Put your Halloween costumes on and join us for a night of family fun! When: Saturday, October 31st (set-up begins at 4:00 pm) Where: Hayesville Square CANDY DONATIONS NEEDED!!! Questions? Please contact Pam Roman @ 828-332-1211
November 1 is All Saints Day and we will remember all our faithful departed with a reading of names. If you have loved ones you wish remembered, please see and add their names to the sign-up sheet in the hallway.
Most of us see Christmas as a joyous time to spend with family and friends, worship, eat well and exchange gifts, but it’s no secret that Christmas is a stressful time for those who find life challenging. There are families in our community that have a difficult time meeting their kids’ clothing needs; new shoes and warm winter coats often stretch budgets to the breaking point. Good Shepherd is a major supporter of Christmas Care, a Hinton Center program that helps provide clothing for children in need. Last year Christmas Care helped meet the clothing needs of over 500 children.
This year parents will be given the opportunity to shop for baby, children and youth clothing at the Murphy Walmart on prearranged days. Christmas Care hopes to match or exceed last year’s $75.00 per child amount, but it all depends on donations.
How can we help? Good Shepherd is again putting up a Thanksgiving tree in the Narthex during November, and when you make a donation in any amount you can place an ornament on the tree. Make your checks to Good Shepherd with Christmas Care on the memo line. God is so good to us, one way we can give thanks is to cover our Thanksgiving tree with ornaments!
In-gathering Sunday is scheduled for November 1. We ask that you have your pledge and time and talent cards returned to the church by that day so that we can gather them up on the altar as an offering to the Lord. We will celebrate our in-gathering with one service of Holy Eucharist at 10 AM and a brunch to follow. The Vestry is providing the main course of smoked pork and chicken. Please sign up to bring some of your favorite side dishes and volunteer to assist for our special event. Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Parishioner Joy Fox will teach us to make our own personal crèche (nativity scene) using a coastal theme on Thursday, November 5, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. in the church undercroft. Joy has made hundreds of crèches over the years. She particularly favors using materials found on the beach and in the low-lying coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia. The Lowcountry features extensive salt marshes, tidal creeks, estuaries, and barrier Sea Islands. Joy will show us the art of replacing traditional stable elements with beach-inspired textures, colors, and ocean motifs. Your crèche may include driftwood, sand, seashells, Spanish moss, and any coastal themed treasures you may have. All materials will be provided but please feel free to bring any of your own embellishments. Please bring your hot glue gun to share if you have one. Class is limited to 20 participants. A sign up sheet will be posted on the information hallway bulletin board October 4.
CHRISTMAS CARD STAMPING BUFFET! Get started on your Christmas cards by attending our Christmas Card Buffet on Thursday, November 12th from 12:30 - ~4:00p in the Parish Hall. You will make up to 5 cards (time permitting) from a selection of 8 Christmas designs. Included in the choices will be gift card holders. Cost is $25 for 4-5 handmade cards. Light snacks will be provided. The class is limited to 16 participants so sign up soon. If the spots are filled, please add your name to the wait list and we will notify you if an opening occurs. For newcomers, all supplies will be furnished. If you decide to continue joining us on a regular basis, we will make you a basic supply box for a small fee. Please sign up on the sheet in the Parish Hallway or RSVP to Kaye TeRonde at kteronde@gmail.com or Jan Freeman at jansfreeman@gmail.com. Deadline to sign up is Friday, November 6th. If you sign up but find you are no longer able to attend, let Kaye or Jan know so we can offer the spot to someone else.
Save the Date / Mark your calendar and come join us!!! Classes are 12:30p to 4p in the Parish Hall. The dates for the Stamping Class this year are:
Thurs. March 19th
Thurs. June 11th
Thurs. September 10th
Thurs. November 12th
Reminiscing with Family and Friends - Storytelling and Capturing Family History
Parishioner and storyteller Kanute Rarey will host a workshop in our Parish Hall on Sat urday, November 21, 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Join him as he reminds us how to en gage friends and family members of all ages, over the holidays especially, in reminiscing happy times, traditions, special holidays, funny experiences, trips, difficult times, proud moments, special people, and more. He suggests participants come with questions, bring helpful hints to share and bring old photos, recipes, letters, clothing, or keepsakes to share a memory or two.
Please sign up in our information hallway. Sponsored by our Arts and Spirituality Ministry.
Save the Date: We will have an Advent Quiet Day event on Saturday morning, December 5th, 10-12 in the Parish Hall. More details will follow, but for now, save the date.
Save the Date: We will have an Advent Quiet Day event on Saturday morning, December 5th, 10-12 in the Parish Hall. More details will follow, but for now, save the date.
Attention Blood Donors! Save the Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2026. Good Shepherd will host a Red Cross Blood Drive from 12:30 - 5:30 pm in the Parish Hall. You may sign up now for your preferred appointment time by calling 1-800-RedCross (1-800-733-2767) or at www.redcrossblood.org.
On Saturday, October 24th, 9am-12pm we are having a church clean-up day. Lunch will be provided. Please, bring appropriate tools (cutters, rake, gloves, etc…) and dress for the weather. Please, call Jeff King with questions : 423-744-4107.
On Tuesday, October 20th we are hosting our Cancer Support Group in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm. We are hoping to offer support to those on the journey of dealing with, surviving, and/or caring for someone with cancer. Bring something to share in thoughts, ideas, and of course some food. Contact Jose Arias by email if you can’t attend in person but would like to be part of the meeting by zoom: jose_m_arias@hotmail.com
The Balcazar, Blanks, and Herbert families will celebrate the Holy Baptism of Harrison Roger Balcazar on October 18, 2026, at the 11:00 service. A catered reception will follow in the Parish Hall. All are invited! Harry is the son of Annie and Mario Balcazar, the brother of Frank, the grandson of Lynne Blanks and great-grandson of Suzi Herbert.
All Good Shepherd Pets and their Devoted Caretakers are invited to join in a Celebration of St. Francis with a Service of the Blessing of the Animals, Saturday, October 10th, at 3:00pm, in the Good Shepherd parking lot.
In Eucharistic Prayer C in our service of Holy Communion, there is this phrase, "God of our fathers, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ...." to which I always add, "God of our mothers, God of Sarah, Ruth, and Mary...." I choose these three women, of all biblical possibilities, for the role each has as a Matriarch in our faith story and experience.
I would like for us to explore and reflect on the role of MATRIARCH as we have seen it, in our faith story and, importantly, in each of our own stories. I like to identify myself now as being "on the Twilight Cruise." I want to own the wisdom I have accumulated and celebrate the time in my life when I can share that with my family generations following me. That's what Matriarchs do.
Let's get together to share our stories, to share THE story, and to celebrate and own our most excellent roles as Matriarchs.
If you would like to attend this year’s retreat, please contact Tawanna Dutton right away. Space is very limited. The cost for this year’s retreat is $275 and deadline to receive your payment is July 15.
The Bethel Guidry Scholarship awards 2 scholarships each year to deserving students at the 2 local high schools. Our Annual Golf Tournament raises money for these scholarships and will be held this year on September 26th. Donations payable to Good Shepherd (memo: Golf Tournament) can be left in the church office, in the offering plate, or with Sanford or Kevin in the parish hall after services. Additionally, volunteers are needed to help serve lunch and run the fund raising games on the 26th. See Kevin Conley, Sanford Freeman or Phil Klenke if you have questions.
Looking for friendly spiritual conversation, guidance, support and enrichment? The Cursillo community welcomes you. Please feel welcome to join us each third Sunday of the month during our Cursillo-sponsored coffee hour. Look for the tables on the far side of the Parish Hall.
The Ledford Chapel Boat Ramp clean-up is scheduled for 11am on Thursday, September 17th. Call Fred King at 828-361-4718 for details.
On Tuesday, September 15th we are hosting our Cancer Support Group in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm. We are hoping to offer support to those on the journey of dealing with, surviving, and/or caring for someone with cancer. Bring something to share in thoughts, ideas, and of course some food. Contact Jose Arias by email if you can’t attend in person but would like to be part of the meeting by zoom: jose_m_arias@hotmail.com
Parish Life is hosting an afternoon of fellowship, community, and good times on September 12. We’ll meet at Crane Creek at 4:00. Hope you can join us!
Parish Life invites you to join us for camping and/or just a picnic (weather permitting), September 11th at 5:00pm, at Clay County Rec Park and Campground. We reserved the first shelter (with bathrooms) when you first enter the parking lot and have it all day. Parish life will provide hot dogs, buns, and condiments. Please, bring your favorite campsite dish & your own non-alcoholic beverages. DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR FAVORITE COMFORABLE CHAIRS. If you wish to camp, you will have to make your own individual camping reservations on www.reserve.gov. If you need any help with this, please contact: Jane Bortiz (941) 914-5233. You can also reserve at Gibson Cove and walk/drive over to the Picnic Shelter. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board. Please indicate whether you will camping and/or picnicking with us. MORE DETAILS TO COME IN FUTURE BULLETINS!
In this stewardship season, you are invited to a conversation on and discernment of the grace given you for the building up of the body of Christ. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are just some of the roles within the church. For what service has God graced you? Join us for our Gifts Discernment Workshop and see! This workshop will be offered September 6, 2026 @ 12:30pm in the Parish Hall. This workshop is led by Fr. Bill+
Come join us for an afternoon of creativity and fellowship! Our next class takes place on Thursday, September 3rd from 12:30p - 4:00p in the Parish Hall. Create beautiful cards your family and friends will love to receive! Participants will create 4 cards. No experience needed!! Cost is $20. Supplies will be provided for newcomers. Class is limited to 16 participants. Sign up in the hallway so we will know how many to prepare for. If the sig- up sheet fills up, put your name on the waitlist at the bottom of the page. If you find you are unable to attend after you sign up, please let us know so we may offer the space to others. Please, see Kaye TeRonde or Jan Freeman with questions.
Mark your calendar for Mater Sunday, August 23rd. It’s time once again to celebrate one of our favorite Southern summer treats…the simple and delicious ‘MATER SANDWICH served with homemade mayonnaise, ‘tater salad, and ‘nana pudding. Kathy Wright and the Ultreya ministry have come together to provide this tasty lunch after the late service on August 23rd. There will be sandwich fixings, salad, and pudding.
We are partnering with Clay County Community for Students for their Stuff-a-Bus School Supply Drive/Back to School Bash. Final pick-up will be on August 19. Copies of the supply list can be found on the credenza & the collection box is located in the Narthex. Please contact Amanda with questions.
On Tuesday, August 18th we are hosting our Cancer Support Group in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm. We are hoping to offer support to those on the journey of dealing with, surviving, and/or caring for someone with cancer. Bring something to share in thoughts, ideas, and of course some food. Contact Jose Arias by email if you can’t attend in person but would like to be part of the meeting by zoom: jose_m_arias@hotmail.com
Looking for friendly spiritual conversation, guidance, support and enrichment? The Cursillo community welcomes you. Please feel welcome to join us each third Sunday of the month during our Cursillo-sponsored coffee hour. Look for the tables on the far side of the Parish Hall.
Members of The Order of the Daughters of the King® are women and girls between the ages of seven and one hundred and seven who desire a closer walk with the Lord. We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life, and supported through the companionship of our sisters. We are all at different stages of our Christian journey – some have just begun and some have been on this path for a long time. But no matter where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same – to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others.
We meet in the Undercroft on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be held on August 13, 2026. If you are interested or have any questions, please see Sharon Kyser or any of the Daughters.
The four canonical Gospels share common material but differ in important ways in their telling the life and ministry of Jesus. In this course we will examine in brief each of the Gospels with an eye toward comparing and contrasting the likely contexts in which the Gospels were written, their intended audiences, and editor’s intentions, their sources, their theology and themes, their common material and their unique contributions to the story of God with us.
We will meet in the Parish Hall.
July 5 - The Gospel according to Mark
July 12 - The Gospel according to Matthew
August 2 - The Gospel according to Luke
August 9 - The Gospel according to John
A memorial service for Sandra Green will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 8.
The four canonical Gospels share common material but differ in important ways in their telling the life and ministry of Jesus. In this course we will examine in brief each of the Gospels with an eye toward comparing and contrasting the likely contexts in which the Gospels were written, their intended audiences, and editor’s intentions, their sources, their theology and themes, their common material and their unique contributions to the story of God with us.
We will meet in the Parish Hall.
July 5 - The Gospel according to Mark
July 12 - The Gospel according to Matthew
August 2 - The Gospel according to Luke
August 9 - The Gospel according to John
Worry less, Paddle more!!! Attention Kayakers & Canoers: Please, sign-up to jon us for a Parish Life Paddle on Saturday, July 25th. We will put-in @ 9:30am, at the Chatuge recreation area (“The Circle”) off of Hinton Center Rd. Bring your lunch and a chair. Questions? Contact Jose 239-595-1865 or Kathy 502-525-7256.
On Tuesday, May 19th we are hosting our Cancer Support Group in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm. We are hoping to offer support to those on the journey of dealing with, surviving, and/or caring for someone with cancer. Bring something to share in thoughts, ideas, and of course some food. Contact Jose Arias by email if you can’t attend in person but would like to be part of the meeting by zoom: jose_m_arias@hotmail.com
The 3rd Annual Blueberry Festival is July 19, 2026 at 12pm. This fundraising event is held for our Dental Fund & will feature a Bake Sale and Live Music! Friends and family are welcome! Admission is your donation. Featured items will include: blueberry pancakes, sausage, applesauce and beverages! Please plan to wear blue to add to the festivities! Volunteer sign-up sheets are posted for set-up, help the day of event and clean up. Bakers, remember to sign up for your donation to the Anything Blueberry Bake Sale, too!
The Arts & Spirituality Ministry is pleased to announce an upcoming writing group to be led by Jean Gora. The "Mining Our Memories Writing Group" will meet in the library on Thursdays, 10:30am-12pm for 8 weeks, July 16 - September 3. The group will be limited to 10 participants. The purpose of the group is to articulate and share memories and written form, not to prepare a manuscript for publication. Each week, the group will select a "prompt" for the following week. Group members will write whatever they want in response to the prompt. At the next meeting, each person will have 6 minutes to read what he she has written. Once everyone has finished, the group will choose a prompt for the next session. Participants agree to treat what others say as confidential. The prompt for the first group meeting is "How I Got My Name". A sign-up sheet is in the hallway or you may contact Jean Gora at 828–389–1590 or jean@middlebass.org.
The four canonical Gospels share common material but differ in important ways in their telling the life and ministry of Jesus. In this course we will examine in brief each of the Gospels with an eye toward comparing and contrasting the likely contexts in which the Gospels were written, their intended audiences, and editor’s intentions, their sources, their theology and themes, their common material and their unique contributions to the story of God with us.
We will meet in the Parish Hall.
July 5 - The Gospel according to Mark
July 12 - The Gospel according to Matthew
August 2 - The Gospel according to Luke
August 9 - The Gospel according to John
The four canonical Gospels share common material but differ in important ways in their telling the life and ministry of Jesus. In this course we will examine in brief each of the Gospels with an eye toward comparing and contrasting the likely contexts in which the Gospels were written, their intended audiences, and editor’s intentions, their sources, their theology and themes, their common material and their unique contributions to the story of God with us.
We will meet in the Parish Hall.
July 5 - The Gospel according to Mark
July 12 - The Gospel according to Matthew
August 2 - The Gospel according to Luke
August 9 - The Gospel according to John
–Come help us celebrate our Nations 250th Birthday at our Indoor Picnic Luncheon, Sunday, July 5th immediately following the 11:00 am service!!! Parish Life will be hosting. The church is providing hot dogs and buns, French Fries, refreshments, Apple pie and ice cream . Please sign up if you'd like to donate some of your delicious side dishes to go with our hot dogs. *Volunteer sign-up sheet is also located in the Parish Hallway.*
On June 25th at 5:00, Parish Life will be hosting a Pizza and Bingo Night in the Parish Hall. Watch for sign-up sheets so we know how many pizzas we'll need.
Save the Date / Mark your calendar and come join us!!! Classes are 12:30p to 4p in the Parish Hall. The dates for the Stamping Class this year are:
Thurs. March 19th
Thurs. June 11th
Thurs. September 10th
Thurs. November 12th
