Summer Members in Mission

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NEW Members in Mission This Summer

We are creating a SPACE FOR GRACE this summer. During the school year so many people have sports and activities and other obligations. Some of us may travel this summer near and far, or take the opportunity to enjoy the weather on weekends or sleep in. Summer is a time to relax and refresh and get to know some different faces! I’d like to introduce you to a couple of new members who have taken on big roles in our new summer program:

Kathy Marbach, her husband Pete, and their girls Cora and Mabel, moved here in 2017 with the Marine Corps. She was searching for an active Lutheran church and found Good Sam. Originally from Edinburg, VA, Kathy has always been active in church and ministry everywhere she goes! She has served as a small group leader with the Virginia Synod youth, volunteered in the nursery, a VBS volunteer, and served on the council for Hispanic Ministry in California. Here at Good Sam, she has stepped up as a substitute Sunday school teacher, serves on the fellowship team and helped coordinate our thriving Eat & Play Fellowship of Families programs. This year she began teaching Spanish in an after-school program and is continuing to teach this summer at a Spanish Camp for St. Mary’s County Public Schools. Kathy is also part of the team headed to Puerto Rico in July and has previously been on a Lutheran cultural youth trip to Puerto Rico in 2008 as a trip chaperone and in 2007 she went to Guatemala to build houses. When Kathy sees a need she is ready to jump in! Why did Kathy join the Summer Programs Team? Because the Bible instructs us to TEACH our children the ways of the Lord and she believes this is the priority of the church as in Deuteronomy 11:18-21.

Josh Buyert relocated from Iowa here to Pax River a couple of years ago when he got a job as a civilian with the Navy. His wife Tabitha and their daughter Elizabeth were finally able to join him here in 2018 and they all joined Good Sam earlier this year. They also welcomed their son Connor in April. Tabitha grew up Lutheran and they tried a few churches before finding their way to Good Sam. Although they have been participating in church activities for a while, this will be Josh’s first real leadership role in the church. Josh and Robert Mack volunteered to help lead the Middle & High School youth this summer. He was involved himself as a youth and is excited to connect with that group at Good Sam. Why did Josh join the Summer Programs Team? He saw a need during our interest meeting and wanted to fill that need, he felt called to step up. His hope is that people show up and have a good time! We are excited to welcome new energy and role models for our teens and hope to create lasting connections for them with their peers and other adults in the church.

So, we invite you to come have dinner with Good Sam (Yeah, no cooking! Unless you want to bring something to share), shake up your Wednesday night and enjoy the company of others in whatever way you want to participate. Doors will open at 4:30 PM, Dinner at 5:15 PM, Angelic Voices Choir practice at 6:00 PM, an opening prayer at 6:15 PM and activities and small groups until 7:00 PM. Drop in when you can, leave when you need to, bring a friend, or make a new one! Join us in our Space for Grace this summer.