From the Desk of the Priest in Charge
Dear Friends in Christ,
On November 19, I will be leading a seminar for the diocese of Delaware's Parish Life Day. When I agreed to do this, it was in a weak moment. As the time grows nearer I am having a great deal of angst. I am to lead a discussion on what we do with our resources. One of my friends told me all I had to do is know what someone's net worth is. He then proceeded to lead me through his own assets and liabilities. It is simple. Take what you have against what you owe and that is your net worth. He came up with a seven figure number which was quite remarkable.
Having finished I asked, in my naivete, what he thought the net worth of his darling granddaughter might be. He said that she was different and that there was no worth that could be put on her. I am not sure he got my point but the truth of the matter is that a person's net worth is not measured in dollars and cents but in the love which is bestowed upon them. For you and me our net worth is not what we own but in the love which is bestowed upon us. Ultimately our net worth is not in the things we have but that He finds us worthy of His love. So worthy to Him that He sent His Son into the world to save us. Read in your bible John chapter 3 verse 16.
In Christ,
GJK
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Good Shepherd welcomes transitional Deacon
Good Shepherd welcomes transitional Deacon
As we began the program year at Good Shepherd, we were thrilled to learn that Gary Taylor would be joining us through the fall serving as a transitional Deacon. Gary is the Chaplain at St. Anne’s School in Middletown and will be ordained into the priesthood in January 2012. Below is a letter from Gary.
It is my blessing and privilege to serve among you this fall as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. It is part of the process of becoming a Priest in our church to first be ordained as a "transitional" deacon and to serve in that capacity for no fewer than six months before being ordained a second time, this time to the priesthood. In some diocese, some people choose to be ordained as "vocational" deacons, otherwise known as "permanent" deacons. As the name implies, they do not go on to the priesthood but rather serve as deacons for their entire career in the ministry.
All deacons are first and foremost servants of Christ, and even those who go on to become priests never move past that professed vocation. This servanthood is symbolized by the collar we wear and the stole or "yoke" we don for services. The word "
diakonos" which appears 30 times in the bible and is usually translated as "deacon" is really the Greek word for "servant." The New Testament gives examples of both "appointed" servants elected by the church to specific tasks and of "unelected" servants who served the Lord in a general sense in a local church. Thus, seen one way we are all deacons in that we are all servants of Christ; indeed in our Baptismal Covenant we pledge to "Seek and serve Christ in all persons." (BCP p. 305). Seen another way, those of us ordained as deacons make an additional public vow beyond baptism to "look for Christ in all others, being ready to help and serve those in need" and to "pattern my life in accordance with the teachings of Christ so that I may be a wholesome example to all people." (BCP p. 544).
At my ordination my bishop charged me to " make Christ and his redemptive love known, by word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship... to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world ... [and] to assist the bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments" At all times, my "life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself." A tall order indeed! And one that I cannot begin to do without God's direct assistance - as well as the lveo and support of all of you, which have felt already so palpably at Good Shepherd!
Thank you for your very warm welcome. I look forward to getting to know each of you and to discovering the depths of God's love for us together.
In Christ,
Deacon Gary
As we began the program year at Good Shepherd, we were thrilled to learn that Gary Taylor would be joining us through the fall serving as a transitional Deacon. Gary is the Chaplain at St. Anne’s School in Middletown and will be ordained into the priesthood in January 2012. Below is a letter from Gary.
It is my blessing and privilege to serve among you this fall as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. It is part of the process of becoming a Priest in our church to first be ordained as a "transitional" deacon and to serve in that capacity for no fewer than six months before being ordained a second time, this time to the priesthood. In some diocese, some people choose to be ordained as "vocational" deacons, otherwise known as "permanent" deacons. As the name implies, they do not go on to the priesthood but rather serve as deacons for their entire career in the ministry.
All deacons are first and foremost servants of Christ, and even those who go on to become priests never move past that professed vocation. This servanthood is symbolized by the collar we wear and the stole or "yoke" we don for services. The word "
diakonos" which appears 30 times in the bible and is usually translated as "deacon" is really the Greek word for "servant." The New Testament gives examples of both "appointed" servants elected by the church to specific tasks and of "unelected" servants who served the Lord in a general sense in a local church. Thus, seen one way we are all deacons in that we are all servants of Christ; indeed in our Baptismal Covenant we pledge to "Seek and serve Christ in all persons." (BCP p. 305). Seen another way, those of us ordained as deacons make an additional public vow beyond baptism to "look for Christ in all others, being ready to help and serve those in need" and to "pattern my life in accordance with the teachings of Christ so that I may be a wholesome example to all people." (BCP p. 544).
At my ordination my bishop charged me to " make Christ and his redemptive love known, by word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship... to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world ... [and] to assist the bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments" At all times, my "life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself." A tall order indeed! And one that I cannot begin to do without God's direct assistance - as well as the lveo and support of all of you, which have felt already so palpably at Good Shepherd!
Thank you for your very warm welcome. I look forward to getting to know each of you and to discovering the depths of God's love for us together.
In Christ,
Deacon Gary
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Bishop's visit this Sunday
Join us this Sunday for the Bishop's visit and live music Sunday featuring our awesome music team led by the wonderful Denise LoCastro. Click on the link below to check out one of the songs they will be performing.
http://youtu.be/ivesRYcIPsQ
http://youtu.be/ivesRYcIPsQ
Friday, August 5, 2011
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE
Dear Friends in Christ,
Since I retired in June of 2000, I have served in many congregations. Most of them were in what the leaders of our national church call a "survival mode." This means that all the activities and energies of the people are focused on insuring that they survive as a church. They are characterized by attitudes of need for more people so we can have more workers and more pledges. The emphasis is on what the church needs and not on ministry to those around them.
Some of the congregations I have served are in a "missionary mode." They have seen that the call of Jesus is not to survive but to bring more people to Him for feeding. This week marks the anniversary of my first year as your pastor. You have achieved some amazing things. First among them is the flexibility to move from St. Nicolas to our present location. We shared the anxiety of the move to a strange and certainly "different" venue. This has worked well. Having our own space has, I feel, has enhanced the sense of community. Personally, this has been a very different experience for me. Being a part of a growing young congregation has literally rejuvenated me. I feel that you are now in a "missionary mode" ready to bring Christ to the world around you.
Let us continually remember the statement we make at the beginning of service every Sunday:
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church invites you to help build a new inclusive community in Glasgow, to worship and celebrate God, to apply the Bible in relevant ways, to experience the strong tradition of the Episcopal Church, brightening lives, nourishing souls, connecting us to God.
Peace,
GJK
Dear Friends in Christ,
Since I retired in June of 2000, I have served in many congregations. Most of them were in what the leaders of our national church call a "survival mode." This means that all the activities and energies of the people are focused on insuring that they survive as a church. They are characterized by attitudes of need for more people so we can have more workers and more pledges. The emphasis is on what the church needs and not on ministry to those around them.
Some of the congregations I have served are in a "missionary mode." They have seen that the call of Jesus is not to survive but to bring more people to Him for feeding. This week marks the anniversary of my first year as your pastor. You have achieved some amazing things. First among them is the flexibility to move from St. Nicolas to our present location. We shared the anxiety of the move to a strange and certainly "different" venue. This has worked well. Having our own space has, I feel, has enhanced the sense of community. Personally, this has been a very different experience for me. Being a part of a growing young congregation has literally rejuvenated me. I feel that you are now in a "missionary mode" ready to bring Christ to the world around you.
Let us continually remember the statement we make at the beginning of service every Sunday:
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church invites you to help build a new inclusive community in Glasgow, to worship and celebrate God, to apply the Bible in relevant ways, to experience the strong tradition of the Episcopal Church, brightening lives, nourishing souls, connecting us to God.
Peace,
GJK
Friday, July 29, 2011
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE
Dear Friends in Christ,
One of my early daily rituals (besides reading the bible) is the taking of several pills. Some are for high blood pressure, some for the thinning of blood and some for health, like vitamins. My doctors have assured me that these medications will allow me to live a longer and more healthy life. For these medical miracles I am most grateful. One of the more interesting early church leaders is Saint Ignatius who was the third bishop of Antioch. Known as one of the "apostolic fathers," Ignatius was a student of Saint John the Apostle and Saint Paul. He, with others, led the Christian church into the second century. His most famous teaching reflects the importance of the Holy Communion in the early church. He refers to the receiving of the wafer and the wine as the "medicine of immortality".
Our lesson from Matthew this week is the story of the feeding of the 5000. This miracle is when Jesus fed 5000 people with just a few loaves of bread and some fish. This miracle is the only one which appears in all four gospels. Those in the early church would have recognized this as a remembrance of the service we share each Sunday. This week I would like you to consider that the medications you take for your body are important but not nearly as important as the "medicine of immortality" which God offers to you and those you love. If you knew of a medicine that would heal a disease you would share it with those you love. Share as well the medicine of immortality with those you love.
Peace,
GJK
Dear Friends in Christ,
One of my early daily rituals (besides reading the bible) is the taking of several pills. Some are for high blood pressure, some for the thinning of blood and some for health, like vitamins. My doctors have assured me that these medications will allow me to live a longer and more healthy life. For these medical miracles I am most grateful. One of the more interesting early church leaders is Saint Ignatius who was the third bishop of Antioch. Known as one of the "apostolic fathers," Ignatius was a student of Saint John the Apostle and Saint Paul. He, with others, led the Christian church into the second century. His most famous teaching reflects the importance of the Holy Communion in the early church. He refers to the receiving of the wafer and the wine as the "medicine of immortality".
Our lesson from Matthew this week is the story of the feeding of the 5000. This miracle is when Jesus fed 5000 people with just a few loaves of bread and some fish. This miracle is the only one which appears in all four gospels. Those in the early church would have recognized this as a remembrance of the service we share each Sunday. This week I would like you to consider that the medications you take for your body are important but not nearly as important as the "medicine of immortality" which God offers to you and those you love. If you knew of a medicine that would heal a disease you would share it with those you love. Share as well the medicine of immortality with those you love.
Peace,
GJK
Thursday, July 14, 2011
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE
Dear Friends in Christ,
At the vestry planning retreat at the end of June, the vestry discussed several items of significance for the coming program year. We are planning great things in an effort to meet the spiritual needs of the Good Shepherd congregation and the greater Glasgow community.
First and foremost, members of the vestry and diocese are busy with the task of finding a permanent full-time priest. While I have enjoyed my temporary interruption in my retirement, it is time for Good Shepherd to have a full-time priest to help you achieve your goals. Second, it was also decided that we will add a "said" 8 a.m. worship service on Sundays, beginning in September. There are no plans for music or power point at this service. We will use the Book of Common Prayer. Our attendance has been growing steadily. We are averaging almost 10% more than last year at this time. Moreover, on many Sundays the pews are quite full. While this may seem good in reality all studies for church growth indicate that when more than 75% of available seats are filled a church will cease to grow. When I was at St. Barnabas Church before my retirement we grew 300% and added two services. It seems wise for us to try an additional service at 8 a.m. If it proves to be impractical we can adjust, nothing we do is set in stone. The point is we must try and do new things in order to satisfy everyone’s spiritual needs. The vestry also agreed to attempt to develop a service for "special needs" families. We are in contact with congregations which have been successful in establishing this ministry. Jesus taught us to spread the good news and St. Paul has advised us to be all things to all people. These ministries are in response to their challenges.
Peace,
GJK
P.S. Please, remember that I or someone covering for me will visit people in the hospital. It does require a phone call to 302-584-6783.
Dear Friends in Christ,
At the vestry planning retreat at the end of June, the vestry discussed several items of significance for the coming program year. We are planning great things in an effort to meet the spiritual needs of the Good Shepherd congregation and the greater Glasgow community.
First and foremost, members of the vestry and diocese are busy with the task of finding a permanent full-time priest. While I have enjoyed my temporary interruption in my retirement, it is time for Good Shepherd to have a full-time priest to help you achieve your goals. Second, it was also decided that we will add a "said" 8 a.m. worship service on Sundays, beginning in September. There are no plans for music or power point at this service. We will use the Book of Common Prayer. Our attendance has been growing steadily. We are averaging almost 10% more than last year at this time. Moreover, on many Sundays the pews are quite full. While this may seem good in reality all studies for church growth indicate that when more than 75% of available seats are filled a church will cease to grow. When I was at St. Barnabas Church before my retirement we grew 300% and added two services. It seems wise for us to try an additional service at 8 a.m. If it proves to be impractical we can adjust, nothing we do is set in stone. The point is we must try and do new things in order to satisfy everyone’s spiritual needs. The vestry also agreed to attempt to develop a service for "special needs" families. We are in contact with congregations which have been successful in establishing this ministry. Jesus taught us to spread the good news and St. Paul has advised us to be all things to all people. These ministries are in response to their challenges.
Peace,
GJK
P.S. Please, remember that I or someone covering for me will visit people in the hospital. It does require a phone call to 302-584-6783.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week the lesson tells the story of the beginning of the Hebrew nation through the patriarch Jacob. It is really very sordid.
Jacob with the help of his mother, Rebecca, steals the inheritance of his brother Esau as well as the blessing of Isaac for Esau.
The founding of the Hebrew people gets off to a rocky start.
Jacob flees his home to escape the wrath of his brother. The inclusion of this event in the book of Genesis seems to give credibility to the whole of the account of the Hebrew beginnings. One would think that such a sordid story would be excluded by later editors of the bible
Attend Sunday to get a fuller interpretation of this event.
Peace,
GJK
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week the lesson tells the story of the beginning of the Hebrew nation through the patriarch Jacob. It is really very sordid.
Jacob with the help of his mother, Rebecca, steals the inheritance of his brother Esau as well as the blessing of Isaac for Esau.
The founding of the Hebrew people gets off to a rocky start.
Jacob flees his home to escape the wrath of his brother. The inclusion of this event in the book of Genesis seems to give credibility to the whole of the account of the Hebrew beginnings. One would think that such a sordid story would be excluded by later editors of the bible
Attend Sunday to get a fuller interpretation of this event.
Peace,
GJK
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