This Sunday September 27th at 5:00 pm: Middle School and High School together
Each Sunday during the fall, Fr. Jay, Pia Bertelli, and Lurie Kimmerle will lead a series called "Stump the Priest" where teenagers will ask their hardest questions and Fr. Jay-- with help from Pia and Lurie-- will answer them based on scripture, Christian tradition, and the ethic of transformational love we received from Jesus.
Schedule for Christian Ed and Stump the Priest* September 27 at 5:00-- meet on Zoom* for Middle and High School
October 5 at 5:00--meet on Zoom* for Middle School only
October 11-- no meeting due to Indigenous Persons/ Columbus Day
October 18 at 5:00-- meet on Zoom* for Middle and High School
*We will update this schedule regularly, including dates and online vs. in-person opportunities to gather
Pictures from Sunday, September 20th's inaugural meeting of youth for Pandemic-era Christian Ed: we retired sacred items discovered in the attic during renovation project. Sacred items, such as bibles, prayer books, and vestments are not thrown away but burned or buried reverently.
"We who are gathered here know that these sacred items, which have been consecrated and set apart for the ministry of God's holy Word and Sacraments, will no longer be used in this way but will be burned. To many of us these books and vestments have been hallowed by cherished memories, and we know that in seeing their destruction some will suffer a sense of loss. We pray that we might be comforted by the knowledge that the presence of God is not limited to any book, place, or building, but lives in us and fills all creation.
"Lord God, in your great goodness you once accepted to your honor and glory these books and vestments, now secularized: receive our praise and thanks for the blessings, help, and comfort which you bestowed on your people through them. Continue, we pray, your many mercies in your Church, that we may be conscious at all times of your unchanging love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Upcoming Worship
Sunday, September 27th --
9:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I, in the church and online
10:30 am Morning Prayer, Rite I, on the Good Shepherd Green
Sunday School at 10:00 and 10:30 in the Loring Room
Wednesday, September 30th -- 7:00pm-- Festive Michaelmas Evensong
for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
Sunday, October 4th -- Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:00 am in the church and online
10:30 am on the Good Shepherd Green
Please sign up in advance to attend worship in person.
We are limiting the number of attendees at each worship service, far beyond the guidance issued by the Commonwealth and Diocese of Massachusetts. We can only accommodate those not registered as space and distancing allow.
Left-- the portion of the roof raised for the elevator is finished in copper
Right- the interior shaft is finished and insulated, ready for the elevator's installation-- you can see where the elevator will open to the outside and inside
Click here to view Angels Ascending and Descending, a plan to achieve 100% accessibility at Good Shepherd. At a total cost of $500,000 and with a beautiful, compassionate proposal secured, your Vestry asks you to consider prayerfully your support of this plan.
We continue to receive support and pledges while construction is underway.
Frumentum-- Communion at Home for older and at-risk parishioners
Frumentum, from the Latin word meaning wheat, is an ancient practice of the church, bringing items of Holy Communion to those separated from the life of the church, so that all can receive bread and wine on Sundays simultaneously.
With the blessing of our Bishop, Good Shepherd will offer Frumentum to members of our parish who cannot attend public gatherings for the foreseeable future. Volunteers from Good Shepherd will deliver consecrated bread and wine to you, or you can pick up items at the church, keep them in your home, and receive them on Sunday mornings while taking part in our online worship.
Please contact the Rector directly to request Frumentum, by calling the parish office or via e-mail at rector@goodshepherdnewton.org. Initially we will consecrate bread and wine for delivery on Sunday, September 13, so that Communion will be available beginning Sunday, September 20. Please specify the number of people who will receive so that we can deliver enough consecrated bread and wine for approximately four Sundays. Subsequent deliveries will occur next month.
Additional information about keeping the sacrament in your home and how to receive items will be provided to those who request Frumentum.
Welcome Lurie Kimmerle
Lurie Kimmerle is joining Good Shepherd as our Christian Ed Director. She has responsibility for all aspects of children's Christian Ed, assisting in youth ministries, and connecting with families via e-mail and text message.
She has a background in education as well as theology, having recently earned an MTS from Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry.
