Newsletter of the Church of the Good Shepherd

The Shepherd’s Horn

July/August, 2014

Letter from the Rector Dear Friends, Volumes have been written about how we in the developed world try to ignore death. We even avoid it in our language, saying that someone has “passed” or “gone” or “left” or some other word besides “died.” At the end of the second Star Trek movie, as Captain Kirk grieves the death of his best friend Mr. Spock, Kirk and his son David discuss the reality of death: David: You never have faced death. Kirk: No. Not like this. I haven’t faced death. I’ve cheated death. I’ve tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing. David: You knew enough to tell Saavik [another crewmember] that how we face death is at least as important as how we face life. Many of us, if not most, share this desire of Kirk to cheat death. Then, when we can’t cheat or ignore it anymore, we try to explain it away and bury our grief. But Kirk’s son is really on to some-

thing in saying “how we face death is at least as important as how we face life.” This parish knows death and grief. In the past year you’ve lost friends, parents, spouses, and children. The pain of these losses runs deep. Our Christian faith is honest about death and the grief it causes. Every time we gather for communion we re-experience the mourning of Jesus’ death on the cross. But the story, of course, doesn’t end there. We also participate in the joy of Christ’s resurrection from the grave. Like many things, life and death is a “both … and …” To appreciate the fullness of God’s gift of life, we have to be honest about death. Death is real – the grief when someone we love dies is profound. But grappling with that pain can bring us to new gratitude for God’s gift of life from death. The burial liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer begins with Jesus’ words from the Gospel according to John:

New Columbarium at Good Shepherd

Story on page 6.

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. That is the message of our faith: the agony of death for those left behind must be faced. But death never has the last word – God has the power to bring life from death and has promised that we will be raised with Christ. Thanks be to God. Yours in Christ,

Matt Johnson, Rector

View from the Pew Dear Friends in Christ, I feel as though our church family has again been tested over the last month. Many of us who have been members of Good Shepherd for a long time lost dear friends. First the Rev. Charles Penick, then Virginia Knowles, and then our beloved Kate Harrison. Our parish has weathered many storms over the last 24 months and this is just another time for us to reflect on how fortunate we have been to have the strong congregation that we have. These people who are no longer with us on this earth have left us with determination to continue the work that we as a parish stand for. This summer we will continue to feed those in our community who Continued on page 5.

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MUSIC AT GOOD SHEPHER D 2014-2015 Choir Season Begins on Wednesday, August 27th

Summer Choir of All Ages for the 10 a.m. Service

After a summer break, the Alleluia and Cherub Choirs will resume regular Wednesday rehearsals 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

If you have ever though about singing in a choir at church, the summer months provide a perfect opportunity to participate. During the summer, the choir will sing music at the 10 a.m. service that can be prepared in one rehearsal each Sunday beginning at 9:15 a.m.

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 rehearsals 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!

North Carolina Baroque Orchestra

Friday, August 1, 7:30 p.m.

All singers, from those who have just completed third grade and up, are invited to join this choir for any Sunday or number of Sundays that they are available. So that we can be sure to have music and robes for all who wish to participate, please contact Lawrence Goering ([email protected] or 252-442-1134, ext. 224) to let him know when you wish to sing.

In Memorium The Rev. Charlie Penick, former Rector, died on May 23 Virginia Lupton Knowles, parishioner, died on May 26 Katharine “Kate” Spruill Harrison, parishioner, died on May 30 Deanna Farris, sister of Jim Curtis, died on June 6 Thelma Bondy, mother of Paul Bondy, died on July 8

Using period instruments and under the direction of San Francisco-based early music specialist Frances Blaker, this orchestra will perform a program that will include Bach’s Double Violin Concerto, a Concerto Grosso by Handel, and vocal arias featuring the wonderful soprano soloist, Margaret Carpenter. All are invited to this free concert and the reception afterwards in the parish hall. Childcare will be provided. For more information, please contact Lawrence Goering at (252) 442-1134, ext. 224.

Community Worship Services Continue You are invited to join brothers and sisters across Rocky Mount for the 8th annual July Community Worship Services. The theme this year is “Hope” and the primary texts are Romans 5:1-5 and Hebrews 11:1. The offering has been designated to support the ministry of My Sister’s House. All worship services began at 6:00 p.m. July 27 - Lakeside Baptist Church, host, with Rev. Richard Gerald, preacher August 3 - Greater Love Christian Church, host, with Rev. Alice Johnson-Curl, preacher

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YOU T H N E WS Gatekeeper’s Workcamp a Huge Success! This year marks the 23rd anniversary of Gatekeepers Workcamp, a partnership of local churches in Rocky Mount. Gatekeepers provides a hands-on, Christian mission experience for youth in 6th through 12th grade in an ecumenical setting in Rocky Mount. Gatekeepers helps youth to become involved in the lives of others, exposes young people to the needs of their communities and provides free home repairs for individuals and families in need. Youth and adult leaders from Good Shepherd joined forces with other area church volunteers to make repairs to homes of selected disabled, elderly and low-income homeowners. Common repairs included: exterior and interior painting, roof repairs, door and window insulating and weatherization. Approximately 175 volunteers from 11 churches participated in Gatekeepers 2014. Good Shepherd volunteers worked in a variety of neighborhoods and on a variety of projects throughout Rocky Mount. Some of the neighborhoods were the Star-Beal Street area,

Clark Street, the Hillsdale community, the “Little Raleigh Community,” Little Easonburg and the neighborhood around the Bassett School. Additionally, Good Shepherd acted as the “lunch time” host for all Gatekeeper volunteers. Volunteers from Good Shepherd worked tire-

lessly to make sure lunch and cold drinks were available for the workers. A little respite in the middle of the day was the key to having productive afternoons at the work sites. Gatekeepers is a great experience for young and old. Put it on your calendar for next year!

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YOU T H N E WS Scholarship Good Shepherd has a small scholarship fund available for active church members who are pursuing post-high school education at a college or other educational institution. The amount awarded varies depending on the number of qualified applicants. If you would like to be considered for the Good Shepherd scholarship, you may apply by writing Matt Johnson to request consideration. In your letter please include • Full name • Address (permanent and, if you left home to study, your address at school)

Costa Rica Mission Trip

• Email address

by Bishop Godwin

• Phone number

Hola! Schuyler Moss and I have just gotten home from our week long mission trip to San Isidro, Costa Rica. We spent our time there helping with the Costa Rica Mission Projects which is run by Rocky Mount native, Wil Bailey. CRMP has recently been given a plot of land and are now building two cabins for future mission groups, a kitchen and dining hall, a daycare, and another cabin for young women who want to attend college. Our group of 13 youth helped by pouring concrete, painting bathrooms, scrubbing floors, helping with the local Vacation Bible School, and washing dishes after meals. We attended church Sunday morning and Wednesday night. The sermon was translated by Wil, who is a fluent Spanish speaker. What struck me was how meaningful the service was despite the fact that I don’t speak a word of Spanish.

• Grade point average for your most recent semester

Sunday after church we were able to have some free time so we headed to Dominical Beach which is on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica. We were able to buy some souvenirs from the vendors along the street. We worked Monday through Thursday and had another free day on Friday. The majority of the group went zip lining in the rainforest near Quepos. That was such a great experience! Being able to spend a week in Costa Rica helped me realize that “church” is not just our building on Church Street. “Church” is the

• If you have received other scholarships, information about those grants community and the people that share the same beliefs regardless of where we live. I am so thankful Schuyler and I were able to go together and represent the youth of Good Shepherd in such a special way.

The Soirée is Back! Save the date for a Good Shepherd 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. Preparations are well under way to make this a fantastic night. The Bid Item Committee is looking for items to auction to the congregation. If you have an item you wish to donate, please call Kelly Frohbose at (252) 4421608 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! More details coming soon!

• Your affiliation with and involvement at Good Shepherd To be considered the rector must receive your letter by July 31st. The executive committee of the vestry and I will review the applications and will advise you of our decision by August 10th.

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Day School News Summer is finally here! We welcome July with lots of sunscreen, insect repellent and summer fun! Our theme for the month is Vacation and we will explore our theme by discussing and role-playing things that our children and families enjoy doing during the summer. Summer slots are available. If you or anyone that you may know are interested in a slot in our day school please feel free to contact me to further assist you with enrollment. Gigantic congratulations to Preschool Teacher Ms. Lindsay Thomas and Infant Room II teacher Ms. Evilla Parker on the birth of their new bundles of joy, both born June 21st! We are looking forward to an awesome summer! Shawanda Jordan, Day School Director

Sunday Nursery Care Available Welcome to Kimberly Robertson, our new nursery care provider. Ms. Robertson is a teacher at our day school and is excited to now be a part of the church staff too.

Letter from Amy Huacani To Matt Johnson, Jim Curtis, and all at Church of the Good Shepherd, Thanks for all the goodbyes, the lovely reception, the flowers, the generous monetary gift, and all the ways you gave me God’s love and care in my last days at the parish. It was such a gift to love and serve God among and with you this past year. I will especially miss serving with your amazing staff. I am so grateful for God’s goodness in all these ways and more; I have seen Christ in you and am forever grateful and humbled. God’s grace, peace, and love,

Amy Huacani +

BI RT H DAYS July 1 Brad Abernathy, Deana Guido 4 Bill Kirkwood 5 Ashley Moss, Anne Garland Winstead 6 Patricia Lea 7 Pam Larimer 8 Emily Bennett, Frank Meadows 10 Deborah Bonner, Howard Haynes, Jean Heath 11 Michael Jensen 12 Tom Parker 18 Kimberly Sparks 19 Laura Boice 20 Thomas Shannon, Alex Villagomez 21 Chase Miller 23 Ty Ellstrom, Judd Pierce 24 Don Buck, Lalor Smith 25 Evans Harrell, Juliana Lindenberg, Bill Sasser 26 Too Wilson 28 Richard Kenan Bethune, Anne Poole 30 Emily Arroyo, Gail Jenkins, Scott White 31 Lee Pearce

August 1 Esperanza Alba 2 Anderson Bock, Raiden Braswell, Heather Murphy Nick

3 Lora Benz, Marshall Brooks 4 Connor Braswell, Bill Bryan, Adam Sparks 5 Michael Lilley 6 Helen Hultgren, John Thorp 7 Maggie Craig, Annie Larimer, Martha Anne Watson 8 Cin Kornegay, Bob Norman, Ted Sherburne, Millie Walker 11 Lawrence Goering 14 Katie Frohbose, Corinne Jenkins, Nancy Pierce 15 Frederick Frohbose, Brent Wilson 16 Sallie Colston, Patience Ergish, Langston Pearce 17 Lennox Langley, Courtney Strickland 19 Sheryll Barnes, Judy Kornegay, Winston Lea, Mary Palmer 21 John Bonner 22 Janet Bethune, Mason Green, Mary Louise Kasper 23 Heather Fryar, Lauren Tedford 24 Martha Daniel, Kristin Mangano 26 William Daughtridge, Molly Wilson 29 Betsy Adams, William Barringer, Becky Bryan, William Daughtry 30 Eliza Bowen, John High, Rick Kroncke 31 Richard Davis, Belinda Landis

Please contact Tom Parker in the church office if you have a birthday that was omitted from this list.

Continued from page 1. are hungry. We will continue to provide a clean and safe place for our children so that their parents can go about their day with confidence that their children are safe. We will provide youth programs for our teens and young adults. We will provide scholarship money for young people to attend college in the fall. Also, we will soon begin work on some building maintenance and the altar reconfiguration. I want each member to look at what is happening in our parish and look for those opportunities where we can improve the programs we have in place. Some of you have already given me ideas about places to look for improvement. I appreciate your letting me know about your

ideas. It is always good to look for new solutions to old problems. Last month I asked you to consider your giving to this church. I looked at the numbers and I see that you answered my call. That is not to say that I won’t continue to prod each of you to give of your possessions as well as your talent. We now have Matt back from vacation. We lost Amy and we will miss what she brought to our congregation. When I look at the talent and the good people we have here at Good Shepherd I am confident that we can meet any challenge that meets us in the future. I hope to see each of you in church on Sunday. God’s Peace Jim Curtis, Senior Warden

The Church of the Good Shepherd 231 N. Church Street • Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (252) 442-1134 • www.goodshepherdrmt.org

Additional Columbarium at Good Shepherd During the interim period the Buildings and Grounds Commission learned that our columbarium was nearly sold-out (all niches now are sold). The vestry asked the commission to investigate possibilities for expanding the current columbarium and/or building an additional one. After examining various options and making several proposals to the vestry, the design pictured here has been recommended. The central structure will contain 70 niches and the surrounding area will include a designated space

for a memorial garden (land where cremains are buried in the ground without an urn). There will also be a location for names of those buried in the memorial garden to be listed. This plan both meets the immediate needs of the parish while allowing the flexibility of design necessary for the future. There will be an open forum scheduled with members of the Buildings and Grounds Commission and the Vestry so those who would like more information about the design can ask questions.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 194 Rocky Mount, N.C.

Continued from page 1. The fee for a niche in the columbarium (which includes an urn and a plaque) is $1500. In 2016 this fee will increase to $1750 and will continue to increase every five years thereafter. The fee to be buried in the memorial garden (which includes a plaque on the memorial wall) is approximately 1/3 that of a niche ($500 until 2016, $585 from 2016-2020, etc.) Funding has been donated for this project, so no funds will be used from the operating budget.

Kitchen Help Needed The church kitchen will be professionally sanitized from August 4-8. In preparation for this cleaning, we need a group of volunteers to move everything out of the kitchen at 9am on August 2nd. We’ll need another group of volunteers to put everything back into the kitchen at 9am on August 16th. If you’re available either/both of these times, please let Tom Parker know in the church office ([email protected] or 442-1134).