November 2020
 
Dear Church Family,
 
The weather has started to cool and the leaves are turning colors. Though there is much about COVID19 restrictions that frustrates me, I have enjoyed spending more time exercising and enjoying the outdoors. It is the time of year we talk about stewardship and giving; Thanksgiving is on the way; and Christmas comes soon after. I invite you to read below and in the rest of the newsletter about some of what God is bringing to fruition at Good Shepherd.
 
Our Stewardship Theme this year is Moving Forward into 2021.  These words characterize the vision and goals that the Session, Deacons and ministry staff discerned in conjunction with input from the congregational survey as to where God is leading our church and church family for 2021. Those goals for 2021 center around 4 areas, significant enough that we have re-structured the elders and deacons to give these goals our full focus. All of the previous elder ministry teams (congregational life, finance, etc…) have been folded into these four major teams so that everything we do can focus in this direction. The Grow, Serve, and Steward teams are co-chaired by two elders each, and the Care team is led by the deacon co-chairs.

• GROW (Emily Pearce & Jim Hinton, co-chairs): We want to grow the church deep and wide, increasing our membership and deepening our faith. We especially want to grow the numbers and ministries to children, youth, and their families and are in the process of a search for part-time staff in these areas (more below). Major 2021 Event: Jazz Concert
• SERVE (Ann Baker & Leslie Pack, co-chairs): We want to continue key acts of service and outreach to our community (Christmas Shoppe, Crisis Assistance, local and international missions, and more!); but also believe the Lord is leading us to learn about and respond to racial injustices in our community as informed by God’s Word and led by the Spirit. Major 2021 Event: Christmas Shoppe
• STEWARD (Jeff Buchmann & Diana Horne, co-chairs): We commit to good communication, inviting, and engaging members’ time, talents, and treasure for the glory of God and the work of the church. Major 2021 Event: Yard Sale Fund-Raiser
• CARE (Brenda Lampson & Robin Blacker, co-chairs): We have expanded the number of deacons and their ministry of care to members, visitors, and all who interact with GSPC

You’ll hear more about these themes and hear an invitation to move forward into 2021 with us in the coming weeks, from steward team co-chairs Diana Horne and Jeff Buchmann. We’ll also gather all stewardship-related items on our webpage at gspc.net/stewardship if you want to see it in one place. Please begin considering how God is leading you to participate in and support our shared mission in the coming year.
 
I mentioned a staff search: after surveying and meeting with parents of children and youth, we have listed part-time positions for directors of children’s ministry and youth ministry and are receiving applications now. We hope to have interviews in the coming weeks, with parents having an opportunity to speak directly with top candidates. Please join us in prayer for the people we believe the Lord is leading to work with children and with youth at Good Shepherd. Our hope is to have staff in place by the first of the year.
 
My prayer is that God will continue to bless our church and clearly show us where we are to go and grow next. Our Dedication Sunday for pledges/estimates-of-giving will be November 15 and I invite you in these coming weeks to prayerfully consider your financial and other support for the ministries of the congregation of Good Shepherd.
 
I continue to be thankful for a church that puts a premium on God’s Word, God’s presence, and God’s leading. God is indeed good to us!
 
With love and affection as your pastor,
 
Robert