(A) “Listening Groups” scheduled for Saturday, 6/20, beginning at 9 a.m.
(B) Malawi diocese celebrating 25 years!
(C) Camp Crucis summer camp drawing near
Dear Good Shepherd Parish Family (and friends),
I greet you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! As Summer begins to percolate, here’s what’s brewing in the life of Good Shepherd:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(A) LISTENING GROUPS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 21ST, 9 A.M.-3 PM
If you remember, early in the year 2020, GSAC began to consult with Fr. Ron McCrary, as the parish decided to respond to communication problems and requests forclarity and openness between the Vestry, the Rector, and the membership of the parish.
With the help of our new Bishop Ryan Reed, a way forward was forecasted with these elements: i. “Listening Groups” (of 6 members to each group) will meet with Fr. McCrary to discuss two principle issues:
1. Identify issues that need to be addressed in order to restore unity to Good Shepherd and help the church grow and flourish 2. How the results of this Listening Group process can help Fr. McCrary begin to plan the Parish Wide workshop (this is a Vestry/Rector issue)
ii. “Parish-wide Workshop” Scheduled 4-6 weeks after the Listening Groups, this workshop will be the discussion and planning exercise that helps GSAC move forward faithfully with God
iii. Goal setting and future hopes and plans can be developed by the Vestry and Rector as the fruit of “i.” and “ii.” above.
Over 30 members of GSAC have signed up for the Listening Groups. Early next week, the Office will send a reminder to each group’s members with their time slotassigned for Saturday, June 20th. Each Group will be led by Fr. McCrary, and should last between 45 minutes to an hour in length. Note: the Clergy will NOT be present at anyof these Groups. Fr. McCrary will meet separately with the Clergy in their own Listening Group.So: Please pray for this coming Saturday’s groups, and for the entire process of listening, learning, praying and growing.
(B) DIOCESE OF NORTHERN MALAWI (“DNM”) CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AS A DIOCESE
Our dear friend, Bishop Fanuel Magangani will lead his Diocese in a celebration of 25 years as an organized diocese. Here at GSAC, I am asking each member of the parish to give a special anniversary gift for DNM in honor of this big event in their diocesan life.Please make your check payable to “Good Shepherd Anglican Church” (or “GSAC”), with the Memo line: “DNM” 25th anniversary. GSAC will total the giving and send a single check to the Diocese of Ft. Worth, which will- in turn- send a secure wire transfer of funds to the diocesan office in Mzuzu, Malawi. Please be generous! Our brothers and sisters in Malawi are on the cutting edge of real Anglican growth in the world. To support and develop their clergy, our help for them is crucial!
(C) CAMP CRUCIS SUMMER CAMP NEARSWith the Governor of Texas’ gradual loosening of the sheltered-in order (due to Covid-19), camps and retreats have been given an explicit “Go” signal for this summer. For Camp Crucis (our diocesan Camp…right here in beautiful Granbury, Texas!), this means that the month of July will begin a shortened camp season. There will be special care taken by Philip and Janet Craig to ensure good health and compliance with the Governor’s recommendations for safeguarding against the virus.
As for me, I am delighted to report that I have been invited to be one of three priests to serve as Spiritual Directors for the “Confetti I” session, which will start July 12th. In the past, this Confetti session included children from 1st grade through 6th grade. However, this summer, Confetti 1 will include 4th through 6th grades only.
If you are the parent or grand-parent of a child who is eligible for Camp this summer, please let me know, so that I can direct you to the application process- which requires a sponsoring priest’s signature- for getting that child set for Camp. You may learn more about Camp Crucis by visiting them on the web at campcrucis.org.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It has been so exciting to see the Sunday morning attendance grow, as more and more of the parish family is returning to in-person worship at 9:15 a.m. Yes, we continue to tape the Sunday Mass on the Saturday preceding. You may go to gsac.church and click on the link to the YouTube Mass. But, of course, being physically present for each other is infinitely better. I pray that you will be safe and strong, whether you come to the “church house” or not. God bless each and every one of you.
Love in Christ,
Fr. Stuart Smith