Weekly Update for January 8, 2026 | | |
Announcements
- BOD Lunch Recap
- New Adult Formation series begins 1/11
- Adult Confirmation
- Green Team Impact Tracker
- Pledge Envelopes available
- Out & About 1/18
- Celebrating the Rev. Nancy Allison
- News from the Diocese
- January 8 Bishops Statements
- Join the Beloved Community
Worship With Us
Prayer List
Support Our Parish
Connect With Us
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Beyond Our Doors Community Lunch
Please enjoy a few pictures from the first Beyond Our Doors Community Lunch of 2026, held on Sunday, January 4. A special THANK YOU! to Camm, Anders, Maggie and Paul Fyfe for preparing the delicious chili! Camm shared his own recipe and the results were scrumptious. The next parish wide chili cook-off is going to be very competitive! Thanks, as always, to the BOD ministry team members for all their contributions towards another successful lunch. We also want to thank Pamela Owens, founder of ReNew Mobile Showers, for providing personal hygiene bags to our neighbors.
If you'd like to get involved with the Beyond Our Doors team, please reach out to Gerard McNeill or call the church office. The BOD team hosts Community Lunch on the first Sunday of each month, and welcomes opportunities to partner with like-minded organizations serving our neighbors in need.
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New Year, New Horizons
Adult Formation in January and February - Join us on Sunday mornings at 9AM.
Starting January 11th, Rev. Hershey Mallette-Stephens leads a guided tour through Richard Rohr’s latest work, The Tears of Things. How do we find a compassionate way to keep going in the face of violence and injustice? When daily disappointments and grievances pile up, what authentic remedy might we find? Join us as we put out into the deep together. This offering will run Jan 11, Jan 18, and Jan 25.
In February, Ian Finley returns to introduce us to one of his favorite books - Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton. If you were able to attend Ian’s class on C. S. Lewis, you already know what an energetic and inspiring teacher Ian is. We are delighted to welcome him back to help us look at the Holy Scriptures with fresh eyes and ever more open hearts. This offering runs Feb 1, Feb 8, and Feb 15.
Copies of The Tears of Things and Making Sense of the Bible are available for purchase at the front desk.
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Adult Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation
Are you thinking about being confirmed as an Episcopalian? Did you grow up in another Christian denomination and would like to be received into the Episcopal one? Have you experienced a significant shift or awakening in your faith life that you would like to have sacramentally reaffirmed?
If you answered "yes" or "maybe" to any of these questions, please reach out to Rev. Imogen about the possibility of being confirmed, received, or reaffirmed when Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson is with us on February 22nd, the First Sunday in Lent.
Requirements for Confirmands/Candidates for Reception and Reaffirmation
- Attend either
- Rev. Hershey's class on Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things (Jan 11, Jan 18, and Jan 25)
OR
- Ian Finley's class on on Adam Hamilton's Making Sense of the Bible (Feb 1, Feb 8, and Feb 15)
- Set up a time to meet with Rev. Imogen, who will provide some additional instruction, encouragement, and opportunities for further reflection.
If you are out of town or unable to attend a class session, that is fine. You do not need to wait to complete a class before meeting with Rev. Imogen.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email Rev. Imogen.
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Green Team Impact Tracker
This is the second month for our new Green Team Impact Tracker, reporting on the success we are achieving through our Battery Recycling and Community Composting initiatives! Every pound we collect or divert is a step toward a healthier environment and safer workplaces.
Here is what we accomplished together as of January 2025:
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Battery Recycling: Since November 12, 2024, we have safely collected and disposed of 347 pounds of used batteries, keeping them out of landfills and protecting recycling workers from fire hazards.
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Community Composting: Since June 2025 we have diverted 1125 pounds of food waste from the landfill, which is now being turned into valuable, nutrient-rich soil!
New to these programs? If you want to know exactly how to drop off your batteries or sign up for the Community Composting Membership, please read our full guide to the initiatives here:
Read the Green Team Program Guide: https://www.cgs-raleigh.org/blog/recycling-and-composting
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Did You Order 2026 Pledge Envelopes?
Your envelopes are waiting for you at the Front Desk in the Parish Life Center. If you would like pledge envelopes but didn’t order them, please contact David Baggett.
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OUT & ABOUT- Sunday, January 18
Out and About is a longstanding CGS supper group affirming our LGBTQ families & friends.
We gather monthly at a host's home for a potluck and fellowship. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Interested in hosting or co-hosting a future potluck supper?
Reach out to: Brother Paul Henry OSF by text at 954-448-8931.
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Celebrating the Rev. Nancy Allison
In early February, our beloved Rev. Nancy will be moving up to Pennsylvania. Help us to shower her with love and blessings as she prepares to make a home nearer to her sister, with wonderful opportunities and friendships awaiting her.
Rev. Nancy has touched the lives of many people through her presence, teaching, and preaching. In recent years, she has led not one but two popular weekly bible studies at Good Shepherd. And as many of you know, Rev. Nancy previously spent much time at Christ Church, Raleigh, where she was the first female priest called to serve on the clergy staff there.
Please mark your calendars for a reception to celebrate Rev. Nancy on Saturday, January 31st from 10 AM until Noon in Shepherd's Hall. If you would like to contribute food items for the reception or help in any way, please contact Molly Propst (mvpropst@gmail.com OR 919.523.9142).
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News from the Diocese
January 8: Bishops of the Diocese of North Carolina Respond to Shooting in Minnesota
We are grateful for our brother bishop, the Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, for his wise words that we share below in the aftermath of yesterday’s fatal shooting in Minneapolis. His clear and passionate affirmation of a Gospel-centered response to the ongoing presence of immigration forces in our local communities is a reminder of our call, as followers of Jesus, to stand in solidarity with those who are made vulnerable by the actions of those in power. More and more we are all being made vulnerable by state-sanctioned violence: by patterns of intimidation, use of brutal and deadly force, and willful disregard of laws intended to keep all people safe. Love calls us to speak out, to stand together and insist that the way of love is stronger than the force of fear.
Faithfully,
Bishop Sam Rodman and Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Read their full statements here: https://episdionc.org/2026/01/08/bishops-of-the-diocese-of-north-carolina-respond-to-shooting-in-minnesota/
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Rebranding and New Online Community
The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina has completed a comprehensive rebranding project, and has a new seal and a new website! Learn about it here: https://episdionc.org/rebranding/
To celebrate the debut of its new look, the Diocese has created an online community as an offering to all the diocesan faithful. The Beloved Community of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina is built on Circle, a community platform created specifically for building spaces where those with similar interests can gather and grow.
The intent of the diocesan Beloved Community is to give every Episcopalian across the Diocese of North Carolina a place to connect, build relationships, work, learn, share resources and more. Join the Beloved Community here:
BELOVED COMMUNITY ON CIRCLE
For more, check out news and information from the Diocese and The Episcopal Church on their websites.
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Sunday, January 11
8 AM
8:30 AM - 12 Noon
- Nursery Care Available (infant-4 yo)
9 AM
- Kids Sunday School
- Adult Formation
- The Tears of Things led by Rev. Hershey in Room 323
- Bible Study Led by Debbie Moyer in Room 303
- Green Team Meeting in the Parlor
10:15 AM
11:30 AM
- Fellowship Sponsored by our ONEWake Representatives.
11:45 AM
- 2027 Youth Pilgrimage Info Session (see below)
4:30 PM
5:30-7:30 PM
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Weekday Worship
- Morning Prayer at 9 AM, Monday through Friday
- Wednesday Eucharist at 12 Noon
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Save the Date!
Vacation Bible School 2026
June 15-18 (Monday-Thursday), 9 AM – 12 Noon
- Ages pre-K through 5th grade
- Nursery care will be available for younger children
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2027 Youth Pilgrimage Information Session - January 11
The Good Shepherd Youth Ministry Committee is delighted to announce that we are in the beginning stages of planning an overseas Youth Pilgrimage for the summer of 2027. This event will be open to all students who are enrolled in high school during the 2026/2027 school year.
There will be an information session for youth and parents after church on Sunday, January 11, 2026 in the EYC Room. All those interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity are strongly encouraged to attend.
| | The Church of the Good Shepherd Prayer List | | |
Catherine and Bob Williams; JoAnn Kistler and Charles Latimer; Roy Wright; Janet Gilliam;
Ralph Sanders; Pete Taylor; Martha Bailey; Janie Ward-Newton; William Short; Brinley Harris;
Don Caudill; Jerry Smith; Margaret Park; Lynda Terrell-Rea; The Rev. Sallie Simpson;
Patricia Harris; Susie Rahal; Larry Phearse and Family; Mike Newton-Ward;
Gary Blaettler; Dennis McKinnie; Rose Hoppe; Nannette Brown; Elise Abernathy;
Sheldon Smith; Nicholas Smith; Peter Smith; Tripp Nelson; Suzy McPherson;
Bob Kochersberger and Family; Susan and Jane Jackson and Family;
The Mogilski, Bormann, and Dangerfield Families; The Ellington Family; The Wilson Family;
the people of Israel and Palestine; the people of Ukraine and Russia; victims of gun violence;
and those affected by drought, heat, floods, storms, and fires.
And we pray for those who mourn, including the family and friends of Michael Riddle,
Al Bass, Smith Lingerfelt, Paul Hoch, The Rev. Janet Watrous, Mary Best, A.B. Swindell, and Peggy Hawks.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for St. John’s, Battleboro;
Church of the Holy Comforter, Burlington; and St. Paul’s, Cary.
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America
(The Anglican Church in Central America).
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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.
| | Christmas Eve Altar by candlelight, photo by Noom Baggett | |
Ministry Contacts
If you are looking for meaningful ways to serve, please consider the ministries listed below. The contacts listed can provide more information.
More opportunities are listed on our webpages: Serve our Parish / Serve our Neighbors
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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.
Thank you for reading the Parish News.
Announcements and photos to share with our parish family are always welcome!
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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A Friendly Reminder…
Have you moved? Changed your phone number or email address?
If so, please be sure to contact Parish Administrator David Baggett at david.baggett@cgs-raleigh.org or 919.831.2018). Thank you!
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