Shepherd's Staff Online -- 12/13/07

Welcome to the Shepherd’s Staff Online. This newsletter is sent weekly by the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd to keep parish members and friends informed of current activities at the church.

In this edition:
Finance Committee Meeting
Committee Chair Meeting
Vestry Meeting
Godly Play
Lessons and Carols
Luminaria Concert
Christmas Services

Finance Committee Meeting – Thursday, December 13
The Finance Committee holds its monthly meeting this Thursday at 5:30 PM in the Fant Library. For more information, contact Keith Sands, Chair of the Finance Committee at 737-3753 or finance@goodshepherd23.org.

Committee Chair Meeting – Thursday, December 13
A meeting of the committee chairs with Fr. Doug is held monthly prior to the Vestry meeting. The Committee Chair meeting for December will be held this Thursday, December 13 at 6:30 PM, in the Fant Library. For more information, contact Fr. Doug Hodsdon, Rector, at 387-5691 or dhodsdon@goodshepherd23.org.

Vestry Meeting – Monday December 17
The Vestry holds its monthly meeting every third Monday at 6:00 PM in the Fant Library. For more information, contact Stan Bullock, Sr. Warden at 608-6500 or Fr. Doug Hodsdon, Rector, at 387-5691 or dhodsdon@goodshepherd23.org .

Godly Play
You may have noticed something different...our Godly Play children are joining the service for communion at the 10:00 service!! The Godly Play leaders and children process into communion right after the choir. Families are invited to join their children as the procession moves down the center aisle. Please note that Lessons and Carols is scheduled for Sunday, December 16. Since there will not be communion at this service, the children will stay in their Godly Play rooms for a full program and meet their families at coffee hour. Fro more information, contact Felicia Bullock at 317-9345 or fabb@comcast.net.

Lessons and Carols Service – Sunday December 16
A traditional service of Lessons and Carols will be held Sunday, December 16, at 10:00 AM with the St. Nicholas Choir, St. Cecilia Choir, and the Chancel Choir. We will not celebrate Holy Eucharist at the 10:00 service that Sunday.
For more information, contact Fr. Doug Hodsdon, Rector, at 387-5691 or dhodsdon@goodshepherd23.org.

Luminaria Concert – Sunday December 16
David Bowen and the Renaissance Singers will hold a concert at 5:00 PM at the church in conjunction with the Riverside Luminaria celebration. The Renaissance Singers is a group of 10 singers from in and around our community who enjoy performing 16th and 17th century choral music for unaccompanied voices. Their music will delight you as you listen to their perfect blend and soaring voices in a Cathedral-like setting. Grey Hodsdon will be at the mighty E.M.Skinner Pipe Organ to lead you in singing some of the most beloved and well known Christmas Carols. For more information contact David Bowen at 387-5691 or dbowen@goodshepherd23.org.

Christmas Eve Services – Monday, December 14
5:00 PM Children’s Service with the St. Nicholas Choir, St. Cecilia Choir, and the Chancel Choir.

10:30 PM The Chancel Choir and the Chamber Music Society will present Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria as a prelude to the 11:00 PM service.

11:00 PM Holy Eucharist celebrated with incense and festive music from the Chancel Choir and Chamber Music Society.

For more information, contact Fr. Doug Hodsdon, Rector, at 387-5691 or dhodsdon@goodshepherd23.org.

A calendar of all events at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd can be seen by selecting the button at our website at www.goodshepherd23.org.

Shepherd's Staff Online -- 12/06/07

Welcome to the Shepherd’s Staff Online. This newsletter is sent weekly by the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd to keep parish members and friends informed of current activities at the church.

In this edition:
Advent and Christmas Music Schedule
Children’s December Schedule
Date Change Shepherd’s Tree Outreach

Advent and Christmas Music Ministry
December 9th Renaissance instruments will be accompanied by the Cornel Zimmer Continuo Organ which is on loan to Good Shepherd for this Sunday. John Parkyn, organist and member of the choir, has made it possible for the Zimmer Continuo Organ to be at Good Shepherd for this Sunday. Cornel Zimmer is a leading organ builder in this country. The Continuo Organ has been on hire from as far away as Canada and is making its way down the eastern coast. It is making a brief two day stop in Jacksonville. We thank Mr. Zimmer and Mr. Parkyn for making this fine instrument available to us today.

December 16th Lessons and Carols Service 10:00am
St. Nicholas Choir, St. Cecelia Choir and Good Shepherd Choir

December 16th Luminaria Concert 5:00–5:45pm.
The Renaissance Singers of Good Shepherd perform traditional carols for the Riverside/Avondale community at Good Shepherd. The mighty E.M. Skinner organ will lead the congregation in singing Christmas Carols.

Christmas Eve Services
5:00pm Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist with the St. Nicholas Choir, St. Cecilia Choir and Chancel Choir

10:30pm Good Shepherd Choir and Chamber Music Society.
Gloria, by Antonio Vivaldi, sung by the Good Shepherd Choir and accompanied by the Chamber Music Society of Good Shepherd.

11:00pm Festival of Holy Eucharist

Children’s’ Ministry
Calling all children – 3 years through 12th grade:
We are planning a Christmas Pageant for the family service on Christmas Eve!
Rehearsals will follow the 10:00 AM services on December 9, 16, and 23. We will finish with a “dress rehearsal” on Sunday December 23. There may be an additional time for individuals with speaking roles.

St. Nicholas and St. Cecelia Choirs will sing again December 16 during the 10:00 am service

Need more information about Children’s Ministry at Good Shepherd? Contact Deacon Linda at lrosengren@goodshepherd23.org.

Shepherd’s Tree Outreach
The delivery date has changed for Shepherd Tree Outreach. Please deliver your gifts and contributions to the Church office no later than Wednesday, December 12, 2007. Our outreach to those in our local community in need is an important part of what we do at Good Shepherd. Jesus calls each of us to care for our neighbors. As we approach Christmas and we prepare to thank God for our many blessings, let us remember those who, but for our Shepherd Tree, will receive little or nothing in the form of gifts during this joyous season. We have placed “ornaments” on the tree located in the narthex with the names and wish-list items of children we are reaching out to. Keep in mind that the items on the wish list are just that, “wishes”. All gifts will be welcomed, including cash contributions so that gifts can be purchased. If you have any questions please contact Paul Arrington at 386-3576.

Suggestions for gift items:
Children ages 0 – 5: Age appropriate games, books, stuffed animals, puppets, puzzles, blocks, toys that stimulate development.
Ages 5 – 10: Art and craft supplies, books, games, small soccer balls, dolls, sports equipment, puzzles, construction sets, cars/trucks.
Ages 10 – 19: Perfume, small purses, shower gel and powders, costume jewelry, calculators, watches, baseball cards, hair accessories, stationery/diaries, wallets, sports equipment, baseball caps, magazines, books, art supplies, board games, soccer balls, posters, walkman, clothing, tote bags and backpacks.

A calendar of all events at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd can be seen by selecting the button at our website at www.goodshepherd23.org.

Shepherd's Staff Online -- 11/29/07

Welcome to the Shepherd’s Staff Online. This newsletter is sent weekly by the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd to keep parish members and friends informed of current activities at the church.

In this edition:
Riverside Fine Arts Concert
Children’s December Schedule
Shepherd’s Tree Outreach
Laity of the Diocese

Riverside Fine Arts
presents one of the world’s most beloved and accomplished jazz singers, Jane Monheit on Saturday, December 8 at 8pm. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. For more information call 389-6222 or visit www.riversidefinearts.org.

Children’s’ Ministry

• Advent Wreaths – Sunday December 2
  Materials for making a wreath for your home will be available following the 10:00 AM service in Worsham Hall.
• St. Nicholas Night – Wednesday December 5
  A simple supper at 6:00 PM will be provided. Following supper we will hear the story of Nicholas of Myra and view a short movie. After the story we will go into the church for compline. Of course we will leave our shoes by the door.
• Calling all children – 3 years through 12th grade:
  We are planning a Christmas Pageant for the family service on Christmas Eve!
  Rehearsals will follow the 10:00 AM services on December 9, 16, and 23. We will finish with a “dress rehearsal” on Sunday December 23. There may be an additional time for individuals with speaking roles.
• Children’s Enrichment Workshop
  The Children’s Enrichment Workshop (CEW) has had a tremendous beginning with 6 returning students and 10 new students. The returning students are enjoying their individual lessons with “Miss Linda” (Linda Meinke). The new students are reaping the benefit of having two teachers on Tuesdays. Valerie Pate began teaching with Linda in September. Many thanks to our volunteers: Valerie Pate, Susan Merritt, Elaine Draper, Gar Rosengren, Faye Lee and Joy Miller.
• Godly Play
  A second Godly Play class was added in September offering a new class for children in first grade and older. The new class moved into the Children’s Chapel on the second floor of Worsham Hall. With a special gift we were able to provide all things needed to furnish the room for Godly Play. Many thanks to Felicia Bullock for her leadership and passion for Godly Play. Teachers for both classes include Fran Wulbern, Margo Easter, Tracy Hodsdon, Susan Morgan, Shawna Leu, David Lasch and Sheryl Pulley.
• St. Nicholas and St. Cecelia Choirs will sing twice in December – December 2 and December 16
  Need more information about Children’s Ministry at Good Shepherd? Contact Deacon Linda at lrosengren@goodshepherd23.org.

Shepherd’s Tree Outreach
Outreach to those in our local community in need is an important part of what we do at Good Shepherd. Christ calls each of us to care for our neighbors. As we approach Christmas and we prepare to thank God for our many blessings, let us remember those who, but for our Shepherd Tree, will receive little or nothing in the form of gifts during this joyous season.

On our Shepherd Tree, located in the narthex, we have placed “ornaments” with the names and wish-list items of children we are reaching out to. Keep in mind that the items on the wish list are just that, “wishes”. All gifts will be welcomed, including cash contributions so that gifts can be purchased.

Please deliver your gifts and contributions to the Church office no later than 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2007.

If you have any questions please contact Paul Arrington at (904) 386-3576.

Laity of the Diocese
You are invited to spend the afternoon of December 8th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. with Bishop Howard at Camp Weed and the Cerveny Conference Center for Bible study and conversation. If you choose to come early for lunch at noon, please call Jeanie at (386) 364-5250.

A calendar of all events at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd can be seen by selecting the button at our website at www.goodshepherd23.org.