Youth Ministries at Good Shepherd are high-energy programs designed to facilitate creative, life-changing experiences for Middle School and High School youth. The ministry includes service projects, mission trips, Diocesan Retreats, Sunday Morning groups and Confirmation Class, that both comfort and challenge kids in today's wild and crazy youth culture. Come and experience Christ and his unconditional love!
Sunday 5:30
We will meet this Sunday night at 5:30. Don’t forget your homework! It is due Sunday night. ALSO! Remember the change the date for actual confirmation. Due to situations beyond our control Bishop Hollerith is unable to be with us on our scheduled date (November 20th). The actual confirmation date is now set for January 8th at the 10:00 am service.
Under the creative direction of the Parker family and the Marshall family, all Jr. High youth are invited to join in the fun. The night’s theme is:
Under the creative direction of the Parker family and the Marshall family, all Jr. High youth are invited to join in the fun. The night’s theme is:
We will be preparing for Trunk or Treat on Oct 30th. See you Sunday, October 9th from 5:30-7:00 PM!
Sunday, September 11th
5:30-7:00 PM
Home of Heather Mills Family
1014 Covington Lane, Norfolk VA 23508
I hope you had an awesome summer! I have missed you and I am excited for us to get together and catch up! Next Sunday evening at 5:30 we are going to make catch’n up happen! The Good Shepherd middle school youth (6th-8th grade) and parents are invited to a “Catch’n Up Cookout at the home of Heather Mills and family.
The Youth Committee has put together a top notch plan for teenagers this year and we are excited to share it with you! Part of the plan for Sunday is for the parents to go over plans/ideas and answer any questions that may arise. The cookout will not only be fun but helpful for parents especially for 6th grade parents who may be new to programs for teenagers. We have a printed calendar for the year ready for you. Even though Sunday night is just for middle school youth the calendar has all activities for 6-12th graders to aid in organization of busy lives at home!
While the parents are “detail’n” it the youth will be knee deep in team building games. They may be a bit messy so I wouldn’t recommend the youth wearing their new school shoes!
Back to the Cookout! Heather is providing the condiments and the dogs/burgers. The youth committee will provide the buns, the coolers and the ice. We would love your help in providing the sides and letting us know if you will be coming! Here’s how we will do it:
First Letter Of Your Last Name
Please email me and let us know how many are coming from your family. Also spread the word! I can’t wait to see and hear from each of you!
Peace,
Ben Blanchard
A few years ago at Good Shepherd children gathered each Wednesday evening for an hour of community with a focus on music and creativity! The group was called RUACH. What does RUACH mean? Ruach means wind, breath, mind and spirit in Hebrew.
During the long range plan listening sessions this summer people spoke up that they would love to have this program back. And guess what? RUACH IS BACK!
Each Thursday from 4:45 to 5:45 RUACH will be “happenin!” Children of all ages are invited to participate. We will sing, play instruments, move and groove! The group will sing, play instruments, or move and groove in church once a month so there is a commitment involved and attending each week is important. Parents plan to attend at our first gathering so we can get all the nitty gritty details out of the way.
Please register by calling the church office. Our first night will be Thursday, September 8th at 4:45! Ben and Elizabeth are excited and can’t wait to hear from you! (757-423-3230).
We need YOU to be a Sunday School Teacher. What a great way to get involved in the church—working with young people. Their curiosity and innocence are refreshing. We are really working to make this year fun and educational. We want all members of Good Shepherd to want to come to church on Sunday mornings—and it starts with YOU! Show your children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends you want to be involved and they will respond. EVERYONE can help.
I am hoping to get enough teachers that you will only teach once every two months- that is a max four or five Sundays all year. Three to five hours for an entire year—I hope that’s not too much to ask! Teaching dates will be planned around your schedule. I certainly appreciate everyone that has already volunteered to teach- we are almost half way there. Recruit a friend, ask a fellow parishioner, teach with your spouse! Even if you taught twenty years ago you can still teach. Let me know where you would like to help:
If you’re flexible, I’ll fill you in where you can help the most. Call or e-mail Elizabeth Hope, 423-3230 , or Elizabeth.Hope@goodshepherdnorfolk.org
Want to help with older youth or adults? Give Ben or Robert a call, 423-3230.
Faithfully,
Elizabeth
‘Twas the night before Sunday school when all through the house,
not a person was anxious, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by little dresses with care,
tiny shirts sat pressed for little boys to soon wear.
The children so peacefully nestled in bed,
while visions of Jesus danced in their heads.
And Mama in her PJs and Dad on his back,
even they were looking forward to tomorrow’s big trek.
When suddenly the phone started ringing real loud,
I sprang from my bed, my head still in a cloud.
I rushed down the hall, tripped over some toys,
thought some harsh words to myself, “I’ll speak to those boys!”
I finally reached the phone, slightly out of my breath,
answered “Hello!” really quickly, annoyed half to death.
When what to my weary ears should I hear, but….
Sunday school’s off…We’ve no teachers this year.
So shocked, I stood silent, so sadly I quivered.
“But…my children, my babies”… My speech I delivered.
“I’m sorry, dear sir, but we’ve tried all we could
But not enough will help us, though… If only they would.”"But what of the older and what of the new?”
Have you tried all the members? Just what shall we do?”
“We’ve made lots of calls, we’ve asked all so nice.
We’ve begged and we’ve pleaded…They still said, ‘No dice.’ ”
“But what about Andrew or Sally or Paul?
Did you think, my dear friend, upon those names to call?”
“We’ve thought long and hard and on those names we prayed.”
“And I wonder, my friend, has your decision been made?”
“Oh! I sure meant to call; you were at the top of my list.”
“But with soccer and softball, I’ve no time for this!”
“It is with you as it is now with all.”
“God’s work takes last place, no time for ‘God’s ball.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“But that’s what you said!”
“What’s wrong with my thinking, what is it I dread?”
“OK, now you’ve got me, I’ll help just this month.”
“Do you have the materials?”
“Oh yes…I’ve got a bunch!”
I hung up the phone, slightly anxious, a little weary,
Could God really use me and my talents? How scary!
But the more that I pondered, and the more that I thought,
The more I felt needed, and God’s love I still sought.
So, On Adam! On Eve! On Noah and Moses!
On David! On Ruth! On Mary and Joseph!
What a joy to share, a real blessing ’twill be,
giving back to these children what was given to me!
I rested so peacefully, knowing I’d done what’s right.
So, Happy Sunday school to all and to all a good night!
-Pat Lynch Fredericksburg, Virginia
Volunteer to help
Elizabeth Hope 423-3230
or Elizabeth.Hope@goodshepherdnorfolk.org
By popular demand, Ruach is Back and it will be better than ever. In Hebrew, Ruach means wind, breath, mind and spirit. Ruach indicates creativity and active power. Come join Ben and Elizabeth Thursdays, 5-6pm in Memorial Hall starting September 8th. Children ages 3-5th grade and their parents. Parents will host a quick dinner followed by 45 minutes of energetic, outstanding music.
Do you know what they are???? Come to Church each Sunday and find out… 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. All are welcome. Children’s Chapel and nursery are available and waiting for you!!!!
Event Rules And Regulations
Nightwatch is an inter-generational program for people from churches of all Christian denominations. Since 1975, this overnight program for High School and Junior High School youth groups has hosted thousands of people of all ages for one or two exciting nights of fun, discovery and worship at an overnight stay inside the Cathedral. We will leave Norfolk Friday morning Februrary 18th and return Sunday, February 20th. We will spend Friday night at the Cathedral. Saturday we will spend time in the city which will include going to see “American Idiot” the Greenday Musical followed by dinner at Planet Hollywood. The cost of the weekend is $540.00. No youth will be denied going because of financial limitations (SERIOUSLY!). If you have financial concerns, please talk to Ben Blanchard or Robert Davenport.
A $150.00 nonrefundable deposit is due with registration forms by September 26th. Contact Ben for registration forms.
The Episcopal Church
of the Good Shepherd
7400 Hampton Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23505
Phone: 757-423-3230
Fax: 757-423-6147
Office Hours: M-F 8am-4pm
