Church of the Good Shepherd
Anglican Parish of Lancaster
668 Manawagonish Road
Saint John, NB E2M 3W5     

Sunday Services: 10:30 AM

Fr. Keith Joyce, Interim Priest

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Parish office hours are Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Phone: 506-635-8145     Email: goodshep@nb.sympatico.ca

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CHRISTMAS BASKETS

     Once again, our parish will endeavour to bring Christmas cheer to thirty dis-advantaged families.

     

     Our “Givings Tree” is in the Narthex. It is covered with two different kinds of tags: - Most tags indicate grocery items needed for Christmas dinners. - The other tags show the gender, age and size of a child, for whom we would purchase a gift of clothing and/or a toy. (Please do not wrap these items, parents need to see what their children are receiving.) We do not wrap the gifts so parents can even things out between children if necessary.

     

     In addition to these “white gifts” we appreciate financial donations, to help toward the purchase of turkeys and perishable groceries.

     

     White Gift Sunday will be on December 10, when we dedicate and sort all the gifts.

     

     Christmas Baskets will be packed on Thursday evening December 14 (starting at 6:30 pm), and the baskets will be picked up or delivered on Saturday morning December 16.

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     Volunteers are greatly appreciated for either packing and/or delivery. Speak to Terry Ricketts for more information (643-1722) or Lori at the church office (635-8145).

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Harbourview High School Brown Bag Lunch  Program - Click here to find out how you can help!

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Vestry Highlights - November 2023!

Finance:

Savings in heating expenses due to our conversion from oil to natural gas have helped reduce total expenses by 10% YTD.  Offerings are down about 6% from budget but rental income has increased so the total YTD income is down only 2.6% from budget.

                                                Actual               Budget        Actual vs. Budget

YTD Income                           $113,295          $116,330           (2.6%)

YTD Expenses                        $117,210          $128,955           (10%)

Excess Income/Expenses      ($3,915)          ($12,625)          (69%)

 

Building & Maintenance:

Thanks to Shayne Galbraith and Barry McQueen for their hard work over the summer.  They completed multiple projects (the list is very long!) at both the church and the rectory.  Most visible to parishioners is the washed siding at the rectory and rear of church, installation of the new shed at the church, lowering of the altar, painting of the rear doors at the church and general repairs and clean up all over the church and rectory!  The contracted work on the church roof should begin soon!

 

RECTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND:

The Rector's Discretionary Fund can always use a boost. This fund is used to help people who have an emergency monetary need. If you wish to contribute to this fund please put it in an envelope marked "Rector's Discretionary Fund" or contact Lori in the Office. Thank-you

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THE SHEPHERD'S CUPBOARD:

Is a ministry to people who are in need of some basic food items and is ongoing, esp. at this time of year. Please bring non-perishable food items to church with you.  Gift cards and financial donations are also accepted to help with this  valuable ministry.

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FOOD BANK MINISTRY:

Please remember the West Side Food Bank with a toonie or a loonie in the can in the Narthex, or a donation in a special envelope marked with your name or number. We aim to support the Food Bank by at least $200/month, since they can purchase more groceries with our dollars than we can purchase at the retail stores!

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Caring Cards:  LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together) continues to create beautiful greeting cards to brighten the days of parishioners and others who need a note of encouragement or fellowship. Call the church office if you know someone who could benefit from hearing from us.

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Need a place to hold an event or meeting? 

Contact our church office Tue-Fri 9am-12pm (635-8145) for availability and shared cost of using our large hall/gym, small hall or the Sunshine meeting room.  Individuals and companies are welcome to inquire.  See facility pics here:

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Caring Closet at Lancaster Baptist:

We continue to support the Caring Closet at Lancaster Baptist. Please remember them as you transition to warmer weather clothes. There are many families and individuals who could use your gently worn items that you no longer need.  

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On Saturday, Nov 5th, 2022 the Diocesan Synod was held (Fredericton, N.B.).  Click on this link to see related documents, including Archbishop David's charge:

138th Session of the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton

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Monthly Book/Puzzle Exchange - We launched a book/puzzle exchange Fall of 2022 and invite you to join us! The exchange will function differently than typical books clubs.  There is no pressure or deadline to read a specific book.  Rather, we will discuss what book or books we have read and recommend to others. A fellowship based on the love of books over a cup of coffee or tea.  To encourage the exchange, a bookcase has been placed in the hallway where you can drop off your recently read (gently used) books and/or pick up another. For those who like the challenge of jigsaws, a puzzle exchange will also be available. The exchange will meet the fourth Thursday of every month, in the Small Hall, at 6:30. All are welcome!

 

Crafting for a Cause – we are looking to see if anyone is interested in a Pop-Up Craft Class? The cost for the class would include supplies to make your own take home craft. Profits from the classes would go to a designated outreach program. Class size and cost would be determined by the craft. The classes would be open to anyone in our community (children must be accompanied by an adult). Please email the church if you are interested: goodshep@nb.sympatico.ca or speak with Janet Brown or Terry Ricketts.

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PRAYER SHAWLS - When an inquiry about the availability of a prayer shawl was received a while back, a small group of Good Shepherd parishioners thought it would be a good idea to have some on hand. It is our hope that they might bring comfort and peace for those who receive them.  They will be offered freely as a gift of love and care. We would be delighted to welcome anyone who would like to participate in these efforts.

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So, what is a prayer shawl? A handmade shawl is like a hug that can be worn. It is what you would like it to be! In its simplest form, it is keeping a possible recipient in one’s thoughts and prayers while its being made. It can be given to honour a celebration or can offer comfort in a time of struggle like a recent death or a disease diagnosis or for anyone in need of hope – man, woman or child.

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The shawl, itself, can be of any material.  It can be knitted, crocheted, sewn, quilted or can be fleece. It can be square, triangular or rectangular.  It can be any colour or pattern.  So long as the recipient can wrap it around his/ her shoulders and know that it was made and given with hope and love.

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We ask that requests be limited to our own parish as our supply is limited at the present time. For information or to inquire, contact Ngaire Nelson (506-672-8666) or at the church office (506-635-8145).

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Let's all continue to pray for Ukraine.  Here are some prayer suggestions to help you.  These prayers can also be adapted for all those who are affected by what is happening in the Gaza Strip.

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Tintinabula Hand Bell Choir meets Mondays 6:45 pm to 8:15 or 8:30 pm in the small hall! . Contact Lynn Adams at 635-8474.

 

Choir directed by David Mitchell (738-2798) meets Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the small hall!  Thank you to Helen Gollings for filling in while he recovered from knee surgery.

 

Saint John and District Senior's Shuffleboard League meets 10:00 am Wednesdays in the gym! Contact Ngaire Nelson at 672-8666.

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MISSION ACTION PLAN & FINANCIAL ACTION PLAN:

We have embarked on a journey of prayerful discernment and research that will chart our course at the Church of the Good Shepherd for the next 5 years. We are asking everyone to pray regularly as we seek God’s direction for us to be faithful in our mission field here on the West side and seek to be good stewards of our finances, talents, and resources.  A presentation by this committee was made at our Annual AGM on Feb 13th, 2022 by Terry Ricketts.

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FINANCIAL FUTURE COMMITTEE:

We have formed a new committee to create a 5 year financial outlook. We looked at trends in offering and expenses. We are looking to address our financial shortfall and our future together. We had an hour meeting every few weeks for a number of months since Nov 11, 2021. A presentation by this committee was made at our Annual AGM on Feb 13th, 2022 by Susan Jack.

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WEDNESDAY YOUTH GROUP (ages 8-12):  Click here for more information.  Youth group is temporarily on hold until we find a more permanent full time Priest.

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PRAYER RESOURCES:

The Rev. Jonathan Springthorpe has created a video with a reading of the Book of Common Prayer Morning Prayer office for use by individuals or groups.  All of the words are projected, with the exception of the Scripture passages and Collect, at which point the video can be paused to insert those of the day.  Find this and other resources for praying at home on the diocesan website. 

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PASTORAL CARE  - please contact our church office at 635-8145 if you are in need of pastoral care.

  

If someone is on your mind then reach out and call them. Look to God the author and finisher of our faith. He is able to uphold us and help us to stand even in the darkest hour. May God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you now and forever more.

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Thank you to everyone who is able to still continue with your regular offerings - electronic or otherwise.  Whether you are able to still give offerings or not is secondary to the trust that we have in God that our needs both as individuals and as a church family can be met. 

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If you are willing to consider E-Offering, there is a link to the application on the home page of this website (right side). Lori Maker (635-8145) is your contact if you have any questions or wish to begin with E-Offering.  You can change your E-offering amount at any time this way if your financial circumstances change.

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We are also set up to receive e-Transfer donations:

e-transfer: goodshep@nb.sympatico.ca (auto-deposit)

There is a comment field available in e-transfer where you can put your envelope # and, if applicable, a specific account to which you want your donation directed.  Our "Rector's Discretionary" or 'Good Shepherd Pantry" funds could always use a boost. It is important that our Rector be able to help in cases of emergency need. It is important that we continue to support these valuable ministries!  Of course, let's not forget our contributions to the "West Side Food Bank".

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Thank you, and God bless! Together we can do this!

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"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7 NRSV

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