Please be aware that clergy and staff never send emails or texts requesting discreet assistance or soliciting gift cards or cash transactions. Also, please be aware of scam emails/texts in general. It is always a good idea to verify that the email address/number matches the information in your contacts.

Weekly Update for October 8, 2026

Top of Mind...

Office Closed

The Parish office will be closed this Monday, October 12th in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day. We will reopen with our regular schedule on Tuesday. We will still have a service of Morning Prayer at 9 AM.

From the Annual Giving Campaign Committee

You are warmly invited to our yearly STEWardship luncheon to celebrate the conclusion of the Annual Giving Campaign on Commitment Sunday, October 18th. Immediately following the 10:15 service we will all enjoy Lunch downstairs at Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen. Take-out orders for the famous Brunswick Stew will be available, but come early as we sell out fast. Special thanks to the STEW CREW for what will be a delicious meal!

How we have built in love through our Annual Giving Campaigns over the past 5 years:

2026  $ 859,791                       

2025  $ 795,205           

2024  $ 725,175           

2023  $ 636,227           

2022  $ 618,954      

Faithful stewardship includes generous and abundant giving to those people and institutions that give witness to God’s transformative power. The Church of the Good Shepherd strives to exemplify and communicate how we use our resources towards this work - and accomplish it through the generous giving, not only of money, but also of time, skills, prayerful discernment, and leadership of our parishioners. Below are our financials showing income and expenses. 

Thank you for so clearly living into faithful stewardship through your participation in our Annual Giving Campaign. Our 2027 goal is $930,000.



Be sure to also check out the Annual Giving Campaign web page. There you will find links to fill out an online pledge form or input the info to Realm, in addition to other information about this year's pledge drive.

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.

We will begin this Sunday, October 11th with the first of a three-part series focused on our local congregation. Immediately following the 10:15am service, the Rev. Justin Gabbard will lead a tour of our building and campus. This tour will not only help newcomers feel more at home in the church, it will also introduce them to many of the ministries and programs housed in the Parish Life Center.

Then, on Sunday, October 25th, longtime member and unofficial parish historian, Duke Fentress will offer his popular tour of our stained-glass windows. Whether you are new to Good Shepherd or a seasoned member who has never seized the opportunity, this tour will reward you with the history and the highlights of the remarkable collection that is one of the treasures of the Capital City.

The series will conclude on 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.

White Flag Ministry: Planning for Winter 2026-2027

Our parish is preparing to participate again in the White Flag shelter program, which provides safe, warm shelter for our unsheltered neighbors during dangerous winter weather. This season, the program will be managed directly by the Wake County Continuum of Care (CoC), on whose board Rev. Imogen serves.

This ministry is vital: during severe weather, shelter can save lives. It also offers us a profound opportunity to honor the dignity of every person, serve Christ in our neighbors, and build relationships across our community. Many of last season’s volunteers found the experience deeply meaningful.

Last winter, our parish provided shelter and meals to unsheltered men on 54 nights, welcoming an average of 86 guests each night. This unprecedented undertaking was made possible, with God’s help, by the loving dedication of more than 80 volunteers from Good Shepherd and Raleigh Mennonite. Our remarkable meal teams provided food and hospitality that our guests especially appreciated, while other volunteers contributed countless hours of compassionate service.

We also learned many important lessons, including that the third-floor space in our PLC is not ideally suited to this work. For the coming season, we are working with the CoC and other downtown Raleigh churches to explore partnerships in which another congregation would provide shelter space while our parish helps supply volunteers and meals.

We expect to have greater clarity in the next few weeks, when the CoC is scheduled to present its 2026-2027 White Flag operating plan to the Homeless Emergency Response Committee (HERC). Parishioners Guynn Prince and Dan Harris serve on HERC and are closely involved in these conversations.

We are grateful to everyone who made last season’s ministry possible. We will keep the parish informed as plans are finalized and opportunities to serve become available for the upcoming White Flag season.

Adult Formation: What We Carry - Led by Rev. Devin McGinnis, Deacon

Remembering, making meaning, and carrying it forward.

Grief is something we all encounter at some point in our lives. Sometimes it comes through the death of someone we love; sometimes through illness, change, disappointment, or a transition in our lives. These experiences can leave their mark on us, shaping not only how we remember the past but how we inhabit our bodies, our relationships, and our everyday lives. Often, we carry grief and the wounds of these experiences with us without even realizing it.

Join me starting this Sunday for What We Carry, a three-session Adult Formation series exploring how we live with the things we carry.

Together, we will:

• Name what we carry — learning to recognize grief and trauma and notice the ways they live in our bodies and our everyday experiences.
• Give voice to what we carry — exploring the practice of lament through stories, poetry, and creative reflection.
• Learn to Live with what we carry — considering how we can honor our grief and what we have lost while continuing to live, love, and move forward.

This series is for you if:

• you are grieving someone or something you have lost;
• you are carrying a loss that has changed the way you see yourself or your life;
• you are moving through a season of transition or uncertainty;
• you have memories, feelings, or questions that you haven't quite found words for;
• you find yourself drawn to poetry, stories, or creative reflection;
• you want to explore lament as a faithful Christian practice;
• you are looking for gentle, meaningful ways to care for yourself spiritually; or
• you want to discover practices for honoring what matters while continuing to move forward.

Please join me on October 11, 18, and 25 for Adult Formation.

No experience with poetry or creative writing is necessary, and you will never be required to share anything you would rather keep private. Come as you are, and bring whatever you are carrying.

Immigration Interfaith Vigil

If you are concerned about the way our nation is treating our immigrant neighbors, come to downtown Raleigh for A Stand for Dignity this Sunday, October 11 from 2–4 PM. People of many faiths will gather on the South Lawn of the North Carolina State Capitol to proclaim the vision of dignity, decency, and due process that we know is possible. Sponsored by Wake Interfaith Immigration Network, the program will include prayer, song, and shared witness and will provide you with ways to bring about the changes we seek. Free and open to all. Sign up here to receive updates. 

Blessing of the Animals Rescheduled

Though we were rained out last weekend, we have rescheduled our blessing of the animals to this Sunday afternoon at 3 PM in the front driveway! We will gather for a brief liturgy and then the clergy will offer blessings to any pets or stuffed animals in attendance. A reminder that sadly, while a blessing might warm your heart and rekindle your affection, it will probably not improve your pet’s behavior, smell, or ability to use a litter box.

Caring for God's Creation:

Supporting Second Chance Pet Adoptions

Through this Sunday, October 11th, we are collecting supplies to benefit animals lovingly cared for by Second Chance Pet Adoptions while they wait for their forever homes. Find out what items are requested and, if you choose, shop through their Wish Lists and have the items shipped directly to Second Chance. If you prefer to drop items off at church, a collection bin for your donations can be located in the Parish Life Center lobby. These items will be dropped off at Second Chance the week of October 11th. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Please contact Shirley Sullivan with any questions.

Godly Play Training

We will host a Godly Play training session with CGS and RMC volunteers from 12-3 PM on Sunday, October 18th in Room 303 and the Godly Play room. If anyone is interested in being a volunteer with the program or learning more about it, please contact Elizabeth Gant to sign up for this event by 10/14/26.

Out & About Potluck Supper

OUT & ABOUT is a longstanding Good Shepherd supper group affirming our LGBTQ families & friends. This originated +30 years ago by our own Dwayne Holloway, Chris Yetter and Rev. Dale Harmon. We continue this lovely supportive tradition regularly during the year at a host's home for a potluck meal, fun and fellowship. Know anyone who would like to join us, interested in hosting or co-hosting a future potluck supper? Just reach out to: Brother Paul Henry, OSF by text at 954-448-8931. ALL ARE WELCOME! Our next supper is next Sunday October 18th hosted by James Deal and Joe Horton at 209 Darbytown Place in Cary.

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, October 25th at 11:45 AM. Contact Rev. Justin Gabbard with questions.

Did You Know?

Green Team: The Power of One

You all know Esther Hall – the force behind Stewardship campaigns, head of the Wedding Guild, die-hard 8AM Sunday service attendee, and someone who is always there to fill in the gaps where needed. But did you know about Esther’s superpower and how that links to Creation Care?

An interview with Esther Hall

Esther is a woman of many talents, and among them is grant writing. Her many years in executive leadership at nonprofit organizations have honed her skills to quickly identify what foundations awarding grants deem worthy. She uses this skill to support Church of the Good Shepherd (CGS) and wrote three $5,000 Green grants which were funded by the Diocese and offset the cost of:

● Switching to more energy-efficient LED lighting in the Parish Life Center

● Adding the water station outside the Parish Life Center

● Environmental efficiency of the new HVAC unit in the Church

In addition to this, she has written other grants to support the church totaling $131,000. Truly an important skill and resource for CGS!

Esther’s approach to Creation Care is uniquely her own. It started with a strong foundation in stewardship nurtured while attending Guilford College, which set her on a trajectory for life. Twenty years as a consultant with The National Trust for Historic Preservation shaped her commitment to preserving the architectural heritage of buildings as the first step to restoring local communities. Today she is a founder and chair of Preservation Raleigh and has just been named president of Preservation NC.

While preparing to lead CGS’s stewardship efforts, Esther attended training sessions that stressed Creation Care as a critical part of stewarding resources. Community building, preservation, and environmental justice were natural puzzle pieces fitting

together to expand the scope of fundraising for annual funds. Researching and writing grants to be faithful stewards of the earth God has created is the ideal platform for Esther to authentically seek funding to expand improvements to our physical buildings that will conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and shrink our carbon footprint.

Esther’s advice for finding your own way to contributing to Creation Care is “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Ps. 24:1). Seek how you can live into protecting the heaven on earth so freely given to us.”

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.

Greater Triangle Area Crop Hunger Walk

CGS will participate again this year in the Greater Triangle Area Crop Hunger Walk. The overall Goal is $60,000 with 25 percent going to local hunger relief in the Triangle and the remaining amount going to world wide food initiatives. How can you participate? Donate to the walk by visiting our team page.

The walk will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026 starting at First Baptist Church. Take a nice 1 mile or 3 mile walk around downtown, depending on your comfort level. Registration is at 2 PM with the walk beginning at 3 PM. Contact The Outreach Team for additional questions.  

Come Worship & Learn This Sunday

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

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
• Adult Formation: What We Carry

9:30 AM

Choir Warmup

10:15 AM

Holy Eucharist with Baptism, Rite II

• Service Livestream
• Service Bulletin

11:30 AM

Fellowship time hosted by the Pastoral Care Team; Contact: Susan Lewellen

11:45 AM

Newcomers Class: Tour of the Church

2 PM

Immigration Interfaith Vigil at the South Lawn of the State Capitol; Contact: Suzanne Prince

3 PM

Blessing of the Animals in the Front Driveway

5:30 PM

EYC

Next Week (Monday-Saturday)

Monday, October 12

Parish Office Closed

• 9 AM Morning Prayer

Tuesday, October 13

• 9 AM Morning Prayer
• 10 AM Staff Meeting
• 11 AM Bible Study in Ennis Suite; Contact: Rev. Polly Robb
• 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, October 14

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

Thursday, October 15

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

Friday, October 16

• 9 AM Morning Prayer

Saturday, October 17

• 5 PM Farrell-Kozma Wedding

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; Janie Ward-Newton;

William Short; Brinley Harris; Don Caudill;

Margaret Park; The Rev. Sallie Simpson;

Patricia Harris; Larry Phearse and Family;

Mike Newton-Ward; Bill White;

NY Mike Smith; Tamara Gregory;

Lynda Terrell-Rea; Elise Abernathy;

Marsha Sample; Susan Doty; Lynn Wiss;

Kari Molvar Kim; Jemma Kim; Sue Johnson;

Nicholas Smith; Peter Smith; Lou Phillips;

Bob Williams; AnnaLissa Farrell;

Lynn Wiss; Jefferson Bulluck;

John Anthony Allen and Family;

The Pursley Family; 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

Christ’s Beloved Community, Winston Salem;

St. Anne’s, Winston Salem;

and St. Paul’s Winston Salem.

In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for

the Anglican Church of Burundi.

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!