An open conversation and pondering of all things concerning God and our lives as God’s people. You are invited to bring your lunch and something to share.

Our Parish Annual Meeting is Sunday January 25, 2026. We will have ONE service at 10a.m. Rite 1 Holy Eucharist with brunch and Annual Meeting to follow. All are invited to bring a brunch item to share. The Vestry will provide ham and biscuits.

On Tuesday, January 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

An open conversation and pondering of all things concerning God and our lives as God’s people. You are invited to bring your lunch and something to share.

Cursillo- Following the 11am service on Sunday, 1/18/26, the Cursillo/3-day renewal folks will sponsor the coffee hour and reserve two tables for anyone who would like to participate in a Faith Building Group. All are welcome (even if you have not attended a 3-day weekend).

An open conversation and pondering of all things concerning God and our lives as God’s people. You are invited to bring your lunch and something to share.

An open conversation and pondering of all things concerning God and our lives as God’s people. You are invited to bring your lunch and something to share.

December 21st, we will be having ONE SERVICE (Lessons & Carols) @ 10am. The annual Christmas Cookie Exchange will be held in the parish hall following Lessons and Carol. Your donation of pre-bagged cookies is welcome! We will also have bags on hand for the exchange. See the cookie exchange table the day of the event.

On Tuesday, December 16th 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

Attention all Blood Donors - Good Shepherd will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, December 10th from 12:30 - 5:30 pm in the Parish Hall. To make an appointment call 1-800-Redcross (1-800-733-2767) or go online at Redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are always welcome but appointments are handled first. If you have questions, please contact Kathy Marcel.

Good Women of Good Shepherd, mark your calendars! December 6th will be our Advent Quiet Day this year. We will be meditating on how light is part of the Christmas story. Our time for guided meditation will be 10:00 a.m. until noon. At noon, we will share a covered dish luncheon. The retreat time is designed to be silent. You are encouraged to bring a holiday project (like the writing and addressing of Christmas cards) which you can do alone and silently. We will be gathering in the Parish Hall. This quiet time is a lovely way to enter into the season in a focused and contemplative way. I look forward to sharing the time with you. Bev

The Arts and Spirituality Committee is organizing a trip to Brevard, NC on Friday, December 5, to view St. Philip’s Episcopal Church’s famous annual crèche exhibit. We will be leaving the church parking lot at 9:00am, get to Brevard about 11:15, view the exhibit until about 12:30, have lunch together at a local, popular restaurant and then leave for home, getting back by about 4:00pm. See the exhibit description below, and if interested, sign up in the information hallway by Monday, December 1, or let Betsi Wilson know (404-313-2311) if you would like to join in. Exhibit is free. Lunch is self-pay.

NO ROOM AT THE INN Founded in 2022, the festival has become a Brevard Christmas tradition, welcoming several hundred visitors each year. St. Philip’s will open its doors Dec. 4-6, for the annual “No Room at the Inn” exhibit, a display of more than 100 beloved cre ches collected from around the world on loan from members and friends of the church. Admission is free, and visitors are invited to wander the aisles of the historic church and experience the beauty and variety of the manger scenes. There will be live music throughout the day, and children can participate in a scavenger hunt as they view the displays.

Every year Good Shepherd hosts a Thanksgiving dinner prepared in community by our parishioners. We beautifully decorate the parish hall, while the turkeys are in the oven filling the space with their aromas. The church provides turkeys, ham, mashed potatoes, and gravy and Parishioners sign up to bring tasty sides and scrumptious desserts.

If you don't have plans yet, come join your Church Family for a festive celebration of Thanksgiving. Those attending will help fill out the rest of the meal by signing up and giving us an idea of what side dish and/or desert they plan to bring. We really need you to sign up because we need to know how many places to set and want to make sure we have enough turkey. When you do sign up, you will have an opportunity to list what you want to bring. This will ensure a good variety of sides and desserts. After all, it's the extensive choices of sides and deserts that makes this event a feast!

We will need help to set up and clean up. We will also need help receiving food prior to the 11 am service as people arrive with their contributions. Pies and cakes will also need slicing. Sign-up sheets will be in the information hallway.

Questions? Call Jose Arias at 239-595-1865 or email jose_m_arias@hotmail.com

Our Arts and Spirituality ministry, chaired by Kathy Marcel, announces the publication of an Advent Reflections and Meditations booklet to be introduced to the Parish on Sunday, November 23. The booklet contains poetry, personal stories and many other memories, art and scripture submitted by Good Shepherd parishioners and clergy. “We hope the booklet will bring joy and special meaning to readers during this holy season,” said Marcel. Please drop by the Parish Hall during coffee hour after both services on November 23, to pick up your copy and meet friends who contributed to this booklet.

This month, we will begin offering 2 new classes, offered by Instructor, Karen Goff: Moving Meditation and Tai Chi.

Moving Meditation Class will be offered each Tuesday at 1pm, beginning Tuesday, 11/18/25. This class consists of warm ups, balance poses, tapping, and the 18 postures known as Shibashi. The postures are fluid and easy to learn. The breath is coordinated with the movement. Benefits include greater flexibility, reduced stress, and enhanced immune system. 1 hour long, no mat required, $5 suggested donation.

Tai Chi Class will be offered each Thursday at 1pm, beginning Thursday, 11/20/25. This class consists of warm ups, breath work, tapping (which stimulates blood and energy flow along with reducing stress), and learning the "form". The form is a variation of the Yang Style short form. Benefits include strengthening the body, focusing the mind, better balance and coordination. 1 hour long, no mat required, $5 suggested donation.

While sign-up isn’t required to participate, it is helpful for to have an idea of anticipated participation. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the information hallway.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Karen directly at 352-339-4772.

This month, we will begin offering 2 new classes, offered by Instructor, Karen Goff: Moving Meditation and Tai Chi.

Moving Meditation Class will be offered each Tuesday at 1pm, beginning Tuesday, 11/18/25. This class consists of warm ups, balance poses, tapping, and the 18 postures known as Shibashi. The postures are fluid and easy to learn. The breath is coordinated with the movement. Benefits include greater flexibility, reduced stress, and enhanced immune system. 1 hour long, no mat required, $5 suggested donation.

Tai Chi Class will be offered each Thursday at 1pm, beginning Thursday, 11/20/25. This class consists of warm ups, breath work, tapping (which stimulates blood and energy flow along with reducing stress), and learning the "form". The form is a variation of the Yang Style short form. Benefits include strengthening the body, focusing the mind, better balance and coordination. 1 hour long, no mat required, $5 suggested donation.

While sign-up isn’t required to participate, it is helpful for to have an idea of anticipated participation. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the information hallway.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Karen directly at 352-339-4772.

On Tuesday, November 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

Have you made your choices regarding how you might continue the generosity and service that is the legacy of Good Shepherd? If you have not already done so, please return your pledge cards and Time and Talent choices to the church (to the office or in the drop box in the Narthex) by November 2. That is Ingathering Day, when we thank God for the many blessings he provides, and which allow us to bless others with our gifts of time, talents and treasures. We will be celebrating with a meal in the Parish Hall after the 10:00 am service. Good Shepherd will provide ham and biscuits. Please bring a side dish to share. Signup sheets are in the hallway.

We will be participating in this year’s Trunk or Treat on the Hayesville Square and we need your help with candy donations. There is a collection bin located in the Narthex where donations may be placed through Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

Come join Parish Life at the Peacock at 7:30pm on Saturday, October 25th for an evening of ghost stories, spooky songs, mad music, tricky tricks and tasty treats. We will be meeting at Nocturnal at 5:30pm for a fellowship dinner before the show. Please sign up in the Parish Hallway if you plan to meet for dinner.

Attention! We will have some delicious Brunswick Stew for sale after BOTH services next Sunday, October 12, 2025.

All animal moms, dads, and friends, take note. The annual St. Francis Blessing of the animals will be held in the church courtyard on Saturday, October 4 at 10:00 AM. As St. Francis called animals his friends, we invite you to bring your friends to receive God's blessing for the coming year.

The “ber” months are here. It's time to clean up the church grounds and put things to rest for the winter. If you’re available and would like to come help, we'll be gathering at the church on September 27th at 9am. Lunch will be provided and we ask that you please sign-up if you plan to participate. Bring your gloves, clippers and anything you might need to get the job done! Please call Jeff with any questions: 423-744-4107

Spiritual Journaling, a spiritual practice that incorporates Gratitude, Paying Attention, and Reflection, is a powerful tool for self-development & awareness and spiritual growth. There are many different journaling methods, and when starting out, it can be unclear where to begin, or what technique to use. If you’re interested in journaling, you are invited to join in a time to learn from one another and share our journaling experiences. Our class will be held from 10-11:30am in the Library each Thursday in September: 4, 11, 18, 25.

Please, contact Carol Smucker with questions/interest: 706-994-8104 or carolsmucker@hotmail.com

Interested in learning how to make a pretty hand made card? Come join our Stamping Class for a day of creativity and fellowship. No experience needed. Your class instructors, Kaye TeRonde and Jan Freeman will guide you through the steps to create a greeting card friends and family will cherish. All supplies provided. The next date is Wednesday, September 24th from 1p to 4p in the Parish Hall. Cost is $12 for 4 cards. Sign up on the hallway bulletin board if you plan to attend. For further information contact Kaye TeRonde at kteronde@gmail.com or Jan Freeman at jansfreeman@gmail.com.

Attention Good Shepherds: Your Arts and Spirituality Steering Committee has be gun work on preparing a booklet of Meditations for Ad vent. You are invited to submit a avorite poem, photo, scripture or an Advent tradition/memory to the committee to be considered for inclusion in the final pub lication. Watch for detailed submission guidelines in the July newsletter. The deadline for submission is Septem ber 22nd. To get those creative juices flowing, an exam ple of the 2020 Lenten booklet is on display on the hall bulletin board for you to review.

Saturday, Sept. 20th is the date of the annual Bethel-Guidry Scholarship Golf Tournament. This scholarship funds a scholarship for a student from Clay County AND Towns County!!! The scholarship awards are up to $10,000 for a 4 year degree and $6,000 for a 2 year degree. This has been a very impactful event and provides significant assistance to students in our area.

Please help us with your donation marked: “Golf Tournament” and mail or drop by the church. We will be collecting at weekly services in a few weeks also. We also need volunteers for the day of the event.

Please, see Kevin Conley or Sanford Freeman with questions.

Spiritual Journaling, a spiritual practice that incorporates Gratitude, Paying Attention, and Reflection, is a powerful tool for self-development & awareness and spiritual growth. There are many different journaling methods, and when starting out, it can be unclear where to begin, or what technique to use. If you’re interested in journaling, you are invited to join in a time to learn from one another and share our journaling experiences. Our class will be held from 10-11:30am in the Library each Thursday in September: 4, 11, 18, 25.

Please, contact Carol Smucker with questions/interest: 706-994-8104 or carolsmucker@hotmail.com