Father Mike Tess

Hey Good Shepherd,

Did you know that I love roller coasters?  While we were in Florida, my daughter Ann and I went on about 20 roller coasters .  I love the safety talks you always get before the ride begins.  "Please keep your seatbelt securely fastened, and feet your hands and feet inside the ride at all times".  I have always tried to follow these rules for safety and I feel like we could use the same speech for the adventure we are beginning this fall. 

On Saturday, Sept 14,  Jerry Simono,  Reitha Johnson, Art Hollender and I attended a debt reduction workshop aimed for parishes of the Milwaukee Diocese  which was held at St. Aidan’s in Hartford.  The presenter  for this  was Erin Weber-Johnson,  from  the National  Episcopalian Church foundation’s capital campaign department.  Erin is coming to Good Shepherd to meet with the Bishop’s committee on Oct 14^th.  She will help us put together a capital campaign to eliminate the mortgage on the church over the next three to five years.  We will also be able to kick off the endowment fund that Jerry Simono and his group have been working so hard on.  I came away from the day very excited and fired up.  I believe that the next five years are going to be challenging,  but as exciting, just as the roller coasters I have come to love. 

We are off to an awesome start this fall.  I am thankful for Laura Adams and all the teachers and parish members who have worked so hard to get our church school and fall programs rocking.  I continue to be so grateful for all the hard work of the church leadership.  I am thankful for the guidance and direction of the diocese and Bishop Miller and the diocesan staff. 

It’s a great time to be at the best darn church in the shooting match.  Have a blessed October. 

Father Mike