The Good N'ewes for January 2024 | |
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua, New Hampshire | |
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (A Collect for Proper 28, Book of Common Prayer, p. 236)
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Happenings Highlight: Adult Formation | | |
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We have a wonderful bounty of opportunities to learn and grow coming soon, all are welcome. There is something for everyone under the sun! We have both ongoing series and one-time events. Please take your time reading through the offerings available and watch for more to come. | |
Ongoing Groups and Classes | |
Groups
Brown Bag Lunch and Book Study, every Monday at noon, following Contemplative Prayer.
Prayer Shawl Ministry, First and Third Mondays at ten.
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Spirituality and Aging
This course on integrating faith and the realities of aging, developed and facilitated by Deacon Nancy Meyer, will be offered a third time April 13th to June 1st. Sign up HERE.
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Adult Forum
There are too many wonderful presentations and discussions to list! Join us for a smorgasbord of topics between services, 9-9:45 AM Sundays.
How to Start a Bible Study, Scripture Through Improv, "What Is A Verger," Book Discussions, Art, and more.
See the adult education page on the website for more.
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Sacred Ground
Mark Sylor (and co-leader) will lead us through the Sacred Ground curriculum, which was developed at the behest of Bishop Curry to help guide Episcopalians in dialogue about faith and Race, a second time this spring in April and May.
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Kerygma: Sowing Tears, Reaping Joy: The Bible and Brahms Requiem
Through music and Scripture, we move from graveside to grieving, from the challenges of self-reflection to new perspectives and the hope waiting beyond. Join session leader Robin Hertel Wednesday mornings at 10 AM, February 7th to March 20th.
Email John B to inquire.
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Inquirers Class
Join Pastor Kathy for this six-week class where we will look more deeply into the history, practices and theologies of the Episcopal Church. Ever wondered why our priests wear the vestments they do and what the vestments are called; or how the structure of the Episcopal is different from other Christian Churches; or where we get our liturgies and what they represent theologically? Whether you are new to the Episcopal Church and Church of the Good Shepherd and want to learn more, or you’re a lifetime Episcopalian who wants to explore the church more deeply, this is the class for you.
Mondays: January 22 and 29, February 12, 19, 26, and March 5; from 6:30-8PM
Register here.
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One-time Events (more to come) | |
Mental Health First Aid
January 21, 2024 Following the 10AM service
CGS STEPS (Support Through Education to Prevent Suicide) presents The Rev. Spencer Hatcher, Executive Director of the Barbara C. Harris Center. She will speak after the 10 AM service in the Fellowship Hall on Mental Health First Aid. This talk will give an overview of how to recognize and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse.
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Conversations with a NH Black man
Feb 25th at 12:00 PM
The Rev. Fred Chisolm, Priest in Charge at St. John’s in Walpole, NH will discuss race from his perspective as a black man. Living in New Hampshire and being in an interracial marriage, he will draw upon personal experience in his talk while discussing how we can all do our part in making changes that will heal some of the historical harm committed. A light lunch will be served.
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Sacred Stitches
TBA
Emily Adams will teach a session on sacred embroidery. Learn the processes and requirements for creating stitchery for the church.
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Exploring the Old Testament
Sundays April 14 and 21 at 6:30PM
Jeff Cooley, PhD Associate Professor in the Theology department of Boston College and long-time member of Chruch of the Good Shepherd is offering two talks that will give us the chance to dig deeper into the Hebrew Bible (what we call the Old Testament). If there is something you would like to learn about the Hebrew Bible or a burning question you have, reach out to Pastor Kathy at rector@cgsnashua.org and she will pass your thoughts onto Jeff, or simply find him during coffee hour.
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Church Trivia: The Annual Meeting is the major administrative event of the year. It is a cross between family reunion, budget meeting, and legislative session. We set the budget, check in on the life of the church, elect our leaders and representatives, and enjoy a good meal. Be sure to be there in person January 28th, after the (single) 9:30 service. | |
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Who Are Ewe?
The Renewal Works Team
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Remember Renewal Works, the church survey our congregation participated in this fall? There has been lots of work going on behind the scenes! The Renewal Works Team conducted four workshop sessions. They explored individual spiritual journeys and our church's spiritual health and vitality. They also worked to imagine what our church could look like and how to get there, either through programming or a cultural shift.
Sarah Patton, team lead, states that, “The team was impressive. They were dedicated to the process and collaborated to produce a beautiful report for the congregation.”
The report will be presented at our annual meeting January 28th.
Team Members: Sarah Patton (facilitator), Susan Nutting (administrator), Pastor Kathy, Amy Cooley, Diane Temple, Elliott Pavlovich, Jeff Snow, Marcie Bird, Mary Beth Snow, Julia Gower, Kathy Blair, Linda Mayer, Michael Engelson, Mark Sylor, Paige Schaller, Sandy Desharnais, Terri Belanger, and Amanda Blair
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Book Rec: Since we're tackling the difficult, sometimes painful, but very necessary subject of mental health this month, now is a good time to read “When Religion Hurts You: Healing from Religious Trauma and the Impact of High-Control Religion," by Dr. Laura E. Anderson. This is a good book to read for both those who are impacted by religious trauma and those who want to aid the healing process. Find it here. | |
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Thank Ewe!
Technology Team
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By Pastor Kathy Boss
Tech. It has become a part of our everyday lives. Here at Church of the Good Shepherd it is no different. Our services are streamed into our homes. Those who are in the pews are able to hear me and Deacon Nancy and our wonderful guest preachers thanks to a great sound system. And that's not all; computers, internet, phones, and even our heating and cooling systems run on tech.
That tech does not run by itself! Certainly not! Though seamless as it is, it can sometimes feel that way. We have an amazing tech crew—Julia Gower, Wayne Blair, Marcie Byrd, Susan Nutting, and Michael Engleson—who work behind the scenes to make sure we all stay connected and that the tech we use every day is as easy for us as sitting and listening, turning on a computer, or pressing a button. But in reality, smoothly running tech takes hours of work and dedication behind the scenes and these folks give that time freely and with gracious hearts. So next time you see one of them, say thanks!
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The English word Lent is a shortened form of the Old English word lencten, meaning "spring season." In the Episcopal (and many other denominational) tradition(s), Lent is the time during the liturgical year when we commemorate the time Jesus spent in the desert, fasting and enduring temptation, before the start of his public ministry. The season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. All Episcopalians are invited “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word” (BCP, p. 265). The purpose is to prepare for the celebration of Easter, a period of grief ending in joy. | | | | |
