Dear Good Shepherd Family,
As a parish, we are in an in-between time. Summer is never the busiest time in any church community’s life, but this year might feel especially quiet and uncertain. We’ve no sooner said farewell to our dear friend and priest of many years, Fr. Kyle Babin, than we’re preparing to welcome our new Priest in Charge, Mthr. Maddie Hill.
Rest assured, things are happening in this interim season! Even in quieter times, when programs and attendance might dwindle, the Spirit is at work in our community, drawing us together in the love of Christ.
Just this past week, on Thursday, May 7, Dr. Don McCown hosted a conversation among a small group of Good Shepherd parishioners and friends. The topic of conversation was Walter Hilton, a 14th century English priest, and how his practice of quiet listening and waiting might enrich spiritual life at the Church of the Good Shepherd in the 21st century. As with all Adult Formation events at our church, Thursday’s conversation was a lovely time of quiet prayer and mutual reflection.
Regarding Children’s Formation, we have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months. Mthr. Maddie will join us in mid-July, and she’s particularly eager to get involved with Good Shepherd’s Godly Play program. For those who’ve never had the pleasure of attending Children’s Formation on Sunday mornings, Godly Play is a Montessori-based storytelling curriculum that takes children through key themes and stories of the Christian tradition. It’s hands-on, imaginative, and rooted in the belief that children are naturally receptive to the transcendent mystery of sacred stories. Our kids at Good Shepherd love it, and, if you watch the adults in attendance, they’re always smiling right along with the little guys.
Mthr. Maddie has a deep affinity with the Godly Play program, and she’s used it at many parishes throughout her career and upbringing. During her interview process, she cited children’s ministry as one of the most enjoyable and rejuvenating aspects of her calling as a priest. We couldn’t be more excited for her to join us and our children in spiritual formation.
Additionally, both Mthr. Maddie and our new Music Director, Alden Wright, will oversee a Children’s Summer Camp in August. (Sign Up here!) It’s important to emphasize how exciting it is that, only a month into Mthr. Maddie’s time as our priest, she and Alden get to log some quality time with Good Shepherd’s kids and young families. We anticipate lots of fun and we’re grateful for the opportunity to foster relationships in a season of new growth for our parish.
Please continue to pray for both our Children’s and Adults’ Formation programs as we embark on an exciting new chapter in the life of the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Sincerely,
Tim Austen
Vestry Liaison for Formation