The Church of the Good Shepherd
Midland Park, New Jersey
 

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On to Administration and Bucget Overview

Parish Programs


ALTAR GUILD - The Altar Guild consists of 16 women who prepare the altar for services. Members of the Altar Guild and others distribute the altar flowers following the services to sick and shut-ins of the parish. The Guild meets periodically to plan for upcoming activities.

ACOLYTES - Six young church members constitute our corps of acolytes; two of them are newer members. They have received some training from the previous rector and a lay reader. With so few acolytes available, our lay readers perform these duties at the 8 a.m. service. We usually have two acolytes at the 10 a.m. service.

CHOIR - Our choir director/organist plays at all 10 a.m. services and other occasional services, mainly during Lent and Christmas. Our choir consists of nine members. Like most church choirs we can always use more members. In 2001 we held a Strawberry Festival as a fund-raiser in order to obtain new choir robes. With the help from a memorial fund we did in fact obtain new robes which were dedicated in September. On special occasions a children's choir of about 10 sings during the 10 a.m. service.

LAY READERS/CHALICE BEARERS - At present we have eight persons licensed by the Diocese as Lay Readers/Chalice Bearers. One is assigned for the 8 a.m. service and two at 10 a.m. The rector provided training over a period of many weeks. We wear cassocks/albs at all services.

TELEPHONE TREE - In recent years we developed a need for a quick method of communication. The Rector and Fellowship Chair created a telephone tree which has been successful. It is used to notify active members in such cases as the death of a parishioner, an upcoming fundraiser or some special service when a greater attendance is desirable.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - Good Shepherd responds to needs of the community by regularly participating in St. Paul's Pantry, St. Paul's Men's Shelter, North Porch in Paterson, Valley Hospital Chaplain's Program, the Bergen County Animal Shelter, and Episcopal Relief Development Fund.

USHERS - There are currently eight men who usher at all services. They greet all attendees, update the hymn-board, receive the offering and after the service pick up discarded bulletins and check the pews for leftover articles.