Update April 18th, 2008

Vestry Goals for 2008

1. 100% Participation in Bible Study and Christian Ed, in keeping with ASA.
2. Growth of 30 unchurched people.
3. Monthly Discipleship Meeting and Accountability.
4. Average Sunday Attendance of 100 or more.
5. Start up a Formal Healing Ministry.
6. 100% Participation in Service/Ministry in keeping with ASA.
7. Vestry Sponsored Bi Monthly Evangelistic Events involving 100% ASA. .

Dear Good Shepherd,

As you know by now, the Diocese of Central New York has filed a lawsuit laying claim to our property and assets.

This is, to put it mildly, a disappointment. We had hoped that our negotiations would prove successful even as late as last month.

Our last meeting with the bishop was on February 27th. Don Dean, John Chaney and I had been scheduled to meet with the bishop and his Canon to the Ordinary, Karen Lewis. You may remember that our first two proposals to the Standing Committee of the diocese were turned down and, subsequently, the tension had been somewhat heightened. We had hoped that the late February meeting would result in a breakthrough and, possibly, a new sense of trust, mutual respect, and charity.

But instead of the amicable meeting we had requested, the bishop met us in his conference room with two of his attorneys. He presented a document entitled “Stipulation of Settlement” that gave Good Shepherd a six month window to vacate the building, the rectory, and relinquish all of our assets. After the initial six months, the Stipulation of Settlement indicated that if we had not yet moved, we might be permitted to stay on a month to month basis, subject to the will of the diocese, for a second (and final) six month period but only if we paid $1700.00 in rent each month.

On Good Friday, we received a letter signed by the bishop which gave us until 4:30 pm March 27th to agree to the Stipulation.

The vestry deliberated but we were unable to provide a final decision by the date indicated in the bishop's letter.

The next communication from the Diocese of Central New York came Tuesday April 15th, at 2:00pm when a courier delivered the court summons indicating that we have been sued.

The lawsuit lays claim to everything we have: property, assets, endowments, bequests, vestments, pews, bibles, prayerbooks, hymnals, organ, everything.

We have a fine attorney in Raymond Dague and the vestry is confident in our defense strategy. Still, the case law in New York state is not great. We do not know the outcome. We could lose. We could win. We just don't know.

But we are doing our best to prepare for a number of possible outcomes.

Last year, the vestry began planning for three distinct contingencies. These plans were less than creatively named: plan A, plan B and plan C.

Plan A, was to negotiate amicably for our buildings offering as much as we could offer in exchange for the diocese relinquishing their claims to our property. Plan A is not wholly failed. We will continue to hold out the right hand of fellowship and send amicable proposals to the Diocese of Central New York praying that God might turn the heart of the bishop toward peace, justice and reconciliation.

Plan B was to prepare for the possibility of being sued. Those preparations are presently bearing fruit.

Plan C was to look for other properties and resources in the even that we choose or are forced to leave. That has been an ongoing task that continues to this day.

It is, at this point, necessary to remember two important passages from the New Testament.

1. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

Bitterness, resentment, vengeance, these things kill true faith and they kill a church. We cannot let them rule us. We are no longer slaves to sin but children of the Almighty God redeemed by the blood of his Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Though all of us were once enemies of God, by his grace we have been forgiven and saved. There is, therefore, no need to cling to unforgiveness or resentment, or malice. No piece of property or amount of money is equal to the inheritance we have been given in Christ. Christ alone is necessary. So we must love those who hate us and seek to persecute us.

In our present circumstances, that means praying for Bishop Adams, his attorneys, his staff and the Diocese of Central New York. Pray that God's blessing will be on them and that they might turn from their present course.

Here is the second passage:

2. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.   Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

This lawsuit is a blessing. I know that it does not feel like a blessing, but that is precisely what it is. We have been counted worthy to suffer in the name of Christ. If, in fact, we are true to the gospel of Jesus Christ, suffering will always follow:

Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

So whatever the future holds, we must rejoice and give thanks God praying that we will be given the grace to bear witness to his Son charitably and his Truth uncompromisingly.

With those two passages in mind, I ask that together and as individuals we pray daily for protection, provision, strength and guidance.

This leads me to another disappointment.

At the beginning of every year, I usually send out a "State of the Church" letter wherein I list those things God accomplished in the previous year and name those goals the vestry believes God has set for us this year.

I did send out a note in January recounting the many ways God blessed and prospered us last year, but I did not lay out the vision or plan for 2008 because the vestry had yet to meet.

We did finally hold the vestry retreat in early March and, through conversation, prayer, and study articulated 7 new goals for 2008 based on six core biblical values: Evangelism, Service, Discipleship, Fellowship, Worship, and Care

You may see those goals listed above. They are biblically based, mission-minded, evangelistic goals that promote the spread and proclamation of the gospel of salvation, the discipleship of believers, and loving service to the poor, sick and outcast.

Despite the lawsuit, these goals are our primary task and challenge this year and you will hear more and more about them throughout the year.

By God's grace, we can and will do what he has called us and equipped us to do whether we have a roof over our heads or not. O ur greatest Asset is Jesus Christ and he never fails. So long as we have him, we have all that is necessary.

The Lord has provided for this congregation in so many miraculous ways over the past five years. How can we doubt his provision and protection now?

So in the coming weeks and months, the initiatives and goals listed above will provide our roadmap and define our mission. Of course the one unchanging and unfailing “roadmap” is the very Word of God. It is a commitment to remaining faithful to scripture that has brought us to this point and it is only in standing firm on the foundation of God's Word and the Cornerstone who is Jesus Christ our Lord that we will emerge. May that commitment continue to mark our thoughts, words, and deeds

UPDATE CONTENTS

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY

BABY BOTTLE COLLECTION

EVANGELISM

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED (for real)

WEDNESDAY NOON EUCHARIST

THE PRESS RELEASE  

SERMON & PODCASTING INFORMATION

THINGS TO PRAY FOR

SERMON STUDY INFO
BIBLE STUDY
YOUTH INFORMATION FROM MICAH

DOCTRINES AND DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH: ADULT ED

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY: This coming Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. Actually it was last Sunday, but we moved it forward to this Sunday and I forget at the moment precisely why. In any case, Good Shepherd Sunday is the "feast day" that is celebrated every year after Easter Sunday on the Sunday when the gospel lectionary assigns a reading from John chapter 10, the "Good Shepherd" chapter. This year, the reading is John 10:1-10 wherein Jesus refers to himself as the Shepherd of the sheep and the "door" to the sheepfold.

DON'T FORGET TO COME TO BRUNCH BETWEEN SERVICES THIS SUNDAY

LIFE CHOICES BABY SHOWER : OUTREACH.....ACW with Father Matt and Father Anne's guidance and help has been planning a baby shower for the Life Choice Baby Boutique!  The client's earn points to "purchase" items in the Boutique.  Points are earned in various ways, such as, church attendance, be involved in a discussion of a Christian book, or attend classes sponsored by the Life Choices.  How can you help?  The half sheet in the pews  has some suggested items that Center needs!   There is a basket at the back of the Church to put new or slightly used baby items in!

Patricia Phelps, Executive Director of the Life Choices Center , will be speaking at the breakfast on the Good Shepherd Sunday on April 20!

Everyone is invited to the party on  May 11 where cake and punch will be served!

The young women and men involved in the Life Choice Center programs THANK YOU !

EVANGELISM: In keeping with goal number 7 above, the vestry is currently preparing for our next evaneglism effort. This time we are planning to set up a Good Shepherd booth down town during one of the upcoming summer steet festivals. Details will be coming soon, so if you are interested in helping please be on the lookout.

That the vestry is taking a leadership role in our evangelism efforts, does not mean that individual members are free not to do evangelism on their own...just a reminder ; )

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED (updated YET again): One of our Shepherd's Bowl teams has recently lost two volunteers, a man and a woman. The team is now left with only one female server in the evening. We desperately need at least two volunteers to step in and at least one of them must be male. It is dangerous for a woman or women to serve the meals by themselves. The commitment would be for one Thursday evening a month. If you are interested please call the office or the rectory.

We are also now short of two cleaning teams. There used to be 4 teams of volunteers to help clean the church, one team on duty each week. We are now down to 2 teams. This is not good.

Please do step up to help if you are able.

We again find that we are in dire need of a Sexton.  If you are able to help us out just 12 times a year, it would be most appreciated.  This week you will find that the church has not been cleaned because there is no one to do it.  The remaining three teams will have to rotate on a three week basis if no one volunteers.  Some of the teams are just plain tired out, have physical disabilities or would like a break - not additional duties.  We all enjoy using the church for Sunday services, Bible studies, socials, etc.  Would someone (or two) please step up to the challenge?  If you can help out, please see Bob Finch and he will be sure that you are well informed about the cleaning routine.

WEDNESDAY NOON EUCHARIST: Anne has recieved positive feedback regarding a noon eucharist and she has decided to start one. She has not let me know when though, so that is all I have to say at the moment. Do stay tuned.

THE PRESS RELEASE: from our attorney may be read here and the Press and Sun article may be found here

SERMON & PODCASTING INFORMATION: NOTE: I STILL CANNOT seem to find my digital recorder. If you've seen it, please let me know. I need to get THREE sermons up on the pod-site. Until I find it there will only be the texts availible. All other recent sermons may be downloaded at the Good Shepherd podcast site

THINGS TO PRAY FOR: 1. God will protect and guide us. 2. That we as a body will be prepared to go wherever God leads. 3. That we will not compromise biblical principles for the sake of ease, convenience, or gain. 4. That we will not compromise the love of Christ for hatred, bitterness and anger. 5. That we will know what to do when the time comes to do it. 6. For the Lord to change the bishop's heart.

SERMON INFORMATION: If you would like to study ahead for this Sunday's sermon, be sure to read John 10:1-10. Last Sunday's gospel text was John 14:1-14

BIBLE STUDY: ALL the Bible Studies are up and running as usual.

YOUTH INFORMATION FROM MICAH: Both Senior and Junior High youth group are on a normal schedule this week. Sr. High: 6-8; Jr. High: 2-4.

ADULT EDUCATION SERIES: DOCTRINE AND DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH The adult ed class will be postponed yet again...I was sick last Sunday and this is Good Shepherd Sunday, but I promise we'll pick up the pieces NEXT Sunday. Please do come and enjoy the food and fellowship of Good Shepherd Sunday. AND, invite a friend

HAVE YOU…. shared your faith with a friend? The vestry has challenged all of us to share our faith in Jesus Christ with at least one non-believer each month.

Good News for the Week

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,

“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:32-39)

Don't forget to....BRING A FRIEND TO CHURCH

Daily Schedule for the week of Sunday March 20th, 2008

Monday:
pastor's day off

Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study

10:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Pastor's Open Door Hours
6:00 p.m. First Light Bible Study

Wednesday

8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer

10:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Pastor's Open Door Hours

Thursday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer

10:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Pastor's Open Door Hours

5:30p.m. Shepherd's Bowl

6:30p.m. New Beginner's Bible Study

Friday

6:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast/Bible Study

8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer

Saturday

10:00am Women's Bible Study

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)

8:00a.m. Worship, Holy Communion and Sermon

9:15-10:15a.m. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES

10:30a.m. Worship, Holy Communion, Music, Sermon

2:00pm-4:00pm  Jr. High Meeting, 

6:00pm - 8:00pm Sr. High Meeting

God Bless,