The Shepherd’s Crook The Church of the Good Shepherd Pitman, NJ The Rev. Susan E. Osborne-Mott, Rector February 2018 “We Love Our Church” “That is why I need Lent, because it bears witness to the reality of darkness, of doubt, of fear, of pain. And it carries me through those real places, real experiences, into one that is more fully and truly Real: the Reality of Resurrection, of Light, of Life.” Kimberlee Conway Ireton Ms. Ireton is an author who is beginning a program of theological study. What she says above about Lent rings true for me. We all have taken Lenten journeys, whether during the actual Lenten season or not. Sometimes we travel through the “Slough of Despond,” as John Bunyan called it in Pilgrim’s Progress. Nowadays we call it depression. But Lent moves way beyond that. Lent offers us an opportunity. First, we can slow down and look around and see where we are. We can open our ears, open our eyes, open our senses to the world around us and ask our selves, “What is God telling me here?” Think of Samuel when he was a little boy, asking God, “What do you want from me?” We could begin every day with a prayer that asks the question – “So what’s next God?” God asks us for the same thing he gives us: unconditional love. God asks us to accept him as reality. I was teaching our Confirmation Class about prayer. I taught that we can pray in many different ways: with music, with movement (as with dance), we can pray anywhere, with words that have been used many times before, as with the Lord’s Prayer, or quietly, with silence. But I find the most profound way to pray is in conversation with God. I asked them to sit with one other person and tell that person a story about themselves. I told them, “You can talk with God like that.” Abraham walked and talked with God. So can we. Lent is a reminder to be mindful. We don’t have to track God down. We don’t even have to call out for God. God is always there, ready to engage in conversation, ready to receive and to give. Most important, God is always ready to receive our brokenness, to welcome us as we are. Let’s go on this journey of Lent together. Come to church. Come back to church. If you need to, just sit in the back and listen, or even mentally drift away. Just be available to the presence of God in your life. Maybe you would like to come to our Tuesday Lenten series, “Re-confirm, Not Conform” to get back in touch with the basics of faith. We will meet every Tuesday night @ 6:30 PM for soup and salad starting February 20. Make Lent about accepting yourself as God’s beloved child. “And, where am I from? I am from God. ...not easy to believe.” ! ― Bishop Ken Untener, retired Bishop of Saginaw Blessings, Mother Susan+
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The Shepherd’s Crook The Church of the Good Shepherd
Pitman, NJ The Rev. Susan E. Osborne-Mott, Rector February 2018
“We Love Our Church”
“That is why I need Lent, because it bears witness to the reality of darkness, of doubt, of fear, of pain.
And it carries me through those real places, real experiences, into one that is more fully and truly Real:
the Reality of Resurrection, of Light, of Life.” Kimberlee Conway Ireton
Ms. Ireton is an author who is beginning a program of theological study. What she says above about
Lent rings true for me. We all have taken Lenten journeys, whether during the actual Lenten season or
not. Sometimes we travel through the “Slough of Despond,” as John Bunyan called it in Pilgrim’s
Progress. Nowadays we call it depression. But Lent moves way beyond that.
Lent offers us an opportunity. First, we can slow down and look around and see where we are. We can
open our ears, open our eyes, open our senses to the world around us and ask ourselves, “What is God
telling me here?” Think of Samuel when he was a little boy, asking God, “What do you want from me?”
We could begin every day with a prayer that asks the question – “So what’s next God?”
God asks us for the same thing he gives us: unconditional love. God asks us to accept him as reality.
I was teaching our Confirmation Class about prayer. I taught that we can pray in many different ways:
with music, with movement (as with dance), we can pray anywhere, with words that have been used many
times before, as with the Lord’s Prayer, or quietly, with silence. But I find the most profound way to pray
is in conversation with God. I asked them to sit with one other person and tell that person a story about
themselves. I told them, “You can talk with God like that.” Abraham walked and talked with God. So can
we.
Lent is a reminder to be mindful. We don’t have to track God down. We don’t even have to call out for
God. God is always there, ready to engage in conversation, ready to receive and to give. Most important,
God is always ready to receive our brokenness, to welcome us as we are.
Let’s go on this journey of Lent together. Come to church. Come back to church. If you need to, just sit
in the back and listen, or even mentally drift away. Just be available to the presence of God in your life.
Maybe you would like to come to our Tuesday Lenten series, “Re-confirm, Not Conform” to get back in
touch with the basics of faith. We will meet every Tuesday night @ 6:30 PM for soup and salad starting
February 20.
Make Lent about accepting yourself as God’s beloved child.
“And, where am I from? I am from God. ...not easy to believe.” !
Sundays: 9:00 AM – Contemplative Prayer 10:00 AM – Holy Eucharist Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9 AM Morning Prayer
College Scholarship Forms
There are a few College Scholarships available through the Church. The forms are in the white envelopes on the bulletin board across from the Conference Room. Please check the Deadline dates and have your paperwork & recommendations needed in on time. Any questions please see Mother Susan+.
2017 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
& ELECTION RESULTS
The Annual Meeting of the Church of the Good Shepherd was held on Sunday, January 28th, 2018. At the Meeting, the ministry and business of the Parish for 2017 was reported on and reviewed and the 2018 Budget was presented. A delicious lunch was provided by some of our adult and youth (Confirmation class) volunteers. The election results for the positions of Junior Warden (2 years), 3 Vestry members, and 3 Delegates and 3 Alternates to the Diocesan Convention and Convocation are as follows:
Junior Warden – Len Clark
Vestry Members – Diane Wall (Len’s unfinished term of 1 yr)
Lauren Kaltwasser, Steve Mackay, Georgeanne Moore
Delegates – Karen Mackay, Rich Harrington, Jack Daugherty
Alternates – Mark Nicolle, Kathy Pastiu, Diane Wall
Camden Christmas Planning Team
CHURCH MINISTRY LEADERS
These are some of their names and numbers, if you have any questions.
Deacon - The Rev. Carl Dunn – 609-868-7102
Senior Warden - Deb Prieto – 856-478-0795
Junior Warden - Len Clark - 856/582-1113
Treasurer - Lee Braidwood - 856/228-0737
Asst. Treasurer - George Funk - 856/232-0941
Brotherhood of St. Andrew - Wayne Szalma – 856/469-3028
Women at the Well - Diane Wall - 856/374-9081
Altar Guild - Shelly Harris - 856/589-8160
Youth Group - Chelsea Richmond – 856-723-4123
2018 VESTRY LIAISONS
Endowment Planning – Frank Jackson
Personnel – Georgeanne Moore
Youth Group & Activities – Lauren Kaltwasser
Sunday School – Elizabeth Nelson
Outreach Ministries – Gail Morton
Newcomers/Greeters – Jack Daugherty
Internal Ministries – Steve Mackay
Columbarium – Diane Wall
Choir – Jim Wynkoop
Women at the Well - Diane Wall
Brotherhood of St. Andrew – Jim Wynkoop
Adult Christian Education – Jack Daugherty
Website & Social Media – Jim Wynkoop
Summer Lunch Program - Jack Daugherty
Stewardship Committee – Diane Wall (2018), Frank
Jackson (2019), Georgeanne Moore (2020), Deb
Prieto (Sr. Warden)
Senior Warden – Deb Prieto
Junior Warden – Len Clark
Treasurer – Lee Braidwood
Clerk of the Vestry – Chuck Lezenby
Assistant Clerk of the Vestry – Diane Wall
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Prayers for Parish Families
For February Behm family, Bellamente family, Benninger family, and Bergman-Ryder family
From the Parish Register
DEATHS
January 6, 2018
Greta Daczkowski
“May her soul and the souls of all the faithful
departed rest in peace.” BCP p. 502
OUR PRAY-ERS MINISTRY
Each Sunday during Communion time, our team of Pray-ers offer prayers with our parishioners. We have now expanded this meaningful ministry to our Saturday evening Holy Eucharist at 5:30pm.
After you receive Holy Communion, if you want/need additional prayers, there will be a team of Pray-ers in the front of the Church who are willing to pray with you. These prayers can be offered in joy for a Blessing you have received, or can be to help ease a burden which lies on your heart. Please take advantage of this wonderful ministry of our parish. All prayers are confidential.
PRAY-ER MINISTRY
Anyone interested in being a Pray-er Minister at the Saturday night or Sunday services please contact Barbara Elliott @ 589-3980 or [email protected]
HEALING PRAYER
Mother Susan is now offering Healing Prayer with anointing and laying on of hands on the first Saturday of every month following the Saturday evening service.
Contemplative Prayer Time Before Our Worship Services
For those who seek a time for quiet prayer on Saturdays and Sundays, Mother Susan opens the church on Saturdays at 4:30 PM for the 5:30 PM service. We ask that 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM be a quiet prayerful time. Likewise, for Sundays, she will be in the Church at 9 AM for a quiet time from 9 AM to 9:30 AM.
We ask that all who come early to church honor these times as times for quiet prayer and contemplation.
THE FOOD PANTRY
We have changed our approach for collecting food donations for the Pitman Food Pantry. Each week we will be collecting a different food item. We will announce the upcoming needed food item each week in the trifold. Also we will have a monthly list in the Crook.
Food donations for February are: 2/3 & 4 – Mac & Cheese 2/10 & 11 – Pancake Mix 2/17 & 18 – Syrup 2/24 & 25 – Cereal
All donations are greatly appreciated and accepted.
The Pitman Food Pantry is open on even dated Tuesdays each month from 6pm – 7pm.
Don’t forget to drop your spare change
in the SQUIRRELS’ NESTS.
They are in the back of the
Church and in the Parish Hall
Pictures!
Let’s get in the habit of taking pictures of everything
around here! Pictures of Sunday School, meetings, even
of events at services if you can be surreptitious! Please
identify who is in each photo and what the event is.
Thank you!
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Shelly Harris Ruth Buck Paul Kathy Busser Janet Paraschak Asher Poolke Rosalie & Bill Jenkins Debbie Crystal Snoke Peggy Francis Pvt. Emmett Foreman Pvt. Hannah New Pvt. Benjamin Key Pvt. Alan Kryszak Pvt. Cardre Jackson, Jr. Pvt. James Foster and their families Dorothy Marylou Mitchell Morgan Janice Enstrom Robert Paul Linda Rebecca Sharon Reneé April Ellerbe John & Candace Jemilo
Ben Trunzo
Church of the Good Shepherd
Prayers of the People
Prayers for the Church and Clergy
For all Churches in the Diocese of NJ & Ecuador Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop William “Chip” Stokes, Our Bishop The Rev. Susan E. Osborne-Mott, Rector Sister Cass, AF Charles Nakash – Missionary in the Dominican Republic
Prayers for the Nation
Donald Trump, Our President Chris Christie, Our Governor
“For all those who serve and protect us at home”
Prayers for the Sick and in Need
Tod Porter Tara Ryan Bubnoski Ashley Aaliyah Seely McFadden family Seely family Art Dilworth Bill Brower George Farley Audrey Andrew Buck Joe DeMarco James Anna Candyce Rich Reiniello Emily Eugene & Jean McLaughlin Tracie & family Mike Daly Maripat Makalusky Helen & Ken Michelle Siegle Natasha Tuoy Melissa Czechowicz Janie Kraus Dora & Ed Beard & family Debbie Milward Tom Rigg Jane Ruoff
Prayers for all Military Personnel
* We pray for our enemies and for those with whom we are at war. *
“Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Peter Larrabee Brian Almondrod Raymond Harris, III Steven Sanders Matt Spangler Lynn Spangler Scott Thomas Glen Tim Dan Hurlbut Zak Bartelt Brian Randazzo Buzz Parish Charlie Hiemeril John A. Lukacs Joe Sheridan Hal Wagner Matt Rebecca Jon S. Lehr Keith Tucker Dave McElwain Hugh Robinson Andrew Olsson Joshua Albright
Zachary Guise Scott McPherson Andrew Ten Eyck Matthew Cushinotto Theresa Cushinotto Mike Grzybowski Ted Mike McHugh Tom Devore Bonnie Weis Kane Lawlor Drew Naphy Rhen Brinkerhoff Brian Opel Jonathan Dickson Matt Michael Marta Marcos Bryan Jensen Allistair Edinger Andrew Kyle
Ryan Bubnoski
PASTORAL EMERGENCIES If a Pastoral Emergency should come up for you, hospitalization, death in the family, please call the Church Office 856-589-8209 or after office hours please call Mother Susan at 732-759-4358.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY
All Tuesdays & Thursdays - 9 AM Morning Prayer
All Thursdays – 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:30 PM Bell Choir 7:15 PM Choir Practice
February 3 & 4 – EPIPHANY 5 WATW Souper Bowl Soup Sale Saturday, 4:30 PM Contemplative Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist Healing Prayer Sunday, 9 AM Contemplative Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School 11:30 AM Adult Forum 11:30 AM Youth Group 11:30 AM Confirmation Class
February 7 - 7 PM Brotherhood of St. Andrew
February 8 - 7 PM Property Committee Meeting
February 10 & 11 – LAST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY Saturday, 9:30 AM Vestry Meeting 4:30 PM Contemplative Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist Sunday, 9 AM Contemplative Prayer 9 AM Parish Breakfast 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School
February 12 – 7 PM Women at the Well – ECW
February 13 – 9:30 AM Caring Hands
February 14 – ASH WEDNESDAY 7 AM, Noon & 7 PM Holy Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes February 16 – 7 PM Stations of the Cross
February 17 & 18 – LENT 1 Saturday, 4:30 PM Contemplative Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist Sunday, 9 AM Contemplative Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School 11:30 AM Youth Group 11:30 AM Confirmation class w/ Mentors
February 21 – 6:30 - 8:00 PM Good Shepherd Quilters February 23 – 7 PM Stations of the Cross
February 24 & 25 – LENT 2 Saturday, 4:30 PM Contemplative Prayer 5:30 PM Holy Eucharist Sunday, 9 AM Contemplative Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School – Fellowship 11:30 AM Page Turners
February 27 – 9:30 AM Caring Hands
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
01 – Andrew Winship 02 – Eric Long 04 – Stu Lynd, Sr. 07 – Patricia Fortney 08 – Amanda Beard 08 – Susan Burkhard 10 – Maryalice Ross 11 – Tom Rigg 11 – John Richardson 14 – Allyson Tuttle 17 – Meg Cornely 18 – Dan Snodgrass 18 – Piper Klein 19 – Megan Chimenti 19 – Nancy LaBarge 20 – Braydon Startare 22 – Alice Aultman 22 – Valerie Baker 22 – Jason Pelletier 23 – Kristi Chimenti 23 – Brian McNally 23 – Keith Rigg 24 – Ethan Szilier 24 – Oliver Strulovitz 25 – Betsy Dunn 27 – Paige Bathurst 29 – Steve Parker
MORNING PRAYER
Morning Prayer is on Tuesday & Thursday
mornings at 9 AM with Mother Susan in the
Chapel.
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OUTREACH
We have rec’d at least 10 beautiful suits for men this past month! Thank you so very much! These will be used for men going to job interviews! There are always men in need of shoes, warm clothes, coats, etc., in Camden. If you have any, in good condition, please place them in manageable size bags and leave them on our front porch. We will be happy to deliver them for you. Please do NOT place them in boxes! These take up too much room in our basement and our car!
We are located at 223 Highland Terrace, Pitman.
Thanks so much! Deacon Carl and Ellie Dunn
CHURCH HISTORY DISPLAY
I hope that you are taking the time to examine the exhibit in the glass case in the parish hall that changes quarterly. It is composed of items that are part of our combined history as a Good Shepherd family! I am looking for any old pictures of church events, Sunday school or VBS curriculum, old Hymn books or Bibles, Birth Certificates, etc. If you have anything that you wish to share with everyone, please let me know. Your items will be carefully taken care of and returned when the exhibit ends.
Thanks so much! Ellie Dunn
Prayer Shawl/Caring Hands Ministry
Every so often we get a request for a Prayer Shawl to be given to someone in need. Sometimes it is during an illness, sometimes during grieving periods after the loss of a loved one. The Shawls are crocheted or knitted by the women in this ministry. Every other Tuesday morning you will find our Caring Hands Group knitting/crocheting the shawls in our Conference room. They are made with prayer for those who will receive them. I can’t begin to tell you of the peace and comfort these shawls have brought to so many people. They need not be members of our parish. Need is spread everywhere. If you know of a need, just ask Pat Braidwood
Treasurer's Blog - February 2018 Results for 2017
Total Income:
Here is a breakdown of our total income for 2017:
Budget Actual
Loose Plate 2,400 2,226 Envelopes 206,000 226,813
Special 8,000 7,780
Other 300 45
Income 220,380 236,864
Our envelope income has exceeded our estimate. It appears that while we didn’t receive as many pledges for 2017 as we had hoped, the offerings reflect that our unpledged income is strong. The financial team is appreciative of your support.
Your response to our stewardship program for 2018 has been good. Total expenses:
Here is a recap of our total expenses for 2017.
Budget Actual
Expenses 220,380 222,010
Our expenses were in line with our estimates for this year. Budget for 2018:
Our budget for 2018 has increased to $231,683.
In other good news, we have paid off our capital improvement loan of $81,000, two years early.
Adult Forum
FEBRUARY ADULT FORUM will take place
on Sunday, February 4. We will view a presentation
by Sr. Helen Prejean (the nun focused in the movie
"Dead Man Walking") regarding the death
penalty. This should be a fascinating and lively
discussion! Join us following the 10 a.m. service in
the Conference Room.
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING OUR BELOVED PARISH,
As we dash around doing our busy daily activities there are many a frustrating roadblocks. There are plans that have been altered and if only things would go right, much that was planned could be accomplished. We have all read the advantages of planning and reaching our goals.
Wait a minute! It’s great to have a goal but it is also great to face each day with a spirit of expectation. “I would like to do a certain task and it would make me really happy to accomplish this.”
So we start the day with a special hope and dig into the planned task with gusto. The phone rings and a friend is in need of a hand, there are 3 inches of new snow, the car must be cleaned off, and we spill coffee all over the counter and floor. This is the time for a brief prayer - - essentially “Father, help me.” BUT the only answer is to get at it and do what has to be done. A sage individual once said. “God never tied my shoes” and God is not going to mop up the counter.
One now has to approach the problem of the day. No, your special plan is not realized but you have a cleaned spot in the kitchen, the fresh air felt “O-o so good” and your friend made you happy with her thanks.
Now is the time to evaluate where you are and thank God for his directions. You may not have accomplished your special task but you followed God’s directions and tackled what had to be done. As we go through life let us remember God does have a plan and it is generally a good one to follow. Love and Be Loved!
PAGE TURNERS’ BOOK GROUP
Feb. 25. THE BOOKSELLER by Cynthia Swanson
March 18. BREAKFAST WITH BUDDA by Roland Marullo
April 15. LILAC GIRLS by Martha Kelly
May 20. THE GOOD GOOD PIG by Sy Montgomery
June 17. THE GARDEN OF SMALL BEGINNINGS by Abbi Waxman
July 15. LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng
August 19. EVIDENCE OF LOVE by Melissa McConnell
Sept. 16. THE SIMPLICITY OF CIDER by Amy E. Reicher
Oct. 21. WHAT SHE ATE by Laura Shapiro
The Page Turners meet once a month, immediately following the 10am Holy Eucharist, in the Conference Room.
BIBLE STUDY
THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY continues on Thursday
mornings in the Conference Room 9:30-10:30
a.m. It's not too late to pick up a copy of Rev. Ellen
Davis' "Getting Involved With God: Rediscovering
the Old Testament." Check with Mel to find out
what chapter we will be focused on for that week
and jump in! (478-234-3698)
Ash Wednesday and Lent are just around the corner, February 14th. Please bring in your blessed palms from last Palm Sunday to be burned and made into the ashes we use during our services on Ash Wednesday. There is a box at the back of the church for your palms. Thanks in advance.
DEADLINE
The deadline for the March 2018 Crook will be on February 15, 2018. Please e-mail all articles and pictures to [email protected].
Friday 2/23 at 7PM in the Church -- 6:30 Soup & Bread dinner in Parish Hall
Friday 3/2 at 7PM in the Church -- NO DINNER
Friday 3/9 at 7PM in the Church -- 6:30 Soup & Bread dinner in Parish Hall
Friday 3/16 at 7PM in the Church -- NO DINNER
Friday 3/23 at 7PM in the Church -- 6:30 Soup & Bread dinner in Parish Hall
Friday 3/30 (GOOD FRIDAY) at 10AM in the Church. Children's Stations of the Cross (older kids involved as Staff and Stations with younger kids)
Friday 3/30 (GOOD FRIDAY) at 12PM in the Church -- Primary Stations of the Cross
(The Lay Leaders will be Jeff Snodgrass, Jack Daugherty, and Chuck Lezenby Clergy involvement at their discretion--Mother Susan and Deacon Carl.)
Stations of the Cross are a very solemn way to walk the Way of the Cross, the same as Jesus did over 2000 years ago. Although we know the outcome of the Great Triduum, Jesus’ friends and followers did not. We must be in that same mindset of not knowing Jesus' triumphant outcome! Please join us. It is twenty minutes of worthwhile time on the seven Friday's in Lent.
4 Epiphany 5 9 AM Contemplative Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School Children’s Choir Practice 11:30 AM Adult Forum 11:30 AM Youth Group 11:30 AM Confirmation Class WATW Souper Bowl Soup Sale
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6 9 AM Morning Prayer Sumer Lunch Program
7 7 PM Brotherhood of St. Andrew
8 9 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:30 – 7:15 PM Bell Choir 7 PM Property Committee Meeting 7:15 - 8 PM Choir Prac.
18 Lent 1 9 AM Contemplative Prayer 10 AM Holy Eucharist 10 AM Sunday School Children’s Choir Practice 11:30 AM Youth Group 11:30 AM Confirmation Class w/mentors
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20 9 AM Morning Prayer
21 6:30 – 8 PM Good Shepherd Quilters
22 8 AM Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Bible Study 6:30 – 7:15 PM Bell Choir 7:15 - 8 PM Choir Prac
