Dear Family of Good Shepherd,
I write with pastoral news, which many of you heard in Church on Sunday.
Flo Barber has had a stroke. It has affected one side of her body and her ability to communicate.
The family is working with the hospital staff to determine what comes next, i.e., whether Flo will receive care at home, or move to a nursing facility. Flo knows that members of the parish are praying for her, and please know that this means a great deal to Flo and the family. Indeed, part of how prayer works is the sense of comfort and community it gives to the ones prayed for.
The family is very focused on Flo and her care, so I encourage you to not call or text, but to send cards to the home. As we hear further news, we shall keep you posted via these blasts. Some parishioners don’t have e-mail and I ask that you join me in keeping them informed as well.
Many of you will remember that this past Fall, we celebrated Flo’s 90th Birthday with special prayers and coffee hour. Flo has been a member of the Diocese for all of her 90 years, and a member of our Parish for many, many years.
Gracious God, we thank you for your healing, loving presence and pray especially for Flo and her family at this time, that they may feel themselves held in the arms of your compassion. We pray that Flo may know release from suffering in body, mind or spirit. We give thanks for all those who minister to her – EMTS, nurses, doctors, orderlies and staff of the hospital, for her family, and for her deep faith. Be with all those who love Flo, especially her family. AMEN
In peace and prayer, and with gratitude for our shared life in community
Rev. Gwyneth