Parish Life is planning a trip to Gibbs Gardens on Wednesday, April 17th, weather permitting, to view the beautiful spring flowers. If you’d like to join us, please sign up in the hallway by Sunday, April 14th to help us get a group rate. Car pools will leave from the church parking lot at 9:00am. Please contact Mili Arias for more information.

The Maundy Thursday watch ends with Stations of the Cross at 7a.m. Good Friday morning. In this brief service participants physically follow the cross as it moves toward the crucifixion with each reading.

At noon on Friday we hear the account in Holy Scripture of the Lord’s trial, suffering, and death. A large cross is borne into the center of the church where we each have an opportunity to pray before the cross and add our nail at its foot. Following Holy Communion (from the Sacrament consecrated Thursday night), we leave the church in silence.

At the Passover Meal, Jesus gave the new commandment (mande) that we should love one another as he first loved us. We begin at 7p.m. with a simple meal followed by the demonstration of self-giving in the washing of one another's feet. Following Eucharist in the sanctuary, the church is stripped of all decoration just as Jesus was stripped of his garments before his crucifixion. All candles and lamps are extinguished, symbolizing the darkness of the world without God.

On Tuesday at 11 a.m. we offer a healing service in which we will bring all our family generations into the cleansing work of Holy Week. Participants will be given a family tree form on which to list the wounds, diseases, addictions, etc. found in our family histories so that, by repenting on our family's behalf, we may interrupt the destructive cycle. Our trees will be offered on the altar at Communion for God's blessing and healing. A light lunch will be offered following the service by the Good Shepherd Healing Ministry.

The Chancel Choir at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville, NC, will present the cantata “Once Upon a Tree” by Pepper Choplin at 10a.m. on Palm Sunday March 24th. This moving and beautiful cantata recounts Jesus' last days as told through the eyes of Luke the Physician. All are invited to attend the cantata and worship service, which usher in a variety of ways to immerse ourselves in Holy Week.

Good Shepherd’s annual Lenten Fish Fry will take place Friday, March 22, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in the parish hall. ALL ARE WELCOME! Menu includes cod/catfish, French fries, coleslaw, dessert and beverage. Advance tickets will be sold after services March 10 and 17, or at the door. Prices are $10, 12 years old to adult; $5, 5 to 11 years old; under 5, free. The dinner is open to everyone so bring friends. All proceeds from the fish fry go to community outreach. Volunteer sign up sheets will be in the hallway, so please consider signing up to help. For questions or more information, contact Mary Rose Figura.

At 7pm on Holy Saturday we celebrate new life with the relighting of the Paschal candle using a spark generated the Native American way by Darry Wood. We then celebrate the first Holy Eucharist of Easter.

Holy Week culminates in Easter services at 9am and 11am. The Easter celebration of resurrected life is made all the more glorious because it represents our resurrection as well after walking through the week with Jesus. Naturally, it includes sharing a bountiful potluck brunch at noon, taking pictures in our finery, and watching the children hunt for Easter eggs. The Lord is Risen! Hallelujah!

Lenten Supper Series – “Learning to be Faithful: A Living Faith” led by The Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton. The five sessions of this program will begin each Wednesday, February 21 through Wednesday, March 20. Please join us in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm for a simple dinner of soup, salad and bread, followed by the program promptly at 6:00pm.

Lenten Supper Series – “Learning to be Faithful: A Living Faith” led by The Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton. The five sessions of this program will begin each Wednesday, February 21 through Wednesday, March 20. Please join us in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm for a simple dinner of soup, salad and bread, followed by the program promptly at 6:00pm.

March 9, 10:00 AM until tired. Lunch served 12:00pm; pizza and salad. Bring gloves, rakes, shovels, cleaning and dusting cloths, etc. There will be something for everyone to do! Special thank you to Jeff King and Gail Criss: Jeff King, Master Gardner, will be the leader of the merry band of outside cleanup folks and Gail Criss will lead the inside group.

Lenten Supper Series – “Learning to be Faithful: A Living Faith” led by The Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton. The five sessions of this program will begin each Wednesday, February 21 through Wednesday, March 20. Please join us in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm for a simple dinner of soup, salad and bread, followed by the program promptly at 6:00pm.

Lenten Supper Series – “Learning to be Faithful: A Living Faith” led by The Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton. The five sessions of this program will begin each Wednesday, February 21 through Wednesday, March 20. Please join us in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm for a simple dinner of soup, salad and bread, followed by the program promptly at 6:00pm.

Time for a first time in a long time Father Bill Newcomers Brunch. For everyone new to our church family post COVID, please accept our invitation and attend this personal welcoming meal together. Join Father Bill in the undercroft on Sunday the 25th of February after the 1100am service.

Lenten Supper Series – “Learning to be Faithful: A Living Faith” led by The Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton. The five sessions of this program will begin each Wednesday, February 21 through Wednesday, March 20. Please join us in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm for a simple dinner of soup, salad and bread, followed by the program promptly at 6:00pm.

Don’t miss it. Real from scratch buttermilk pancakes (a special recipe made with fresh eggs, buttermilk, butter, special flour). Special -- Still Waters Landing Farm, Fires Creek, Handmade Sausage, warm maple syrup, apple sauce, apple or orange juice, great coffee and tea. Gluten Free Pancakes on request. Sugar Free syrup on request.

Brought to you by the youth of the Order of Saint George with help from family and friends. All proceeds will go to children and youth ministries.

Cost is $ 7.00 for age 12 and older and $3.00 for 11 and under. Tickets on sale in the Narthex on Sunday February 4th, 11th, and at the door.

Invite your neighbors and friends for a simple but great meal served by our youth. Best pancakes and sausage in Western North Carolina and North Georgia.

On Feb. 11, Jay Miller and Kathy Wright are fixing soup for lunch during the late service Coffee Hour. The soup lunch coincides with the Super Bowl football game day. The day is chosen because, well, Souper Bowl can take advantage of the publicity. We are however commercial free and we do not have a halftime show.

Kathy started doing this a number of years ago. Here is a bit of history. The idea has been to raise awareness of food insecurity in our community. Souper Bowl has had a national following. Churches would put out a soup pot and ask for donations that were to be used locally for a food pantry or other institution that addresses food insecurity. There is/was a phone number to call to report how much money was raised. The last time I checked, the national total was more than 3 million dollars.

Rather than ask for money, Jay and I are asking folks to come have a bowl of soup with us and if so moved, bring a package of dried soup such as Raman, Knorr, or Lipton. Your donation will be going to the Hurlbert Johnson Homeless Shelter. The shelter does not have a kitchen or refrigerator to prepare and store food. They do have boiling water. Sometimes people arrive hungry and some hot soup is especially welcome in this cold weather.

We hope many will participate, enjoying the fellowship and helping feed others.

Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ – On Sunday, February 4, there will be a blessing of candles during each service. You may bring your devotional candles to be blessed.

The church’s Feast of the Epiphany, January 6th, celebrates the visit of the magi, the wise men, to the Holy Family. This January 6th, however, we will have the opportunity to recast this story as this event: BABY SHOWER by the WISE WOMEN of GOOD SHEPHERD.

The women of Good Shepherd, and girlfriends they might wish to include, are invited to the parish hall at Good Shepherd, at 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 6th, to honor and celebrate the moms and babies who could use our help. You are invited to bring an oh-so-practical gift, like diapers (even larger sizes like pull-ups), small packages of baby wipes, baby lotion, etc. to be donated to Matt’s Ministry and the homeless shelter in Murphy. You are also invited to bring a personal care product for Mom. This could be shower wash, sham poo, body lotion, etc.

We also want to celebrate Epiphany as the Season of Light, and the spreading of the Light of Christ beyond ourselves. To that end, you are invited to bring a small candle – any kind/container – that will easily fit into a small paper lunch bag (provided at the event). If you wish, you can include an Epiphany wish or greeting for the Good Shepherd sister who will be the recipient of your candle bag. As part of our festivities we will have a candle bag swap.

As the women of Good Shepherd, we can celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with our own wisdom and understanding of motherhood. We are Wise Women. And we have our own way of letting women in need know that we care. And we have the wisdom to know that our own sisterhood in enhanced, celebrated, and enjoyed by our gathering together. So, come to the BABY SHOWER by the WISE WOMEN, and let your light shine. See you there. Bev

For many, failing health, financial changes, the loss of a loved one, and other losses can make the holiday season one filled with sadness, grief, and despair instead of joy and hope. We come together this day in the presence of God to support each other, to hear God’s words of hope, to receive the laying on of hands and prayer, and to be strengthened for the days ahead through receiving the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. All are welcome. A simple lunch will follow. This gathering is sponsored by the Good Shepherd Healing Prayer Ministry. Contact Fr. Bill for more information

Originating in ancient China, Tai Chi has practitioners worldwide and is particularly popular as a form of gentle exercise and moving meditation. Tai Chi improves strength, flexibility, aerobic conditioning and balance. It’s been proven to improve cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, help prevent falls and help people who have arthritis. The deliberate movements help people to feel more relaxed, grounded and present in their bodies. This lowers anxiety, stress and depression; while improving memory, focus and sleep.

Tai Chi will be offered Mondays and Thursdays, beginning December 18th at 4:00pm here at Good Shepherd. Remember to wear loose, comfortable clothing and supportive shoes. Our instructor is Emmet Bondurant, certified by the Tai Chi for Health Institute. Suggested donation of $5.00.

For the people you love and to whom you want to give a holiday gift, but yet they have everything they want or need already, there exists the category of alternative gift. This is a gift given to a needy cause in honor and memory of someone you would designate. There are many agencies which sponsor such programs. One which has been active for a very long time is the Heifer Project. Another one is GIFTS FOR LIFE, sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development. These agencies have websites and catalogues from which you can order.

OR…..you can visit our Parish Hall following the services on December 3rd or 10th and purchase a card crafted to indicate that you have made a gift in your loved one’s honor to the Clean Water Project of Episcopal Relief and Development. The installation of functioning and sanitary wells and water systems in remote villages by Episcopal Relief and Development not only insures clean drinking water for the entire village, but it also frees women, whose job it has traditionally been to haul water from distant sources, to contribute otherwise to sustenance and care for their families. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, write a check to Episcopal Relief and Development for $10, put it in the basket with the display, and take a card with a stamped envelope to send to your loved one. Good Shepherd will forward all the donations to Episcopal Relief and Development. Note: all contributions to ERD have the highest amount possible going directly to the specific cause described, as administrative costs are covered by the Episcopal Church

Our Silent Retreat, scheduled for December 9th, in the Parish Hall, is designed to be a Christmas Card Preparation Event. You are asked to bring cards to write and address. The meditative atmosphere will give the opportunity to think in a truly caring way, and to pray for each individual and family with whom you are communicating through your Christmas correspondence.

At the conclusion of our card-writing time, we will share a simple group lunch. Please bring something to share that needs little or no preparation before serving.

Coffee will be provided at the beginning of the event. Please arrive by 9:45 the morning of the 9th. We may need a few minutes to set up more tables and get the room organized. The opening meditation will begin at 10:00. We will conclude with a meditation and move into lunch at noon.

Please be sure to bring with you all the card and writing supplies you will need.

I look forward to sharing this time with you.
Bev