Weekly Parish News for Thursday, November 20 | | |
Announcements
- Hot Cocoa Sale during the Christmas Parade – Nov 22
- Prayers for the Diocesan Convention
- Special Adult Formation Class 11/23
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November Food Drive - Feed the Hungry
- Newcomers series continues 11/23
- Parish office closed Thanksgiving
- Oyster Roast- thank you!
- ONE Wake Update
- Hurricane Relief Fund
Advent & Christmas
- Read this new section of our newsletter to help prepare for the busy Advent season.
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Worship With Us
Prayer List
Support Our Parish
Connect With Us
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Come Support Our EYC!
Hot Cocoa Sale during the Raleigh Christmas Parade – November 22
The Hot Cocoa Sale is the primary fall fundraiser for the Episcopal Youth Community. On November 22 (the
Saturday before Thanksgiving), the city of Raleigh will host its annual Christmas Parade. Our youth will set up
tables outside the church on Hillsborough Street and sell Hot Cocoa and other goodies to parade attendees.
The parade kicks off at 9:30am and the route goes in front of the church on Hillsborough Street! More info: https://grma.org/christmas-parade/parade-day-map-route-of-parade/
Last year the sale raised over $1000 for our youth program which funded our winter and spring programing and also helped defer the cost of our summer mission trip. Contact: Karen Boyne 919-623-2233
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Prayers for the Diocesan Convention
This weekend, the Diocese of North Carolina convenes in Winston-Salem for its 210th Annual Diocesan Convention. This important gathering brings together lay and ordained deputies from across the Diocese to discern God's mission for the coming year, elect leaders, approve the budget, and worship together.
We ask for your prayers for the work of the Convention and for the safety and wisdom of all who travel and participate.
We want to offer our appreciation to our four devoted lay delegates who are representing The Church of the Good Shepherd: Jacob Ferguson, Caryl Fuller, James Joslin, and Richard Netherby. Their commitment to this vital diocesan work is a blessing to our entire parish. Please hold them and all attendees in prayer this weekend!
Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we pray, with his grace and presence, the bishops and other clergy and the laity soon to be assembled in your Name, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
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Special Adult Formation this Sunday
This Sunday the Adult Formation class will wind up a series on "Hospitality" with a report on this year's Diocesan Convention. Members of Good Shepherd's delegation and others attending are invited to share their experience. In addition to the hospitality of place, how did the hospitality of spirit look and feel this year? Might the promises of our Baptismal Covenant be tapped for examples of seeking and serving Christ in all persons? How will we be encouraged to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Please join us in Room 323 on the second floor at 9:00 Sunday for reflection and discussion.
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Help Feed the Hungry this November
Please consider supporting our efforts to feed the hungry .
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bring canned/shelf-stable protein (such as tuna, chicken, or salmon) to church; these items will be donated to the Urban Ministries Food Pantry. Children and youth are warmly encouraged to participate in this corporal work of mercy.
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make a monetary donation (for checks, please include "SNAP Support" in the memo line). Donations will be split evenly - half of the funds will be used to purchase $10 gift cards to A Place at the Table pay-what-you-can cafe, and the other half will be donated to Urban Ministries operating costs.
Donation baskets are available in the church and in the Parish Life Center for food items and for monetary offerings. Online giving is now available through Realm and on the parish website. Thank you!
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Newcomers Series Continues Sunday
Please join Rev. Justin on Sunday, Nov. 23 after the 10:15 worship service for the second session in a three-part Newcomers Series. If you missed last week’s session, don’t let that stop you from attending today! These informal sessions provide an introduction to the Episcopal Church, Anglican theology, and our particular pattern of worship and give newcomers an opportunity to become better acquainted with our clergy and some of our other new members. This series will be followed by an adult confirmation class beginning in January. Confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations will take place during the bishop’s visitation on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Contact: The Rev. Justin Gabbard
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Parish Office to Be Closed for Thanksgiving
Please make note that the Parish Office will close at 5PM on Wednesday, November 26th and will re-open at 9 AM on Monday, December 1st. In the event of a pastoral care emergency, the parish’s Pastoral Care Support Line 919.831.2008 is available and is monitored 24x7.
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The Annual Jim Propst Oyster Roast: Great Fellowship, Greater Purpose
What an amazing evening of great food and fellowship we had at the annual Jim Propst Oyster Roast on Saturday, November 15th! The turnout was fantastic, filling Shepherd's Hall with joy and community spirit.
From the mounds of fresh oysters and delicious shrimp to the hot dogs, kid-friendly treats, and yummy sweets, there was something for everyone. We were thrilled to see so many families and friends come together for this fun community event. A big thank you goes out to all of our incredible volunteers and dedicated cooks! Your hard work, generosity, and time made this event a huge success.
Beyond the Plate: Our Shells Are Building New Reefs
The Green Team is proud to share that the fun of the Oyster Roast extends far beyond our plate—it reaches the North Carolina coast!
Thanks to Ed Sharp and his team, all of our oyster shells were properly collected and disposed of for recycling. This is crucial because oyster shells are banned from disposal in North Carolina landfills and are instead a valuable resource used by coastal organizations and the NC Division of Marine Fisheries to build new oyster reefs.
Why is Recycling Oyster Shells Important?
Recycled shells are used to build or restore oyster reefs in our sounds. These new and restored reefs have immense benefits for the ecosystem:
- Habitat: They provide vital habitat for fish, crabs, shrimp, and other essential seafood.
- Erosion Control: They act as natural buffers, helping to reduce sound-side erosion.
- Water Quality: As more oysters grow on the reefs, they clean our estuaries by continuously filtering the water.
If you have questions about where to recycle oyster shells or other items, the Wake County convenience center is always a good resource. You can check the Raleigh Reuse web tool or download the mobile app for details on local waste and recycling: raleighnc.gov/landfill-and-reuse/services/raleigh-reuse-web-tool-and-mobile-app.
Relive the Fun! Visit our Facebook album for more pictures!
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ONE Wake is focusing on the municipalities around Raleigh in Wake County.
Municipalities Project
To provide affordable housing ONE Wake is expanding our membership participation into the surrounding cities and towns. Our Church has 111 members who live in Wake County but not Raleigh. It only takes a few to influence their town councils to provide for affordable housing as well as public transportation and local mental health support. Please accept and read emails to help consolidate support in your town or city.
ONE Wake Annual Meeting
The 21 October meeting reiterated that Wake County needs 65,000 affordable housing units. This number will house Wake County teachers, police and fire fighters as well as many who are unhoused. As well as, wait-staff, cooks, city workers, house cleaners, lawn workers etc. who are priced out of home ownership near where they work. We are all aware of the proliferation of “McMansions” or five figure rents per month apartments that drive many into rural areas of Wake. Diversity is a strength and a Christian responsibility.
Initiatives were presented: 1) Continue to encourage affordable housing development, 2) Change zoning so builders can place multiple starter homes in a lot that is now crushed with a huge and expensive single family dwelling, 3) Use land that is owned by government or failed developments, 4) Locate funding for affordable housing, 5) Support bond referendums to support tax-relief and encourage multi-income neighborhoods, 6) Help politicians understand Wake County citizens want affordable housing.
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What Can You Do to Help with Hurricane Melissa Relief?
Episcopal Relief & Development is in close contact with partners, including local dioceses and agencies in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, as Hurricane Melissa continues to cause widespread devastation throughout the Caribbean region. "Please give today to the Hurricane Relief Fund and help our partners and dioceses reach vulnerable communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. As we continue to assess ongoing needs in impacted areas, your urgent gift will enable us to respond now — and in the long run to aid in recovery." more info here: https://www.episcopalrelief.org/
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Preparing for Advent!
As we prepare for the Advent Season and Christmas Day, we will put announcements in this special section of the newsletter and a new page on the website.
Be sure to visit https://www.cgs-raleigh.org/advent.html for advent info!
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The St. Nicholas Tree is coming!
Starting on Sunday, November 23rd, the St. Nicholas/Angel Tree will be in the foyer of the PLC. The Episcopal Farmworker Ministry folks graciously made angels for the 80 children that we are providing for this year which will be hanging on the tree. Just choose an angel (or more if you wish - up to 4 per family), sign the registration book with your name and contact information under the correct angel number and start shopping! Please return all WRAPPED gifts to the church by Sunday December 7th at the latest - there are instruction sheets available for you to take as well which remind you to LABEL each gift with the child's #. If you would like to participate but do not have the time or desire to shop, donations will be accepted and used to provide gifts to angels not chosen. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jennifer Tlusty. THANK YOU!
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Don’t Miss Advent 1 at Good Shepherd! – November 30
On Sunday, November 30 we’ll kickoff Advent! Immediately following the 10:15 worship service you’ll be able to make your Advent wreath (supplies provided), help decorate our beautiful Chrismon Tree, and enjoy fellowship and snacks. Stay tuned for details!
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Can You Help with the Chrismon Tree?
Next Sunday, November 30, immediately following the 10:15 worship service, we will be hanging ornaments on our beautiful Chrismon Tree! Lights will have already been installed. If you’re able to stay and help, please join us! It won’t take long. Contact: John and Karen Boyne
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Advent Quiet Day - Dec. 6 at Good Shepherd
A Quiet Day is a day set aside for prayer, listening, and honest reflection, allowing for new clarity on life and a widening connection to God. On this Quiet Day, The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth, associate interim rector at St. Paul’s in Cary, will lead retreatants through reflections from the great medieval mystic and theologian, Julian of Norwich. Learn more in our blog article: https://www.cgs-raleigh.org/blog/advent-quiet-day-dec-6
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Sunday, November 23
8 AM
8:30 AM - 12 Noon
- Nursery Care Available (infant-4 yo)
9 AM
- Kid’s Sunday School
- Bible Study led by Debbie Moyer in Room 303
- Hospitality and Spiritual Life series, Room 323 (second floor Adult Formation room)
10:15 AM
11:30 AM
- Fellowship Time:
On Nov. 23, Fellowship Time will be hosted by folks with a 27604 zip code. Please join us after the 10:15 service for snacks and refreshments. Contact Sara Stohler for more information.
11:45 AM
- Newcomer’s Class in the Parlor
5:30-7:30 pm
- EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)
| | | The Church of the Good Shepherd Prayer List | |
- Catherine and Bob Williams
- JoAnn Kistler Lattimore and Charles Lattimore
- 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
- Bob Kirchgessner
- David Lovelace
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- Melinda McIntyre and Family
- Dana Babbs
- Mike Newton-Ward
- The Best Family
- The Swindell Family
- The Hawks-Jackson Family
- the people of Israel and Palestine
- the people of Ukraine and Russia
- victims of gun violence
- those affected by drought, heat, floods, storms, and fires, especially those impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
In the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for UNC-Chapel Hill Campus Ministry and Wake Forest / Salem / Winston-Salem State / UNC School of the Arts Episcopal Campus Ministry.
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
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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 November 16, 2025. Photo courtesy Peter Jezierny. | |
2026 Pledge Update
As you’ve undoubtedly heard, our 2026 Stewardship Campaign has been a success! Sincere thanks to everyone who has committed to supporting the mission and ministries of our church during 2026.
If you haven’t yet pledged, don’t worry! It’s not too late. Pledges received prior to December 1 will be used by the vestry to develop and implement our 2026 operating budget. You may submit your pledge submit your pledge through Realm, on our church website here, or by emailing Parish Administrator David Baggett. Thank you!
Contact: Esther Hall, Stewardship Chair
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If you are looking for meaningful ways to serve the parish, please consider the ministries listed below. The contacts listed can provide more information. | | |
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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