Blessed Are Those Who Believe Though They Have Not Seen Susan Boyle of a touch, and prove. You get what you that we read how the disciples little village outside see is the generally accepted mantra locked themselves up in a house Aberdeen, Scotland of our time. If you can’t see it, touch because they were all afraid. And astounded the world it, smell it, then it’s a lie. when Jesus came and stood among earlier them their fear turned into amaze- this month when Of course at one level this is a ment. Thomas is the poster child of she came on stage to blessing to us. After all we are Epis- this event but the truth is that all the audition for “Britain’s copalians. We believe in facts. Facts disciples had the same expectation Got Talent”, the British are good things to get acquainted after Jesus was crucified—nothing. version of “American with. We don’t want to accept things None of them expected anything Idol”. The 47 year old for just what they are, especially more than they saw— death. But to dowdy, frumpy, spinster today when we are slowly learning their amazement they saw life. amazed us all by singing better that folks we trusted so much, bank- than just about anyone we have ers, journalists and more have either May we all allow the witness of ever seen audition for such reality intentionally hood winked us all or Susan Boyle to infect our lives so shows. If you do not know what at the least not done their jobs well, that as we walk the walk of life we I’m talking about or have not seen leaving us all to suffer. can more and more live with eyes it on television I encourage you to wide open, expecting to see that find a computer and view it online. Susan Boyle proved us all wrong. which we do not expect. Go to www.youtube.com and in Every person in the theatre on the search box type “Susan Boyle.” the night of her audition expected By Grace, There you can view the event of Susan Boyle’s voice to sound just which I speak. I guarantee you it as she looked—frumpy and worn will be one of the most beautiful out. But she opened her mouth and things you have seen in a long time. surprised us all.

The real question however is why There is something of Easter in this simple event has astounded not the Susan Boyle event. Easter is an just the audience at that audition but event that gives us something we the entire world. The simple answer never would have expected—life is that Susan Boyle represents the ex- over death, joy over sadness, love treme opposite of the way in which over hate. The good news for us we live in our day in and day out is that we stand in good company. world. You and I, we live in a world Susan Boyle would have surprised hell bent on convincing us that all even the disciples. It was, after all, that is real are the things we can see, in the days after the resurrection

Anniversaries ...... 8 Have You Heard?...... 4 Vestry Retreat...... 4 Birthdays...... 8 In Memorium ...... 8 Youth News & Events...... 6 Inside this Church Information...... 2, 3 Mother’s Day Duinner Theatre...... 5 issue May Day School News...... 3 Music News...... 7 CHURCHWelcome to The Church of The INFORMATION Good Shepherd, Shepherd’s Horn Newsletter. For more information about The Church of the Good Shepherd & Day School please visit our web site at www.goodshepherdrmt.org

YouthOur young Sunday people will on lead Maythe worship 17 Sunday School service on May 17: Youth Sunday. It is on Celebration and that day that we will start the summer schedule, and at the 10:00 a.m. service, Teacher Recognition our young people will lead all aspects of Sunday, May 17 - 10:00 A.M. the service, lead the music, and even help Service and Reception Following preach the sermon! We will also recog- Come and express your thanks to all nize our graduates and celebrate their those who have given their time, talent accomplishments with a small reception and treasure to making our academic year Vacation Bible School following the service. of learning and growth a wonderful suc- cess. We will recognize all teachers at the June2009 15 to"Discovery June 19 - 9:00 A.M. Canyon" to 12 Noon 10:00A.M. service and we will gather for for 3 year olds to completed 5th graders a thank you reception following. Register now for Vacation Bible School 2009. We will join with Lakeside Baptist Rocky Mount Fun Run Church, First Presbyterian Church, St. Saturday, May 30, 2009 Andrew's, Bethlehem Presbyterian and This will be a big day for Rocky Mount. other congregations to provide a spiritu- It’s the kick-off of the first ever Fun Run ally fulfilling time of learning and fun. for Charities…a unique, fun, fund-raising Feel free to sign up your children and event for the whole community! Our own their friends. Please consider volunteering Good Shepherd Day School is one of the some time as a teacher, shepherd, cook, registered organizations as well as our nursery volunteer, etc. Even if you cannot outreach ministry “People of Faith, Filling volunteer for the whole week your help In The Gaps (POF-FIGS).” Please consider for one or two days would be a blessing. supporting the Day School and Filling In You can register online at www.goodshep- the Gaps (a crisis assistance ministry). herdrmt.org. The day begins with a sanctioned 5k and Summer Worship 10k run and includes a “run for every- one” including seniors and kids…even for BeginsSchedule Sunday, May 17 people that don’t like to run. Visit www. Next Shepherd’s Horn funrunrm.org to donate or find out more August 15, 2009 From May 17 to September 6 our By way of reminder, we have moved to information. Sunday worship will be on our "Sum- a seasonal production of The Shepherd’s mer" schedule. Services will be at 8:00 Horn which allows us to be sure informa- a.m. as usual and our 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 Happy Birthday To You tion is shared more around the seasons a.m. services will be combined to a 10:00 Sunday, May 31 of the church year rather than a blind a.m. service. The 10:00 a.m. service will Pentecost Sunday is the day upon monthly schedule. Our next edition of include a "Gospel time" for children dur- which the disciples of Jesus celebrate The Shepherd’s Horn will be on August ing the sermon. At the hymn before the the gift of the Holy Spirit to the world. It 15 as we prepare for the academic year of Gospel all younger children (pre-k to 5th is known as the birthday of the church 2009-2010. During June and July we will grade) will be invited to follow one of the as we have received it. Yes, Jesus died send an electronic news update of what clergy members to the Day School Parish and rose to live with God, but that does is going on at Good Shepherd known Hall were we will have an age appropri- not mean that he abandoned us. Rather, as “This Week at Good Shepherd.” If ate sharing of the Gospel for the day and he left us with his very power, life and you already get this e-update then you other activities. The children will rejoin energy in the gift of the Holy Spirit. One will continue to get it during the sum- us at the time of the Peace. Our summer of the main symbols of the Holy Spirit is mer. If you do not get this electronic schedule has proved to be a powerful way fire. We read in the book of Acts, "Di- update please contact the church office for a deeper fellowship as we see folks vided tongues, as of fire, appeared among at [email protected] to be who regularly attend different services them, and all of them were filled with the included. If you do not have electronic and learn how dynamic Good Shepherd is. Holy Spirit..." Our coffee hour will in- access you can ask to be mailed copies of clude a birthday cake for the church. You The Sunday Paper (Sunday Information are encouraged to wear red on Pentecost Insert) by making a request to the church to add to our festive spirit. office, 442-1134 x221. 2 New Energy-Saving Light Fixtures In late January, the Buildings and Grounds Com- mission learned of a new program sponsored by the Diocese of North Carolina offering financial assistance for environmentally sensitive property improvements The Outreach Commission is interested in starting a task force to look at in which its parishes may be interested. The deadline how we as individuals, as a church and a society can be good stewards of for submitting an application for a second-quarter God’s environmental gifts. Please contact Brack Townsend at btownsend@ grant was the end of the month, and so the Commis- coastalnet.com if you are interested in being a part of this task force. sion went to work and mailed Good Shepherd’s the from A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of the Episcopal Church following day. meeting in Hendersonville, North Carolina, March 13-18, 2009 to Good Shepherd has 178 overhead fluorescent light fixtures, a mixture of “troffer” units recessed into the the Church and our partners in mission throughout the world: acoustic tile ceilings and “wraparound” lights that “Unparalleled corporate greed and irresponsibility, predatory lending prac- bolt directly to the plaster ceilings. The idea was to tices, and rampant consumerism have amplified domestic and global econom- replace our old “T-12” light fixtures with new “T-8” ic injustice. The global impact is difficult to calculate, except that the poor will models. The newer ones incorporate several improve- become poorer and our commitment to continue our work toward achieving ments. Their electronic ballasts are not plagued with the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 is at great risk. A specter of fear the humming noise produced by creeps not only across the United States, but also across the world, sometimes the magnetic ballasts of the old causing us as a people to ignore the Gospel imperative of self-sacrifice and T-12 lights. They produce their generosity, as we scramble for self-preservation in a culture of scarcity.” full amount of light immedi- “The crisis is both economic and environmental. The drought that grips ately, without the warm-up time Texas, parts of the American South, California, Africa and Australia, the force needed by the obsolete units, of hurricanes that have wreaked so much havoc in the Caribbean, Central and they maintain it throughout America and the Gulf Coast, the ice storm in Kentucky—these and other natu- the life of the fluorescent tubes ral disasters related to climate change—result in massive joblessness, driving without the fading and color- agricultural production costs up, and worsening global hunger. The wars shifting characteristic of the T- nations wage over diminishing natural resources kill and debilitate not only 12s, making them easier on the those who fight in them, but also civilians, weakening families, and destroy- eyes. T-8 tubes are smaller than ing the land. We as a people have failed to see this connection, compartmen- the old ones, using less material talizing concerns so as to minimize them and continue to live without regard in their manufacture, which is to the care of God's creation and the stewardship of the earth's resources that not only environmentally ben- usher in a more just and peaceful world.” eficial in its frugality but should also lead to a lower unit cost. They produce less heat when switched on, reducing the load on our air conditioning systems during the summertime, resulting in more energy DayGreetings: School Newsduring our visit. and cost savings. Of most interest to the Diocesan Spring has sprung in the Day Our Preschool class took a field trip program, they also burn less electricity to put out the School! April 20-24 we kicked off a to Benvenue School to visit a Kinder- same amount of light. Once we have changed out all week’s worth of events to celebrate garten classroom where they got a of ours, we will save about 10,000 kilowatt-hours an- The Week of the Young Child. Our chance to participate in the classroom nually, cutting our utilities bill by over $1300 per year week began with Banner Day and group time, tour the school, and have at current rates, more as rates rise in the future. ended with school pictures, a blast lunch. Oh what fun they had! In mid-March, the day the grant committee met, the at the Down East Partnership for Chil- Graduation will take place May Diocese telephoned to give us the good news: Good dren playground with a family BBQ 15th at 10:00 a.m. in the church. You Shepherd had won the first of their “Green Grants,” a an evening of fun for the children and are welcome to come and share in $5,000 award to help purchase the new fixtures and socializing for the parents. this special occasion. fittings. It is not a loan. We do not have to pay it back. We have accomplished quite a bit Congratulations to the following We received the check early in April and have now over the last few months. Teachers graduates: begun acquiring the goods for the project. are finishing their classes for this Allison Allred, Ebony Gaines, Part of the agreement with the Diocese is that we semester and gearing up for a fun Baeden Vester, Samuel White, and will install these fixtures ourselves. We will start in filled summer. Sherrod Williams the most heavily used areas of the buildings in order We auctioned our centerpieces We welcome you to volunteer some to realize savings as quickly as possible. Discussion made by each class for our Lenten time in our Day School. This summer is underway with potential volunteers to do the Dinner and raised a total of $290.00. we will take several field trips and work. Should you be interested in taking part in this Thanks to all who contributed! will be happy to have extra hands to environmentally beneficial, money-saving program, We had our annual compliance join us. we need the help. Please get in touch with Stephen visit in March and hooray for our staff Thanks for your continued support! Anderson at 443-7987 or [email protected] to that no violations were documented Jackie talk about it. 3 Empowering All For Ministry: Have You Heard? Spring brings new life and Good Shepherd The Good Shepherd Vestry Retreat, 2009 families are welcoming new life into their own The Good Shepherd Vestry words: openness, honesty, families. We have three precious new babies to met in retreat over the week- transparency, respect, and love welcome. end of March 27 & 28. The for each other. Evelyn Marie McKnight was born on February 20, 2009 in Greensboro. She weighed 8 pounds Vestry gathered in the Parish Following a break the group 9 ounces and was 21 inches long. Proud parents Hall for a wonderful dinner spent time looking at the are Kevin and Jessica Carney McKnight. Proud graciously prepared by Emily importance of understand- grandfather is Good Shepherd member Skip Bondy on Friday evening. Af- ing their ministry in the spirit Carney. ter dinner the group gathered of appreciation over that of Matthew Adam McKellar was born on March in the Parish Hall for an ex- deficit. Appreciative life is one 12, 2009. He was 21 ½ inches long and weighed ercise that lead folks to know that starts with focusing on 8 pounds 4 ounces. Proud parents are Scott and something more about each those things that are working Jenny Meadows McKellar. other that they normally would well rather starting with all the Ivy Caroline Bowers was born on April 20, not know. things that are wrong. When 2009. She weighed 7 pounds and was 19 inches Everyone reconvened on we start with our deficits we long. Proud parents are Lauren and Vincent Bow- ers. Proud grandmother is Good Shepherd mem- Saturday morning for a break- often never move beyond them ber Shebe Harris and proud great grandmother is fast graciously prepared by the and often many of the deficits Good Shepherd member Shields Harris. Men’s Group who were in the that exist for groups are ones Parish Kitchen preparing for that are out of the control of Jim Wood gave an art lesson to the local Ro- the Brunswick Stew the group. The economic tary Club at the DoubleTree Hotel. Jim’s subject sale. conditions of our city, for was a seashore scene at the Outer Banks that in- After breakfast example, are not condi- cluded fishermen. His technique was two paint- we reconvened in tions our Vestry can fix. ings that when placed beside one another form the Parlor where Living appreciatively is a single scene. Jim is known for his watercolors we confirmed our an approach to ministry but used acrylic paints for this demonstration. previously discerned that focuses on the gifts, talents, skills and faith of On March 14 and 15 the Rocky Mount Piano priorities for 2009 Teachers Association held its 23rd annual Pi- which are: the people anOlympics at Cornerstone Baptist Church. The Growth: Spiritual in the room. PianOlympics was started by prominent local Depth, Outreach/ What can this piano teacher, Gene Featherstone. “The competi- Community Involve- group do right tion encourages and inspires piano students to ment, Faith Develop- now with the strive for excellence as they prepare to perform ment, New Members people and two compositions from memory in one-on-one Property: Care of, resources sessions with a judge.” Repair of, Long-Term we have This year there were 145 students participating Planning right now? from the piano classes of 16 area teachers. There Finances: Stew- The Rector were seven levels of individual achievement. Our own Lawrence Goering’s students received the ardship/Education, and Assistant following recognitions: Planned Giving/In- Rector then Level one – honorable mention – Hannah Leggett vesting, Discipline modeled an Level two – first place – Courtney Bondy The group then appreciative reflection Level seven – honorable mention – Benton Moss spent some time on process for any small On March 15 the winners played in an honors the topic of communication, group at Good Shepherd to use recital and were awarded their trophies and which covered how the group as a way of discerning goals medallions for their achievements. communicates with each other, and action items. with the congregation and be- After lunch (Brunswick As always, this is your news and you can send yond. An operating agreement Stew) the group reconvened it to me by e-mail at rockymountbet@hotmail. around communication within to discuss miscellaneous items com or call me at 443-7987. Have a great summer everyone! the group and with the wider about the year ahead and the congregation was developed. day concluded with the cele- Betsy Anderson What is important about com- bration of the Holy Eucharist in munication for the Vestry can the choir stalls of the church. be understood through these 4 The Alleluia Choir, The Cherub Choir & Students from the Good Shepherd Day School PRESENT

It’s Okay to be Different A Cantata By Gene Grier, Lowell Everson & Natalie Sleeth Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre Sunday, May 10, 2009 • 6:00 pm • Adults: $7, Children: $4 Parish Hall of The Church of the Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount

Dinner will be prepared by the Good Shepherd Men’s Group. Live dinner music will be provided by members of Good Shepherd’s Youth Group.

Tickets will be sold on Sunday, April 26 & Sunday May 3. Or purchase tickets by contacting the church office at 442-1134 or going on line to www.goodshepherdrmt.org.

Busch Gardens YOUTHTrip May 18: Just EVENTS because July "Just because" on Saturday, May 16 Dinner at Stephanie's house to The Youth Group (middle school talk about plans for the summer youth group A special treat to celebrate our and high school) is going to Busch at 6:00 p.m. Please let Stephanie hard work during Gatekeepers Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, know if you plan to attend! workcamp on July 18: we are go- on Saturday, May 16. The group ing to the beach! Details to follow. will meet in the church parking lot at 7:45 a.m. and leave the church by 8:00 with an approximate return time of 11:00 p.m. The cost is $50.00 per youth or youth Wonderful Wednes- guest. YOUR FEE MUST BE PAID days of Service An opportunity to serve! Each BY MAY 4th IN ORDER FOR YOU Wednesday morning from 10-12, TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT. we will gather to do a service Friends are invited. Youth will be project. Each week the project asked to pay for their food expens- will be different and all projects es during the day. will count towards community Please sign up and pay for your Just Because Pool service credit hours. Please mark ticket on the website. For ques- the Wonderful Wednesday dates tions contact Ryan Bullard - bul- Party on June 17th Youth Group will meet in June in your calendar: June 24, July 1, [email protected] or Stephanie on the eve of the 18th for a July 8, July 22, and July 29. Join - [email protected]. change. We will meet for a pool us when you are able. party at the Westridge Swim Club on Wednesday June 17th (note May 17: Youth Sunday the date is not the 18th this month!) from 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 August "Just because" and Senior Recognition P.M. Pizza, Swimming, Fun! Bring youth group The youth will provide leader- a Friend! Cost: $5.00 On August 18 we will meet for ship for all aspects of the 10:00 pizza at Mario's at 6:00 p.m.; a.m. service (including the ser- bring money for dinner. mon!) this Sunday, and we will recognize our graduating high Registration is open school seniors and those graduat- ing from college this spring. A for Gatekeepers Work- Save the date: Youth small reception in honor of our camp, July 12-17 kick-off on September 12 graduates will take place The registration forms for Gate- All youth and their families, after the service. keepers are now on the web-site. youth leaders and their families, Please complete registration form and youth forum teachers and and pay via the shopping cart their families are invited to a on the web, and then print out kick-off picnic at Lake Gaston on the permission/registration form September 12 at the Harrison's out as that form requires a par- lake house. Bring a side to share ent's signature, and send into the and the youth council will provide church office. Any questions or stuff for the grill. More details to problems, give Stephanie a call at follow, but be sure to save the 442-1134. date!

6 Good Shepherd Sunday Choral Evensong Sunday, May 3, 5:00 p.m.. The Good Shepherd Choir will sing this candlelight evening service celebrating Good Shepherd Sunday in the English cathedral tradition featuring music by George Dyson.

Alleluia and Cherub Choir Season Ends With Party The Alleluia and Cherub choirs will have their last rehearsals of the season on Wednesday, May 27th. A party to celebrate the year’s work and accomplishments will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd, at 5:00 p.m. for members of the choirs and their families. By the end of the 2008-2009 academic year, the Alleluia Choir will have sung seventeen times in worship and at the Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre and the Cherub Choir will have sung nine times in worship and at the dinner theatre.

2009-2010 Choir Season Begins on Wednesday, August 26th After a summer break, all choirs will resume regular Wednesday rehearsals on Wednesday, August 26th. The Cherub Choir (for children ages 3 through 1st grade) learns fundamentals of music and liturgy and sings at the 9 a.m. service several times per 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) sings at the 9 a.m. service every two to three weeks from September through May, at the St. Francis Day service, at Lessons & Carols, on Christmas Eve, and at the Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre. 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 thirty minutes before each service. For more information about any of our choirs, please contact Lawrence Goering at 442-1134, ext. 224 or lgoering@goodshepherdrmt. org. Come sing with us! 7 22 - Judy Clayton 13 - Eden Curtiss Birthdays 22 - Ann Hartley 14 - Jim Ashby Anniversaries May 23 - Kathy Wood 15 - Elsie Crisp May June 1 - Sue Sutton 23 - Boyd Harris 15 - Mary Kemp Mebane 3 Rick & Brenna Bennett 1 - John & Nita Thornell 1 - Hal Peck 23 - Tom Stevens 16 - Lucy Rose 7 - Stokes & Susan Suiter 7 - Ron & Janie Johnson 3 - Avery Peck 23 - Ana Katherine Weeks 16 - Mason Miller 11 - Norman & Nancy 9 - Rick & Maureen 4 - Ernest Wills 25 - Rogie Thorp 17 - Bill Holmes Chambliss Kroncke 4 - Clarke Weeks 25 - Notie Vay Meadows 17 - Helen Haynes 13 - Fred & Cammy Hodges 10 -Ward & Sue Sutton 5 - Stephen Anderson 25 - Tom Betts 17 - Kay Lockey 15 - John & Rogie Thorp 11 - Curt & Martha Daniel 9 - Elizabeth King 26 - Ellis Smith 18 - Sally Kirkwood 19 - E. L. & Peggy 15 - Eddie & Jenny 10 - Jane Oliver 28 - Doreen Gibson 19 - Paul Larimer Daughtridge Baysden 10 - Laddie Crisp 30 - Joan Ashby 20 - Rob Ferguson 24 - Tom & Betsy Adams 15 - Bill & Vera Holmes 11 - Amanda Brandt 31 - Ben Winstead 20 - Kim Bayless 25 - John and Sharon 16 - Lee & Karen Pearce 12 - Virginia Grochowski 21 - Ben Blackburn 12 - Catherine Barnes 22 - Linda Edmondson Crestetto 18 - John & Caroline High 13 - Faye Sprye 25 - Louis and Trish Weeks 20 - Claude & Fay Mayo 1June - Sister Cherry 23 - Tommy Parker 14 - Will Van Dyke 3 - Frances Gaither 24 - Dillon Rose 27 - John and Marsh Mebane 21 - Billy & Janet Cooper 14 - Emma Tedford 3 - Claude Mayo 27 - Michael Ulrich 27 - Tom and Ashley Moss 22 - Don & Leigh Ulrich 14 - Stella Harris 5 - Billy Cooper 28 - Patty Kennedy 29 - Rob & Nancy Ferguson 23 - Kenneth & Deborah 14 - Samuel White 5 - Gina Judkins 28 - Kate Arroyo 31 - Carlton and Nancy Pierce Burnette 15 - Fred Hodges 5 - Robert Lyon 25 - Wes Morrison & Xena 15 - Stephen Sparks 6 - Jim Thorp Markine-Morrison 16 - Charlotte MacRae 6 - Anna-Dreher Miller 16 - Nolan Schear 26 - Dick & Janet Bethune 6 - Abigail Vann 18 - Bryan Whitford 27 - John & Patty Kennedy 7 - Heather Vann 18 - Kimberly Lyon 28 - Hal & Cindy Peck 8 - Scott Hendrix In Memoriam 19 - Brack Townsend Patrick Michael Patrone, brother-in-law of Judy Kornegay 10 - Debbie Nivison 19 - Sophie Avent Joe Taylor, parishioner 12 - Anne Townsend 19 - Audrey Ulrich 12 - Ali Parker 20 - Mary Tom Shannon 12 - Tom Moss 20 - Jenny Baysden 8