The Shepherd’s HornNewsletter of the Church of the Good Shepherd

September, 2014

by Matt Johnson

Since my arrival at Good Shepherd I have been in conversation with the vestry and others about how our staff can best be structured to meet the needs of this parish. Likewise, I feel it is impor-tant that we compensate our fine staff fairly for their work. I have asked the finance committee to review the compensation packages of our lay staff and to propose options for the addition of benefits and increases in pay. I have also made slight changes to the staff structure:

Lora Benz, Sexton – Tasha Battle, the Day School cafeteria manager, is now also part-time custodian for the Day School. This will allow Lora

Letter from the RectorDear Friends,

Like many others, I was saddened last week when I read of Robin Williams’ suicide. Several people who are close to me have had, I thank God, unsuccessful suicide attempts, so this is a situation that hits particularly close to home for me.

After Williams’ suicide a friend of mine posted a 2010 interview with Williams from the Guardian. The interview was supposed to be about the release of the movie World’s Great-est Dad. As was usual for Williams, he jumped from topic to topic, making jokes and imitating famous people. But when the conversation turned to Williams’ struggles with alcoholism and depression, he became focused and made profound observations about his disease. At one point he described how, after 20 years sober, he had begun drinking again while shooting for a film in Alaska. He said that “I just thought, ‘hey, maybe drinking will help’ – because I felt alone and afraid.”

Fear can motivate us to take reasonable mea-sures to protect the sanctity of human life, like

when I insist that my daughter Elli hold my hand when we cross the street. But fear can easily spin out of control, taking root in the deepest places of our hearts and isolating us from everyone and everything around us. While those with mental diseases may be especially susceptible to the isolation deep fear can bring, none of us is immune.

Again and again in the scriptures we hear some variation of God’s reassuring words “Do not be afraid. For I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victori-ous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). God is always with us and God always helps us – we need not fear because we are never alone. When fear threat-ens to overwhelm us, we can turn it over to God.

Those with severe clinical depression like Robin Williams may become trapped in the darkness, unable to experience God’s presence and the freedom from fear that it brings. That is when the work of the church is all the more important. We have a responsibility to continue loving even when someone can’t love him/

Staffing Changes at Good Shepherdmore time to dedicate to her church duties as well as to assist Tom as needed in the office.

Lawrence Goering, Organist and Choir Director – position unchanged

Shawanda Jordan, Day School Director – posi-tion unchanged

Tom Parker, Parish Administrator – In addition to his current duties, Tom will also take a greater role in the coordination of pastoral care and outreach.

Kimberly Robertson, Nursery Attendant – Kimberly was hired in July to replace Mary Alston, who resigned in June. The position is

unchanged.

Jeanne Shannon, Interim Coordinator of Children and Youth Ministry – see the article on page 2.

Virginia Turner, Bookkeeper – position un-changed

herself. We shouldn’t try to comfort with bland platitudes or rational arguments. Rather, God calls us to just be with the sufferer, praying that through our presence that person may catch a glimpse of the presence of Christ.

Sadly, sometimes no matter what has been done or left undone, one is so overwhelmed by the darkness that he or she commits suicide. In the midst of our sadness as we mourn the loss, we can be comforted by the knowledge that those who take their own lives are still beloved children of God, freed from fear and isolation and enjoying the full presence of Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Matt Johnson, Rector

Page 2 • The Shepherd’s Horn

Thank You Jeanne ShannonInterim Coordinator of Children and Youth Ministries

Jeanne Shannon, an active parishioner at Good Shepherd, has graciously ac-cepted the position of Interim Coordina-tor of Children and Youth Ministries. Matt hopes the church will have the financial resources to hire a newly ordained person next summer to serve as assistant rector. During the 2014-2015 academic year, Jeanne will coordinate offerings for children and youth, which have been primary responsi-bilities of the assistant rector. When an assistant rector is called, Jeanne will assist with the transition so we don’t lose momentum in these important ministries. Many thanks to Jeanne for her willingness to serve in this role.

A View from the PewWe are now into late summer and I am begin-

ning to ask myself where the time has gone. On August 2nd a brave group of fourteen volunteers came to the church early in the morning and took everything out of the kitchen for a much needed cleaning. Then on the 23rd another group of volunteers will put all of the items back in their proper place. Our kitchen area will be fit for any occasion -- please come by and see the nice clean space. Also, plans for the new columbarium are moving forward, renovation has begun on the wall outside the sacristy area, and work is scheduled to begin in October to bring the altar forward (the altar project will take 4-6 weeks). Again, I will be glad to speak with you, as is any member of the vestry, if you have questions about these projects. My thanks to a great group of people who made this all happen with ease. I will keep you and our family in my prayers as the days proceed.

Recently someone remarked to me that they had heard that that church is out of money and that we are making special requests. Let me clarify my earlier statements. I did not intend to imply that we are in bad financial straits.

My purpose was merely to encourage us as a church family to be mindful of our current and our future needs. I know you as a loving and compassionate community. I also know that we are a very generous group of individuals. I take my role as senior warden quite seriously. I feel that part of my role is to encourage your financial stewardship. I will continue to encourage you to that end.

Fall will soon be upon us. We’ll kickoff the season with a parish picnic after the 10:00 a.m. service on September 7th. Then we’ll begin a new year of Christian education at 10:10 a.m. on October 5th. Christian education is another opportunity for you to become involved with your church family. Please consider attending the Sunday adult forum and/or teaching one of the children/youth Christian education classes. And be sure to save the date for the soirée to be held on October 2nd from 6:00-8:30. This promises to be a fun night for all and will help to support our outreach and other programs.

God’s Peace,Jim Curtis, Senior Warden

IN MEMORIUMH. C. “Buddy” Harris, uncle of Debbie Bonner, died on July 27

Penelope Jenkins Harris, aunt of Brack Townsend, died on July 28

John Booth, brother of Louis Booth, died on August 10

UPCOMING Events – Mark Your CalendarsAugust 23 9:00 a.m. Acolyte training

August 24 11:30 a.m. Reader training 12:30 p.m. Chalice bearer training

August 27 5:00 p.m. Cherub choir rehearsal resumes 5:30 p.m. Alleluia choir rehearsal resumes 7:00 p.m. Youth gathering with Matt (Pitstop Shoppe, 3649 Sunset Ave)

September 3 7:30 p.m. Good Shepherd choir rehearsal resumes

September 7 9:00 a.m. Columbarium and memorial garden forum 10:00 a.m. Homecoming Eucharist followed by parish picnic

September 14 8, 9, 11:00 a.m. Sunday worship schedule resumes

October 2 6:00 p.m. Parish soiree

October 4 9:00 a.m. Acolyte training 10:00 a.m. Reader training 10:45 a.m. Chalice bearer training

October 5 10:10 a.m. Sunday Christian education resumes 5:00 p.m. St. Francis day evensong with blessing of the animals

Congratulations Ty and Sara Worth!

Sara Worth Hodges, a junior at UNC-Wilming-ton and Ty Ellstrom, a freshman at NC State, have been awarded scholarships from the Good Shepherd scholarship fund. Please keep Ty, Sara Worth, and the other college students from Good Shepherd in your prayers.

Kitchen movers…Many hands make the burden light!

The Shepherd’s Horn • Page 3

2014-2015 Choir Season Begins on Wednesday, August 27th

After a summer break, the Alleluia and Cherub Choirs will resume regular Wednesday rehears-als on Wednesday, August 27th. The Cherub Choir (for children ages 3 through 1st grade) rehearses on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. for thirty minutes. This choir learns fundamentals of music and liturgy and sings at the 9 a.m. service several times throughout the year, at the St. Francis Day service, on Christmas Eve, and at the Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre. The Alleluia Choir (for children in 2nd through 8th grades and 1st graders with excellent reading ability) rehearses on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. This choir sings at the 9 a.m. service every two to three weeks from September through May, at the St. Francis Day service, at Lessons & Carols, on Christmas Eve, and at the Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre. The Good Shepherd Choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. with rehears-als resuming on Wednesday, September 3rd. The Good Shepherd Choir sings in church weekly at the 11 a.m. service, at evensongs, at Lessons & Carols, on Christmas Eve, and at other services on the liturgical calendar. The Good Shepherd Choir also sings throughout the summer with a brief rehearsal forty-five minutes before each service. For more information about any of our choirs, please call Lawrence Goering at 442-1134, ext. 224 or e-mail at lgoering@goodshepherdrmt.org. Come sing with us!

MUSIC AT GOOD SHEPHERD

St. Francis Day Choral Evensong with Blessing of the AnimalsSunday, October 5, 5:00 p.m.

Bring your pets and a blanket or lawn chair for this special outside service that will be sung by the Cherub, Alleluia, and Good Shepherd Choirs. Refreshments (for animals and people) will be served after the service.

Training for Liturgical Ministers

All new and returning acolytes, readers, and chalice bearers are required to attend one of two training sessions.

ACOLYTES Any children/youth in grades 4-12 who would like to acolyte should contact Howard Weeks at pbwhhw@gmail.com. Acolyte training: 9:00 a.m. on August 23rd and 9:00 a.m. on October 4th.

READERS AND CHALICE BEARERS Any youth in ninth grade or older and adults who would like to be a reader and/or chalice bearer should contact Tom Parker at tparker@good-shepherdrmt.org or 442-1134. Reader training: 11:30 a.m. on August 24th and 10:00 a.m. on October 4th. Chalice Bearer training: 12:30 p.m. on August 24th and 10:45 a.m. on October 4th.

2014 Soirée and Silent Auction - Thursday, October 2, 2014

Plan to come out and join your fellow Parishioners for conversation, good food, a silent auction and a cash raffle. Prepara-tions are well under way to make this a fantastic night. The Bid Item Committee is looking for items to auction to the con-gregation. If you have an item you wish to donate, please call Kelly Frohbose at (252) 904-3753 or Tom Jenkins at (252) 442-8125. Items can range from vacation rentals, to event tickets, to services, to artwork, to discounts at local establishments – just about anything!

Columbarium and Memorial Garden

The vestry would like to hear your thoughts and questions about the proposed Columbarium and Memorial Garden (there is a large, color rendering of the proposal at the entrance to the church). In addition to contacting vestry members individually, please plan to attend a forum on September 7th at 9am for more information.

Youth Gathering with Matt

Matt would like to hear from the youth about their desires for youth ministry at Good Shep-herd. All youth in grade 6-12 are invited to join him for dessert (his treat) at the Pitstop Shoppe (3649 Sunset Ave) on August 27th at 7pm.

The Church of the Good Shepherd231 N. Church Street • Rocky Mount, NC 27804(252) 442-1134 • www.goodshepherdrmt.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No. 194

Rocky Mount, N.C.

Day School News!Greetings from our day school. September

takes us back to school as we embark on a new school year. We are super excited to announce that we have new families in our day school and our classrooms are booming! We invite you to stop by during your leisure time and give us a gentle hello.

This month’s theme in our day school is “Back to School.” We will explore our theme by discussing classroom expectations, implement-ing school happenings in our interest areas and manipulating our art materials to make our classrooms scream “We’re Back to School!”

Our online waiting list for the day school is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please encourage anyone who may be interested in childcare to email me at gsdayschool1@gmail.com.

Thank you,Shawanda Jordan, Day School Director

2 Quintin Mangano 3 Mary Craig, Walker Farish 6 Mary Ruth Divine, Jimmy Whatley, Ronald Williams, Barden Winstead 7 Ashton Burnette, Angela Urquhart 8 Shebe Harris, Oscar Seale 9 Keith Harris 12 Michie Coppedge, Trish Weeks 14 Katie Boone, Courtney Steed 15 Richard Learn 16 Barbara LaRose 17 Wes Morrison, Jim Curtis 19 Lucas Bayless, Jamie Smith, Stokes Suiter, Norita Watson 20 Lisa Godwin, Amy Huacani 22 Alston Meadows, Alexis Reams, Betsy Wood 23 Jenny Cutchin, Brooklynn Sears 24 Alex Langley 25 David Daughtry

27 Faye Brady, Maureen Kroncke 28 E. L. Daughtridge, Bernice Dawson, Westray Hicks 30 Bruce Daughtry, Laurie Lilley, Riki Mottershead

S E P T E M B E R B I R T H D A Y SIf your birthday is missing or is listed incorrectly, please contact Tom Parker in the church office.