Weekly Update for October 29, 2026

Top of Mind...

Invitation to Consider Vestry Service for 2027-2030

The secular business of the parish is handled by the Vestry, whose members are elected by confirmed adult communicants in good standing at the annual parish meeting in January. The Vestry oversees the fiduciary responsibility of our parish and makes decisions about our buildings and grounds. In addition to those duties, the Vestry also serves as a liaison to the ministries and committees that serve and work at CGS.

They serve staggered, three-year terms with four members elected annually. The Vestry meets once a month on the evening of the fourth Monday from 6-8 PM. The Rector presides over the meeting.

There are many gifts with which we can serve God and Good Shepherd. Just as Altar Guild serves with reverence for the Eucharistic meal and musicians offer their talents, vestry members have gifts for seeing the big picture, balancing competing interests, protecting the assets of our parish, etc. Why serve on vestry? Because you have these gifts and you want to share them.

Feel free to ask vestry members what it is like to serve in that role. That might be part of your discernment process along with prayer and sitting in silence. Self-nominations are encouraged, as well as suggesting this ministry to someone you think would be a good candidate.

Specific skills needed: Financial Acumen

For details about the nomination process, contact one of the Nominating Committee members: John Boyne, James Deal, Leslie Gilbert, Esther Hall, Dan Harris, and Gerard McNeal.

If you are interested in nominating yourself or others, please do so using this form. Thank you!

Come on Up to Shepherd's Hall for Dinner on Us!

Please join us for an evening of food and fun in Shepherd’s Hall on Thursday, November 12th, to learn more about Good Shepherd and our history of Legacy Giving. Social time begins at 5:30 PM, followed by a delicious catered dinner and a short presentation on how we are creating lasting legacies with a new generation of parishioners. The dinner is free, the conversation will be enlightening, and the program will end by 8:00 PM, so don’t wait. RSVP now so that we can provide a headcount to our caterer! RSVP here by Sunday, November 8th to join us in Shepherd's Hall for a social time at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner on Thursday, November 12.

All Saints' Day

We hope you will join us this Sunday, November 1st as we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. In addition to remembering aloud those who have passed, the choir will be singing movements from Malcom Archer’s “Requiem”. Please be aware that this is also the date of the City of Oaks Marathon. Several downtown streets around the church may be closed until 8:30 AM.

Newcomers Classes and Reception

It has been wonderful to see all the new faces in the congregation over the past weeks and months. In order to help all our visitors and newcomers become better acquainted with the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Episcopal tradition, we are offering a series of classes and events throughout the fall and winter.

The series will conclude on this Sunday, November 1st with a Meet and Greet with parish staff, lay leaders, and ministry captains. This is a great way to learn how to get more involved in outreach, fellowship, or any of Good Shepherd’s other amazing ministries and programs.

Newcomers are also invited to attend a casual reception at the downtown home of Will and Christie Barbee at 4 PM on Saturday, November 14th. This will be a great opportunity to get better acquainted with both longtime members and other newcomers.

Then, in December, we will begin another series of classes on Anglican history and theology called, Episcopal 101. This class will meet on Sunday, December 6th and 13th and then take a break for the holidays before returning again in January.

If you have any questions or would like to get together for coffee, feel free to contact the Rev. Justin Gabbard at justin.gabbard@cgs-raleigh.org. We are so glad that you have chosen to make Good Shepherd your spiritual home. As the Book of Common Prayer says, I hope it will be to you a help in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.

Costa Rica Pilgrimage Presentation

Are you interested in joining the EYC Pilgrimage to Costa Rica next July as a youth participant or adult chaperone? Join us in the Youth Room for an information session on Sunday, November 1st at 11:45 AM and again at 7:30 PM after EYC. Contact Rev. Justin Gabbard with questions.

Consecration of New Altar

Bishop Sam will be coming to bless the new altar this Tuesday November 3rd at 12:30 PM, and we would love for you to join him if you are available! We will have a larger, public celebration at Bishop Sam's Visitation on April 4, 2027. If you are in town, we would love for you to be able to share in this special liturgy, especially after all the hard work and support you have given to make this new altar - from conception to installation - possible.

Jim Propst Memorial Oyster Roast

The November 7th Oyster Roast will be postponed until 2027. If you would be interested in serving as a leader for the planning of this dinner, please contact the church office.

Shakespeare and Scripture

Two great works came out of the Elizabethan era in England: The King James Bible and the First Folio of William Shakespeare. And it turns out they share more than just grandeur and poetry. Shakespeare's plays are deeply informed by Christian ideals, often in surprising and magical ways. Join Ian Finley, who has taught Shakespeare for NCSU, Duke, Southern Methodist University, and over 30 secondary schools in North Carolina, starting next Sunday, November 8th through November 22nd at 9 AM in the Adult Formation room to explore the divine inspiration and peerless poetry of Shakespeare and Scripture.

White Flag Volunteers: Stay Connected!

As we prepare for the upcoming White Flag season, Good Shepherd will continue supporting our unsheltered neighbors during dangerous winter weather. While we will not host a shelter this year, we plan to partner with other congregations and organizations by providing volunteers and meals.

If you would like to help this winter, please complete our brief Volunteer Interest Form with your name, email address, and phone number.

When White Flag nights are activated, we'll email you a link to the volunteer sign-up schedule so you can choose opportunities that fit your availability.

Completing the form does not commit you to volunteering. It simply ensures you'll receive information about opportunities to serve.

Whether you volunteered last winter or are considering joining us for the first time, we welcome your participation in this important ministry of hospitality and care for our neighbors. 

Have a Heart for Hospitality?

Last year, the Good Shepherd community demonstrated their commitment to a ministry of hospitality by feeding and providing fellowship for our 5,000 White Flag guests. Many lessons were learned during the winter cold, and changes are coming to the program for this season. If you would like to learn more about the Meal Team's new plans or volunteer, please plan to join the organizational meeting on Sunday, November 8, immediately following the 10:15 service in Room 323 (Adult Formation Room) or email Esther Hall (estherhall@gmail.com). As always, many hands make light work, and this is an ideal volunteer opportunity for a one-and-done or a longer-term commitment. Everyone is welcome, and no cooking experience is necessary!

EYC Winter Warmth Drive

The Episcopal Youth Community is now accepting donations for their annual Winter Warmth Drive. Your donations of winter hats, gloves, scarves, socks, ChapStick, and small packages of tissues will be distributed to Shepherd’s Table guests on Veteran’s Day. Collection bins are currently located in the Parish Life Center lobby through Sunday, November 8th. You can also order online by visiting out Amazon shopping list HERE. Our youth thank you for your support! 

Pastoral Care Team

Please note that the Pastoral Care Leadership Team will meet on the first Wednesday of this coming month, (a recurring meeting), November 4th at 1 PM. in the second floor vestry room. Please reach out to Rev. Polly Robb with any questions.

Poinsettia Orders

Christmas is right around the corner, and it is time once again to get your Poinsettia orders in! You can help decorate our beautiful altar again this year by purchasing a poinsettia. Each 6” plant is $20; order forms are available at this link and on the table in the Parish Life Center. The deadline is Sunday, November 15th. 

News from the Green Team: Colection Day at CGS

Collection Day at CGS Back Parking Lot for Used Electronics and More!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 5th from 9 AM to 12 PM!

The recycling company Anything with a Plug is coming to Church of the Good Shepherd to pick up any items that you want to get rid of and properly recycle them. The truck will be parked in the back parking lot for easy drop off.

For more information, please see the website: Electronics Recycling | Anything With A Plug Recycling.

Any questions, please contact Beth Hahn (919)-274-0660; email bhahn2512@gmail.com.

Items that can and cannot be accepted by Anything with a Plug include:

Did You Know?

Are you missing serving Items from your kitchen??

Behind the reception desk are MANY trays, carrying containers, etc. from when you all have generously brought food for functions at CGS, and we know you would like to have them back! Please claim these items from the table in the PLC lobby by Sunday, November 8th. Any remaining items after this date will be lovingly rehomed or donated. Thank you!

Faithful Voter guide

The North Carolina Council of Churches has created the Faithful Voter Guide, a nonpartisan educational resource designed to help Christians engage public life through the lens of faith, reflection, and faithful civic participation, and our diocese sponsored its translation into Spanish: Guía del Votante Fiel.

Through seven spheres of influence, the guide invites readers to reflect on how public policy can either foster human flourishing or perpetuate injustice. Grounded in scripture and the call to love God and love our neighbors, this guide offers scriptural guidance, reflection and questions for discernment as you prepare to vote.

We encourage faithful engagement with the issues before us, believing that our faith calls us to seek justice, show compassion and work for the common good. May this guide inspire reflection, conversation and action that helps build a more just and flourishing North Carolina.

Take a deeper dive into the Faithful Voter Guide by using our Companion Toolkit that give congregations and small groups a framework for exploring the issues, asking faithful questions and discerning how our values call us to respond.

News from the Green Team

Remember to cast your vote for Wake Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor(s)!

When you go to vote on Nov. 3rd, remember that near the end of your ballot you will be voting for an often-overlooked office: Wake Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor(s). These elected officials play an important role in the protection and improvement of our natural resources, especially water and soil. Those who want to help protect our Creation and protect people from chemicals in water, etc. should do some research before they vote to see which candidates are most committed to environmental protection.

Come Worship & Learn This Sunday

All Saints' Day

8 AM

Holy Eucharist, Rite I

8:30 AM - 12 Noon

Nursery Care Available (infant-5 yo)

9 AM

• Children's Sunday School in PLC Rooms 325 and 329
• Sunday Morning Bible Study in PLC Room 303; Contact: Debbie Moyer

9:30 AM

Choir Warmup

10:15 AM

Holy Eucharist with Baptism, Rite II

• Service Livestream
• Service Bulletin

11:30 AM

Beyond Our Doors Community Lunch

11:45 AM

• Costa Rica Pilgrimage Presentation
• Newcomers Ministry: Meet and Greet with Parish Staff, Lay Leaders, and Ministry Captains

12 PM

Senior Choristers Rehearsal

5:30 PM

EYC

7:30 PM

Costa Rica Pilgrimage Presentation

Next Week (Monday-Saturday)

Monday, November 2

All Souls' Day

• 9 AM Morning Prayer

Tuesday, November 3

Election Day

• 9 AM Morning Prayer
• 10 AM Staff Meeting
• 11 AM Bible Study in Ennis Suite; Contact: Rev. Polly Robb
• 12:30 PM Altar Consecration
• 4:30 PM Good Shepherd Choir Rehearsal; Contact: Kirsten Homdrom
• 5:30 PM Bible Study at Van and Gigi Giersch's Home (6433 Chapman Ct, Raleigh, NC 27612)

Wednesday, November 4

• 9 AM
• Morning Prayer
• Kaffeeklatsch Fellowship Group (at The Flying Bisquit, 2016 Clark Ave, Raleigh 27605); Contact: Jean Knepley
• 12 PM Holy Eucharist
• 1 PM Pastoral Care Committee Meeting
• 6 PM Handbell Choir Rehearsal; Contact: Kirsten Homdrom
• 7 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal; Contact: Kirsten Homdrom

Thursday, November 5

• 8:30 AM Books & Bagels Book Group at Starbucks (3800 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607)
• 9 AM Morning Prayer

Friday, November 6

• 9 AM Morning Prayer

Saturday, November 7

• 11 AM Funeral for Rock Kershaw

Our Altar Flowers this past Sunday

Photo Courtesy of Peter Jezierny

Parish Prayer List

Catherine and Bob Williams; JoAnn Kistler;

Roy Wright; Janet Gilliam; Ralph Sanders;

Pete Taylor; William Short; Brinley Harris;

Don Caudill; Margaret Park;

The Rev. Sallie Simpson; Patricia Harris;

Larry Phearse and Family;

Mike Newton-Ward; Bill White;

AnnaLissa Farrell; Lynn Wiss;

Jefferson Bulluck; The Cooke Family;

The Rahal and Anderson Families;

The Smith and Acton Families;

The Vitaglione Family;

the people of the Middle East;

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

Martha Bailey, Rock Kershaw,

Valerie Buckner, Mary Best, A.B. Swindell,

Peggy Hawks, Charles Latimer, Nolan Simon,

Karen Pursley, Deborah Cooke, Susie Rahal,

Jerry Smith, Gerard Spagnoli,

and Guy Vitaglione.

In the diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for

Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte,

New Hope Collaborative,

and St. Mary’s School.

In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for

Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America.

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.

Support Our Parish

Ministry Opportunities

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

Parish Partners

• Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen
• Raleigh Mennonite Church
• St. John's Metropolitan Community Church

Connect with Us

A Friendly Reminder…

Have you moved, changed your phone number or email address?

If so, please be sure to contact the Parish Office at 919-831-2000. Thank you!