News for this week:
- Calendar
- Sunday Schedule and Links
- Pride Festival 6/21
- VBS 6/23-26
- Outreach Committee 6/25
- No Wednesday Eucharist 6/25
- Chorister Info Session 6/27
- Announcements:
- Welcome Brett MacDonald!
- We are Hiring
- Beloved Parishioner Update
- A Fond Farewell to Leticia Laguardia
- Livestream Help?
- Mission Trip- register now
- Fill the Bins
- ONE Wake Update
- Composting
- Prayer List
- Altar Flowers
- Support Our Parish
- Raleigh Mennonite: Film screening 6/ 26
- Connect With Us
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Worship with Us!
Sunday, June 22
8 AM
8:30 AM - 12 Noon
- Nursery Care Available (infant-4 yo)
9 AM
- Sunday School (kids 4-12 yo)
- Green Team Meeting in the Parlor
10:15 AM
At 11:30 AM
- Fellowship Time hosted by Out & About
- DOK Discernment Class in Room 403
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June is Pride Month!
Say HI on Saturday, June 21:
The Church of the Good Shepherd will have a booth at OUT! Raleigh Pride Festival on June 21st from noon until 7pm on Fayetteville Street! We are offering visitors several fun takeaways including Pride bracelets, temporary tattoos, and sparkling water in special koozies with a beautiful CGS logo designed by our own Dana Deaton.
Our booth will highlight the various ways Good Shepherd supports the LGBT community, including the long standing Out and About supper club and a number of same sex marriages over the years.
Stop by and say HI. Please contact Michael Riddle if you have questions.
LGBTQ+ in the Episcopal Church
A bit of history: In the summer of 2015, just five days after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that same-sex couples had the legal right to marry, General Convention voted to amend the canons of The Episcopal Church that regulate marriage, permitting any couple the rite of Holy Matrimony. They also called for a name-change rite to honor an important moment in the lives of anyone claiming their true identity. Read more here.
Be sure to check out news and information from the Diocese and The Episcopal Church on their websites.
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Vacation Bible School Is This Week!
Vacation Bible School is finally here! More than 30 kids and lots of adult helpers are about to embark on an amazing journey to Egypt to spend time with Joseph, known for his many colored coat and his gift of interpreting dreams!
Our 2025 VBS program will take place Monday, June 23rd through Thursday, June 26th 9 AM -- 12 PM (until 2 on Thursday because there’s a pizza party!) with a bonus play date on Friday June 27th 9 -- 11 AM at Kiwanis Park (in Five Points) 2525 Noble Road, Raleigh 27608. It is going to be an exciting week. Please keep our VBS children and volunteers in your prayers!
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Outreach Committee meeting, June 25
The Outreach Committee will meet on Wednesday from 1pm to 2pm in the Ennis Suite. If you are interested in learning more, please join us! Contact Katie Chimenti or Gerard McNeill if you have any questions.
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No Wednesday Eucharist on June 25
Due to Vacation Bible School, the Wednesday Eucharist will not take place this week. We hope to see you on July 2.
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Chorister Program Information session- June 27 at Kiwanis Park
Do You Know a Child Who Loves to Sing?
The Church of the Good Shepherd is launching a chorister program this fall, and Director of Music & Organist Kirsten Homdrom (Dr. H) is hosting an information session for interested families with children in grades K-12. The information session will take place in conjunction with the VBS play date on June 27th at 9 AM at Kiwanis Park (in Five Points) 2525 Noble Road, Raleigh 27608. Be on the lookout for more information about this wonderful opportunity to praise God through music!
To learn more contact Kirsten Homdrom, Director of Music and Organist
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Welcome Brett!
Brett MacDonald, our Diocesan Intern for the summer, has recently joined us! Brett graduated from Duke Divinity School in May and is currently in the ordination process in the Diocese of North Carolina. Brett is already settling in; his first Sunday with us will be next week, June 29 .
Here's a little more about Brett: Hi! My name is Brett MacDonald and I’m so excited to be joining the Good Shepherd community this summer for my diocesan internship! I just graduated from Duke Divinity School this May and am currently in the ordination process in the Diocese of North Carolina.
I grew up in Pismo Beach, California—a coastal town between L.A. and San Francisco on Highway 1—with my parents, Kim and Dwight, and my sister, Haley. I also have a sweet niece, Parker, who turns three in September. I graduated Saint Mary’s College of California in 2021 where I studied Theology and Religious Studies as well as Business Administration. Though I was raised evangelical, I fell in love with the liturgy while attending Catholic Mass during college, which eventually led me to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church in January of 2023.
For the past two years, I’ve served as a youth leader at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh. During my time at Duke, I’ve lived in Friendship House, an intentional Christian living community where people with and without intellectual disabilities come together to eat, pray, and celebrate life together. I love playing sports, especially volleyball, tennis, and, lately, pickleball. And one more joyful fun fact: my fiancé, Andrew, and I just got engaged in May!
We’re moving to Oxford, England this August as he begins his PhD in Theology. I’m so grateful to be here and eager to get to know you all!
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We Are Hiring!
Director of Children and Family Ministries
The Church of the Good Shepherd seeks a Director of Children and Family Ministries to sustain and expand our family ministry programs. The director will oversee all children’s curricula, programs, and activities, recruit and develop a team of engaged volunteers, and foster meaningful connections with the children and families of the parish. They will create a welcoming and nurturing environment and provide opportunities for children and families to grow in their love and knowledge of God, their call to serve others, and their unique significance in the life of the parish and the world.
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Beloved Parishioner Update
The Rev. Janet Watrous has moved to Morningside of Raleigh, a memory care community. Many of you know that in the late '90s Janet was the first woman on the clergy staff of the Church of the Good Shepherd. She now, with her husband Bob Kochersberger, is a member.
If anyone would like to visit or send her a note, the address is 801 Dixie Trail, Apt. 135, Raleigh 27607. If you have any questions about Janet or about visiting her, please ask Bob: bobkochs@gmail.com or 919-345-1803. In Christ's love, Imogen
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A Fond Farewell to Leticia Laguardia
On June 22, Leticia Laguardia will celebrate her last Sunday service at Good Shepherd before returning home to her family in Brazil. Leticia has been staying with Jack and Nan Boyne as part of the international Rotary Youth Exchange and recently completed her junior year at Broughton High School. While church attendance isn’t required, Leticia has been faithfully attending services at Good Shepherd and has participated in EYC events, as well.
“We knew nothing about the Rotary program when Beth O’Connell approached us in November and asked if we’d be interested in being a host family,” said Nan Boyne. “But having two grandchildren at Broughton and a daughter in-law from Brazil made it an easy decision.” Now, the Boynes will always consider Leticia as part of their extended family.
Leticia excelled in her classwork and enjoyed being part of the Broughton dance program. Outside of school, she visited the mountains and coasts of North and South Carolina, observed a Civil War reenactment, and spent time with her family touring NYC. After final exams, Leticia joined other exchange students on a 2-week tour of the western U.S., visiting the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Yosemite National Park, and San Francisco.
Please be sure to give Leticia a fond farewell this Sunday – we wish her all the best!
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Can You Help with Our Livestream Ministry?
Our livestream ministry is vital, connecting us with homebound members and extending our reach far beyond Raleigh. If you're interested in learning more about this impactful ministry and exploring if it is something you would be available to assist with, please contact Ed Sharp or Craig DeShong
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CGS Mission Trip to Yancey County - planning meeting June 29
Next Sunday, June 29 , at 11:45 AM, Rev. Justin will host a planning meeting with everyone registered for the mission trip to Yancey County July 20-27. If you are registered for the mission trip, please plan to attend this meeting!
The Church of the Good Shepherd is sending a work team to the mountains of western North Carolina from July 20-27 to help with the Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Our team will be based at the Burnsville Rebuild Center in Yancey County, just north of Asheville.
The trip is organized by the EYC but it open to everyone in the parish. It's not too late to sign up!
For more information about the Mission Trip visit our website or contact Rev. Justin.
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Fill the bins for Food Not Bombs- through Sunday, July 6
It’s that time again! Cleaning out your closets? Food Not Bombs is a long-running mutual aid group seeking men's and women’s summer clothes, men’s shoes, summer hats, socks, new underwear, sleeping bags, and tents for distribution every Saturday in Moore Square. Items should be clean and in decent condition.
Please place your donations in the labeled bin in the PLC lobby. Contact Bethany Pergerson with any questions! Let’s fill the bins again by July 6!
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Support for the Unhoused: ONE Wake's Efforts and How You Can Help
A critical issue has emerged with NC House Bill 781, which mandates that municipalities ban unauthorized outdoor camping, effectively making it a crime for unhoused individuals to sleep outside. This bill, introduced on the last possible day, passed the House (69-42) and has been sent to the NC Senate.
While House opposition primarily focused on the state's lack of funding for incarcerations and enforcement, the more significant concern is that the bill fails to address the root causes of homelessness. Arresting and jailing impoverished individuals does not resolve poverty.
ONE Wake advocates for a housing-to-equity approach to this crisis. This proven strategy prioritizes providing individuals and families with permanent, affordable housing as a crucial first step toward ending their plight and humanely addressing homelessness.
Take Action:
- Join the CGS ONE Wake email list to stay informed on ONE Wake's initiatives.
- Mark your calendar for July 12: Attend the Affordable Housing Accountability Action at Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Elected officials who have pledged support for affordable housing will report on their progress.
- Contact your NC Senator regarding HB 781. Emphasize that incarcerating unhoused individuals does not solve homelessness.
Submitted by Jeff Whitaker, 919-696-1612 (Textable)
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Composting Made Easy – New Composting Opportunity
The ReCollective’s Community Compost program (https://therecollective.co/communitycompost/) is coming soon to The Church of the Good Shepherd! Composting is made simple, with a convenient drop-off right at church in the back parking lot. Join Good Shepherd and Raleigh Mennonite as we divert food waste and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable community. Memberships start at $3.15 per week. Please sign up now to indicate your interest in participating. Monthly billing will only start when 10 households register. Questions? Contact The ReCollective directly at megan@therecollective.co
| | The Church of the Good Shepherd Prayer List | |
- Roy Wright
- Catherine and Bob Williams
- Janet Gilliam
- Ralph Sanders
- Pete Taylor
- Martha Bailey
- Peggy Hawks
- Janie Ward-Newton
- William Short
- Paul Hoch
- JoAnn Kistler Lattimore and Charles Lattimore
- Brinley Harris
- Don Caudill
- Janet Watrous
- Jerry Smith
- Margaret Park
- Lynda Terrell-Rea
- Susie Rahal
- Josephine Currin
- Tamara Gregory
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- Betty Metheny
- Larry Phearse and Family
- Bob Kirchgessner
- Josephine Placa
- Peter Karl Sewald
- David Stroud
- Bob Wood
- Perry
- John Anthony Allen
- Patricia Harris
- The Adams Family
- the people of Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Iran
- the people of Ukraine and Russia
- victims of gun violence
- those affected by drought, heat, floods, storms, and fires.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for St. Bartholomew’s, Pittsboro; Christ Church, Raleigh; and The Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh.
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for Igreja Anglicana de Mocambique e Angola (The Anglican Church of Mozambique and Angola).
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Prayer Requests: The people of The Church of the Good Shepherd are eager to join you in lifting your prayers to God. Please tell us how we can pray with you by CLICKING HERE to submit a prayer request.
Prayer requests added to our public prayer list will be refreshed every month; please feel free to resubmit them if you would like them to remain on the prayer list.
| | Altar flowers from June 15. Photo by Peter Jezierny. | |
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If you are looking for meaningful ways to serve the parish, please consider the ministries listed below. The contacts listed will be excited to provide more information.
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An invitation from the Raleigh Mennonite Church: Film screening June 26
This year No Other Land, the film documenting the destruction of Masafer Yatta by Israeli soldiers, won an Oscar. This film by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four young activists was made as an act of creative resistance on the path to greater justice. Despite this, no US distributor has been willing to pick up the film. As far we know, no theater in Raleigh has shown the film.
We believe this is an important film that deserves our attention and our action. As such, Raleigh Mennonite has purchased a viewing of the film on June 26 at 7 pm. We would like to extend the invitation to your communities. We will show the film at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 121 Hillsborough St in downtown Raleigh.
Because this is the only showing in Raleigh and seating is limited, we're asking that each person reserves a ticket:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/no-other-land-screening-tickets-1348680021249?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Parish Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM; Fridays by appointment
Pastoral Care Emergencies
Please call the Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008
Prayer Requests
Please CLICK HERE to submit a prayer request.
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Announcements and photos to share with our parish family are always welcome!
New! Please email your contributions to Dana Deaton at cgsnews@cgs-raleigh.org
The deadline for newsletter submissions is Wednesday at 2 PM. Thank you!
Announcements may be edited for content and space.
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