question: “Is this heaven”?. “No”, is the response, “It’s Iowa.”

Maybe . . . but, NO! it’s right near the corner of Dry Creek and Yosemite!

We know the “Field of Dreams” . . . . We’re on that field, dreaming big dreams!

The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19 The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19

Bishop Kym Lucas’ visit inspires all

It was a wonderful morning at Good Shepherd on August 18 when Bishop Kym Lucas made her first episcopal visitation to Good Shepherd! She blessed us with her open presence and a wonderfully challenging sermon — asking the question “Where are WE called to spread the love of God?”

O Lord, What a Morning!

Thanks abundant go out to all who brought food for the reception, the Marthas (with their trademark hospitality), our great summer pick-up choir and stand-in conductor Sarah Harrison, the Black Sheep and to our teams of acolytes, LEMs, Greeters and Ushers! It was a great day!

The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19 The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19

Back to School Celebration planned for Sunday, September 8 at 10 am

"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverb 18.15).

Yes, we know! Teachers and students, in many cases, have been back in the classrooms for a little bit! But we wanted to make sure we gathered everyone in the teaching/learning roles and ask God’s blessings on them all. So, on Sunday, September 8 at the 10 am service, we will commission our Sunday school teachers and youth advisors . . . AND ask God’s blessing, inspiration and guidance on ALL students who’ve begun a new academic year. Teachers (in whatever role) bring your "black-board/laser pointer” or gradebook! Students, bring your backpacks, pencil cases or calculators! Most of all, bring your enthusiasm for “acquiring knowledge”!

Communications Director 8/27/19 Communications Director 8/27/19

Ministry Sunday, September 8 to feature 22+ Good Shepherd groups

Have you been wanting to get more involved at Good Shepherd? Perhaps you want to, but just don’t have enough information about what groups are available, what the time commitment is, or whether you would fit in. Join us Sunday, September 8th between and after morning services for our Ministries Celebration which will feature 22-25 different tables in the Parish Hall with information, sign-up lists, and leaders available to answer your questions. This is a wonderful time for newcomers and existing parishioners to explore the many ministries that Good Shepherd has to offer, and perhaps choose one or two ministries that they would like to become active in at Good Shepherd. We will also have tables with information and sign-up lists available for the 6 PM service in the back of the Chapel. Mark your calendars and come find your niche at Good Shepherd.

Tricia Hartman, Hungry Flock Coordinator 8/27/19 Tricia Hartman, Hungry Flock Coordinator 8/27/19

Hungry Flock, Good Shepherd’s supper club, to resume October 12

It’s almost time for Hungry Flock to resume. We will start on October 12 and continue meeting the second Saturday of the month through May.

Hungry Flock is Good Shepherd’s monthly “supper club.” It is Good Shepherd’s oldest social group having started shortly after Good Shepherd began. All are welcome, couples, singles, seniors, and even high schoolers who think an evening with adults would be fun! Everyone takes a turn at hosting a group for dinner. The size of the groups vary from four on up, depending on how many people the host family can accommodate. The host provides the main dish and dinner wine. Participants bring whatever is necessary to complete the meal, including their preferred pre-dinner libation. If a member is unable to host at their home, the May gathering is at the church. Whoever hasn’t hosted during the year brings a main dish and helps with set up and cleanup. Everyone else brings accompaniments—appetizers, vegetables, or desserts. The December gathering is at one home with everyone bringing an appetizer or dessert to share.

Sign up will begin September 8 at the ministry fair after both services and at the evening service. At that time, you can indicate which month you would like to host and how many people you can accommodate. If you won’t be at church that Sunday, please contact me at hartmanpe@me.com to sign up or for further information.

Tricia Hartman, Bell Choir Director 8/27/19 Tricia Hartman, Bell Choir Director 8/27/19

Bell Choir resumes rehearsals on Thursday, September 5th

The bell choir resumes this month. We are always eager for, and need, new members. We ring monthly at the 10:00 service, Christmas Eve, and Easter Sunday. The requirements are that you can count to four, occasionally six, but that is very rare. We have had children from age 8 who could read music up to seniors. We meet every Thursday from 6:30-7:30 pm in the chapel. We ask that you commit to attending weekly, aside from absences that you notify us about in advance and, of course, emergencies. If you would like to participate in a musical offering that doesn’t require singing and want to offer another way to offer worship to our Lord, please see me at the ministry fair on September 8 after both services or contact me at hartmanpe@me.com

DeeDee Atwood, Contemporary Music Director 8/27/19 DeeDee Atwood, Contemporary Music Director 8/27/19

Good Shepherd's two worship bands offer creative outlet with small group appeal

Do you like music, but don't want a formal choir experience? Do you secretly sing in the shower? Have you been meaning to pick up that musical instrument you used to play, or want to finally learn how to play something? The musicians of Good Shepherd's two Worship Bands, MorningSong and EveningSong all wrestled with these questions prior to joining what they now call "their musical family".

Getting connected with a small group in your church can be the beginning of a whole new level of experiencing God. You will have the pleasure of seeing God at work not only in the music you will create every week, but also in the lives of the people that this music touches.

There are no pre-requisites for joining this team. We have room for any age, any skill level - and if you don't have the talent yet, we will help you get there. All you really need is a song in your heart and a desire to praise God. The bands provide musical support for the 10 am and 6 pm weekly services, as well as special services for Christmas and Holy Week. We rehearse every Wednesday evening at 7 pm in the chapel. If you would like more information to see if this is a good fit, join us at the September 8 Ministry Celebration, or contact DeeDee Atwood at datwood@gshep.org.

Congregational Care Team 8/27/19 Congregational Care Team 8/27/19

Congregational Care update

Your Congregational Care Ministry committee (Karin Elsen, Bev White, Rev. Sandy Boyd, and Greg Bell) has been meeting, and hosting Sunday Forums during the summer, with the objective of identifying needs for care in our congregation, centering on three ministry areas:

· Utility Ministries (For congregants who need rides, grocery runs, light repairs, etc.) Nan Behringer will be helping to organize this ministry and we are now seeking volunteers who can give their time based on their availability. We will stock a supply of soup too, so help is needed there. Sign-ups will be at the Ministry Fair or by contacting Nan or any CCM member.

· Presence Ministries (For congregants who need different levels of spiritual presence, such as EV’s, contact, prayers, etc.) We need volunteers to be responsible for maintaining contact with our list of congregants, so that communication remains open to the evolving needs and concerns of our ‘flock’. These contacts can be mostly by telephone. Sign-ups will be at the Ministry Fair or by contacting Greg Bell or any CCM member. A local residence home has asked us if we could provide spiritual companionship, with Bible reading, to one or more of their elderly residents. If you are interested, please contact Karin Elsen. If you are being called to the Eucharist Visitor Ministry, please see Greg Bell’s article this month.

· Activity Ministries (What are ways in which we can we sustain healthy minds and bodies, and spiritual wellness?) We’re looking at things like balance classes to be offered at the church. If you have any ideas or leads, let us know. The CCM committee is focused on welcoming volunteers interested in meeting these needs, and the necessary preparations and training for them.

As we formally organize the Congregational Care Ministry at Good Shepherd, we do so by recognizing that God has already been working through many of you to care for others in our congregation. Our desire as a team is to enhance that kind of care, not replace it! Thank you to all who gave feedback and came forward to volunteer - we will be in touch. We look forward to seeing you at our Ministry Fair booth, on Sept. 8!

The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19 The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19

Mental Health and Suicide - An Interfaith Conversation to be offered Wednesday, September 11

Questions of our mental health, and some of the disastrous consequences of that, will be the topic of conversation on Wednesday, September 11.

Questions of our mental health, and some of the disastrous consequences of that, will be the topic of conversation on Wednesday, September 11. That evening, we will have a panel of religious leaders talking about those issues from the standpoint of their own traditions. Our guests will be Fr. Patrick Dolan (Pastor, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church); Rev. Diana Thompson (Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple) and Rabbi Sandra Cohen (previously of Temple Micah in Denver).

These are critical issues facing us today, and no less important as the stressors of a new school year increase. Bring your concerns, doubts, hopes and questions. And tell your friends!

Wednesday, September 11 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall.

The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19 The Rev. Gary Brower 8/27/19

Educational opportunities abound this fall with Faith Forums and more

Get ready for a wonderfully informative fall! Starting September 15th, we have scheduled a rich, and varied, diet for your spiritual hunger! With the exception of Bible 101, the Faith Forums run from 9:00 - 9:45. The locations will be announced in the bulletin and/or E-Newsletter.

Bible 101 (taught by the Rev. Merrie Need) This will be an on-going class throughout the fall.

· Watch slides and listen to Bible stories in chronological order, perhaps for the first time.

· Grow an appreciation for our God through the lenses of other generations, dating back as far as 5,000 years.

· Relax, ponder, and question while learning who the heroines and heroes of our faith were.

· We will meet from 9 to 9:35 Sunday mornings. Drop in anytime.

Opening the door on the Nicene Creed (taught by Fr. Gary) September 15 - October 13

We recite the Nicene Creed (almost) every Sunday; it is the confession of our common faith. But how did it get into the form we currently use? Why are various “bits’ of it important? We will look at the development of the Creed and “wonder” about its amazing history!

Downsizing and Relocating—Encore performance! (taught by Anne McMahon) October 20

Parishioner Anne McMahon will present an informational overview of downsizing -- what to do with, how to determine, and how to let go -- all those memories! If the clutter has finally gotten to you, or if you need to move, come and bring your questions.

Icons: History, Tradition and Theology (taught by the Rev. Xavier Rodriguez) October 27 - November 24

This class provides an introduction to icons and their function in liturgical and private worship in the Christian tradition. Beginning with the use of images in the early church, the class will proceed with the evolution of their theological meaning and the controversies which followed in the eight century leading up to modern times. Specific icons will be discussed and viewing of originals will be presented. The use of religious images in New Mexico catholic tradition will be covered as an example of western devotion. Praying with icons will finish the course with class participation in the spiritual exercise of icon veneration.

For Whom are we Preparing? (taught by Fr. Gary) December 1, 15, & 22

Prof. Marcus Borg and Bp. N.T. Wright represent two different scholarly positions within the Episcopal/Anglican tradition but were (until Borg’s death) good friends. Together they wrote the book The Meaning of Jesus. That book will provide the backdrop for an Advent series on Jesus: who’s birth really are we awaiting!