Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

THE LITTLE CHURCH THAT CAN STRIKES AGAIN
Peggy Fleming's mother was known to be one of those mothers who managed every detail of her daughter's career including making her costumes. Luckily for the whole family, this arrangement was positive and Peggy went on to win the Olympic Ladies' Figure Skating gold medal in 1968 wearing a costume her mother had sewn for her. In addition, the entire family sacrificed as they moved from place to place to facilitate Peggy's career. You can't argue that the Fleming family did what they thought was best, even if you disagree with the parenting style some of us today refer to as *Pageant Mothers*.

Peggy has memories as a child of spending an entire summer camping out with her mother and sisters in Oregon (her dad went to work every day unable to participate in their daily adventures, but was still able to camp out with them at night). Peggy now knows as an adult that her family was homeless that summer. They had been living paycheck to paycheck and, one day, it caught up with them.

They weren't bad people; they didn't deserve to be homeless; they hadn't spent their money on drugs and alcohol. Life just threw them one too many curve balls to keep up. Thankfully, they were homeless in the summertime when the weather was good and the girls thought nothing of being *on vacation*.

When this situation happens to a family today, they can contact Family Promise, a national organization that has helped families for 20 years to get back on their feet and secure permanent housing. In addition, Family Promise clients are encouraged with a two-year support system to ensure they stay on their feet.

The clients of Family Promise receive nutrition and budgeting classes. They receive food to eat every day and a place to sleep every night. Their children are transported to school and they receive help finding a job if they don't have one. Here in Knoxville, there are two social workers for a maxiumum of five families - that is an impressive ratio that prevents any family from *slipping through the cracks*.

Family Promise gets good results and the clients work very hard to follow the guidelines and eventually graduate from the program. They must be working or actively looking for work. They are screened for criminal activity and drug use. If there is an incident while in the program, they are immediately *removed* from the program; they understand how high the stakes are for them.

The Church of the Good Shepherd has been considering this opportunity since last fall. We have discussed it with the Vestry. We have consulted with other churches. We have checked with our insurance agent. We have checked with the Family Promise insurance agent. We have researched the number of liability claims brought against the program and we have prayed about whether or not this is the right opportunity for us.

At each stage of our exploration, we have received reassuring responses that this is something positive we can do in our community with little risk. Family Promise is a well-run program which encounters very few issues because its membership is so coveted. In the end, our Vestry has agreed to give it a shot.

Family Promise is not a baby-sitting program. It is not a homeless shelter. It is not a soup kitchen. Our role with Family Promise could be thought of as comparable to a hotel with a restaurant. We must keep the heat on. We must have running water. We must provide breakfast and dinner. We must lock the doors at night before we go to sleep. Parents are responsible for their children and we are *only* allowed and expected to step in if we see abuse or neglect. This occurs very rarely in this exceptional program.

Family Promise will be a major effort for us the week of November 7th. If it is successful, we will host up to four families for one week every three months. Typically churches utilize fifty volunteers before, during and after their hosting week. We are fortunate that Central Baptist has agreed to partner with us and support us in this effort.

We have a role for everyone at every level of ability. We will have needs that include: moving furniture, tutoring, providing dinner, spending the night, washing sheets, testing smoke detectors, making nametags and many more. If you are interested in helping, we can find a task that matches your gifts; just let us know you want to help! There are sign-up sheets on the Mission Table in the Parish Hall that give a few more details and the names of the various coordinators. Please look over them and prayerfully consider how you might help *The Little Church That Can* once again accomplish something bigger than we think possible.

Parish Dinner - October 15
The Vestry cordially invites you to a Gala Parish Dinner on Friday Night, October 15th.

Our guest speaker will be Rev. Corky Carlisle, one of the most dynamic and challenging preachers in the Episcopal Church. Soft drinks, beer, wine and dinner provided by the parish, for the parish. Details to follow. Stay tuned.

Do you Know About our Mid-Week Worship?
We are moving mid-week worship to Tuesdays at 6:30, starting on September 7th. We will do Holy Eucharist on the first Tuesday of each month [so that will be Sept 7] and then Evening Prayer/Compline the remaining Tuesdays. Josh Booher, Bill Seay, Sister Michael Julian and Judy Goans will be our initial leaders. The purpose of this change is to provide a service just before EFM meets at 7, with the hope we will attract EFM members as well as other members at that time.

COTGS Photo Directory
Have you seen the photo directory? Do you wonder why you aren't in it or why no one mailed you a copy? Participation in the photo directory is open to anyone who feels a part of the Good Shepherd family, regardless of membership status or anything else. If you attend our events, we want your picture! The Directory is only being emailed right now to save on expenses, so if you didn't get one, we don't have your email address. Don't worry, we won't sell your email to anyone, but we will send you weekly updates on what's going on around here. If you absolutely need us to print a copy for you, let the church office know. If you can print it at home or use the online version, that will save us some pennies we can use on a rainy day. And, if your information is wrong or you want to update your photo, contact the church office.

Our Website Needs Help
We are forming a commitee to examine, suggest, change our website. Interested parties please contact Richard Horack. We are trying to meet in the next two weeks. Additionally, we have on-going maintenance that needs to be done to the Website. Loading photos, loading sermons. If this sounds like something you would like to learn about let me know.

Stephen's Ministry
Stephen Ministers are lay persons called to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in the world. Interested?
A half-day introductory workshop will be held on Saturday, September 11th in the Nashville area. Call or speak to Janice Wade for more details. Or check the Stephen Ministry website.

Attendance
Average Sunday Attendance Summer 2009: 102
Average Sunday Attendance Summer 2010: 128

Why the jump??? What do you think is going on?

Office Hours
Office Hours are Tuesday - Friday from 8:30 - 2pm.