I invite you to consider a daily prayer practice. Prayer can help shift us into a place of renewal and growth. This is a place where our life is no longer about us but instead we are joined with the greater love of God. I invite you to a practice of daily renewal in this love.  Learn more about how this might contribute to your spiritual growth in this week’s Sunday Spotlight. I look forward to worshipping with you online and in person this Sunday.

OUTDOOR HOLY EUCHARIST AT WINDSOR BEGINNING SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 | THE COMMON We will gather at 9:15am on Sundays in the great outdoors for a relaxed worship experience on the church lawn. This shortened service features music in the style of Communion Cafe, a brief reflection, and Holy Communion. You are welcome to bring your own blanket or chairs, and we will also have chairs available. Tune your hearts to recognize the wonder of worship amongst God's creation!

GOOD SHEPHERD FARMERS MARKET | SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 Lono's returns again with their delicious hamburgers as well as Farmer August with his eggs. Shop some wonderful goodies and perhaps enjoy a picnic on the lawn. Gathering outside is the thing to do these days! The Good Shepherd Farmers Market is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine, until September 25th. Volunteering at the market is a wonderful way to support this ministry and to get some shopping done early! Please sign up here for a shift. Receive weekly updates from the Good Shepherd Farmers Market by sending us an email.

ONE BOOK ONE PARISH The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker “Crucible moments ... are challenging moments in our lives that shape us in some deep way and shift our lens on the world. They are stories that define us in our own minds - and that, nevertheless, seldom comes up in the ordinary course of conversation.” ― Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering: Create Transformative Meetings, Events, and Experiences As a church, gathering seems to be at our core. We gather for worship on Sunday mornings, yes, but we gather in so many other ways that allow us to engage in conversations about our "crucible moments". We are excited about reading The Art of Gathering in hopes of helping us re-imagine our weekly gatherings and to help us hold on to much of what we feel we have learned over the past 18 months. Check out this podcast episode of Dare to Lead with Brene Brown to learn about Priya Parker. Order your copy here and stay tuned to join the discussion!

OUTREACH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Gift Cards for Afghan refugees: As we watch events in Afghanistan, we long for ways to be helpful. Please consider donating gift cards that will be shared with refugees arriving in Austin in the coming weeks. Gift cards from HEB, Walmart, Target, Goodwill, or Dollar Tree are all welcome in an increment you choose. Please write the amount of the gift card so it is visible. We will deliver the gift cards to Refugee Services of Texas on Tuesday, September 7th. Please mail or drop off your gift cards through the drop box located at the back of the Admin Building on our Windsor campus. For questions about this effort please contact Aimee Bostwick. Farmers Market Volunteers: We need a few more volunteers for our 12:30p shift at our market this Saturday, August 28. We would love your help and company! Please sign up here. Community First! Village: Experience the goodness at Community First! Village by preparing a new home for an unhoused neighbor. Join us for our next make-ready on Friday, September 3rd. Sign up here—we need 5 more volunteers at 2:00 p.m.!

RECRUITING LECTORS, INTERCESSORS AND ACOLYTES Would you like to read, pray or acolyte during our Sunday services? Readers, intercessors and acolytes are important liturgical ministers, leading the congregation in readings from the Bible, in praying the Prayers of the People, and in the flow of the liturgy. If you would like to serve as a reader, intercessor or acolyte, please contact the Rev. Terry Gleeson.

PANDEMIC PROCEDURES Masks are welcome at all parish services and events, and we strongly encourage wearing masks when indoors. Masks are required for those who are not fully vaccinated and for those who are participating in our Sunday liturgies (clergy, choir members, other liturgical participants). Our goal is to create a climate where people feel comfortable and safe worshipping and to keep from contributing to the spread of Covid-19.    We ask your prayers for all of those in our community affected by the ongoing pandemic and for those who are caring for them.

SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, September 12 Formation REstart Episcopal 101 Rite 13 Communion Instruction Coffee Hour Conversations Tuesday, September 14 Women's Book Club Wednesday, September 15 Wednesdays on Windsor Dinners begin Friday, October 15 Candlelight Concert Series begin Saturday, October 23 Celebration of New Ministry and Formal Installation of the Rev. Channing Smith (at 10:30 a.m.)

MORE WAYS TO CONNECT For information on all of the ways you can worship with us, take part in formation and serve others, please click here.