The Good Shepherd Blog

Interactive Service brings in the parachute

Michele Braithwaite — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 04:37:31 +0000

The parachute was a huge success in the nave on Ministries Fair Sunday, so it’s back for another visit for the Interactive Service.

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Photography by Fred Jones

Club FM starts the year with a tailgate party

Michele Braithwaite — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 05:15:17 +0000

Club FM, Family Ministry, kicked off the year with a tailgate in the parking lot, with everyone sporting team colors. See what a good time kids and families were having!

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Photos by Fred Jones

“We lift them to the Lord”

Michele Braithwaite — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 06:17:27 +0000

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Photos by Fred Jones

Ministries Fair Sunday 2013

Michele Braithwaite — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 05:08:12 +0000

“Lift up your hearts” had a new meaning as we had celebrated Ministries Fair Sunday. Nearly all the ministries participated in this annual opportunity to see our ministries in action.

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Photos by Fred Jones, Peggy Morris, Michele Braithwaite

Labor Day Weekend Barbecue 2013

Michele Braithwaite — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 06:39:38 +0000

The end of summer came with lovely weather and a terrific picnic!

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Auction fun lasts all year!

Michele Braithwaite — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 04:57:56 +0000

The Silent Auction was last spring, but people are still claiming some of their prize-winning bids–and having a lot of fun doing it. Mary and Dave Helman are shown picking up their gourmet picnic basket before heading off to Wolf Trap to celebrate Mary’s birthday. The basket was donated and prepared by Peggy Barr and Peggy Morris. Silent Auction bid winners Sam and Gail Calabrese and 10 friends enjoyed a stress-free barbecue dinner with all the fixings for 12, donated and prepared by Steve and Rhonda Busch and Peggy and John Morris. The success of the Outreach Committee’s Silent Auction contributed to the funding of the many outreach programs and projects.

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Parachute Night for PEP

Michele Braithwaite — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 04:18:20 +0000

PEP, the Parent Education Program for families with young children enjoyed Parachute Night last Sunday.

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Beach Week 2013

Michele Braithwaite — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:52:37 +0000

Our youth are off on a week-long retreat at Rehoboth for Beach Week 2013. All sixteen are in for a great time! This year’s adult and college leaders are: Susan Norman, Jim Norman, Linda Bondurant, Cindy Thomas, Kris Mickey, Brian Walsh, David Martin, Lizzie Swensen, Charles Lincoln, and Christine Oresky.

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For the past 35 years, Good Shepherd youth have journeyed down to Rehoboth Beach, Del., for the famous Beach Week. Every year youth and leaders alike cram into a tiny house together, and by the end of the week, they will have created a family. Beach Week is a chance for youth to explore their spirituality, connect with others, and learn about the power of our Lord and Savior. Whether it be morning devotions at the beach, giving out hand-crafted awards to one another, or expressing their thanks through affirmations to each other, anyone who goes to Beach Week is hooked and wants to come again and again.This will be my 10th Beach Week as a camper and leader. I couldn’t be happier and more excited to be part of such a wonderful program. I encourage you to come next week to Celebrate Youth Ministries Sunday, July 28, and see what the hype is all about. See you in a week!
–Brian Walsh, Minister for Youth & Young Adults

Camp Hope 2013 wrap-up

Michele Braithwaite — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 21:53:08 +0000

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As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:10

Camp Hope is so rarely only about the actual houses that we fix, and this year was no exception. The theme of the week was the idea of being a hero, and how superpowers aren’t necessary in order to help others. It was really about service and what that means to us as Christians and citizens of the world. Yes, we can help our homeowners feel more secure in their physical space, but the concept of service stretches beyond that, and we truly got to experience it this week.

One of our two projects was to refinish a basement bedroom that had been damaged by flooding. Everything had been ripped out, down to the studs, and the gutted room needed everything from electrical work to insulation to drywall. We were able to give a homeowner a room back, not for her own use, but to offer to others. She applied for Camp Hope because her form of service is providing a home for those who need it, and recreating this space wasn’t about her house, but her service to her community. She was able to continue give to others because we could give to her.

The other house had several projects to complete, mostly focusing on the exterior. It needed to be painted, the front porch repaired and screened it, and the wheel chair ramp replaced. These homeowners had had a particularly difficult year, and needed a reminder that others are willing to help and serve them. Throughout the week, we could see the change that came over them as their trust in us grew, and those who worked on this project felt very strongly their appreciation and thankfulness at this restored faith.
–Alyssa Blevins, adult leader team

(see previous stories to follow the work of Camp Hope this week.)

Camp Hope 2013, Day 3

Michele Braithwaite — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:21:26 +0000

Progress is being made at both work sites, and Day 3 means the framing was completed for screening at House #1, and the team was painting in the rain. At House #2, the drywall installation was underway, and finishing the ceiling was a team effort.

Thanks to all our youth workers and the adult leader team for their hard work!

Click to view slideshow.