FUN WITH FRIENDS

 THE ALTAR GUILD

But I am among you as one who serves.
Luke 22:27b

The Church of the Good Shepherd Altar Guild is searching for women who are interested in discovering how serving the altar can deepen their understanding of God, their faith, and the life of the Episcopal Church.

What is the Altar Guild? (AG)
Altar Guilds were originally begun to relieve the priest of preparing the altar and sanctuary. The members complete many tasks to help keep the services running smoothly. This includes draping the altars, pulpit, and lectern with the proper seasonal colors. We provide the wine, water, and wafers in the correct vessels for the Holy Eucharist. After each service, everything is cleaned and put away properly.

So then, what is the Junior Altar Guild? (JAG)
The JAG is a group of young women from grades 7-12 who assist the Senior Altar Guild. They may help clean and prepare communion vessels, and place flowers on the reredos behind the altar. They may help during those times when special preparations are necessary for Holy days and for the Bishop’s confirmation visitations.

You will learn the symbols, colors and seasons of the Church year and why certain vessels and vestments are used during the three different Eucharistic services. You will be guided and led by Connie Parent, an experienced AG member who will work specifically with the JAG.

Our Altar Guild meets @ 4 Saturdays a year to determine the coverage of Altar duties by the 3 teams. We also discuss techniques and the proper ways to drape the chalice, as an example, as well as welcome 2 new members this year.

Each team takes a turn hosting the breakfast meeting. Altar Guild sets the table each weekend for the congregation, and it’s during these meetings that we get to serve each other…and the food has been wonderful!
 

Praying the Anglican/Episcopalian Rosary (Prayer Beads)

By Sister Kara Anderson

The first prayer beads are said to have been made over forty thousand years ago and their use crosses cultural and religious boundaries. Made of teeth, bones, pebbles and shells in ancient times, they have evolved over the centuries.

Prayer beads, or rosaries, quite simply, are used to count prayers. We most often associate the word "rosary" with the Marian (Roman Catholic) rosary but that rosary as we know it, with the emphasis on Mary and devotions to the mysteries of Christ, has only been in existence since the sixteenth century. The Marian Rosary consists of five groups of ten beads ("decades") and specific prayers are said.

The Anglican rosary was developed in the 1980s by a group of Episcopalians who wanted a new meditation device and it is a blending of the Marian Rosary and the Orthodox Jesus Prayer Rope. How does the Anglican Rosary differ? It consists of a total of 33 beads (the number of years of Jesus’ earthly life) plus a cross, so that when repeated three times (signifying the Trinity), totals 100 beads – the number of the traditional or orthodox rosary. There are four groups of seven beads that form "weeks" which correspond to the:

four seasons of the church year

four cardinal directions (north, south, east and west)

four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance)

four primary elements (earth, water, wind and fire)

four seasons of the year.

The cross centers the prayers and the invitatory bead "invites" us to praise and worship God. Four Cruciform beads divide the weeks. Many Anglicans say the Marian Rosary and others select a variety of prayers that address their particular needs.

Prayer Beads invite reverence – they are a meditative tool and they help us to center ourselves for prayer, to become quiet and still and to open ourselves to God.

Some excellent websites to visit are:

http://www.kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Rosary 

http://www.arosaryforall.com/

http://www.anglican-prayer-beads-rosary.com/sdk/

 http://www.episcopalchurch.org/index_new.htm

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Please remember our troops serving at home and abroad in defense of our country – and their families waiting at home.

 My son and his unit have recently arrived in Afghanistan. Many people always say that they would love to show their support in some way. I go to the post office every Saturday and mail “supplies from home” to keep their spirits up and remind them that they are not forgotten and are very much appreciated. He and his unit especially love it when I tell them how many people are helping out with supplies to send. (Due to security reasons, military families cannot give out soldiers’ names, ranks or troop movement and locations. Families are not even allowed to put their soldier's rank on mailings!) 

If you would like to help show your support, first keep our military and their families in prayer.

As you do your regular grocery shopping, below is a list of common supplies that I send for my son to share with his unit of soldiers.

You can drop any of these items off in the box at church.

In the early fall, I will also be collecting items for the Christmas holiday to send in gift-wrapped boxes for the unit. If you are interested in helping out with this as well, I would like to make sure that each soldier gets at least  2 common items in their boxes: AT&T International Calling Cards (to call home on Christmas & New Year) and a disposal digital camera so that they can take photos of themselves and send the cameras back to their families for developing. Feel free to use your imagination when shopping for other items to include for holiday cheer!

Thank you - Shelly Harris

You will smile as you read this list – it speaks to you of home in America!

Ø      A variety of snack packages – often the ones that have individual wraps – soldiers can put these in the deep pockets of their camouflage BDU’s.

Ø      Crackers, cookies, nuts, Pringles, Hostess-type baked items like Twinkies - things that you might put in a school lunchbox

Ø      Girl Scout Cookies, Granola/Energy bars, Pop-Tarts, Fruit Roll-ups

Ø      Gum

Ø      Candies (Twizzlers, Variety bags with individually wrapped candies as an example)

Ø      Small cans of fruit with pop tabs (Acme carry these – maybe others do as well)

Ø      Playing cards

Ø      Puzzle paperbacks: Sudoku, Crossword, Wordsearches, etc. (Dollar stores)

Ø      Packs of Mechanical pencils (Dollar stores have these)

Ø      Magazines: sports, cars & trucks – these ones are popular

Ø      Paper back novels – espionage, mystery, intrigue

Ø      AT & T INTERNATIONAL Calling Cards – so they can call home – it’s very expensive for them and they can only use “international” cards

Ø      Disposal Digital Cameras – many stores have sales this time of the year (CVS, Target)

Ø      Pens, writing paper, envelopes – they have free postage when writing home

Ø      Batteries: AA and AAA; small packets of Kleenex (to put in pockets)

NEW E-MAILS

RECIPES FROM THE ALTAR GUILD

Submitted by Connie Parent – Yumm!

"The Favorite Snack at the BFF Retreat" (or Snicker doodles) Mix thoroughly... 1 cup soft shortening (part butter) 1 ½ cups sugar 2 eggs Sift together and stir in... 2 ¾ cups sifted flour 2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. salt Roll into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll in mixture of 2 tbsp. sugar and 2 tsp. cinnamon. Place 2" apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned but still soft. These cookies puff up at first then flatten out. Temperature: 400° Time: Bake 8 to 10 minutes Amount: About 5 dozen 2" cookies

This is a favorite recipe of my family which I got from a friend, Susan Dietz. It is the vegetable they want for holidays. Connie

Unstuffed Pepper Soup

2 pounds lean ground beef

3 green peppers (cut into small squares)

2 red peppers (cut into small squares)

1 sweet onion (chopped)

32 oz. can College Inn Beef Broth

2 cans condensed Tomato Soup (undiluted)

28 oz. Tomato Puree

2-3 cloves of garlic (minced)

1-2 Tablespoons Basil

Salt & Pepper to taste

2 cups cooked rice

Brown the ground beef in a small amount of olive oil.  When no longer pink, drain and put the beef into a Dutch oven or Soup Pot.  Sauté the garlic, onion & peppers until soft.  Add to the beef.  Add the Beef Broth, Tomato Soup, Tomato Puree, Basil & salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add rice and heat through.  Approx. 10 servings. 

Enjoy!

Sean Woodward-Hills

Submitted by Carrie Jordan

Mel’s Reuben Dip (Great for Holiday parties)

Ingredients

±     8 ounces cream cheese, cut into bits and softened

±     ½ cup sour cream

±     1 cup drained sauerkraut, chopped

±     ½ pound cooked lean corned beef, chopped fine

±     2 teaspoons finely chopped onion

±     1 Tablespoon ketchup

±     2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard

±     1 cup grated Swiss cheese (about 3 oz.)

±     Little Party Ryes to serve on

Directions

±     Preheat oven to 375°

±     In a large bowl combine well the cream cheese, sour cream, chopped sauerkraut, chopped corned beef, onion, ketchup, mustard and the grated Swiss cheese.

±     Transfer the dip to a small ovenproof casserole dish and bake it, covered, for 30 minutes.

±     Remove the cover and bake the dip for 5 minutes more, or until it begins to turn golden.

±     Serve dip warm with little mini party ryes.

±     Makes 2 cups of dip.

This month’s recipe comes from Lorraine Merryman – a truly gifted baker!

She acknowledges that her source is from Gourmet Magazine. It is guaranteed to leave you “all shook up”! Enjoy!

ELVIS PRESLEY’S FAVORITE POUND CAKE

Serves 10 t o12
Active time: 20 minutes
Start to finish: 3 ½ hours (includes cooling time)

Ingredients:

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, plus additional for buttering pan
3 cups sifted  cake flour (not self-rising); sift before measuring plus additional for dusting
 ¾ tsp. salt
3 cups sugar
7 large eggs, at room temperature (@30 minutes)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup heavy cream

10-inch tube pan (4 ½ inches deep) not with a removable bottom; or a 10-inch bundt pan (3 ¼ inches deep – 3 qt. capacity 

Directions:

• Put oven rack in middle position, but do not preheat oven.

• Generously butter pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess flour.

• Sift together sifted flour (3 cups) and salt into bowl. Repeat sifting 3 times total.

• Beat together butter (2 sticks) and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes in a stand mixer with fitted with paddle attachment.

• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla.

• Reduce speed to low and add half of flour, then all of cream, then remaining flour, mixing well after each addition.

• Scrape down side of bowl, then beat at medium-high speed 5 minutes.

• Batter will become creamier and satiny.

• Spoon batter into pan and rap pan against work surface once or twice to eliminate air bubbles.

• Place pan in cold oven and turn oven temperature to 350°

• Bake until golden and a wooden pick or skewer inserted in middle of cake comes out with a few crumbs adhering: @ 1 to 1 ¼ hr.

• Cool cake in pan on rack 30 minutes.

• Invert cake onto a rack to cool completely.

Rich & Delicious & worth the Effort!!

*Note: if you do not have a sifter – a large mesh strainer will work; sifting makes for a finer, lighter cake texture.

*Note: could use other extracts ie. : almond, rum, orange, etc.

Mother Pat’s Hungarian Goulash 

• 1 ½ lbs of cubed stewing beef.

• 1 clove garlic minced

• 1 medium onion chopped fine

• 1 teasp. Salt

• ¼ teasp. Pepper

• 2 cups ketchup

• 1 cup beef or chicken broth

• 2 tblsp. Paprika

• 2 tblsp. Brown sugar

• 2 teasp. mustard

• Brown beef cubes.

• Add onions & garlic, cook until tender (not brown)

• Add all other ingredients.

• Cook for 1 ½ hours.

• Add a tblsp. of flour mixed with water to thicken sauce.

• Serve over wide egg noodles.

SHELLY’S MEXICAN QUICHE

This recipe makes 2 pies. Oven 350° for approx. 45 to 50 minutes or until the eggs are set.

1) Prepare 2 pie pans with pie crust (I use the Pillsbury refrigerated roll-ups).

2) Sauté together then let cool:

1-1b. Chorizo Sausage – casing removed
1 Onion – Vidalia is preferable) - chopped
1 Green or Red Pepper (or do ½ & ½ ) - chopped
1 clove garlic – minced

3) Shred:

Monterey Jack Cheese – a large block (or any combination of cheeses including a Colby Cheese)

4) Combine in a large mixing bowl:

7 extra-large eggs
2 cups ½ & ½ Cream
1 can diced chili peppers
1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
½ tsp Cumin powder
Optional: A few shakes of Hot Sauce

5) Layer ingredients in pie plates as listed above, trying to distribute evenly, beginning with the meat mixture, then the shredded cheese, last pour over egg mixture.

6) Accompaniments:

Sour cream and Salsa!!!

This is a breakfast, lunch or dinner meal –and will soon become a favorite! Yumm!

RUTH ADAMS’ MEXICAN HASH BROWN BAKE

Heat oven to 350°; Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until bubbly around edges. Let stand 5 mins. before serving. Makes 12 one-cup servings.

Olé!

Ingredients:

• 1 (13 oz.) container Salsa & Cheese

• 1 ½ cups Sour Cream

• 1 (4 oz.) can diced Green Chiles or diced Jalapenos

• 1 (30 oz.) bag frozen Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes

• 4 to 5 Taco Shells coarsely chopped

• Spray 13 X 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

• Combine Salsa & Cheese, Sour Cream, chiles or peppers in a large bowl

• Stir until blended – then gently stir in hash browns.

• Spoon mixture into baking dish.

• Sprinkle with crushed taco shells.

Optional:

Add 2 sliced green onions or 2 slices crumbled crisp bacon.
Use light or reduced fat sour cream if preferred.

muy deliciosos!

CHURCH FLOWERS

Please remember your loved ones by dedicating the flowers on the Altar in their memory or in thanksgiving of special events.  Write a check for whatever you care to give (usually $40) and place it in the alms basin with a note attached or mail it to the Church office.  After the 10 AM service you may collect the flowers to take home with you. Many thanks to all of those who have participated in making our Altar look so beautiful.

RUTH'S CHILDREN

"Wherever you go, I will go," the widowed Ruth told her aging mother-in-law.  She chose to stay with the older woman and care for her even though it meant moving to a strange land.  Now that Bible story is relived in many forms as adult children of the elderly face the inevitable role reversal.  How do we offer care and maintain our relationships?  How do we know if we are making the correct choices?  How do we cope with feelings of guilt and anger?  Who will care for us?

This organization is a support group for children of senior parents.  This group is opened to the entire community, and will meet on the first Monday of the month.   It is a free flowing conversation in which we offer support and comfort to all who are facing the difficult task of caring for our aging parents. There is complete privacy and no judgment is ever made.    Not all participants are members of Good Shepherd.  

We may not have all the answers, but together we can explore the questions from a Christian perspective.  Call 856-589-8209 for more information.

Meetings of Ruth's Children will take place at Good Shepherd on the first Monday of each month from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.