Houlton's Episcopal Church
Welcome to The Church of the Good Shepherd in Houlton, Maine, a family sized, open and affirming congregation.
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Our annual Harvest Bazaar will be held on Saturday, November 7th from 10 am to 1 pm in Watson Hall. Crafts, Jewelry, etc. Turkey Pie Luncheon 11 am to 1:30 pm. Music will be provided by The Music Men You don’t want to miss this one!!
Who is the greeter this week? Check out the schedule to find out!
 Picture Courtesy of Mike Clark On Saturday, October 10, 2009, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Houlton, hosted an historical event, the first-ever international meeting of people from the Anglican Diocese of New Brunswick, Canada, and the Episcopal Diocese of Maine to discuss the formation and support of deacons. Those attending the meeting representing the New Brunswick Bishops’s Commission on the Diaconate were Mr. Thomas Nisbett, lay person, Chairperson of the Commission; the Rev. Fran Bedell, deacon, from Edmundston; the Rev. Neville Cheeseman, priest; the Rev. Amanda Longmoore, priest, from Plaster Rock; and the Rev. Joyce Perry, deacon, from Fredericton. The Diocese of Maine was represented by the Rev. Peg Thomas, priest, and Coordinator of the Deacon Formation Program; the Rev. Lee Burns, deacon, St. Giles’, Jefferson, and member of the Deacon Formation Program Advisory Council; the Rev. Jeri Williams, deacon, Aroostook Episcopal Cluster; and the Rev. Jessie Drysdale, deacon, Church of the Good Shepherd. After introductions and opening prayer, the group shared hopes, expectations, and concerns. There was discussion of our understandings of deacons and diaconal ministry, our commonalities and differences. We learned from one another about differences in polity and came to understand how these differences impact formation and ministry. Topics for discussion were discernment, formation process, how we might share post-ordination formation and education, and the possibility of combined retreats. Eager discussions took place over lunch. Further talk resumed after lunch including suggestions of next steps. One of the suggested next steps was a meeting of deacons from New Brunswick and northern Maine next Spring. Tom Nisbett volunteered to coordinate arrangements for such a meeting, possibly at Woodstock, New Brunswick. It was a great first meeting with much good will and fellowship. All agreed that the Holy Spirit was present with us!
Want a copy of our ‘Evening of Music’? Get your copy today!! 
An Evening of MusicThis 25 track CD is a recording of our program, “An Evening of Music”. The event took place on Friday, August 21, 2009 and was a HUGE success. Performers from the community participated and all proceeds benefited our Tracker Organ restoration project. This CD is $12 (shipping included) and includes the following performances: Scott Walker Good Shepherd Quartet 2-O Come ye Servants of the Lord Dale Holden, Barbara Hogan Jennie Beasley 1st Baptist Church Handbells Naomi Sam-Kpakra Scott Walker Fred & Connor Grant Four Winds Tyler Delano Harry Roper Wesleyan Church Trio Camille Pierce Good Shepherd Quartet
Not sure if you are a reader this Sunday? No problem. Now view the schedule online!
Mike Clark found this photo and edited it for us. Notice how close the parsonage is to the church and that there isn’t a hill!! 
We will be back to “normal” starting Sunday, September 13th.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Want to learn more about our busy faith community? Looking for the current or past issues of our parish newsletter? Just click HERE or on the Shepherd’s Flock to the left!
We celebrate a great evening of music at the Good Shepherd on August 21, 2009. Donations from the evening went to benefit the restoration project of our 113 year old pipe organ. Thank you Mike Clark for taking the pictures! 
 Church of the Good Shepherd Organ The Church of the Good Shepherd will be sponsoring a Community Concert to raise funds for the refurbishment of the church organ. The concert will be held on Friday, August 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm. |