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!
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
The Ledford Chapel Boat Ramp clean-up is scheduled for 11am on Thursday, September 17th. Call Fred King at 828-361-4718 for details.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Fr Bill is hosting another of his famous Newcomers Brunch on Sunday, June 7th, in the Undercroft immediately following the 11:00 o'clock service. If you are new to our church family in the past six months to a year, you are invited! Please come for a light lunch and this personal welcoming gathering to our church family on behalf of Fr Bill.
Sold Out!
Our Good Shepherd Parish family and the community are invited to a special concert featuring strings, woodwinds, keyboard and vocals performed by talented local and regional artists. Summer Classics…Beethoven to Broadway will be held Saturday, June 6, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm in the church nave.
Musicians include many local and regional artists. Harry Baughn will emcee. Organizer Phil Cox said, “We have remarkable talent in the area that we look forward to highlighting and sharing with our audience.” So invite friends to join us or send them to this web page to order tickets! Seating is limited. A champagne reception in the Parish Hall will follow the performance.
Tickets are $15 each and should be purchased in advance here, or by calling the church office at 828-389-3397 Monday through Thursday 9:00am to 3:00pm. (Sold out)
The Still Place is a Non-Profit Organization who offers a peaceful place for rest, relaxation, and enjoyment to individuals and families experiencing serious life altering illness or loss of a child. Healing and hope are fostered through uniquely designed, single family retreats at no cost to the family. Families enjoy art, nature, spirituality, and southern Appalachian culture and adventures. Good Shepherd has partnered with The Still Place since its inception through f inancial assistance as well as needed volunteers from our loving parish family.
On Sunday, May 31, after the 11 o'clock service, our parish will host a delicious spaghetti lunch as a fundraiser for The Still Place. Ron Dutton will be our principal chef in preparing his grandmother Rose's extraordinary, authentic pasta sauce. Please plan on staying after the service to enjoy this fine meal and to learn more about The Still Place.
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
Calling all Grazers to sign up in the information hallway for the next three months session (June, July & August). The weather has improved and it is getting lighter every day so no excuses. Enjoy a home cooked meal and lively conversation with other parishioners. Any questions, please see Nora Broszeit.
On May 16th, Parish Life is enjoying a hike at Duke’s Creek Falls in Helen, GA. We'll meet at church at 10:00am, then carpool or caravan. Don’t forget to pack a lunch & bring water! Sign up if you plan to attend.
THEN … We are meeting at 4:00pm, for fellowship at Crane Creek Stone House Tasting Room 1040 Crane Creek Rd, Young Harris, GA 30582
Please sign up for one or both events in the hallway.
Join us at Good Shepherd on May 8, 2026, at 7pm as we welcome the Valley River Ringers! The Valley River Ringers have been ringing together for about 12 years. They ring on 4 octaves of bells and choir chimes. They ring level 3 and 4 in handbell music which is commonly known as moderate difficult music. The ringers come from Georgia, North Carolina and they meet at the First United Methodist church in Murphy where their director, Suzanne West, is the music director
May 3rd, our Bishop will be visiting! We will have one service at 10:00am, followed by Brunch with the Bishop in the Parish Hall. Your donation of a side brunch item is welcome!
A Floral Design class is being sponsored by the Flower Guild on Friday, May 1, 2026, 10am – 12pm. Come learn the basics of flower arranging and stay for flower planting. We're asking those who would like to add a plant to the church garden to bring a small plant in honor of all mothers and stay after the floral class to plant them, with our Master Gardener’s assistance. If you can't make the class and you'd like to donate a flower, please contact Jeff @ 423-744-4107.
PLEASE JOIN US for the special reception celebrating the marriage of Beverly and Allen Lewis, following the Marriage Blessing and 11:00am service in the Parish Hall, Sunday, April 19. If you plan to attend, please sign the RSVP on the Bulletin Board in the Information Hallway. Food will be provided. Just bring your love and good wishes.
