Community Care & 

Connection

Lutheran Care 12 Days of Giving

The families and students of Good Shepherd have always been generous at Christmas time in supporting the Lutheran Care Christmas Hampers. Lutheran Care’s Emergency Relief teams recently told us which items their pantries are running desperately low on and what is helpful for families in need at Christmas time. You can find these items listed in the accompanying poster. 

To get involved you are invited to find the items in your pantry or add an item to your shopping list, then send the donations to school with your child on the day listed on the poster. There will be reminders for item donations on Seesaw at the beginning of each week from Week 3 to Week 8. 

While Lutheran Care are listing 12 different items to be collected over the 12 Days of Giving, we understand that some families may not be able to stretch their budget this far and we are grateful for any donations you are able to give. We look forward to the front office being filled with Christmas Hamper donations.

KAPS – Years 2- 7 – Younger siblings welcome

We had a lot of fun on Sunday. The weather was kind and we enjoyed outdoor water games, inside worship and a meal afterwards. 

Our last KAPS event for this year is coming up on Sunday 26th November, from 4 to7pm. (Please note extended time.) We will be celebrating Christmas in November, so pop it in your diaries now! 

Rachel and Georgie

Coffee and Connect

How has your week been? Any challenges? Any celebrations?  I’m sure you have some stories to share! If you have a few minutes (or a lot of minutes) and you feel like meeting some people or reuniting with older friends, you are most welcome to pop into the Church Café tomorrow morning (Friday) 8:30am to 10:00am and share some tea/ coffee and conversation!

Why not invite someone along this week? You never know how you might change someone’s day (for the better) just by turning up and having a chat! Please enter via the courtyard. Toddlers are welcome (there is a small playground for them to play in; we just ask that you keep an eye on them for safety reasons).  See you tomorrow!

Blessings,

Georgie

Save the Date

Friendly Faces 2024

Are you interested in being a ‘friendly face’ for new Foundation families next year?

As we continue to seek ways to welcome and support new families in our school, we would like to offer a new opportunity to get to know one another and build relationships! The idea is that an existing school family is ‘buddied’ with a new school family (or perhaps more than one family) to help them with joining and becoming valued members of our school community. 

It might look like:

• A welcome phone call to the family prior to school starting.
• Being a ‘friendly face’ around the school.
• Acting as a resource for sharing information about school routines. E.g. How to order food from the canteen or uniform questions.
• Perhaps even organising a playdate.
• Sitting with them at the school’s Welcome Party.

These are just suggestions… You might have your own ideas!

We need a number of school families to respond to this invitation for this initiative to happen. If this is something that you are interested in, please contact Georgie via email by Thursday 23rd November.

Further information regarding logistics will be shared with you once you have registered your interest.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Blessings,

Georgie

Live Christmas Trees

Birdwood Lutheran Church is offering live Christmas trees for $50. Trees are either 6 or 7 feet. (That’s around 2 metres.)  All money raised goes to supporting school chaplains in Adelaide Hills schools. If you have any questions or would like to place an order, contact John Dolling 0409 819 864 or via email. 

• Orders need to be placed no later than Sunday 26th November. 
• Trees will be available on Saturday 9th December.

Growing Faith at Home

Yesterday, 1st November, was ‘All Saints Day’... a day to remember loved ones who have passed away. Losing someone you love is difficult and it takes time to process. God understands and is with us, even as we mourn, offering his comfort.

Perhaps you might like to:

• Light a candle for any of your relatives or friends who have died.
• Share memories. 
• Read Revelation 21:1-4 and pray this prayer: 'Lord God, we thank you for the life of (name). Thank you for the blessings that came to us through them. Thank you that they now have eternal life with you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.’ 

Have a look at this week’s resource for more ideas to consider.