Sara Mann and Julia Boudrye were the Good Shepherd full-time Summer interns this year. As interns, the two of them helped teach Summer Sunday School, chaperone various elementary and teen Youth activities, built the Vacation Bible School sanctuary decorations and led the Vacation Bible School Elementary Bible Drama station. (They were really VERY busy this Summer.) Their work was crucial to our church’s ability to provide a large variety of children and Youth programs this Summer.

Both of the interns have a great personality and tremendous skills in working with kids. However, they are very different individuals. Sara is a senior at the University of Delaware. She has a double major of History and Women’s Studies. Julia is a junior at Roanoke College where she majors in Psychology.

“Julia and Sara are joy to work with,” enthuses Frances Foltz, Good Shepherd’s Ministry Developer. “They enjoy what they do and it shows. We spend lots of our time laughing and smiling as we work.”

Pastor Dave Sonnenberg comments, “Sara and Julia have been a tremendous gift to our congregation, our teens, and our church staff. I have appreciated their leadership this Summer and the great relationships they have fostered. They are team players and have been a great blessing to our staff and congregation.

“With them on board, we have been able to push the ministry forward this Summer. We will miss having them around when they head back to school, but know that they will be a blessing to their college communities. We hope to see them around Good Shepherd next Summer!” Pastor Dave added. (Both Mann and Boudrye families are very active at Good Shepherd, so that last statement’s a given.)

Both Julia and Sara also assisted during Sunday and Thursday worship services and delivered children’s sermons. Julia preached the message at Thursday evening worship on Aug. 18, and Sara will preach at Sunday worship on Aug. 28 at both 9 and 11:30 a.m. Support Pastor Ted Schneider observes, “They are great, and have been a great addition and presence for us all Summer. I have been impressed with their energy, insight and real spiritual depth. Solid! Solid!”

From my perspective as director of Youth Ministry, working with Julia and Sara this Summer has been a real treat. I scheduled a very busy Summer of Youth events, and it was great to know that I could count on both of them to not only attend but also interact with the Youth a lot. There were many occasions where I leaned on them heavily for decisions and help in preparation for an event, and they always stepped up and did what needed to be done.

They were both able to work extremely hard without losing focus on the fellowship aspect of working and events. Julia and Sara both kept the working mood light and humorous, which definitely kept me sane. On occasion, if I was tired or stressed I knew they would reenergize me and make the day fun and carefree again.

It has truly been a blessing to work with both of these young women this Summer and I wish them the best as they move forward in their academic careers. Maybe we’ll see one or both of them back working at the church in the future. We can only hope!

-- Youth Director David Shaffer

Sara and Julia in Action at Good Shepherd

• Bible Drama Crew
• Sara Picking Berries
• Julia at Mar-Lu Ridge
• Sara playing Putt-Putt
• With the Youth at Work Camp
• Meditating on a break at Gettysburg Bike Ride