Good Shepherd’s Board of Elders and its Worship Committee has approved the continuation of 10AM Family Church throughout the summer of 2012!

“GOD WINKS – Catching Glimpses of God’s Purpose & Kingdom”.  Tentatively scheduled for October 19 – 21 in Kingswood (Hancock, NY).  Details to follow in upcoming newsletters.

Good Shepherd is promoting the Lutheran World Relief Coffee Project, in support of our 2012 Mission Trip to New Orleans.  The sale of Fair Traded Coffee is available every Sunday in the Narthex.  Coffee is being offered at $10.00 per pound bag.

Confirmation Ministry (Rev. Ken Susskraut, Pastor/845-986-3040):  One important goal of Good Shepherd’s Confirmation Ministry is to have our Confirmation students undertake a special “Project”. The aim of such an annual project is to enlist our students in service to others in ways that are both appropriate and attainable and to have our parish and greater local community support them in their awareness that such service is an integral part of the Christian’s life of faith and love. From March 4 to September 2, our Confirmation Classes will be collecting 5 cent deposit cans, bottles, and plastics in support of Good Shepherd’s “Mission Fund”Parish members are asked to bring to worship each Sunday their family’s CLEAN 5 cent return for deposit recyclables and to put them each week in the marked Narthex receptacle.  Each week a Confirmation student will take those donations for reclamation. This project is organized and being coordinated by Confirmation Parent, Mrs. Linda Roman, (845/234-5474) or lindaeroman@hotmail.com).  Since the NYS Law Recyclable Deposit Law has been expanded to include not only soda/beer cans and  plastic/glass soda bottles but also all 5 cent returnable for deposit plastics (such as water), this opportunity has great potential for sizeable support to our “Mission Fund” and, correspondingly, for our parish’s Mission Trip in the Fall of 2012 to New Orleans.  PLEASE SUPPORT NOT ONLY THIS IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE BUT ALSO OUR STUDENTS.

If there are any questions, please speak with Linda at 845/234-5474.

Fellowship Clean-Up Help Needed (Heidi Bricker, Coordinator/845-651-1545):  CALLING ALL SUNDAY SCHOOL PARENTS – We are still in need of volunteers to help with Fellowship Clean-Up. This does not require a lot of time – only 10 minutes prior to Sunday School Pick-Up time.  Please call Heidi, if you can help out.  Thank you!

Opportunities to Serve (Joan Perez, Worship Committee Chairperson/845-986-0624): Please consider becoming a Greeter, Lector or Usher.  There is a minimal time commitment – often just one Sunday every few months.  Please contact either Stephen Hoverman (Board of Elders Chairperson/845-986-5279) or myself, if you have any questions.

Good Shepherd Preschool – FEBRUARY (Antoinette Quinn and Barbara
Gustainis, Teaching Staff):  Once again, we recognize that the short month of February is the most
active!!  History, at all levels, love, song and family are all encountered this month, and keep us busy.  Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone.   All enjoyed the feeling of love that surrounds the holiday, expressed through the art and projects of the children.  The classes made Valentine tray favors for Meals on Wheels and Valentines for Vets,
which, as always, were well received.  The story of the Groundhog, the lives of the Presidents, dental health and events in Black History create relevant discussions. With Lent upon us, the Miracle Bible stories are teaching us positive lessons of faith.  Looking toward Easter, the children are learning the ultimate powers of  Jesus. Academics are in the forefront.  Numbers/letters/sounds/writing/visual and oral discrimination are areas being advanced at both the 3 and 4 year old levels.  Good Shepherd was represented at the Preschool Fair, at the Wisner library.  The rescheduled event, sponsored by the Warwick Moms Club, offered an opportunity for interested families to see the preschool offerings in the town of Warwick. Good Shepherd registration for school year 2012-2013 is ongoing.  Anyone interested please call the preschool/986-8393, or Kris Klim, Preschool
Director/986-0269.                Looking forward to March when all classes will be learning karate!! BOARD OF THE CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL (Barbara Katz,  hairperson/845-986-2691)

EMISH Family Fellowship Nights (John Heeren & Kathy Heeren, Coordinators/986-4326):   DATES Friday, April 20^th & Saturday, April 21^st,  TIME: 7:30PM – 10:00PM, TICKETS REQUIRED – AVAILABLE IN NARTHEX STARTING 3/18.  Suggested Donation: $8per person.  Emish, a local
Celtic Rock Band with an edge, returns for two fun-filled nights of entertainment and fellowship.  Come and
enjoy this very talented and energetic local musical group.  Tickets will be available in the Narthex after services, beginning March 18^th.  Light refreshments will be provided.  See John Heeren or Kathy Heeren for any questions.  Performances historically sell out!

Worship Team (Ben Pearce, Music Leader/845-986-9985; Nancy Hoverman, Coordinator/845-986-5279): Please consider being a part of our worship team. Practices are held Thursday evenings (7:30PM) and last about 1 hour. We celebrate in song on the 2^nd Sunday of each month.  Musicians and vocalists are always welcome.

Children’s Choir Notes (Laura Miller, Director/845-986-4783):  We will be practicing “Ride On To Die” by Michael Card for Palm Sunday (April 1) at the 9AM service.  We will be practicing Thursdays, 4:45-5:30PM,
on 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29.  In the event of inclement weather, we will call you if Choir will be cancelled.